Make your own dusting spray without harmful chemicals using just 3 simple ingredients that is safe to use on all wood surfaces, including your treasured wood furniture.
Ready to combat household dust once and for all with a natural cleaner? Me too! Did you know that EWG gives Pledge a D overall, for harmful ingredients? So not only does the dust cause a mess and even allergies, commercial dusting sprays are also super harmful to our health and there's no way to win! Thats why I started making our own cleaners using natural ingredients. Not to mention it's so much cheaper!
Save some money and skip the nasty ingredients with this easy homemade pledge.
Why This Homemade Dusting Spray Recipe Works
- The oil is a natural dust repellent and makes the surface of your furniture really shine.
- Using a few drops of fragrance oil makes for a clean scent. Citrus oils also work as a disinfectant.
- Over a long time period, we get chronic exposure to so many different chemicals, so it's great that the main ingredients are natural.
What You'll Need
- olive oil - I get my olive oil at Aldi, it's usually around $3 dollars a bottle. Also, I sometimes buy it in bulk at Costco. Sweet almond oil is another good option.
- water- regular tap water or filtered will work.
- lemon essential oil - you could use an of your favorite essential oils, the lemon is just closet to the classic Pledge scent.
- spray bottle - I love grabbing spray bottles in bulk from Amazon since we make a lot of our own cleaning products.
- Funnel - when mixing homemade cleaners this makes it easier and less messy.
How to Make Natural Dusting Spray
Add 1/2 cup of water (cool) to the spray bottle.
Pour in 1/3 cup of olive oil.
Finally, add around 10-15 drops of lemon essential oil. You can add more or less depending on how strong you like your dusting spray to smell.
Secure the lid and shake well to mix the cleaning solution.
Using The Homemade Pledge
Use a dry cloth first to get rid of any debris (like crumbs on the dining room table or animal fur on the coffee table in the living room).
Spray a small amount of the DIY dusting spray on a dust cloth. My favorites are these microfiber cloths.
Then wipe gently on wooden furniture for a beautiful shine.
Get Started Cleaning with Essential Oils!
Get your free Cleaning with Essential Oils printable!
What If You Have A Lot of Dust?
Because dusting is usually the least favorite chore of families, you may find that you have a ton of build up in certain places. If that's the case, you can add a little white vinegar (we do not recommend apple cider vinegar) to the solution. This cuts through dust and dirt and helps to disinfect.
For other cleaning, you can make your own DIY all purpose cleaner that uses a few drops of dish soap and vinegar. With the lemon essential oil, you won't have to worry with the smell of vinegar.
Helpful Tips
- We've never had any problems using this spray, but always recommend testing in a small area first.
- I am not brand picky with essential oils, but I do love Fabulous Frannie essential oils. I have noticed that they are just as good as the more expensive brands but cost much less. You can head over here to grab one of their gift sets or just buy one bottle. They are usually less than $5 a bottle.
- Give the bottle a good shake each time before use, as it's natural for the oil and water to separate.
- If you would rather have a fragrance free spray, leave out the essential oil. However, if you are using the vinegar in the solution we recommend keeping it to mask the vinegar smell.
- It's best to use a feather duster on a regular basis to reduce the dust, and go in with the spray every couple of weeks. Fabric softener sheets are another great option to trap dust.
- Store the spray out of direct sunlight.
- Fractionated coconut oil can also be used and will not leave a sticky residue like some carrier oils.
- See how to make a free printable label so you don't get the cleaning products mixed up.
Now you can keep your furniture dust-free with this simple spray made with natural products, unlike other commercial cleaners. While we love a good citrus oil you can choose a different fragrance based on your liking or use what you have on hand. This is such an effective way to clean the house, while being a little healthier and budget conscious.
More Cleaning Tips and Hacks
- How To Remove Water Stains From Stainless Steel>
- Homemade Floor Cleaner
- Rosemary Sink Cleaner
- How To Make Dawn Powerwash
- DIY Toilet Cleaner
Cleaning with Essential Oils Guide
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Laurie says
Coming over from Merry Monday! Thank you for your tip. This is something that I will try.
Heidi Y says
Should the spray bottle be glass? I'm new to essential oils and I've heard they don't react well with plastic.
Julie says
I have heard that too. However, I have used plastic spray bottles and haven't had a problem so far.
Debbie says
Do you have to use the essential oil? I have a lot of allergies that are fragrance related.
Julie says
Nope, feel free to skip the essential oil. It should work just fine without it.
Holly@ClubThrifty says
Nice! Very nice tip. I have to admit, I am terrible about dusting. I am a clean freak in every other way, but dust just doesn't bother me for some reason.
Julie says
I am always dusting and vacuuming. Laundry on the other hand......
Sharilee says
Found you on the Motivated Me Monday link party...now I'm motivated to go do some dusting. Thanks for sharing!
Julie says
Your Welcome! 🙂
Nicole @Little Blog on the Homestead says
Love this! It's great when you can replace icky chemicals with natural options. I use vinegar and orange essential oil for pretty much everything! Love the essential oils make everything smell so good.
Julie says
I love vinegar for cleaning. It's frugal and natural.
