How to Make Castile Soap Multi-Surface Cleaning Spray

By
Karen Peltier
Karen Peltier

Karen Peltier is an expert on green living and natural cleaning methods who has contributed over 200 articles to The Spruce. On her blog, WellGal.com, Peltier covers natural cleaning methods for the home and tips on living an eco-conscious lifestyle.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 11/24/21
Reviewed by
Rhea Mehta
Dr. Rhea Mehta, PhD
Reviewed by Rhea Mehta
Rhea Mehta, PhD, is an award-winning toxicologist who has worked to empower people to lead healthier lives, starting in their homes, for over a decade. Rhea holds a PhD in Toxicology, with over 15 scientific publications, and a certificate in integrative health coaching. 
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
homemade castile soap spray

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Project Overview
  • Total Time: 10 - 15 mins
  • Yield: 8 ounces of spray
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $15 to $20

A DIY castile soap spray is a multitasking green cleaner you can use to clean multiple indoor surfaces in your home. Because it's biodegradable, castile soap spray is also a good choice for cleaning outdoors, where you can rinse away the soap without worrying about harming plants or waterways. It's also gentle on the skin, so you have no worries about harmful chemicals.

How does this cleaner work? The castile soap acts as a surfactant allowing dirt and oils to be lifted and rinsed away. Also, the essential oils add powerful antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal qualities to your all-purpose cleaner, so it's great at combatting germs and mold while you clean.

Scent this cleaner as you please with all-natural essential oils and keep a few bottles of it around the house to grab when you need them. 

The ingredient quantities listed here make 8 ounces of spray; multiply the ingredient amounts as needed to fill your spray bottle. If you don't want to customize the spray with your own essential oils, then omit the essential oils or use a scented castile soap.

materials for making homemade castile soap spray
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
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What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Measuring cup
  • Funnel
  • Spray bottle
  • Permanent marker

Materials

  • 1 cup distilled water
  • 1 tablespoon unscented liquid castile soap
  • 10 to 15 drops of essential oil (a range is given because the size of drops depends on the essential oil dispenser cap)

Instructions

  1. Gather Essential Oils

    Choose one or a combination of essential oils. 

    variety of essential oils
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska 

  2. Combine Ingredients

    Using a measuring cup and funnel, which are good tools to have for making your own products, pour the water into a spray bottle and then add the castile soap. Add the essential oils directly to the spray bottle. Shake the bottle to incorporate the essential oils and soap.

    Tip

    If you have castile soap in bar form, you can grate it and dissolve it in water to use it in place of the liquid castile soap.

    adding ingredients to a spray bottle via a funnel
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska  

  3. Use and Store

    To use, spray any areas that need to be cleaned and wipe with a damp cloth. For tougher cleaning jobs, like grout, use a toothbrush or scrub brush. Store the bottle out of direct sunlight or heat, which can change the chemical constituents in the essential oils.

    using homemade castile soap spray
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

About Choosing Essential Oils

Depending on your mood and the job at hand, try these scents, which are combinations of essential oils to use in your green cleaning.

  • Lavender with tea tree: Relax and disinfect bathrooms with this powerful combo.
  • Lavender and orange: Lift your spirits and cut through grease and grime.
  • Lavender and peppermint: Get pepped up for cleaning with this pleasant scent.
  • Lemon: Brighten your mood and tackle tough cleaning.

Other essential oils to try to include are basil, bergamot, cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, grapefruit, lime, oregano, rosemary and thyme.

Warning

Use essential oils safely. If you get any essential oil in your eyes, flush with water for 10 to 15 minutes. Consult a doctor if irritation persists. If you get essential oils on your skin, wash with warm soapy water. The exception is lavender, which doesn't harm the skin; it is often used directly on the skin to treat burns and insect bites.

Tips for Using Castile Soap Spray

  • To disinfect surfaces, use disinfecting essential oils such as tea tree and lavender in your mixture and let this spray sit for a few minutes before rinsing.
  • For scrubbing action, sprinkle baking soda or a DIY aromatherapy cleanser in the sink, bathtub, shower, toilet, oven or cooktop. Then use the spray to dampen it to create a paste. Scrub away with an eco-friendly sponge or scrubbing tool and watch as dirt, grease, and grime disappears.