Why Use Essential Oils for Cleaning?
Essential oils are extremely versatile and can be a powerful tool for green cleaning. As I look forward to spring cleaning this year, using essential oils is appealing for several reasons:
Natural and Non-Toxic
Essential oils are extracts distilled from plants. They provide a natural way to clean without exposing myself or my family to harsh chemicals. This is important for our health.
Effective Cleaning Power
Though natural, essential oils are potent. Many oils like lemon, tea tree, and peppermint have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties to effectively kill germs and disinfect my home. Oils also help break up grime and grease for cleaning.
Pleasant Aromas
Essential oils smell wonderful, leaving my home smelling fresh, rather than like harsh chemical fumes. Their fragrances uplift my mood while cleaning.
Cost-Effective
As concentrated plant extracts, a little goes a long way. Essential oils are a budget-friendly cleaning option compared to many commercial products.
Better for the Environment
Avoiding chemical-laden cleaners is better for the environment. Essential oils break down naturally without polluting waterways or the soil.
Best Essential Oils for Green Cleaning
Here are my top choices for spring cleaning:
Tea Tree
The potent antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties of tea tree make it ideal for disinfecting and killing germs in the bathroom and kitchen. It also helps combat mold.
Lemon
Bright, uplifting lemon oil cuts through grease and also disinfects. It’s perfect for cleaning kitchen counters, stove tops, and sinks, leaving them shiny. I also add it to a wood cleaner.
Peppermint
The stimulating scent of peppermint wakes me up first thing in the morning. It’s an excellent degreaser for Kitchens. I also use it in DIY shower cleaner.
Lavender
With its fresh floral scent, lavender is a soothing oil I like to diffuse in bedrooms and living spaces after cleaning. It’s gently antibacterial and makes a nice natural fabric freshener.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus has a clean, crisp scent that opens up my sinuses. It cuts grease well and I like using it for cleaning shower doors, floors, and windows, leaving a streak-free shine behind.
DIY Green Cleaning Recipes with Essential Oils
The options for homemade cleaners using essential oils are nearly endless. Here are a few of my favorite recipes to try this spring:
All-Purpose Cleaner
- 15 drops lemon essential oil
- 10 drops tea tree essential oil
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 3 cups water
Mix ingredients together in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use. Spritz on surfaces and wipe clean with a cloth. The vinegar cuts grease while the oils disinfect.
Wood Cleaner
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 10-15 drops lemon essential oil
Blend ingredients well and apply a small amount to a clean cloth. Rub into wood furnishings to clean, condition, and polish. The oil moisturizes while lemon cuts grease and leaves a shine.
Foaming Bathroom Scrub
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 10 drops tea tree oil
- 10 drops eucalyptus oil
- 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap
- 1 cup water
Blend baking soda and essential oils first. Then mix in soap and water. The baking soda scrubs while tea tree and eucalyptus clean and disinfect. Shake before using and scoop a small amount onto a sponge or cloth to scrub the tub, shower, and sinks.
Lemon Mint Fabric Freshener
- 2 cups water
- 20 drops lemon essential oil
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
Combine in a glass spray bottle. Spritz over pillows, curtains, furniture, or fabric to freshen with natural oils. The peppermint and lemon work together for an uplifting scent.
Tips for Cleaning with Essential Oils
Here are a few pointers as I get started with essential oil cleaning:
- Always do a skin test first to check for allergic reaction before wide use
- Start with smaller amounts of oils in cleaners and add more to suit
- Don’t use on granite, marble, or other porous stone as oils may stain
- Test an inconspicuous area first when using on wood
- Avoid getting oils near eyes as they can irritate
- Store oils properly away from heat and sunlight to preserve their potency
- Keep oils away from children and pets as some may be toxic if swallowed
With proper care, I’m looking forward to the green cleaning power of essential oils this spring. Their pleasant scents will uplift my mood while their cleaning power eliminates grime and germs in my home safely and economically.
