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Lemon Infused Disinfectant Spray Cleaner

My all-natural disinfectant spray can  help protect your family from germs during cold and flu season. It can also be used to clean cutting boards and kitchen counters while cooking. Learn how to make your own lemon disinfecting cleaner for an easy, frugal cleaning solution that is also beneficial to your health.

Disinfectant Spray -Make this two ingredient all-natural Disinfectant Spray to help protect your family from germs during cold and flu season.  

I stopped using commercial disinfecting cleaners in my home when I learned that they can contain hazardous chemicals and indoor air pollutants. These substances can cause health problems including asthma, hormone disruption, heart disease, cancer, headaches, eye irritation, congestion, and nausea.

I am also disturbed that manufacturers of cleaning products in the United States do not have to list the ingredients on the label of cleaning products. This means that you have no idea what you are exposing your loved ones to when you reach for most commercial cleaners.

Natural Disinfecting

This DIY disinfectant spray uses two simple ingredients to naturally kill germs: ethanol and lemon oil.

  • Ethanol is commonly used as an active ingredient in hand disinfectants. Healthcare workers are advised to use alcohol-based hand disinfectants for routine hand disinfection. Vodka sold in the United States has a minimum ethanol content of 40%.
  • Lemon citrus peel oils have show strong antimicrobial activity. Read more in this study from the British Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology.

There is no need to run out and buy lemon oil, the lemon oil in this cleaner naturally comes from the rinds of a lemon when it is steeped in vodka.  You can save the lemon fruit or juice for other recipes.

 

Disinfectant Spray -Make this two ingredient all-natural Disinfectant Spray to help protect your family from germs during cold and flu season.

Lemon Infused Disinfectant Spray Cleaner Ingredients

  • Unflavored Vodka (use a cheap variety for cleaning)
  • 4-6 Fresh Lemons

 

Lemon Infused Disinfectant Spray Cleaner Directions

1.Wash and peel the lemons, place rinds in a glass jar. Cover the rinds with vodka and allow to steep in a cool dark place for 3-6 weeks.

Make this two ingredient all-natural disinfecting spray to help protect your family from germs during cold and flu season.

2. The cleaner is ready when it becomes a deep yellow color. Remove the lemon rinds and pour into a spray bottle.

Make this two ingredient all-natural disinfecting spray to help protect your family from germs during cold and flu season.

3. Download the PDF label from my free printable library and attach to the jar. (I print mine on full size labels for easy application.)

Disinfectant Spray -Make this two ingredient all-natural Disinfectant Spray to help protect your family from germs during cold and flu season.

 

How to Use All-Natural Disinfectant Spray

  1. Pour the lemon cleaner into a spray bottle and spray directly on areas you want to disinfect including countertops, cutting boards, toilet seats, floors, and more!
  2. Allow the disinfectant at least 10 seconds of dwell time to kill germs. (Dwell time is the amount of time a cleaner must stay wet on a surface to be effective. According to the CDC, ethanol can kill Serratia marcescens, E, coliand Salmonella typhosa in 10 seconds. )
  3. Wipe the surface dry (if desired) there is no need to rinse.

Make this two ingredient all-natural disinfecting spray to help protect your family from germs during cold and flu season.

 

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Make this two ingredient all-natural disinfecting spray to help protect your family from germs during cold and flu season.

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Comments

    • The lemon rinds are pretty mushy/vodka logged by the time the mixture sits for 4-6 weeks so I have never reused them. I do put them down the disposal and they clean deodorize it well.

      Reply

  3. Do you have a preference for when or where you use your ethanol based cleanser versus vinegar based? Are they not both disinfectant so it’s up to you which to use when? I didn’t know you could add 4 cups of water to the vinegar cleanser and it would still retain antibacterial properties….that’s amazing! I have been using straight vinegar and an essential oil. Thank you for your website, feedback and great ideas!

    Reply

    • Jess, I generally clean with the vinegar cleaner unless we have a sick person in the house. I am not particularly concerned with killing bacteria all the time. For the 4 cups of water I am not sure which cleaner you talking about, sorry! Glad you are enjoying the site!

