The 3-Ingredient DIY Outdoor Cleaning Spray I Use Every Season

Whenever the seasons begin to change, I always feel inspired to spruce up our outdoor spaces. Whether I’m cleaning before adding fall pumpkins, refreshing the patio for spring, or washing away summer dust, this simple outdoor cleaning spray is the recipe I reach for first.

This has been one of our most beloved DIY cleaners for more than 12 years! Readers love it because it is inexpensive, versatile, and works on so many outdoor surfaces. I use it to clean doors, siding, patio furniture, outdoor tables, and other washable surfaces around our home.

DIY Outdoor Cleaning Spray

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Ingredients

1 cup water
1 tablespoon dish soap
1 tablespoon lemon-infused rubbing alcohol (or regular, but the lemon-infused smells so good)
A few drops of an autumn essential oil (optional if you want this to have an autumn scent)
Mushroom funnel (everyone loves this!)
Spray bottle

Instructions

Add the water to your spray bottle.
Pour in the dish soap and lemon-infused rubbing alcohol.
Add a few drops of your favorite autumn essential oil if you want a seasonal scent.
Replace the sprayer and gently swirl the bottle to combine. Avoid shaking vigorously because the dish soap can create too many bubbles.
Spray the cleaner onto the surface, wipe or lightly scrub, and rinse when needed.

You can add a warm autumn essential-oil blend or leave the spray plain. It cleans beautifully either way! If you are making this in spring or summer, you could add in a citrusy essential oil or anything seasonal. This cleaner is so versatile for all seasons.

Why This Simple Cleaner Works

This recipe uses basic cleaning chemistry to tackle everyday outdoor grime. This follows our favorite all-purpose cleaning base used for many surfaces.

The dish soap contains surfactants that help loosen dirt, pollen, greasy residue, and other buildup from washable surfaces. The rubbing alcohol helps cut through grime and allows the solution to dry more quickly. Together, they create a simple multipurpose spray that is especially helpful when you want to clean several different outdoor areas without carrying around multiple products. You only need 1 tbsp of each one with 1 cup of water to make the best ratio for cleaning without residue, but also strong enough to cut through dirt.

Don’t forget this is a cleaner, not a disinfectant. Read our post on cleaning vs disinfecting to learn more.

The essential oil is completely optional. It adds a cozy seasonal scent, but it is not necessary for the cleaning power of the recipe.

Ways to Use This Outdoor Cleaning Spray

Try it when cleaning:

Exterior doors
Washable siding
Plastic or metal patio furniture
Outdoor tables
Porch railings
Planters and flowerpots
Outdoor décor
Mailboxes
Light fixtures
Other washable outdoor surfaces

For stubborn buildup, spray the area and let the solution sit for a minute before wiping it with a damp microfiber cloth or soft cleaning brush.

Make It Smell Like Autumn

If you want your porch to smell extra cozy while you decorate, add a few drops of an autumn essential oil or seasonal essential-oil blend. Apple cider, cinnamon-orange, clove, or a premade fall blend can give the spray a festive touch. I always make these cleaner with a seasonal twist, so feel free to go with a spring scent if you are doing spring cleaning.

A Simple Cleaner for Every Changing Season

This recipe is perfect for fall cleaning and decorating, but it works during any seasonal transition. Use it before putting out pumpkins, refreshing your spring porch, setting up the patio for summer, or packing away outdoor decorations for winter.

It is one of those dependable cleaners I have kept in my routine for years because it makes outdoor cleaning feel much more manageable. One bottle can help you quickly wipe away dust, fingerprints, pollen, and everyday grime so your outdoor space looks fresh and ready for the new season.

👩🏻‍🔬Chemist Mom Tip: Always test the spray on a small, hidden area first whether you are using a DIY cleaner or store-bought solution. Especially when cleaning painted, sealed, or coated surfaces. Never combine this cleaner with bleach or other household cleaning products!! It is formulated specifically for this cleaning purpose with all the ingredients needed.

About Alexis: Alexis Rochester is an investigative chemist, busy mom, and the founder of Chemistry Cachet. Since 2015, she has helped readers understand the science behind safer, more effective cleaning and skincare, while explaining which home hacks actually work and which ones simply aren’t worth the risk. Follow Alexis on Instagram , TikToK and Facebook for more practical cleaning tips, home hacks, and simple skincare.