Do you use essential oils in cleaning? If your answer is no, you are missing out. Cleaning with essential oils is an absolutely amazing way to put your oils to use. Cleaning usually is not an enjoyable task for the majority, but you will love the aroma and the cleanliness that is left behind when using essential oils for cleaning.
In a past giveaway, where many of our fans entered to win essential oil supplies, we asked them an oily question and they answered.
Here is the question we asked:
What Is Your Favorite Essential Oil to Use for Cleaning?
And the winner is...Lemon Essential Oil!
A whopping 73% chose Lemon Oil. Lemon is a great natural cleaning essential oil. It's no wonder, lemon oil has an aroma that is just so refreshing and clean smelling. This powerful oil is great at removing unpleasant odors and disinfecting the air, as well as surfaces.
Lemon essential oil is a great way to keep your home healthy and fresh. It can be used for cleaning dishes, cutting boards, counter tops and even in the refrigerator!
Lemon Essential Oil For Cleaning
Lemon essential oil is one of the most versatile essential oils out there. Not only can you use it for cleaning your home, but it also can help to improve your digestion, boost your immune system, and even improve your mood. And unlike many cleaning products, lemon essential oil is completely nontoxic.
Limonene is the main chemical component within lemon essential oil. Limonene has strong antimicrobial actions. This means that it kills microorganisms or stops their growth. Amazing, right? This makes lemon a perfect cleaning oil.
Best Essential Oils for Cleaning
Cleaning your home is a necessary part of living, but it doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. In fact, using essential oils can make cleaning easier and more enjoyable. Not only do essential oils smell great, but they also have natural antibacterial properties.
Cleaning with essential oils is a great way to use the power of nature to perform natural cleaning. Here are the results of our poll:
- 1. Lemon Essential Oil - 73%
- 2. Tea Tree Essential Oil - 8%
- 3. Lavender Essential Oil - 4%
- 4. Lemongrass Essential Oil - 4%
- 5. Grapefruit Essential Oil - 3%
- 6. Peppermint Essential Oil - 3%
- 7. Rosemary Essential Oil - 3%
- 8. Orange Essential Oil - 1%
- 9. Lime Essential Oil - 1%
Using Lemon Oil for Cleaning
Essential oils have been used for centuries to clean everything from clothing to countertops. If you’re a fan of essential oils for cleaning, then getting to know lemon oil is a must.
There are many ways that you can include lemon essential oil for naturally cleaning your home, here are some ideas from our fans:
- Clean Smell: I totally agree with Alyssa from IL, she said "I like to use lemon as my scent for cleaning. It just gives your whole house an overall clean scent!".
- For Water Stains: Carol from OR said "Lemon oil works wonders for shining faucets and removing water stains."
- For Dishwasher: Samantha said she uses Lemon in her dishwasher to give a fresh smell and extra clean.
- For Floors: Christine from TX said "I use 50/50 vinegar & water with several drops of lemon EO to wash the floors."
- For Countertops: "I add lemon, tea tree, orange, white vinegar and purified water to a glass spray bottle and wipe down all my counters" said Lindsay from MA.
How Do You Use Essential Oils in to Your Cleaning Routine?
Like many citrus oils, lemon essential oil is a favorite for uplifting emotions and naturally cleaning your home. Check out some of the responses we received and get some great ideas and tips about how you can incorporate essential oils into your cleaning routine.
Citrus Oils to Freshen Air
 "I love to use essential oils to clean my home. My favorite are citrus - lemon and orange. They are so versatile and make my home smell so fresh and clean. I also love that they are safe for my family. Having lupus has opened my eyes to the chemicals around us on a daily basis and how they affect us. My lupus tends to affect my skin the most and since a majority of what we put on our skin is absorbed directly into our blood stream, essential oils have now played an enormous role in both my cleaning and beauty routines. I feel better and my home is safer. Win. Win." -Michele, CA
Lemon Oil Fruit Wash
"I use baking soda and water to soak my fruit from the store, then add a drop or two of lemon eo then rinse. The fruit is clean and what comes off in the water is unbelievable! I use Peppermint, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary eo's with white vinegar and distilled water as a general counter/surface cleaner in my kitchen. I have a similar mix for my bathrooms with Thieve's Oil blend I mixed. I make my own "fabric softener" with vinegar and eo's." -Cindy, FL
Essential Oils and Vinegar for Cleansing
"I love essential oils. I make a multi purpose cleaner with vinegar an essential oil of my liking at that moment. (Usually lemon & sweet orange, or lemon & peppermint, or sweet orange & bergamot. Who am I kidding the oil choices are endless.) So I'll use this mixture in my glass spray bottle and use it just about anywhere that may need a good cleanse counters, tables, appliances, even the floor. I also use essential oils in my dish water while washing the dishes. My favorite for that would have to be basil, it's so calming. I can't do any laundry without adding some tea tree to the wash and some lavender on a cloth I throw into the dryer as my "dryer sheet", especially when drying any bedding. Essential oils have become an everyday use in my household. I even have friends and family asking me how to use them or if I could whip them up something for whatever may ale them." -Kristina, NE
Essential Oil Deodorizer
"I make up drain deodorizer pills, toilet cleaner pills, and pail deodorizers that I place around places that need a little extra help. I also make up reusable dusting/cleaning clothes that i keep in a jar so they're ready to use. Once used they go into the wash and are then prepped for the next use. I've just gotten another recipe to make up reusable clothes to clean up messes. I'm just getting started and have found there are so many ways we can use these oils and not have to pay a lot of money to keep commercial products around that have chemicals not too friendly to the human body." -Wanda, TX
