As it starts getting warmer, we can finally put away the winter clothes and blankets and think about tackling a good old spring clean, especially after a long, cold and wet winter.
When doing a deep clean like a spring clean, it can be tempting to choose products with attractive packaging, synthetic scents and powerful chemicals that will quickly get the job done.
While there is a place for store-bought cleaning products in your home, many supermarket shelves are lined with products containing ingredients which can be harmful, not only to us but also to the environment.
So, while things like bleach may offer a quick and easy solution to get rid of the grit and grime, it’s not good to be inhaling them repeatedly or exposing them to the skin.
The natural aromas and properties of essential oils offer a non-toxic, nicer-smelling alternative to the fragrances found in conventional cleaning products and are ideal for spring cleaning your house naturally. Not to mention essential oils can also bring a host of health benefits by simply inhaling them.
The best thing is that you can combine essential oils with a variety of items that are probably already in your pantry to enhance your DIY cleaning this spring and make your home smell amazing.
Here are some handy tips to help you kick off your spring cleaning naturally using essential oils.
The best essential oils for spring cleaning
Before we jump into how to clean the different areas of your home with essential oils, you might be wondering which ones to choose to tackle your spring cleaning.
The truth is that the best essential oils are the ones you really like the smell of! DIY spring cleaning is all about creating the scents you like so you can create a clean and welcoming home that you (and your family!) enjoy being in.
But if you’re looking for some inspiration, here’s a list of essential oils that we at D:FUSE Aromatherapy like to have on hand for cleaning the house and why we like them.
Pantry items to help with spring cleaning
White vinegar - a great deodorizer and degreaser and getting glass and other surfaces to dry without streaks
Regular dishwashing soap - an all-rounder for DIY cleaning products
Baking soda - an excellent natural deodorizer, abrasive and whitener
Other useful things to have on hand:
- Microfiber cloths
- Sponges
- A cleaning toothbrush
- Squeegee
Cleaning the kitchen with essential oils
While the kitchen can benefit from more powerful cleaning agents to remove bacteria, it’s also the place where food is handled so using natural cleaning products can make preparing and cooking food feel safer for everybody.
You can use essential oils to add a refreshing, long-lasting scent to your sinks, tiles and counters when doing a spring clean of the kitchen.
Natural degreaser
Use this on areas prone to grease buildup like the stove top, oven and microwave for a shiny, clean finish that smells great!
You’ll need:
- ½ cup baking soda
- ¼ cup castile soap
- 15 drops sweet orange essential oil
- scrubbing brush or toothbrush
- Microfiber cloth
Mix well to create a paste then apply to the affected area. Let the mixture sit for a few moments before gently scrubbing it with a sponge or a cleaning toothbrush. Rinse well and buff dry with a microfiber cloth.
Sink cleaner
Sinks can be some of the filthiest areas in the house, especially the kitchen sink. Give yours some tender, love and care and a squeaky shine with this essential oil-infused sink cleaner.
You’ll need:
- ½ cup white vinegar
- ½ cup dish soap
- 3 - 5 drops of your favourite essential oils (we like lemon, grapefruit and peppermint!)
- Microfiber cloth
- Non-scratching sponge
Mix into a spray bottle and spray it into any sink (it can also be used for bathtubs). Scrub thoroughly with a non-scratching sponge. Give it a good rinse and then buff dry with a microfiber for a sleak, shiny finish.
Cleaning the bathroom with essential oils
The bathroom is notorious for all kinds of bacteria which is why bathroom products are usually the ones packed with the most powerful chemicals which can also be the most harmful.
While you can still use such products for areas like the toilet bowl to kill bacteria, you can easily replace multipurpose bathroom cleaners from the supermarket with the following natural and cheaper DIY tricks:
Tub and Tile Cleaner
This is a one-time use recipe, so we recommend making it on demand. You can use this in any area of the house, but since the bathroom is where we find the most tiles and tubs, we’ve put it here!
You’ll need:
- Equal parts of baking soda and dishwashing soap
- 10 - 20 drops of your favourite essential oil (we like citrus, herbal and mint essential oils)
- Sponge (with one abrasive side)
- Squeegee (for drying tiles)
Mix the baking soda, dishwashing soap and essential oils together and then spread it onto your tub using the soft side of the sponge. Let it sit for 15 - 20 minutes before giving it a good scrub with the abrasive side to rub off soap scum.
Rinse the surface well and then dry it with a microfiber cloth for tubs or a squeegee for tiles.
Natural Disinfectant
While commercial disinfectants will kill most bacteria, they can often smell quite harsh. You can give disinfected surfaces an extra layer of cleanliness and a wonderful, long-lasting scent with this natural disinfectant featuring essential oils.
You’ll need:
- ½ cup white vinegar
- ½ cup water
- half a lemon squeezed
- 15 drops of either tea-tree, eucalyptus, lemon or peppermint essential oil (excellent disinfectants)
Mix the ingredients into a glass spray bottle and mist it over areas that have already been disinfected to deal with any additional bacteria while infusing the area with the pleasant, natural scent of essential oils. Wipe down with a microfiber cloth.
