Homemade Lice Spray (DIY Prevention & Treatment for Hair, Bedding & Furniture)
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Lice outbreaks can happen fast—and once they do, they’re a huge hassle to deal with. From washing endless loads of laundry to cleaning furniture and combing through hair, it’s something everyone would rather avoid altogether.
This DIY lice spray is a simple, natural way to help protect your family and make lice easier to deal with if they show up. You can use this homemade lice spray on hair for daily prevention, and also on bedding, furniture, and other surfaces where lice can linger.
Unlike conventional treatments that rely on harsh chemicals, this spray uses essential oils that have been studied for their ability to repel—and even kill—lice.
Whether you’re trying to prevent lice from showing up in the first place or get rid of them, this easy spray can be a helpful part of your natural lice care routine.
Dealing with lice is not fun as you need to:
- wash EVERYTHING in your home
- comb painstakingly through your affected hair with a fine–toothed comb (you‘ll likely lose a lot of hair in the process)
- wash and/or freeze all bed linens, stuffed animals, helmets, etc., and
- vacuum and possibly deep clean carpets and furniture
No thanks!
Some people even recommend using Bleach and Lysol! Not the best things to apply directly to the skin.
Prevention is definitely the best plan of action when it comes to lice.
You could go around and just be nervous about lice all the time, but when you have something as natural as essential oils that can do the job for you, and they smell good too, why not use them?
We homeschool, so the lice threat is not as big of a problem for us, but we are not immune.
You can use this spray as part of your natural lice treatment plan, but again, using it regularly to prevent lice in the first place is the best option.
How to Use DIY Lice Spray (Hair, Furniture, and Bedding)
This DIY lice spray can be used both on hair and around your home to help prevent lice and reduce the chance of spreading.
For Hair
Lightly spray onto hair, focusing on the scalp and behind the ears. Use daily during high-risk times, such as school outbreaks or camps.
For Furniture and Bedding
You can also use this homemade lice spray on couches, mattresses, pillows, stuffed animals, and even car seats. Lightly mist surfaces and allow them to dry completely before use.
For Prevention vs Treatment
Use daily as a lice prevention spray, or more frequently as part of a lice treatment routine alongside combing and cleaning.
Best Essential Oils for Lice (What Actually Works)
- Tea Tree Oil
- Lavender Oil
- Anise Oil
- Ylang Ylang Oil
Some say that these essential oils work to prevent lice because they mask the human scent that lice are attracted to.
Essential oils are also rich in what are called monoterpenes, chemical compounds with various beneficial characteristics, including, in the case of tea tree oil, insecticidal properties. In fact, the two main constituents of tea tree oil, 1,8-cineole and terpinen-4-ol, have demonstrated anticholinesterase activity.
Cholinesterase (ko-li-nes-ter-ace) is one of the many enzymes needed for the proper functioning of the nervous systems of insects (as well as humans and other vertebrates), so when you use these small amounts of oils on small insects, they take action on their nervous system and kill them.
And, there is real evidence that these oils do kill lice.
Does DIY Lice Spray Really Work?
#1: Tea Tree Oil: At 1% concentration, tea tree oil killed 100% of head lice after 30 minutes.
#2: Lavender and Tea Tree Oils: 97.6% of lice were dead using these essential oils, compared to only 25% from using chemical treatments.
#3: Anise and Ylang Ylang Oils: demonstrated 92% success rate against head lice.
Other essential oils that are somewhat effective against lice are:
However, there are limitations in the studies done on those oils, so they might not be very effective.
The tea tree and lavender plus tea tree options are the most effective, plus they use oils that you are more likely to have around the house. Given that the lavender blend smells better, that is likely the one most people would prefer using.
Tea Tree Oil Safety
For children under 10 years, use only a 1% dilution rate to a 2% dilution rate of tea tree oil, and for children 2+, this oil should only be used “as needed”.
For adults, do not use above a 5% dilution rate.
DIY Lice Spray (Homemade Prevention & Treatment Spray)
Ingredients
Tea Tree Version
- 1 ounce water (preferably filtered – see How to Make Your Water Safe)
- 1.1 ounce vodka
- 12-20 drops tea tree oil
- 1 Spray Bottle (this kind of plastic spray bottle is likely a good option as well)
Tea Tree and Lavender Version
- 2 ounces water (preferably filtered)
- 2 ounces vodka
- 10 drops tea tree oil
- 6 drops lavender oil (either Hungarian or Bulgarian)
Instructions
- Blend the ingredients in a spray bottle. Lightly spray onto hair, or mist onto bedding, furniture, and other surfaces as needed.
