Simple DIY Dusting Spray You Can Make at Home

Replace harmful chemicals with a beautifully fragranced and completely natural DIY dusting spray. Find out how to make it in a few easy steps by reading on.

Very few of us enjoy housework, and dusting in particular can be a tedious and laborious affair. It is a very important one though, because dust in the home can cause all manner of disorders — particularly those involving the respiratory system. Learning how to make your own DIY dusting spray will keep your home clean and help you and your loved ones stay healthy without harsh chemical and toxin exposure.

One of the major disadvantages of dusting sprays is the chemical toxins, which can irritate the skin, eyes, and airway. Some are sensitive to heat and are even flammable under pressure. Our DIY dusting spray is completely natural, nontoxic and safe to use — eliminating the major downfalls of store bought varieties.

Why Use A Natural DIY Dusting Spray?

Dust is primarily made of dust mites, dead skin cells, dust mite droppings, and dust mite body fragments. The American Lung Association warn that:

• Thousands of dust mites can live on soft surfaces throughout your home including bedding, mattresses, upholstered furniture, carpets, or curtains.
• An average person sheds enough skin flakes every day to feed one million dust mites (approx. 1.5 grams).
• Allergies and asthma are easily triggered by dust mites, and approximately 80 percent of U.S. homes have detectable levels of dust mite allergens.

More alarmingly, research has shown that indoor dust is a reservoir for commercial product chemicals with known or suspected health effects — like reproductive and endocrine toxicity. Add in that many commercial cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These compounds are linked to even more adverse health effects of the skin and the respiratory tract. Making a natural DIY dusting spray and using it in your home is a no-brainer when we look at the science.

DIY Dusting Spray Ingredients

The beauty of making your own natural DIY dusting spray is that there are no rigid rules to follow. All you will need is an empty spray bottle — which can be a recycled old one. Reuse and recycle old plastic at any opportunity to save waste but don’t forget to rinse old sprays thoroughly. You will also need the following:

• 1 pint of water
• ½ cup of vinegar 
• 2 tablespoons of either olive, hemp, or coconut oil
• 1/4 cup of liquid castile soap (optional) 
• 20-25 drops of essential oils

You can prepare your vinegar a few weeks before making your DIY dusting spray by pouring it into a jar with your orange and lemon peels instead of discarding them. Allowing them to infuse will eradicate the strong pungent smell of the vinegar. Alternatively, the essential oils will have the same deodorizing effects, so this step is completely optional.

Which Essential Oils To Use?

Research has found the following commonly used oils to be effective, eco-friendly, and biodegradable agents for the control of house dust mites:

• Clove
• Chamomile
• Rosemary
• Eucalyptus

Other essential oils that are ideal for cleaning and dusting include:

• Lemongrass and orange: these are natural cleansers and detoxifiers with a zesty scent that will leave your home freshly fragranced for hours.
• Tea tree: well known for its antimicrobial and antiseptic cleaning properties. It also smells fresh and airy.
• Peppermint and eucalyptus: this combination creates a cool, minty, and refreshing aroma that will clear the airways too.

Making A DIY Dusting Spray

1. Pour the water, vinegar, oil, castile soap and essential oils into your empty spray bottle.
2. Shake well before use to distribute the contents evenly.
3. Test your new DIY dusting spray in an inconspicuous area first.
4. Spray the areas to be dusted and wipe with a dry cloth. 

How often you use your DIY dusting spray will depend on a few factors. Older houses tend to accumulate dust more than new ones and pets in particular, can help generate some more. So will children and a lot of people in the house.

If you live in a dry, dusty area, your home will gather dust much more quickly than in an area where the dust outside is kept at bay by rain. We recommend that you use your dusting spray at least once a week to keep your home and family safe from allergens and dust mites.

Please note: Because this recipe contains oil, don’t use your spray on stainless steel, granite, glass, walls, or unfinished wood. The good news is that the oil content will help keep dust from settling.

Read more:

• Natural Repellents: Use These 7 Essential Oils for Mosquitoes
• Removing Chocolate Stains: 3 Ways to Get Chocolate Out of Clothes
• How to Clean & Disinfect Your Laptop Keyboard

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Tags: Alternatives Cleaning Guide Natural