My research into the harmful effects of most over-the-counter products began when my oldest son was an infant. He had horrible eczema and dermatitis, and I wanted to eradicate any potential irritants and harsh chemicals from our home. I was alarmed to learn that store-bought cleaners could trigger allergies and headaches or cause lung, liver, ocular, and respiratory damage. Rashes and skin irritation is common with many cleaning product ingredients, and some studies link such ingredients to more serious conditions. Of course, certain cleaning agents such as ammonia and bleach have lethal effects when combined. Finally, household cleaners labeled as disinfectants must be registered pesticides with the EPA. Those are the selfish reasons I stopped using commercial cleaners; I haven't even touched on the havoc they can wreak on the environment and our water supplies.
So for years I purchased more expensive, natural cleaning products. Yet when I learned more about essential oils, I had to try them as an enhancement or even substitute for my natural products. Beside the fact that they have the perfect properties for cleaning, they are also natural deodorizers, and after switching to natural personal care and cleaning products, I grew to hate artificial fragrances. Natural alternatives that smell great and clean well? I was already hooked, but until I created my own concoctions I wouldn't know if they truly worked as well as what I already used.
Glass containers with labels
First, I gathered my containers, which I had ordered from Aromatools.com. Pure citrus oils dissolve petrochemicals, so placing them in plastic containers destroys the plastic. Investing in glass containers was one of those things I had been meaning to do anyway, and if I wanted to use essential oils in spray bottles then the bottles would have to be glass (which happen to look beautiful, too). My friend who introduced me to the world of EOs said that because the straws and sprayers are made of a harder plastic, it would take them several months to break down. I went ahead and purchased extra sprayers so I wouldn't be frustrated when the originals stop working down the road. After trimming the sprayer straws to the right lengths and affixing labels to the bottles, I was ready for the next step.
Labeled containers and EOs ready to go
I gathered the recipes I had chosen after sifting through several online, as well as checking out those in a brochure my friend had sent to me. The options are literally endless, so I based my choices on the oils I had on hand and the smells I liked the best. (I had already tried putting a few drops of a blend called Citrus Bliss in the water container of my steam mop, and I had found myself uncharacteristically happy while doing the menial chore of mopping. Wait, something to uplift my mood while I'm cleaning? Yes, please!) My next step was gathering the oils, and then I got busy mixing (after snapping a photo, of course!)
I only use doTERRA essential oils, the brand of oils introduced to by my friend in Montana. I did some research on doTERRA oils versus the many other brands available (including a couple of brands I had purchased in the past), and I quickly learned that doTERRA has its own standards for a reason. (It is called Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade, in case you're interested.) Essential oils are highly unregulated. DoTERRA's oils are tested in multiple ways and by neutral third parties to guarantee that every batch is pure, "beyond organic" essential oils. Understanding a little about the properties and potency of plants that are grown in their most native soil and climate, I also appreciated that doTERRA harvests the oils from carefully selected sources all over the world, and I love the work they do to support local growers and agriculture around the world.
My oldest son adding some oil drops to a batch of all-purpose cleaner
I couldn't miss an opportunity to include my children in such a project. It really is so simple that soon I'll just let the kids know when we're running low on hand sanitizer or scouring spray and they can whip up a new batch! Who wouldn't prefer cleaning with ingredients you could consume rather than having to wear a mask to protect yourself from toxic fumes, especially when children are involved?
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Following are the products I made and the recipes I used:
Glass Cleaner
1 part white vinegar
8 parts water
1-2 drops lemon oil per cup of water
Combine ingredients in a glass spray bottle. Shake to mix before using.
(Some recipes use a higher ratio of vinegar, but I found this amount sufficient to clean my windows and mirrors, and I personally prefer not to smell too much vinegar if I don't have to!)
I enjoy the smell and results from my new all-purpose cleaner, as well as the therapeutic benefits, and it will last a long time.
All-Purpose Cleaner
2 cups boiling water
2 Tbsp white vinegar
1/2 tsp natural dish soap
1 tsp baking soda
5 drops lemon or lemongrass essential oil or Citrus Bliss blend
Mix baking soda, water, and dish soap together with essential oil in a large glass or stainless steel bowl. (If the container isn't large enough, the mixture could spill over the top when you add the vinegar and the chemical reaction ensues.) Add vinegar and mix. Pour mixture into a glass spray bottle. Save any extra in a glass jar.
Deodorizer
Water
1-2 drops of Purify blend per 1/2 cup water
Combine water and Purify in a glass spray bottle. Use on furniture, carpet, rugs, or any surface that needs freshening, or spray in the air to deodorize and disinfect. (Think of this as your natural Febreze.)
