In a pinch with little time to clean? Turn to this DIY all purpose natural surface cleaner!

This DIY all purpose natural surface cleaner works as one cleaner for almost everything! Clean your windows, microwave, sink, shower, oven, and more.

Are you in a time crunch to clean? Do you have guests arriving sooner than expected or a toddler who’s recently given up their morning naps? (Asking for a friend, of course)

Either will leave with little time to clean up. Especially if you have to remember where you left the bathroom cleaner, sanitizing spray, and cooktop cleaner… with little to no sleep.

If you, I mean, your friend, finds themselves in a similar situation, this recipe for a DIY all-purpose natural surface cleaner is here to help!

Now, don’t let the word surface fool you – this cleaning solution can be applied to much more than just countertops.

It holds the simplicity of using just ONE cleaner for almost everything.

So when you keep this bottle nearby, you can give almost any surface in you’re home a quick clean-up without wasting time digging through the cupboards for yet another cleaner.

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Related: DIY Natural Stain Remover Spray

What’s in it?

This recipe starts with vinegar (I use this organic white distilled vinegar), a great all-purpose tool for your natural cleaning toolbox. It contains 5% acetic acid that fights against bacteria on your surfaces!

According to Good Housekeeping, a cleaning mixture of 50% white vinegar, 50% water, and essential oils is an effective natural cleaner. And that’s exactly what we are going to create here with essential oils known for their cleaning abilities.

Lemon Essential Oil

You can’t go wrong with the fresh zest of lemon essential oil! It is a powerhouse in homemade cleaning recipes. Commonly used to degrease, remove stains, and deodorize with a zesty aroma, wipes out strong, unpleasant odors!

CLEANING BENEFITS:

  • Stain-Lifter
  • Plant-Based
  • Natural Cleaning Agent
  • Odor Eliminator
  • Non-Toxic
  • Multi-Purpose

Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary essential oils’ natural components and crisp, herbaceous scent make this oil a great addition to homemade cleaning solutions. I love to combine rosemary essential oil with lemon, peppermint, or lavender for a lovely fresh scent.

CLEANING BENEFITS

  • Clean Herbal Scent
  • Plant-Based
  • Non-Toxic
  • Naturally Derived
  • Natural Cleaning Agent 

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

A natural cleaner at heart, eucalyptus essential oil is powerful against troublesome dust mites and other pests. Use it to deter pests on your linens and in your cupboards. Its clean smell is also effective against stinky bathroom odors.

CLEANING BENEFITS

  • Odor Eliminator
  • Plant-Based
  • Non-Toxic
  • Insect Repellent
  • Fresh Clean Scent
  • Naturally Derived 

Clove Essential Oil

The warm, spicy scent of clove essential oil is often instantly familiar because of its connection with fall and winter traditions. Pumpkin pie, anyone? The oil comes from the flower buds of the clove tree in exotic Indonesia, Madagascar, and the Melaka Islands. It is an effective moth repellent and commonly used as an air freshener.

CLEANING BENEFITS

  • Insect Repellent
  • Plant-Based
  • Multi-Purpose
  • Non-Toxic
  • Odor Eliminator

Essential oils bring more than scent—they bring purpose. And now it’s time to put that purpose to work! With nature’s power in every drop, you’re just a few steps away from a surface spray you’ll actually look forward to using.

Related: Heavy Duty DIY Natural Kitchen Cleaner

How Do You Make An All-Purpose Surface Cleaner with Natural Ingredients?

This recipe for an all-purpose cleaner includes a natural powerhouse of essential oils for cleaning. Ready to give it a try? Let’s mix up a cleaner that’s as effective as it is refreshing!

Ingredients & Supplies

Instructions To Make An All-Purpose Natural Surface Cleaner:

  1. Place a funnel designed for spray bottles into one amber glass bottle. Do not use a plastic bottle. Citrus essential oils should be stored in glass containers (these are the amber glass spray bottles I use). 
  2. Pour four ounces of water and four ounces of vinegar into the bottle.
  3. Then remove the funnel and add 3 drops of clove, 2 drops of rosemary, 3 drops of eucalyptus, and 4 drops of lemon essential oil into the bottle.
  4. Place the spray nozzle on the bottle. With the spray nozzle turned off, shake well to combine. Yields: 8 ounces

Shake before each use. Then spray this all-purpose cleaner on the desired surface and wipe clean with a cloth.

Use This Natural Solution To Clean:

  • Windows
  • Counters
  • Carpet Stains
  • Oven
  • Microwave
  • Doorknobs
  • Mirrors
  • Toilet
  • Sink
  • High Chair
  • Shower
  • Floors

It’s always a good idea to test a new cleaner on an inconspicuous area.

