It begins with a non-toxic all purpose cleaning spray
By Heidi Gillespie Mar 18, 2025
Photo credit: Heidi Gillespie
Clean Matters
The first thing many people say when they enter Elemental Health is, “It smells so good in here!” It may be because of the essential oils we diffuse, the palo santo that we smudge, or because of the candles that we carry.
But it also is because of what isn’t in the air. We use natural cleaning products that do not contain chemicals or strong fragrances. Some people, including myself, have adverse effects from things like Windex, Lysol or Febreze. And many common household cleaners release hazardous volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which can harm the lungs, create reproductive issues and even cause cancer.
A new study by Purdue University, found that indoor air pollution may be worse than what is outside. Products that contain chemical fragrances like air fresheners, floor cleaners and hair products create nanoparticles that are absorbed by our lungs.
I personally do not think that perfumes smell very good – and they make me sneeze. But I have always loved essential oils, and adding lemon, lavender or eucalyptus to a cleaning spray that I use several times a day is my favorite way to kill germs and get a dose of aromatherapy too.
Clean It Up
There are many reasons to make the switch to cleaner cleaning – better health, better smells, better you. So how do you begin?
See if what you have at home is safe.
Whenever I am looking for a new cleaning, bath or body product I first check the Environmental Working Group’s site, ewg.org. You can scan barcodes and search brands and ingredients to find the safest ones. They also have great guides to sunscreen, food, water filters and more. You may have heard of their cosmetics database, Skin Deep. If not, check out your favorite brands to see how they score! Their app even allows you to scan the barcode of a product to make sure it is safe before you buy it.
If you would rather shop online, I love Mighty Nest. They are a local company that has done the research for us by offering a collection of safe, eco friendly products. Everything they sell for cleaning, kitchen and body is free from carcinogens, endocrine disruptors and reproductive toxicants. If you do not want to make your own cleaning spray like I do, check out mightynest.com.
Another place I love to go to get clean and green supplies is The Refilleri in Humboldt Park. This is where I get the dishwashing liquid in bulk that I use for the cleaning spray as well as to clean the dishes at Elemental. The Eco Flamingo and The Unwaste Shop are also great and worth visiting if they are closer to you.
The Refilleri and other local zero waste shops usually carry Meliora, an amazing local company that makes non toxic laundry powder, hand soap and yes, cleaning spray! In fact, their glass spray bottle and refill tabs are the building blocks to the all purpose cleaning spray I use at home and work.
You can purchase the All-purpose Home Cleaner Kit at meliorameansbetter.com and it is all you need to green your clean. Or you can add one more ingredient to their all purpose spray – essential oils – to make the formula that I have used for years.
I really love the Meliora glass bottle and sprayer, it lasts forever – so far, I have not had the spray nozzle break or clog like so many do. You can use any spray bottle for this cleaning spray but since you will be refilling it again and again, it helps to have a high quality one. It also is important to use glass if you are going to add essential oils, because they can break down the plastic – it is always best to store essential oils in glass.
If you run out of the Meliora refill tabs, you can use this recipe to make your spray. Try both and see what you like best!
The Recipe
Making your own natural cleaning spray is very, very easy.
And inexpensive!
Here is my basic blend:
All Purpose Spray
12 ounces water (filtered, distilled or tap)
2 ounces vinegar* OR 1 tablespoon dish soap OR Meliora tablet
10 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops melaleuca
10 drops lemongrass
(or 30 drops of oil of your choice)
Fill a 14-16 ounce spray bottle (glass is best) with water and vinegar or soap. Add the essential oils and shake. Shake each time before using to disperse the oils.
*Do not use vinegar or citrus on marble tile or countertops.
Other combinations to try:
15 drops each lavender and lemon
15 drops each lemon and lime
10 drops each eucalyptus, peppermint and wild orange
Best Essential Oils for Cleaning:
Lemon or Orange – antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, removes grease, uplifting and anti-depressant
Lavender – deodorizing, moderate antibacterial, moderate antifungal, repels moths, calming
Tea Tree – strong broad spectrum antibacterial, antifungal, strong antiviral, clears negative energy
Lemongrass – antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, repels moths, one of the best oils to clear negative energy
Eucalyptus – kills dust mites, deodorizing, strong antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, insect repellent
Oregano or Thyme – antimicrobial, strong antifungal, strong antibacterial. Very potent, only use ¼ amount as other oils
Peppermint – antiviral, antifungal, insect repellent, awakening and uplifting, induces optimism and motivation, alleviates nausea
It is really your choice which ingredients and proportions that you use. Whether you use soap or vinegar or both is up to you. Vinegar disinfects and deodorizes and is good for pet accidents, cleaning garbage cans and refridgerators and removing natural stains like coffee. And soap kills germs and removes dirt and oils. Some people say if you use both together that they cancel each other out but I have still found it to be effective.
I hope you find this as easy and satisfying to make as I do. I am guessing that after a while you will have your own favorite recipe too.
References:
The Air Inside Your Home May Actually Be More Polluted Than Outside, New Study Says
Perdue Study: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250218000726.htm
Essential Oil Disinfectant Efficacy Against SARS-CoV-2 Microbial Surrogates
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34970529
Healthy Cleaning Tips:
DIY cleaning with essential oils
https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/diy-roundup-essential-oils-for-cleaning
Aromatica: A Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics by Peter Holmes
