Ever heard of Thieves Cleaner and thought, “Is this just another essential oil fad?” Well, you’re not alone. But here’s the deal — this stuff isn’t just a pretty-smelling blend of oils; it’s actually a powerhouse for cleaning around the house. Imagine tackling greasy counters, sticky spills, and even bathroom grime, all while enjoying a warm, spicy scent. Sounds pretty magical, right?
So, what exactly makes Thieves Cleaner special? It’s made from a mix of essential oils like clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary. Each of these oils has natural antibacterial properties, which makes the blend surprisingly effective at cleaning — and even more interesting, it smells amazing while doing it.
Does Thieves Cleaner Kill Viruses?
Here’s the million-dollar question: can Thieves Cleaner really kill viruses? Well, it depends. The essential oils in Thieves — like clove and eucalyptus — have natural antimicrobial properties, meaning they can fight certain germs and bacteria. But here’s the catch: while it can help reduce some microbes on surfaces, it isn’t a hospital-grade disinfectant, so don’t rely on it for serious viral threats like COVID-19 or the flu.
Think of it this way: it’s amazing for your everyday household messes and general cleaning, but if you need to sanitize after someone’s been sick, you’ll still want a stronger disinfectant.
Can You Make Thieves Cleaner with Thieves Oil + DIY Thieves Spray with Alcohol
So you’re probably wondering: “Can I just grab some Thieves essential oil and whip up my own cleaner?” The short answer: absolutely. The long answer: yes, but there’s a little method to it if you want it to actually work and not just smell nice.
Here’s a simple DIY formula for a Thieves spray with alcohol:
- 2 cups of water
- ¼ cup of isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher)
- 20–25 drops of Thieves essential oil
Mix it in a spray bottle, shake well, and voilà! You’ve got a natural cleaner that smells amazing and can tackle your everyday surfaces. The alcohol boosts its disinfecting power, while the Thieves oils give it that signature warm, spicy scent and some natural antimicrobial support.
Pro tip: Shake the bottle before each use because the oils and water don’t naturally mix. And don’t be shy — a few extra drops of Thieves oil will make your home smell like a cozy spice market.
Thieves Cleaner Dupe
Can’t get your hands on the official Thieves Cleaner or want a cheaper option? No worries — a Thieves Cleaner dupe is totally doable. All you need is water, mild liquid soap (like Castile), and a healthy dose of Thieves essential oil. Use the same 2–3% ratio of oil to water/soap mixture and you’ve got a nearly identical cleaner that’s budget-friendly and just as aromatic.
Thieves Cleaner Ratio + Young Living Thieves Cleaner + Dilution Chart
If you’ve ever stared at your Thieves oil bottle and thought, “How much of this do I actually use?” — you’re not alone. Using too little, and it won’t clean effectively. Using too much, and you’re wasting precious oil (and your wallet might cry a little).
Thieves Cleaner Ratio
A safe, effective Thieves Cleaner ratio for general household cleaning is usually:
- 1 teaspoon of Thieves essential oil per 1 cup of water (or adjust proportionally for larger batches).
- For tougher cleaning, like greasy counters or bathroom surfaces, you can increase it slightly to 1.5–2 teaspoons per cup.
This keeps your spray potent enough to clean and smell amazing without being overpowering.
Young Living Thieves Cleaner
If you’re using Young Living Thieves Cleaner, it’s basically a pre-mixed, ready-to-go version of what we’ve been making. You can dilute it according to the instructions for different surfaces: counters, floors, or even windows. The beauty is you get the same antimicrobial oils, but in a safe, measured formula.
Thieves Cleaner Dilution Chart
Here’s a quick guide to mixing your own Thieves cleaner for different tasks:
| Task | Water | Thieves Oil | Alcohol (optional) | Notes |
| Light surface cleaning | 1 cup | 1 tsp | – | Everyday counters, tables |
| Heavy-duty cleaning | 1 cup | 1.5–2 tsp | – | Greasy kitchen, bathroom |
| Disinfecting spray | 1 cup | 1 tsp | ¼ cup | Alcohol boosts disinfecting power |
| Large batch (1 gallon) | 16 cups | 16–32 tsp | 1–2 cups | Floors, walls, large surfaces |
This chart makes it super easy to scale up or down without guessing.
Thieves Cleaner — Where to Buy + Keeping Your DIY Bottles Fresh
So, you’ve got your recipes, ratios, and DIY hacks down. But maybe you’re thinking, “Wait, where can I actually buy Thieves Cleaner if I want the ready-made version?”
Thieves Cleaner Where to Buy
The easiest way is direct from Young Living — they sell the official Thieves Cleaner online and through distributors. You can also find it on some trusted wellness retailers, but watch out for fakes or unauthorized sellers. If you love convenience, the pre-mixed bottle saves you time, but honestly, after making your DIY version, you might never look back!
Keeping Your DIY Thieves Cleaner Fresh
Here’s the deal: essential oils are awesome, but they do lose potency over time. To keep your homemade Thieves Cleaner effective:
- Store in dark glass bottles — sunlight can degrade the oils.
- Shake before each use — the oils naturally separate from water.
- Use within 1–2 months — this ensures maximum cleaning power and scent.
- Optional: add a teaspoon of alcohol to longer-term batches. It acts as a natural preservative.
With these simple tricks, your DIY cleaner will stay fragrant, effective, and ready to tackle spills, germs, and grime whenever you need it.
FAQs
How do you make Thieves cleaning solution?
Mix 1 cup of water, 1 teaspoon of Thieves essential oil, and optionally ¼ cup of alcohol for disinfecting. Shake well and use as a natural household cleaner.
What are the ingredients in Thieves cleaner?
Thieves Cleaner contains essential oils like clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary, often combined with water, mild soap, and sometimes alcohol for disinfecting.
How to make your own Thieves blend?
Combine clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary oils in a small bottle. Use a few drops per cup of water for cleaning or add to diffusers for aromatic purposes.
What is a good alternative to Thieves cleaner?
A simple DIY substitute is Castile soap + water + Thieves essential oil or a mix of vinegar, water, and a few drops of essential oil. It’s budget-friendly and smells great.
Wrapping It Up
So there you have it — everything you need to know about making, using, and storing Thieves Cleaner. From DIY sprays with alcohol, to Thieves cleaner dupes, ratios, and dilution charts, you’re now armed with natural cleaning power that smells amazing and works wonders.
Imagine this: your kitchen counters, bathroom surfaces, and even your living room smelling like a cozy spice market, all while avoiding harsh chemicals. Pretty satisfying, right?
Now go ahead, mix up your favorite recipe, and enjoy cleaning the fun, fragrant, and totally natural way.

