DIY Disinfecting Aromatic Alcohol Spray Cleaner

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.

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Updated on 07/07/22
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. 

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Fact checked by
Sarah Scott
SS
Fact checked by Sarah Scott
Sarah Scott is a fact-checker and researcher who has worked in the custom home building industry in sales, marketing, and design.
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make your own cleaning spray from high-proof alcohol

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 5 - 10 mins
  • Total Time: 5 - 10 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $20

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.

Warning

It is important to use essential oils safely. If you get essential oils 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.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Measuring cup
  • Funnel
  • Spray bottle

Materials

  • 4 ounces water
  • 4 ounces liquor with over 70 percent alcohol
  • 12 to 14 drops essential oil

Instructions

ingredients to make your own cleaning spray with high-proof alcohol
The Spruce / Margot Cavin

  1. Select Essential Oils

    Choose one or a combination of essential oils. 

    Different brown vials of essential oils next to orange slices and plants

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  2. Pour Alcohol and Water Into the Spray Bottle

    Using a measuring cup and funnel, which are great tools to have for making your own products, pour the alcohol and the water into a spray bottle.

    Water and alcohol poured into brown spray bottle for DIY spray cleaner

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  3. Add Essential Oils

    Add the essential oils directly to the spray bottle.

    Essential oil poured into brown spray bottle with funnel

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  4. Shake Bottle

    Shake the bottle to incorporate the essential oils.

    Brown spray bottle shaked with essential oils, water and alcohol mixture

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  5. Label and Store the Bottle

    Label the bottle and store it out of direct sunlight or heat, which can change the chemical components in the essential oils.

    Brown spray bottle labeled with DIY spray cleaner ingredients

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

Tips for Using Alcohol Cleaning Spray

  • When disinfecting or trying to kill mold, leave the spray on for a few minutes to let the alcohol do its job.
  • After showering, spray this cleaner on the tile to prevent mold and mildew growth.
  • Use it on doorknobs, light switches, and other areas for quick eco-friendly disinfecting.
  • Spray a little into the air as a natural room deodorizer.
  • Buff mirrors and fixtures dry with a soft, eco-friendly cloth.
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Koulivand, Peir Hossein et al. Lavender and the nervous system. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, vol. 2013, 2013. doi:10.1155/2013/681304

  2. 11 Essential Oils: Their Benefits and How To Use Them. The Cleveland Clinic.

  3. Vakilian, K., Atarha, M., Bekhradi, R. and Chaman, R. Healing advantages of lavender essential oil during episiotomy recovery: A clinical trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 50-53, 2011. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.05.006