Create Your Own

deep cleaning spray

With plenty of time at home for spring cleaning, I'm actually enjoying creating and using two of my favorite deep cleaning sprays. The recipes below contain a little more than 70% ethyl alcohol and health-promoting essential oils.

We want to start by saying that no essential oil has been proven to combat or prevent COVID-19. Although essential oils have not yet been researched in relation to COVID-19, we chose the oils in these blends based on their chemical components and therapeutic properties. These 4 oz blends contain approximately 70% alcohol, as recommended by the CDC.


Lemongrass Lime

❀   3 oz (90 ml) Ethanol, 190 proof (95% ABV) I use certified organic food grade

❀   1 oz. (30 ml) Distilled Water or Boiled Tap Water


Essential Oils:

❀   9 drops Lemongrass ct rhodinol

❀   9 drops Palmarosa

❀   9 drops Thyme ct linalool

❀   9 drops Lime

❀   12 drops Lavender

Shake before each use. Leave on surfaces for a full 30 seconds before wiping. Wear gloves. Keep out of reach of children.


As with our hand sanitizer recipes, feel free to change the essential oils as you like in these recipes, but remember to check safety concerns of every essential oil used.

Citrus Forest

❀   3 oz (90 ml) Ethanol, 190 proof (95% ABV) I use certified organic food grade

❀   1 oz. (30 ml) Distilled Water or Boiled Tap Water


Essential Oils:

❀   8 drops Lavender

❀   8 drops White Pine

❀   12 drops Lemon

❀   12 drops Englemann spruce

Shake before each use. Leave on surfaces for a full 30 seconds before wiping. Wear gloves. Keep out of reach of children.


Key Points & Recommendations

+ links for more information




NOT ALL ALCOHOLS ARE CREATED EQUAL! 

The amount and type of alcohol are critical to these recipes. Pay attention to the alcohol by volume percentage.

  • According to Webster’s dictionary: Proof = alcoholic strength indicated by a number that is twice the percent by volume of alcohol present (in U.S.)
  • 80 Proof Vodka is 40% alcohol by volume (ABV). Vodka, Gin, Brandy, etc. are not strong enough for hand sanitizer.
  • Rubbing Alcohol (Isopropyl alcohol) is denatured ethanol, and approximately 70% ABV, therefore should not be diluted. 
  • 91% Isopropyl alcohol is available, but more difficult to find. That could be used instead of the ethanol in the above recipe.
  • Everclear (ethanol) is made from grain and is 60% -  95% ABV, 120 - 190 proof. We use 190 proof (95% ABV) and therefore can dilute it with aloe and still have enough alcohol by volume in our hand sanitizer to be effective.
  • Alcohol and these essential oil blends are drying and can be irritating to skin. Wear gloves.
  • More is not better! 100% alcohol is not more effective than 70%.


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Solutions of 70% alcohol should be left on surfaces for 30 seconds. (weforum.org)

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CDC - Cleaning and Disinfection for Households

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We want reiterate that no essential oil has yet been proven to combat or prevent COVID-19. 

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