Cleaning with vinegar is a trick that goes back generations. It’s a simple, inexpensive, natural alternative to many chemicals that we use to clean our homes. Unfortunately, many people don’t really like the smell of vinegar, and it is one that can linger. This homemade orange spice cleaner masks the vinegar smell plus adds in oranges, which are said to have antibacterial properties of their own. Throw in some germ-busting essential oils, and you have a great multipurpose solution that will clean your home’s surfaces and leave behind a nice, pleasant smell behind! Check out my recipe for homemade orange spice cleaner below.
Cleaning with Essential Oils
Just check out your favorite social media site for a minute and you will find 320948983 recipes for using essential oils in your home. When making these swaps, make sure to do your own research!
When you are looking for information on your oils, always look for credible sources. As much as I love a good blog post, do a little digging above and beyond. Look for articles from medical journals or trusted health magazines/resources.
Additionally, the quality and safety of your essential oils matters. Always check the ingredients and source of your essential oils, no matter where you buy them. I personally have bought my oils from a mixture of doTerra, Young Living, and Plant Therapy – all trusted distributors/brands. I also love that Plant Therapy marks which oils are kid safe and gives a warning against oils that should be avoided while pregnant or breastfeeding. (This referral link will get you $10 off your first order from Plant Therapy!)
Some of my favorite oils for cleaning are Tea Tree, Frankincense, Lavender, Peppermint.
If you are interested in learning about essential oil use during pregnancy, check out this post.
Homemade Orange Spice Cleaner Recipe
Ingredients/Supplies:
- 2-3 oranges
- 1-2 cups of white vinegar
- mason jar or other glass container
- glass spray bottle
- Tea Tree Essential Oil
- Frankincense Essential Oil
- Cassia or Cinnamon Essential Oil
Step 1 – Infuse Your Vinegar
Peel the oranges and put the peels in the mason jar. Fill jar with vinegar and let sit for 7-10 days. Strain vinegar and add to glass spray bottle.
Step 2 – Add Your Oils
I used 5 drops Tea Tree, 12 drops of Frankincense, and 5 drops of Cassia. This ended up smelling very strongly of the Cassia oil. Remember that Tea Tree and Cassia both have very strong aromas, so they will easily overpower the other scents in your cleaner. Adjust these numbers (or even oils) to suit your personal preference.
Step 3 – Dilute, Shake, and Use!
Fill the rest of the bottle with water, shake it up, and you are ready to go! Remember to shake up your bottle each time that you use your cleaning spray. Also, since the essential oils are mixed into a water-base and not another oil, they are not considered diluted or safe for use on your skin. This mixture is meant for surfaces in your home. I love this scent for cleaning my kitchen counter and cabinets. It’s a great one for the fall and upcoming holiday season!
Do you have a favorite recipe or mixture for a household cleaner? Go ahead and share in the comments. It’s always fun to mix it up and try a new combination! Hope you enjoy this orange spice cleaner recipe.
