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DIY Homemade Counter Cleaner: Refreshing, Effective, and Budget-Friendly

Clean countertops are like a game of tetris or whack-a-mole…never ending frustration. The minute you clean part of your countertop, the next part gets messy and needs wiping. Typically, warm water or soapy warm water works fine for cleaning, but we like to also have a spray on hand for daily maintenance and refreshing. Our homemade cleaner for counters is a spray that instills a delightful scent into the air, so we use it often to refresh the counter and our mood. Simple, easy to make and easy on your wallet — this will be a cleaner you make on repeat.

The homemade cleaner recipe for counters below is one we pull out in the thickness of germs and sick season. The blend used is called thieves or fighting five. This counter cleaner spray gives our counters and rooms a bold, warm, invigorating blend to fight against illness and rejuvenate our moods. We choose to make the blend ourselves as we have all the essential oils on hand. The great thing about making your own counter cleaner is that you can choose the essential oils to use.

Homemade Counter Cleaner Ingredients

The ingredient list for the counter cleaner we make is simple and should take less than 5 minutes to throw together if you have everything on hand.

The ingredients are inexpensive when used in small amounts. Once you buy each ingredient, they should make you numerous bottles of counter cleaner over time. We’ve estimated the cost break down of each bottle of cleaning spray is as follows:

• 5 ounces distilled vinegar: $0.20
• 10-11 ounces distilled water: $0.10
• 1 ounce vodka/rubbing alcohol (optional):
• $0.10 Essential Oils (20-25 drops total):
  • Clove: $0.10
  • Lemon: $0.08
  • Cinnamon: $0.06
  • Eucalyptus: $0.04
  • Rosemary: $0.03

Total estimated cost: Approximately $0.71 – $0.81

The ingredients in our homemade cleaner for counters are carefully selected for their cleaning efficacy and refreshing scent:

• Distilled Vinegar: Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and cuts through grease and grime, leaving surfaces clean and shiny. It’s also effective against bacteria and viruses, making it an ideal choice for cleaning countertops. For more information on tips for cleaning with vinegar, check out our blog post on cleaning with vinegar.
• Distilled Water: Water serves as a base for the cleaner, diluting the vinegar and essential oils while providing moisture to the surface being cleaned.
• Vodka/Rubbing Alcohol (optional): Adding vodka or rubbing alcohol helps to enhance the disinfecting properties of the cleaner. It also aids in faster drying, leaving behind streak-free surfaces.

Best Essential Oils for Counter Cleaner

The fighting five blend is a blend known for fighting germs and for good reason. The essential oils included in the blends below all have specific properties that work on fighting anything from bacteria to mold. Feel free to experiment with blends in your own homemade cleaners for counters. You could even have many different bottles on hand depending on your mood or cleaning needs.

Fighting Five Essential Oil Blend for Cleaning

We like to use this blend in the fall and winter, as the warm, spicy scents compliment the seasons. These essential oils work synergistically to create a powerful, all-natural cleaner for counters that not only cleans but also refreshes and invigorates your space.

• Clove: Known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, clove essential oil helps kill germs and prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
• Lemon: Lemon essential oil has powerful degreasing properties and leaves behind a fresh, citrusy scent. It also helps to lift stains and brighten surfaces.
• Cinnamon: With its antimicrobial properties, cinnamon essential oil effectively kills bacteria and viruses. It adds a warm, inviting aroma to the cleaner.
• Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus essential oil is a natural germicide and deodorizer, making it ideal for disinfecting surfaces and eliminating odors.
• Rosemary: Rosemary essential oil is antimicrobial and antiseptic, making it an excellent addition to our cleaner for combating germs and bacteria.

Other Essential Oil Blends for Cleaning Countertops

• Lemon and Tea Tree:
  • Lemon: Degreases and deodorizes surfaces, leaving a fresh citrus scent.
  • Tea Tree: Antimicrobial and antifungal, effectively kills germs and bacteria while neutralizing odors.
• Peppermint and Tea Tree:
  • Peppermint: Refreshing and invigorating scent, with antimicrobial properties to kill germs and bacteria.
  • Tea Tree: Same benefits as above, adding a natural, earthy aroma to the blend.
• Lavender and Lemon:
  • Lavender: Known for its calming properties, lavender oil also possesses antibacterial and antiviral properties.
  • Lemon: Provides a fresh, clean scent while acting as a powerful degreaser and disinfectant.
• Orange and Thyme:
  • Orange: Offers a bright, citrusy scent that is uplifting and refreshing, with natural antimicrobial properties.
  • Thyme: Strong antimicrobial properties make thyme oil effective at killing germs and bacteria, while also adding a herbaceous aroma.
• Grapefruit and Rosemary:
  • Grapefruit: Citrusy aroma with antimicrobial properties, ideal for cutting through grease and grime.
  • Rosemary: Antiseptic and antibacterial properties, along with a fresh, herbal scent, make rosemary oil a great addition to cleaning blends.
• Lemongrass and Peppermint:
  • Lemongrass: Offers a fresh, lemony scent with natural antibacterial and antifungal properties.
  • Peppermint: Invigorating scent with antimicrobial properties, perfect for freshening and disinfecting surfaces.

These blends not only provide effective cleaning power but also offer a pleasant aroma to enhance your cleaning experience. If you want to know more about some of the oils we use in our other natural beauty recipes, be sure to explore our post detailing the aromatherapeutic benefits of essential oils for further insight and inspiration.

Spray Away! Clean Your Counters with Confidence

Homemade counter cleaners not only keep your surfaces sparkling but also offer peace of mind knowing exactly what ingredients you’re using. With our simple yet effective recipe and a blend of powerful essential oils, you can tackle germs and grime while enjoying the refreshing scent of natural cleaners.

Whether you opt for our recommended blend or customize your own, cleaning your counters becomes a delightful task, leaving your home not just clean, but filled with the invigorating aroma of cleanliness. So, next time you’re faced with a countertop conundrum, reach for your homemade cleaner and clean with confidence.

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