Cleaning With Essential Oils

If you don't want potentially toxic products in your home, cleaning with essential oils is an option.

Cleaning with essential oils and making your own cleaning products is an easy and effective alternative to using commercial cleaning products.

Follow these guidelines when making aromatherapy cleaning products:

• When blending essential oils with water for later use, use distilled or filtered water because the chlorine in tap water causes the oils to deteriorate.
  
• Spot test surfaces to make sure the essential oils don't damage them.
  
• Label your bottles and keep them out of reach of children and pets.
  
• For water-based products, you can add a few drops of solubilizer to better keep the solution blended.
  
• Do not use vinegar on stone surfaces because vinegar can etch those surfaces or sealants.

This article looks at all-purpose cleaning. Also see:

• Essential oil bathroom cleaning
• Essential oil kitchen cleaner
• Essential oil air freshener
• Essential oils for mold

All-Purpose Cleaning

While there is no one best essential oil for cleaning, commonly used essential oils good for cleaning include:

• Lavender
• Cinnamon
• Clove
• Eucalyptus
• Lemon
• Lemongrass
• Oregano
• Tea tree
• Thyme
  

To make an all-purpose cleaning spray, in an 8-ounce glass or PET plastic spray bottle blend:

• 8 to 10 drops of any one (or combination) of the listed oils
• 1/2 teaspoon liquid castile soap
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup white vinegar (optional, for degreasing)

Shake before each use. Spray on surfaces and wipe off with a clean cloth.

For a stronger essential oil cleaning solution:

• 2 cups vinegar
• 1 teaspoon borax 
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil 
• 5 drops thyme essential oil
• 15 drops tea tree essential oil 
• 2 cups warm water
• 1 teaspoon castile soap (optional)

1. Mix borax into vinegar in a large spray bottle. Shake.
2. Add the essential oils. Shake again and let sit overnight.  
3. Shake well, and then add the warm water. 
4. Optional: If you want more lather, also add one teaspoon of castile soap. 
5. Label the bottle. 
6. Shake well before each use.
   

Surface Cleaning With Essential Oils

In general, avoid using essential oils on delicate surfaces. If in doubt, spot test a small area first.

Surface Cleaner

• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 3 drops tea tree essential oil
  
• 1 drop lemon essential oil
• 1 drop eucalyptus essential oil

Combine all ingredients with just a little water to make a paste. Apply to surface with a cloth using circular motions. Then rinse with hot water and a clean cloth.

All-Purpose Surface Cleaner

• 8-ounce spray bottle
• Slightly less than 1 cup distilled water (7.5 ounces)
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 9 drops balsam fir essential oil
• 10 drops tea tree essential oil
• 13 drops lemon essential oil

Combine the water and vinegar in the bottle. Add the essential oils. Close bottle and shake well.

To use: Shake well and spray on surfaces. Source: Aromahead

Essential Oils for Cleaning Floors

To mop floors, add 1 cup vinegar and 15 to 20 drops of essential oil to a bucket of hot water. Optionally, you can add 1 to 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap.

A few suggested essential oils (feel free to experiment):

• Pine, eucalyptus, rosemary, or balsam fir for a fresh scent
• Lemon or tea tree to disinfect
• Peppermint to repel mice, ants, and other insects

Carpet Cleaning

Remember to spot test carpets before using these blends on large areas.

Carpet Freshener

Mix one of the following essential oil blends with 1/2 cup baking soda in a wide-mouth jar that has a cap:

• 60 drops lavender
• 20 drops cinnamon
• 20 drops orange

or

• 60 drops rosemary
• 30 drops spruce
• 10 drops orange

or

• 40 drops anise
• 40 drops clove
• 20 drops patchouli

1. Place the cap tightly on the jar. Shake well.
2. Let the mixture sit for 24 hours.
3. Sprinkle on carpet. Leave for 10 to 15 minutes, and then vacuum.

Source: 500 Formulas For Aromatherapy

Essential Oil Carpet Cleaner Recipe

If you have a carpet steam cleaner, you can replace the commercial cleaning solution with this DIY formula:

• 3/4 cup very hot water
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon liquid castile soap
• 30 drops thyme essential oil

Blend all ingredients. Using either a container with a pour sprout or a funnel, add the solution to the appropriate compartment of your steam cleaner. Clean carpets as usual.

Source: The Naturally Clean Home

More Cleaning With Essential Oils

Scouring Gel

• 1 cup natural dish soap
• 1/2 cup baking soda 
• 5 to 10 drops essential oil (lavender, lemon, or one of your choice)

Put ingredients into a squeeze bottle. Shake well. Use as needed.

Window Cleaner

Mix 10 to 15 drops of lemon essential oil, 2 cups white vinegar, and 2 cups water in a spray bottle.

Lemon Furniture Polish

Makes 1/2 cup.

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 freshly squeezed lemon juice, strained
• 1 teaspoon lemon or sweet orange essential oil

Combine the ingredients in a 4-ounce glass or PET plastic spray bottle. Shake to blend. Use sparingly.

Source: Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness

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Photo Credit: Morguefile