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Here’s a great recipe for a safe and effective deep cleaning spray. It smells fresh and clean and it will remove those germs in a hurry! Check out this newly updated DIY Disinfecting Spray Cleaner for updated guidelines.
please note: This DIY recipe was developed long before Coronavirus and has not been tested for efficacy at disinfecting the virus. Please consult the CDC for disinfecting recommendations.
Gather the ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup (60% + alcohol content) vodka or Everclear (excellent germ-killing properties – you can substitute rubbing alcohol, but it will have a more medicinal scent)
- 15 drops essential oil – peppermint + lemon OR lavender + lemon are great in this recipe
- glass spray bottle
Please note: Vinegar should not be used on granite or marble because the acid may etch the surface. Here’s my favorite Stone Cleaning Spray recipe.
Once you’ve mixed up your spray, give it a shake and spray away. I like to spray all surfaces thoroughly, let it sit for about 10 minutes (to remove germs), and then wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. In the bathroom it’s important to avoid any cross-contamination so I wipe in this order with separate cloths – mirror, sink, tub/shower, toilet. Go to this post for my 15 minute bathroom cleaning strategy. If you’re using this spray in the kitchen, the same rules apply for cross-contamination – use separate cloths for separate areas. No rinsing is required with this recipe.
Are you ready to make your own cleaners? It’s so easy! It’ll save you money and better than that, it’s so much better for you and your family! Go here to see more posts with my favorite DIY cleaning recipes.
Deb Says...
Thanks to you Becky, I have been using diy solutions and loving the effectiveness, ease, cost effectiveness! I also use your granite/marble recipe too! Love these great ideas!!
Dawn Hamel Says...
hi Becky,
do you have a recipe for a non-toxic and organic
mildew/mold remover spray?
i really dislike using chlorine bleach.
it is so harsh and toxic.
Thank you.
b r Says...
Post authorHere’s my favorite natural solution:
https://www.cleanmama.net/2016/04/disinfect-with-hydrogen-peroxide.html
JessB Says...
Love it! I use Tito’s to make my own vanilla extract…it’s so tempting to drink it straight from the bottle because it smells amazing but then I always remember it’s pure vodka! Could it be used in this recipe and just leave out the oils?
b r Says...
Post authorI haven’t tried that but I think it might be sticky…
Ryan Jacobson Says...
Silly question. I tried keeping my bathroom only microfiber separate from lgehra and hubby let mixing them up so I started using paper towels (viva brand)or Lysol wipes for cleaning toilets. When you’re mentioning cross contamination, are you suggesting we can wash a towel used on a toilet and then re use for anything? I also don’t wash kitchen towels with cleaning towels and not sure if I’m getting things clean and disinfected in the wash. Side note: I have a new washer with a sanitize option now.
b r Says...
Post authorWash the microfiber that you use to clean with separately from anything else on the sanitize option and you shouldn’t have anything to worry about!
Paige Says...
Oh this is awesome! I need to try this soon! I love diy all purpose sprays like this!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Verna Says...
This is great, Going to make some today. Thank you
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Judy Says...
I have been using half alcohol like the 90% kind and water. Half-and-half solution spray-on after a light cleaning with a mild detergent and then rinse then go over with Clearwater and then use a solution above. Let solution sit on counter 5 minutes then buff dry puts a wonderful shine on it too as well as disinfect for a granite counter. What do you use?
Kelly Says...
How do we get your glass label printables?
Lo Val Says...
Hi! Since vodka isnt very cheap here i substitute it with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Any suggestion as to how much more i should add to get the same amount of disinfecting strength? Thank you!
b r Says...
Post authorYou can add the same amount of rubbing alcohol with similar results!
Stacey Says...
I love making my own cleaning solutions its way better and it cost not a dime if u have the stuff and I don’t have a glass bottle I am using plastic bottle instead. If that’s ok with you. Don’t have the money to get glass bottle and I don’t know where to find one except the website on here
Monica Capuchino Says...
Are you suppose to use dark bottle if using essential oil or can you use clear bottle with essential oil?
b r Says...
Post authorI use and prefer clear glass and have had no issues whatsoever 🙂
Christine Says...
Is this safe to use on quartz?
Monica Says...
I have the same question! Also, are the essential oils necessary for disinfecting or are they just for pleasant scents? I don’t have any on hand.
b r Says...
Post authorFeel free to omit 🙂
June Says...
I am going to try this. However what brand of Vodka do you recommend to use?
b r Says...
Post authorUse the cheapest you can find or what you have on hand.
Robert S. Says...
I am moving into an apartment that has been unoccupied for a long time & needs a top-to-bottom deep clean due to massive amounts of accumulated dust. Since, for now, my primary focus is on cleaning (with a secondary benefit of disinfecting), I am contemplating the addition of 2 Tsp of liquid dish soap to your recipe (my thinking is a ratio of 1 tsp dish soap : 1cup of solution). Kindly share your thoughts regarding this modification, particularly any negatives.
b r Says...
Post authorStick with the 1 tsp unless you want to rinse the solution.
U Says...
Can I use a PLASTIC spray bottle? If no, why not? We have concrete floors concerned of likelihood of a cleaning accident becoming a hazard.
b r Says...
Post authorYou most definitely can 🙂
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CHING Says...
Hi becky, appreciate your recipe for cleaning. I clean offices as my business but i don’t like harsh chemicals.
Thank you
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Gretchen Says...
Do you have to use glass bottle or can you use plastic?
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorUse what your preference is.
Amy Says...
Hi can I use plastic spray bottle for this?
Thank you.
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorSure can!
Steve Says...
Why is a glass container necessary?
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorIt’s my preference and helps preserve the ingredients – feel free to use what you prefer.
Clydene Ruby Says...
New to clean mama but enjoyed reading about your solutions.
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorWelcome!
Rose Says...
Do you have to use Glass bottles
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorNo, it’s my preference.
Addy Says...
Tito’s came out with a statement that said not to use it in things like this. The alcohol content isn’t high enough.
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorYep! You’ll see the statement on the top of the post and in the vodka as an ingredient to reflect that 🙂
please note: This DIY recipe was developed long before Coronavirus and has not been tested for efficacy at disinfecting the virus. Please consult the CDC for disinfecting recommendations.
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Janina Says...
I love this spray!! I find it works REALLY well as a glass cleaner as well! Thank you!
Rachel Says...
Thank you so much! With 5 kids that I *just* began homeschooling, my house is a serious mess. Ran out, googled diy help & found your blog. Love the recipe, thanks!!
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S Tracy Says...
VODKA IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR KILLING coronavirus!!!!!
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorThis is right at the top of the post:
please note: This DIY recipe was developed long before Coronavirus and has not been tested for efficacy at disinfecting the virus. Please consult the CDC for disinfecting recommendations.
Here is my updated recipe, also linked in the post – check it out: https://cleanmama.com/diy-natural-disinfecting-spray/
Regina Says...
For the shower spray cleaner when you wipe it off do you use a damp rag? Also could you just rinse with water instead?
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorYou can rinse with water too!
Debbie Says...
Does this cleaning recipe work to kill the norvirus?
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorI haven’t tested it on the Norovirus.
Kayla Says...
Can this be made and stored under the kitchen sink to be used as needed? I want to make sure it does not need special storage or is not recommended to be made in advance. Thank you!
Clean Mama Says...
Post authorYes, it can be made and stored for about a month!