For years, I thought a clean home meant pulling out the strongest disinfectant I could find and wiping out every possible germ in sight. If the label promised to kill 99.9% of bacteria, it went straight into my cart. And when I was done scrubbing, I’d light candles or plug in air fresheners so the house smelled clean too.
The problem? Those “solutions” were leaving behind their own hidden problems—residues, toxic fumes, and headaches I couldn’t explain.
That’s when it clicked. The products I thought were protecting my home were actually the ones causing the issues. I started digging into natural ways to clean—simpler ingredients, DIY swaps, and eventually, essential oils. And what I found was eye-opening: cleaning didn’t need to be complicated or chemical-heavy to actually work.
And let me be honest: living with a pack of dogs and tracking barn dirt through the back door every day meant I still needed my house to smell good, not like wet dog or horse manure. I just needed a way to get there that felt safe.
That’s how I discovered the power of natural cleaning—and essential oils.
Why Natural Cleaning Works
We’ve been conditioned by decades of advertising to believe that “real clean” means spraying, scrubbing, and wiping out germs with strong-smelling chemical products. But the truth is, many conventional cleaning supplies leave behind residues, release toxic fumes, and coat the air we breathe with synthetic fragrance.
Natural cleaning, on the other hand, offers:
- Safer surfaces for kids and pets
- Fewer headaches and asthma triggers (no more harsh fumes!)
- Lower costs—most natural cleaners use pantry staples
- Fresher, natural scents that feel inviting instead of overpowering
A toxin-free home doesn’t require expensive specialty cleaners or complicated routines. You can start with just a handful of safe, affordable ingredients and swap out one product at a time.
The Natural Cleaning Starter Kit
Let’s talk about the basics. Think of this as your starter kit for cleaning—a few basics that cover almost everything.
Castile Soap
-A gentle, plant-based soap that’s effective for dishes, counters, and even floors. I love that it’s non-drying (especially since I’m constantly washing my hands after being with my horses and dogs).
A little goes a long way:
Counters: 1 tbsp per quart of water in a spray bottle
Floors: 2–3 tbsp per gallon of warm water
Hand Soap: 2 tbsp in an 8 oz foaming pump bottle topped with water
Vinegar
Great for cutting grease, dissolving mineral deposits, and shining glass. But skip it on natural stone (granite, marble, travertine, limestone), waxed wood, or certain metals like aluminum. For those, stick with Castile soap and water.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Think of this as your safer bleach alternative. Keep it in the dark bottle it comes in (light breaks it down), pop on a spray top, and use it to freshen sealed grout, sinks, or bathroom surfaces.
Baking Soda
A mild abrasive that works wonders in the bathroom or kitchen. It’s also great for deodorizing carpets, litter boxes, or even trash cans.
These basic ingredients cover almost all your natural cleaning needs.
👉 To make it even easier, I put them into a handy shopping list inside my free Healthy Home Swaps Guide. You’ll also get simple starter recipes and a step-by-step plan for swapping out one product at a time—so you can start right where you are without the overwhelm.
Let’s Talk About Essential Oils
I’m a total “oily” person—I use them for just about everything. Lemon makes the kitchen smell bright, lavender is calming in laundry, pine feels fresh and woodsy.
But here’s the deal: you don’t need essential oils to clean naturally. Vinegar, baking soda, and Castile soap can take you a long way. That said, if you’ve never tried oils, I challenge you to give them a shot—you might be surprised at how much you love them.
One of the easiest swaps I ever made was ditching plug-ins and air fresheners. They don’t actually clean the air—they just mask odors with synthetic fragrance (and for me, they triggered constant headaches). A simple DIY room spray or diffuser blend smells better, lasts longer, and actually freshens the space.
Important: not all essential oils are created equal. Many store-bought brands are diluted or adulterated. Since our whole goal is ditching chemicals, you don’t want to swap one questionable product for another. That’s why I use and recommend only one company I fully trust—I’ve visited the farms, helped with planting, and even watched the distillation process.
👉 Want to try oils for your own cleaning routine? Check out the essential oils I use and trust HERE. By the way, this is an affiliate link—so if you decide to order, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my small business and helping me keep sharing natural living tips!
Natural Cleaning Recipes
Here are a few easy swaps you can try right now:
All-Purpose Kitchen Spray
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
10 drops lemon essential oil (optional)
Bathroom Scrub
½ cup baking soda
Drizzle of Castile soap
5 drops pine or eucalyptus oil (optional)
Laundry Freshener
Use 3–4 wool dryer balls
Add 2–3 drops lavender or orange essential oil to each dryer ball
DIY Natural Room Spray
½ distilled water
½ vodka
10–15 drops essential oil of choice per 2 ounces (lavender is my favorite for the bedroom)
Instructions:
Fill your spray bottle halfway with vodka, add the essential oils, then top it off with water. Shake well each time before spraying.
