Did you know that the average person is exposed to an average of 700,000 chemicals every day? Many of which are in our own homes!
If you’re like me, you want to keep a clean house, but, using off-the-shelf cleaners may be doing us and our family more harm than good.
I’ve been studying and working with essential oils for years, and there are a number of them that you can use to clean your home that are just as effective, and healthier for you, your family, and the environment.
“The objective of cleaning is not just to clean,
but to feel happiness living within that environment.”
– Marie Kondo –
No time to read it now? PIN it for later:
Why Would You Want to Clean with Essential Oils?
When you read the labels of mainstream cleaning products like hand soaps, spray cleaners, and toothpaste, you’ll find a lot of harmful and toxic ingredients including:
- Parabens: known to be an endocrine disruptor, and carcinogenic
- Triclosan: known to be an endocrine disruptor, and is linked to asthma and thyroid dysfunction
- Phthalates: known to be a toxic hormone disruptor, and is linked to birth defects and infertility
- Carrageenan: known to be a carcinogenic, and is linked to gastrointestinal diseases, including ulcerative colitis, intestinal lesions, and colon cancer.
It’s really no surprise then why people are turning towards ecofriendly cleaners, like essential oils, for their home care.
We know that essential oils smell amazing, but these plant essences are made up of some powerful components. Pure essential oils are especially potent. Their unique compounds are so potent in fact, that they can destroy microbes (bacteria, viruses, and fungus).
Oils with different properties and scents can be combined to make a natural cleaner personalized for your exact needs, so you don’t need to buy separate products for different cleaning jobs anymore.
But…How Do You Know if You’re Buying a “Good” Essential Oil?
I get asked this question a lot – and it’s important to remember that not all essential oils are created equal.
If you’re thinking about adding essential oils to your house cleaning routine, make sure that you’re using pure essences, so you get the maximum benefits from the most potent and healthiest plants.
Before you go out and buy just any old essential oil, keep these tips in mind:
- Buy organic (if you can)
- Artificially scented or perfume oils are not essential oils
- Look for “100% pure” on the label. The only ingredient should be the essential oil
- Avoid preservatives, additives, and synthetic ingredients
My Favorite Essential Oils for Green Cleaning
If you’ve ever made your own non-toxic cleaning products, you know that homemade cleaners can smell, well…pretty “yuk”.
Not only do essential oils smell amazing, but they can also put you in a great mood while you’re cleaning – and who doesn’t want that!?
One of my favorite DIY essential oil recipes is my 1-2-3 All Purpose Cleaner:
1 cup of water
2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol
3 drops of your favorite essential oil
Put it all in a spray bottle, shake it up, and you’re good to go!
Pro Tip: Place a glass bead in your spray bottle. When you shake the bottle, the bead will help disperse the essential oils through the water.
Here are some of my favorite essential oils that I add to the 1-2-3 All Purpose Cleaner:
- Lavender – This stress-relieving oil naturally relaxes the nervous system. This oil is also a top antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral, and fungicidal.
- Lemon – Are you feeling down? This essential oil is not only an antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antiseptic, but this fresh scent can improve your mood.
- Peppermint – This revitalizing oil has been shown to enhance work performance and increase alertness, in addition to its antiseptic properties.
- Sweet Orange – This refreshing, citrus-based oil earns its place among nontoxic household cleaners for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, which also makes it a great degreaser.
- Tea Tree – Looking for something really powerful? This oil is strong on its own, but essential oil combinations using tea tree will benefit from its bactericidal, insecticidal, antiseptic, and antifungal properties.
I hope this inspires you to try essential oils to naturally clean and freshen your home.
If you’re interested in learning more about household chemicals, check out this article from the Cleveland Clinic.
AND if you’re looking for more essential oil inspiration, follow me on Pinterest.
