DIY Natural Counter Spray: 4 Easy Homemade Recipes

A little cooking can cause a bit of a mess. You will have crumbs from your breakfast, splattered oil from your frying pan, watermarks around your sink, and sticky spots. These can leave your kitchen worktop looking filthy. You can easily make an all-purpose counter spray to clean. However, you should know which ingredients will be safe to use on your worktop.

What is a DIY Natural Counter Spray?

A DIY Natural Counter Spray is a natural kitchen cleaner spray that can be made using simple ingredients you likely have in your home. Usually, it will contain water, gentle washing detergent, vinegar, or just a few drops of essential oils. Mixes can be created based on what you are cleaning and the surface you are cleaning.

Why Do Kitchen Counters Need Regular Cleaning?

There are so many things that can land on your kitchen counters throughout the day. Whether you’re making breakfast, cooking, or making snacks/meal times, there will be crumbs, oil splatters, and sticky patches. Even a little spill can cause a stain if left for too long. Regularly cleaning these surfaces will help keep your food preparation area tidy by removing daily grime.

1. Avoiding Permanent Stains

If you leave spills from coffee, sauces, turmeric, and fruit juices for too long, they can cause a stain. Wiping them up will help avoid difficult-to-remove stains.

2. Pest Control

Crumbs, sugary mess, and sticky areas can attract ants and flies. Wiping your worktops will remove any food sources and will make your kitchen less attractive.

3. Daily Kitchen Crumbs & Spills

Chopping vegetables, sandwich making, and snack making can leave a crumbly mess. Wiping up after each task will stop everyday mess from building up.

4. Cleaning Grease & Oil from Cooking

When cooking, there can be a thin layer of oil left on the hob. Using the right kitchen cleaning spray will help break down the oil.

How to Make DIY Natural Counter Spray at Home?

There are a few simple ingredients you can use to create your own cleaning products. Choose one of the recipes below depending on the type of worktop you have:

Recipe 1 – DIY Fresh Lemon Surface Spray

Ingredients For DIY Lemon Essential Oil Kitchen Counter Cleaner

1/3 cup isopropyl alcohol
1/2 teaspoon mild dish soap
10–20 drops of lemon essential oil
Approximately 3 cups water
1 spray bottle (28-ounce capacity)

Directions To Make DIY Lemon Essential Oil Kitchen Counter Cleaner

Begin by filling the Spray Bottle (28oz) with nothing
Add 1/3 cup of isopropyl alcohol
Add 1/2 tsp of mild dish soap
Add 10-20 drops of Lemon Essential Oil
Fill the bottle with 3 cups of water. Do not overfill
Screw the nozzle into the bottle. Gently shake
Spritz a little onto a suitable surface on your diy countertop cleaner and wipe using a clean cloth

Important Safety Tip: Isopropyl Alcohol is flammable, so ensure there are no open flames or heat sources nearby. Test on a small area where it will not be obvious.

Recipe 2 – DIY Homemade All-Purpose Surface Spray

Ingredients For DIY Homemade All-Purpose Surface Spray

1 mason jar (approximately 16 oz)
1–2 cups citrus peels (lemon, orange, or grapefruit)
1 cup white vinegar (240 ml)
1 cup water (240 ml) for dilution
1 clean spray bottle (approximately 16 oz)
5–10 drops of sweet orange essential oil

Directions To Make DIY Homemade All-Purpose Surface Spray

Wash citrus peels and pat dry. Place in a mason jar and cover with white vinegar.
Cover citrus peels with white vinegar.
Seal the jar with the correct lid and leave it to infuse for 1-2 weeks in a cool, dark place.
Sieve through a fine sieve.
Mix with 1 Cup of Water and a few drops (5-10 Drops) of sweet orange essential oil.
Pour into a clean Spray Bottle. Label and spritz onto appropriate surfaces with a soft cloth.

Important Safety Tip: Do not use on natural stone surfaces. The vinegar is acidic and can be damaging to marble, limestone, and some other types of stone.

Recipe 3 – DIY Baking Soda Counter-Cleaning Solution

Ingredients For DIY Baking Soda Counter-Cleaning Solution

2 tablespoons baking soda
2 cups warm water
1 teaspoon dish soap
10 drops of tea tree oil
1 spray bottle (at least 16 oz)
Cleaning cloth

Directions To Make DIY Baking Soda Counter-Cleaning Solution

In a clean container, add the measured warm water
Add the baking soda. Stir well to fully dissolve
Stir in the washing-up liquid. Mix gently
Add the essential oil. Add 10 drops of Tea Tree Oil. Stir gently
Transfer to a clean Spray Bottle. You may need to use a mini funnel
Shake and spray a small amount onto a suitable area of your countertop. Spread using a soft cloth.
Wipe with a damp cloth. Dry with a clean towel

Important Safety Tip: Baking soda can cause buildup and may scratch some delicate surfaces. To test, first apply to an area out of sight. Do not use it on surfaces that are likely to get scratched.

