5 Ways to Use Lemon Oil for Cleaning

In addition to its crisp, fragrant scent, lemon oil has several other benefits, as well. Maybe you’re already using lemon oil in your diffuser for its sunny scent or invigorating feeling. You may have even heard about lemon and other essential oils being diffused to help lower systolic blood pressure.

Did you know that lemon essential oil can also be used as an effective household cleaner? This versatile oil is a fantastic natural alternative to traditional degreasers and residue removers. If you’re looking for an all-purpose cleaner that’s better for you and the environment, it’s time to give lemon oil a try.

To help you get started with exploring the idea of using safer, less toxic household cleaners, we’ve included a couple easy-to-follow DIY recipes for you to try.

A Less Toxic Household Cleaner   

A household cleaner doesn’t need to be packed with harsh synthetic chemicals in order for it to be effective. Thanks to the natural antibacterial activity of lemon oil and other essential oils such as eucalyptus and tea tree oil.  

Keeping lemon oil and a few other essential oils on hand for antibacterial benefits helps you achieve a clean home without using harmful ingredients. Creating your own safer cleaning alternative can be as simple as combining lemon oil with a few other natural ingredients.

Unfortunately, most traditional household cleaners are made with harsh components such as bleach and ammonia. When bleach is combined with other non-harmful cleaning agents like vinegar, it produces a toxic chlorine gas. This gas is dangerous to inhale and can cause uncomfortable side effects such as burning eyes, skin irritation and respiratory problems.

Give yourself peace of mind by eliminating harmful chemicals like bleach from your cleaning regiment. Say goodbye to potent toxins in your home. Choose a more natural and safe option to clean with, such as lemon oil.       

A Safer Bathroom Cleaner  

Bathroom cleaners are usually where you find the worst offenders in terms of harsh synthetic ingredients like bleach and ammonia. Consider swapping out these types of cleaners for natural DIY recipes harnessing the antibacterial power of lemon oil. The fresh, citrusy scent is an added bonus.

DIY Lemon Oil All-Purpose Cleaner

The antibacterial properties of lemon oil and general cleaning power of vinegar make this recipe the perfect all-purpose spray for all your bathroom cleaning needs. Glass, tile, porcelain, stainless steel, grout— you name it, this lemon oil cleaning solution can clean it.

BONUS TIP: This recipe can also be used in the kitchen and for cold season.Avoid using bleach and ammonia where food is prepared and served, by using this natural lemon oil spray for cleaning. Spray and wipe door knobs and cabinet handles during cold season to curtail those pesky germs.

This recipe is so good, you’ll want to pin it to always keep it handy!

What You’ll Need:

• 2 cups distilled water

• 2 cups white vinegar

• 10-20 drops lemon oil

• Dark glass spray bottle*

*If you’re making enough lemon oil cleaner for more than one use, it’s important to use a dark glass bottle to preserve the effectiveness of the mix. Essential oils can be degraded by exposure to sunlight and heat.

Instructions:

Step 1: Combine lemon oil and other ingredients in your spray bottle.

Step 2: Cap tightly and shake well to combine.

To use: Spray lemon oil cleaner liberally on shower, bathtub, toilets, sinks, kitchen surfaces or wherever needed. Allow the mix to sit for 5-10 minutes. Scrub as needed and wipe off with warm water.

Lemon Oil Soap Scum & Hard Water Spot Remover

Even if you clean your bathroom regularly, shower doors can be a pain to keep clean and clear. Your doors may be suffering from soap scum build up, or depending on the minerals in the water supply you can have hard water spots.

If you’ve ever tried to clean hard water spots or soap scum off shower doors, you know it’s basically impossible with regular bathroom cleaners. For stubborn shower doors try using this DIY recipe that harnesses the power of lemon oil and citric acid to remove soap scum and hard water spots.

Ingredients:

3 cups citric acid powder

3 quarts hot water

20-30 drops lemon essential oil

Supplies:

4 quart plastic tub

2 Soft cotton cloths*

*Don’t be tempted to use something more “scrubby” when cleaning hard water spots. Abrasives can actually etch the mineral deposits into the glass!

Instructions:

Step 1: Add 3 quarts of water as hot as is comfortable for your hands into your plastic tub.

Step 2: Mix in citric acid and lemon oil until the citric acid is fully dissolved.

Step 3: Dip one cloth into the lemon oil  mixture and use circular motions to rub away the grim.

Step 4: Rinse with warm water and use second cloth or a squeegee to dry shower doors.

A New Way to Fight Grease and Bacteria in the Kitchen  

The kitchen is the most communal area in our homes. During parties and celebrations, we tend to gather around the kitchen island or sit at the kitchen table and catch-up. Chances are it’s also the place your kids make a beeline for after school.

Let that visual sink in for a moment, kids heading right to your kitchen from school. Where tons of other kids are. Kids sneezing willy nilly, coughing into hands and touching everything your kids will also touch before heading straight to your kitchen table.

It’s not hard to see why the kitchen can be such a breeding ground for many types of bacteria. The everyday residue from preparing meals is multiplied by the germs we bring home from work, school or simply running errands around town.

