Surface Cleaning Spray Recipe

Recipe · general home

Surface Cleaning Spray recipe

This is the cleaner I reach for most, and one of the easiest DIY swaps to make.

Brown spray bottle and white cloth on a wooden surface

It is a simple soap-based spray for everyday surface cleaning. Use it as your first-step cleaner before acid-based sprays for glass, mineral marks or soap scum.

Best used on:

  • Kitchen benches and cupboards
  • Bathroom surfaces (vanity, sink, tiles)
  • Walls and doors
  • Light switches and door handles
  • Spot cleaning carpets and rugs
  • Skirting boards
  • Kids’ muddy feet (yes, really

The recipe

500mlMakes
1 minTIME
Ingredients
Liquid Castile soap15-30ml (1-2 teaspoons)
Water Top with water to make 500ml * Tap or pre-boiled water is fine. If you have hard water, use distilled or demineralised water instead.


Essential oilOptional, 5-10 drops (lemon, lemongrass or eucalyptus all work well)
Method
1

Simply add the Castile soap, water and essential oils, if using them, in a 500ml spray bottle. 

TIP

Adding the soap last helps reduce bubbles. Gently tip the bottle to mix.

LEARN OR Shop the ingredients in this recipe
Castile soap
Learn · Shop

Good to know

Shelf Life 

Undiluted Castile soap can last up to 2 years when stored correctly. Once diluted with water, the water becomes the limiting factor. Make small batches and use within six months. Store in a clean, sealed bottle.

Surfaces 


This soap-and-water spray is suitable for most washable household surfaces and can be used anywhere there is a need to clean everyday dirt, grease or residue. The main thing to watch is the essential oil content. If using essential oils on delicate, porous or unfamiliar surfaces, test first or leave them out.

Don't mix with Acids 


Do not mix Castile soap with vinegar or citric acid. Soap is alkaline and acids neutralise it, creating a cloudy residue that does not clean properly and may leave marks on surfaces.

Why this works

Ingredient What it does
Liquid Castile soap Your surfactant, the ingredient that does the actual lifting. Surfactants work by dropping the surface tension of water so it can get in underneath oil and dirt instead of beading over the top of it, then hold that grime in suspension so it rinses away instead of redepositing on your clothes.

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