Recipe 4 – DIY Unscented Daily Counter Spray

Ingredients For DIY Unscented Daily Counter Spray

1 cup distilled water
1/2 cup white distilled vinegar
1 teaspoon unscented liquid Castile soap

Directions To Make DIY Unscented Daily Counter Spray

Mix together the distilled water and vinegar into a clean Spray Bottle
Add the liquid soap
Add 1 tsp of the unscented liquid Castile soap
Close the lid and gently swish
Spray onto a suitable area. Wipe with a soft cloth. Rinse if there is any excess soap

Important Safety Tip: As vinegar can react with Castile soap, this reaction will affect the cleanser's effectiveness. The mixture can separate and cause buildup. Therefore, don’t make too much. Test first. Do not use on natural stone surfaces.

Essential Oil Blend Variations

There are many variations you can use to scent your natural countertop spray cleaner. Try these different blends with a suitable recipe for your worktop.

Blend Type	Essential Oils	Best Use
Citrus Fresh	Lemon + Grapefruit + Lime	Fresh kitchen fragrance and everyday cleaning
Herbaceous Clean	Rosemary + Thyme + Lemon	Herbal aroma for general cleaning routines
Woodsy Cleansing	Pine + Cedarwood + Sweet Orange	Warm, woody fragrance for kitchen freshness

Benefits Of Using DIY Natural Counter Spray

As you are making your own cleaner, you can control what you put in. Here are a few reasons to try:

1. Budget-Friendly Cleaning

Most of the ingredients used in these recipes are cheap and easily found in your home. Buying in bulk will help you save money while keeping your worktops clean.

2. Easy to Make & Use At Home

All of these recipes are easy to make, as they use simple ingredients. Keep the cleaner on hand to easily clean up after cooking.

3. Helps Remove Everyday Dirt & Grease

Using a suitable homemade kitchen counter disinfectant cleaner will help to dissolve light grime, splashes of food, and residue. Wiping will help remove daily grime.

4. Customisable Ingredients

You can choose to scent the cleaner, or you can choose not to include any essential oils. Choose a simpler recipe.

5. Reduces Store-Bought Cleaner Use

As you are making your own, you may not use as many store-bought all-natural cleaners. You can also reuse your Spray Bottle to reduce waste.

Tips For Better Use Of DIY Counter Spray

Here are some tips to help you use your spray effectively.

Always Use Dark Glass Bottles: Make sure to use amber or dark glass jars to store your essential oil blend. Keep out of direct sunlight.
Shake Well Before Every Spray : Always shake well before use as it is a homemade kitchen cleaner, it can separate. Make sure to shake well.
Store Away from Heat: Store your cleaner in a cool location. Keep out of direct sunlight and cooking equipment/flames.
Spot Test New Surfaces: Spray a small amount onto a hidden area to ensure it does not cause any discoloration, loss of shine, or damage.
Use a Microfiber Cloth: Wipe with a clean microfiber cloth to lift any loose grime.
Be careful When Using Essential Oils : Only use the recommended number of drops. Don’t allow the mixture to touch your skin or eyes. Keep out of reach of children and pets.
Ensure It Is suitable For Your Surface : Always check the manufacturer's guidelines for your worktop. Some surfaces may not like vinegar, alcohol, baking soda, or anything scented.

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Making Counter Spray

While these products are easy to make, it is easy to make mistakes with the recipe.

1. Adding Too Much Dish Soap

Too much soap can cause a sticky residue on your worktops. It can also cause more mess to stick to your worktops. You will need to rinse.

2. Using Too Much Essential Oil

Adding more drops won’t make the product clean better. It can cause residue and irritation.

3. Assuming One Formula Works on Every Countertop

Vinegar, alcohol, and baking soda can affect some surfaces. Always check the care instructions.

4. Making Too Much at Once That Goes Unused

Make small amounts. As they don’t contain preservatives, they can become contaminated.

5. Expecting a Basic Cleaner to Kill Germs or Remove Tough Stains

A homemade spray is meant for routine cleaning, not guaranteed disinfection or deep stain removal.

Conclusion

A quick and easy way to keep your kitchen clean is to make your own cleaning products. This allows you to tailor the ingredients around your countertop type, scent preference, and cleaning requirements. As this is a non-toxic all-purpose cleaner, do it a little at a time. When making any natural cleaner for your kitchen, you should always spot test on a concealed area of the surface to ensure there is no damage or discoloration. Natural ingredients will not always kill germs, so if you require a proper disinfectant, be sure to use an approved one.