Eucalyptus essential oil is an impressive ingredient in household cleaners as it has natural anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties. It also performs well as an effective deodorizer and a good degreaser to tackle those stubborn, sticky messes.
This is one of mother nature’s most powerful disinfectants, what better option to tackle those messy household chores with!
Here are a few different recipes for homemade cleaners I have on file that incorporate Eucalyptus oil and can be used to freshen your home.
Floor Cleaner:
- Add 1 tablespoon of liquid castile soap to 1 gallon of hot water and 1/3 cup Borax. Mix in 1/4 tsp to 1/2 tsp of EO.
All Purpose Mix:
- Combine 1/2 cup vinegar with 1 cup hot water, add 1/8 tsp liquid dish detergent (nothing with bleach), 6 drops EO. Pour into a spray bottle and shake before each use.
Soft Scrub Recipe:
- Combine baking soda and liquid castile soap until you have a smooth paste (some water can be added), stir in a few drops of the EO. Take a damp sponge, dab into the paste and use to scrub over stained areas. Wipe off with a damp, clean cloth.
Kitchen Countertops:
- Fill a small spray bottle with lukewarm water and add 3 drops EO (ratio is about 1 drop oil to 4 ounces water). Shake. Apply to freshly washed surfaces as a fragrant rinse. Store away from sunlight.
Freshen Carpet & Upholstery:
2 C. Distilled Water
20 drops EO
- Mix and pour into a spray bottle. Shake before each use. Can be used as an air freshener, a carpet or upholstery spritz. Test a small area first for fabric discoloration.
Garbage Pail Deodorizer:
- Mix 4 teaspoons EO with 4 cups of baking soda. Store in an airtight plastic container. After cleaning garbage can, sprinkle a handful of baking soda mixture on the bottom (once dry).
Tub Scrub Recipe:
1 C. Baking Soda
15 drops EO
- Mix the baking soda and oil well then scrub onto bathroom tub and sink with a damp sponge. Leave sit for a bit before rinsing off with clear warm water.
Shower Soap Scum Remover:
- Using the EO neat, pour directly onto a damp cloth then rub with some pressure into the area with soap scum buildup. Once you’re happy with the results, rinse off with hot water and wipe dry.
For Linens:
1/2 cup Distilled Water
1/2 cup Vodka
10 drops EO
- Combine ingredients and pour into a spray bottle. Shake before use.
Mattress & Pillows Spritz:
*Especially beneficial during cough & cold season, can help with cough/cold/sinus/congestion issues.
12 oz water
1/4 tsp EO
- Pour ingredients into a spray bottle and shake well each time you use it. Apply to mattress & pillows every time you change the bedding, leave to air dry for several hours uncovered. This will help remove germs & combat dust mites.
Laundry Machine Rinse:
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
1/2 tsp EO
- Shake ingredients together in a jar then turn on the washing machine (empty, no laundry) and toss contents into the machine as the water is running. Let the machine run a full “load”. This should remove any residue or soap buildup in the drum.
Stinky Shoes Fix:
- Apply some EO to a couple cotton balls and place one in each shoe. Leave overnight, will help remove smells and deodorize.
More ideas:
Add Eucalyptus oil to your homemade laundry detergents and fabric softeners to provide an extra level of disinfectant cleaning.
love , love your page love it
I’m sure this has been asked before, but where in the grocery store do you find eucalyptus oil?? With the laundry?? Cleaning?? Baking??
I’ve never seen them at local groceries or department stores here (small city Canada), but I do get mine at a bulk food/health store locally.
I also use the oil in my floor steam cleaner- just a drop or two
another use for eucalyptus is to keep fleas away they hate it. you can make a natural flea collar for your pets by adding the oil to a cloth and tie around their neck.
Eucalyptus, a smidge of lemon balm, dash of peppermint distilled water and just enough rubbing alcohol to hold it in suspension = bug spray
Eucalyptus is the most effective against mosquitos and unlike citronella, not yummy to bears
with bergamot, lemon grass, geranium etc… it starts to smell all girly, this can be great on a date at a play in the park…
I save my dryer sheets to clean my glass sliding shower doors. While the glass is still wet wipe the glass with several used sheets. Glass will be very soapy just use a squeegy and viola no more soap scum.
It seems bad to me to use any kind of oil on fabric, like for the a carpet or upholstery wouldn’t it make the carpet sticky?
Would the dryer sheets work on a fiberglass shower stall too?
Where can I find “castile soap”? I’ve never seen it in my local grocery store. Is “castile” a brand name or name of soap?
I clicked in here because it was stated even a section how to use this E oil to clean the toilet. It was not there. Anyone know the recipe?
Hi LuAnn, is it the peppermint cleaners article you’re thinking of? That one has a recipe for toilets. You’ll find that page here. You can substitute the peppermint EO for eucalyptus if you like.
Eucalyptus is very toxic for cats. Never use ON or NEAR cats. Make a VERY dilute solution of just a VERY few drops eucalyptus essential oil with a LOT of water (like a quart), and only spray it in places where you cat will not get it on fur or paws.
A lot of pests do not like the smell of eucalyptus. Mice, ants, and roaches to name a few. I soak cotton balls in eucalyptus oil and toss them in the corners of my cabinets, to keep pests away. Never seen a pest in my kitchen or bathroom. So it works for me.