Natural & Chemical-Free Spring Cleaning!

It is now officially spring so naturally it is time for spring cleaning! I absolutely love to clean my house using essential oils, not only because they make my house smell amazing but because they are free of chemicals! Even better, they actually clean and purify the air - whats not to love?!


Major benefits of cleaning with essential oils:

• Chemical-Free
• Eliminate or decrease allergies
• Decrease pathogens inside your home
• Boost immunity
• Kills Germs without adding any of the bad stuff
• Eliminate bugs and dust mites
• They are more effective!

Why use doTerra Essential Oils? Because if you are looking to get rid of chemicals, they are the only company out there that are 100% Pure, 100% of the time. Why switch to using oils if your still going to get the chemicals and synthetics anyways? 

**IMPORTANT** Make sure when putting essential oils into a spray bottle that it is a glass spray bottle, preferably Amber Glass, because they are so good at cleaning they will eat right through your synthetic plastic spray bottles!


Okay lets get more specific....

Basic Cleaning Solution:

In a glass spray bottle full of water, mix together:

• Purify, or Citrus Oil (3 drops)
• Peppermint (3 drops)
• On Guard (2 drops)
• Distilled Water

You can use this solution to clean and disinfect any surface that needs to be wipe down such as: door knobs, light switches, interior of car, outside of toilets, counter tops etc. Since oil and water will separate, make sure to shake before spraying. 

Floors:

Use several drops (10+) of your favorite oil & mix with sink or bucket of warm water

Hard floor cleaner:

*This will clean, disinfect rid the floor or mold, fungi, repel spiders and ants and leave whatever unique aroma you use.

To clean hard floors, add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to a bucket (appx 1 gallon) of warm filtered water. Then add 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil. Many are suitable, choose your favorite(s): Lemon, white fir, melaleuca, cassia, On Guard, or Purify. Also consider the powerful antiseptic properties of Oregano essential oil. If the floor is especially dirty, you can add several drops of mild dishwashing soap.

Aromatic carpet freshener:

• 1 box baking soda
• 1 empty and cleaned potato chip canister
• 1 hand-held hole punch
• 15-20 drops essential oils

Clean out an empty "Pringles" type potato chip canister. Take a hole punch and punch out five or six holes in the plastic lid. Sift the baking soda into a glass mixing bowl to break up any clumps. Mix essential oils of your choice into bowl, mixing well with fork so that baking soda takes on the scent of the oils. Pour the mixture into canister and replace plastic lid (with the holes on top). Sprinkle onto carpet and let sit, then vacuum for a sweet and clean smelling, fresh carpet. 

*Note: If you don't want to spend your money on making the canister, just sprinkle over carpet carefully. 
Carpet sprinkle suggestions:

• Option 1- 10 drops lavender, 5 drops lemon, 5 drops oregano for deep cleaning
• Option 2- 20 drops On Guard to get rid of germs
• Option 3- 20 drops Elevation, Citrus Bliss to set an uplifting mood
• Option 4- 20 drops Serenity to set a calming mood.

Vacuum Cleaner:

Drip several drops of your favorite essential oils on a tissue and place it in the collection bag of your vacuum. This will diffuse a pleasant odor as you clean as well as kill germs that are often found and disseminated as you vacuum.


Vents and air ducts:


Change your air return filters often, and when you do, drip 10 drops of your favorite sanitizing essential oil to reduce pathogens, lesson allergic responses to duct air and to kill fungi and mold in duct work.
Consider: On Guard™, Citrus Bliss™, Purify™, Oregano, Peppermint

Window and Mirror Cleaner:

Normal window cleaners are harsh and full of chemicals. Vinegar cleans windows, however, the sour smell is usually not pleasant. This recipe will fix that! 

• 1 cup White Vinegar
• 1 cup filtered water
• 10-15 drops of Lemon or wild orange oil

Mix vinegar and water and essential oil in a glass spray bottle. Wipe with a paper towel or buff with a newspaper. Shake well before each use.