👉 Want step-by-step instructions (plus more blend ideas)? Click HERE to download my step by step guide to making natural room sprays.
These few swaps are enough to make a real difference, giving you a cleaner, healthier home you can feel good about. Natural cleaning doesn’t have to be overwhelming—just start with one swap at a time. Soap and water before harsh sprays. Vinegar instead of glass cleaner. Dryer balls instead of chemical sheets. And once you’ve got the basics down, you can build a room-by-room system that truly transforms your home into a toxin-free space.
Ready to Go Deeper?
This blog gives you a taste, but if you want to walk through everything step by step—recipes, routines, and a complete room-by-room system—my Healthy Home Swaps Course is for you.
👉 Enroll today for just $17 and create a healthier, better-smelling home, one simple swap at a time.
Because cleaning may always be a chore—but it doesn’t have to come with chemicals, headaches, or worry.
Is it just me, or do the seasons fly by faster every year? One minute it’s summer, and the next, the store aisles are packed with pumpkin spice candles and fall-scented sprays. I totally understand the appeal—who doesn’t love cozy autumn scents? But here’s the thing: most of those candles and air fresheners are made with artificial fragrances that aren’t so great for your health—or your pets.
That’s why I’ve swapped out the synthetics for something better: essential oils. They smell authentic, they’re safe when used properly, and they capture the essence of fall—warm spices, crisp air, and cozy evenings—all without the toxins.
In this post, I’ll share the best essential oils for fall, simple ways to use them, and a few easy recipes so you can fill your home with autumn coziness, naturally.
Why Skip Synthetic Fall Scents?
Fall candles and plug-ins may have names like Pumpkin Harvest or Crisp Leaves, but flip over the label and you’ll usually see “fragrance” as the main ingredient. That one word can hide a cocktail of undisclosed chemicals.
Here’s why it matters:
- Artificial fragrance can contain phthalates and VOCs that may disrupt hormones or irritate the respiratory system.
- They’re a common trigger for headaches, allergies, and asthma. (I used to get headaches just walking past the candle aisle!)
- Pets are especially sensitive to scent. Dogs and cats have far stronger noses than we do, and since they spend most of their time at home, they’re exposed even more. Some experts even call artificial fragrance “the new secondhand smoke.”
The good news? You don’t have to give up fall coziness. Essential oils offer a safe, natural way to enjoy the smells of the season.
The 10 Best Essential Oils for Fall
Here are my go-to oils for creating that cozy autumn atmosphere:
- Cinnamon – Spicy, warm, and instantly reminds you of baking.
- Clove – Rich and bold, perfect for deepening sweet or citrusy blends.
- Nutmeg – Sweet, spicy, and comforting—great in pumpkin spice blends.
- Ginger – Warm, zesty, and invigorating. Adds a kick to blends.
- Cardamom – Exotic, spicy-sweet, and slightly herbal. Great for cozy depth.
- Orange – Bright, cheerful, and balances heavy spices beautifully.
- Vanilla (Oleoresin) – Sweet, cozy, and grounding. Perfect for gourmand, bakery-style blends.
- Cedarwood – Woody, grounding, and comforting—like a walk in the woods.
- Copaiba – Gentle, warm, and slightly sweet. Softens spicier oils.
- Bergamot – Fresh, citrusy with a hint of floral. Adds a crisp autumn “air” feel.
- Pine– Crisp, sharp, and fresh. Brings that “just stepped outside” forest scent indoors.
- Spruce – Softer than pine, clean and uplifting, with grounding undertones.
- Fir (Douglas or Balsam) – Rich evergreen aroma. Perfect for late-fall blends that lean into winter.
Quick Blend Tip: Want that classic pumpkin spice aroma? Combine Cinnamon, Clove, Nutmeg, and a touch of Vanilla. Prefer something fresher? Try Cedarwood, Bergamot, and Orange for a crisp outdoorsy vibe.
Simple Ways to Use Essential Oils for Fall Scents
You don’t need fancy equipment to make your home smell like autumn. Here are some of the easiest (and safest) methods:
Diffuser Blends
One of the easiest and safest ways to make your home smell like fall is with a diffuser. Just add 4–6 drops of essential oil (or follow your diffuser’s instructions), fill with water, and let the cool mist gently scent the room. Unlike candles or plug-ins, diffusers don’t release harmful chemicals—they simply disperse tiny oil particles into the air, giving you a natural, long-lasting aroma.
