Essential Oils for Home Cleaning: Uses & Benefits

The concentrated plants extracts we know as essential oils not only boast captivating scents but also harbor a myriad of therapeutic properties. We’re sharing ways to use essential oils in every room of the house from top to bottom, and even a few outdoor uses as well. Using natural products in conjunction with essential oils can keep your home in tip-top shape without the dangers of using toxic chemicals which can be harmful both to our health and the environment.

It’s important to note that some of these oils aren’t safe to use around pets, particularly cats. Here is is how to safely diffuse essential oils around pets.

The Best Essential Oils for Household Use

My collection of essential oils was created with household uses and cleaning in mind. These are the oils I use on a regular basis:

10 Ways I Use Essential Oils Around The House

Scroll down for a room-to-room rundown of how you can use essential oils for a healthier, happier home:

Tea Tree Oil For Fresher Smelling Laundry

Despite my best efforts, occasionally a load of laundry comes out smelling less than fresh. Because I am sensitive to most added dyes or scents, I opt for the most natural laundry detergent I can find – either homemade or store-bought. Typically I have few issues with odors or stains. That being said, sometimes a load of kids’ athletic clothes or damp towels that sat too long in the hamper needs an extra boost to get it smelling fresh and clean. That’s where my friend Tea Tree Oil helps me out. I add 10-20 drops along with the liquid detergent and it’s magic. It helps deodorize and disinfect.

DIY Essential Oil Toilet Spray

It all started with one genius idea and an even more genius marketing campaign, and the Before-You-Go Toilet Spray was born. They work, yes, but holy moly are they expensive! I started making my own and haven’t looked back. It’s very budget-friendly and it’s easy to customize using my favorite blend of essential oils.

Cutting Board Care and Disinfection

Cutting boards can harbor smells and harmful bacteria if not washed or cared for properly. This can be particularly true with wood cutting boards. I use plastic boards for things like meat and poultry, and wood for everything else. Fresh lemon, salt and/or baking soda, and a little thyme essential oil helps to deodorize and disinfect both wood and plastic boards. (Don’t use on marble or stone!)

Cleaning Counters and Surfaces

Citrus essential oils such as lemon, orange, and grapefruit are my go-to for DIY counter and surface sprays. Combined with vinegar and water, they help cut grease and disinfect. For extra disinfecting power, add thyme or tea tree oil.

All-Natural Floor Cleaner

For floors, I love mopping with hot water, a squirt of Sal Suds (or another natural liquid detergent) plus pine and herb essential oils such as cedar, eucalyptus, rosemary, thyme, or clary sage. The floors get nice and clean, smell great, and I’m not hurting the environment. Win-win.

Carpet Refresher

I don’t love having carpet…but until I’m able to replace it with different flooring, I grab a box of baking soda and stir in 10-20 drops of a cleansing essential oil (using an herbal one or lavender) and sprinkle liberally over the carpet. It also works for certain types of area rugs.

Pet Stain Removal

This concoction works for carpets and upholstery. (Always check a small inconspicuous area first, just to make sure!) I have two puppies. Sometimes have accidents despite my best efforts to take them outside regularly. So, I found this stain removal tip while searching online. It’s so easy and totally works!

Blot up as much of the stain as you can, then sprinkle a thin layer baking soda over the area. Let stand for 15-20 minutes. Add a few drops each liquid detergent and tea tree oil. Drizzle a little hydrogen peroxide over the top and use a clean cloth to gently scrub the stain. Use another clean, dry cloth to blot the area. Let dry completely, then vacuum.

All-Natural Pest Deterrent

I’ve lived in a few places where ants regularly invaded my kitchen and other parts of the house. Ironically, I’m totally okay with spiders, but ants are the devil. Ha! To help keep ants and other pests from creeping into my cupboards and baseboards, I use straight-up peppermint and cinnamon essential oils. The scent works wonders as a deterrent for ants and other bugs. It can also be used outside around doorways, gaps in the foundation, etc. Much safer than harmful, toxic bug sprays.

Citronella essential oil is great to diffuse outdoors to keep mosquitoes away. Or try making your own citronella candles.

Ironing Water

My husband suggested making our own ironing water one day about 10 years ago and we’ve done it ever since! Fill a bottle with distilled water plus about 10 drops of your favorite essential oil. We like bergamot and/or lavender. Shake the bottle before spritzing onto clothes and iron as normal. (No, the essential oils will not stain the clothes.)

Bonus: convert it to a linen spray by adding a little witch hazel to the distilled water. Spritz onto towels and sheets for a refreshing scent.

Grout and Tile Cleaner

Ugh. Grout is so hard to keep clean! I started making my own scrub using a combination of baking soda, salt, tea tree oil, and enough hydrogen peroxide to make a paste. Simple, easy, and non-toxic. The baking soda and salt are non-abrasive and help lift stains. The tea tree oil disinfects, and that hydrogen peroxide works as a natural oxygen bleach.

Furniture Polish

The best furniture polish around is as simple as it gets: a little olive oil and a few drops of orange or lemon essential oils. That’s it! If I want to go the extra mile, I’ll use a beeswax and oil combo that helps keep the wood from drying out and prevents water from damaging the wood. (Use coasters!!!)

Bedtime

We always keep a bottle of lavender oil by the bedside to help us wind down after a long day. We sprinkle a few drops of lavender essential oil on our pillows and practice deep breathing. It helps us feel calm and relaxed as we drift off to sleep. Bonus: our room always smells nice. Another simple option is a lavender linen spray you can make in no time.