7 BEST ESSENTIAL OILS FOR GREEN CLEANING December 06 2020

Conventional cleaning products often contain chemicals and toxins that may harm our skin and health in general. On the other hand essential oils are all natural, safe (when used with precaution), practical and delightful to work with. Many of them contain powerful antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties that make them very effective at household cleaning.

Below we have described our favorite and, arguably, the best essential oils for cleaning your home. You may use them on their own or blend them to increase their potency and take full advantage of their combined cleansing properties.

Lemon essential oil

With its powerful antimicrobial and bactericide properties lemon essential oil is very effective in cleaning and deodorizing surfaces. When washing the fridge or freezer add 5 drops lemon oil to the final rinse water. This will remove the unwanted smells without over saturating the air inside. The herbal oils are too intense to use in this way.

For cleaning surfaces like countertops and cupboards either add 1 drop of lemon oil directly on the cloth or add 7 drops in the rinse water.

Tea Tree essential oil

To create your own skin and tile cleaner mix 10 drops tea tree with 20 drops lemon or grapefruit and 200 grams baking soda. Mix well and pour the blend in a jar with a airtight lid. Prepare your own countertop cleaning spray by combining 250 ml (1 cup) distilled water with 250 ml white vinegar and 15 drops tea tree and 30 drops citrus essential oil of your choice (lemon, grapefruit, orange or bergamot). Shake well every time before you use and voila!

Orange essential oil

The sweet aroma of orange essential oil is not only helpful in the kitchen but it also helps uplift the mood. These days dishwashing liquids use large amounts of synthetic fragrance. Why don't we use a real thing? To wash your dishes add a drop of dishwashing liquid and 10-15 drops of orange essential oil to your pots and pans. Pour a little bit of water over them and let them soak for 5-10 minutes. Wipe the grease away and rinse.

Pine essential oil

Most living rooms, nowadays receive pampering with a variety of heavily perfumed products - from air fresheners to upholstery cleansers and furniture polisher. Although effective, they are made of chemicals that science has proven are toxic to us. To freshen up the rug mix the following ingredients in a glass jar with a cap: 1/2 cup (circa 100ml) of baking soda or borax, 1/2 cup (circa 100ml) kaolin clay, 20 drops pine needle essential oil, 20 drops lemon essential oil, 20 drops lavender essential oil. Mix well and then sprinkle on your rug or door mat. Leave for a few minutes and the vacuum it up. To stop the door of dust and dirt in the vacuum cleaner put a tea spoon of the mixture above in the vacuum bag. This will refresh the air sucked through the machine.

Grapefruit essential oil

Grapefruit is another citrus oil that proves useful to keep around the house. Keep bad garbage odours away by mixing a 100ml baking soda (1/2cup) with 30 drops grapefruit essential oil. Mix well and sprinkle a few spoons of the mixture at the bottom of your trash can and then put a garbage bag. The grapefruit essential oil will eliminate bacteria and the baking soda will absorb the bad smell.

Lavender essential oil

The relaxing aroma of lavender oil makes this essential oil perfect to use in the bedroom and bathroom. To keep your wardrobe smell clean and fresh add 10 drops of lavender oil to a few cotton balls or pads and place them in the corners of your closet.

Besides its calming effects on our nervous system lavender oil has amazing deodorizing and bacteria killing properties. Shoes often have a pungent odour which we can completely remove by sprinkling them with the following mixture: 2 ts baking soda, 2 drops lavender oil and 2 drops lemon oil. Mix all ingredients well, sprinkle the shoe interior and leave them like that overnight. Tap it out in the morning and vacuum clean the rest.

Pamper your laundry to an aromatic bath. Add 10 drops lavender oil and 10 drops rosemary oil in the softener compartment of your washing machine. For the more delicate garments that need a hand wash add 3 drops of each essential oil in the last water rinse and let them soak for 5 minutes.

Eucalyptus essential oil

The various Ecalyptus tree species all synthesize their version of the most recognized and widely used essential oil. From medicine to steam baths, people have historically benefited from the power and versatility of Eucalyptus oil. Its distinct aroma and disinfecting properties prove particularly useful in cleaning and freshening up a space. Eucalyptus contains camphorous notes with balsamic and woody undertones that blend beautifully with citruses and some flowers like Lavender.

Here is a recipe for DIY Air freshner that works like magic no matter where you use it. Combine 120ml of cold water with Lemon, Lavender and Eucalyptus oils in euqual proportion-about 30 drops each. Shake well before use, spray 2-3 times in the air, and enjoy the effects.