Distilled from herbs and other plants, essential oils serve as highly concentrated and often fragrant oils designed to capture the essence of the original plant. These natural extracts can be used to create household disinfectants, cleaners and deodorizers. Research oils fully before use, as essential oils can be flammable and also can cause allergic reactions for some individuals.
Pine
Pine essential oil can serve as an effective and aromatic bathroom cleaner. Karyn Siegel-Maier, in "The Naturally Clean Home: 150 Super-Easy Herbal Formulas for Green Cleaning," recommends a pine essential oil blend as a disinfectant cleaner. To create the mixture, blend 2 cups water, 2 tsp. borax, 8 drops pine essential oil and 4 drops cedar essential oil. Pour the mixture into a plastic spray bottle and shake the bottle to blend the ingredients with each use. Spray on bathroom surfaces, and then wipe off with a damp cleaning cloth.
Lemon
Lemon or lemongrass essential oil can be used to create a citrus-scented dishwashing liquid. Siegel-Maier suggests this blend as a fruity alternative to your traditional liquid soap. Blend 22 oz. liquid Castile soap, 15 drops lemon or lemongrass essential oil, 6 drops lavender essential oil and 5 drops bergamot essential oil. Pour the mixture into a 22 oz. plastic squirt bottle and shake the bottle to blend the ingredients before use. To use, Siegel-Maier recommends adding about 2 tbsp. of the blend to your dish water.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus essential oil can serve as a potent and fragrant floor cleaner. Colleen K. Dodt, in "The Essential Oils Book: Creating Personal Blends for Mind & Body," shares a floor cleaning solution: Blend 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil with 20 drops Murphy's oil soap in 2 gallons of water. Use as you would your regular floor cleaning solution. You can substitute eucalyptus essential oil with other essential oils, such as lavender, lemon, pine or rosemary.
Lavender
Lavender oil can be used to create an aromatic air freshener for use throughout your home. Mary Findley and Linda Formichelli, in "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Cleaning," recommend an air freshener and deodorizing blend. Combine 10 drops lavender essential oil with 1 cup distilled water and pour into a spray bottle. To use, shake well, then spray lightly on your carpet. For variety, you can substitute essential oils of lemon, lime, pine or tea tree.
References
- "The Naturally Clean Home: 150 Super-Easy Herbal Formulas for Green Cleaning"; Karyn Siegel-Maier; 2008
- "The Essential Oils Book: Creating Personal Blends for Mind & Body" Colleen K. Dodt; 1996
- "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Cleaning"; Mary Findley, Linda Formichelli; 2009
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