One of the main reasons why you clean is to make the house healthier for your family to live in. But sometimes, the cleaning products we use are also hazardous to our health than the bacteria we’re trying to kill.
Perhaps you’re definitely aware that many of our home cleaning products are not supportive of good health. For some, inhaling the fumes and getting these chemicals absorbed by the skin is a way of adding to the toxic burden in the body. Also, many cleaning products spell trouble when it accidentally gets in the eyes or are swallowed by children.
This is a good reason why making a switch to non-toxic cleaning products are a wise choice. Sure, it may be more time-consuming because a lot of times, homemade cleaners doesn’t work as fast and as efficient as chemical cleaners. But it’s really worth the switch. And essential oils are one of the powerful ingredients that you can add to your homemade cleaners. These natural plant extracts have been used for thousands of years for their cosmetic, health, and emotional benefits. Besides being an excellent addition to your skincare routine, an energy booster, a mood improver, and a support for digestion and immune system – essential oils can also serve as an alternative to harsh cleaners.
Here are some of the best essential oils for cleaning:
- Lemon
- Lavender
- Tea tree or melaleuca
- Protective blend
- Cleansing blend
- Rosemary
- Clove
- Cinnamon
- Wild Orange
- Grapefruit
- Eucalyptus
- Peppermint
- Bergamot
Essential Oil Cleaning Recipes
Like many homemade cleaners, you need to mix and create your own mixtures using essential oils. Here are some useful recipes you can use for your home:
All-purpose cleaner with lemon
You can use this to spray and wipe on cabinets, counters, toilets, sinks and any surface to make them clean.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups white vinegar
- 30 drops lemon essential oil
- 20 drops melaleuca essential oil
- 1 teaspoon dish soap (avoid castile soap)
Procedure:
- Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle.
- Shake well to combine.
Soft scrub
If you need a cleaning mixture with extra scrubbing abilities, try making this soft scrub made of citrus ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 10 drops lemon essential oil
- 10 drops lime essential oil
- 10 drops wild orange essential oil
- ¼ cup liquid castile soap
Procedure:
- Mix all ingredients together to form a paste. If needed, you may add more castile soap.
- Apply rag or sponge, then rise with clean water.
Toilet cleaner
Your toilet bowl can get some TLC using a non-toxic cleaner.
Ingredients:
- Baking soda
- 1-2 drops of lemon or melaleuca oil
Procedure:
- Sprinkle some baking soda on the bowl.
- Add 1-2 drops of essential oil directly on the bowl.
- Scrub using a toilet brush.
- Spray toilet seat and bowl with the above mentioned all-purpose cleaner or disinfecting spray.
Deep clean toilet scrub
When the dirt and stain is too tough, you need a tougher cleaner as well.
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup water
- ½ cup baking soda
- 1/3 cup liquid dishwashing soap
- ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide
- 30 drops of eucalyptus essential oils
Procedure:
- Mix all ingredients in a squeeze-type bottle.
- Squirt product into the toilet.
- Scrub and let it stand for 20 minutes.
Shower spray
Prevent build-up of grime and water stains on shower doors and walls by using this spray daily.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups of water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- ½ cup rubbing alcohol
- 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap (avoid castile soap)
- 15 drops of melaleuca oil
Procedure:
- Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle.
- Spray daily on walls and shower door after use.
Disinfecting spray
We don’t often pay attention to doorknobs, but we need to disinfect them often. This spray will help clean it, as well as your faucet knobs, toilet seats and counters. It’s also mild enough to be used for disinfecting hands.
Ingredients:
- 4-oz. distilled water
- 5 drops lavender
- 5 drops melaleuca essential oil
- 2 drops wild orange
Procedure:
- Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle.
- Shake well before every use.
Mint window and mirror cleaner
Make your mirrors, windows and stainless steel surfaces shiny again using this mixture.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups distilled water
- ¼ cup vinegar
- ¼ cup rubbing alcohol or vodka
- 20 drops of spearmint or peppermint oil
Procedure:
- Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle.
- Shake well.
- After spraying, wipe it off with paper towels for a streak-free shine.
Fresh linen spray
Sometimes washing linens isn’t enough. To keep your pillowcases, sheets and linens fresh smelling, use this spray made of nice-smelling essential oils.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup water
- 3 tablespoons witch hazel or vodka
- 20 drops lavender oil
- 15 drops frankincense oil
Procedure:
- Place all ingredients in a spritzer and shake well.
- Spray on linens that need freshening up.
Air freshener
Due to cooking indoors, the home may develop odors or stale smells that might be unwelcoming for people who are visiting. Remove these unwanted smells by trying some of these homemade air freshener recipes:
Sweet lavender
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup water
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 drops chamomile essential oil
- 2 tablespoons vodka, rubbing alcohol or vanilla extract
Citrus blend
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 7 drops lemon oil
- 7 drops of wild orange oil
- 7 drops of grapefruit oil
Citrus mint
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 15 drops of pepper mint oil
- 15 drops wild orange oil
Woody scent
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 10 drops sandalwood oil
- 10 drops cedarwood oil
Floral scent
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 10 cups bergamot oil
- 10 cups lavender oil
- 5 drops ylang ylang oil
Procedure:
- Mix all the ingredients of your preferred blend.
- Shake well before using.
Carpet freshener
Using lemon essential oils, count on this product to make your dingy carpets fragrant.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 30 drops lemon essential oil
Procedure:
- Combine the two ingredients on a small container and cover tightly.
- Shake well.
- Allow the mixture to sit for 6-8 hours. Sprinkle it in a smelly carpet.
- Allow it to sit for around 6-8 hours overnight.
- Vacuum it up the next morning.
Yoga mat cleaner
If you own yoga mats, you may not see it but there can be bacteria lurking in it. Think about all the sweaty workouts you did on that mat. It pays to give them a good cleaning.
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup water
- 1/8 cup witch hazel
- 5 drops lavender
- 5 drops melaleuca oil
Procedure:
- Mix everything in an 8-oz. glass spray bottle.
- Make sure to test the mixture on a small corner of the mat to make sure it won’t damage your brand of mat.
Hand sanitizer
Yes, you can make your own hand sanitizers at home with the help of essential oils. It’s a perfect all-natural option for your kids and loved ones.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
- 20 drops protective blend
- Water
Procedure:
- In a 4-oz. squeeze bottle, combine the aloe vera gel and the protective blend.
- Fill the rest of the bottle with water.
- Mix well and shake well before using.