Notes
Don't feel like DIYing Your Own Lice Prevention Spray?
If you just don't have time to make this spray, this lice prevention spray from Poofy Organics is a natural option that has great reviews, and the company has a great lice shampoo too. Code WNM gets 10% off your first order.
Here's one great testimonial:
I trust the stuff! My daughter's BFF got head lice this past fall. She had stayed the night like a week prior to me finding out. I freaked out, maybe a little too much! So I sprayed her down before school, and made her wash her hair everyday with the lice prevention shampoo. Plus I had her rinse with ACV. Needless to say no lice. We continued to use this through the fall. I really like the smell too!
Either way, I hope this helps you keep the buggers away.
Have you had lice?
What did you do to get rid of them?
Photo Credit: Naomi Huzovicova
Do you have to spray it on furniture?
I don’t know but I think I have heard that the lice get on furniture as well – please check in a hidden area before using it on the whole piece.
Water to tea tree oil ratio for furniture/carpet spray??
I’m not thinking it would be different b/c you are trying to achieve the same purpose but please be careful spraying oils on furniture and make sure it isn’t affecting the fabric.
Do I need to spray the furniture and bed daily?
Oil and water do not mix. Should I add alcohol to the mixture?
Thanks, B
Hi Barbie. I don’t know about the daily spraying – I didn’t look into a method for furniture, but spraying like this is fine if it’s not on skin — you don’t need an emulsifier.
I would say just shake shake shake before and during.
Newby, I am so excited I found y’all…I am not a kid in fact I’m a G-Ma. I believe I have some of those hardy creatures, but live by myself..so I will be doing these remedies…thank you! So much for being here!
You are so welcome – and WELCOME!
Tea tree oil does the trick… Just mix sels n blue shampoi about a half bottle then use 1/4 bottle coconut conditioner and about 10-14 drops of tea tree oil shake well and coat hair with mixture leave on hair for about 2 hrs rince and comb thru with a lice comb u can get them @ sallys beauty store or even Walmart. .. This is the beat stuff ever thx and hioe this helps goodluck
Is there a reason for the coconut conditioner and do you mean coconut oil? Thanks!
My grandma thinks spraying viniager is going to help but it stinks like really and I cannot use tea tree oil b/c I am allergic to it. I do not want to by lavender oil and essencial oils. Please reply as soon as possible!
Please before she comes back.
Not sure what you want to know. Please clarify.
Vinegar is good for getting the eggs out.. It breaks down the glue that holds the eggs in place making it easier to comb out the eggs.
I found eucalyptus oil was better as it helps dissolve the gum the nits use to attach to the hair
My recipe was
Water
White vinegar
Eucalyptus oil
Lavender oil
Sweet orange oil
Shake well and spray
(One person commented on the vinegar being smelly but with this mix it doesn’t, especially once the hair is dry
I’ve had people comment on how lovely my kids hair smells and also the shine
(The vinegar balances the ph levels I’ve been told)
Hope this helps ?
What’s the exact measurements for your solution ?
I, too, am wondering how much of each ‘ingredient’ you used. Thanks! 🙂
Can I use this on furniture and fabrics?
I think so but be careful to test on a hidden area first to make sure it doesn’t damage the fabric.
Hi all, thought i would leave a tip of my own for you all.
My home has myself my husband my 6 year old and my 3 years old…… My 6 year old brought lice home a little over a month ago and none of the store bought stuff worked, i combed through like a crazy lady and washed everything in my house… Im OCD so i mean everything! weeks later and we were still scratching like dogs… I went to sally beauty as a plan z to bleach our hair and dye back natural and they told me tea tree oil mixed in with all shampoos and conditioners and use daily for 3 weeks, well after 4 days they are gone but i did some stuff on my own…. so in a 5 oz spray bottle i did 4/5 water 1/5 white vinegar and about 1/4 of a small bottle of tea tree oil… mixed in a teaspoon of peppermint extract and whala all the lice and nits are gone after 3 days! So on top of getting rid of all lice on all 4 of us in just 3 days to also have a very soothing cooling sensation on the scale and after scratching like crazy for weeks this is amazing, and it smells great too! Im gonna add it in as a spritz on everyday before styling to prevent another infestation and i can use it as a natural bug repellent for summer as well for things like mosquitoes and bees… ha! bugs i figured you out!!! yay!! so maybe this will help someone else, good luck!