      Reply

    • I would not want to use it on wood or fabric surfaces. It works great on linoleum, solid surface counter tops, granite, tile, porcelain, etc. If you have concerns about a surface I would test a small area. The vodka has virtually no smell which is why I love to use it in cleaners.

      Reply

      • I am an avid quilter and Sewer and so wanted to interject about using this on Fabrics. Many of us make a pressing spray using vodka water and essential oil. There is a product on the market called best press and this replaces the expensive commercially made version. Nobody I know, and there are a lot of us, have ever had a problem using this mixture on any fabric. Since what Bren is making here is essentially the exact product, I would say there is no reason to be concerned about using it on fabric based products.

        Reply

          • I didn’t see your recipe posted previously, but that’s an old one I’ve used. Unfortunately the cornstarch version doesn’t work well for Quilters as it tends to leave a white residue. The Vodka spray is the best by far!

    • Andrea, I have never used it on quartz countertops but I have used it on granite with no problem. I would recommend checking with the manufacturer if you are concerned.

      Reply

  7. Do you need to use the entire rind or could you just peel off enough of the pith to make sure you are getting all of the yellow? I would think the left over fruit would keep longer with most of the peel intact than if you peel them completely, and isn’t the essential oil mostly in the zest (yellow part), anyway? Also, I would think you could mix it up with different citrus fruits if you wanted to.

    This actually might be safer to use on some surfaces than vinegar. Vinegar is highly acidic, which can damage some protective finishes.

    Reply

  8. I like infusing vinegar with Lavender, Rosemary or Sage, sometimes all three together, for cleaning. I was inspired to start mixing herbs with antiseptic properties by the legend of the vinegar of the seven thieves, and this is my variation!

    Reply

  9. It defeats the object of frugal living tho as this recipie makes a cleaner which is many times more expensive than any store bought cleaner!

    Reply

    • I make this Disinfectant spray to avoid dangerous man made chemicals,. If you’re looking for a great frugal cleaner I’d try orange infused vinegar.

      Reply

  10. I’m fairly new to these concepts, but right now I have pine needles steeping in vinegar with eucalyptus oil for my homemade pinesol. About 4-5 days. Not bad, but needs a couple more weeks, I believe.

    Reply

  11. I’m Italian (so please excuse me for my bad English), I often prepare homemade liqueurs with food alcohol (which is composed of 95 or 96 parts of alcohol and 5 or 4 parts water), and also use the same alcohol for cleaning. To prepare “quick cleaners” I usually heat the alcohol with lemon rinds on the stove. It’s a little bit dangerous because it may catch fire, but with a little attention may prevent accidents and the detergent (or the liquor!) is immediately ready.

    Reply

  12. Regarding buying cheap alcohol to use in cleaners I buy nips when I only need a little. I’m not a big drinker and discovered this trick while making rum balls for the holidays. This way you don’t accidentally use the low end stuff in your cocktail.

    Reply

  13. In looking over your site, I didn’t find anything against using some bleach in a household cleaner. What is your opinion on that? And would it be safe to mix some lemon juice with a little bleach? Maybe cleaner-to-water ratio of say 10:90%?

    Reply

  15. Great article. Is there a disinfectant that would be safe to use on couches, beds… Things like that for when someone was or is sick? I know you can simply wash the bedding but something to use before hand.

    Reply

  16. Alcohol is pretty expensive where I’m from, could you substituted the vodka with vinegar/water. If so what ratio would you use for vinegar to water? Thank you so much for your help!

    Reply

  17. First of all I love everything you write and how much research and detail you put into your post! Unlike some other pinners and bloggers out there who don’t even take the time to present people with good information. But, I’ve tried several of your cleaning recipes and they are hands-down the best that are out there ( I used your Wonder Dressing® on my mother-in-law’s dresser and nightstand, and oh my goodness! I would have given anything if I would have taken a before picture…. because the results were astonishing. And I also use the 5 o’clock somewhere glass cleaner, and as I type this I am trying the wood floor restore! ) Okay so anyway, what do you use on your kitchen counters just on a day to day basis? The lemon vodka? The citrus vinegar? Or what do you recommend?

