Green Cleaning with Essential Oils

Uncategorized Jun 21, 2022

I wanted to provide some helpful information in the form of a few recipes for creating your own green cleaning products with essential oils!
Making your own cleaning products is an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint by eliminating single-use plastic cleaning products from your home and reduce your exposure to toxic and harmful chemicals.

My favorite part? You can completely customize by your own scent preferences! If you're new to this concept, here are some important considerations to ponder.

What to consider before making your own supplies:

  • Source Genuine Essential Oils! Shopping on amazon for "Lavender Scented Oil" is not the same as Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender Essential Oil). Often times, the inexpensive option can be synthetic or cut with adulterants, which can sometimes cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Perfume oils made in a lab are very different from genuine essential oils derived from the plant via distillation or extraction.
  • Oil and Water Don't Mix! Yes, it's still true, those precious little oil droplets will sit on top of water. It's important to remember to shake your cleaning solution in the bottle before using.
  • Spot Test Before Use!  Always spot test your surface spray to make sure the spray does not stain or otherwise harm your surfaces. Sometimes a coating or sealant could be eroded by essential oils. 
  • Spray Bottles! Multiple of these recipes feature empty spray bottles, I recommend using a dark colored glass because this can increase the shelf life of your cleaning spray and reduce the chance of chemicals from plastic seeping into the mixture.


A Great Starter Kit of Oils Would Include:
(oil name first, latin name in parenthasies)

  • Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus): Disinfectant, purification.
  • Lemon (Citrus limon): Antiseptic & disinfectant, refreshing.
  • Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi): Disinfectant, delightful smell.
  • Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): Antibacterial, antisepctic, calming.
  • Orange (Citrus sinensis): Antisepctic, removes adhesives & stains.
  • Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia): Anti-fungal, use for mold & mildew.
  • Peppermint (Mentha piperita): Repels ants & mice, freshening.

 

Now, for a few of my favorite green-cleaning essential oil recipes! 

Disinfecting Surface Spray Recipe
Water: 3 cups
Vinegar (white or ACV): 4 Tbsp
Orange EO: 20 drops
Lemon EO: 20 drops
Grapefruit EO: 20 drops

To Prepare
Mix essential oils with vinegar, fill empty spray bottle with distilled or filtered water. Shake well before use. 
Optional: Add Tea Tree for anti-fungal uses, such as for the shower.

 

 

Floor Cleaning Solution
Hot Water: 2 gallons
White Vinegar: 2 cups
Castile Soap: 2 Tbsp
Eucalyptus EO: 10 drops
Lemon EO: 10 drops
Orange EO: 10 drops

To Prepare
Prepare hot water in a bucket, add the white vinegar to water. In a separate container, mix essential oils with liquid soap, gently stir and add to water. 

Note: Use unscented soap, ideally castile soap or similar!

 

 

Toilet Bowl Cleaning Solution
Borax: 1 cup
Eucalyptus EO: 3 drops
Lemon EO: 3 drops
Tea Tree: 3 drops

To Prepare
Pour the borax and essential oils into the toilet bowl, let sit as long as possible, preferably overnight. Then scrub as normal, and flush!

Stay connected with us for updates, success stories, and Aromatherapy musings!

Be a part of the culture shift -  receive information about Aromatherapy in healthcare.
Don't worry, we don't send too much and your information will not be shared.

Close

50% Complete

Two Step

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.