A clean home is a happy home. But keeping every nook and cranny spotless can feel like an endless chore. That’s where a homemade clean-everything spray comes in handy! With just a few simple ingredients, you can make a powerful citrus-scented cleaner that works on most surfaces throughout your home. Read on to learn how to whip up this miracle mist in minutes.
What You’ll Need
Making your own lemon-lime spray is easy. You’ll only need:
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed is best)
- 1/2 cup lime juice (freshly squeezed is also best)
- 20-30 drops essential oil (optional)
- Spray bottle
That’s it! Just a few basic ingredients from your kitchen are all you need.
Why It Works
What makes this lemony spray so effective? The combination of acidic lemon and lime juice cuts through grease, soap scum, and grime. Their pleasant citrusy aroma also helps freshen the air. Adding a few drops of antibacterial essential oils like tea tree or eucalyptus can boost the cleaning power even more.
The real magic though lies in the simplicity. Rather than buying a different toxic cleaner for each surface, you can spray this one natural formula almost everywhere in your home. It’s safer for kids, pets, and the environment too!
Mixing the Solution
Making your clean-everything spray takes just a few minutes:
Step 1: Gather Ingredients
Grab a medium-sized bowl and measure out:
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
Step 2: Add Essential Oils (Optional)
Now is the time to add in 20-30 drops of any essential oils if desired. Good choices include:
- Tea tree oil (antibacterial)
- Eucalyptus oil (antibacterial, cuts grease)
- Peppermint oil (uplifting aroma)
- Lavender oil (relaxing aroma)
Start with 20 drops and add more if you want a stronger scent.
Step 3: Mix and Pour
Whisk all the ingredients together until uniformly combined. Then funnel the solution into a clean spray bottle. An empty cleaner bottle works perfectly.
Make sure to label your bottle so you remember what’s inside. Your lemon-lime spray is now ready to use!
How to Use It
One of the best parts of this natural spray is its versatility. It can be lightly misted onto most water-safe surfaces throughout your home. Here are some of the many uses:
Kitchen
Wipe down countertops, backsplashes, appliances, tables, and chairs. Safely remove stains and stuck-on food from sinks and cookware.
Spritz on formula after cleaning for a streak-free shine. Freshen up the garbage can too. It cuts grime and eliminates odors.
Bathrooms
Mist directly onto mirrors, faucets, tile, sinks, showers, and tubs. The acidity dissolves soap scum, water spots, and mildew.
For tough grime, let it soak for a few minutes before wiping clean. Also spray inside the toilet bowl to make it sparkle.
Living Spaces
Use it on finished wood furniture to polish and clean. Lightly spray onto windows and mirrors then wipe with a microfiber cloth.
Safely freshen carpets by misting above the surface before vacuuming. You can also spot clean walls, baseboards, vents, light fixtures, and more.
Outdoor Items
Make patio furniture shine by lifting dirt and restoring its luster. Remove stuck-on gunk from grills, hoses, garden tools, and recycling bins too.
For items like cars, bikes, and boats, do a test spot first before spraying more liberally. Rinse promptly after cleaning.
As you can see, the cleaning possibilities are nearly endless with this one versatile formula!
Helpful Hints for Using Your Spray
Follow these tips to get the most from your homemade cleaner:
- Shake well before each use to combine the ingredients.
- Apply a light mist directly onto surfaces and let sit briefly before wiping.
- For tough stains or buildup, let the spray soak for 5-10 minutes before scrubbing.
- Wipe clean using a microfiber cloth, sponge, or dry paper towel.
- Work in sections for best results rather than spraying everything at once.
- Rinse thoroughly with water on food contact surfaces.
- Re-spray as needed for any lingerng dirt or smells.
- Make a fresh batch every 2-3 weeks for maximum potency.
- Always spot test on an inconspicuous area first before spraying more widely.
Customizing Your Formula
Once you get the hang of making this spray, feel free to tweak the recipe to your liking. Try these easy variations:
- Use all lemon or lime juice rather than a mix of both.
- Substitute white vinegar for half the water for more disinfecting power.
- Add lemon and lime zest for extra grease-cutting oils.
- Use vodka instead of water for a streak-free shine.
- Increase essential oils up to 50 drops for a stronger aroma.
- Shake in some baking soda to lightly scrub and scour.
The possibilities are endless! Adjust it to meet your unique cleaning needs.
Safety Considerations
While this spray is made with natural ingredients, it’s still a cleaning product that should be handled with care:
- Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Flush thoroughly with water if this happens.
- Don’t spray directly onto skin, clothing, or fabric. Mist onto a cloth first instead.
- Spot test on delicate surfaces like natural stone before spraying more widely.
- Keep spray bottle tightly sealed and stored up and away from children/pets.
- Never mix with other cleaners, especially bleach, as this can create toxic fumes.
Using basic precautions helps ensure safe yet effective cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some questions about making and using this natural spray? Here are answers to some common queries:
What kind of essential oils work best?
Tea tree, eucalyptus, lavender, and lemon oils have the most cleansing properties. Peppermint adds a nice scent too.
How long does the spray keep?
It should stay effective for 2-3 weeks stored in a cool, dark place. Make fresh batches after that.
Can I use grapefruit instead of lime?
Absolutely! Grapefruit has a similar citrusy acidity that cuts grease and grime.
Is it safe for stone countertops or wood floors?
Yes, it’s generally safe when misted onto a cloth first rather than directly sprayed. Still test a small spot first to be sure.
What’s the best way to apply and wipe it?
Lightly mist problem areas, let soak 2-3 minutes, then wipe clean with a damp microfiber cloth.
How can I make it smell more fresh?
Add in more lemon/lime zest or up to 50 drops of invigorating essential oils like peppermint.
What should I do if I get it in my eyes?
Immediately rinse eyes with clean water for 15 minutes. Seek medical treatment if irritation persists.
Conclusion
This simple lemon-lime spray is a total game-changer for cleaning your entire home. With just three ingredients and a few minutes of mixing, you can make a natural cleaner that cuts through grime on most surfaces.
It saves money, reduces waste, and keeps your family healthy by avoiding toxic fumes. Customize the formula to meet your unique needs and get ready for sparkling clean rooms in no time.
Mist this miracle mixture onto dirty spots as needed and let the citrus power go to work. A clean house has never been so easy and refreshing!
So try out this easy DIY solution. Your kitchen, bathrooms, living areas and more will shine like never before with the cleaning power of lemon and lime.