    Reply

    • Thanks for the kind words, Melissa! I use water and a microfiber rag to clean my counters everyday and use the lemon vodka about once a week (or when I make something with raw chicken, etc.).

      Reply

  18. Hi Bren,

    I’ve been pinning lots of homemade diy cleaners and came across your site and I’m so glad I did! It’s scary to think of all the diy cleaning recipes floating around out there that could be toxic.

    I’m moving in a few weeks and I want to make 2-4 of your cleaners, just trying to figure out which is the best variety. Any recs?

    For this recipe, does it expire / should it be replaced after a certain amount of time?

    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Thanks, Taylor! I move alot so I am a pro and the move in – move out cleaning! When doing a new move in cleaning I use Sal’s Suds and hot water for most of the cleaning. I use No Scrub Bathroom Cleaner for the bathrooms and Room Refresher spray for counter tops and deodorizing. I use plain white vinegar for sinks and hard water stains. For areas that need scrubbing (like glass stove tops or kitchen sinks) I use all purpose scrub. I also so a dishwasher cleaning. Hope this helps!

      Reply

      • Absolutely! Thank you so much for your help! Also, with this disinfectant spray where you have soaked lemons in the vodka — does this work the same if I wanted to soak orange peels in the vodka? Would it still have the same effect?

        Reply

  20. Hi Bren, I love this cleaner & your blog! I was wondering if you have ever used this cleaner to clean walls? Or, if you have another natural cleaner you would recommend for cleaning walls? Thank you! Lauren

    Reply

    • Hi Lauren and Bren! I LOVE this cleaner! Just FYI, I tried it on the wall and it took the paint off 🙁 Though I assume it was the acid in the lemon, you may be able to use plain vodka on walls but I haven’t tried that, yet.

      Thank you, Bren for this amazing recipe!

      Reply

      • Thanks for commenting, Gretchen! I would stick to using this solution on areas that need disinfecting… like sinks, toliets, faucets, countertops… and use a milder solution of water with a few drops of dish detergent for washing wall. I’m glad you’re enjoying the recipe!

        Reply

  22. Hi Bren! Thanks for sharing all your safe natural cleaning recipes. I am going to try the lemon disinfectant spray, but I actually need some while the mixture is steeping. Is it okay to substitute lemon essential oil for the fresh lemons so that I can have some right away? If so, how much lemon oil would you suggest? Also, would you still recommend the same dwell time? Thanks again!

    Reply

    • Yes, you can use EO in place of the steeping lemon peels. I would start with 20 drops and see if you want more lemon scent. I would still recommend the same dwell time if you are trying to kill bacteria/mold/etc. If you are just doing general household cleaning you can just spray and wipe. Good luck!

      Reply

  24. This may be a silly question but I have a huge bottle of gin to use up….can I substitute vodka for gin? I assume the results would be the same?

    Reply

    • I’ve never tried cleaning with gin! Sorry! Gin is ethanol distilled with juniper berries and of other botanicals so it might work. Let me know if you try.

      Reply

  26. Have you used the instant pot to speed along the process? I made lemon, vanilla, and cinnamon extracts this Christmas in an afternoon using my electric pressure cooker. These are essentially the same ingredients I used in the lemon extract.

    Reply

    • I have not made it in the instant pot as I have read warning about never using alcohol in the instant pot. Apparently alcohol vaporized under pressure could easily ignite.

      Reply

  27. Thanks so much for this recipe. I really look forward to trying it. Do you think you could put some of the alochol in the vinegar spray to increase its sanitizing properties? Thanks again!!

    Reply

  29. Hi Bren,

    Do you think your lemon/vodka cleaner would be safe to use on Corian counters and would it be safe to use on a Corian desk where I feed my kitties (so the dogs can’t get their food)? Thanks so much.

    Reply

  34. Hi there,

    Just found your awesome site. Thanks for all the info.
    My husband and I are cancer survivors and I’m trying to simplify our cleaning products and go more natural. Right now I use mostly hydrogen peroxide in the kitchen, everyday clorox on tubs, vinegar in the toilets and use swiffer and vacuum for dusting.

