Essential oils have become quite the rage, as they should be. I first started using essential oils in my diffuser to clean and purify the air in my home. Then I started getting really creative and started dabbing a drop or two onto my forehead to relieve headaches and rubbing it on my hands and smelling them to help with stress. However, my all time discovery is using it to clean my home. I have heard from many people that they do not use essential oils when cleaning because it leaves surfaces “oily”. In some cases, essential oils have been used to moisturize and bring out the shine, only if you use it for that purpose.
For everyday cleaning, essential oils are a great additive as most are natural disinfectants and you won’t be polluting the air with toxic chemicals while you clean. By adding just a few drops, your clothes will smell a little fresher and your home will be a little cleaner. These are my favourite essential oils for cleaning the home:
Lemon – I have been guilty many times for leaving my laundry sitting in the washer for too long. My solution? Add a few drops to the next cycle to get rid of the smell! It has a clean, fresh smell and is naturally antibacterial and antiviral. If you want to make your own disinfectant, lemon is also a great substitute for alcohol or bleach.
Eucalyptus – You can’t go wrong with eucalyptus. It is a natural germicide and odor remover. Try adding a few drops to your soap, laundry detergent, window clean and anything else! I have also used it with baking soda to deep clean mattresses, pillows and stuffed animals as a natural way to eliminate dust mites. As always, if you have a diffuser at home, cleanse the air with eucalyptus and a few of your other essential oil favourites to kill mold in your home.
Peppermint – There are countless uses for peppermint oil. It has a cool, refreshing scent and its antibacterial properties make it great in multi-purpose cleaners and as a natural deodorizer. Try using peppermint in areas that need more focus on disinfecting such as your kitchen and bathroom.
Your possibilities are endless when it comes to cleaning with essential oils! Be really creative and try your own combination of scents. With a little more research on your end, you can learn how certain oils can help with any mood – even when it comes to cleaning!
Rachel has created her own line of natural cleaning products to fill the gap for natural cleaning products in the market. Using natural ingredients such as coconut oil, distilled vinegar and therapeutic grade essential oils, Rachel hopes to remove all toxic chemicals in each and every home. For more information on the “bare.” product line, please contact Miss’es Clean.
