You probably know about the almost-magical cleaning power of common household items such as vinegar, baking soda, etc. but did you know that essential oils can amp up the cleansing power of your favorite DIY products? A lot of commercial products contain natural extracts, for example most cleaning products list lime or lemon oils in their ingredients. Citrus oils are natural de-greasers and also help kill bacteria. There is no reason why you should use these chemical laden commercial products, it’s time to create an all-natural and environment friendly household for your family.  Essential oils are not meant for just perfume, acne creams and cosmetics, you can easily use them in your daily cleanup routine.

Why Clean with Natural Products

There are lots of advantages of using natural, homemade products:

• Toxin-free home environment that minimizes contact with dangerous chemicals
• Save your health and environment
• DIY cleaning products are inexpensive
• Easy to make
• More effective at cleaning up

Best Scents for Different Living Spaces

Different essential oils can be used based on the kind of atmosphere you are trying to create in your home. Each room needs a touch of something unique to make it feel special. For brightening up different living spaces, try some of the following ideas:

Living Room

Turn your living room into an inviting place with scents of balsam fir, peppermint or Scotch pine. These are also natural insect repellents and smell wonderful.

Kitchen

Citrus oils work best for kitchen sprays or cleaning liquids. Try essential oils such as Scotch pine, orange, cinnamon, grapefruit and lemon.

Bedroom

A bedroom needs a calming environment, achieve this by using rose, ylang ylang, geranium, lavender or jasmine essential oils.

Work Space/Home Office

Aromatic oils such as lemongrass, rosemary, spearmint, tangerine, and basil have an energizing effect and will help you maintain focus while you work.

Pet Area

Make your pet’s favorite pillow a flea-free zone by using cedarwood, lemongrass, rosemary , lavender or Scotch pine essential oils in the products that you use around this area.

Meditation Corner

The soothing aroma of essential oils of sandalwood, jasmine, juniper, cedarwood, neroli, vetiver, rose or lavender will be perfect.

Essential Oils for Cleaning Products : Our Favorite DIY Products

Get your house clean as a whistle by using these quick DIY tips. We have rounded up some of the easiest techniques that you can use to whip up safe essential oils diy cleaning products that are easy on the budget and will give you stunning results.

1)    Simplest DIY Cleaning Wipes

These are great, believe us, you will wonder how you lived without these. This method tells you how to make your own cleansing wipes that are reusable and disinfect almost any surface. For all of you who think cleaning up properly is a chore  that takes up too much effort  then don’t fret, once you have these wipes on hand, your clean-up routine will be lightning fast. So how do you make these little wonders?

Things you will need:

• –        Small washcloths—4 (Try to get soft and absorbent ones)
• –        Distilled water—2 cups (If storing for long-term use, tap water is alright if wipes are used within the week)
• –        White vinegar—1/2 a cup
• –        Lavender essential oils—5 drops
• –        Lemon essential oil—5 drops
• –        Tea tree essential oil—5 drop
• –        Medium sized jar with a lid—1

Method:

1. Tightly roll the washcloths and put them in the jar.
2. Combine the vinegar, water and oils in a bowl.
3. Pour the mixture in the jar, push down on the washcloths to cover them with the liquid, add more water/vinegar if needed.
4. Close the lid tightly.
5. Whenever you need to cleanup, simply remove one washcloth and use it like a wipe.
6. You can wash the dirty washcloths in the washer, and then repeat the process.

2)    All-Purpose Antibacterial Spray

Things you will need:

• –        A glass bottle with a spray pump—1
• –        Distilled water—enough to almost fill the bottle
• –        Rosemary essential oil—8 drops
• –        Eucalyptus essential oil—8 drops
• –        Lime essential oil—8 drops

Method:

1. Fill the bottle with distilled water
2. Add oils and place the pump on the bottle.
3. Shake gently to mix.
4. Spray onto bathroom and kitchen countertops to sanitize them.

3)    Highly Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer

Things you will need:

• –        Aloe Vera gel—3 tablespoons
• –        Witch Hazel—2 tablespoons/Rubbing alcohol—1 tablespoon
• –        Vitamin E oil—1/2 teaspoon
• –        Tea tree essential oil—16 drops
• –        Lavender essential oil—8 drops
• –        A small jar or squeeze tube

Method:

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, mix gently.
2. Store the mixture in the jar or tube and use like you would any store-bought hand sanitizer.
3. This sanitizer has a long shelf-life, about 12 months.