Sarah says
This is awesome! To be honest, I don't use a dusting spray when I dust (which is probably why everything still looks so darn bad). Question: is the lemon essential oil just for the smell? I have essential oils here at the house, but not lemon. Would another scent work just the same? I know oils are real big right now, but I've only ever used them to make air fresheners so I don't know very much about them.
Julie says
Yes, it's pretty much just for smells. That's about all I use my essential oils for too. I do love the way they smell!
Elizabeth says
Wow. Looks simple and easy! Thank you for sharing.
Julie says
It is so easy. Enjoy!
Elise @ Harvey Ever After says
What a great idea! I'll definitely be trying this next time instead of buying pledge!
Stopping by from Modest Monday.
Elise @ Harvey Ever After
Julie says
Thanks for stopping by!
Christie says
I love essential oils, but I've only used them in beauty products. I'll have to give this a try!
Julie says
I hope you enjoy it. I have been so happy with it.
Betsy @ BPhotoArt.com says
I love cleaning with DIY solutions. Does the olive oil make the surfaces oily? My cleaning solutions have mainly been white vinegar and water-based thus far (plus essential oils, which we love too).
Visiting from #SmallVictoriesSundayLinkup 🙂
Julie says
I don't think it makes it oily. I can't tell a difference between it and Pledge.
Toni says
Thanks for the tip. I am looking for more frugal/natural ways to clean my home and this is a great idea. I'll give this a try!
Julie says
Your Welcome! 🙂
Sarah J says
Popping over from Merry Monday =) I never heard of oil in a cleaner... I might have to try it. Be sure to share your recipes, crafts, upcycles & DIYs at Two Uses Tuesday (Mon 11pm EST to Fri 11pm EST) over at Sarah Celebrates if you don't already!
Julie says
Thanks for the invite. I will join in next Tuesday.
Sheena says
I was just doing some cleaning today and thinking I needed a new dusting spray recipe with EOs. I will have to make some of your recipe and give it a try!! Thanks for sharing!!
Julie says
Your Welcome! Enjoy
Shirley Wood says
We are so glad you shared with us at Merry Monday! We can’t wait to see your creativity next week!
dolores says
pls send me daily updates via e mail......thank you.....love your site....dee
Julie says
So glad you love my site! You can subscribe by clicking on the S in the top right hand corner or go here https://www.frugallyblonde.com/subscribe/
Thanks!
Evpraxia Wehlitz says
Greetings,
I have used the essential oil and olive oil, without the water, for wood furniture as a polish, works great! Glad to know that adding water will allow it to be used as a dusting spray.
Side note: as a part-time housekeeper, a nice "clean" smell is Extremely important to customers. Even if an item/room IS clean, if it does not SMELL clean the customer asks if I cleaned the room. So, I add essential oils. The favorite ones seem to be: Lemon, Orange, Eucalyptus, Pine and a mix that I use that is called Germ-Fighter from Plant Therapy.
Julie says
Thanks for the tips!
Amber says
Hi there! Thanks for the info 🙂 How long will the spray last?
Julie says
It has lasted months for me. But then again I don't dust that often. 😉
Michele says
Where ca I buy essential oil? That probably sounds like a dumb question, but I don't get out much. Thanks for the tip.
Julie says
It's not a dumb question at all. I have a hard time finding them around here. Fresh Thyme grocery stores carry them, if you have one near you. I order mine off of Amazon. I will include the link below if you are interested. I hope that helps.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BKQIQLS/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00BKQIQLS&linkCode=as2&tag=coucragir-20&linkId=TMIII6XGJTNQBGVL
VJ says
Love this idea - can't wait to try it!
On essential oils - especially any citrus oils, if you are using them in drinking water must be out of glass or metal - no plastic. Since the oil is super concentrated using them in plastic to ingest is bad as it will affect the plastic. Please make sure what you are buying is marked as safe to ingest - not all essentials are!
Using plastic for cleaning is fine - at least the oils i use. Always read the label carefully to be sure! Hope this helps!
Julie says
Thanks, very helpful!
Pdaisy says
I have to say that lemon essential oil is fabulous for cleaning wood, so it is kind of an important ingredient. The scent is natural and not synthetic so should not affect those with sensitivities to scents that may come from an artificial or synthetic source.
Julie says
Thanks! I didn't realize it wouldn't affect you if you are sensitive to scents.
Nona says
Does the olive oil go rancid?
Julie says
I have had mine for over a year and haven't noticed it going rancid. So, I don't think so.
rescue mom says
Can vinegar be used instead of olive oil?
Julie says
I don't think that would work. I would be afraid that too much vinegar would damage the wood.
Tammy says
My wood cutting board instructions say to protect it with vegetable oil because olive oil can spoil. I wonder if it really makes a difference?
Isabel van Dijk says
I used this, butit leaves a stickiness behind on furniture which then collects even more dust!
Karin says
Has anyone tried this on teak furniture? I have lots of it . But I've only ever used expensive and very strong smelling teak oil.
Julie says
I haven't tried it on teak before. Maybe test in a small area and give it a couple weeks to see how it does?