I tried this mixture. It works great.
That sounds like a great im going to mix the original msg also….but using your mix as a summer bug spray just sounds delightful!!!! Thanks so much for sharing!
So peppermint extract for cooking, and not theraputic grade peppermint essential oil?
You need to get professional comb-outs done. No chemicals needed. Find a lice lady – it’s worth the money.
What do you use on children under 6? Just the lavender?
Yes. Hope it works. If not, please let me know and perhaps we can figure something else out.
Apple cider vinegar. Sit for two hours then wash and comb out.
I’ve been battling lice for almost 1 year. Stopped using over the counter because of the toxins. Tried tea tree oil, health food store shampoo, clear lice over the internet, ocean “salt water” blow dryers, mayonnaise, hair gel,Vaseline, you’ve read it, I’ve tried it. I’m so frustrated that I’m actually thinking about shaving my head like a man! Help, I’m desperate
Ugh! Maybe try this? Terrible!!!!
Where do you live? We went into a place that took care of it. It was called MN lice lady but they have places all over. Google lice treatment and where you live.
Likewise. 🙁 It’s so stressful, time consuming, and upsetting.
Put coconut oil generously all in your hair wrap it in plastic blow dry it remove plastic use but pic through hair in small sections blow dry more comb more apply another application of coconut oil wrap it and sleep in it or leave it in for a min 2 hours you also need to boil all hair stuff combs brushes clips bobby pins you name it boil it spray entire house with apple cider vinegar salt and menthol vacuum spray again. Cocunut oil is your best option for it all.
Call your Dr office, there is a prescription treatment that is called Natroba. Kills the lice and eggs in one application.
This is true. But not all of us want to put killer chemicals on our children and ourselves that leaves thru the scalp into the body. Also this pesky cootys are getting a lot stronger and resistant to the drugs. One more thing if you won’t eat chemicals, why put them on your head? As for my family the next time yes I know it will happen again, we will go natural. That’s if the daily spray can’t keep cootys from jumping. Lolto each his own tho, I choose NO POISON THO.
We’ve recently dealt with headlice. Our doctor told us there are several not responding to over the counter shampoos right now. He suggested applying olive oil all over your hair, put a shower cap over it, and sleep in it. Wash it out the next morning. The olive oil is supposed to suffocate them. If that doesn’t work, I would call and get the prescription shampoo. Make sure you are cleaning your house thoroughly, but also your car seats and work chair or anywhere that you’re hair can shed off to. I would also look into the environments and people around you….we went for a month lice free and then they showed back up, so looking into school, dance, and any othe activities and people the kids have contact with. Hope this helps and you find a remedy!
Have you tried Lice Freee spray?
Are you combing your hair out? You need to comb it twice a day with a lice comb. Where I live there is a company that can do house calls and do it for you. I hope By now you have it under control but I thought and see if this helps.
Neem oil !!
Coconut oil – mix in these essential oils
Tea tree oil
Rosemary oil
Lavender oil
Peppermint or spearmint oil
Whip it together and apply to scalp, work in liberally. Let it stay on at least 30 mins then shampoo out. Comb through hair with lice comb.
Then mix up this spray and use it everyday. Use lice comb to comb through hair every day until you are nit free for two days.
You can add a few drops of those oils to your regular shampoo and use the spray every day to try to prevent a reoccurrence
Tea tree oil is best for killing lice. You can google it and find directions in mixing it in with shampoos and conditioners for detering lice. Also, Listerine. IT works! It has alcohol in it to smother them out. My daughter had a ton of lice and nits a few days back. Heres what you do. Go buy the walmart brand brown listerine and apply it to dry hair. I use a spray bottle. Soak the hair maaking sure you get the scalp aswell. Then put the hair in a bun. Place a shower cap over the head. Ive read people leaving in over night and 30 min up to 3 hrs. I’ld leave in atleast an hr. Then wash the hair out. Afterwards, apply lots of conditioner and comb through sections following the contour of the head for dead lice and nits near the scalp.
I put this in my daughters hair and after 15 minutes saw way too many nits, so i went to shampooing, then conditioned. Most were dead. Any live ones, i placed in listerine and within 5 min….DEAD! It works, but the key is to comb with lots and lots of conditioner to easily get the nits out. Goodluck!
