Homemade Disinfecting Spray
Beat the cold and flu season with this easy DIY disinfectant spray recipe that actually works!
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Make homemade disinfectant spray with just two simple ingredients and two minutes’ time. It’s simple to make and good for the environment. This disinfectant eliminates toxic cleaning products and works for your whole home. Hydrogen peroxide is know for it’s powerful ability to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which makes it perfect for all your cleaning needs, from the kitchen and bathroom to the living room and more.
This DIY hydrogen peroxide and essential oil spray is also safe for use on kids toys, so it’s truly an all-purpose disinfectant spray for your entire house. Which is great to have on hand during the cold and flu season, when you want to keep germs as far away as possible.
This spray kills germs, but it does not clean surfaces, so it’s great for an added boost after using my All-Purpose Cleaning spray. When there has been someone sick in the house, cleaning the surfaces alone may not be enough, so you’ll want to follow it up with a good disinfectant spray on high-touch areas. This will kill any bacteria that are left hanging around.
And that’s exactly what this homemade disinfectant spray does!
Simple homemade cleaning sprays are a better choice than store-bought options full of harsh chemicals. They are gentler on your health and the air, help the environment and save you money.
By making your own, you control what goes in them as well (like the potency and scent). So, you can clean your home safely with easy-to-make products that are kind to nature.
Uses for Homemade Disinfectant Spray
This is truly a multi-purpose spray that is great for so many areas of your home. I’ve put together this easy cheat sheet for you to reference on how it can be used. Also, to give you some ideas of areas that might need disinfecting that you’ve never thought of!
For most of these uses, you will get best results if you first CLEAN the surfaces with my All-Purpose Cleaning spray. Once that is wiped off, you can follow it up with the disinfectant.
| Area | How to Use It | Why It Works | Safety Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Counters & Sinks | Spray directly and wipe with a clean cloth. | Hydrogen peroxide kills germs; tea tree oil adds antibacterial power and fresh scent. | Avoid spraying on unsealed stone (may dull finish). |
| Bathroom Surfaces | Use on sinks, faucets, toilet seats, and tubs. | Breaks down bacteria and mold, leaving surfaces fresh. | Allow to sit for 10-15 minutes before wiping for deeper clean. |
| Doorknobs & Light Switches | Lightly mist and wipe with a microfiber cloth after 10-15 minutes. | Eucalyptus oil helps eliminate odor-causing bacteria. | Spray onto cloth first to avoid dripping into switches. |
| Toys & Play Areas | Mist on hard, non-porous toys and let air dry. | Gentle yet effective, perfect for disinfecting without harsh chemicals. | Do not use on plush or fabric toys. |
| Cutting Boards | Spray after washing to kill lingering bacteria. | Hydrogen peroxide helps remove germs from porous surfaces. | Rinse with water before next food use. |
| Trash Cans | Spray inside and outside after emptying and let air dry. | Neutralizes odor and disinfects bacteria-prone spots. | If you want to wipe it off, let sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing or wiping. |
| Laundry Hampers & Bins | Spray inside to reduce odor and germs. | Tea tree oil helps fight mildew buildup. | Allow to dry fully before refilling. |
| Pet Areas | Disinfect litter box edges, feeding mats, and cages. | Natural antibacterial properties reduce pet odors safely. | Keep pets away until surface is fully dry. |
| Remote Controls & Electronics | Lightly spray onto cloth and wipe surfaces. | Removes bacteria from high-touch devices. | Never spray directly on electronics. |
| Door Handles in Cars | Wipe down with a sprayed cloth. | Keeps your vehicle germ-free with natural ingredients. | Use minimal moisture to prevent damage to materials. |
Natural Disinfecting Spray Ingredients
This simple homemade cleaning spray couldn’t be easier to whip together. Most likely you have all the ingredients you need in your home already.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural disinfectant and oxidizing agent that kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi on contact. It breaks down into just water and oxygen, leaving no toxic residue behind—making it a safer alternative to bleach. Perfect for sanitizing countertops, bathrooms, and high-touch areas, it’s the power base of this homemade spray that keeps your home sparkling clean and germ-free.
If you buy the standard 3% hydrogen peroxide, it is already diluted, so there is no need to dilute it any further. The main thing to remember to make it effective, is that is does need to sit on the surface for a good 10-15 minutes to be able to kill germs.
