The dog days of summer are here and nothing is better than cleaning with essential oils. Not only does your environment appreciate this, but you are changing the minds of the people who are in this environment by infusing the uplifting power of therapeutic essential oils into the air.
In my last post I gave you some insight on how to use essential oils to enhance your environment. I am going a few steps further and giving you solid household cleaning recipes that I use regularly. As you have heard, Essential oils are nature's medicine. By using them to effectively clean your home, office or vehicle, you are eliminating harming chemicals and instilling this very medicine into the air you breathe. You are taking a step toward self care and wellness.
One of the best essential oils for cleaning is Lemon essential oil, which boosts the effectiveness of cleaning with natural products and leaves a fresh, clean scent all around. Why switch from commercial products with ingredients like bleach and ammonia? Because those cleaners can irritate your eyes, airways, skin, and nervous system, AND they also pollute and contaminate your indoor air and the water sources they wash into when they go down the drain.
Below are recipes to deodorize, disinfect, degrease, polish, and brighten your environment.
Window Cleaner
1 cup distilled white vinegar diluted with 1/4 cup water
10-15 drops lemon or orange essential oil
Mix well in a spray bottle, apply to windows, and wipe with newspaper
Floor Cleaner:
Pour 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar to a bucket of water (1 gallon)
Add 15 drops lemon essential oil
Add 3 drops eucalyptus essential oil
Wood Love:
Add 4-5 drops lemon essential oil to a small amount of olive oil. (Olive oil is a natural oil that helps to nourish and polish wood.)
Mix, apply lightly to furniture, and buff for a perfect shine.
Everyday Disinfectant:
Fill a spray bottle with water
Add a squirt of plant based soap
Add 5-10 drops each of lemon, lavender, and pine essential oils (can use individually)
Shake well and apply to all surfaces.
Mold & Mildew Spray:
Pour 2 cups distilled white vinegar into a spray bottle
Add 2 drops lemon essential oil and 2 drops tea tree essential oil
Shake well and spray on infected area
Enjoy your days, laugh often and shine your light from the inside out!
Heather A. Howell is a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist and owner/formulator of Aroma Pharmica, an organic skincare company and custom blend practice. Her life revolves around her 3 incredible children, nature and holistic healing. Aroma Pharmica is located in Charleston, SC. Contact Heather at 843.330.5941 On-line at http//:www.aroma-pharmica.com
