Disinfecting your home without chemicals with this DIY homemade disinfectant spray recipe. It has essential oils to kill germs naturally.
Cold and flu season is upon us. One major benefit to homeschooling is that my kids don't pick up as many germs. We are still in public for shopping, karate, and scouts, so we are exposed to germs.
I started cleaning my home naturally more than 10 years ago. In the winter though, I want to make sure the germs are gone. I'm not taking chances because Caleb gets very sick each year.
When he was an infant and then again a year old, he had RSV and was hospitalized. Each year after that, he would get pneumonia. Now that he's older, he still gets sick, but thankfully it isn't as bad as it used to be.
Disinfecting spray was the last cleaner that I started making. I thought that I needed to buy a commercial project if I wanted to really kill the germs.
Then I started doing some research. You don't need chemicals and artificial scents to get your home clean. You can use ingredients that you probably have at home to make this homemade disinfecting spray to get your home clean and save money.
DIY HOMEMADE DISINFECTING SPRAY RECIPE
So what is disinfecting?
When you disinfect, you are killing a large percentage of germs or making them incapable of reproducing.
You disinfect after you clean. This recipe isn't made for cleaning. Use my all purpose cleaner or my homemade dusting spray for cleaning and then follow with this homemade disinfectant spray.
Don't use this homemade disinfecting spray on granite. My fridge can't be cleaned with vinegar, so be sure to read the manual before using this spray on appliance.
VODKA OR RUBBING ALCOHOL
Both vodka and rubbing alcohol are great sanitizers and disinfectants. I use vodka because I don't think it smells as strong as rubbing alcohol.
Vodka is also a natural deodorizer. You can also use this on carpets or furniture. Always spot on the back of your furniture before you use this on your furniture.
You don't need expensive vodka to make this recipe. I use a lower end brand to make my homemade cleaners and homemade vanilla because they work just as well at a lower price.
The CDC recommends that you use at least a 70 percent alcohol concentration. For that reason, you must use a 91 or 99 percent rubbing alcohol or a 190 proof alcohol like Everclear.
The CDC recommends that you use at least a 70 percent alcohol concentration. For that reason, you must use a 91 or 99 percent rubbing alcohol or a 190 proof alcohol like Everclear.
VINEGAR
Vinegar is also a natural disinfectant and has been proven to kill germs. In a study, it wasn't as effective as Clorox or Lysol cleaners, but it did kill germs.
We don't have super germs here. If one of us worked in a hospital or doctor's office or maybe even in a school where we were exposed to a lot of germs, I might feel differently.
But for home use, I trust vinegar to kill germs.
ESSENTIAL OILS
There are several essential oils that you can use. I usually just use tea tree oil, but it does smell medicinal. It's not my favorite scent, but it does smell clean.
There are several essential oils that have been proven to kill germs. Cinnamon, clove, and lime were found to kill the most germs. Eucalyptus essential oil is a weak germ killer, so I don't recommend using that.
Another study found the following essential oils to be the best at killing germs:
- Cinnamon bark essential oil
- Lemongrass essential oil
- Thyme essential oil
- Peppermint essential oil
- Tea tree essential oil
- Coriander essential oil
- Lavender essential oil
This recipe calls for 50 drops of essential oils, so you can choose different oils to mix together.
You can also make your own Thieves oil recipe or buy a blend. Simply Earth has a Defender blend and Plant Therapy has a Germ Fighter and a Germ Destroyer that is kid friendly.
Try one of these disinfecting essential oil blends:
- Tea tree oil and peppermint essential oil
- Lavender essential oil and lemongrass essential oil
- Rosemary essential oil and lavender essential oil
- Geranium essential oil and lime essential oil
- Grapefruit essential oil, lemon essential oil, and lavender essential oil
- Orange essential oil and tea tree essential oil
SPRAY BOTTLE
I actually bottle this in different bottles. I like the tiny spray bottles for my purse. I can use it to sanitize my hands or objects while I'm out or in the car.
I also use 4-ounce spray bottles or 16-ounce spray bottles to use at home.
No matter which bottle you use, be sure you label
it. This homemade disinfectant spray is clear, so kids may think it's water.
it. This homemade disinfectant spray is clear, so kids may think it's water. INGREDIENTS
- 1 1/2 cup 190 proof or higher vodka or 91 or 99 percent rubbing alcohol
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 50 drops tea tree oil
(or see above for other oils to use)
DIRECTIONS
STEP #1
Combine the vodka or rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, and distilled water in a container. I used my 4-cup Pyrex measuring cup.
STEP #2
Add essential oils. Stir well.
To use, clean surfaces to remove dirt and grease. Then spray surfaces and let sit for 10 minutes to kill germs. Wipe dry with a microfiber cloth
.
. 
There's no need to rinse when you use this recipe.
Pour into a spray bottle.
DISINFECTING TIPS
If conditions are right, bacteria and germs can double in as little as 20 minutes. Be sure to hit the most common places where germs linger.
I always disinfect the following places:
- Door knobs
- Handrails
- Garbage cans
- The soap dispense
- Toilet handle
- Light switches (I spray on a cloth and wipe them)
Don't forget to disinfect your car, too! Spray the door handles, shifter, and steering wheel.
If you or your kids use a desk for work or homework, give the pens and pencils and other office supplies a good spritz to kill germs.
Yield: 2 cups
Estimated cost: $5
Disinfectant Spray DIY Recipe
prep time: 5 Mperform time: 10 Mtotal time: 15 M
How to make your own disinfectant spray recipe.
materials:
- 1 1/2 cup 190 proof or higher vodka or 91 or 99 percent rubbing alcohol
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 50 drops tea tree oil (or see above for other oils to use)
tools:
- Funnel
- Spray Bottle
- Labels
steps:
- Combine the vodka or rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, and distilled water in a container. I used my 4-cup Pyrex measuring cup.
- Add essential oils. Stir well.
- To use, clean surfaces to remove dirt and grease. Then spray surfaces and let sit for 10 minutes to kill germs. Wipe dry with a microfiber cloth.
- Pour into a spray bottle.
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