Grout Cleaner
With all the moisture buildup in the bathroom during winter, we know all too well that it can become a breeding ground for mould in the grout of our bathroom tiles.
This natural grout cleaner uses hydrogen peroxide and baking soda with essential oils to help deal with and prevent the growth of mould while making your bathroom smell divine.
You’ll need:
- ½ cup baking soda
- ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide
- 10 - 15 drops of essential oil
- A small container for mixing
- scrubbing brush and/or toothbrush
Add the ingredients into your container and give it a quick stir until it turns into a runny paste. Scrub the grout with it using a toothbrush or a scrubbing brush.
Shower spray
Give your shower some extra love this spring and make it something to look forward to with an essential oil-infused shower spray. Keep this spray in the shower and after each use you can give it a mist that will also help prevent buildup.
You’ll need:
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 10 drops tea tree oil, 10 drops sweet orange, lemon, or grapefruit
Mix the ingredients together in a glass spray bottle and shake well. After a thorough clean of the shower, spray it down with this mixture to prevent soap scum from forming on the walls.
Cleaning cupboards, counters, shelves, and appliances with essential oils
Cabinets, shelves, counters and appliances can easily be neglected when it comes to regular cleaning but it makes all the difference to the feel of your home when they are actually shiny and clean!
A spring clean is a great excuse to give your cupboards, shelves and appliances in any area of the house a bit of a lift. A good wipe-down with essential oils will also leave behind a lovely scent that lingers for hours.
All-purpose cleaner
- 2 cups of water
- 1 teaspoon of dish soap
- 15 drops of your favourite essential oil
Pop the ingredients into a spray bottle and give it a good shake. Apply it on just about any surface or area in your home. Then give it a wipe-down with a microfiber cloth and you’re done!
You can also use this to wipe up everyday spills in the kitchen.
Cleaning windows and glass with essential oils
We all know that blue liquid that comes in a spray bottle for glass cleaning - but did you know that you can create your own DIY version which is just as good? It might not be blue, but it’ll do the trick!
Window glass cleaner
- A big bucket
- A good squeeze of dish soap
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 4 litres hot water
- A few drops of your favourite essential oil
- A double-sided squeegee
Mix the ingredients together into a bucket using the squeegee. Then dip the squeegee into the mixture and spread it across your window, using the other side to wipe it dry - perfect for use on the outdoor side of windows.
Fingerprint-free glass & mirror cleaner
Fill a spray bottle with half water, half white vinegar and a few drops of the essential oil of your choice to make it smell great.
Spray this onto your mirrors or any glass surface and wipe down with a clean, microfiber cloth for a streak-free finish.
Mould and mildew cleaner
Nothing calls for a spring clean more than mould and mildew buildup around the house. Use this paste for tackling stubborn areas prone to mould buildup like windowsills and bathrooms.
Baking soda & white vinegar mould and mildew remover
- ½ cup baking soda
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- 10 drops of essential oil
- Cleaning toothbrush or scrubbing brush
Create a paste with baking soda, white vinegar and essential oil. It should be a slightly runny paste.
Before applying the paste remove as much mould and mildew as you can with a toothbrush or scrubbing brush to lift off build up.
Apply to the area with mildew. Let sit for a few minutes, then wipe away with a clean cloth. You’ll see the area come perfectly clean.
Then apply the baking soda paste to whiten and brighten as well as clean.
Dust mite cleaner
Dust mites are known for causing allergies and thrive in warm and humid environments.
With most of us having our windows closed and heaters on during winter, these critters can quickly make a home for themselves on cushions and fabrics, leaving you with double the hay fever during spring if they’re not dealt with.
Use this handy spring-cleaning tip with essential oils on your mattresses, couches and curtains to get rid of dust mites.
You’ll need:
- 20 drops of either rosemary or eucalyptus oil
- 120mL witch hazel
Mix together in a spray bottle and apply liberally to the desired area.
Cleaning floors with essential oils
You can spray down floors that have already been mopped for an extra clean finish or use this alone for a chemical-free clean of your hardwood or tile floors.
You’ll need:
- ½ cup white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon dish soap
- 2 cups of water
- 20 drops of essential oil
Add everything into a clean spray bottle and mix well. Spray the mixture onto the floor and use a flathead mop going in the direction of the grain for hardwood floors.
Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be an excuse to go and spend tons of money on products that are filled with nasty chemicals.
While the toilet and kitchen can sometimes benefit from more powerful cleaning agents to kill bacteria, there are dozens of natural, easy-to-make alternative cleaning products which use essential oils and items that most of us already have on hand at home.
We hope that these DIY cleaning tips and recipes help you to create your own natural, eco-conscious cleaning products so you can slip into this lovely season with good health and ease!
