I have got a great winter-scented homemade cleaning spray for you today, that I’ve been using to naturally clean my home. It takes all of two seconds to make for a no-fuss, speedy clean.
I find that February is always a difficult month. The clocks go back in October, and from then on in, it’s the cheery march to all the end-of-year festivities, twinkly lights, delicious food and all. Then January comes, and it feels like a bit of a reset. A quiet time to take stock, reflect and make plans for moving forward. It’s a time of year I oddly really like.
And then comes February. Pesky February. Far away from the festivities to make them seem like a long-distant memory. And far enough from spring that it doesn’t feel like the mornings and early evenings will ever be anything but dark.
I’m trying to change my mindset on winter, and recently I read an article on the Norwegian secret to enjoying winter. It turns out Norwegians view their long dark winters as something to celebrate. Inspired by this, I’m now trying to bring about some of that Norwegian attitude to Scotland.
I’ve started small – adapting an old favourite natural cleaning recipe to make a homemade cleaning spray that makes my home smell like a forest in wintertime. I may not want to go out in the snow today, but at least I can pretend I am out in the forest. It’s a start, right?!
How to Make Homemade Cleaning Spray
Here’s my favourite homemade cleaning spray recipe with a winter twist, that can be whipped up in seconds:
Ingredients
Equipment Required
Method
It’s incredibly easy to make your own homemade cleaning spray:
- Add two teaspoons of liquid castile soap to your empty bottle (use your funnel here, if you have one), and the essential oils.
- Next, add the cooled boiled water.
- Add the spray top.
- Shake gently, and you’re good to go!
Directions for Using Your Homemade Cleaning Spray
This homemade cleaning spray is a great multipurpose spray that can be used all around the house. Simply shake well before use to disperse the oils, and away you go.
It’s suitable for use on most surfaces, but if you are using it on wooden surfaces, I always recommend spraying the cloth and then wiping your surface. This avoids oversaturating your wood, which you don’t want to do, as this could cause the wood to warp.
This spray should have a shelf-life of 6 to 8 weeks. As always, if it starts to smell or look off before then, then it’s time to discard and remake. It’s really important to use cooled, boiled water in this recipe as this helps remove any bacteria that could cause the solution to spoil. If you have just used tap water, it will have a shorter shelf-life (two weeks or less).
Why It Works
As the liquid castile soap is made from plant oils rather than petrochemicals, it acts as a mild but effective surfactant. This means it breaks the bond between dirt or grease and the surface you’re cleaning, allowing everything to be lifted away easily.
Castile soap is particularly good at dealing with everyday kitchen grime, fingerprints, and general household dirt without stripping finishes or leaving residues behind.
Safety First
Whilst we might be making natural cleaning products, it’s always important to bear in mind standard safety considerations that you should make when using any cleaning product:
- Keep all homemade cleaning products and their raw ingredients (particularly essential oils) out of the reach of children and pets.
- If you have sensitive skin, then I’d also recommend wearing gloves when using this homemade cleaning spray.
- And finally, when it comes to essential oils, I’d recommend that you do your own research first before using them in your home. Some essential oils, for example, aren’t recommended for use around children, pets, or during pregnancy.
Personally, I’m of the belief that using essential oils in this highly diluted manner for a product that is not ingested or applied to the skin doesn’t pose a risk. Certainly not more of a risk than using conventional cleaning products. However, I would encourage you to do your own research and come to your own conclusions as to which, if any, oils are right for you.
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