Bethany D. asks, “I’m looking for a recipe for an easy, natural, non-toxic cleaning spray recipe that works well and also doesn’t irritate sensitive skin. I remember your son had eczema. Did you make anything like this that worked well as a cleaner and also didn’t cause any issues for him? Thanks so much!”
Yes, I do have a GREAT recipe for you, Bethany! It’s pictured above made in that lovely glass spray bottle — and you can get that glass spray bottle FREE right here for a limited time.
When our kids were little, our son especially was soooo sensitive to commercial cleaning products. Any time his little hands or feet would touch a surface that had residue from “normal” cleaning products, he would break out with an itchy red rash (he had eczema really bad).
And no amount of Mom’s kisses would take the rashes away… I cried over his red, rashy skin a lot. I felt responsible, like I had caused it. I know it’s irrational — but that’s how I felt.
It seemed pretty clear that we needed to rid our home of toxic products — cleaning products, laundry detergent, and even what we used for skin care.
So then I became Mom On A Mission. 😉
No more toxins were going to touch his skin! Over my dead body! Again with the irrational thinking!
Anyway, a friend introduced me to an amazing non-toxic all-purpose cleaning spray that had essential oils. It worked soooo well and smelled so good because of the tea tree essential oil… except that it was pricey.
I looked at the ingredients and saw that it really only required 3 things besides water: soap, rubbing alcohol, and essential oil.
Seemed easy enough. I tried making it myself. And guess what? It didn’t irritate our son’s skin, and it worked well as an all-purpose cleaner. I was thrilled!
Easy? Check.
Natural and non-toxic? Check.
Cleaned well? Check.
No rashes? Check!
Now fast forward nearly 15 years… We’re still using that same non-toxic cleaning spray!
Ready to see how it’s made?
Well, I’m showing you on today’s #AskWardee!
I’m making it in an oh-so-pretty glass spray bottle from Grove Collaborative. After we go through the recipe, I’ll tell you how you can get the glass spray bottle, the Seventh Generation dish soap, and even some Seventh Generation hand soap and a kitchen towel — all free!
I broadcast #AskWardee live each Wednesday at 10am Pacific (1pm Eastern) on Periscope and Facebook Live. Both the podcast and video replay of this week’s show are below. Enjoy!
Subscribe to #AskWardee on iTunes, Stitcher, YouTube, or the Podcasts app.
The Question:
Bethany D. asks:
I’m looking for a recipe for an easy, natural, non-toxic cleaning spray recipe that works well and also doesn’t irritate sensitive skin. I remember your son had eczema. Did you make anything like this that worked well as a cleaner but didn’t cause any issues for him? Thanks so much!
My Answer:
Bethany, I’ve got a GREAT recipe for you. It’s easy, inexpensive, non-toxic, and it really works.
I made up this recipe for natural, homemade, non-toxic all-purpose cleaning spray with essential oils years ago. I copied a more expensive cleaner that I really liked. I looked at the other cleaner’s ingredients and realized I had everything it included. (It only needed 3 ingredients besides water.) So I started making it myself for a fraction of the cost.
The alcohol in this makes it evaporate very quickly. It’s the type of cleaner you can spray, wipe, and leave. (I do rinse it off counters that food will touch — such as when kneading bread.)
We use this all-purpose non-toxic cleaning spray for general purpose cleaning throughout the house — kitchen, bathroom, dusting, and more! When I used to make it in a plastic spray bottle, I would even write the recipe on the side of the bottle so others in the household could make more as needed.
We keep 1 spray bottle in each bathroom and 1 in the kitchen.
The Recipe: Homemade Non-Toxic All-Purpose Cleaning Spray with Essential Oils
- 16-ounce spray bottle — such as this glass one that you can get FREE for a LIMITED TIME
- 3 tablespoons rubbing alcohol
- 3 tablespoons liquid soap such as Seventh Generation Dish Soap (get it free here for a LIMITED TIME)
- 30 drops (1 teaspoon) essential oil — such as lavender, tea tree, pine, or peppermint (review these oil properties to choose!)
- water
Using a funnel, put the first three ingredients into an empty spray bottle. I love the glass spray bottles from Grove and you can get yours free here for a LIMITED time
Fill to the top with water. To use: spray the surface (or spray onto a cloth) then wipe the surface with a clean cloth. Easy-peasy!
Want To Get The Glass Spray Bottle and Seventh Generation Dish Soap FREE? (Plus other goodies…)
I hate shopping.
It’s just never ending. I forget something or run out of something, or I don’t have enough time to get to the store. Or I plain just don’t want to go the store because I don’t want to deal with traffic, perfume-y smells, or the chance that we’ll pick up germs…
You know all about this, right?
Then you’ve got to hear about my new best friend: Grove Collaborative.
Grove is fabulous!
They carry certain non-toxic household items — like the Seventh Generation Dish Soap we’ve been using for years — at GREAT prices PLUS they price match from anywhere AND they ship what we need right to our doorstep every month.
So… not only do I get the products I want at the BEST prices… we don’t run out! I don’t have to find time to go to the store, I don’t have to wait in line, and I don’t have to deal with traffic or germs.
I’m so glad we found Grove!
So glad, in fact, that I asked them if we could put together something special (and free!) for you.