Who knew making cleaning products could be fun and educational?
Disinfectant
1 cup water
1 cup vinegar
35 drops OnGuard blend
5 drops Purify blend
Combine in glass container and shake to mix before using. This mixture makes a great replacement for disinfectants with harsh chemicals.
Air Freshener
1 cup water
6 drops lavender essential oil
6 drops lemon essential oil
3 drops peppermint essential oil
Combine in glass spray bottle and shake to mix before using. Spray in the air to freshen it with a light, pleasant fragrance that also has emotional benefits!
Loving the smell of our new hand sanitizer! (And as an added bonus, we can take a swig of it if needed at the onset of a sore throat.)
Hand Sanitizer
1/4 cup water
2 drops lemon essential oil
4 drops OnGuard blend
Combine in glass spray bottle and shake to mix before using. (I absolutely love having a natural alternative to sanitize our hands when washing hands may not be possible or I just want the added assurance of an anti-bacterial spray after touching surfaces in a public facility. My oldest son's hands break out in a rash almost instantly and itch for days when he uses the alcohol-based, harsh hand sanitizers, and knowing they are full of potentially toxic ingredients prompted me to train all of my children to steer clear. I made a small version of this product to keep in my purse plus an extra I made as a gift for a friend. In fact, any of these cleaners make nice, inexpensive, and unique gifts that recipients truly appreciate and use!)
Scouring Spray and Powder
1/2 cup white vinegar
5-10 drops melaleuca essential oil
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup course salt
Combine vinegar and melaleuca in a spray bottle. In a separate container, combine baking soda and salt. When you need to scour off soap scum or scrub a toilet bowl, spray the surface with the vinegar/melaleuca blend, sprinkle with the powder mixture, and then spray again. Let sit for a few minutes, then add a rag and a bit of elbow grease. Voila!
Laundry Detergent Using Bar Soap and Borax
4 cups hot tap water
1 bar (I like the 4-oz Kirk's Castile Soap)
1 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (may have to purchase online; Arm & Hammer Detergent or baking soda will not work. It must be sodium carbonate.)
½ cup Borax
5-gallon bucket (plus enough hot tap water to fill it, following steps below)
Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with 4 cups hot tap water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted. (Tip: The soap creates a froth that makes it hard to tell whether the soap is all melted. I found that by the time steam starts to rise, the soap is melted.)
Fill a 5-gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda, and Borax. (Tip: Use a strainer when pouring in melted soap, just in case there are still some chunks that didn't melt.) Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, and let sit overnight to thicken.
Stir detergent and fill a used, clean laundry soap dispenser with half detergent and half water. Shake well before each use. Top-load machines: approximately 5/8 cup per load. Front-load machines: approximately ¼ cup per load.
Optional: Once soap has cooled, add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons or just add a few drops of essential oil mixed with water to your rinse cycle/softener dispenser when washing. You may also just want to add a couple of drops on a washcloth and throw that in the dryer if you'd like the smell to last. (Suggested: lavender, Purify, or citrus such as lemon or orange)
Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons. Top-load machines: 180 loads. Front-load machines: 640 loads.
Laundry Detergent Using Liquid Soap and Baking Soda
After using the above recipe for a few batches, I learned that Borax is controversial in green circles. I have found arguments for and against it, but my research led me to look at some other recipes. When I found some using liquid castile soap instead of grated bar soap, I had to give it a try, and I have been very happy with the following recipe that uses liquid castile instead of bar soap and baking soda instead of Borax.
3/4 cup Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile Soap
1/2 cup Super Washing Soda
1/2 cup Baking Soda
20-50 drops of essential oils (optional)
Put a few inches of hot water on the bottom of a 2-gallon bucket; then add in the super washing soda and stir to dissolve. Next, add the baking soda and stir to dissolve. Next, add the Castile Soap and stir to dissolve. Lastly, fill up the bucket to the top with hot water, stirring as you add the water. (You can use Borax in place of the baking soda if you prefer.)
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Just remember, a little oil goes a long way, so if you feel your surfaces are too oily, you just need to dilute your cleaning product more. Which oils you choose may depend upon which ones you already have or would use the most if you purchased them and which ones have scents and properties that appeal to you the most. These are some of my favorite oils to use for cleaning: lemon, melaleuca, OnGuard blend, lavender, peppermint, lemongrass, eucalyptus, rosemary, and thyme.
Ta-da! New, improved household cleaners, all made in about 10 minutes.
I have been very happy with all of my homemade cleaners, both with the pleasant aromas and with how well they clean my home. I actually look forward to cleaning more! I hope these ideas help you incorporate healthy, beneficial essential oils into your cleaning routine, too.