My plan was to do another article on essential oils very soon.  However, I’ve had someone approach me to do a guest post.  Essential Oils for a Healthy Home includes some nice cleaning recipes that use essential oils to clean rather than the toxins most of us are using, including me.  I just may be changing things up.  Enjoy the read.

Essential Oils for a Healthy Home:
Which Oils To Use Instead of Toxic Chemicals

Have you ever thought about all the gross chemicals you come into contact with daily? 

An awesome website I came across when I was pregnant with my second was the Environmental Working Group.  I was looking for safe baby products and discovered that all the ones I used with my first baby….were not very safe!  You can imagine how surprised and upset I was.  Well that turned into me researching EVERY product I brought into our house.

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So, I found myself spending longer than I care to say in the grocery store looking up every product they had to see where it fell on EWG’s website so I could determine which ones to bring home to my family.  Instead, I decided to start making my own cleaning products with essential oils. I signed up with doTERRA and learned which essential oils to use instead of toxic chemicals.

To learn more about essential oils, Cher has an awesome post you should check out!

ARE YOUR PRODUCTS SAFE? 

Since that moment, more than 4 years ago, I am very particular about what products we use.  Even some of the products that claim to be “safe”….aren’t.  For example, while many of Seventh Generation’s items scored an “A” on EWG’s website, the Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Gel, Free & Clear and even Seventh Generation Baby Laundry Detergent Sensitive Skin, Free & Clear  both earned a “C”!

This website breaks down every ingredient (that’s listed) in the product and lets you know exactly which ones are bad and why.  You can look up your current products on EWG’s website.

Some common toxic chemicals found in cleaning products are ammonia, chlorine bleach, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, sodium or potassium hydroxide and so many more. When exposed to these chemicals, they can cause allergic reactions, lung irritation, some are endocrine disruptors, some are known to cause reduced fertility and birth defects and some are even known to cause cancer.

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I don’t know about you, but that is enough information to at least do some research on the chemicals I am using around myself, my family, and even my pets.  In fact, it was enough for me to grab a garbage bag and clean out all our cleaning products and just start over.

WHICH OILS TO USE INSTEAD OF TOXIC CHEMICALS 

This post is going to teach you how to trade your nasty toxic chemicals and make your own non-toxic cleaners that make you feel happy about your home.  No more worrying about what the chemicals are secretly doing to you, your family, or your pets.

We will go room by room. Below I will post some natural recipes with essential oils that you can try out.

KITCHEN

Dish soap:

10 drops lemon essential oil
½ cup unscented castile soap
10 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops wild orange essential oil

Combine in a 16 oz glass soap dispenser. Fill with distilled or filtered water.  Shake to combine.

Oven cleaner:

1 cup warm water
3 tbsp baking soda
1 tbsp castile soap
5 drops lemon essential oil
5 drops clove essential oil

Add all ingredients to a dark glass spray bottle and shake to combine. Spray liberally in the oven and let sit for 15 minutes. Wipe clean with a cloth.

Mirror:

2 cups water
2 tbsp white vinegar
5 drops peppermint
2 tbsp rubbing alcohol

Add ingredients to a dark glass spray bottle and shake well. Spray windows and mirrors and wipe with lint free cloth. Store in cool place for 1-2 months. Shake well before each use.

All Purpose Cleaner:

2 tbsp of vinegar

20 drops of favorite essential oils (On Guard for more cleaning power)

Fill with distilled or filtered water leaving a little bit of room at the top

Add 2 tbsp of castile soap

Add nozzle to 16 oz glass amber spray bottle and shake well.

Toilet Cleaner:

½ cup baking soda
¼ cup white vinegar
10 drops melaleuca (tea tree) oil

Mix ingredients to dissolve baking soda. Add to the toilet. Let sit for 5-15 minutes. Scrub with toilet brush and flush.

LIVING ROOM

Dust Spray:

1 cup water
¼ cup white distilled vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil

10-15 drops essential oil (I use lemongrass because it also helps keep bugs away and smells great! It’s a win-win!)

Combine in a glass spray bottle. Shake before use. Use a microfiber cloth and spray on surface or on cloth.

Carpet Powder:

2 cups baking soda
10 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops orange or grapefruit oil

Combine all ingredients in container (I used a mason jar that I poked holes in the top of to sprinkle on the carpet). Sprinkle on carpet or rug and let sit 15 minutes. Vacuum thoroughly. (I also use this for a mattress cleaner with the same directions.)

LAUNDRY ROOM

Reusable Dryer Sheets:

Add 3-6 drops any essential oil to a 100 % cotton or wool cloth (cut up an old t-shirt or use an old sock.  I use our baby washcloths that we don’t need anymore.)

OR

Add 3-5 drops on wool dryer balls

Add to dryer with your wet clothes.

Author Bio:

Tracie is a registered nurse, essential oil guru and health and wellness blogger at Essential Life Force. Follow me on Pinterest and join my facebook group for wellness tips and tricks!

Stay Awesome!

Cher

Relevent Reading:

Basics of Essential Oils
Wintertime Essential Oils Recipes
What Are Carrier Oils

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