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Nontoxic Virus Defense: Make Disinfectant Sprays with Essential Oils
by Annie B. Bond | May 4th, 2009 | Comments (16)
topic: Family Health, Green Living, Health & Wellness, Healthy Home
Especially when there are flu and virus outbreaks in your community, added protection against germs is often warranted. Try these homemade essential oil mists — an easy way to add antiviral and antibacterial yet natural scent to your home. They are proven allies in the fight against germs, and they don’t pose the health dangers of many store-bought disinfectants.
Recipes for Homemade Disinfecting Spray
Germ-Killing Essential Oil Mist
This formula takes a few seconds to make. I like to make it in a colorful spray bottle.
- 4–8 drops essential oil (I suggest the known-antiseptic essential oils listed below)
- 1 cup purified or distilled water
Combine ingredients in a spray bottle; shake to blend.
Use liberally on non-staining surfaces or simply spray upward in the center of the room, being sure to avoid contact with eyes.
Concentrated 3-Essential-Oil Base (enough for 5 cups of disinfecting spray)
Use an eyedropper to place the following in a small glass jar with a lid (a baby food jar is ideal):
- 20 drops sweet orange essential oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
Mix well. To use, add 4–8 drops of this base to one cup of purified or distilled water in a spray bottle, shaking to mix. Store in a cool, dark place.
6 Germ-Killing Essential Oils
You can change the essential oil blend of the formulas above as you like, but the following list of essential oils are known to be highly antiseptic. (Interestingly, many of the most germ-killing plants are also used as spices in cooking.)
- Cinnamon – cozy, comforting
- Clove – spicy, warming
- Lavender – relaxing, soothing
- Rosemary – invigorating
- Thyme – refreshing, purifying, herbal, peppery
- Balsam pine – purifying, vitality-promoting
Alternately, try an electronic air sanitizer to destroy airborne odors, bacteria, viruses, molds, chemicals, smoke and allergens.
Hello, Ms. Bond -
I have been an Essential Oil Therapy enthusiast for nearly 12 years now, and I can safely say that this is an EXCELLENT article. This advice you give is right on the money too! We need more of this info to get out to the general public, in and out of the Internet. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
TO THE READER:
Please be sure that the essential oils you use as “therapeutic grade.” That phrase must be on the label. Otherwise, you really don’t know what’s in the bottle. Far too many producers take “short cuts” with their product, easily duping the unsuspecting consumer. I don’t want to offend anyone by “plugging” the company I use, but if anyone is interested, please contact me directly (holisticjoe@earthlink.net). I will say that they are a “world leader” in essential oil production and I use them in my holistic health coaching business for all kinds of health issues.
In the meantime, forward this blog to everyone you know. Please do your part to get TOXIC STORE-BOUGHT DISINFECTANTS out of the home, especially where children and the elderly reside.
Blessings to all!!
Very informative article! If possible, I would like to add Tea Tree to your list of germ-killing essential oils. It’s extremely potent for not only eliminating germs, but also mold and mildew.
I would also like to recommend using small amounts of cinnamon as it can irritate the skin. Great article! Good for wholistic living.
Great article…I’ve been cleaning kitchen counters with a mixture of everclear (grain alcohol) and lavender…dead are the germs. I would also add manuka to this list. Since taking a 100 hour medical aromatherapy course, I’ve found how useful this oil is. It is part of the melaluka tree family, same one as tea tree!
Take care with the spraying. A co-worker of mine seriously exacerbated her allergies when spraying her office with an essential oil mix like those suggested above. The true culprit of her constantly feeling clogged and run down was mold, and all her spraying just add humidity to spur its growth. Something to keep in mind.
Is it safe for granite countertops?
Hi -Great article & discussion.
I don’t even allow chlorine bleach & harsh chemical cleaners in my home – haven’t for years. There are a number of good products on the market – check out Gaiam’s offerings. Essential oils are great for cleaning surfaces and the air in your home. Try it out on a small area first if you have concerns about damaging sensitive surfaces. If you mix them with water in a spray bottle, be sure to shake the bottle well with each use. Studies show that many essential oils are very effective against bacteria, viruses, and even mold.
For tough cleaning jobs, I mix the essential oils in with some good natural detergent or cleaner, and even use a few drops of EO’s in with a natural laundry detergent with my wash. Mix EO’s in thoroughly with detergent and some water before adding clothing.
Thank you so much! I was about to break down and buy some Lysol (despite my concerns about it) since we’ve all had colds but after reading this article I will try the essential oils spray instead.
Do you have a tree tea oil formula that I can use for cleaning?
This is such great info. for everyday use, but especially now that people are freaking out about the swine flu. I’ve passed this link on to my yoga classes, friends, & family. I have been using only natural products in our home for the last few years and love the clean (Non-Toxic) smell & feel of our home and laundry. Also love how much money we are saving by making our own cleaning supplies & laundry soap. Thank you for getting this kind of information out there. Namaste’
will pure lavender oil with spring water in a spray bottle ( 20 drops to 8oz water ) be strong enough to disinfect against H1N1 and other nasty viruses….. what other essential oils will work mixed with water ?
Thank you for the great article. I would like to check what is the shelf life of the spray. As I know that the shelf life is limited by the carrier, ie distilled water. What about substituting distilled water with ethanol, any difference? Would the shelf life be extended?
Please advise.
Does anyone know what EO is the most effective at killing germs and viruses? Wondering if there is one better than the others. I would like to make a hand sanitizer and from what I can find online it seems that Thyme is the best. That is also the active ingredient in CleanWell which is a natural hand sanitizer available in stores now. Any info for me?
I have heard that vodka is useful as a carrier instead of water. Any comments?
hi lisa- re your question on 12/13/09, vodka breaks down the oil so that the oil will evenly spray out of the container. i don’t have the recipe handy, but to a few drops of EO, you might add a tablespoon of vodka, and then fill the container with at least 1 cup of purified or distilled water. i found the recipe on google about a year ago, very easy, no shaking of sprayer. best to all!
I live in Costa Rica, and baking soda is not cheap… it’s about 50 cents for four table spoons and they only sell them in little packets. My question is, is there an alternative for baking soda?