- Vinegar: Both cleansing and odor removing.
- Baking soda: Cleansing, odor removing and great for scrubs and stains.
- Castile Soap: Gentle and all natural. Great for making hand soaps, laundry soaps, scrubs, and cleaning wipes.
- Washing Soda: Although it is not safe to ingest due to it's high alkalinity, washing soda is great for making your own own detergents and for use on difficult stains.
- Borax: Also not meant for ingestion but it is a naturally occurring salt that is great for cleaning and laundry detergents.
Lime Essential Oil: Due to its high limonene content, Lime can be diffused to purify the air. It is also an effective and natural surface cleaner. Lime is also known for it’s ability to uplift, balance and energize. Who couldn’t use a little of that while cleaning! Lime is also great for removing grease spots and sticker residue.
Melaleuca (Tea Tree) Essential Oil: Melaleuca is best known for its purifying properties. Used in a diffuser, Melaleuca is a powerful air cleansing agent. Or add a few drops of Melaleuca to a spray bottle, fill with water and use on surfaces to protect against environmental threats. Plus, Melaleuca is renowned for its cleansing and rejuvenating effect on the skin, which is much different than the irritating chemicals you find in conventional cleaners! I also add Melaleuca to my homemade creamy scrub and toilet bombs because it provides antibacterial benefits for the high traffic areas I use them on!
Eucalyptus Essential Oil: Eucalyptus has purifying properties that can be beneficial for cleansing surfaces and the air. As a bonus it also helps promote clear breathing and lessen tension. Combine with Lemon and Peppermint Essential oils in a spray bottle and use it to wipe down surfaces in your kitchen or bathroom!
dōTERRA On Guard Protective Blend Essential Oil: dōTERRA On Guard protects against environmental and seasonal threats with essential oils known for their positive effects on the immune system. This is quite the polar opposite of the toxic chemical cleaners most people typically use! It can also be used on surfaces throughout the home as a non-toxic cleaner. When diffused, dōTERRA On Guard helps purify the air. Add On Guard to water for an effective all-purpose surface cleaner or combine a few drops with Fractionated Coconut Oil for a natural hand cleanser. You can also easily make these handy all natural wipes that are AMAZING for quick easy clean ups!
Whether you change one cleaner in your home to a more natural method or do an entire overhaul of your cleaning supplies you can feel good knowing that you’ve taken the first step to ridding your home of the toxic chemicals that are harming our bodies! These suggestions and recipes are simple to make, take only minutes to put together and will save you money! Plus, they will save you from doing long term damage to your health. We can’t control everything that goes on in the world around us but we can control what part of that we bring into our homes. Feel empowered as you take control of your home environment and begin your journey of green cleaning today!
For more information on the essential oils mentioned in the article email Heather Bhagwan at heatherdoterra1@gmail.com or visit www.mydoterra.com/heatherbhagwan.
Thank you to Heather for guest-posting! If you are interested in writing a guest post for us, email karene@macaronikid.com!
