DIY Household Cleaners Using Essential Oils

As promised, I’ve got some more information today on those DIY household cleaners I’ve been making with essential oils!

Those of you who have been reading the blog lately have likely noticed my increased interest in essential oils. Even though I’ve had the oils for a few years (I purchased a Premium Starter Kit from Young Living years ago and have had an account since), I’ve only dabbled in them sporadically.

But honestly, I think what started it for me this year was the constant sicknesses coming through our house. As far as the “healing powers” of oils, I really do not know enough about them just yet to speak on that. Some people swear by them, others just enjoy them for their amazing scents. I fall somewhere in the middle right now.

In the midst of my researching and all that jazz, I found myself becoming completely and utterly overwhelmed with everything out there. There are SO many oils, and SO many uses for them, and suddenly, I felt like I was falling into a black hole.

There is a LOT of stuff out there, especially when it comes to your everyday household products. Depending on where you read, you’re likely going to find all sorts of information that scares the crap out of you and all of the products you likely have under your kitchen sink. And while I would love to say that I’m completely clearing my house of ALL of it, my current reality says otherwise.

But that doesn’t mean that I can’t try to chip away a little at a time, right? So that’s what I decided to do when I set out to make these two new DIY household cleaners.

Since making them, I’m pretty sure I’ve used both of them daily. I’ve been keeping them right out on the counter as a simple reminder, and oddly enough, they’ve actually left me excited to clean up. A bit of a random “side effect,” but I suppose it’s not the worst to have, right?!

As for the cleaners, they really couldn’t have been easier to make, and I had both of them finished and ready to use in less than 10 minutes. So my prior excuse of being “too busy of a mom” to deal with that was quite quickly debunked. Oops! Prior to making them, I ordered a few products from Amazon, including these Glass Spray Bottles and this Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap. I’d also already had these Chalkboard Label Stickers on hand, so I used those just to dress up my bottles a little bit.

DIY All-Purpose Cleaner

2 cups distilled water
1 capful Thieves Household Cleaner
5 drops Lemon Essential Oil

Pour all ingredients into a glass bottle fitted with a spray top. Gently swirl the bottle to mix the ingredients together and you’re ready to use!

So far, I’ve used this on all sorts of surfaces, and it’s great. It cleans well, while leaving behind a nice, refreshing scent. I actually foresee many more cleaners being made with this Thieves household cleaner, because the possibilities really are endless! Shower scrubs, glass cleaners, carpet scrubbers…it’s so versatile.

DIY Granite Cleaner

1/4 cup Rubbing Alcohol
1 tbsp Castile Soap
2 cups distilled water
10 drops essential oils (I used a mixture of Citrus Fresh and Lavender from Young Living)

Pour all ingredients into a glass bottle fitted with a spray top. Gently swirl the bottle to mix the ingredients together and you’re ready to use!

I have been using this granite cleaner on our countertops every day, multiple times a day. I love it!

I’m excited to be sharing my newfound excitement with you guys, and hopefully, you’ll find something that may work for you, too! I’ve still got some more to come, so be on the lookout. And if you have any questions, of course, feel free to ask!

***FYI: This post does contain affiliate links. My account with Young Living is also (and has been) a distributor account, but I just never shared it much. So if you’re at all interested in making a purchase, I’m more than happy to help! I’m not going to be soliciting this “business” (I use quotes because I’m really not looking to make this a business – I’ve got my hands full as it is!) any further than simply sharing the oils I use and love with any various recipes I make. Thank you, as always, for your continued support for STSL <3

Disclaimer: Please be sure to do your research before using essential oils. Not all essential oils are safe for children or pets (no matter what the grade), so please be cautious before using these around the house if you have kids or pets.

Comments

Nikki S. says

March 14, 2018 at 8:09 am

Those are super simple to put together, I should try the cleaner! What were the roll on ones you made for the boys? I have been told by a few people to try the oils for my baby who keeps getting ear infections. I have that starter kit as well and love using the peace and calming on the bottom of his feet, works wonders!!! It is a bit overwhelming when people thrown so many different options at you lol Thanks for sharing

Laurel says

March 14, 2018 at 9:44 am

Hi Courtney, I would add a disclaimer to your readers that even though "natural," not all essential oils are safe for children or pets (no matter what the grade), and that they should do their research before mixing up concoctions to use around the house if they have kids or pets around. I'm sure you did your research for your particular cleaners that you describe here, but I wouldn't want people to think that it's always safe to just experiment on their own. Here is a list of essential oils that you should avoid using if you have pets in the house, as they can be rapidly absorbed through the skin or air. It also includes some warning signs to look for in your pets for essential oil poisoning: http://www.vmdtoday.com/news/are-essential-oils-harmful-to-cats-and-dogs This article has a list of oils to avoid using if you have small kiddos in the house (scroll to bottom of article): https://www.kidnurse.org/house-of-cards-the-toxic-combination-of-essential-oils-and-multi-level-marketing/

- Courtney says
  
  March 14, 2018 at 9:54 am
  
  Hey Laurel, that's a great idea. I'm going to edit my post to include a disclaimer, so thank you! And those were some very interesting and insightful articles, too, so thank you for sending those over. I have been taking extra caution with what is used in the house for both the kids' sake and Cody :)
  
Shashaqueefa says

March 14, 2018 at 6:00 pm

How cool! You’re so creative!! My man told me to clean the floor with wood oil and i axcidently used canola oil. The kids and pet possim had fun sliding around but my man slipped a few times and was not happy. Can’t win em all!

run 3 says

March 15, 2018 at 10:05 am

My man told me to clean the floor with wood oil and i axcidently used canola oil.

- Shashaqueefa says
  
  March 16, 2018 at 1:13 pm
  
  Excuse moi
  
Beckie Scott says

March 15, 2018 at 6:29 pm

My only concern would be using citrus on granite surfaces. I was told not to use any citrus cleansers as it ruins the finish on top, resulting in water streaks and such. We had to refinish our counters due to citrus , like lemons, ruining our granite.

Erin B. says

March 21, 2018 at 3:36 pm

You specifically mention using glass bottles -- is there a reason for that? Or could I use plastic spray bottles? Thanks! Erin

- Courtney says
  
  March 21, 2018 at 3:37 pm
  
  Hey Erin! I chose glass bottles just because I've found that the oils tend to permeate the plastic more. That said, I also know people who just use plastic! So really, it's more of personal preference ;)
  
camile324 says

May 26, 2018 at 3:10 am

It’s really awesome. I love it.very interesting and meaningfull post. I got some very important views in your post which are very good and applicable for me. I just wish that I’ll see your another post very soon. I am waiting for that.

y8 says

May 29, 2018 at 8:22 am

As for the cleaners, they really couldn’t have been easier to make, and I had both of them finished and ready to use in less than 10 minutes.