Spring Cleaning with Essential Oils
Spring Cleaning with Essential Oils
Have you ever considered the exhausted, achy or irritable feelings you experience after cleaning your home, might not actually be from the physical activity of cleaning, but from the chemicals used in the process?
According to the “Mind Health Report” (Jan 2013), “many of the effects of environmental toxins are cumulative,” effecting the developing brains of children, and posing a threat to the integrity and functionality of the human brain as we age. This can result in reduced cognitive, sensory, motor and social behaviors. In addition, liver enzymes responsible for metabolizing these toxins are often reduced, hormone production is reduced (in both males and females), and the function and integrity of the blood-brain barrier becomes compromised. When the blood-brain barrier that separates circulating blood from the brain’s intracellular fluid becomes compromised, toxic agents in the bloodstream can get into brain tissue. This can effect how we feel, think, and respond. That is one of the reasons I have added “Home Cleaning” to my list of essential oils uses.
Making your own natural cleaners using pure essential oils or purchasing home cleaning products made with natural alternatives and pure essential oils has many advantages. Most recipes for natural cleaning products call for relatively common and harmless household ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, and pure essential oils. They may require a little more “elbow grease”, but most pure essential oils have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antiseptic properties. Other advantages of using pure essential oils in your home cleaning include:
It is safer for your health and environment
Pure Essential Oils give added cleaning power without exposure to the toxic chemicals from synthetic fragrances (which often contribute to headaches and other health issues)
It is FUN and over time, less expensive.
Pure Essential Oils make your home environment relaxing, refreshing and fragrant
Below I have included some ways to use Pure Essential Oils in cleaning your home for “Spring” and throughout the year to keep your home healthy and happy.
Lemongrass Drain Opener
Lemongrass Essential Oil has properties that are antiseptic, anti-microbial, fungicidal, bactericidal, insecticidal, and a deodorant. It helps cut through grease, clogged drains, and is great for repelling mosquitoes. Commercial drain cleaners can contain extremely toxic chemicals, the fumes can be harmful to our lungs, and they can be harmful to drain pipes. Use the following recipe to open up clogged drains and for a monthly “maintenance”
Lemmongrass Pure Essential Oil 10 drops
Baking Soda 1 Cup
Boiling Water 3 Cups
Put the baking soda and the PureLemongrass Essential Oil in the sink drain, then pour in the boiling water: plunge as needed to release the clog.
An alternative is to use distilled white vinegar in place of the water. Once the fizzing has stopped, pour boiling water into the sink drain and plunge if needed. Avoid splashing the Lemongrass Drain Opener mix into your eyes or onto your skin. Wear eye goggles for added protection.
Eucalyptus Floor Cleaner
Eucalyptus is well known for helping to fight colds and flu due to its natural antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. It is excellent added to a humidifier, the rinse cycle of a load of laundry, or to remove sticky residue from tags and tape and to remove stains from clothes.
Eucalyptus Pure Essential Oil 20 drops
Hot Water 2 Gallon
Ground Soap Base (or liquid Castile Soap) 2 Tablespoons
White Vinegar 2 Cups
Mix all the above ingredients together in a large bucket and use as needed for cleaning your floors.
Pure Lemon, Pine, or Sweet Orange Essential Oils may be substituted for Pure Eucalyptus Essential Oil, or blend two or more of your favorite pure essential oils together.
Other natural cleaning products and Pure Essential Oils available from Flinthills Aromatherapy beneficial for cleaning your home include:
Lemon Soft Scrub (excellent for countertops, stainless steel sinks, appliances, and flat top cooktops)
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Orange Furniture Polish
Natural Wool Felted Dryer Ball (a reusable replacement for fabric softener dryer sheets and decreases drying time)
Pure Essential Oils of : Lemon, Lavender, Pine, Sweet Orange, Tea Tree, Peppermint, Rosemary Eucalyptus, Cedarwood, Patchouli, and Lemongrass
To buy pure essential oils, natural cleaning products and supplies go to www.flinthillsaromatherapy.com, call 620-394-2250 or e-mail info@flinthillsaromatherapy.com