This simple homemade dust spray is an inexpensive natural cleaner that can be used to help wood furniture shine. Even better, it will only take you about five minutes to make, with supplies you likely already have on hand!
I have to admit it – I never used to look forward to dusting. But, with this fragrant DIY, dusting these days doubles as an aromatherapy session too!
This is a wonderful all-natural, non-toxic alternative to store-bought products. Once you’ll give it a try, you’ll never go back!
Supplies
This natural dusting spray recipe will supply you with enough to make one 16 oz spray bottle.
- Water
- White distilled vinegar – Vinegar is necessary to use in this homemade dusting spray because it helps break down grease and grime, making for easier all-natural cleaning. Plus, it is a good, all-purpose natural cleaner.
- Olive oil – Rather than using a dimethicone film former that is found in commercial dusting spray products, we use olive oil to help prevent dust from settling onto your furniture, making this a great dust control spray as well.
- Lemon essential oil – The citrus essential oils contain citric acid which is great for cleaning purposes.
- Grapefruit essential oil – This adds a fresh scent and boosts your cleaning power even more thanks to additional citric acid.
- Lavender essential oil – The use of lavender is purely because I liked the addition of a flowery scent in this cleaning mixture.
- Spray bottle – I found my 16oz spray bottle at the Dollar Tree, but you can simply repurpose one you have at home, or grab one online too!
How to Make This DIY Dust Spray
The great news is that this spray for dust is super easy to make!
First, pour one cup of water into a glass measuring cup. Add 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar. Next, pour in two tablespoons of olive oil.
Then, add 5 drops each of lemon, grapefruit, and lavender essential oils.
Note: You can also change it up to suit what you have on hand or what your scent preferences are. There are other great essential oils you could add to this such as tea tree, lemongrass, peppermint, cinnamon, orange, or lime.
Use the glass measuring cup first, as that helps make it easy to pour the contents into the spray bottle’s smaller opening. If your spray bottle has a larger opening than mine, you could also just add all of the ingredients to it directly!
And that’s it!
Grab the Free Label
I created this label, printed and cut it out, then used packaging tape to secure it to my spray bottle. You can get the label to print one for yourself as well for your own DIY dusting spray bottle!
I added the reminder to shake well before and during use on the label since oil and water don’t mix.
How to Use this Spray
To get the olive oil and essential oils to come out of the spray, you will need to shake it during use so that all ingredients are distributed evenly.
I have a six-shelf hutch in my dining room that I honestly have not dusted since I took down Christmas decorations in mid-January. If you look at the top image, you can see where there are round spots where some candles normally sit.
I shook the bottle of dust spray, spritzed it a few times on the shelf, and wiped it off with a microfiber cloth. You can see the after picture of how well and easily it dusted the surface.
Be sure to test out this spray in a small, inconspicuous area BEFORE using it all over your furniture so you can make sure it works well. Just like any cleaner (store-bought or homemade), different surfaces may react differently, and it’s best to do a test patch first.
This was my microfiber cloth after I finished dusting all of the shelves. Gross, huh?! But it’s proof that this stuff works!
The vinegar smell didn’t linger in my house all day long like I was nervous it would. Plus, I was done dusting this shelf in 5 minutes. I really should dust more often than I do because it’s fast and easy, and I’m always grossed out by the amount of dust sitting on my shelves that aren’t easily seen.
My next task is to use the spray and dust all of the baseboards in my house – a commonplace in my home that often gets neglected. It will be super easy to clean with this spray and a microfiber cloth!
FAQs
Does this spray smell like vinegar?
The four main ingredients in this DIY dusting spray are water, vinegar, olive oil, and essential oils. I have always been one to avoid using vinegar when it comes to making my own DIY cleaning products because I frankly dislike the smell.
What I discovered with this mixture, though, is if you use citrus essential oils, they blend and mask the smell of the vinegar well, so it is tolerable to clean with!
I promise you won’t be left with a house that stinks of vinegar!
Related: Looking for another way to put your jug of vinegar to use? These homemade toilet bombs use vinegar to clean without a yucky smell, too!
Which essential oil brand is best?
For the best results, you will want to choose a high-quality essential oil brand that is 100% pure and offers third-party testing for quality control. Read this post for more info on how to choose essential oils that work for you and your family (beyond the brand.)
My favorite essential oil company is Rocky Mountain Oils, followed by Eden’s Garden.
Is this a good alternative to Pledge?
If you’ve ever wondered, “What can I use instead of Pledge?” then this all-natural, non-toxic homemade dust cleaner spray with essential oils is your answer. It is a safe cleaner that is quite inexpensive to make, especially when you spend upwards of $5.00 per can of commercial dusting sprays you find in stores.
This is super easy to make, does not contain harmful chemicals, and it works! Go grab a spray bottle and make some up for yourself today!
More Cleaning Tips:
- How to Remove Tough Stains from a Microfiber Couch
- The Quick and Easy, All-Natural Way to Clean Your Microwave
- How to Clean a Glass Stove-Top: the Secret that Changes Everything
How to Make a Simple, Natural Dusting Spray
Dust and shine your furniture all-naturally with this easy DIY dusting spray using common household ingredients, including vinegar and lemon essential oils.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup of water
- 1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 5 drops of lemon essential oil
- 5 drops of grapefruit essential oil
- 5 drops of lavender essential oil
- spray bottle (I found my 16oz spray bottle at the Dollar Tree)
Instructions
Pour one cup of water into a glass measuring cup. Then add 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar. Then pour in two tablespoons of olive oil. Then add 5 drops each of lemon, grapefruit, and lavender essential oils. Shake well and spray on the surface that needs dusting. Wipe off the surface with a microfiber cloth.
Notes
Be sure to test out this spray in a small, inconspicuous area BEFORE using all over your furniture so you can make sure it works well. Just like any cleaner (store bought or homemade), different surfaces may react differently and it’s best to do a test patch first.
Pin the image below to save the dusting spray recipe for later.
Olanrewaju Salau says
I have been having serious trouble with dust in my apartment and this article feels like I was directed to it.
I love this and will definitely give it a try.
Thanks a bunch.
Nilfiskcfm says
I loved your blog. We must encourage people to use homemade cleaning solutions rather than buying chemical cleaners that are bad for our environment.
Natascha says
I have wanted to switch from regular cleaners to more natural products. This is a great blog post. Thank you for sharing!
Carisa says
Do you have to use those scents of essential oils? I only have lavender on hand. Can I use that?
Erika says
Yes, you can use just lavender essential oil.
Edie p Gardner says
first y0u say 1/2 c distIIied vinegar THAN Y0U SAY 1/4 CUP which is it pIease
Erika says
It’s 1/2 cup. Thanks for letting me know – I’ve updated the post.
Debbie says
How long does this last? I’ve read another source that has a similar formula and said must be used within a week or two.
Erika says
It should last a month or so. The vinegar helps to preserve it. just shake well before using to mix it all up. If it starts smelling oddly, then you will want to make another batch.