The Outdoor Apothecary is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
All Purpose Cleaner
As someone who loves to grow herbs and live self-sufficiently, I always seek ways to use natural, chemical-free products daily. On my property, I grow herbs like lavender and rosemary, which I use in homemade health, beauty, and cleaning products. I avoid chemicals whenever possible, opting for clean, whole foods and all-natural cleaning products.
If you’re aiming for a healthier lifestyle, eliminating chemicals from your home cleaning products is a great place to start. The cleaners we use on surfaces like countertops and floors come into contact with our skin and respiratory systems. Many commercial products contain toxic chemicals that accumulate in our bodies over time. Creating your own chemical-free cleaning products, like this rosemary and lavender all purpose cleaner, is a simple and effective way to reduce exposure to these harmful substances. Try this all purpose cleaner to keep your home fresh and safe.
The Main Ingredients in this All Purpose Cleaner
1. Vinegar
You’ve probably heard about the benefits of cleaning with vinegar. It’s all-natural, antimicrobial, and excellent at cutting through dirt and grease. To make it even more powerful, I infuse my vinegar with herbs like lavender and rosemary. This not only enhances the cleaning power but also brings the nourishing and healing aromas of these herbs into my home.
- Antimicrobial Properties: White vinegar is a powerhouse when it comes to natural cleaning. Its antimicrobial properties make it an excellent choice for disinfecting surfaces, killing bacteria, mold, and germs without the need for harsh chemicals.
- Effective Degreaser: Vinegar’s acidity is perfect for cutting through grease and grime, making it a fantastic option for kitchen cleaning tasks. Whether it’s stovetops, countertops, or greasy pans, vinegar can tackle tough stains and leave surfaces sparkling clean.
- Safe and Eco-Friendly: Using an all purpose cleaner made with white vinegar and herbs is a safe and eco-friendly alternative to commercial cleaners. It reduces your exposure to harmful chemicals, making it safer for you, your family, and the environment. Plus, it’s biodegradable and non-toxic, ensuring that your cleaning routine is sustainable and planet-friendly.
- Cost-Effective and Easy to Make: Making your own all purpose cleaner with white vinegar and herbs is cost-effective and straightforward. It requires simple ingredients you likely already have at home, saving you money and reducing plastic waste from store-bought cleaners.
2. Rosemary
Rosemary is a versatile and powerful herb that offers a plethora of benefits for cleaning, both physically and energetically. This fragrant herb, often associated with culinary delights, can also be a potent ally in maintaining a clean and harmonious home. Let’s explore how rosemary can be used for its cleansing properties and its ability to purify your space on an energetic level.
Physical Cleansing with Rosemary
Rosemary’s natural antibacterial and antiviral properties make it an excellent choice for cleaning. Here are a few of the benefits for cleansing your home with rosemary:
- Antimicrobial Properties: Rosemary’s natural antimicrobial properties help eliminate germs and bacteria, making your home cleaner and safer.
- Aromatherapy: The invigorating scent of rosemary can boost your mood, enhance mental clarity, and reduce stress, contributing to a more pleasant living environment.
- Energetic Purification: Rosemary’s purifying energy helps to clear away negative vibes, creating a space that feels lighter, more positive, and conducive to well-being.
- Connection to Nature: Using rosemary for cleaning allows you to connect with nature and incorporate natural, sustainable practices into your home care routine.
Energetic Cleansing with Rosemary
Beyond its physical cleaning capabilities, rosemary is revered for its energetic purifying properties. It has been used for centuries in various cultures to cleanse spaces and remove negative energies. By integrating rosemary into your cleaning rituals, you not only benefit from its physical cleansing properties, but also its powerful ability to energetically purify your space. Embrace this ancient herb as a part of your holistic approach to home care, and enjoy the fresh, uplifting, and harmonious environment it helps create.
3. Lavender
Lavender isn’t just a beautiful plant with a calming fragrance—it’s also a potent and natural cleaning agent. Incorporating lavender into your cleaning routine not only leaves your home smelling divine, but also offers numerous benefits thanks to its natural properties. Here’s why and how you can use lavender for cleaning.
Benefits of Using Lavender for Cleaning
- Antimicrobial Properties: Lavender essential oil is known for its antimicrobial properties, which help in killing bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This makes it an excellent choice for disinfecting surfaces in your home.
- Calming Aroma: The soothing scent of lavender can help reduce stress and anxiety. Cleaning with lavender-infused products can create a relaxing atmosphere in your home, making chores feel less like a burden.
- Natural and Non-Toxic: Unlike many commercial cleaning products, lavender is completely natural and non-toxic. This makes it a safer option for homes with children, pets, or anyone with sensitivities to harsh chemicals.
- Repels Insects: Lavender’s strong scent is known to repel insects like mosquitoes, moths, and flies. Using lavender in your cleaning routine can help keep these pests at bay.
Parts of Lavender to Use
When it comes to cleaning, you can use various parts of the lavender plant:
Lavender Leaves and Flower Buds: For this recipe, you can use both the lavender leaves and flower buds. These can be infused in vinegar to draw out their beneficial properties, creating a powerful and aromatic cleaning solution.
ALL-NATURAL INGREDIENTS
In addition to vinegar, lavender, and rosemary, my DIY all-purpose cleaner includes a few simple, natural ingredients:
- Vegetable-based liquid soap (castile soap): Made from plant-derived ingredients, this soap contains no harsh chemicals or sudsing agents. I like Dr. Bronner’s unscented castile soap.
- Borax: A natural mineral that acts as a cleaner, stain remover, and emulsifier.
- Baking soda: A natural deodorizer, stain remover, and mild abrasive.
If you can’t find some of these ingredients at your local grocery store, you can purchase them from Mountain Rose Herbs, which also carries organic dried lavender and rosemary.
Using Your All Purpose Cleaner
You can use the Rosemary Lavender All Purpose Cleaner on a variety of surfaces in your home, including:
- Countertops: Ideal for kitchen and bathroom countertops made of granite, quartz, laminate, and other non-porous materials.
- Floors: Safe for tile, vinyl, and sealed wood floors. Avoid using on unsealed wood or delicate flooring without testing a small area first.
- Sinks and Faucets: Great for cleaning stainless steel, porcelain, and ceramic sinks and fixtures.
- Appliances: Suitable for the exterior surfaces of kitchen appliances like refrigerators, ovens, microwaves, and dishwashers.
- Bathroom Surfaces: Effective on shower tiles, tubs, toilet exteriors, and bathroom counters.
- Door Handles and Light Switches: Perfect for disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.
Always do a small patch test on an inconspicuous area before using the cleaner on any new surface to ensure it does not cause damage or discoloration.
More Natural Cleaning Recipes
If you liked this recipe for Rosemary and Lavender All Purpose Cleaner, you might also like these articles featuring all natural, chemical free cleaning products that you can make yourself:
ROSEMARY & LAVENDER ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER RECIPE
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup dried lavender
- 3 tbsp dried rosemary
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup hot water
- 1/4 cup vegetable-based liquid soap
- 1 tbsp borax
- 2 tsp baking soda
Instructions
- Put the lavender, rosemary, and vinegar in a clean glass jar and secure the lid tightly. Shake the jar daily.
- After a few days, check the jar and add more vinegar if needed to keep the herbs fully submerged.
- Let the mixture infuse in a cool, dark place for one month.
- After one month, strain out and discard the herbs.
- Combine the strained vinegar with hot water, liquid soap, borax, and baking soda in a spray bottle.
- Shake the bottle until the minerals dissolve and before each use.
- Spray on various surfaces in your home to clean.
Notes
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
