How to Use Essential Oils for Cleaning | Top 9 Disinfecting Essential Oils

We all know about the dangers of outdoor pollution on our health, but what about indoor pollution inside our homes? According to researchers in the US, household cleaning sprays are one of the biggest contributors to indoor pollution. Many conventional cleaning products contain harmful chemicals that, when sprayed, release synthetic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. This can lead to poor indoor air quality, potentially causing respiratory issues and other health concerns.

Luckily for us, there is a safe alternative that nature has given us – essential oils. The following essential oils have top antibacterial and antifungal propeties, making them a powerful ally to help us clean our homes naturally and effectively. Their aromatic properties also transform boring household chores into a wonderful sensory experience, leaving behind a refreshing aroma that uplifts our moods without compromising the air that we breathe.

It is time to say goodbye to chemical-laden household sprays and embrace the natural disinfecting properties of essential oils.

Join us as we learn about the best essential oils to use for cleaning our homes naturally. We will explore their unique properties and give some tried and tested DIY cleaning recipes to kickstart your journey into natural cleaning. Together, let's create a happy and healthy home that supports our wellbeing.


Nila Singapore Aromatherapy Bar | How to Use Essential Oils for Cleaning | Top 9 Disinfecting Essential Oils | Lemongrass Essential Oil

Lemongrass essential oil is derived from the tall, green blades of lemongrass. It is rich in citral, making it one of the best essential oils to use for cleaning as it has excellent antibacterial and antifungal properties. When incorporated in your cleaning routine, Lemongrass essential oil easily gets rid of germs in your house while also creating a bright and energised atmosphere.

Make your own all purpose natural cleaning spray with Lemongrass essential oil. If you only want to make one cleaning spray, then this is the best and most versatile natural cleaner to make as it can be used all around your house.

This all purpose spray can be used to clean and disinfect everything effortlessly. Simply spray and wipe down your dining table, display shelves and ornaments, kitchen counters, shower tiles and more. The natural antibacterial properties of Lemongrass essential oil make it one of the best essential oils for tackling germs and dirt, while its invigorating citrus scent adds a pleasant aroma to your living spaces. Because Lemongrass essential oil also possesses natural insect-repelling qualities, it is a useful cleaning spray to use to clean your window grills as you may find that its scent helps to deter flies and mosquitoes from entering your home.

All Purpose Cleaner with Lemongrass Essential Oil:

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Nila Singapore Aromatherapy Bar | How to Use Essential Oils for Cleaning | Top 9 Disinfecting Essential Oils | Sweet Orange Essential Oil

Sweet Orange essential oil is one of the best disinfecting essential oils to use for cleaning. It has strong antibacterial properties that is effective against some drug-resistant bacteria, and is also antifungal and antimicrobial. Expressed from the peels of ripe oranges, this essential oil is high in limonene and has a sweet and fruity aroma.

Sweet Orange is one of the top essential oils that can cut through grease and dirt easily. For this reason, we love using it in our cleaning routine for the kitchen as it easily cleans everything from countertop surfaces to taps and sinks. For areas that are extra greasy such as hobs, oven or the top of kitchen cabinets, simply sprinkle some baking soda for extra scrubbing power before using the spray. The fizzing action will help to lift any grease from the surface.

As you clean, let the warm citrusy aroma of the essential oils uplift your mood, leaving your kitchen with a sparkling, energising and naturally fresh scent.

Natural Citrus Kitchen Grime and Grease Cleaner:

  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1 cup distilled water
  • 15 drops Sweet Orange essential oil
  • Mix in a spray bottle. Shake before using.
  • Optional: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of baking soda on the surface for extra scrubbing power before spraying the cleaner.

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Nila Singapore Aromatherapy Bar | How to Use Essential Oils for Cleaning | Top 9 Disinfecting Essential Oils | Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus Radiata essential oil is is renowned for its antimicrobial, deodorising and refreshing properties. Derived from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree, this essential oil carries a crisp, camphorous aroma and it is high in 1,8-cineole and alpha-terpineol.

