Is your spring cleaning really as clean as you think it is? Spring cleaning is supposed to be a ritual of purging the accumulated dirt, germs and odor from a winter-weary home to create a clean and healthy living space. Unfortunately, the often caustic and toxic ingredients used in most conventional cleaning products can be just as harmful as the dirt and germs they are meant to eliminate.
Even some so-called natural cleansers can contain these same or similar nasty ingredients.
The best way to make sure your living space is clean and healthy is to use safe, natural cleaning products you create yourself, using natural and inexpensive ingredients you can pick up at any natural grocery store. It's cost-effective, not difficult and, like the task of spring cleaning itself, it's satisfying and rewarding.
Essential oils have potent antimicrobial effects along with their clean, pleasant natural aromas. Especially good are: lemon (clean, sweet, uplifting scent; deodorizing), peppermint (minty, fresh; air purifier; mild pest repellent), eucalyptus and tea tree (air and surface sanitizers; fresh, therapeutic aromas).
Here's a shopping list of key ingredients for making your own homecare products:
- Essential Oils
- Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) -- Gently abrasive scouring powder, odor absorber and an excellent base for making your own cleaning preparations.
- Washing Soda (Sodium Carbonate)
- Borax (Sodium Borate) -- Natural mineral compound, laundry booster, multipurpose cleanser, fungicide/insecticide.
- White Distilled Vinegar (Acetic Acid)
- Distilled water -- Clean, distilled water acts as a better carrier and dirt solvent. Tap water will often contain salts and minerals that can lead to spotting and build-up.
- Spray bottles
- Natural bristle scrubbing brushes
- Squeeze bottles
- Cotton dusting cloth
- Hemp or Jute fiber scrubbing cloth
- Tote to put it all in
Follow these simple recipes for making your own basic homecare products:
Basic Spray Cleaner
2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon sodium borate
1/4 teaspoon liquid soap
36 drops essential oil
Which Oils? Cleansing & Purifying essential oils: lemon, tea tree, eucalyptus, spike lavender.
Gentle Scouring Cream
1/2 cup baking soda
Liquid soap
18 drops essential oil
Add essential oils to baking soda and blend. Next, incorporate the liquid soap, several drops at a time, until a creamy paste forms.
Which Oils? Oils that brighten: lemon, lemongrass, grapefruit.
Carpet Deodorizing Powder
1 cup baking soda
18 drops essential oil
Carpet Cleaner
1 cup baking soda
1 teaspoon liquid soap
18 drops essential oil
Which Oils? Deodorizing essential oils: bergamot, coriander seed, lavandin.
Window Cleaner
2 cups water
3 tablespoons vinegar
1/4 teaspoon liquid soap
36 drops essential oil
Wooden Furniture Polishing Oil
3 tablespoons vinegar
1/2 teaspoon jojoba oil
10 drops lemon essential oil