The good news is the antimicrobial elements of lemon oil can help ward off common bacteria. In fact, lemon oil and a few other essential oils (including eucalyptus, tea tree and rosemary) are even thought to work on bacteria that have become resistant to traditional antibacterial medications.

In addition to its antibacterial components, lemon oil also helps eliminate kitchen messes such as grease. Whether you’re trying to clean a dirty tea kettle, or make your stove top shine, lemon oil can be a helpful cleaning agent.

To spot clean a specific surface, just add a few drops to a rag and gently scrub. You can also use the natural all-purpose lemon oil cleaner recipe from above for counters, sinks and other kitchen surfaces. Using lemon oil you can enjoy a fresh clean kitchen without bleach or ammonia.

BONUS TIP: Use lemon oil to get rid of stinky kitchen odors. Diffusing essential oils to freshen the air is a no-brainer, but lemon oil is also one of the best oils to combat trash can odors and smells coming from the garbage disposal too.

Try adding a few drops of lemon essential oil to the bottom of your kitchen trash bag and to the drain that leads to your garbage disposal. The lemon oil smells delicious and helps cut down on the bacteria that’s causing the odors in the first place.

Using Lemon Oil as a Solution for Sticky Residue  

If you’ve ever had trouble removing the substance left behind from a sticker, you’re not alone. Few traditional cleaners seem to properly cut through the grime. Knowing how to remove sticker residue is truly one of those life hacks that make you feel like a cleaning rock star.

How to Use Lemon Oil to Remove Sticker Residue

Step 1: Add a few drops of lemon oil directly to the sticky surface.

Step 2: Let the oil sit for a couple of minutes.

Step 3 Use a cotton cloth or paper towel to rub lemon oil into area until the sticky residue is removed.

Voila! Lemon oil is an easy solution to getting rid of sticky residue that’s not full of chemicals you can’t pronounce.

A More Natural Makeup Brush Cleanser

Our makeup products often include a frightening number of toxic chemicals in them. Avoid adding even more harsh ingredients to your beauty routine by ensuring your makeup cleaners are as natural as possible. It also leaves your makeup brushes smelling fresh and citrusy!

Lemon oil is a great alternative to traditional makeup brush scrubs and sprays because it reduces bacteria without harsh additives. Cleaning your makeup brushes regularly with lemon oil helps prevent bacteria from building up on your makeup tools. This is super important to prevent acne breakouts from dirty makeup brushes.

How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes with Lemon Oil

What you’ll need:

• 5-10 drops lemon essential oil

• Natural facial cleanser

• Small dish or bowl

Instructions:

Step 1: Gently rinse your brushes under warm water. Make sure your brushes are face down while rinsing, and try to avoid rinsing against the brush bristles.

Step 2: Mix lemon oil and a quarter size amount of face wash in your dish or bowl.

Step 3: Use your fingers to work the lemon oil mixture through the brushes, ensuring all the makeup is off of the brushes by running your fingers through each brush several times

Step 4:  Rinse with warm water and repeat the cleaning process until you no longer see makeup coming off of the brush.

Step 4: Clean your makeup brushes at least once every other week.

Clean and Polish Wood Furniture Lemon Oil  

Lemon oil is a fantastic ingredient for cleaning and polishing wood furniture. Our DIY furniture polish should be safe for most wood surfaces. However, it’s a good idea to always test an inconspicuous spot with your lemon oil solution just to be sure.

The benefit of using vinegar and lemon oil allows you to wipe away bacteria. The natural unrefined castor oil conditions and protects the wood surface. Before you clean and polish, use a microfiber cloth or lightly damp cloth to remove dust.

DIY Lemon Oil Furniture Polish

What You’ll Need:

• ½ cup white vinegar

• 4  ounces castor oil

• 20-30 drops lemon oil

• Dark glass bottle* or plastic tub

• Cotton cloth

*You only need a dark glass bottle if you plan on storing your lemon oil mixture. Remember, essential oils should always be stored away from light and heat to preserve their effectiveness.

Instructions:

Step 1: Combine lemon oil and other ingredients in bottle or tub. Mix together thoroughly, until fully combined.

Step 2: Dip your cloth in the lemon oil polish or pour some on your cloth from the bottle..

Step 3: Gently buff wooden surface with circular motions until the lemon oil mix is fully absorbed and the wood is shining.

Making the Switch to Natural Products Like Lemon Oil

There are many benefits of cleaning with lemon oil and other essential oils. For one thing, essential oils last up to two years upon opening when stored properly in a cool, dark place. Essential oils also have the benefit of being super effective yet less harsh than many synthetic chemicals.  

It’s also important to remember that harsh chemicals don’t always equate to more effective results. Especially when it comes to cleaning your home because using essential oils and other natural products are more beneficial for your family and the environment.

To learn more about using essential oils in your home, check out our Essential Oil Guide. You can also find essential oil video tutorials and DIY projects on our youtube channel.

*Disclaimer

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information on this site is meant for educational and informational purposes only, it is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please confirm any information obtained from or through this web site with other sources, and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your physician. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on this website.