4)    Natural Herbal Disinfectant Spray

Things you will need:

• –        Hot water—2 cups
• –        Thyme essential oil—10 drops
• –        Washing soda—1/4th cup
• –        Spray bottle

Method:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a spray bottle, shake well to mix.
2. Spray onto surfaces and then wipe with a damp sponge or cloth.

1)    DIY Febreze Spray

Things you will need:

• –        Rubbing alcohol—1 cup
• –        Distilled white vinegar—1 cup
• –        Lavender essential oil—10-20 drops (Or you can use any essential oil you like)
• –        Spray bottle–1

Method:

1. Put the ingredients into the bottle (use a funnel to avoid spills)
2. Shake and mix well.
3. Spray onto pillows or furniture and let them air-dry for a few minutes.

2)    Window Cleaner

Things you will need:

• –        White vinegar—1 cup
• –        Water
• –        Lemon essential oil—10-15 drops
• –        Spray bottle

Method:

1. Pour the vinegar into the bottle.
2. Fill the rest of the bottle with water.
3. Add in the essential oil and mix well.
4. To use, spray onto windows and wipe down with a soft fabric.

3)    Carpet Freshener

Things you will need:

• –        Baking soda—2 cups
• –        Essential oil of your choice—10-20 drops
• –        A container with a shaker top

Method:

1. Mix the ingredients well.
2. Place in the jar and close the lid tightly
3. To use simply put a light sprinkling on the carpet, let it sit for 15 minutes then vacuum it up.

4)    Wood Floor Cleaner

Things you will need:

• –        Liquid Castile soap—8 tablespoons
• –        Vinegar—quarter cup
• –        Lemon essential oil—30 drops (Or any citrus oil will do)
• –        A 1 gallon container

Method:

1. Fill 3/4th of your container with water.
2. Add the vinegar.
3. Add the liquid Castile soap.
4. Lastly add in the citrus essential oil of your choosing.
5. Put the top on tightly and shake well.
6. To use simply add in 1 cup of this mixture to 1 bucket of hot water and clean your wood floors.

5)    Miracle-Clean Oven Cleaner

Things you will need:

• –        Salt—1/2 cup
• –        Washing soda—1/4th cup
• –        Baking soda—16 ounces
• –        Water—1/4th cup
• –        White vinegar—3/4th cup
• –        Lemon essential oil—10 drops
• –        Thyme essential oil—10 drops

Method:

1. Take a glass bowl; combine the washing soda, salt and baking soda.
2. Add in enough water to make a thick paste.
3. Take out the racks from your oven and preheat at 250 degree for about 15 minutes.
4. Spread the prepared paste onto the oven walls with a sponge and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes.
5. Combine the essential oils and vinegar in a spray bottle, shake well and then spray onto the inside surfaces of your oven.
6. Wipe clean and then rinse out the oven.

6)    Almond Oil Hand Soap

Things you will need:

• –        Distilled water—1/2 cup
• –        Castile soap—1/2 cup
• –        Vitamin E oil—1 tablespoon
• –        Almond oil—1 tablespoon (You can use any nourishing oil such as jojoba, olive or sweet almond)
• –        Tea tree essential oil—15 drops
• –        Lavender essential oil—1-10 drops (or peppermint)

Method:

1. Take a small mason jar (or recycle an old soap dispenser), pour water into it.
2. Add in the castile soap and then oils.
3. Shake and mix well.
4. Every time you use the soap, give the bottle a little shake before dispensing the liquid onto your hands.

7)    Essential Oil Laundry Detergent

Things you will need:

• –        Grated soap—quarter cup
• –        Borax—quarter cup
• –        Washing soda—quarter cup
• –        Water—1 gallon
• –        Essential oil—20-30 drops
• –        1 gallon container

Method:

1. Place the grated soap in a mixing bowl; add in the borax and washing soda and whisk to distribute.
2. Pour in 4 cups of boiling water into the bowl, then whisk around gently until the soap melts.
3. Now add in the essential oil of your choice, you can also use a blend of scents if you want and mix.
4. Use a funnel to pour this mixture into the gallon bottle.
5. Use as you would a regular laundry detergent.

Handy Tip: Store some in a smaller bottle that you can carry easily to the Laundromat or while travelling.

Try these handy tips and you will be surprised at how tedious household chores turn into a breeze. Be sure to tell us which of these worked well for you, we love hearing from our readers. Keep glued for more information about essential oils and their benefits.

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