Spring Cleaning, Naturally

June 6th, 2013 · 1 Comment · essential oils, Hanna Kroeger, Herbs for

Clearing winter dust from the house is a springtime tradition. Spring cleaning leaves you feeling refreshed and ready to take on the summer ahead.  While cleaning the house, we want to know that germs and buildup are getting cleared out, but we might not consider what we are putting into our home. Over the counter cleansers zap germs instantly, but their harsh chemicals leave you exposed to other toxins.

Child playing with cleaning suppliesMany over the counter cleansers attribute their cleaning properties to chemicals that may cause harm to your body. Over the counter air fresheners contain carcinogens, such as acetaldehyde. Other common ingredients include methyl pyrrolidone, butylphenyl methylpropional, ethyl acetate, and benzaldehyde, which are all known for being damaging to the immune system, irritants to the skin, eyes, and lungs, and may contribute to reproductive issues. Children and pets are at high risk for exposure. Avoid the toxins of commonly used products by skipping store bought and making your own!

Using simple household ingredients, it is easy to make toxin-free cleansers that achieve the level of cleanliness you want while leaving your house smelling fresh! You may have seen our previous post on household items that can be used as cleaners. These DIY recipes below give you ideas on how to use those products to make safe and natural cleansers that will save you money and keep your family protected from harmful chemicals.

Make a natural All-Purpose cleanser: Mix 2 cups of water, 1 cup of white vinegar, ¼ cup lemon juice, and essential oils of choice in a spray bottle.  Try 15 drops clary sage, 9 drops lemon, and 6 drops lavender for an essential oil combination that will invigorate your senses and leave your home smelling fresh!

Chemical-free air freshener: Pour 1 tablespoon baking soda and 6 ounces of water into a small spray bottle. Add your favorite essential oil combination or one of the combinations below, close the bottle and shake to combine.

To promote alertness, mix 3 drops of grapefruit essential oil with 2 drops of ginger essential oil.Bergamot essential oil

For happiness, combine 2 drops of sandalwood with 1 drop rose and 2 drops bergamot.

Natural kitchen grease cleaner: exterminate kitchen grease with this simple recipe! Mix ½ cup white vinegar and ¼ cup baking soda into a gallon of water. Add a few drops each of grapefruit and rosemary essential oils for a fresh scent. The mixture can be stored for several weeks. It cleans tough grease off of cooking pans too!

All natural bath tub cleaner: Slice a grapefruit or other citrus fruit in half (lemon works well also). Sprinkle the fleshy part of the fruit generously with salt, and scrub down the bath tub. Finish by rinsing the tub with water.

Red grapefruit

Natural laundry booster: Sift 1 cup baking soda with 4 drops of your favorite essential oil. Add ½ cup to your next load of laundry for fresher smelling clothes.

Aromatherapy dryer balls: To get a better night sleep and fight insomnia, sprinkle wool dryer balls with a mixture of 10 drops chamomile, 5 drops clary sage, and 5 drops bergamot essential oils and throw them in the dryer with your sheets.

Clean and polish brass: Mix the juice from ½ a lemon with 1 tsp baking soda, until a paste forms. Rub the paste over your brass with a soft cloth, and rinse.

Give your yoga mat an antifungal treatment: combine ¼ cup water, ¾ cup vinegar, and 8-12 drops of essential oils in a spray bottle. Lightly spray your mat down and enjoy the aromatherapy. For a stress relieving experience, try 6 drops bergamot, 1 drop geranium, and 1 drop frankincense.

Hanna’s Herb Shop carries only high quality essential oils that are reliable and safe for use. Please note that some essential oils should not be applied directly to the skin, and care should be taken when using any product.

Have you tried any other homemade cleaners? How do they compare to the chemical-laden over the counter versions?

 

 

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