Cleansol Guide · Floor Care
Citronella at home: how to use a citronella floor cleaner to help keep mosquitoes away
Every evening the same thing happens – the doors and windows open, and mosquitoes and flies come in with the breeze. For generations, Indian homes have turned to citronella – the lemony grass oil whose aroma helps keep mosquitoes and flies away. Here is how to use it the smart way: in your daily mopping, at the right time, in the right dose.
Evening
best time to mop
25–50 ml
per 8 L bucket
Daily
all year round
Shake
before every use
Quick answer: Sweep first, then add 25 ml (about 1 cap) of citronella floor cleaner to an 8 L bucket for daily mopping – or 50 ml (2 caps) when you want a stronger aroma. Mop in the evening, just before sunset, with extra attention to entrances, balconies and corners, and repeat daily. The aroma is strongest during and just after mopping. Combine it with the basics – no standing water, nets and screens – for the best results.
In this guide
What is citronella?
Citronella is a tall, fragrant grass from the lemongrass family. Its leaves are steam-distilled to produce citronella oil – a light, fresh, lemony-green essential oil. India grows citronella commercially, especially in the North-East, and the oil has long been used in homes, soaps, candles and cleaning products.
What makes citronella special is its strong, natural aroma. Most people find it fresh and pleasant; mosquitoes and flies don’t seem to share that opinion. That is why citronella has become the go-to scent for evenings and verandas, all year round.
Why put citronella in a floor cleaner
A citronella candle or plug-in only scents the air near it. Your floor, on the other hand, covers every room – and you clean it every day anyway. Mopping with a citronella floor cleaner spreads the aroma across the whole home in the same five minutes you already spend mopping.
- Two jobs in one: a clean floor and a fresh citronella aroma.
- Covers the whole floor area – including entrances and corners where insects come in.
- No extra devices – nothing to plug in, burn or refill.
- Pleasant for the family – a fresh, green-citrus smell instead of a harsh chemical one.
🌿 Look for real citronella oil. Many “citronella” cleaners are an ordinary cleaner with a little citronella-type perfume. A good one is made with real citronella oil and other essential oils – you can tell from how naturally the aroma fills the room.
The evening mopping routine – 6 steps
- Time it right. Mosquitoes are most active around dusk. Mop 30–60 minutes before sunset, so the aroma is fresh when the evening starts.
- Sweep or vacuum first. Mopping over dust just moves it around.
- Shake the bottle, then add 25–50 ml to 8 L of water. Essential oils can settle, so a quick shake keeps every dose the same.
- Start from the entrances – main door, balcony and kitchen door – then work into the rooms. Give corners and the area under beds and sofas a proper wipe.
- Wipe the extras with the same solution: window sills, doormats, balcony railings and shoe racks.
- Let it air-dry. No rinsing needed. Keep windows open while it dries, then close screens as evening falls.
How much to use
| Job | Citronella floor cleaner | Water |
| Daily mopping | 25 ml (about 1 cap) | 8 L bucket |
| Evening mopping – stronger aroma | 50 ml (about 2 caps) | 8 L bucket |
| Doormats, sills, railings | 25–50 ml | 8 L – wipe with a cloth |
| Spray for corners and verandas | 25–50 ml | 8 L – fill a spray bottle with this solution |
More is not better. Going above 50 ml per bucket does not make the aroma last much longer, and it can leave the floor feeling slightly slippery. Use the right dose and mop more often instead.
Room-by-room guide
| Area | What to do | Tip |
| Main entrance & doorway | Mop the floor and wipe the door frame and threshold | First place insects enter – never skip it |
| Balcony & veranda | Mop, wipe railings and the sit-out area | Use 50 ml for a stronger aroma |
| Living room | Daily mopping, under sofas and corners | Mop before guests arrive in the evening |
| Bedrooms | Mop, especially under the bed and near windows | Mop before closing up for the night |
| Kitchen | Mop and wipe near the back door and dustbin | Keep the dustbin covered – flies love it |
| Garden sit-out, porch | Mop or spray the solution on hard surfaces | Best for ground-floor and garden homes |
Simple anti-mosquito habits – beyond mopping
A citronella floor cleaner is a pleasant part of your routine – but mosquitoes breed in water, so the real job starts there. Follow these simple habits all year round:
- 💧 Empty standing water weekly – coolers, flower-pot saucers, buckets, tyres, AC trays and fridge drip trays.
- 🪟 Fit window and door screens, and keep them closed from dusk.
- 🛏️ Use mosquito nets, especially for babies, children and elders.
- 🗑️ Cover dustbins and clear food waste daily to keep flies away.
- 🌿 Trim damp bushes near doors and windows.
- 🩺 Fever with body ache, rash or chills? See a doctor promptly – don’t wait it out.
⚠️ Be realistic: citronella’s aroma helps keep mosquitoes and flies away while it is fresh, but it is a floor cleaner – not a medicine and not a replacement for nets, screens or a registered repellent where there is a health risk such as dengue or malaria in your area.
Citronella vs phenyl vs a regular floor cleaner
| Citronella floor cleaner | Phenyl | Regular floor cleaner | |
| Main purpose | Daily cleaning + fresh citronella aroma | Toilets, drains, strong odours | Daily cleaning + fragrance |
| Aroma | Fresh, green, lemony | Strong, medicinal | Floral or lemon perfume |
| Mosquitoes & flies | Aroma helps keep mosquitoes & flies away | Not its job | Not its job |
| Best for | Living areas, bedrooms, balconies, entrances | Bathrooms, drains, outdoor areas | Everyday mopping |
| Marble & granite | Suitable at daily dose | Avoid on polished stone | Check the label |
Many homes use two products: citronella for the living areas and pine phenyl for toilets and drains. That way each room gets the cleaner made for it.
Which floors it suits
- Suitable: marble, granite, kota stone, vitrified and ceramic tiles, mosaic and terrazzo, and sealed natural stone.
- Test first: waxed floors and unsealed wood – try a small hidden area before full use.
- Not for: carpets and rugs, or surfaces that should not get wet.
For deep-cleaning polished marble and granite, see our guide on how to clean every type of floor.
Mistakes to avoid
- Mopping only in the morning – by evening, when mosquitoes are most active, the aroma has faded.
- Using it neat on the floor – always dilute.
- Not shaking the bottle – the oils can settle.
- Using it in a diffuser, vaporiser or humidifier, or on skin – a floor cleaner is made only for floors and surfaces.
- Forgetting the standing water – no aroma can beat a breeding spot in your cooler.
- Storing it in the sun – essential oils fade with heat and light. Keep the cap tight and store it in a cool, dark place.
Frequently asked questions
Cleansol Citronella Floor Cleaner
Made with real citronella oil and other essential oils · 25–50 ml per 8 L bucket · ★ 4.3 from 570+ Amazon ratings · 500 ml, 1 L, 5 L and 10 L pack (2 × 5 L).
Shop Citronella Floor Cleaner → Pine phenyl for toilets & drains →Related: How to clean every type of floor · Neem floor cleaner vs phenyl · Pine oil phenyl vs black phenyl
For floor and surface cleaning only. Always follow the product label. Keep cleaning products away from children and pets. Bulk orders: WhatsApp 98290 05860.