I’m a lover of all plants in all of their forms, but do seem to be on an essential oil kick lately. They are the most potent form of herbs, and when used appropriately can do wonders. So to continue on my essential oil rant, here’s a list of do-it-yourself cleaning products that are not only safe and super easy to make, but work just as effectively, if not more so, than anything that you’ll find at a store.
- 1/4 cup white vinegar (kills germs, cuts grease, deodorizes & dissolves mineral deposits)
- 2 cups water, preferably distilled
- 2 tbs natural dish soap
- 30 drops of essential oil or combination or oils, of your choice (antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antibiotic)
Some oil combinations to try:
- 10 drops each of lavender, lemon and melaleuca
- 10 drops each of eucalyptus, peppermint and wild orange
- 10 drops each of thyme, rosemary and lemon
Add all ingredients to a spray bottle and shake thoroughly, though gently, until well mixed. Store in a cool, dark location between uses.
- 1/8 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water, preferably distilled
- 1 tsp natural dish soap
- 10-15 drops of lemon essential oil
- 3/4 cup baking soda (scrubs, whitens, deodorizes and cuts grease)
- 1/4 cup natural dish soap
- 1 tbs water, preferably distilled
- 1 tbs white vinegar
- 5 drops lemon essential oil
- 5 drops melaleuca essential oil
Toilet Bowl Cleaner- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 10 drops melaleuca essential oil (even shown to kills MRSA!)
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
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Floor Cleaner- 1 gallon of hot water
- 2 tbs natural dish soap
- 15 drops wild orange essential oil
- 10 drops lemon essential oil
Wood Floor Polish- 1/4 cup good quality olive oil
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 10 drops of wild orange or lemon essential oil (may also combine 5 drops of each)
Mix, apply and wipe clean.
* Thanks to Dena at http://grinninghippie.blogspot.com, I have updated the recipes above and removed Castile Soap and Borax from any of the recipes that call for a combination of either of those with Vinegar. I was not aware that while separately these two are powerful cleaning agents, they should not be combined. Fore more information, please visit: http://lisa.drbronner.com/?p=292
About Amy Paolinelli
Amy is a mom of 3 lively kiddos, a wife, and an advocate for natural living. Prior to having children, she worked as a Marriage and Family Therapist with high-risk youth. After having her first daughter, she found her passion in pregnancy, childbirth, babies, and natural living. She is now an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in private practice, a student of Herbal Medicine for Women, and cofounder of 3Girls Holistic - a truly pure herbal skin care line. She loves getting her hands dirty in the garden and spending time near the water. You can find more of her writings at www.3girlsholistic.com
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