White vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and dish soap are the most effective household products for killing spiders on contact. You probably already have at least one of them under your sink. Each works differently, and some are better suited to certain situations than others.
White Vinegar
The acetic acid in white vinegar is harmful to spiders on contact. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray directly on spiders or their webs. You can also spray it into corners, cabinets, closets, and other spots where spiders tend to hide. The vinegar smell fades within an hour or so, but the residue continues to deter spiders from returning to those areas for a short time.
Vinegar won’t stain most surfaces, but test it on natural stone countertops or hardwood floors first, since the acid can dull certain finishes. Apple cider vinegar works too, though white vinegar has a higher concentration of acetic acid and is cheaper.
Rubbing Alcohol
Standard 70% isopropyl alcohol kills spiders on contact by rapidly drying out their exoskeletons. It works fast, often within seconds. Spray it directly onto the spider or mix it with an equal part of water for a lighter solution that’s still effective. The alcohol evaporates quickly, leaving no residue behind.
This is a good option for hard surfaces like bathroom tile, baseboards, and window sills. Avoid spraying it on painted walls or varnished wood, since alcohol can strip finishes. It’s also flammable, so don’t use it near open flames or heat sources.
Dish Soap and Water
A few drops of liquid dish soap in a spray bottle of water creates a surprisingly effective spider killer. The soap breaks down the waxy coating on a spider’s exoskeleton, causing it to lose moisture rapidly. It also clogs the tiny breathing openings on the spider’s abdomen. A generous spray will kill most house spiders within a minute or two.
Dish soap is the gentlest option for use around food prep areas, kids’ rooms, and surfaces you don’t want to damage. It rinses off easily and leaves no harmful residue.
Peppermint Oil as a Repellent
Peppermint oil doesn’t kill spiders outright, but it does keep them away. A 2018 study tested peppermint oil against three different spider species and found it strongly repelled two of them. If you’re finding spiders in the same spots repeatedly, adding 15 to 20 drops of peppermint oil to a spray bottle of water and misting entry points, windowsills, and doorframes can discourage them from coming back.
Lemon oil is often marketed as a spider repellent, but that same study found it had no measurable effect on any of the spider species tested. If you’re choosing between citrus and mint, go with mint.
Other essential oils like thyme, clove, and eucalyptus have shown pest-repelling properties against mites and ticks (close relatives of spiders), but they haven’t been clinically tested on spiders specifically. They may help, but peppermint oil has the strongest direct evidence.
Store-Bought Spider Sprays
Commercial spider sprays typically contain pyrethroids, synthetic versions of a natural insecticide found in chrysanthemum flowers. These chemicals interfere with the spider’s nervous system by forcing open the sodium channels in nerve cells. The spider’s nerves fire uncontrollably, leading to paralysis and death. Most household spider sprays kill on contact and leave a residual barrier that continues working for weeks or even months.
Pyrethroids are effective, but they’re also toxic to fish, aquatic invertebrates, and beneficial insects like bees. If you use a commercial spray, keep it away from aquariums, ponds, and areas where pollinators are active. Indoors, spray along baseboards, in closets, and around window frames where spiders enter.
Essential Oil Safety Around Pets
If you have cats or dogs, be careful with essential oil sprays. Cats are especially vulnerable because they lack a liver enzyme needed to break down many of the compounds in essential oils. Tea tree oil is the most commonly reported cause of essential oil poisoning in pets.
Oils that can cause liver damage in animals include cinnamon, tea tree, and pennyroyal. Eucalyptus, cedar, sage, and wintergreen can trigger seizures. Wintergreen and birch oils contain high levels of a compound that’s essentially a form of aspirin, which is toxic to both cats and dogs.
Peppermint oil is less dangerous than these, but it can still irritate a cat’s respiratory tract in concentrated amounts. If you use it as a spider repellent, spray it in areas your pets don’t access, like high corners, behind furniture, or inside cabinets. Vinegar and dish soap are the safest DIY options in homes with pets.
Getting the Best Results
Killing individual spiders solves the immediate problem, but they’ll keep showing up if the conditions that attract them stay the same. Spiders go where the food is, and their food is other insects. Reducing bugs in your home, by keeping food sealed, fixing window screens, and clearing clutter, cuts off the spider’s food supply and makes your space less appealing.
For a quick kill, rubbing alcohol and dish soap are the fastest and most reliable. For ongoing prevention, a peppermint oil spray along entry points combined with regular cleaning of webs and egg sacs keeps populations low. Commercial sprays make the most sense for heavier infestations or hard-to-reach areas like garages and crawl spaces where a long-lasting residual barrier is useful.