Essential oils in Cleaning– we hear about them all the time when talking about healthy living. In fact, you might be surprised to find out you may be using essential oils already! We’ve had them around long before other types of modern oils, like canola or vegetable; they’ve been used for medicinal purposes, for aromatherapy, and—get this—for household cleaning! Before household cleaners existed, humans used oils for cleaning; even the earliest soaps were made of oils and ashes mixed together. Essential oils generally come from flowers and leaves, such as tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, or lavender oil. Check out below how to use essential oils to eliminate odors and to keep your home clean and toxic free.
Essential Oils in Cleaning:
All-Natural, No-Harm Air Freshener
Simply grab an empty spray bottle, fill it with water, and add 5-10 drops of essential oil (lemon or lavender work great here) into the bottle and shake! Spritz around and you’ll find the room smelling fresh in no time. However, be careful with the amount of oil you use as essential oils are very strong and can be quite overwhelming in scent if you use too much. You can also get a diffuser for a consistent smell around the room. These nifty devices act as humidifiers, but with the added benefit of wafting essential oils through the air, freshening up your home with a soothing scent.
Kitchen Counter Degreaser
Want that fantastic smell that your over the counter cleaners give you that plain old baking soda won’t? We got you. Add 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil into a spray bottle with 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 4 parts water. Spritz on your countertops, let it sit while the peroxide does its job, and then wipe away, leaving a fresh and welcoming scent, and a pleasantly clean kitchen to work with.
Furniture Polish with a Twist
Your furniture deserves a little love every now and then, and sometimes just a good old microfiber wipe won’t do the trick — especially when company’s coming. Grab a small dish and vigorously mix vinegar or lemon juice, olive oil, and 5 drops of your favorite essential oil to create a simple polish. Dab a bit onto a microfiber cloth, and with a bit of elbow grease, your wood furniture will look and smell just as great as it does when cleaned with a commercial product. The only thing here is, you’ve now done the job with an all natural home-made one that will leave you feeling guilt-free and your furniture looking fresh and spotless!
If you haven’t noticed already, we love essential oils around here! What’s your favorite essential oil?
