Use Essential Oils for Household Cleaning

Many companies make household cleaners that include plant oils and resins. For example, pine resin is a key ingredient in turpentine. Pure essential oils have been found to effectively clean and disinfect the home. You can safely and cost-effectively create homemade household cleaners. There are a number of different home cleanser recipes that require various essential oils, such as lemon, cinnamon, pine, rose and eucalyptus. These oils are available online or at natural food stores. Make a fresh batch of cleanser with a few drops of oil each time you clean your house, or label it and keep it at hand for spills. This article will tell you how to use essential oils for household cleaning.

Steps

Lavender All-Purpose Cleaner

  1. Fill a spray bottle 3/4 full of water. Put a few squirts of mild dish washing liquid inside the bottle.
  2. Add 3 to 5 drops of lavender oil. You can also replace the lavender essential oil with pine or lemon. Screw the top on the bottle and shake it well.
  3. Use the cleanser for kitchen, bathroom and other household surfaces. Scrub and wipe with a water-soaked sponge after application.

Pine Floor Cleaner

  1. Mix 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar into a quart of water. Add 5 to 10 drops of your favorite essential oil. Most people prefer to use pine, lemon or spruce.
  2. Apply to the floor with a mop. Rinse with clean water after a few minutes of application. The essential oil will work to reduce the smell of the vinegar.

Lemon Vacuum Cleanser

  1. Soak a small tissue in 5 drops of lemon essential oil. Allow the vacuum to suck up the tissue. The smell of the oil will take away the dusty smell of the vacuum.
  2. If the vacuum has a water reservoir, add 5 drops of lemon essential oil directly to the reservoir.

Laundry Treatment

  1. Add 25 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to your laundry detergent when you want to clean sheets, bedding or pillows. Eucalyptus oil has been shown to kill dust mites.
  2. Add 5 drops of tea tree oil to the laundry detergent when washing cloth diapers. This has been shown to have extra disinfectant qualities.
  3. Add 2 drops of lemon essential oil on a stain. Rub it into the fabric and allow it to sit on the stain for a few minutes before placing it inside a washing machine.
  4. Wet a clean washcloth with water and 10 drops of lemon, lavender, ylang ylang, clove, melaleuca, bergamot or another fragrant essential oil. Place it inside the dryer along with your other clothes. Your load of laundry will smell like the oil of your choice.

Essential Oil Window Cleaner

  1. Place 1 cup of distilled white vinegar inside a spray bottle. Pour in water until the bottle is 3/4 full. Shake the spray bottle to mix the vinegar and water.
  2. Add 10 drops of lemon essential oil. Shake again. Spray onto window surfaces and wipe off with a lint-free cloth or paper towel.

Tips

  • Orange oil is often used as a furniture polish. It moisturizes the wood. It is best to buy an orange oil that is designed for furniture polish to avoid damaging the wood.
  • Make sure not to confuse essential oils with aromatherapy oils. Aromatherapy oils are often petroleum based products designed to be added to massage oils or candles.
  • Instead of using standard essential oils, you can use essential oil mixtures, such as "Purification" essential oil. These are usually a mix of eucalyptus, citronella, lemongrass, myrtle and other oils.
  • Buy pure essential oils, rather than petroleum based oils, because pure essential oils will yield the best cleaning results. You can test these oils by placing a few drops of oil on blotting paper and allowing them to evaporate. Pure essential oils will not leave a residue on the blotting paper. A petroleum-based oil will leave a blotch on the paper.

Warnings

  • Keep essential oils away from children, pets and open flames. Some essential oils may be deemed harmful for pregnant women.
  • Be careful when handling essential oils. These concentrated formulas can cause rashes on the skin and are harmful to the eyes.

Things You'll Need

  • Essential oils
  • Water
  • Spray bottle
  • Vinegar
  • Sponge
  • Cloth or paper towels
  • Mop

Related Articles

  • Make Window Spray with Lemon and Vinegar
  • Make a Household Cleaner from Oranges and Water

Sources and Citations

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