5 Ways to Clean and Disinfect With Lemon Essential Oil

There’s nothing better than giving your home a deep clean, but there’s no denying that when it comes to cleaning, natural can often be better. 

Luckily, many natural cleaning solutions can be made with common household products, and if you’re an essential oil enthusiast, you probably already have one particular super-cleaning oil at your disposal.

Lemons are one of the most versatile fruits in the world, and lemon oil can also be a powerhouse cleaning agent — as long as you mix it just right. 

“Lemon is renowned for its antimicrobial action on the body. It contains the compound d-limonene, that can be utilized around the home as a non-toxic cleaner when added to water,” says Pat Princi-Jones, Oil Garden’s Aromatherapy Specialist. 

“It cleanses and purifies, as well as helps to protect us from germs,” explains Pat. “Its zesty, lemony aroma provides a refreshing and invigorating boost throughout the day.”

To help you clean your home the natural way, we asked Pat to share 5 easy cleaning recipes that use lemon oil for you to try…

Countertop All-Purpose Spray

Ingredients:

• 1 liter of tap water
• 4 drops of Lemon oil
• 4 drops of Eucalyptus oil
• 2 drops of Tea Tree oil
• 1 drop of Clove Bud oil

Add drops to ½ cup white vinegar and top with water. Shake vigorously before each use. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

DIY Hand Sanitizer

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup of aloe vera gel
• 1 tbsp of tap water
• 2/3 cup of isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
• 3 drops each of lemon oil, marjoram oil, and pine needle oil

These oils have been traditionally used in aromatherapy for their natural antibacterial action to improve the performance of this product. Mix well and rub at intervals to sanitize hands.

Natural Keyboard Cleaner

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 4 drops Bergamot oil
• 4 drops Lemon oil

Mix ingredients in a spray bottle and spray onto damp cloth before wiping your keyboard, mouse, and desk. Wipe dry with a clean cloth.

DIY Disinfectant Spray

Ingredients:

• 2 cups white vinegar
• 2 cups of water
• 3 drops Lemon oil
• 3 drops Peppermint oil
• 3 drops Eucalyptus oil

Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. (You can use more or less water depending on the size of the bottle, but keep the water-vinegar ratio 1:1). Shake vigorously before each use. Spritz your counter surfaces and wipe down with a clean cloth.

Odor Eliminator

Ingredients:

• Lemon oil
• Peppermint oil
• Lavender oil

Loaded with antiviral and antibacterial properties, lemon also smells fresh and clean. Add six to nine drops of mixed oils such as lemon, peppermint, and lavender to the water in your diffuser. Set for 3 hours and allow the mist to rise and carry the lemon particles into the surrounding air, purifying and deodorizing as they dissipate.

This article originally appeared on our sister site, Homes to Love.