Buy in CAN or buy in USA – you may be able to find this cheaper at Walmart
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus oil brings a refreshing, clean scent and impressive antibacterial and antiviral properties. Its natural cleansing power helps eliminate airborne germs and deodorize your space while supporting a healthy home environment. This invigorating oil also enhances the effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide, leaving behind that crisp “just cleaned” freshness you’ll love.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree oil is one of the most effective natural ingredients for supporting a clean, healthy home. It’s well-known for its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties — a perfect choice for cold and flu season. When paired with lemon oil, it helps freshen and purify surfaces while adding an extra layer of natural protection.
Why This Recipe Works
This homemade disinfectant spray combines the natural disinfecting power of hydrogen peroxide with the antimicrobial strength of tea tree oil and the refreshing antibacterial boost of eucalyptus oil.
Hydrogen peroxide serves as a potent yet safe germ-fighter, breaking down bacteria and viruses without leaving toxic residue. Tea tree oil enhances this effect with its strong antiviral and antifungal properties, while eucalyptus oil adds a crisp, fresh scent and additional antibacterial support.
Together, these ingredients create a non-toxic, effective, and pleasantly fragrant spray that disinfects surfaces, deodorizes spaces, and keeps your home safe for kids and pets. It’s a simple, natural solution for disinfecting that works hard without the harsh chemicals of conventional cleaners.
Homemade Disinfecting Spray
Difficulty: Easy, Beginner8
Ounces2
minutes2
minutesEquipment:
– 1 8oz spray bottle – Buy in CAN or in USA
– Label maker (optional but I highly recommend for an easy and waterproof label) – Buy in CAN or USA
Ingredients
Directions
- Add all 3 ingredients to the spray bottle.
- Gently shake to combine ingredients.
Notes
- Substitutions:
Other essential oils that would work are any citrus essential oil (lime, grapefruit, orange), lavender, oregano or lemon eucalyptus. - Hydrogen Peroxide is a bleach substitute, so do not this on fabric.
- Make sure you label your jar! You will not remember what is in it. I LOVE my Niimbot B1 label maker and printer for this (Buy in CAN or USA). Its comes with a free and easy to use app where you can design your labels just the way you want. It quickly and seamlessly prints high quality, and waterproof labels. I haven’t found any easier way to keep my DIY products organized and identified, then this label printer. You will love it for everything in your home! Here are the links again for the exact model I use, buy in CAN or USA.
Safety Tips for Using Your All-Purpose Non-Toxic Household Cleaner
Even though this is made with non-toxic ingredients, and pretty safe to use, it’s still important to use it safely to keep your home and family protected. Here are a few helpful tips:
1. Always Label Your Bottle
Once you’ve mixed your cleaner, clearly label the spray bottle with the name and ingredients. This helps avoid confusion and reminds everyone in your home that it’s a cleaning solution.
I’m going to shamelessly put another plug in for the Niimbot B1 label printer here because I LOVE it so much and I truly believe it’s a MUST HAVE when you make your own products!
Here are the links again for the exact model I use, buy in CAN or USA.
2. Store Out of Reach of Children & Pets
Even natural cleaners should be stored safely. Keep your spray in a cool, dry cabinet or a high shelf away from curious little ones and pets.
3. Avoid Mixing with Other Cleaners
Never mix this with vinegar, bleach, ammonia, or commercial cleaning products. Combining ingredients can cause unwanted chemical reactions or reduce the cleaner’s effectiveness.
If you are wanting to first clean the surface, once that cleaner is wiped off, apply the disinfectant.
4. Spot Test Before Use
Before using your spray on new surfaces, do a quick patch test. Avoid unsealed wood, natural stone, or delicate finishes as the spray may dull or damage the surface over time.
5. Shake Before Each Use
Because natural ingredients can separate, gently shake the bottle before spraying.
6. Use in a Well-Ventilated Area
Essential oils have strong natural aromas. If you’re sensitive to scents, open a window or turn on a fan while cleaning for better airflow.
🌸 Bonus Tip:
Wipe surfaces with a clean microfiber cloth for extra antibacterial effects.
If you loved this recipe, don’t forget to share it with a friend and save it to Pinterest so you’ll always have it handy. And if you want more simple, natural recipes, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter – I’ve got plenty more tips and recipes coming out on a weekly basis.
