DIY Disinfecting Aromatic Alcohol Spray Cleaner

An earlier version of this article referenced vodka, which can often have an alcohol percentage around 40 percent, rather than alcohol with at least 70 percent alcohol.

What else can you do with liquor with a high-alcohol percentage besides mixing a bang-up bevvy? Use it for green cleaning your countertops, faucets, bathroom tile, and mirrors. Spirits with an alcohol percentage of 70 or above can kill mold and mildew and disinfects well.

The smell of a high-alcohol spirit, such as Everclear, dissipates quickly, and when you add natural essential oils, which have antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties, a fresh scent lingers.

Essential oils even provide some health benefits while you clean. For example, lavender can calm the nervous system. Because they come directly from plants, essential oils are environmentally friendly and biodegradable, which makes them friendly for the earth and you.

Give this all-purpose “cleaning cocktail” a try the next time you clean your home. No need for the expensive liquor—the cheap variety works just fine. 

This recipe makes 8 ounces. Multiply the ingredient amounts as needed to fill your spray bottle.

To use the alcohol cleaner, spray any area that needs to be cleaned and then wipe it off. For tougher cleaning jobs, like dirty grout, use a toothbrush or scrub brush with the alcohol cleaner and rinse well.

About Choosing Essential Oils

Depending on your mood, you may try different combinations of essential oils to use in your green cleaning. Here are some ideas:

• Lavender with tea tree: Relax and clean away with this disinfecting combo
• Lavender and orange: Lift your spirits
• Lavender and peppermint: Get pepped up for cleaning
• Lemon: Brighten your mood

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