This all-purpose cleaner is hands-down my most used natural cleaning product in my home, with my dish soap following close behind. I wipe down my counters with it nearly every day and I love how it manages to keep my white cabinets sparkly white. It even removes dried-on coffee stains that may have happened during the day!

As the name states, it is an all-purpose cleaner so it can be used to clean tables, counters, mirrors, glass, showers, toilets, and virtually anything else! Making it also is a breeze since it contains only four easily found ingredients that you might already have at home, it takes less than five minutes to put together.

Are you new to making homemade cleaners? Check out our beginner’s guide to get started and learn some tips and tricks to making your own household cleaners!

Equipment & Tools

Amber Spray Bottles – Essential oils break down and are damaged over time when exposed to UV rays, so using an amber-colored bottle or another opaque spray bottle is crucial to maintaining the quality of this spray.
Funnel (Optional)

Ingredients Needed

Vinegar: Vinegar is the heavy-lifter in this recipe. Its strong acidity helps to break down build-ups, hard water brines, and even some sticky residues. Vinegar can also kill some bacteria (but keep in mind, vinegar is not a disinfectant). It also helps to deodorize surfaces.

Lemon Essential Oil: Lemon oil may be one of the most well-known essential oil for cleaning. It is a great disinfectant, degreaser, and deodorizer. This means that it is perfect for use in the kitchen, bathroom, and everywhere else! You can also use lemon essential oil safely on leather and wood furniture.

Tea Tree Oil: Tee tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, is a very common essential oil used for its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. It can be used on everywhere in your home, from your countertops to your teeth!

Wooden serving board with a cloth napkin on top, freeze-dried lemons, lemon essential oil, tea tree essential oil, two clear swing-top bottles with liquid and an amber-colored spray bottle. These are ingredients to make all-purpose cleaner.

How to make an All-Purpose Cleaner

Mix the Ingredients: To make this cleaner, simply mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 25 drops of lemon essential oil and 10 drops of tea tree essential oil.

Add Water: Pour this into a 16-ounce amber-colored spray bottle, then top it off with water.

Ready to Use: You can use this on tables, counters, mirrors, glass, showers, toilets, and anything else!

For cleaning the toilet, spray this into the bowl, then add a good handful of baking soda. Let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing!

FAQ’s

Tea tree oil and lemon oil are some essential oils that can be toxic to dogs and cats, however, this generally is in regards to using essential oils in diffusers or using topically. Since this is a cleaning spray that will be sprayed directly on surfaces and then wiped off, any lingering scents should dissipate quickly.

Since each animal is different, caution is advised if you have pets in the home as they may be sensitive, monitor for any signs of distress and discontinue use immediately.

No, some surfaces can be damaged by vinegar. Some of these surfaces include: natural stones, wood and others may be damaged by vinegar. It is advised for you to do your own research to see if this cleaner is safe for the surfaces you intend to use it on.