Create a powerful yet gentle scrubbing paste by combining Eucalyptus essential oil with baking soda. You can add more or less water, depending on how runny or spreadable you prefer it to be. This dynamic cleaning scrub not only helps remove built-up soap scum and grime, but also has natural antibacterial and antiviral properties that contribute to a cleaner and more hygienic bathroom environment.

Simply apply the paste on surfaces, leave on for a short time for it to work its magic, then scrub with a sponge and rinse away. It is ideal for cleaning tiles, sinks and taps. A bonus is that when you use Eucalyptus Radiata essential oil for cleaning, it also helps to freshen up your bathroom at the same time and gets rid of any odours or bad smells.

Antibacterial Eucalyptus Bathroom Cleaning Scrub:

  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 10 drops Eucalyptus Radiata essential oil
  • 3 tbsp distilled water (adjust according to your preference)
  • Mix to form a paste and store in an airtight container away from sunlight.

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Nila Singapore Aromatherapy Bar | How to Use Essential Oils for Cleaning | Top 9 Disinfecting Essential Oils | Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea Tree essential oil, distilled from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia plant, is celebrated for its powerful antiseptic and purifying properties. It is a natural disinfectant due to its high content of terpinen-4-ol, which gives it its antifungal properties. With a fresh and medicinal aroma, Tea Tree essential oil is a staple in DIY cleaning solutions.

A natural fungicide, Tea Tree is one of the best and most effective essential oil to kill mould spores. Mould is a common problem in Singapore due to our hot and humid climate. The solution? Use Tea Tree essential oil to make your own natural and eco-friendly anti-mould spray. This powerful spray not only helps to kill and remove any mould, but can also help as a preventative measure to reduce and prevent mould regrowth when used regularly. You can also rest easy that using this spray is environmentally friendly and it will not harm your health.

We recommend using this disinfecting spray to maintain a clean and refreshed environment. It is especially useful for targeted bathroom surfaces, to clean your toilet and any other areas prone to mould growth such as your washing machine.

Natural Eco-Friendly Mould and Mildew Remover with Tea Tree essential oil:

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Nila Singapore Aromatherapy Bar | How to Use Essential Oils for Cleaning | Top 9 Disinfecting Essential Oils | Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon essential oil, expressed from the zesty peel of the citrus fruit, is rich in limonene, beta-pinene and gamma-terpinene. Known for its uplifting and invigorating properties, Lemon essential oil is a natural mood enhancer as it brings a burst of sunshine into your world. Its bright, citrusy aroma not only adds a refreshing note to blends but also serves as a powerful cleanser.

Use Lemon essential oil to create a natural room mist and air freshener with no nasty chemicals. It is perfect for freshening up living spaces especially if you have an open plan kitchen or if you do a lot of heavy cooking. This natural air freshener will get rid of any odours and smells, while also keeping your house feeling fresh and uplifting your mood.

Refreshing Lemon Room Mist and Air Freshener:

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Nila Singapore Aromatherapy Bar | How to Use Essential Oils for Cleaning | Top 9 Disinfecting Essential Oils | Grapefruit Essential Oil

Grapefruit essential oil, derived from the peel of the fruit, radiates a lively and uplifting aroma. Known for its invigorating and clarifying properties, Grapefruit essential oil is an excellent choice for awakening the senses.

Adding a few drops of Grapefruit essential oil when you are mopping your floor will not only leave it sparkling clean naturally, but also boost your energy and mood at the same time due to the fresh citrus scent it leaves behind. The natural antibacterial and antifungal properties of Grapefruit essential oil add an extra layer of cleanliness, making it an ideal choice for a refreshing and revitalising experience. Transform your home into a haven of cleanliness and positive vibes with this floor cleaner.

