Spring has definitely sprung, and we’ve got the cleaning bug! How about you? But are you still using the same old chemical laden products, or have you made the switch to a greener cleaning regime? There is absolutely no reason why we can’t use the products that our earth presents to us to keep our house and home in order, so this week we want to tell you about three little essential oils that will spring clean your house. You won’t look back, we promise!
Why clean green?
There are so many nasty chemicals lurking in the products we use around the home, and every time we use them to get the place sparkling, we’re breathing in those chemicals. We’re allowing them onto our skin and our bodies are absorbing everything. We’re so careful with what we eat and drink, so why not be careful with what our skin eats and drinks too? Not to mention the air that we breathe. Cleaning green means ditching the toxins that play havoc with our health, and instead embracing a new, more gentle way of making the house a home. Read on to find out which essential oils are going to make all the difference for you.
Lemon
We love lemons so much! They are so versatile and it should come as no surprise that lemon essential oil is wonderful for green cleaning too. Not only do lemons smell super fresh and clean, but they have such powerful antibacterial and antiviral properties that they do a lot more than just banishing odours in the home. Use it to clean your floors and windows, and to freshen your laundry too.
To clean your floor with lemon essential oil you need just one bucket of water, one cup of white vinegar and one tablespoon of castille soap. Then add 15 drops of the lemon essential oil to the mix and away you go. Lemon essential oil when mixed with just white vinegar (just a few drops will do) is also great for wiping down work surfaces and ensuring they’re super clean too. And that laundry that’s been sitting in the machine a little too long? Rinse it through with a few drops of lemon essential oil and you’ll have super fresh and clean clothes in no time. We LOVE lemon essential oil!
Tea tree oil
Another wonderfully versatile essential oil! Don’t be without it. It has such strong antibacterial and antiseptic properties and is also a very powerful anti-fungal cleaning agent too, so it’s fantastic for the bigger spring cleaning jobs around the house. Use it in the bathroom in particular- just a couple of drops in water will help to freshen up shower doors, sinks and bath tubs. Perfect!
Peppermint
We love peppermint essential oil so much! No other oil has such a fresh, clean aroma and it’s invigorating too so it helps to awaken the senses when you use it. Additionally, peppermint oil is packed with antibacterial properties so it works well with vinegar to disinfect areas such as the bathroom and kitchen. You just need to add a few drops to water, clean, and wipe off afterwards.
Bigger cleaning jobs
Essential oils are also perfect for tackling bigger cleaning jobs too, proving they’re not just for occasional spring cleaning. THere’s no reason why you can’t use all of the the above in your regular cleaning regime, and ditch the toxins for good! Here are two of our favourite recipes for regular cleaning- try them today!
Toilet cleaner
The one job we all hate! But now you can use the power of plants to get that oven clean, and NO nasty chemicals at all. All you need is:
- Two cups of water
- One quarter of a cup of liquid castile soap
- One tablespoon of tea tree essential oil
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
Mix all of the ingredients together in a spray bottle and shake well. To use, spray on toilet surfaces and wipe clean with damp cloth or sponge.
Carpet cleaning
Another fantastic use for peppermint essential oil- so you know this is going to smell great! All you need is:
- Three cups of water
- Three quarters of a cup of liquid castile soap
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
To make the cleaner, simply mix all the ingredients in a blender. Rub the foam into soiled areas with a damp sponge and allow to dry thoroughly before hoovering.
