Essential Oils for Cleaning

Making the decision to free your environment from harsh chemicals and switch to healthier options can take some time and effort, but is definitely worth it. Essential oils provide a healthy replacement for many of these chemicals. The great thing is that they are very versatile and have many uses. You will find that the same essential oils you use for pain relief can also be used as a cleaning agent or to calm your baby. This will save you money and make it easy for you to have everything you need on hand at all times.

Replacing the cleaning chemicals in your household can free your environment from some of its most harmful chemicals. The chemicals in many household items can irritate the skin, weaken the immune system and even increase the risk of cancer. Replacing even a few of these items with essential oils can go along way to decreasing these risks for your family.

Below are directions on making your own cleaning products using common household products and essential oils. (From YoungLiving.com)

Household cleaner: Fill a spray bottle with water and a squirt of dishwashing soap. Add 35 drops each of lavender, lemon, and pine essential oils. Shake well.

Floor cleaner: Add 1/4 cup white vinegar to a bucket of water. Add 510 drops lemon, pine, or spruce essential oil.

Fighting dust mites: Recent research has shown that eucalyptus essential oil kills dust mites that live in bedding. Add 25 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to each load of laundry for an effective dust mite deterrent.

Kitchens and bathrooms: Mix into 1 quart water: 2 drops rosemary oil, 4 drops lemon oil, 3 drops eucalyptus oil, and 4 drops lavender oil. Shake well and put into a spray bottle. Shake again before using.

Window cleaner: Mix 1 cup vinegar and water (almost enough to fill the bottle) in a 1 quart spray bottle. Add 10-15 drops of lemon essential oil. Shake and use.

Stain removal: Use a drop or two of lemon essential oil on stains. Let stand and rub off with a clean cloth or throw into laundry cycle.

In the dryer: Instead of using toxic and irritating softening sheets in the dryer, toss in a dampened washcloth with 10 drops of lavender, lemon, melaleuca, bergamot, or other oils added. While the oils will not reduce static cling, they will impart a lovely fragrance to the clothes.

Once you've mixed up these essential oils to be used as household cleaners and stored them in place of the chemicals you were using previously, it will be easy to make the switch to using them during your cleaning routine. This will help improve the your health and the health of your family. Plus, your house will smell great.

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