Homeowners who have tile floors know how important it is to keep them clean. Most tiles have porous surfaces, which attract grime. Many store bought tile cleaners get the job done but contain harmful chemicals that negatively impact your health. My Homemade Tile Cleaner With Essential Oils is tough on dirt but gentle on your body.
It’s a cleaner you can feel safe using around your little ones! Whip up a batch and watch dirt literally disappear before your eyes.
Table of Contents
- Why You Should Make Homemade Cleaners
- The Best Essential Oils for Cleaning
- Tile Cleaner Ingredients
- Make Homemade Tile Cleaner
Why You Should Make Homemade Cleaners
With so many options on the shelves, why take the time to make your cleaners? My primary motivator in this area is ingredients. Store bought tile cleaners are full of toxins that can harm your body. Top offenders include:
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate– An agent that creates foam but wreaks havoc on your body. SLS causes significant skin irritations and can damage your vision. (1) If you’ve ever gotten soap in your eyes, you know just how harmful SLS can be!
Synthetic Fragrances– Many people are allergic to at least one ingredient that falls under this category. Reactions can range from minor rashes to debilitating migraines. One of the best things you can do for your home is artificial fragrances to the curb! Essential oils work just as well, and they benefit your body.
Bleach- Bleach is hazardous to keep in your home because if you mix it with the wrong chemical, you get a toxic gas reaction. Plus, it doesn’t smell very good! On its own, bleach can cause damage to the eyes, burn the skin, and is incredibly poisonous if ingested. (2)
I could go on for days, but most chemicals in store bought cleaners are toxic, and many of them are known to cause cancer. When you make your own cleaning products, you control what ingredients are included.
You can use natural alternatives to create a cleaner that gets the job done and boosts your family’s health. Slowly ditching toxic options for simple, homemade choices is the difference between a toxin-filled home and a healthy haven.
Bonus: When you keep ingredients on hand to DIY your cleaners, you don’t have to worry about a store being out of stock! Plus, you can choose elements to fit your family’s needs. For example, we add citronella EO to many of our cleaners to ward off insects.
The Best Essential Oils for Cleaning
Did you know there are essential oils known solely for their cleaning power? The best way to avoid toxic chemicals in commercial cleaners is to create a better option. Many DIY recipes include basic ingredients like soap and vinegar, but I add essential oils to my recipes to take them to the next level.
When choosing essential oils for cleaning, you want to pick ones with proven anti-microbial or anti-bacterial properties. Mix and match to find your favorite blend! Here are a few of my favorite options.
- Tea Tree– One of the most popular anti-bacterial choices. Bathroom messes can get gross, and germ-fighting power is a must! Bonus: It also helps control fungi, preventing annoying mildew in the bathroom.
- Citrus Oils– Lemon, orange, or other citrus oils are powerful cleaning agents. They can also help brighten surfaces! I love the uplifting scent of citrus in cleaners. I use citrus EOs in many of my household cleaning sprays.
- Oregano–This essential oil is just as good at removing bacteria as storebought soaps! (3) Oregano isn’t just for the kitchen!
- Lavender– This relaxing EO helps ward off insects. (4) Plus, it smells fantastic!
Other great options include geranium, peppermint, clove, citronella, and turmeric essential oil.
Tile Cleaner Ingredients
A few basic elements turn into an unforgettable, all-natural cleaner. These simple ingredients may already be in your pantry!
Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Castile Soap: I’m cautious in my product recommendations, but this is one brand I stand behind! Dr. Bronner’s has been a great all-natural option for decades, and they create high-quality products. I advise keeping a bottle of their unscented soap on hand for body care AND cleaning DIYs.
Vinegar: White vinegar is an inexpensive cleaning base. It freshens surfaces, and it has acidic properties to dissolve dirt and grease. Plus, it creates a streak-free shine!
Essential Oils: You can use any suggested essential oils or experiment with your own blends. EOs are a great way to keep your bathroom smelling fresh and clean! I want to encourage you to think about your family’s current needs so you can make this cleaner work for you.
Cleaning Supplies: There are several different methods of cleaning floors. Some prefer a mop and bucket for fast cleaning, while others prefer a rag to deep clean crevices. You can also use this solution to clean the tiles in your bathtub! Just add the mixture to a spray bottle and swipe away.
Make Homemade Tile Cleaner
- 1 gallon hot distilled water
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Dr. Bronner's liquid castile soap
- 20 drops essential oils*
- Supplies:
- Mop bucket
- Mop, rag, or scrubbing brush to wash floors
- Fill a mop bucket with hot water first to prevent a soap bubble overflow.
- Add the vinegar, soap, and essential oils. Stir well.
- To use, dip a mop, rag, or scrubbing brush into the solution and use it to clean your tile floor or bathtubs.
- Store any leftovers in a large unbreakable bottle or bucket with a lid.
Step One: Fill the Bucket With Water
Fill your bucket with hot water first to prevent a soapy mess!
Step Two: Add Ingredients
Add the vinegar, liquid soap, and essential oils to the bucket. Stir well to combine.
Step Three: Clean Your Floors!
Use your cleanser to mop or scrub your tile floors. You can also use this solution to clean your shower tiles in a pinch! Store any leftovers in a sizeable unbreakable bottle or bucket with a lid. Enjoy your sparkling tiles!
