Clean & Disinfect with Essential Oils
As you all know, I am a huge fan of Essential Oils. I use them often; oil pulling, toothpaste, handwashing, aromatherapy…If there is a way to use an essential oil, I’m going to make and try it. Over time I have been making some adjustments to the products that I choose to clean my house with. While I’m not completely switched over, I thought I would share some easy recipes for cleaning with essential oils. Why? Because all of the mass-produced brands are offering products that included essential oils nowadays, so you might as well jump on the bandwagon. Plus, the potent chemical makeup of essential oils makes them great for disinfecting cuts, wounds, kitchen floors, sinks, tiles, and whole bathrooms!
Essential oils are overall a natural and much safer alternative to the mass-produced cleaning products. Strong synthetic chemicals and fragrances added to those cleaning products can be highly irritable especially to people with asthma and allergies. Every essential oil has antiseptic qualities, but some are better at inhibiting bacteria and fungi than the others.
Essential oils are considered to be much safer for cleaning than chemical cleaners found in most department stores.
Ok, you probably don’t believe me. Well believe the science; this study conducted in 1996 proved that essential oils were effective against 22 bacterial strains and eleven strains of fungi. Below is our list of Essential oils that I love to use around the house! I mix these recipes in a 16oz amber-colored glass spray bottle. This list will change over time, so check back for more recipes periodically!
Peppermint Essential Oil kills several types of bacteria that lead to illnesses, including Staphylococcus and pneumonia-linked bacteria. Diffuse peppermint oil into the air for a minty fresh aroma. Peppermint oil mixes well with tea tree, lavender, lemongrass, and eucalyptus. Use this All-Purpose Peppermint Spray recipe below to wipe down hard surfaces, just mix in a 16oz spray bottle, shake well and clean/sanitize away on hard surfaces around your home.
Ingredients:
¼ cup of apple cider vinegar
15 drops of peppermint essential oil
15 drops of lemon essential oil
Distilled Water
The antiseptic value of Eucalyptus Essential Oil can be attributed to the component called eucalyptol (1,8-cineole). This major constituent showed antimicrobial effects on bacteria that cause tuberculosis, drug-resistant bacteria causing staph infections, different viruses, and fungi, including Candida. Using eucalyptus during “flu season” is especially recommended. Diffusing just a few drops into the air can help you kill germs, relieve cough and clear sinuses. On the go but still want germ-fighting effects of eucalyptus for the Winter (and Summer) season? Take a few of our Chill Pills with you! Otherwise, use the tips below to help you around the house. According to The Scientific World Journal, a strong minty, almost medicinal smell of eucalyptus repels house rats.
Tips: To get rid of your rat problem, dilute 20 drops of eucalyptus oil in some water and spray the solution around your pantry and around openings of your house. Keep in mind that eucalyptus essence may irritate your cat.
Add a couple of drops of eucalyptus essential oil to a cup of hot water. Use this solution to wipe down the corners where mold is prone to thrive.
Add 10-20 drops of eucalyptus oil to the washing cycle to eradicate dust mites from your linen, towels, and pillows.
Clove Essential Oil is a great natural antiseptic and research shows that E. coli, acne-causing Staph aureus, and pneumonia-causing Pseudomonas aeruginosa are especially sensitive to clove essence. Use clove essential oil to kill mold in your bathroom. Dilute a ¼ teaspoon of clove oil in 4 cups of water. This solution can be sprayed on surfaces where mold tends to grow. Let the spray sit on the area for at least an hour before removing it with a wet cloth or a brush. Make sure you use protective gloves when cleaning with clove. I recommended doing a test patch on the surface to make sure it does not get damaged.
The highly popular Tea Tree Essential Oil can cleanse the skin and purify the air. Several medical studies point to the powerful antibacterial and antiviral qualities of tea tree oil. This essential oil can be used as a household cleaner and as a treatment for various infections, from athlete’s foot to cold sores and warts.
Use this All-Purpose Tea Tree Oil Spray to wipe down counters, floors and sinks.
Ingredients:
3 cups of water
½ cup of apple cider vinegar
10 drops of tea tree essential oil
Mix in a glass spray bottle
Ingredients: Toilet Bowl Scrub
1 cup white vinegar
½ cup baking soda
½ teaspoon tea tree essential oil
Mix vinegar and essential oil in a glass spray bottle. Spray the inside and the outside of your toilet with the solution. Let it sit for a couple of minutes. Evenly distribute baking soda on the surface and start scrubbing it with a toilet brush. Use a dry or damp cloth to wipe down the toilet seat.
Oregano Essential Oil is a substitute for your store-bought bathroom chemical cleaners. It can be combined with other ingredients to make homemade cleaning products. The potent essence of oregano is strong enough to inhibit E. coli and bacterium called Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This germ is mostly found in hot tubs, pools and other standing water as well as on the objects that are regularly exposed to moisture.
Use the recipe below to make an All-Purpose Oregano Spray
Ingredients:
2 cups of water
2 teaspoons of castile soap
20-30 drops of oregano essential oil
Mix all ingredients in a glass spray bottle. Use this solution to clean your shower, kitchen countertop, and trash cans. Keep the spray in a cool, dark place.
Ingredients: Refrigerator Spray
5 drops of Oregano oil
5 drops of Lemon oil
1 cup of white vinegar
1 one cup of water
If your fridge could just use a good cleaning, combine the following in a spray bottle and wipe down.
Ingredients: Stove Top Cleaner
¼ cup baking soda
¼ cup table salt
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons water
4–5 drops of Oregano
Stir all ingredients together until they form a paste and spread it over the stovetop and burners. Leave it on for 15 minutes or longer for hard-to-remove stains. Using a sponge, scrub the mixture into the grime. Remove excess cleaner and wipe the surface clean.
Here’s why you should consider making the switch. The first reason is that they really work! When you clean with essential oils, you’ll have peace of mind that you are using a safe, natural product around your family—plus essential oils leave behind a lovely smell when you’re done the cleaning. Plus, making your cleaners at home using essential oils, you’ll be saving the money you would have spent on those expensive store-bought cleaners. Not to mention the aromatherapy benefits. Lastly, essential oils are more kid & pet-friendly than mass-produced, store-bought cleaners that don’t disclose a full ingredient list.
Be Well!
Until Next Time!
