Cleaning is cathartic for some, while for others it's a chore. But no matter how you feel about cleaning, it's an unavoidable part of life. Having a sanitary space is necessary for a healthy lifestyle and can even prevent certain health issues.
Regardless of whether you like to clean, you should think about what products you bring into your home. Having cleaning agents that are effective and useful is a must, but safety is also a significant facet to consider. If cleaning with natural non toxic ingredients is important to you, then dōTERRA essential oils can provide a simple, yet powerful way of keeping things clean naturally!
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Every essential oil has its own natural set of chemical components or constituents that make them effective for improving the appearance of skin, while others have properties that make them useful for repelling insects, or supporting a restful enviornment.
Typically an essential oil combines several chemical components, giving it a diverse set of potential benefits. Many essential oils contain cleansing chemical components, but the most beneficial ones for cleaning are those with the highest concentration of those cleansing constituents. The unique combination of chemical constituents in any essential oil depends on what kind of plant it comes from. Each plant produces a different essential oil, with its own set of chemical components, and thus its own set of benefits. Because some essential oils have a higher percentage of chemical components with cleansing benefits than others, they are more effective for household cleaning.
Essential oils that contain a higher percentage of chemical compounds such as, phenols, aldehydes, and monoterpenes are best known for their cleansing properties. Phenols are found most notably in Clove, Oregano, and Thyme Essential Oils. Aldehydes are found most notably in Cassia, Cinnamon, Melissa, and Cilantro essential oils. Monoterpenes are found most notably in Bergamont, Lemon, Lime, Tea Tree, and Wild Orange Essential Oils.
Pure essential oils are safe for the home and your family, but they should always be used in proper amounts, and with appropriate application methods.
Not all essential oils are equal when it comes to quality and efficacy. When choosing essential oils to bring into your home, make sure they are pure and of the highest quality, they come from natural sources and don't contain sythetic or contaminants, as these will be much safer products and yield the best results. Low-quality oils, or oils with synthetic fillers won't be as effective for cleaning purposes. And because they aren't pure, more will be required to accomplish certain cleaning tasks. When using pure, potent essential oils, little of the product is required to provide powerful cleansing benefits.
Making your own cleaning solutions at home is easy when combining essential oils and natural products you most likely already have in your home, such as: vinegar, baking soda, salt, and castile soap. When using essential oils for cleaning, follow this guide: For simple cleaning use 5 or less drops of essential oils with 2-3 cups of solution. For tougher tasks you would use 10-15 drops of essential oils in 3-5 cups of solution. And for the hardest jobs you would use 20+ drops of essential oils in 3-5 cups of solution.
Once you are equipped with the basic essential oil knowledge and safety guidelines, it's time to start cleaning! One of the easiest ways to "clean" with essential oils is to purify the air through diffusing. Oils such as Eucalyptus, Lavender, Tea Tree and all things citrus will dispel those unpleasent odors, cleanse the air, and replace it with an inviting aroma.
For an easy all purpose surface spray, combine: 1 cup of warm water, 1 cup of white vinegar, and the desired amount of essential oils (5-20+). Pour into a glass spray bottle and shake before each use.
To create a natural scrubbing cleaner to use on stove tops, sinks, tubs, etc combine: 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup table salt, 1 tablespoon apple cidar vinegar, 2 tablespoons water, 4-5 drops of essential oil (lemon, lime, tea tree). Stir all ingredients into a paste, use right away, or store in an air tight glass container.
Glass Cleaner combine: 1 1/2 cups white vinegar, 1/2 cup distilled water, and 8 drops of any citrus oil (lemon, grapefruit, lime, wild orange) into a 16 oz glass spray bottle. Shake before each use. Check out more of my DIY classics here.
Understanding essential oils, how they work, what to use, how to safely use them, knowing the facts, and the science behind it is of the utmost importance.
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