Lemon Scented Herbs for DIY Home Cleaning

Lemon Scented Herbs for DIY Home Cleaning

I noticed the other day I was getting low on my cleaning supplies, so I got my Lemongrass essential oil out and proceeded to start putting together my shower cleaning spray and making my kitchen counter spray. So funny, but my grandson and I were just talking about how both of us just loved the scent of Lemongrass. “It smells so clean and fresh,” he said. Yes. Exactly. I don’t think we are alone in that thought. The scent of lemons is perfect for use in homemade cleaning supplies. And it got me to thinking, just how many herbs have that lemony smell?

Lemon-scented herbs include Lemon balm, Lemon basil, Lemongrass, Lemon verbena, and Lemon thyme, each with a distinct scent and uses, particularly in cooking, teas, and as fragrant garnishes and yes to freshen the air and add to cleaning products or in homemade beauty supplies. They offer a refreshing, clean, and uplifting aroma and flavor that can be used to enhance dishes from savory marinades for poultry and fish to sweet desserts and teas and smell so yummy in baths, lotions or room sprays because they have mood-lifting and antibacterial properties.

Lemon Balm
• Properties: A perennial in the mint family with rounded, serrated leaves and a gentle lemon scent. It can grow up to 3 feet tall and prefers well-drained soil.
• Uses: Used to make a refreshing tea, infused in milk for desserts, or chopped into salads and other dishes. It is gentle and calming.
Lemon Basil
• Properties: A hybrid basil with a strong lemon flavor and fragrance. It grows as a bushy plant with small leaves.
• Uses: Popular in pesto, used as a garnish, or layered under chicken before grilling. This one adds a bright twist to hair and body care.
Lemongrass
• Properties: A tropical grass with a fresh, grassy, citrusy scent. It can grow very large in tropical climates but can be grown as an annual in cooler areas. It has powerful disinfecting properties.
• Uses: A staple in Southeast Asian cooking (e.g., Thai and Vietnamese) for soups, curries, and marinades. It can also be used in teas or as a structural element in a garden.
Lemon Verbena
• Properties: Known for having one of the most intense lemon scents, with narrow, rough-textured leaves. It lacks the tartness of actual lemons. It is a source of antioxidants.
• Uses: Ideal for making fragrant teas, flavoring drinks and desserts, and can be infused into cream for bases like ice cream or custards. It shines in perfumes and beauty products.
Lemon Thyme
• Properties: A low-growing, woody herb with fine foliage that emits a strong lemon fragrance when touched.
• Uses: An excellent substitute for lemon juice or zest in recipes, works well in marinades for chicken and fish, and can be used in soups, stews, and salads. This herb works well in making soaps.
Other lemon-scented herbs
• Lemon-scented geranium: Also known as Pelargonium crispum, this plant has an intense lemony scent and is used for its fragrance.
• Lemon mint: A type of mint with a lemony aroma that responds well to frequent trimming.

Here’s my take on making lemony scented cleaning products that work well not only to shine but actually clean and disinfect and all for pennies. For supplies, you have to have some clean, empty spray bottles, but after you get those bottles, you will have them a long time and can keep making and refilling them for ages.
This recipe gives you a natural disinfectant that smells fresh and uplifting. The alcohol provides sanitizing power, the herbal tea adds gentle cleansing and fragrance, and the essential oils boost antimicrobial action while leaving a citrusy scent.

Lemon Herb Shower Cleaning Spray
Ingredients
1 cup strong herbal tea (choose lemon thyme, lemon balm, or lemon verbena; steep 2–3 tsp dried herb in hot water for 15 minutes, strain, and cool)

1 cup vodka or rubbing alcohol (70%) (disinfectant and preservative)

20 drops lemongrass essential oil (powerful antibacterial, deodorizing)

12 drops lemon verbena essential oil (fresh, uplifting fragrance)

8 drops lemon thyme essential oil (antimicrobial, cuts soap scum)

Optional: 6 drops lemon balm essential oil (gentle, calming scent)

Spray bottle (glass preferred, 16 oz size)
Instructions
Brew the tea: Steep your chosen lemon herb until strong and aromatic. Strain and let cool completely.

Mix base:
Pour cooled tea into the spray bottle until half full. Add vodka or rubbing alcohol to fill the rest. *You can also add a couple drops of Dawn dishwashing liquid for extra cleaning power.

Add oils: Drop in essential oils. Cap and shake well. *Note, you can just use one essential oil of your choice, and if you do, use about 40 drops of that essential oil.

Shake before each use: Oils and tea may separate slightly, so always shake before spraying.

How to Use
Spray directly onto shower walls, tiles, and glass after use.

Let sit for 5–10 minutes, then rinse or wipe with a cloth.

For daily maintenance, a light mist after showering helps prevent mildew and soap scum.

Store in a cool, dark place.

And here’s a recipe for a homemade kitchen cleaning spray. It’s safe for most kitchen surfaces (counters, sinks, stovetops) and leaves a bright, uplifting fragrance.

Lemon-Herb Kitchen Cleaning Spray
Ingredients
1 cup distilled water (prevents bacteria growth compared to tap water)

½ cup white vinegar (cuts grease, disinfects, deodorizes)

½ cup vodka or rubbing alcohol (70%) (extra disinfectant, helps oils disperse)

½ cup strong lemon-herb tea (choose lemon thyme, lemon balm, or lemon verbena; steep 2–3 tsp dried herb in hot water for 15 minutes, strain, and cool)

10 drops lemongrass essential oil (powerful antibacterial, fresh scent)

6 drops lemon verbena essential oil (luxurious citrus fragrance)

4 drops lemon thyme essential oil (antimicrobial, cuts grease)

Optional: zest from ½ fresh lemon (for extra fragrance)

Spray bottle (glass preferred, 16 oz size)

How to Use
Spray directly onto kitchen counters, sinks, stovetops, and cutting boards.

Wipe with a clean cloth or sponge.

Avoid using on natural stone surfaces (like marble or granite), since vinegar and citrus can etch them.

Store in a cool, dark place.

Tips
For stronger grease-cutting: Increase vinegar to ¾ cup.

For a softer scent: Use lemon balm tea as the base and reduce lemongrass oil.

For extra shine on stainless steel: Add 2 tbsp rubbing alcohol.