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10 Best Essential Oils for Green Cleaning

349 · Jul 25, 2024 · Stephanie Gerber · 64 Comments

Essential oils are one of the best-smelling, naturally antibacterial options for homemade cleaning recipes. Add oils to green your laundry routine, sanitize the kitchen and nix mold in the bathroom – all while making your house smell ‘clean’ – no scary fumes needed! I’m inclined to add lemon, tea tree and lavender to just about every cleaning recipe, but there are lots more you might want to have on hand.

10 Essential Oils for Green Cleaning Recipes

Ready to go green in your home? Here are my 10 favorite essential oils for cleaning.

10 Best Essential Oil for Green Cleaning1. Lemon

Loved for its light, clean scent, this essential oil is also a powerhouse in homemade cleaning recipes. Naturally antibacterial and antiviral, lemon is commonly used to degrease stubborn stains as well as freshen the air. Use it to deodorize your fridge, clean the floor or combine 10 drops with 1/2 cup olive oil for a natural wood or leather polish.

2. Tea Tree (Melaleuca)

Is there anything tea tree oil can’t do? It fights germs, bacteria and viruses in everything from homemade wipes to hand soap to daily shower spray. Tea tree oil is a handy weapon against bugs, too. Add tea tree to a spray bottle with water, shake well, and spray outside and inside the home to deter lice and other pests.

3. Rosemary

Rosemary’s natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties make it a great addition to homemade dish soap and laundry detergent. Essential oils are perfect for homemade air freshener sprays, and the combination of peppermint and rosemary is perfect when when you need to stay focused and on task.

4. Wild Orange

Not only does orange oil have a happy scent, but, like lemon, it’s great against grease. Use 1-2 drops to lift grease or glue from surfaces or combine 12 drops with 1/4 cup castile soap and water to wipe down stovetops and counters. There are tons of ways to use orange oil (we rounded up uses here), including homemade fabric softener crystals, natural floor cleaner, and an energizing kitchen spray.

5. Lavender

One of the best-smelling naturally antibacterial essential oils is lavender. Lavender pairs well with another common natural cleaner, vinegar. Just add 4-5 drops of lavender to your vinegar cleaning mixture for its natural antibacterial properties – and for a more bearable scent. Harness lavender’s soothing scent in homemade dish soap  and linen spray to elevate washing dishes and laundry day.

6. Eucalyptus

This natural germicide is a powerful dust mite buster. Use it with baking soda to deep clean your mattress and in a dry wash for stuffed animals or just put a few drop in your next wash cycle. And with its clean smell, eucalyptus is great for stinky jobs in the kitchen and bathroom. Eucalyptus leaves and essential oil are great in cupboards to deter pests.

7. Peppermint

There are countless uses for peppermint oil around the home. Its cool, invigorating scent and antibacterial properties make it a great addition to spray cleaners and natural deodorant spray. For an air freshener that also deters ants and spiders mix 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil with 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray along cracks and crevices or wherever ants are seen.

8. Cinnamon Leaf

Cinnamon is naturally antibacterial and antiseptic. Powerful against mold, it’s a great addition to homemade mold and mildew spray. Ground cinnamon and its essential oil are both effective against pests. Sprinkle the ground cinnamon anywhere that pests are seen or apply pure undiluted cinnamon essential oil to the areas with a cotton swab.

9. Pine

Already a common ingredient in cleaners (Pine-Sol anyone?) pine oil is effective at killing yeast spores, E.coli and other household germs. Pine is perfect for ridding the bathroom of mold and mildew and cleaning hard wood floors while leaving a natural fresh scent.

10. Thyme

Thyme is one of the most powerful essential oil weapons against germs. Thyme is effective against salmonella so you can add it to homemade dish soap and use it to clean cutting boards that have come in contact with raw meat.

What are your favorite essential oils for green cleaning? 

349

Essential Oils, Green Ingredients essential oils, green ingredients, ingredients

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Reader Interactions

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  1. Houston Concrete says

    April 15, 2022 at 10:54 am

    Lemon essential oil is one of the best for cleaning because it’s a natural degreaser.

    Reply
  2. Ozap says

    March 22, 2022 at 2:08 am

    Great stuff you have shared with us.

