Eco-Friendly Essential Oils Cleaning Solutions

Did you know that the average American home is filled with thousands of artificial chemicals? Only a small percentage of these chemicals have been thoroughly tested for safety! It’s crazy considering how often we’re exposed to these chemicals, and how little we know about their effects on our health and the environment.

Of those that have been studied, at least 150 common household chemicals have been associated with cancer, psychological disturbances, allergies, gastrointestinal disorders and various health issues. Shocking right?!

Cleaning agents contribute a substantial amount to the toxic chemical load in our home. Many top brand cleaners are filled with known toxins such as solvents, ammonia, formaldehyde, phthalates and ethanolamine.

With so many viable natural cleaning solutions now available, how could the potential (and known) risks of these toxins ever be worth a bleached-clean home?
Many essential oils mimic the results of chemical cleaners. They can dissolve grease, brighten stains, kill mold spores and fight bacteria… But without all the scary health dangers!

Check out these eco-friendly essential oils cleaning solutions that are natural, non-toxic, simple and actually work!

But please note, when working with essential oils on a new surface, always patch test first to check for suitability. Even though they come from Mother Nature, these oils are potent!

CLEANING PURPOSE: Mold & Mildew

Recommended Essential Oils:

• Clove (removes mold & mold spores)
• Cinnamon
• Pine (also kills yeast spores)
• Tea tree

Suggested uses:

• Mix 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil with 2 cups of warm water. Spray and leave on shower surfaces to detract mold.
• Mix 1 teaspoon of clove oil with 1 cup of vinegar and 1 tablespoon glycerine. Spray over moldy areas and leave for 15 minutes before wiping away with a damp cloth.

CLEANING PURPOSE: Disinfectant

Recommended Essential Oils:

• Tea Tree
• Eucalyptus
• Thyme oil

Suggested Uses:

Combine 2 cups hot water, ¼ cup washing soda and 10 drops of your choice of the above essential oils. Spray as needed and wipe away with a microfibre cloth.

CLEANING PURPOSE: Degreaser

Recommended Essential Oils:

• Lemon
• Orange

Suggested Uses:

Combine ½ cup water, ½ cup vinegar, 1 tbsp castile and 10 drops of either above oils. Soak a sponge in this mixture and use light pressure to lift grease. Wipe away soapy residue with a warm damp cloth.

CLEANING PURPOSE: Floor Wash (not suitable for timber flooring)

Recommended Essential Oils:

• Tea Tree
• Eucalyptus
• Lemon (brightens and removes stains, eg white tiles)
• Pine

Suggested Uses:

Use a 1:1 mixture of vinegar and hot water and add 15 drops of any above oils. Mop and enjoy the bright, streak-free and fresh finish!

CLEANING PURPOSE: Combs and Makeup Brushes

Recommended Essential Oils:

• Tea tree
• Lavender
• Eucalyptus

Suggested Uses:

Combine ½ cup warm water, 1 tablespoon vinegar and 5 drops of any above oils in a jar. Soak brushes for 15 minutes then rinse thoroughly. Leave in the sun to dry out thoroughly.

CLEANING PURPOSE: Shower Scum & Grime Build Up

Recommended Essential Oils:

• Lemon
• Tea tree

Suggested Uses:

• Wipe or spray your shower surfaces with a little water containing several drops of lemon oil. Done once or twice a month, this will help to prevent grime build up!
• Buy an empty spray bottle and fill with vinegar and a couple of spoon of tea tree oil. Use as a daily antibacterial cleaning spray for your shower and bath.

CLEANING PURPOSE: Windows

Recommended Essential Oils:

• Lavender
• Lemongrass

Suggested Uses:

Combine 1:1 hot water and vinegar and add 10 drops of either oils listed above. Wipe over windows and use a ‘squeegee’ to remove the liquid. Use old newspaper to polish glass to a streak-free shine afterwards!

CLEANING PURPOSE: Antibacterial Solution

Recommended Essential Oils:

• Lemon (also antiviral)
• Tea tree (also antiviral, antifungal and antimicrobial)
• Rosemary (also antiseptic)
• Lavender
• Cinnamon (also antibacterial)

Suggested Uses:

Soak dirty tupperware in vinegar and a few drops of the above oils before rinsing through a hot cycle of the dishwasher.

CLEANING PURPOSE: Linen & Bedding

Recommended Essential Oils:

• Lavender
• Eucalyptus (also fights dust mites)

Suggested uses:

• Add a few drops of eucalyptus or lavender oil when washing quilts, mattress covers and pillows.
• Add a few drops of lavender oil to your linen spray for a beautiful, natural fresh scent on your clothing.

CLEANING PURPOSE: Stove & Cooktops

Recommended Essential Oils:

• Orange

Suggested Uses:

Mix 10 drops of orange oil with ¼ cup castile soap to wipe down stove tops and counters. Wash clean with a little warm water.

CLEANING PURPOSE: Dishwash Liquid

Recommended Essential Oils:

• Lime
• Orange
• Rosemary

Suggested Uses:

• Combine 1 cup of liquid castile soap, 10 drops lime oil, 10 drops orange oil. (Optional: Add a few drops of glycerine to emulsify the oils into the mixture, otherwise simply shake before use.)
• Got some REALLY greasy pots and pans to take care of? Try adding ½ cup vinegar and lemon juice to the above mixture.

CLEANING PURPOSE: Toxin-free Kitchen Wipes

Recommended Essential Oils:

• Lavender
• Eucalyptus
• Organge
• Lime
• Tea Tree
• Peppermint

Suggested Use:

Ditch the paper towel and toxic antibacterial wipes! Simply cut up some old white colored rags into hand-sized squares. Fill a large jar with 1 cup of water, 1 ounce castile soap, 1 ounce vinegar and 10 drops of any of the above oils. Soak the cloth squares inside and remove as needed to wipe away spills or wipe down bench tops. Simply wash and reuse the square cloths time and time again!

CLEANING PURPOSE: Sink Scrubber

Recommended Essential Oils:

• Rosemary
• Eucalyptus
• Tea Tree
• Lemon (particularly if greasy)
• Orange (particularly if greasy)

Suggested Uses:

• Combine ¼ cup of washing soda, ¼ cup baking soda and 10 drops of any of the above essential oils. Smear over sink surface and leave for 15 minutes before rinsing away with 1 cup vinegar and hot water.
• Combine 1 cup baking soda, ½ cup pure castile soap and 5 drops of the above oils in a small bowl. Mix well and scoop the mixture onto a sponge to give your sink a good scrub over. Wash well with warm water.

CLEANING PURPOSE: Toilet Gel

Recommended Essential Oils:

• Tea Tree
• Eucalyptus
• Peppermint

Suggested Uses:

• Make your own bottle of non-toxic toilet cleaner by combining 2 cups water, ¼ cup castile soap, 1 tablespoon tea tree oil and 10 drops of eucalyptus or peppermint oil. Spread mixture over surface of inner toilet bowl and soak for 20 minutes. Lightly scrub with a toilet brush before flushing away the muck and leaving sparkly clean results!
• Pour 1 cup baking soda and a few drops of the above essential oils into the toilet. Pour over 2 cups of vinegar. After the fizzing settles down, scrub the toilet bowl over with a toilet brush and flush several times.

Source: foodmatters.com