Spring cleaning is just around the corner, and I’m preparing by gathering cleaning supplies and making lists. And refilling all of my homemade cleaners. If you have never made your own cleaners, you’re in for a treat! Homemade cleaning products are simple to make, naturally free of toxic chemicals, easy on the pocketbook, and best of all, they smell amazing! (No more turning on the bathroom fan or opening all the windows after a cleaning day!)
What Do You Need to Make Your Own Homemade Nontoxic Cleaner?
The building blocks of a homemade cleaner are vinegar or alcohol, and water. In this basic recipe, I use white vinegar and water.
Many herbs and plants have antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiseptic properties which are great for cleaning! You can incorporate these plants into your homemade cleaners in two different ways:
- You can steep fresh or dried herbs in vinegar or alcohol, then strain out the solids and add the liquid to your cleaner.
- You can add a few drops of essential oils to your homemade natural cleaner.
This homemade window cleaner recipe uses essential oils, but if you would like to use fresh herbs instead, try my Citrus + Sage Homemade Cleaner recipe!
Which Essential Oils Are Good For Cleaning?
There are many, many essential oils that can be used for cleaning due to their germ-fighting properties. That’s a good thing, but it can be overwhelming! Here’s a list of my favorites to get you started:
- Lemon (or any other citrus oil)
- Eucalyptus
- Rosemary
- Lavender
- Pine
- Tea Tree
I like the combination of lemon, rosemary, tea tree, and lavender essential oils in this homemade window cleaner recipe. It makes my bathroom smell nice and fresh when I polish the mirror and wipe the windows!
If you don’t have all of these essential oils, you can substitute a different oil from the list above, or just leave out one or two of the oils. For example, you could substitute lemongrass or grapefruit essential oil for the lemon, or leave out citrus altogether. If you do omit an oil, make sure you increase the amounts of other essential oils accordingly, so that the total number of drops will equal about 48. This is a 0.5% dilution.
Does that dilution rate sound pretty weak? You’re right; but a window cleaner doesn’t have to be as strong as a bathroom cleaner, does it? We’re trying to wipe dirt and grime off of our windows and mirrors, and prevent mold or bacteria from colonizing there. And freshen the air at the same time!
How Do You Make Homemade Window Cleaner?
It’s very simple to make this recipe. Just pour the vinegar and water into a glass spray bottle, and add the essential oils. A funnel is helpful for pouring the liquids into a narrow-mouth bottle. Screw the lid on tightly, shake well, and you’re all set to clean those windows!
If you do make this recipe and enjoy it, please leave a review and let me know!
Nontoxic Window Cleaning Spray
Equipment
- 1 Glass Spray Bottle
- 1 funnel
Materials
- 6 ounces White Vinegar
- 6 ounces Distilled Water
- 14 drops Lavender Essential Oil
- 10 drops Lemon Essential Oil or lemongrass essential oil
- 16 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
- 8 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
Instructions
- Combine the vinegar, distilled water, and essential oils in a glass spray bottle. Screw the lid on tightly and shake well.
- Store away from heat and direct sunlight.
Notes
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