I love diffusers because they’re effortless, safe to use around the family, and one of the best ways to enjoy essential oils as an all-natural air freshener.
👉 Curious about choosing the right diffuser? Check out my full guide HERE.
👉 Wondering about safe diffusing around pets? I’ve got you covered in a dedicated blog HERE.
👉 Wondering about safe diffusing around pets? I’ve got you covered in a dedicated blog HERE.
DIY Room Spray
Room sprays are one of the quickest ways to refresh a space. Just add 10–20 drops of essential oils to a 2 oz spray bottle, fill halfway with vodka, then top off with distilled water. Shake well before each use, and spritz on curtains, pillows, or into the air for an instant burst of natural fragrance. It’s like having an on-demand air freshener—without the harsh chemicals hiding in store-bought sprays.
Cotton Balls or Clothespins
Add a few drops of essential oil to a cotton ball and tuck it into drawers, cabinets, or even your car for a subtle fragrance boost. You can also place a scented clothespin in an out-of-sight spot, or add a few drops directly to your home’s air filter for an easy, whole-house refresh.
Simmer Pot
If you want your whole kitchen to smell like fall baking, a simmer pot is a simple solution. Fill a saucepan with water, toss in orange peels or apple slices, add a cinnamon stick, and then a drop or two of essential oils like clove or nutmeg. Let it gently simmer on the stove, and the scent will fill your home in minutes. Bonus: it adds a little humidity to the air, which is especially welcome as the weather turns cooler.
DIY Holiday And Fall Sachets
Add a few drops of essential oils to dried herbs, pinecones, or even Epsom salts, then place them in a small jar or decorative bowl for a simple, natural sachet. Refresh with more drops whenever the scent fades. For an easy DIY twist, you can also mix oils with baking soda, tuck it into a coffee filter, and tie it up with ribbon.
👉 For step-by-step instructions and more ideas for easily using essential oils as natural air fresheners, visit my blog HERE.
Fall Essential Oil Diffuser Recipes
Here are a few easy blends to make your home smell like autumn:
Pumpkin Spice Latte
2 drops Cinnamon
2 drops Clove
2 drops Nutmeg
Warm, spicy, and perfect for cozy nights.
Christmas Tree Blend
2 drops Pine
2 drops Spruce
2 drops Fir
Fresh, crisp, and woodsy—just like bringing a real Christmas tree into your home.
Autumn Woods
3 drops Cedarwood
2 drops Bergamot
1 drop Spruce
Fresh, woody, and grounding—like a walk through fallen leaves.
Spiced Orange Glow
3 drops Orange
2 drops Cinnamon
1 drop Vanilla
Bright, spicy, and sweet—perfect for daytime.
Cozy Chai
2 drops Cardamom
1 drop Ginger
1 drop Nutmeg
2 drops Cinnamon
Warm and invigorating with a little spice kick.
Fireside Comfort
3 drops Cedarwood
2 drops Copaiba
1 drop Vetiver (adds that smokey vibe)
Smells like curling up with a blanket by the fire.
A Note on Quality
Of course, the results you get depend on the quality of the essential oils you use. This is something I care deeply about, because not all oils are created equally. The bottles you see in grocery stores or discount aisles are often diluted, adulterated, or labeled vaguely as “fragrance.” That means you won’t get the same benefits—and in many cases, you may actually be exposing yourself (and your pets) to hidden chemicals protected as trade secrets.
That’s why I’m so passionate about knowing exactly where my oils come from. For me, it wasn’t enough to just read a label—I wanted to see the process with my own eyes. I’ve visited the farms, helped with planting and distilling, and witnessed the transparency behind the process. This “seed to seal” commitment gives me confidence that what I’m using is 100% pure essential oil—no fillers, no synthetics, nothing hidden.
It’s the kind of quality you simply won’t find in stores, and it’s the reason I feel comfortable using these essential oils in my home, with my animals, and in the recipes I share with you.
Fall is such a cozy season—the crisp air, the changing leaves, and the comfort of home. But you don’t need to rely on synthetic candles or sprays to enjoy those nostalgic autumn scents. With essential oils, you can create a naturally fragrant home that feels warm, welcoming, and safe for the whole family—including your pets.
Whether you’re in the mood for spicy pumpkin vibes, fresh outdoor woods, or comforting vanilla sweetness, there’s an essential oil blend to match. So grab your oils, your diffuser (or just a spray bottle), and fill your home with the best smells of fall—naturally.