Any oil left on for 20 minutes will kill the lice but will not kill the eggs you need to repeat the treatment every 5 days when the eggs hatch you can kill the lice again it’ll take at least three five-day methods to get all the hatched eggs killed
Mayonnaise works! Buy the cheapest brand but do NOT get fat free or low fat mayo. Has to have all fat in it. Or use any cooking oil. I have used mayo on everybody I know and has always worked! Leave it on over night. Do NOT short cut it! It smothers them! Then use enough vinegar to moisten up the mayo. Again cheapest works here too. Then shampoo it out whether with dawn or shampoo. Doesn’t matter. Then get a good thick conditioner and coat your hair liberally. Rinse it out. If hair still feels like straw, condition some more but leave conditioner in for a bit longer. Make sure you get all eggs/nits out of your hair tho. That is key! Have the lice furniture spray on hand and spray your furniture, carpets and car down while mayo/oil sitting on your head. Get rid of hair ties, head band, brushes, combs etc and get new ones or place in a zip lock bag zipped and taped shut so no air gets into it and let set for at least a week before using again. Do use tea tree oil in shampoo and conditioner that you use regularly as preventative measures in future. Best of luck on getting rid of them!
Why no on the tea tree?
Haven’t done the tea tree oil myself. Just recommended what has worked for me. I AM going to try the lavender oil on my 20 mon old tho! Just recently found lice in her hair and was hesitant on doing the mayo/vinegar treatment on her. Found E. Europe lavendar so hope it works! At minimal…it Will help her sleep!
I am not against using the tea tree oil at all! Knew it worked as a preventative, didn’t know it killed them! SOOO glad that I found this article tho for future reference since I HATE using chemicals for some things! Like chest congestion…I drink 3-5 cups of bigelow’s lemon ginger tea a day for 3-5 days, even for bronchitis. It has worked for me and others who have used it. I have recommended it for pneumonia as well. Add a little honey (if can) for sweetener. Cheaper than a Dr bill/antibiotics…
Oh my mistake! I must have been multi tasking too much b/c I read “don’t” instead of “do” – yikes! Thanks!
We have a nit terminator comb that removes everything except nits from my two with fine baby hair. I spray hair with water (a little conditioner if desired) to make the lice freeze and comb each section in all four directions. Check fine hair with sunlight or bright flashlight for any nits on the hair shafts. We wash and dry everything- clothes, bedding, pillows. Vacuum all furniture. Anything that won’t survive 30
Minutes in dryer is bagged up. I have diatomaceous earth I sprinkle on couches the first night. Then i comb daily the first week to make sure we got it all. I have done the Nuvo method with the cetaphil cleanser and then do not miss the 7 days re-comb and nitpick deadline. If the lice pop back after day 7 when you’ve done all this, they are in your car or child’s classroom. I have seen girls go to school in braids with massive hairspray or gel. Make sure kids know to not touch their head on anything. Lice can’t jump. They crawl very fast.
Tabitha, did you mean to say that the nits aren’t removed with the comb? And what is the reason with the massive hairspray or gel?
Thanks!
On my two youngest girls the nits weren’t being removed. Their hair is so fine that it went through the nit terminator comb too easily. I made a batch of your spray today bc I would love to avoid the Nuvo method this time. Yup! My kids picked up lice at co-op in February and somewhere local this week. Augh!
The massive hair spray or gel is because i’ve notice the dance kids or kids who’s parents do this never seem to get lice. I’m not sure if it’s because they have no loose hairs or if the hair is sticky or stinky to lice. Like I said, i’m trying your recipe with tea tree and lavender. It sure smells better. I put coconut oil and tea tree oil in my hair last night, but didn’t have it strong enough. Your article was helpful showing me why tea tree wasn’t helping much.
Really appreciate your research. Thanks.
Wow you sure have tried alot. Sounds like you’re doing it all. But something’s missing in the treatment I’m thinking. Since your doing all this, my question is have you been doing your mattress,,. and ALL furniture including flooring? Don’t forget those corners. Lol. What about the car? Lastly any pets can carry the little cootys. People just don’t think of that too often. I would do all the above, try the natural, and use it to treat everything including clothes in the closet. Oh one more thing get a new pillow. Any throw pillows throw pillows make sure to throw in the dryer on high for an hour at least once a week till they’re gone for good. If all else fails your rite, shaving your head may be the only answer. But your issue will STILL be there in your home. Go buy some pretty scarves, and rock them with pride knowing you just did the healthiest thing for yourself. I wish you very good luck.