The 5 Best Essential Oils for Eco-Friendly Cleaning (And How to Use Them)

Valley Mist pure essential oil collection in amber glass bottles with aluminium caps — steam distilled natural aromatherapy oils

Looking to swap out synthetic chemical cleaners for something more natural? Pure essential oils are one of the most effective and pleasurable ways to do it. Steam distilled, undiluted, and genuinely powerful, the right essential oil can disinfect, degrease, deodorise, and even deter insects — all without a drop of synthetic fragrance or harsh chemical in sight.

Here are our five favourite Valley Mist Pure Essential Oils for homemade eco-friendly cleaning products, and exactly what makes each one worth having in your cleaning cupboard.

About Valley Mist Pure Essential Oils

Valley Mist Undiluted Pure Essential Oils are steam distilled in England by our family business, established in 2016. We're proud to say that our Peppermint, Rosemary, English Lavender, and Frankincense essential oils are distilled from plants grown on site or close to our distillery here in England. For our other oils, we source the finest quality botanicals from their natural growing regions around the world, selecting for purity and potency above all else.

All of our essential oils are premium-grade, undiluted, and free from synthetic additives — created originally for use in our own Natural Skincare & Wellness products, and now available for you to enjoy at home too.

The 5 Best Essential Oils for Natural Cleaning

1. Lemon Essential Oil — £5.40

Lemon Essential Oil is perhaps the most versatile cleaning oil of all. Its natural antibacterial and antifungal properties make it highly effective at killing household germs, while its powerful degreasing ability cuts through kitchen grease and grime with ease. The bright, clean citrus scent also works as a natural deodoriser, leaving surfaces smelling genuinely fresh rather than artificially so. A few drops in a spray bottle with water and white vinegar makes an excellent all-purpose surface cleaner.

2. Eucalyptus Essential Oil — £5.00

Eucalyptus Essential Oil is a powerhouse antimicrobial with a clean, invigorating scent that makes cleaning feel less like a chore. It's particularly effective in bathrooms and on hard surfaces, and works beautifully added to homemade floor cleaners or laundry rinses. Eucalyptus is also known to help deter dust mites, making it a brilliant addition to natural fabric sprays for bedding and soft furnishings.

3. Peppermint Essential Oil — £5.60 ✦ Steam Distilled in England

Peppermint Essential Oil is one of our home-distilled oils, made from peppermint grown on site or close to our English distillery. Beyond its wonderfully fresh, uplifting scent, Peppermint is a natural antibacterial and a well-known insect deterrent — particularly effective against ants, spiders, and mice. Add a few drops to your cleaning spray or place cotton wool balls with a few drops near entry points to deter unwanted visitors naturally.

4. English Lavender Essential Oil — £7.00 ✦ Steam Distilled in England

English Lavender Essential Oil is another of our home-distilled oils, steam distilled from English lavender grown close to our distillery. Lavender is a natural antibacterial and antifungal, making it a wonderful addition to homemade cleaning sprays, fabric fresheners, and laundry products. Its calming, familiar scent transforms the cleaning routine into something genuinely enjoyable — and it's particularly lovely used in bedroom and linen sprays.

5. Rosemary Essential Oil — £5.60 ✦ Steam Distilled in England

Rosemary Essential Oil is the third of our home-distilled oils featured here, steam distilled from rosemary grown on site or close to our English distillery. With strong antiseptic and antimicrobial properties, Rosemary is an excellent addition to kitchen and bathroom cleaners. Its herbaceous, clarifying scent also makes it a wonderful choice for homemade room sprays and diffuser blends to freshen the home naturally.

How to Use Essential Oils in Homemade Cleaning Products

A simple all-purpose cleaner can be made with just three ingredients:

  • 500ml water
  • 100ml white wine vinegar
  • 20–30 drops of your chosen essential oil (or a blend)

Combine in a glass spray bottle, shake well before each use, and spray onto surfaces. Wipe clean with a reusable cloth. For a stronger antibacterial effect, add a teaspoon of liquid Castile soap.

Blending tip: Lemon and Eucalyptus make a brilliant antibacterial kitchen combination. Lavender and Peppermint work beautifully together as a bathroom freshener. Rosemary and Lemon is a wonderfully uplifting all-purpose blend.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best essential oil for cleaning and disinfecting?
Lemon, Eucalyptus, and Peppermint are among the most effective essential oils for natural disinfecting. All three have proven antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Valley Mist's Lemon Essential Oil (£5.40) and Eucalyptus Essential Oil (£5.00) are particularly popular for homemade cleaning sprays.

Are Valley Mist essential oils safe to use in cleaning products?
Yes — all Valley Mist essential oils are 100% pure and undiluted, with no synthetic additives, making them ideal for use in homemade cleaning recipes. Always keep essential oils away from children and pets, and avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.

Which essential oils are steam distilled in England by Valley Mist?
Our Peppermint, English Lavender, Rosemary, and Frankincense essential oils are steam distilled in England from plants grown on site or close to our distillery. Our other oils are sourced from their natural growing regions worldwide and selected for premium purity.

Can I mix essential oils together for cleaning?
Absolutely — blending essential oils is a wonderful way to create a personalised cleaning product with combined benefits. Lemon and Eucalyptus, or Lavender and Peppermint, are particularly effective and pleasant combinations for home cleaning.

How many drops of essential oil should I use in a homemade cleaner?
As a general guide, use 20–30 drops per 500ml of liquid. You can adjust to your preference — more drops for a stronger scent and cleaning effect, fewer for something more subtle.

Browse the Full Valley Mist Pure Essential Oils Range

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