h e a r t s c e n t
DIY CLEANING PRODUCTS
I have been making my own cleaning products for decades. I was trained as a chemist and worked in chemistry and biology labs for many years. As a result of my exposure to many chemicals I developed multiple chemical sensitivities. At the time, I thought it was very difficult and felt a little sorry for myself. Now I know it was a blessing, as I have been using safer products my whole life. How can that be a bad thing?
Essential oils are a perfect fit for the home. We spend so much time at our home that it only makes sense for it to be as healthy as possible. Making your own cleaning products is easy AND inexpensive. Because these products either have no smell or smell wonderful, you might actually enjoy cleaning the house more often.
Let’s keep it real simple, start with vinegar, baking soda, castile soap and a few essential oils. Essential oils are like frosting on a good cake. The cake is good, but it is really good with the frosting.
Here are a few options you may enjoy!
- 14 ounces Water
- 2 ounces White Distilled Vinegar
- ½ teaspoon castile soap* (optional)
- 8-10 drops of any citrus oil; lemon, sweet orange, tangerine, grapefruit, or combination (optional)
Fill plastic spray bottle to 14 ounces. Add vinegar until 16 ounces. Add soap and essential oils. Invert a few times. Label with a marker and remember to invert before use.
* I have always been a fan of Dr. Bronner’s castile soap. You can find it unscented or with fragrance added online or at your local health food store or co-op.
- 14 ounces Water
- 2 ounces White Distilled Vinegar
- ½ teaspoon castile soap (optional)
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
- 10 drops pine essential oil
- 10 drops lemon essential oil
Fill plastic spray bottle to 14 ounces. Add vinegar until 16 ounces. Add soap and essential oils. Invert a few times. Label with a marker and remember to invert before use.
* I have always been a fan of Dr. Bronner’s castile soap. You can find it unscented or with fragrance added online or at your local health food store or co-op.
FOR ANY FLOOR THAT CAN BE CLEANED WITH WATER
- 10-12 ounces of water
- 1-2 teaspoons castile soap
- 5-6 drops lemon essential oil (optional)
Fill spray bottle with water, add soap and essential oils. Invert a few times. Label with a marker. Spray onto floor and wipe with rag or use dry Swifter type mop. This does not need to be rinsed off. This can also be expanded to fill a pail if you want to use a traditional mop.
* I have always been a fan of Dr. Bronner’s castile soap. You can find it unscented or with fragrance added online or at your local health food store or co-op.
BASIC SCRUB:
Baking soda
Sprinkle baking soda into a damp plastic scrubby/sponge or directly onto damp sink or tub. Scrub. Rinse with water. It is as simple as that. Now we can get fancy if you like:
SOFT SCRUB:
- 1 part Baking Soda
- 1 part Water OR Castile Soap (soap will foam and will help with greasy surfaces)
- 2-3 drops of an essential oil; pine or lemon
Mix well until you have a consistency you like to work with. Make enough for this cleaning or add a teaspoon of vegetable glycerin to any extra to keep it moist until the next time you clean.
* I have always been a fan of Dr. Bronner’s castile soap. You can find it unscented or with fragrance added online or at your local health food store or co-op.
- ½ cup White Cider Vinegar
- ½ Baking Soda
- 5-6 drops of antimicrobial essential oils like Lemongrass or Tea Tree.
Dump in a ½ cup of baking soda. Add essential oil. Add ½ cup of vinegar. It will start bubbling. Scrub as usual.
- Boiled water to fill a 2-3 ounce spray bottle
- 3 drops geranium essential oil AND 3 drops cedarwood essential oil (cedarwood is a relaxing aroma AND it repels dust mites, fleas and bedbugs)
- OR 5-6 drops of any relaxing aroma you prefer; lavender, sweet marjoram, bergamot, or chamomile
Boil water in microwave or on stove top. A tea kettle works nicely for this. IMPORTANT: Allow water to cool before adding to your spray bottle. Add essential oils and shake. That’s all there is. Label the bottle and remember to shake before spritzing your bedding.
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Here is a simple OVEN CLEANER recipe you may want to try.
Enjoy your clean, and wonderfully aromatic home!
