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DIY Anti Microbial Spray that Disinfects and Deodorizes

Herbal treatments and antimicrobial sprays can help you fight all kinds of virus' in your home, including the flu. This spray is super easy and effective.

First let me say, I’m not a “germ-a-phobe” by any stretch of the imagination. You won’t find antibacterial soaps or hand sanitizes in our home. We just use plain old soap and water to wash our hands with and, for the most part, soap and water to clean with. Rarely do I feel the need to break out natural cleaners and disinfectants such as vinegar, rubbing alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide. However, there are times I like having a homemade antimicrobial spray available.

For instance, when someone is sick and is lounging on the couch. The couch is hard to wash so I’ll spray it with homemade antimicrobial spray when the sick person relocates to their bed.

I also like to use it on surfaces when that are touched a lot such as light switches and doorknobs when we have an illness visiting our home. It’s easy to spritz each light switch and doorknob several times a day while we’re trying to keep the illness from spreading.

I also keep elderberry syrup, cough syrup, fire cider, and several other home remedies, such as homemade vapor rub on hand so we have them ready when we need them, instead of scrambling around to make them at the last minute. I’ve done this for years and if started right away, they work like a charm.

This spray smells good enough to also use as a linen spray on things that don’t get washed every week, like curtains.

I know many people have strong opinions about germs – both those who think we should use anti-bacterial everything all the time and those who think we should never use anti-bacterial anything ever. And while I would agree that, for the most part, antimicrobial sprays and cleaners are over used in our society and this, along with antibiotic overuse, has contributed to resistant bacteria…which is not good.

But I also believe that there are times we need to protect our family and the judicial use of natural antimicrobial products helps with that. This is not something we should be using every day. And even though these ingredients are natural they can still contribute to the resistant bacteria problem if over used.

image of person putting vodka in a brown glass spray bottle to make antimicrobial spray

This spray is so simple to make and you can use the basic idea to make any kind of room spray or linen spray. I like to use a combination of cheap vodka and distilled water as my base.

image of person putting essential oil drops in a brown glass bottle to make disinfectant spay

You can even make it right in the bottle. Then add the essential oils, put the sprayer back in the bottle, and give it a shake. It’s ready to use.

The vodka will help disperse the essential oils but it doesn’t dilute them, so give it a quick shake before you use it each time.

I have some handy herbal and essential oil worksheets for you to help you keep track of all the fun things you’re learning as you put together your homemade apothecary. You get them emailed to you by filling out the form below.

DIY Anti Microbial Spray

Herbal treatments and antimicrobial sprays can help you fight all kinds of virus' in your home, including the flu. This spray is super easy and effective.

This homemade antimicrobial spray is just what you need for cold and flu season. I't's perfect for cleaning frequently used items such as door knobs and light switches. It's also great for freshening up upholstery.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Active Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Materials

  • 2 oz distilled water
  • 2 oz cheap vodka
  • 40 drops clove bud essential oil
  • 25 drops sweet orange essential oil
  • 25 drops lemon essential oil

Tools

  • Spray Bottle

Instructions

  1. This will make about four ounces and it is best if you put it in a colored jar as essential oils can deteriorate in the light.
  2. Mix it all together and shake well. Shake well before using. I put it in a spray bottle so I could just spray the doorknobs, light switches and other high traffic areas.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Can we talk about essential oil safety for a moment? 

Even though I’ve been using a few essential oils for almost 20 years, I’m concerned about the essential oil bandwagon going on right now. There are sites popping up all over the place and it’s hard to know what information is correct and what isn’t.

Over the years I’ve used a lot of different brands of essential oils. I’m now in the process of just using Rocky Mountain Oils. They have quality oils and make each batches GC/MS test results available, they also practice environmental sustainability in harvesting, packaging, and recycling. These are things that are important to me.

We live in a culture that thinks “If a little is good, then more is even better.” THAT is not true of essential oils. More can cause problems. If you’re interested in studying herbs and essential oils I highly recommend the courses at The Herbal Academy. They also have a very reasonably priced membership program called The Herbarium which is full of herbal and essential oil information you can trust.

image of antimicrobial disinfectant spray in brown spray bottle with bottles of essential oils around it

What are your secret weapons for surviving the flu/cold season?

Thanks for sharing with your friends!

Kelly Dube

Tuesday 2nd of February 2021

so witch hazel does kill germs or bacteria? i heard dickinsons is the best....

Angi Schneider

Tuesday 9th of February 2021

There is conflicting information about the benefits of witch hazel as an antimicrobial. Because of that, I don't use it in this recipe. I use vodka because I don't like the smell of rubbing alcohol.

Nana999

Monday 3rd of June 2019

I am sure this smells heavenly. But isn't this just alcohol? Wouldn't you accomplish the same thing cheaper by spraying with rubbing alcohol? You could add essential oils to that.

Angi Schneider

Monday 3rd of June 2019

It is, and you can use rubbing alcohol or even witch hazel. Vodka doesn't have a scent and rubbing alcohol does -as does witch hazel. I've used all of them and they all work equally well, I just prefer the vodka since it truly doesn't have it's own scent. Use what you have and are comfortable using.

Linda

Sunday 20th of August 2017

I am extremely sensitive to odors. Essential oils often give me a headache, nausea, and lip tingling. This is just from smelling them on someone else or a diffuser running. They are not for everyone.

Angi Schneider

Sunday 20th of August 2017

Hi Linda, I totally agree. Essential oils are not for everyone and I would never advocate people diffusing oils in a public place. I struggle with just going down the laundry aisle at the grocery store or sitting beside someone who is wearing perfume.

Stefanie

Thursday 15th of January 2015

What a brilliant idea a "Get Well Soon" spray is! Especially since the flu is going around and you may want to help your friends but aren't sure how. Pinning this idea and I know for sure I will be making this blend soon rather than later.

Blessings! Stefanie

Rhonda Crank

Friday 9th of January 2015

Angi, Thanks for the recipe. I really appreciate your openness about the safety of EOs. You are right, it can be confusing and there are so many companies who don't have quality oils or information about their use. I clicked on a couple of your links and was glad I did. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.

Angi Schneider

Friday 9th of January 2015

You're welcome, Rhonda. This is an area that I am really passionate about and yet find myself having to bite my tongue over and over. I'm excited to be learning more about herbal and EO use this year.

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