"I use many different oils depending on what I’m doing. Lemongrass as a basic cleaner. Tea Tree as disinfectant. And different ones on my dryer ball." -Alice, PA
"I use Tea Tree Essential oil in a spray bottle on my yoga mats after I use them. It leaves them smelling fresh, and kills the bacteria that may have come from the sweat." -Josie, TN
Switching to Natural Cleaners
"Oils do most of my cleaning! Slowly, I am moving away from all the toxins and going to diy versions. As of now, I make my own toilet bombs, kitchen cleaner, tub cleaner, window cleaner, body wash, and face cleanser. I haven't found a shampoo that I've been able to like (my hair is oily) but I keep trying! " -Susan, KY
"As I am just getting started I don't have a lot of oils yet. I use the oils I do have to spray the furniture and curtains to get rid of the musty smell and the smell of pets. I love the way my house smells afterwards" -Patricia, ND
"I add eos to the water when washing dishes. A few drops in washer, or I will put some oil on cotton ball that I have wrapped and secured in the end of old pantyhose or on a rag. I have even added some to cheap drier sheets to make the smell better." -Amiee, OH
Lemon Oil for Cleaning the Bathroom
Would you like to clean your bathroom the natural way? You can! Use lemon oil as a disinfectant to clean germy surfaces in this frequently visited space. Not only will your bathroom smell fresher but you'll feel good about using safe, natural products around your family.Â
 Lemon Scented Baking Soda |
Try Lemon Scented Baking Soda to sprinkle freshness and for scouring dirty surfaces like the sink or toilet. Here is a simple recipe to make.
Directions: Place baking soda into small mixing bowl. Add drops of lemon to bowl then use a metal whisk to break up any clumps and to blend in the essential oils. Transfer soda into spice container using a funnel. This recipe fits perfect in a standard spice container, you can make a bigger batch if you have a big container. |
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More Natural Bathroom Cleaning Uses for Lemon Oil
Here are more lemon oil bathroom cleaning ideas and tips from our fans:
- "I use tea tree and /or lemon with vinegar and water in a spray bottle. I also use baking soda and a few drops of my favorite oil shake it well in a jar and then use to sprinkle on carpets and even add some to my laundry for a refresh" -Jessica, MT
- "I love using essential oils for cleaning the bathroom. Before I would have to hold my breath or even put a mask on when cleaning with commercial products." -Dana, IA
- "I use them in my shower cleaning I make toilet bombs to clean the toilet and I use them to clean my mirrors." -Sandra, OH
- "I add a few drops of lemon oil to the inside of my toilet paper roll so the scent will be released the next time someone unrolls some TP." -Jennie L, CO
- Read More: Best Essential Oils for Bathroom
Lemon Essential Oil Kitchen Cleaner
Lemon essential oil has a sweet and fresh aroma that makes it a great addition to a homemade kitchen cleaner. The oil is a mild abrasive and cleaner, as well as an antiseptic. So, with your lemon essential oil in hand, you can clean and disinfect your kitchen without using toxic chemicals.
"I mix in essential oils with vinegar and water and it cleans so well! I also made an air spray with oils and water and a little soap to carry the oils around. I used it during this horrible wildfire season to catch the smoke particles in the house and make them settle. I had way less health problems than many other people." -Ingrid, WA
Lemon Essential Oil All Purpose Cleaner |
Here is a simple homemade all purpose cleaner recipe to use in the kitchen or other areas of your home.
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a glass spray bottle and shake to combine. To use, shake well and spray on the desired surface and wipe clean. |
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Lemon Clean Diffuser Blend
If you're like me and love to diffuse essential oils throughout your home, here's a new blend to try! This Lemon Clean Diffuser Blend is perfect for freshening up any room and the scent is amazing. Give it a try next time you need a little pick-me-up or want to create a refreshing atmosphere.
To use this cleansing essential oil blend recipe, just add the drops of oil to your aromatherapy diffuser with recommended water for your machine. I prefer a 100 to 200 ml tank diffuser, adjust the drops as needed for your machine. Turn on and enjoy!
- 4 drops Lemon essential oil
- 2 drops Peppermint essential oil
- 2 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
- Aromatherapy Diffuser
Where to Buy Lemon Essential Oil?
Don't have a bottle of Lemon? Here are some favorite brands to try:
- Barefut Oils
- Rocky Mountain Oils Organic Lemon
- Plant Therapy Organic Lemon
- Spark Naturals
- Edens Garden
General Essential Oil Precautions
To obtain the greatest benefits, ensure your oil is high quality and 100% pure essential oil without fillers or toxins added. Never mistake perfume oils or fragrance oils as essential oils.
Never use essential oils undiluted, in eyes or mucous membranes. Do not take internally unless working with a qualified practitioner. Keep out of reach from children.
Use essential oils with extreme caution on children, be sure you have researched the oil and that it is safe for use on kids. Plant Therapy clearly labels their oils "KidSafe" on the bottle if the oil can be used for children ages 2–10).
If applying an essential oil topically (on your skin), you may perform a small patch test to an insensitive part of the body, use 1-2 drops in a teaspoon of carrier oil like jojoba oil, read more here.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, epileptic, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. For more information on oil safety issues here.