Earlier this week, I showed you the method I use to get unwanted labels off of containers. I used this spray bottle as an example and now I have filled it with a homemade all-natural disinfectant spray. I cut a new label out of vinyl with my Silhouette machine and attached it to the bottom!
To make your own, you will need water and a few different essential oils. These can generally be found at a local health food store or online.
1 Cup Water
20 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
20 Drops Thyme or Eucalyptus Oil
10 Drops Tea Tree Oil
All three of these oils have antibiotic, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Combined with water, they make up a great all-natural alternative to the commercial chemical-based sprays.
Simply mix all ingredients together in a spray bottle and spray on any hard surface. Let dry! I found this recipe in Simply Clean, DIY Solutions for a Naturally Clean Home.
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And because of all those qualities, I usually put a little of all of them in a pot and breath in the steam for a while when i think I’m getting sick! Also 1 drop of one of them goes in my netti pot :D
The only thing I would add is to be careful with Tea Tree Oil around cats; it is toxic to them. I use it for the counters, garbage pail and other places the kitties arent, but not on floors and in their areas, where they may contact it with the pads of their feet. Other than that Tea Tree is a wonderful disinfectant/antimicrobial!
There are no places that cats aren’t. They go anyehere they want to all the way up to the cieling if there is a place to hold onto. If its toxic to cats and you have them don’t use it.
Good to know Mia. Thanks for the info!
Linda
thank you for mentioning that Mia, I wasn’t aware of that and sure glad I read that before I used this mixture to disinfect the cat box area!
Just recently learned it’s highly toxic to dogs if they lick it also. My little Yorkie had surgery recently, and i mentioned using Tea Tree Oil on her to repel bugs/flys etc., and was told there was a dog having it’s stomach pumped as we spoke…since said dog, had sores on it’s feet, thinking to help the dog, it’s owner put tea Tree Oil on the pads of it’s feet, and the dog licked it…not sure if it survived or not., but was told absolutely not to use, because it’s highly toxic to dogs…
That is odd. They sell all sorts of tea tree oli products for dogs in pet supply stores.
They sell all sorts of stuff in the pet section.Doesn’t mean they are good for your animals.Look at all the recalls
I used a flea drop that was “all natural” by the brand Sergeants a few years back that contained essential oils… it killed my cat. I later found out that essential oils are absorbed into the cat through the skin and the liver can’t handle the toxins, which causes liver failure. I also know of several cases where Hartz brand products killed animals. I don’t trust any health products they sell in the pet supply stores or pet sections of any store!!
You can also use tea tree oil in homemade laundry detergent. I used half a bottle of tea tree oil in a 3 gallon bucket of homemade laundry detergent. It was a bit much but it worked and kept our skin in better condition. I might use a bit less next time.I love tea tree oil. It has so many uses.
If this is a disinfectant, could it use as a hand sanitizer too?
I use a spray just like this when I work at the hospital. I keep a small bottle on me and spray myself to keep the germs away since I opt out of the chemocal laden flu shots. It works great!
I wish I could opt out of the flu shot at work also, I guess I can if I want to wear a mask for 6 months. I still bring my EO’s to work and diffuse them in the air.
I have several bottles of this made up, even small bottles to use in our vehicles. I spray sinks, toothbrushes, kitchen sponges, toilet handles, door knobs…..anything that needs to be disinfected which is most everything! I like to try many different EO’s and now citrus EO’s are a favorite. Ordered tangerine and it is heavenly!
Is there an alternative to tea tree oil since I have animals? I don’t want to chance them getting it into their system since it’s toxic to them.
This is awesome, Thank you. I personally do not like the scent of tea Tree so i use oregano.
Thank you Mia!!! We have kitties…
I have a cat and a dog so am wary about the tea tree- and I have a close friend who is allergic to lavender -though I love it. Any ideas for substitutes ? Also citrus might not be good on a sealed floor,
I would say if you do not like Tea Tree Oil, try this alternative for a disinfectant spray
(Just make according to the website directions, then follow down for how to use as a spray cleaner-there are many uses listed).. http://www.natural-aromatherapy-benefits.com/thievesoilrecipe.html
Beware that tea tree oil is very dangerous for cats. I use citronella instead.
For those with pets, you may want to consider using a 50-50 mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide. It’s a great disinfectant, too, and with the dilution, shouldn’t harm your pets at all.
Don’t use tea tree oil on your pets, according to Pet Poison Hotline: tea tree oil is extremely toxic and can kill your dog or cat.
http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/tea-tree-oil/
I dilute oils prior to application on my pets and have never had a problem
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