Cleaning With Essential Oils

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

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

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 delicate surfaces to make sure the essential oils don't damage them.
  
  
• Label your bottles and keep them out of reach of children and pets.

All-Purpose Cleaning Sprays

A simple, all-purpose cleaning spray is to blend 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1 cup water, and 10 to 20 drops of essential oil in a spray bottle. Use one (or more) of the following oils:

• Lavender
• Cinnamon
• Clove
• Oregano
• Tea tree
• Thyme

For a stronger blend of essential oils for cleaning:

• 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 of 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

An easy way to clean and sanitize surfaces is to combine 2 to 3 drops of tea tree, eucalyptus, or lemon essential oil with 1/2 cup hot water.

Another 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.

Essential Oils For Cleaning Floors

The simple option to clean floors is to add 5 to 10 drops pine essential oil and 1/2 cup vinegar to a gallon of hot water. You could also use lemon oil or a combination of rosemary and balsam fir.

Another floor cleaner:

• 4 cups vinegar
• 2 gallons hot water
• 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap
• 20 drops eucalyptus or pine essential oil or 10 drops of each 

More Aromatherapy Cleaning Products

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.

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

Also see kitchen and bathroom cleaning blends and essential oil air fresheners.

Photo Credit: Morguefile