    Reply
  3. Josh says

    February 9, 2022 at 2:23 am

    Love these tips!! Will definitely be using these.

    Reply
  4. Concrete company says

    February 9, 2022 at 2:22 am

    OMG, thank you so much for taking the time to write these tips. Some of these tricks will come in very handy!

    Reply
  5. Joy Young says

    December 15, 2021 at 3:18 am

    Thanks for your article, very informative!

    Reply
  6. Alisha @ bond cleaningcanberra says

    March 25, 2021 at 1:16 am

    Interesting stuffs here.Interesting! I would love to try thyme in my kitchen for next house cleaning.

    Reply
  7. Carrol Lindsay says

    July 13, 2019 at 3:44 am

    Thank you for these wonderful suggestions how to use essential oils to clean your apartment and get rid of roaches in a non-chemical environment.

    Reply
  8. Hello Cleaner says

    June 10, 2019 at 3:02 am

    Thank you so much for this great and interesting the tips. Great article.

    Reply
  9. Danny at Cleaning Ease says

    April 16, 2019 at 6:18 am

    Hey Stephanie! Thank you for the lovely post. Have you experimented with blending some of these flavours? Curious to try a mixture like Pine and Peppermint.

    Reply
    • Beeboom says

      May 22, 2019 at 11:50 am

      Thank you so much for sharing information on essential oils for green cleaning. I will use your tips. Nice post.

      Reply
  10. airbnb cleaning sydney says

    April 15, 2019 at 2:22 am

    Thank you so much for this list and for the tips. Great article.

    Reply
  11. Breanne says

    February 13, 2019 at 12:11 pm

    Time to update my cleaning supplies

    Reply
  12. Click Here says

    January 30, 2019 at 7:37 am

    Thanks for these 10 best oils. For me no 3 “ROSEMARY” is best.

    Reply
  13. justin Williamson says

    January 7, 2019 at 10:23 pm

    Very interesting stuff! I have a bit of experience with this myself in Sydney Pressure Cleaning.

    Reply
  14. Mahi says

    January 6, 2019 at 12:56 am

    Stockholm is gorgeous! I see so many posts on Denmark and Norway but rarely ever any on Sweden. So thanks! I need a pic in front of that rainbow wall at the metro! But my favorite is def that Vasa ship!! By far! That is so freaking cool!!! <3

    Reply
  15. Deborah Cooke says

    October 28, 2018 at 6:27 am

    Hi what oils make a good antibacterial wipe to disinfect a room.
    Also can I mix a few together safely

    Reply
  16. Sydney Gutter Cleaning says

    September 23, 2018 at 3:24 am

    By taking the time to thoroughly clean (not just wipe over a surface) it can have a tremendous impact on the feeling and atmosphere of a property. When you walk into a home and you can smell fresh essential oils it definitely makes a difference. It takes a little bit longer to get the job done properly but it helps create inviting spaces.

    Reply
  17. Easy Home Vacuum says

    September 20, 2018 at 9:58 pm

    Thanks for the great things. Top 10 products are reliable as it comes from nature.I always love the value from nature it is safe for the health of the user and not leave the side effects in the future.

    Reply
  18. Jason says

    September 19, 2018 at 2:30 pm

    Wow!! This article is really useful. I love essential oils but never thought they can even use this way. Totally mind blower. I will try it out for sure.
    Thank you for the information.

    Reply
  19. Gary says

    September 5, 2018 at 9:40 am

    Great stuff!! enjoyed reading this alot. Thank you so much for sharing

    Reply
  20. Jackets says

    August 27, 2018 at 2:18 am

    This is interesting, thank you for the information.

    Reply
  21. Edward Morrison says

    July 20, 2018 at 10:07 am

    I’ve been wanting to use more natural cleaning agents since I know the chemicals aren’t good for my house and my cat.

    Reply
  22. G@cb says

    July 15, 2018 at 9:23 am

    What about pet safety

    Reply
  23. Jerry Moore says

    June 30, 2018 at 12:41 am

    Very good and interesting choices.

