Is It Safe To Use Essential Oils When DIYing Laminate Floor Cleaner?

Making homemade cleaners is a great way to naturally keep your space free of germs without relying on harsh chemicals. While the components of many DIY floor cleaners, such as rubbing alcohol and vinegar, are effective for getting rid of dirt and germs, they won't leave your home with a fresh, pleasant scent. This can be remedied by adding essential oils to your cleaner, and since they will be heavily diluted by the rest of your solution, they are safe for cleaning your laminate floors.

Though some essential oils have been found to have antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, according to a 2016 research review, and are commonly used in cleaning, they may not be the best choice for every home. Essential oils, including tea tree oil, can be harmful to cats and dogs. Ingesting concentrated oils or getting it on their paws or fur could cause pets to experience negative side effects like vomiting or depression. Though your oils will be diluted, the amount that can be dangerous to pets varies. If you have a curious cat or dog, it may be best to avoid cleaning your floors or other areas pets can reach with essential oils.

Certain essential oils, such as lemon oil, can be hard on plastics and will sometimes melt or corrode them, which is why they're often stored in glass bottles. This is because these oils are extremely concentrated versions of the natural substances they come from; however, these oils will not make up the majority of your floor cleanser. When diluted, essential oils lose some of their potency, which is why they can safely be added to homemade laminate floor cleaners. As long as the floor does not become overly wet, your DIY cleaner should work well and easily revive your dirty laminate floors.

Though you're most likely adding essential oils to give your home a welcoming aroma, they can potentially enhance your cleaner. For example, tea tree and peppermint oils are antifungal and antibacterial, while lemon oil can act as a mild disinfectant, basil oil works wonders against bacteria, and lavender oil is antimicrobial.

When making your homemade floor cleaner, you should only need a few drops of essential oils. Additionally, since laminate flooring can sometimes be harmed when it becomes too wet, you shouldn't have to use a large quantity of your solution. To make your cleaner, try combining 1 cup of white vinegar with 3 cups of water. Add a little dish soap and three to five drops of your chosen oil to your solution and pour it into a spray bottle. This can then be spritzed over your laminate floors and wiped away with a mop, clean rag, or microfiber cloth.

If you're concerned about the water seeping into the floors, you could also create a DIY floor cleaner with equal parts rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, and water, as well as a few drops of your essential oil. Since rubbing alcohol evaporates quickly, it could help your laminate to dry faster after cleaning.