Uplifting Grapefruit Floor Cleaner:

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Nila Singapore Aromatherapy Bar | How to Use Essential Oils for Cleaning | Top 9 Disinfecting Essential Oils | Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint essential oil is a powerhouse of freshness and vitality with its distinctively cool and refreshing aroma. This essential oil is celebrated for its invigorating properties due to its high menthol and menthone content. It also has excellent antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.

To make a simple and natural glass cleaner, add a few drops of Peppermint essential oil to white vinegar and distilled water. This is one of the most effective glass cleaners that will leave your windows, shower screens and any glass surfaces crystal clear and streak free as it easily gets rid of any water marks and soap scum. After cleaning, simply rinse off with water then buff with a lint-free microfibre cloth and enjoy the shine!

Refreshing Peppermint Streak-Free Glass Cleaner:

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Nila Singapore Aromatherapy Bar | How to Use Essential Oils for Cleaning | Top 9 Disinfecting Essential Oils | Thyme Essential Oil

Thyme essential oil, extracted from the aromatic herb, is known for its potent antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial properties. A few drops of Thyme essential oil is enough to add a powerful touch of cleansing power to any natural cleaning recipe.

With an earthy and medicinal aroma, Thyme essential oil is the go-to essential oil for making a powerful yet natural disinfectant spray. Use this spray to clean high traffic and high touch items such as your light switches and door knobs. This will help kill any lingering germs and reduce the chances of you catching a nasty virus, keeping you and your family safe. The best thing? Thyme also supports your respiratory health, so using it in this way can help promote a clear and refreshing experience.

Natural and Powerful Thyme Disinfectant Spray for High Traffic Areas:

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Nila Singapore Aromatherapy Bar | How to Use Essential Oils for Cleaning | Top 9 Disinfecting Essential Oils | Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is a versatile oil that is cherished for its calming and balancing properties. Distilled from lavender blossoms, it is high in linalool and linalyl acetate. Lavender essential oil carries a sweet herbaceous and floral scent that promotes relaxation and tranquility while also boasting strong antibacterial properties.

We recommend using Lavender essential oil to create a linen mist for your bedroom. Lavender is renowned for its relaxing as well as antibacterial and air purifying properties, making it the perfect addition to your sleep sanctuary. You can use this mist as a pillow spray and lightly spray on your bedsheets and pillows before bedtime. The gentle scent of Lavender will promote a sense of tranquility, helping you unwind and prepare for a restful night's sleep.

For extra cleaning power, you can also use this mist on any soft furnishings in your bedroom such as curtains, blinds and headboard. When you are changing your bedsheets, why not use this on your mattress to disinfect your mattress before putting new bedsheets on? This added step ensures a thorough cleaning routine and promotes a fresh and hygienic sleeping environment.

Calming Lavender Linen Mist:

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Conclusion

The world of essential oils is not restricted to diffusing or massage. Essential oils can also be used in many ways in our household, especially in natural and eco-friendly cleaning. We do not need toxic chemicals to effectively clean our house - the unique constituents of essential oils gives them excellent antibacterial, antimicrobial and disinfecting properties, making them versatile allies in maintaining a fresh and inviting living space.

This list of the best disinfecting essential oils for cleaning and DIY cleaning recipes is a great starting point for those who are interested in natural cleaning for a healthier home. Remember to always conduct a patch test before using the cleaning sprays to ensure that it does not react with your surfaces. Also as a general rule, acidic products such as white vinegar should not be used on porous surfaces such as marble.

You can also mix different essential oils for even more powerful cleansing properties. Consider experimenting with custom cleaning blends tailored to your preferences and what scent that you like. We encourage you to mix and match essential oils, tweak concentrations and find the perfect combination that resonates with your cleaning routine. Here's to harnessing the power of nature to clean your home effectively and to happier and healthier homes.

Do you have a favourite DIY cleaning recipe to share? Leave a comment below!


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