Dishwashing Soap:

Greatly improve the antiseptic action of your liquid soap , add several drops of essential oils such as purify,

lavender, melaleuca, lemon, wild orange, Citrus Bliss or On Guard.

Laundry:

Essential oils may be used to help clean and sanitize your laundry


*UPDATE* I have recipes for Laundry soap, fabric softener and dryer sheets posted recently.

• Add 10 drops of eucalyptus to each load to kill dust mites or fleas.
• Add 10 drops of lemon or Purify to help further deodorize and sanitize.

Linen/Bed Spritzer:


Freshen your bed linens as you make beds or prior to bed time as you turn down the sheets. Not only will it kill germs and pathogens, it will repel dust mites, bed bugs, fleas and spiders. It also leaves a clean fresh smell. Dust mites live in your bedding, feeding from the dead skin cells you constantly shed.

In a small glass spray bottle, mix;

• ½ - 1 Cup distilled or filtered water
• 10 drops Citrus Oil
• 10 drops Lavender 

Also consider a few drops of eucalyptus (Breathe™ has eucalyptus in it) occasionally as studies show it is effective killing dust mites.

Spray over turned down sheets and pillows a few minutes prior to bed time. Use Serenity™ to help induce a restful sleep. Consider Spritzing closets where clothes or coats are hanging. Or drawers and freshly folded laundry.


Household and kitchen ants:

For small black kitchen ants.
1. Keep counters completely clear of food, spills, and water. Especially sweets or juice spills. Especially over night.
2. In a spray bottle, combine 20 drops of lemongrass and ¼ - ½ cup of carrier oil such as grapeseed oil (this will keep the essential oil from evaporating quickly). Shake well, and often.
3. Spray areas where ants commonly enter or congregate.
4. After spraying countertops where there are commonly problems, you may wipe the cabinet down to get better coverage. Be sure and get under the edge of counters.


Fruit and Vegetable Wash:

Add a few drops of lemon, wild orange, or Citrus Bliss™ essential oil to a large sink or bowl of water. Place fruits or vegetables in a colander lower into the water and agitate for a few minutes. Can be used with several batches. This will also help the food keep longer because it washes off germs and pathogens that can cause mold or rotting. Use a spinner to get moister off food after washing if available.


Another option: Use Lemon, or any combination of Citrus Oils (5 drops) mixed with water in a glass spray bottle. Spray fruit or veggies & let sit for one minute, then rinse.

Use Lemon oil in water to keep fruit from turning brown.

Dusting:

Make a solution of Lemon, or Wild Orange, or Citrus Bliss with coconut oil. Mix one drop essential oil with 10 drops of coconut oil. Then dust with a clean cloth.

Sanitary Toothbrush:

*Terrible germs build up on toothbrushes. It makes average brushing a scary thought. You can be sure that your brush is free from spreading any germs, pathogens or fungi by storing your toothbrush in this mixture.

Appx ¼ - ½ cup of filtered or distilled water 7 drops On Guard
Fill a small glass with the ingredients. Use your toothbrush to mix or agitate the ingredients well. Leave your toothbrush in the mixture over night. Refresh the mixture every few days.

No dust furniture polish:

Regular furniture polish often contains phenol - you should stay clear of it. Phenol causes cancer. Of it gets on your skin it can cause your skin to burn and peel. If swallowed it can cause the circulatory system to collapse, coma, seizures, and death. Nitrobenzene is also found in polish. it is a toxic chemical is absorbed by the skin and attacks the central nervous system. It can cause cancer, breathing problems, vomiting, birth defects, heart, liver, and kidney problems.

Instead, mix;

• 10 drops wild orange or citrus bliss essential oil, (optional)
• 30 drops lemon essential oil 
• 1/3 cup Coconut oil (or grapeseed)
• 1/2 cup distilled water

Fill a glass spray trigger bottle with ingredients and shake to mix well. Spray on furniture and wipe with soft cloth. Shake often.