Lavender essential oil is probably the most well-known essential oil in aromatherapy. If you had to close your eyes and identify a range of essential oils from their scent alone, even those of us who have never used essential oils could probably recognize lavender’s familiar fragrance. The benefits of lavender go way beyond its aromatherapy benefits (calming, anxiety-relieving, uplifting, just to name a few). It’s also known for its balancing properties on your skin and hair, as any conscious beauty consumer will tell you. But did you know that you can use it in your at-home cleaning products too? 

You’ve probably seen many lavender-infused cleaning products on the market. If you assumed that it was thrown in there for the scent, you’re not entirely wrong, but there is much more to this pretty purple flower than meets the eye. Let’s take a deep dive into some lavender oil uses for cleaning and why you might want to add a few drops into your household cleaning products. 

What Does Lavender Oil Do? Lavender Oil Uses For Cleaning

Women cleaning with DIY lavender essential oil.

When it comes to natural cleaning, there are many botanicals that steal the limelight. Between lemon, orange, and tea tree essential oils, you might be wondering what lavender has to offer. The truth is that it contains very similar properties to these more conventional DIY cleaning oils. It’s known to be antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial. There has even been research into its antiviral activity in combating herpes.

With this in mind, the one thing that really sets lavender oil apart when it comes to your DIY cleaning is its lighter, floral scent. It might not seem like much but it does make a nice change from the often overwhelming smell you might find in other equally effective oils. What’s more, is that you also gain the aromatherapy benefits when you use lavender essential oil for cleaning. Not only do you eliminate unwanted odors and germs but you reap the sense of calm that lavender oil emits through aromatherapy. 

How To Use Lavender Oil 

Lavender essential oil has many uses for cleaning. Exactly how you use it will largely depend on what exactly you’re hoping to clean and freshen up! Let’s break it down into three sections: upholstery, surfaces, and laundry. 

Upholstery & Carpets

Clean and fresh sofa.

The powerful deodorizing properties of lavender essential oil make it ideal for lifting unwanted scents from upholstery and carpets without leaving an overbearing disinfectant smell. When it comes to chair covers, sofas, and rugs, the strong lemon or tea tree smells can be a little much. For a lighter scent, yet just as cleansing of an effect, try mixing 10 drops of lavender essential oil with ½ cup baking soda. Baking soda is often used in natural cleaning solutions thanks to its alkali and abrasive properties that help it to effectively lift dirt. It also neutralizes odors which means that it works perfectly alongside lavender oil. 

Sprinkle the mixture on your chosen fabric surfaces and wait a few minutes. For an extra clean, brush the powder mixture gently into the fabric with a soft, clean brush. Vacuum the surface and that’s it! Clean, germ-free upholstery and carpets with a wonderfully fresh, floral scent. 

Surfaces

If you want to enjoy spotless and heavenly-scented surfaces, lavender essential oil could be your perfect companion. The antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of lavender essential oil leave your countertops, tables, and anything else that needs a quick clean, free from pesky germs and bacteria. For a natural solution combine 5 drops of lavender oil with 2 cups of white vinegar. Mix in a spray bottle and shake well before each use. 

Laundry

Woman holding fresh folded laundry.

Harness the powerful deodorizing qualities of lavender essential oil by using it in your next load of laundry. You can avoid chemical-based detergents and synthetically-fragranced fabric softener with this natural alternative. It’s as easy as adding a few drops of pure lavender essential oil to your washing machine or dryer to experience the odor-eliminating benefits. If you decide to use this oil in your dryer, just place a few drops onto a clean, dry cloth and throw it into the dryer along with the wet laundry. 

Lavender Hand Sanitizer Explained 

Hand sanitizer.

Many people make the most of hand sanitizers. They’re easy to use and make for a convenient clean when soap and water are nowhere to be found. Although they’re designed to kill germs, not remove visible dirt, they’re a portable and handy (sorry, I had to) option to keep your hands clean and protected. 

You’ve probably seen a range of scents and additives on offer when searching for your perfect hand sanitizer. Whether it’s one to keep in your bag while you’re on-the-go or a larger bottle to keep in your office or home, there are many options to choose from. So, once again you might find yourself wondering why lavender stands out? And again, I’d have to mention lavender’s powerful cleansing and purifying properties. It works in synergy with the other ingredients in your hand sanitizer to fight bacteria, viruses, and germs.

Although I have to say that personally when it comes to lavender hand sanitizers, it’s the fresh-from-the-garden scent that makes it a top pick. Combining its germ-removing qualities with its heavenly fragrance means that your hands can stay clean while smelling like you’ve just given them a fresh wash!

DIY All Purpose Lavender And Tea Tree Oil Cleaner Recipe & Guide

DIY essential oils.

If you want to take your at-home cleaning to the next level, then there are two essential oils that you should have in your arsenal: lavender and tea tree. Both of these essential oils work in synergy to provide you with antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal protection. They clean a range of surfaces without leaving the harmful chemical residue that you get with conventional cleaning products. When you make your own household cleaning solutions, you get to choose what you expose your surfaces (and ultimately yourself and your family) to. With this in mind, here is a DIY all purpose lavender and tea tree oil cleaner recipe to try so you can keep your house clean the natural way.

Ingredients

½ cups white vinegar

½ cups distilled water

40 drops (½ teaspoon) lavender essential oil

40 drops (½ teaspoon) tea tree essential oil

Simply combine all the ingredients into a spray bottle, and you’re good to go! You can use this spray on any surface that needs a thorough clean. This includes floors, countertops, tables, sinks, and bathroom surfaces. Although you’ll probably get a whiff of the vinegar, the tea tree and lavender linger for much longer. So you can enjoy a fresh, immaculate, and germ-free home.

Conclusion

Regardless of your experience with lavender oil, whether it’s in your favorite hand lotion, a bath bomb, your skincare products, or anything else, it’s time to consider its uses in your household cleaning. Green cleaning not only makes your home safer and exposes you to fewer chemicals but it harnesses the power of Mother Nature too. With an abundance of truly effective natural solutions to our conventional products, cleaning and otherwise, there’s much to be gained from choosing the natural route. 

Some might say that the green way just isn’t worth the hassle. But the DIYs mentioned in this article shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes to create. The truth is that using natural, from-the-Earth ingredients is often much easier than it sounds! So, to harness the wonders of lavender essential oil in your home, why not try adding a couple drops next time you’re cleaning? If you’re not sure where to begin, get started on the all purpose cleaner and experience the results for yourself!