Happy Spring Cleaning!

Yes, it is that time of year again, spring cleaning time! Time to do some deep cleaning that has been neglected throughout the winter months. I’ve found that cleaning our home with just a handful of natural products is actually easier and more effective (and cost-effective!)  than back when I had cupboards filled with all sorts of different cleaners!  So today, I’m going to share some tips on cleaning with essential oils and other natural ingredients, along with DIY cleaning recipes and safe products to replace toxic, chemical cleaners.

 

 

1. USE THE POWER OF LEMON OIL

Here’s one favorite tip to get you started with lemon oil: 

Microwave cleaner: freshen and clean your microwave by adding 5 drops of lemon essential oil to a cup of water in a glass container and heat in the microwave for two to three minutes.  Let it stand for five minutes without opening the door. The trapped steam will loosen the grime, so you can just wipe the microwave clean when you’re done. Fun and easy, right? I could (and will!) write an entire blog on Lemon oil!

 

 

2. GET AN ESSENTIAL OIL DIFFUSER

Essential oils can freshen and purify your rooms, neutralize airborne particles, and support oxygen levels and immunity.  I think every home needs at least one essential oil diffuser. I have an embarrassing amount - one in our kitchen, one in every bedroom of our home, and one in every bathroom in our home... and one in the car!

Natural room freshener and purifier:  Run your diffuser for about twenty minutes per room, or let it run for several hours each day, which is what I do. There are so many diffuser blends that you can choose for specific results - purify the air, uplift the mood, add a sense of calm… you name it, you can create it! Message me here for a free diffuser blend booklet: Connect Here

 

 

3. CLEAN AND DEODORIZE WITH BAKING SODA

Baking soda naturally absorbs odors and neutralizes bacteria. Set out a bowl of baking soda with 10 drops of your favorite essential oil in your laundry room, refrigerator, nursery, shoe closet, or wherever.

 

Stainless steel sink cleaner: Simply add baking soda, a tablespoon of On Guard cleaner concentrate, and some water to create your own Soft Scrub! AND...same recipe different application for an

Oven Cleaner: apply the above paste to the oven and let it sit for a few hours; then wipe down with water. Use a wadded-up piece of aluminum foil to scrub away any remaining residue.

 

4. USE WOOL DRYER BALLS FOR SOFTENING THE LAUNDRY

Whatever you use to clean and soften your clothing is absorbed into your skin, so you might want to think about ditching your dryer sheets and switching to wool dryer balls. They cost less than $2 each and last anywhere from 2-5 years!

Dryer balls can also help speed up the drying process, saving you both time and money.

I like to spritz our wool dryer balls with lemongrass, lavender, or any citrus oil before tossing them in the dryer to add a beautiful scent to our clothing, towels, and sheets.

 

 

5. BECOME A CRAZY PLANT LADY 

Besides adding beauty and life to your home, plants clean the air. Place live plants all around the house and love them well–they’ll purify your air for you in return!  

 

 

By the way, even though I love faux plants, they can be a haven for dust and allergens, so if you have faux plants remember to clean them regularly.

 

6. AIR OUT THE HOUSE

Recirculated indoor air is 5-7 times more toxic than fresh air, so it’s a good idea to open the windows now and then to circulate some fresh air through your house. Changing vacuum and furnace filters regularly helps keep your home clean and allergen-free, too. 

 

 

 

Shopping List

Here are a few products and tools to have on hand for cleaning your home with natural ingredients:

GROCERY STORE OR AMAZON

Products: White Vinegar, Hydrogen Peroxide, OnGuard Cleaner Concentrate, Baking Soda, Distilled Water, Olive Oil, Wool Dryer Balls

Tools: Glass spray bottles and jars, a shaker bottle for baking soda, a cleaning caddy, sponges, and rags. 

 

ESSENTIAL OILS

Essential oils have been used safely for cleaning and other purposes for thousands of years. A few of my favorite essential oils to have on hand for cleaning include lemon, orange, peppermint, rosemary, tea tree, and lavender.

 

 

ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER

8 oz. Distilled Water

1 capful OnGuard Cleaner Concentrate

7-8 drops Wild Orange oil (optional)

Add all to a glass spray bottle. Shake and spray on counters, sinks, toilets, floors, glass, wood, or walls. OnGuard cleaner concentrate is 100% safe for kids, so they can help, too!

 

NATURAL SOFT SCRUB

1⁄2 cup Baking Soda

3 Tbsp OnGuard cleaner concentrate

4 drops each of Rosemary, Lemon, & Peppermint oils

Mix and store in an airtight jar. Scrub grout, sinks, tubs, etc with a soft sponge or brush. Add more soap or baking soda for desired consistency.

 

WILD ORANGE WOOD POLISH

1 oz Olive Oil

1 oz White Vinegar

10 drops Wild Orange essential oil

 

Add all to a glass spray bottle. Shake and Spray onto dusty, dull wood, buff dry. For extra dry wood, apply just olive oil + 1 drop of Wild Orange essential oil, let sit for 30 minutes, then buff to a shine.

 

ALL-PURPOSE FLOOR CLEANER

Mix 1-gallon HOT water with 2 capfuls OnGuard cleaner. Mop floors as usual.

 

HARDWOOD FLOOR CLEANER (DEEP CLEAN)

Mix 1-gallon HOT water (use gloves to protect your hands), 1/2 c. olive oil, 1/4 c. On Guard cleaner concentrate and 3-5 drops Wild Orange essential oil in a cleaning bucket. Wring out rag, wipe down a 4×4 area, wipe dry, and then move on to the next section. 

 

CARPETS/RUGS

Add 3 drops of favorite essential oil to the vacuum filter or bag.

Add 15 drops of Lemongrass, Lavender, Tea Tree, or Peppermint oil to 1 cup baking soda and store in a shaker bottle. Sprinkle evenly over the carpet, wait 30 minutes, then vacuum.

Add 1 capful OnGuard Cleaner to the water in a carpet shampooer, and add 1⁄4 cup white vinegar to the rinsing water.

 

TOILETS

Add 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide and 3 drops of rosemary oil to the bowl water. Sprinkle baking soda into the bowl and scrub with a toilet brush … let sit for 10-20 minutes before flushing. Spray down the entire toilet with OnGuard Cleaner. Wash down the toilet and buff dry.

 

DISHES

Add 3-4 drops of Lemon or Wild Orange essential oil to dishwater or floor of the dishwasher for added cleaning/degreasing.

Use white vinegar in the dishwasher as a rinse aid.

 

LAUNDRY

Add 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide and 5 drops of lemon essential oil to whiten

Add 1⁄4 cup vinegar to rinse cycle (to rinse out the soap and soften)

Add 3-4 drops of lavender essential oil or lavender linen spray to wool dryer balls.

That’s it, friends!  I hope this post encourages you to give cleaning with natural ingredients and essential oils a try. Your home will smell amazing, and you’ll never look at cleaning the same way again!

 

If you have any interest in essential oils, you can learn more here or contact me here.