    I have corian countertops in kitchen and stone tile floors throughout my downstairs, fiberglass, stone tile and vinyl in the bathrooms, wood and cloth furniture and carpet throughout.
    Is there a cleaner that I can use for all those surfaces or at least only two? I need the cleaner to kill germs and disinfect and smell nice.

    I haven’t been able to find a list of surfaces and what products to use on them.

    Would appreciate your feedback.
    Thanks,
    Chris Henning

    Reply

    • I would use an all purpose cleaner of 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup vodka and a few drops of dish soap for fiberglass, stone tile and vinyl. It makes a great cleaner with a microfiber cloth. I even use it on floors. For wood I would simply use a damp cloth or swifter tyoe cloth. I use water with a few drops of dish soap for microfiber. I do not use bleach as it is an indoor air polliutant and can cause respritory problems. I use vinegar and detergent to clean the shower, tub and toliets. Hope this helps!

      Reply

  35. Is there a reason besides added fragrances that you don’t just use isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)? I know I sometimes see fragranced ones at the store, but have never bought them. I’ve always just gone for the version that’s just isopropyl alcohol and water. Seems that would be much cheaper than vodka and you’d get added antiseptic properties that you can’t get with using alcohol from vodka.

    Reply

    • Nicole, rubbing alcohol made in the US is toxic to ingest or inhale. It is denatured or made undrinkable to keep it from being used as an intoxicant. I prefer to use cheap vodka as it is a fragrance-free, dye-free product that is not toxic (unless ingested in large quantities). Hope this helps!

      Reply

      • But that does not apply to isopropyl alcohol, only to ethyl alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol has no need to be denatured as it is not the type of alcohol that contains ethyl/ethanol. Sadly, rubbing alcohol as a generic term includes both denatured alcohol AND isopropyl alcohol, so it’s confusing, but they are different.

        I get that you shouldn’t drink isopropyl alcohol, but I do think that you aren’t quite right about the disinfecting properties of your cleaner as it currently stands.

        Reply

  36. Could you use orange instead of lemon? My husband is allergic to lemon. I have made orange and vinegar in the past but don’t like the smell.

    Reply

  39. Hello there I have made this spray, but I am finding that if I leave it without wiping it is leaving a sticky splotchy yellow residue. Any troubleshooting tips? I can likely just wipe it away, but my plan was using it in the bathroom on my toilet for minimizing germs while my little one perfects her toileting. I still get her to wash her hands of course, but just anything to decrease contact as she is young and her hands are on the edge of the seat while she goes and such. I ended up trying to use it around my garbage pails and bathroom sinks, and hoping to add a little extra sanitation, but that was when I left it on and found it was all sticky once it dried. Otherwise I love the idea as I am also looking for ways to decrease exposure to unnecessary toxins in my household

    Reply

    • Hmmm, mine has never been sticky. I am not sure what caused that result. For toilet seat cleaning I would use hydrogen peroxide with a spray bottle top. It’s a great cleaner/disinfectant.

      Reply

  40. Dear Bren,
    its great to see such awesome recipes. Just a question is there any other everyday cleaning recipe for stone /granite counter tops and floors that doesnot have alcohol. Or can we get just ethanol to make this solution then vodka?

    Would highly appreciate your reply

    Reply

  41. Hi. Trying this today and I just shaved the yellow part of peels before I realized you were putting the whole rind in!! Is there something special about the rest of the lemon or will the outer peel still work just as well
    Thanks.
    LOVE this idea

    Reply

    • The yellow part of the rind will work fine because it contains the lemon oil. I use the whole rind because it is easier. The most important detail is to leave out any fruit or fruit pulp. Hope you like the cleaner!

      Reply

  42. Do you have a cheat sheet for the diy cleanerabd where you use it?

    Ie vinegar n e/o n h2o cleaner for multi surfaces around the house

    Baking soda/cornstarch n e/o as carpet deodorant

    Vodka lemon spray disinfectant 1x a week on all surfaces

    Reply

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