They said yes! My contact there, Samantha, created a fantastic non-toxic cleaning package that I am absolutely thrilled to share with you — the Non-Toxic Cook’s Cleaning Bundle. It’s worth $30 yet you can get it for FREE* with FREE SHIPPING, too, right here.
Samantha told me this is a bigger package than they normally give away — because of that gorgeous glass spray bottle! Thank you for being so generous to us! 🙂
The Non-Toxic Cook’s Cleaning Bundle includes: 2 of the Free & Clear Non-Toxic Seventh Generation products I love… the Dish Soap and Hand Soap. Plus that beautiful glass spray bottle and a super-soft 100% cotton kitchen towel, both made exclusively by Grove.
Plus FREE shipping!
How To Claim Your FREE Non-Toxic Cook’s Cleaning Bundle Worth $30
This offer ends SOON because supplies are limited, so here’s how to get yours now:
1. Sign up for Grove Collaborative here. You will receive the Non-Toxic Cook’s Cleaning Bundle for FREE with FREE SHIPPING when you sign up! Existing customers (click here) will receive a free Seventh Generation Hand Soap with your next order.
2. Answer 4 quick questions about your home that Grove will then use to customize your first basket — this takes under 30 seconds!
3. Once you’ve answered the questions, you can finalize your basket of products to suit your household needs by adding or removing items.
4. To receive this offer, your order needs to be a minimum of $20. With all the natural cleaning and personal care products that Grove carries at great prices, this is absolutely no trouble! Like, you might want to add Seventh Generation Laundry Soap Concentrate (another of our family’s staples) or Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap Bars. It’s up to you — simply choose the combination of products you would love to receive in your first box.
5. You made it! Click Finish & Pay to place your order.
Tip To Save! Once you submit your Grove order, you’ll be signed up for the FREE 60-Day VIP trial. As a VIP, you’ll get free shipping, free gifts, price matching, exclusive sales, and personal service. If you don’t love it as much as I do, you can cancel at any time with no hassle! I was skeptical that I would keep my VIP status after the trial, but I saved so much money and time with Grove that I decided to stay on!
I really hope you snag this great deal! Hurry, because it all ends soon!
Helpful Links:
- Free Non-Toxic Cook’s Cleaning Bundle — worth $30 but free with $20 purchase for a LIMITED TIME
- glass spray bottle (get it free here for a LIMITED TIME)
- Seventh Generation Dish Soap (get it free here for a LIMITED TIME)
- rubbing alcohol
- essential oils
- Ultimate Guide to Essential Oil Properties (which oils do what)
I hope you give this non-toxic all-purpose cleaning spray with essential oils a try and let me know what you think! What essential oil will you add?
...without giving up the foods you love or spending all day in the kitchen!
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I just discovered that 7th generation has SLS in it and it appears to be the cause of my husbands allergic reactions. Would another soap, such as castile, work in its place?
Hi Christy,
Yes, something like Dr. Bronner’s works fine. 🙂
Millie
Traditional Cooking School Support
I was very late in watching your video yesterday, but I did see it today and place my order. I am super excited!! Thank you so much Wardee.
Rosie — It’s never too late! 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed it and you’re grabbing the great deal, too! Thanks so much for sharing!
What amount of water please?
Hi Jayne,
Fill to the top after adding the other ingredients 🙂
Millie Traditional Cooking School Support
Hi What size bottle do you use – so that I can work out how much water? I can’t purchase the one from Grove as I am in the Uk.
Thanks
Hi Jo,
It’s 16 ounces. 🙂
Millie Traditional Cooking School Support
I live outside USA can I still benefit from this offer? When I tried to subscribe in the shipping address section there was no other country to select than USA.
Hi Nathalie,
We believe it’s US only but you should check with their customer service to be sure.
Millie
Traditional Cooking School Support
Thank you so much, my son also has really bad eczema and we had no clue what was causing the flare ups. I decided to try your cleaning spray and he hasn’t had a single flare up since I started using it! It’s like magic!
Question – why rubbing alcohol and not, say, cheap vodka? You might need to use more vodka to get the same alcohol concentration, but it won’t have the poisonous bitterants rubbing alcohol is legally required to have (it has to be unpotable, which is why you don’t get carded when you buy it) and it’ll be cheaper too, assuming you buy a giant bottle of bottom-shelf stuff. It’ll just be diluted grain alcohol, not a healthy food exactly but a simple food nonetheless. Better, no?
Hi Ally,
Yes, you could use an alcohol like vodka or you could use witch hazel. 🙂
~Danielle, TCS Customer Success Team
Thanks for superb and helpful tips.
I’m amazed by your talent. waiting for this kind of article to prepare non toxic essential oil by myself.
Is this recipe safe to use on any surface? We just installed new countertops. They are a harder type of marble that is more akin to granite.
Yes, but test a small inconspicuous place to be certain! Enjoy your new counters!
Do you actually use this on your kitchen counters where you cook? It hasn’t left any residue that makes your food taste like it?
Hi Suzanne,
This doesn’t leave a residue.
Wardee says if she were going to knead dough on the counter, she would go back over with a wet washcloth to rinse off. Otherwise, it has not been an issue.
~ Vicki, TCS Customer Success Team
This cleaner sounds great. I’ve never used alcohol in my cleaners before. A glass Bragg’s apple cider bottle works great. I just snip the “straw” tube from a sprayer top to fit the bottle. (I use the small bottle as I find the larger one a bit heavy)