Best Essential Oils for Cleaning and How to Use Them

Essential oils aren’t just used for aromatherapy. Many pure essential oils have powerful antiseptic and antiviral properties that make them very effective for a number of household cleaning tasks.

With many people looking for simple ways to ditch chemicals and live greener at home, essential oils are becoming increasingly popular with people looking to make their own natural cleaning solutions.

“People are now genuinely concerned about their own environmental footprint and the impact that household cleaners are having on the environment and their own health,” says Jacinda van Drongelen, National Training Manager at Arbonne International, Australia and New Zealand. “We are starting to see a major shift in what people are choosing to clean their homes with. People want something that is going to ‘get results,’ but they don’t want to compromise their health or the health of those around them to achieve it.”

Here, van Drongelen shares the best essential oils for cleaning and some natural cleaners you can make yourself.

Best Essential Oils for Cleaning

1. Lavender

Lavender is known for it’s calming and relaxing properties, but did you know that you can also add one to two drops of lavender essential oil to your dryer sheets to freshen laundry or add one to two drops to a spray bottle with four ounces of water to refresh linens, pillows, and mattresses?

2. Lemon

Lemon essential oil is an excellent household cleaner. Its bright, tangy, fresh scent helps to neutralize odors and leaves the air smelling cleaner and fresher. Add one to two drops to the insides of shoes to neutralize odors or use it to clean home surfaces by adding one to two drops to a spray bottle with four ounces of water. Lemon essential oil can also help remove sticky adhesives from services and is perfect to help clean stainless-steel appliances.

3. Tea Tree

Tea tree essential oil is known to have antiseptic and antiviral properties and create a sense of overall purity and freshness with a medicinal aromatic profile.

DIY Natural Cleaners

Here are some simple recipes for DIY natural cleaners using different essential oils for different purposes and surfaces in the home.

Tea Tree Toilet Cleaner

8-ounce glass spray bottle
1 cup white vinegar
1 Tablespoon baking soda
10 drops tea tree essential oil

Add vinegar to glass spray bottle and set aside.
Sprinkle baking soda into toilet bowl, add essential oil, and scrub with toilet brush.
Pour in vinegar and scrub as needed. Flush when done.

All-Purpose Spray

3/4 cup white vinegar
10 drops of lemon essential oil
1/2 teaspoon liquid soap

Add ingredients to a spray bottle and fill the rest up with water. Shake and spray on surfaces, wipe clean.

Natural Disinfectant Spray

Add oil to spray bottle and fill the rest with water. Shake and spray on surfaces, wipe clean.

Are essential oils safe to use with kids and pets in the home?

Every pet/animal is different and reacts in different manner to aromatherapy. When using for the first time, diffuse for 10 minutes and monitor your pet. If your pet shows signs of discomfort, turn off the diffuser and air out the space by opening windows and doors to let in fresh air. If you have any specific pet health concerns, please consult your veterinarian prior to use.

We always recommend consulting your health care professional before using any essential oils if you’re pregnant or home with a baby or child.