Hi everyone,
Today I’m welcoming my first guest writer to my blog! Veronica from Love, Light and Gratitude is writing today about how to use essential oils when we are cleaning our home.
I love essential oils but I don’t really know how to use them. It’s something I’ve always wanted to learn. Over the last while, I’ve been starting to think more about the products I’m using to clean and was wondering how I could use the oils I have to do so. As part of Spring Cleaning season, I asked Veronica would she give us a lesson in using essential oils to clean our homes. And so she did!
I can’t wait to try some of these ideas out!
Down Under we’re transitioning into Autumn, but my heart will forever be halfway in the Great White North so I’m getting that itch for Spring cleaning!
I started using essential oils for beauty and aromatherapy but quickly found out that in any given situation or scenario you can almost be sure that “there’s an oil for that!”
Over the years as I’ve become conscious of all the chemicals in most of the products we use today and the harm they can cause, I began looking for clean green alternatives. Turns out, I didn’t have to look beyond my cupboard!* (*this only applies if like mine, your cupboards are filled with essential oils).
So here is just a sample of some of the easy swaps you can make to clean green this Spring:
Diffusing
First things first – get rid of all of your chemical filled air fresheners, the sprays, plug ins and even the scented candles (sorry!)
Diffusing is a great way to not just freshen the air in your space, but in some cases to actually clean it.
Using a blend of Peppermint and Melaleuca (Tea Tree) will actively fight mould and other bacteria floating around in the air.
If you’re just looking for scent then you can easily follow your nose and choose a scent that suits your taste or mood. I always find that a Citrus scent or blend is perfect for spring cleaning, it not only gives a crisp fresh scent, but it also actually gives you a boost of energy to get the work done!
DIY cleaning sprays
You will need:
500ml spray bottle (glass is best for essential oils)
1 3/4 cups distilled water
1/4 cup white vinegar
30 drops essential oils
The essential oils not only cut the scent of the vinegar (which fades a heck of a lot faster than the chemical cleaning scent) but they actually clean! For a streak-free shine on windows any citrus oil will do the trick – it’s also good for anything sticky or greasy and in the kitchen on stubborn pots and pans – just add a few drops with some warm water.
For the rest of the house you can use any of the many anti-bacterial oils based on your scent preference – get creative and mix your own blends! Lavender, Melaleuca, Peppermint, and Eucalyptus are all great choices!
Shower & Tub
Going back to Peppermint and Melaleuca – this combination is perfect for a shower spray to combat mould and mildew.
Method: Combine 3 tablespoons of baking soda with the duo above, a touch of grapefruit and water
This will create a paste for a great shower or bathtub scrub!
Clean the cleaners
Over time dishwashers and washing machines can develop an unpleasant smell.
A few drops of Lemon will clean out any gunky residue and add a fresh scent. You can also use Lavender in the washing machine.
Bugs
With all the windows and doors open to let in the fresh air, you’re bound to invite some unwanted creepy crawlers along.
Going back to our dynamic duo of Peppermint and Melaleuca – mix in a spray bottle with some distilled water. This can be used in doorways and on windowsills or wherever the bugs are coming from.
Last tip
Sprinkle or spray your toilet bowl, rubbish bin, sports shoes or anything else that needs clean deodorising with a few drops of your favourite oil!
Before I send you off to clean and purify your home, I want to leave you with some last bits of important info!
• Make sure you’re buying pure, undiluted essential oils. There are a lot of oils out on the market; do your research and make sure that you are using therapeutic grade oils (not fragrance!) And don’t be scared off by the price of some quality oils. A 15ml bottle will probably last you at least half a year (if you’re just using them for cleaning).
• Oils, while natural, are also very potent and should be used with caution – especially around small children and animals! Also some oils exposed to your body neat (without dilution) can cause irritation, so again use caution when mixing!
• Oils are addictive! I don’t actually mean this in a harmful way like tobacco, but once you start using them for cleaning, you might find out that they have 101 uses and the next thing you know you’ll be the lady with an oil cupboard who is writing a blog post about it 🙂
Seeker, Lover, Spirit Junkie. Veronica is a pusher of love and light and she’s on a mission to make people feel good! Through teaching self love practices, holistic living, and as an Official Desire Map Facilitator. She can often be found glued to her lap top working on LoveLightandGratitude.com, boarding a plane to fulfil her insatiable lust for adventure* or napping! {*since moving down under, planes have been substituted with road trips and bush walks!}
*Guest post, unsponsored*