Be Aware: Because vinegar is acidic, it can cause some etching on granite, marble, or stone surfaces. Use my vinegar-free recipe for these surfaces instead. Or substitute rubbing alcohol for vinegar in the ingredients. It also gives countertops with a sheen a streak-free finish.

Now, the next time you’re in a pinch to clean your home, grab a few cleaning cloths and a bottle of this DIY All-Purpose Natural Surface Cleaner. Then spray down your bathroom, kitchen, or toy room and wipe clean!

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amber glass cleaning bottle labeled surface on a white countertop next to bright yellow lemons and a cleaning towel

Nattural DIY Surface Cleaner

Yield: 8 ounces

Why settle for harsh when you can clean naturally? Learn how to make an all-purpose cleaner with natural ingredients now!

Materials

  • 4 ounces distilled water
  • 4 ounces distilled white vinegar
  • 3 drops clove essential oil
  • 2 drops rosemary essential oil
  • 3 drops eucalyptus essential oil
  • 4 drops lemon essential oil
  • 1 glass 8 oz amber glass spray bottle

Instructions

  1. Place a funnel designed for spray bottles into one amber glass bottle.
  2. Pour four ounces of water and four ounces of vinegar into the bottle.
  3. Then remove the funnel and add 3 drops of clove, 2 drops of rosemary, 3 drops of eucalyptus, and 4 drops of lemon essential oil into the bottle.
  4. Place the spray nozzle on the bottle. With the spray nozzle turned off, shake well to combine.

Notes

It’s always a good idea to test a new cleaner on an inconspicuous area. Shake before each use. Then spray this all-purpose cleaner on the desired surface and wipe clean with a cloth.

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14 Comments

  1. I enjoy the simplicity of this cleaner recipe, and the fact that the essential oils inhibit the aroma of the vinegar (which is not my favorite thing). 🙂 Thanks for sharing these tips!

    1. lifenreflection says:

      Thanks Melanie, vinegar is not my favorite scent either and I have been steered away from it in the past. That is, until I learned I could mask it with essential oils. The essential oils in the recipe are hard working cleaners and masking the vinegar scent is bonus no doubt!

  2. Hi Kristy…who really bothers you as much as I lol!!
    I made this today and used it…oh my it works wonderfully …you did it again another great one!!
    A question though, can this be used on wooden areas it’s very close to the one I made of yours for wooden furniture which by the worked great also..
    Hugs
    Deb.

    1. lifenreflection says:

      Girl, you never bother me! I would avoid using the all-purpose cleaner on wood. I think the vinegar ratio is too high and may strip the varnish. And without olive oil, you’ll be missing the chance condition the wood.

  3. Kristy of course you are right…why I didn’t think of that is beyond me lol!!! So glad I asked you.. because I have a few very old pieces and wouldn’t want to do something that couldn’t be reversed.
    Many thanks again my friend!!
    Hugs Deb.

    1. lifenreflection says:

      That’s what I’m here for!

  4. Hi Kristy, I didn’t notice this before when making this recipe..in the ingredients you have 4 ounces water and 4 ounces vinegar…..then in the instructions you have 2 ounces water and 6 ounces vinegar…did i miss something here or is it a mistake in one or the other??

    1. lifenreflection says:

      I didn’t notice that either, sorry hun. It is a 50% mix of water and vinegar. So, 4 ounces of each for an 8-ounce bottle.

  5. Kristy thank you for getting back to me so quickly on this!!
    Kristy I really must take this time to thank you from the bottom of my heart for you being so patient with me and helping me to make this great change in my life ( going natural as possible) even so late in my life , as you know I’m trying to get my young granddaugnter to start off on the right foot by going all natural.
    You my friend have made it all so much easier with your continuous support and help ,when someone asks where i started I just say “Kristy on Pinterest ” and your recipes are the best so far!!
    Hugs Deb.

    1. lifenreflection says:

      Awe, you are such a sweetheart! I am so happy I could help you live a more natural simplified life. To foster those values into your granddaughter will be quite a legacy from you.

  6. Hey! I’m wondering what the benefit would be of using vinegar over rubbing alcohol in this? I’m new to making homemade cleaners!
    TIA 🙂

    1. lifenreflection says:

      Kate, vinegar contains 5% acetic acid that fights against bacteria on your surfaces. You can substitute rubbing alcohol for vinegar or use them both by split the ratio like this 50% water, 25% rubbing alcohol, and 25% vinegar. Adding rubbing alcohol removes streaks that vinegar can sometimes leave on different types of countertops.

  7. How long does it last in the bottle before it becomes ineffective?

    1. lifenreflection says:

      This will last 6 months, but I use it up in 3

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