Not just cleaning but sanitizing can be done using safe and natural ingredients. In this post, you’ll learn the quick and easy recipe I use for a non-toxic all-purpose household spray cleaner. Three simple ingredients make up a wonderful natural all-purpose cleaner you can feel comfortable letting your young children use. Here’s how you make it:
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Please read my Disclosure Statement before reading any further. I am not a doctor nor scientist and none of what you read next is medical advice from me but you can find research linked in this post!
3 Natural All-Purpose Cleaner Ingredients
1- Liquid Castile Soap generates bubbles that help to capture the germs and bacteria and wash them down the drain.
2- Essential oils, depending on which ones you choose, help to sanitize and disinfect the surface. These oils pack a powerhouse performance for deep cleaning and every day maintenance cleaning too.
- Tea Tree has been shown to be as effective as hydrogen peroxide in sanitizing AND can be combined with a 3% hydrogen peroxide to kill mold and mildew and more (be sure to wear proper PPE) in a separate cleaner from this recipe. Tea tree oil has been studied quite a bit in its effectiveness as an antimicrobial. Lots of articles on PubMed for your leisurely reading.
- Defender, On Guard, and Thieves (Simply Earth*, Doterra, and Young Living brands, respectively) include essential oils like clove are antimicrobial, and other essential oils as a blend like lemon, orange cinnamon bark, eucalyptus radiata, and/or rosemary.
- *Simply Earth is not an MLM but does have affiliates like me. I choose Simply Earth because I support how each purchase donates 13% of profits to end human trafficking.
- Use code JOHNSONHOMENCFREE for a free gift with purchase when you use my link.
- We use Defender a lot in our home: cleaners, diffusing, topically with a carrier oil on feet when sick, in homemade dishwasher tablets, and more. It makes sense for me to purchase the bulk bottle!
3- Filtered water is the last ingredient to top off the spray bottle and dilute the recipe enough to make it safe to use on most surfaces. Filtered water is best but if you need to boil it first, just in case, do so. Allow the water to cool before adding to the spray bottle.
Disclaimer:
PLEASE be sure to complete a patch test on the surface you wish to clean with this natural all-purpose cleaner BEFORE using it widespread. Do this test on all surfaces you wish to clean first.
Personally, I have used this cleaner on laminate counter tops, fiberglass shower/tub inserts, Cortex vinyl flooring, stainless steel sink/appliances, subway tile backsplash, and glass top stove. Though I have found success on these surfaces, be sure to do the patch test before committing to this all-purpose cleaner!
How to mix up the cleaner:
To make this natural all-purpose cleaner, start with a new, dedicated, and labeled spray bottle (32 ounce bottle works well).
Then add 1/4 cup of liquid Castile soap to the bottle carefully.
Next, add in 20-30 drops of your essential oils of choice.
- I like Defender alone or tea tree + lavender or lemon or either of those oils alone.
Now top off the bottle with filtered water, adding it in slowly as not to create so many bubbles that take up water space inside the spray bottle.
Lastly, twist on the spray nozzle tightly and give the spray cleaner bottle a good shake to incorporate all the ingredients well.
Your natural all-purpose spray cleaner using only 2 non-toxic ingredients is ready! Time to tackle those messes and sanitize just as effectively but without the toxins found in bleach.
How do I use this natural all-purpose cleaner spray?
My favorite way to use this all-purpose cleaner when wiping down counter tops is to:
- use a clean, wet rag or sponge that as been wrung out
- spray the cleaner onto the rag
- then wipe down the surface
- if there is a tougher or stickier area, spray a little directly on the spot and allow it to sit for a minute before wiping.
To clean sinks, tubs, or showers:
- spray liberally over the surface and allow it to sit for 3 minutes.
- with a little water on a scrub brush, scrub the surface well. Bubbles will be created and that’s good for trapping germs and washing it away.
- rinse the surface area well with water then allow it to dry naturally.
- if there is a shower door, leave it ajar until the shower is dry.
Where can I use this spray cleaner?
This simple to make natural all-purpose cleaner spray is perfect to use any where that needs a deep cleaning or simply a daily maintenance cleaning. Elbow grease defines the two options.
*Again, please perform a patch test in an inconspicuous area before fully committing to using this spray cleaner on surfaces you are unsure about.*
This spray cleaner is great for wiping down kitchen counters, kitchen sinks, the entire bathroom, and even to mop floors.
It is our go-to “cleaner” when something needs to be cleaned up such as:
- inside of a cooler before adding ice
- inside and outside of the refrigerator and freezer
- kitchen appliances
- any spills
No residue
This natural all-purpose spray cleaner recipe is great at cleaning many surfaces. And it does not leave a soapy or filmy residue behind.*
Castile soap is made of plant based oils like olive, coconut, and sometimes almond oils. Be sure to read the liquid Castile soap label before making your purchase if you have any allergies or sensitivities. Harmless (to most people) ingredients if any is left on the counter top or surface that may come in contact with food.
*Note: clear surfaces like glass, mirrors, and/or windows may need a different natural cleaner like vinegar.
More natural cleaning recipes
Toxin-free ingredients for cleaner cleaning
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This natural all-purpose cleaner will fill these spray bottles (2) below at 16 ounces per bottle. Make the cleaner in a separate pourable bowl then add to the bottles:
- Liquid Castile Soap (so many uses! On this blog, find hand soap, liquid dish soap, and this cleaner using liquid Castile soap.)
Follow along for more natural cleaning
If you liked this easy DIY cleaning recipe, check out other natural cleaning recipes HERE.
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Try this natural all-purpose cleaning spray recipe later but pin it now so you don’t forget it.
Natural All-Purpose Spray Cleaner
Equipment
- 1 32 oz spray bottle
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup liquid Castile soap
- 20-30 drops essential oil tea tree, Defender/On Guard/Thieves are antimicrobial
- top off with filtered water
Instructions
- Start with a new, dedicated, and labeled spray bottle.
- Then add 1/4 cup of liquid Castile soap to the bottle carefully.
- Next, add in 20-30 drops of your essential oils of choice.
- Now top off the bottle with filtered water, adding it in slowly as not to create so many bubbles that take up water space inside the spray bottle.
- Lastly, twist on the spray nozzle tightly and give the spray cleaner bottle a good shake to incorporate all the ingredients well.
