DIY Tea Tree Oil House Cleaner

Tea tree oil enhances homemade cleaners because it is a natural disinfectant. A few drops in a spray for your bathroom or kitchen can help control mold and bacteria without the use of polluting chemicals. Include a natural product, such as vinegar, to cut through grease and grime and you have an effective, gentle cleaner.

Things You'll Need

• Spray bottle
• Lemon juice or vinegar
• Lavender or citronella essential oil
• Cleaning cloths

Instructions

1. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar or lemon juice to a spray bottle.

2. Drip in 5 to 10 drops of tea tree essential oil into the bottle.

3. Add a couple of drops of lavender or citronella essential oil to give a fresh scent to the cleaner. These oils also act as insect repellents, which can be useful in the kitchen.

4. Fill the spray bottle with warm water and use as required to clean bathroom and kitchen appliances and surfaces.

Tips & Warnings

• Include a larger proportion of vinegar or lemon juice if the spray is to clean particularly stubborn stains. Increase the amount of tea tree oil if you want a more powerful disinfectant.

• Vinegar and lemon juice are acidic and sometimes have a bleaching effect, while water can damage wood. Don’t use this cleaner on antique furniture or wood flooring.

References

• Mayo Clinic: Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia [Maiden & Betche] Cheel)
• Mother Earth News; You Don't Need Borax -- Simple, Natural Nontoxic Cleaning Ingredients; Robyn Griggs Lawrence; February 2011
• Web MD; Alternatives to Antibacterials and Disinfectants; November 2009