DYI: All Purpose Spray
With the promise of a gleaming and germ-free house many commercial cleaners are among the most toxic products found in the home.
Most labels bear a signal word, such as Danger, Warning or Caution, that provides some indication of a product’s toxicity and are typically most hazardous.
A small glimpse of ingredients that are found in common cleaners are: well-known carcinogens like formaldehyde, chloroform, chlorine bleach and ammonia. Some of these high-hazard ingredients have actually been banned in other countries.
These sparkly cleaners may also come at a high price. The health effects may range anywhere from headaches, chemical skin burns, or irritation to eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Worst case scenario- chronic, or long-term, effects (according to the Cancer Prevention Coalition)- such as hormone disruption, kidney or liver problems (due to toxins forming in cells), and cancer.
I don’t know about you but I would rather NOT have these in my home let alone in my lungs. So this brings me to my DYI project for the day: A chemical-free, natural all-purpose cleaning spray.
So put away your rubber gloves and surgical masks when cleaning your home. It might surprise you how easy and inexpensive it is to create a non-toxic cleaner just by using essential oils. Essential oils are actually good for our bodies and our minds. When you inhale the oils, you will feel your mood adjust making cleaning a happy experience.
Cleaning with essential oils has many advantages. The most surprising one being that common household contaminants such as e. coli, staphylococcus, and salmonella. don’t stand a chance against the anti-bacterial properties of essential oils.
My Top Key Oils for Killing Germs:
- Clove is one of the most antimicrobial, antifungal and antiseptic of all essential oils.
- Cinnamon is anti-infectious, anti-bacterial, antiparasitic, antiviral, and antifungal (researchers, including Jean Claude Lapraz, MD, found that viruses could not live in the presence of cinnamon oil)
- Eucalyptus is anti-infectious, antibacterial, and antiviral.
- Rosemary is antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial.
- Melaleuca is antiseptic, anti infectious, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antiseptic and immune stimulating.
- Oregano is antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic
- Lavender is antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal.
- Lemon is antiseptic, antimicrobial, antifungal and bactericidal but is also great at cutting through grease and grime.
- Peppermint is antiseptic, antibacterial and antiviral.
What You Will Need:
- 16 oz. glass spray bottle (essential oils stored in glass containers to prevent the oils from corroding the plastic)
- 1/4 cup white vinegar (vinegar base to neutralize order)
- 1 3/4 cups water
- 30 drops dōTERRA essential oil (see suggestions below)
Recommended Combinations:
- 15 drops Lavender + 15 drops Lemon
- 30 drops On Guard blend (a combination of clove, wild orange, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus, and rosemary)
- 10 drops Eucalyptus + 10 drops Peppermint+ 10 drops Wild Orange
- 15 drops On Guard + 15 drops Grapefruit
- 15 drops Meleluca/ tea tree + 15 drops On Guard
I’ve used a larger bottle so simply double up the ingredients to suit your container.
Directions:
- Add all ingredients to the spray bottle. Shake thoroughly before each use (oils will tend to settle on the surface)
A combination of any of the above essential oils would work great in your homemade cleaning spray. Experiment and find what works best for you. I might have gone overboard – but my kitchen counters aren’t complaining. Best of all I’ve put my glass container entourage to use, saved some money by not buying commercial cleaning products, and I have incorporate essential oils into everyday and use.
Happy Cleaning
Erin xx
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