    Reply
  24. Simon Harrison says

    June 6, 2018 at 7:50 pm

    Essential oils are just that…essential….I really love the way that you put the information in such an easy to read manner…many thanks

    Reply
  25. FARKHAND RSHEED says

    May 24, 2018 at 1:32 pm

    Very Good article as per my need and interest.WOULD YOU PLEASE MENTION THE REFERENCES FOR THE PRESCRIBED USE ND EFFECT OF THE OIL.IT WILL ADD CONFIDENCE FOR USE

    Reply
  26. Maggie says

    May 4, 2018 at 10:17 pm

    Since starting our company we’ve found that lemon can do wonders and so many things you never thought it could. Thanks for this article, we use it to show new cleaners that we bring on our team.

    Reply
  27. Christie says

    May 4, 2018 at 12:09 pm

    Wow!! Just what I was looking for. Thank you so much for sharing

    Reply
  28. Deena says

    April 26, 2018 at 10:07 am

    Hi Grace. Where did you learn this method? I don’t know why we have the same approaching. 😀

    Reply
  29. Samantha says

    April 6, 2018 at 4:02 am

    even though essential oils contain chemicals they are really great for cleaning.

    Reply
    • Kristan says

      August 11, 2018 at 10:30 pm

      High quality oils do not contain oils. Look into doTERRA. Most of their oils are safe for consumption even.

      Reply
      • Kristan says

        August 11, 2018 at 10:31 pm

        do not contain chemicals** is what I meant to say. sorry.

        Reply
  30. Adam says

    January 6, 2018 at 9:07 pm

    Awesome! Such great information. I’ll keep this in mind next time I’m out shopping for my wife!! 🙂

    Reply
  31. James @ Vacate cleaning sydney says

    October 18, 2017 at 1:25 am

    Interesting! I would love to try thyme in my kitchen for next house cleaning.

    Reply
  32. David says

    August 13, 2017 at 1:42 pm

    Just what I was looking for. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  33. James says

    July 19, 2017 at 9:18 pm

    We just started using essential oils quite a bit, even bought a diffuser. We use lavender, tea tree, and peppermint quite a bit.

    Reply
  34. thrivemarket says

    June 30, 2017 at 8:49 am

    Essential oils are best natural healing and cleaning. I used to get it from thrive market and aromatherapy.

    thanks

    Reply
  35. mark says

    June 30, 2017 at 7:46 am

    hi friends,
    i am here given you my website link …please visit there…
    thanks

    Reply
  36. Lloyd Rutledge says

    May 19, 2017 at 12:09 pm

    I work at a church with a daycare.
    Can anyone give me documentation that proves that Lemon Essential Oil cleans like a good antibacterial?
    (Kills 99.9% of bacteria)

    Reply
  37. Lillian Trupia says

    April 11, 2017 at 9:30 am

    Where do can I order these oils

    Reply
    • Braden says

      October 9, 2017 at 2:20 pm

      DoTERRA.com

      Reply
  38. Auss Commercial Cleaning says

    March 20, 2017 at 7:27 am

    Really nice inforgraphic. Thanks for the tips. This is something we have been looking for ages. As a cleaning company, we know that some of the our clients 100% natural ways to remove oil stains. Thank you so much for sharing this.

    Reply
  39. Done and Dusted says

    March 10, 2017 at 8:55 am

    Another great one is Bergamot. It has a citrus-like fragrance, similar to orange but really lovely, and it is a less obvious fragrance than lemon which I think is sometimes a bit over-used.

    Reply
  40. Katie says

    March 7, 2017 at 8:12 pm

    I’m all about the citrus essential oils. Lemon, sweet orange, and grapefruit are my go-to’s, both in cleaning and otherwise!
    http://www.withlovekatie.com

    Reply
  41. Sammy Dolan says

    March 7, 2017 at 9:19 am

    Lemon definitely has a big influence in my cleaning products, it smells so clean and new. I also have a peppermint air freshener, it smells amazing!

    Reply
  42. Diana says

    March 5, 2017 at 2:42 pm

    This is interesting! My mom usually puts rosemary on the burner so then the whole house gets filled up with the scent!

    http://thedianaedition.com

    Reply
    • Hanna says

      March 6, 2017 at 1:48 am

      I was happy to see bottle of Finlandia vodka. Greetings from Finland!

      Reply
  43. Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says

    March 5, 2017 at 9:19 am

    My family and I use lemon all the time to clean. I must try peppermint, I love its smell!

    Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
    http://charmainenyw.com

    Reply
  44. Piggy Vest says

    January 9, 2017 at 7:01 am

    good tips, thank you for the list, i will try this natural cleaning tips during weekend

    Reply
  45. Gina says

    December 3, 2016 at 2:25 pm

    I’m very new to this and excited to try! Would like to know WHERE to buy the essential oils and an estimate on the cost for them. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Vicky says

      January 31, 2017 at 6:30 pm

      Holland and Barrett have some that are half price at the moment.xxx

      Reply
  46. Fleet Cleanig Sydney says

    August 2, 2016 at 8:50 pm

    Using lemon is my favorite one on the list whenever I go cleaning and i also love its scent. Thank for sharing, green cleaning really rocks!

    Reply
  47. mamacancook says

    June 9, 2016 at 2:11 pm

    I have used orange essential oil to keep ants away!! Thoroughly wash down all kitchen surfaces, let dry, then apply a thin swipe of the oil on all surfaces, especially on window sills, doorways, and any openings such as where the counter top meet the wall. reapply after wiping down counters daily, if needed. Works like MAGIC and the whole house smells great.

    Reply
  48. Paul's Cleaning Sydney says

    April 8, 2016 at 2:44 am

    For my spring cleaning routine, I make a special all purpose cleaner that works miracles on wood floors, windows, mirrors and almost all types of surfaces. I soak the peels of one wild orange in white distilled vinegar for a couple of days. I mix 10 drops of lavender essential oil and 6 drops of lemon essential oil and add them to a solution of water, rubbing alcohol and few drops of liquid dish soap. It does a great job for quick cleanups as well as deep one off cleaning sessions. Now that I saw your handy infographic, I might try adding thyme to the mixture.

    Thanks!
    Ariella, One-off cleaning specialist at Paul’s cleaning Sydney

    Reply
    • Stephanie Gerber says

      April 8, 2016 at 11:21 am

      That sounds lovely! Thanks for sharing Ariella!

      Reply
  49. Valary Bilson says

    July 28, 2015 at 2:04 am

    I love essential oils. This is why I love your article. Thanks for sharing. Green cleaning is the only way to clean for me, and I hope more people realize it’s THE BEST. We have to care for the environment in order to care for each other. Thanks for sharing your list and tips.

    Reply
  50. Candice Byron says

    March 6, 2015 at 7:13 am

    For persistent odor in the fridge, line bottom shelf with newspaper that has been sprinkled with 10-15 drops essential oil, such as Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, or Orange. Remove after 2 or 3 days. You can also use a slice of bread on a plate to absorb many odors. Sprinkle with 2-4 drops of essential oil of choice for extra deodorizing power.
    Golders Green Carpet Cleaners Ltd.

    Reply
  51. Charmystique says

    March 6, 2015 at 4:02 am

    I’ve given up traditional cleaners for essential oils and will never look back. Not only are they better for our health and environment, they smell so good too! I’ve written a post on my favorite EOs and their uses here.

    http://charmystique.com/

    Reply
    • Fateh Singh says

      September 8, 2021 at 5:25 am

      Thanks a lot for sharing this excellent info! I am looking forward to seeing more posts by you as soon as possible! I have judged that you do not compromise on quality.
      replica watches

      Reply
  52. Lovely Sharice says

    March 5, 2015 at 6:15 pm

    I definitely stand by Tea tree oil. I like to use it for my skin.

    Reply
  53. Angela Leigh says

    March 5, 2015 at 6:00 pm

    I so appreciate this! I am new to the world of essential oils & have been researching for topical use, etc. Since I am a big clean freak, I will definitely give these a try 🙂 Thank you!

    Reply
  54. Marie says

    March 5, 2015 at 4:05 pm

    Thanks for this list! I’ve been wanting to use more natural cleaning agents since I know the chemicals aren’t good for my dog and I.

    Reply
  55. Grace says

    March 5, 2015 at 12:04 pm

    Great choices! I thought it interesting as well that these are almost all the same essential oils I use topically to boost my immune system. I swipe a blend of tea tree, pine, peppermint, rosemary, geranium, eucalyptus, and cinnamon along my throat and the bridge of my nose every morning and night to keep away illness, and it works!

    Reply
    • Shuntinette Fields says

      November 3, 2016 at 1:55 am

      I will try this

      Reply

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