HOW TO CLEAN WITH ESSENTIAL OILS: FRESH, GREEN, AND NATURAL CLEANING

USING ESSENTIAL OILS FOR CLEANING

While external environmental factors, including cosmetic products and even diets, are often the toxin-rich culprits that have the potential to throw off the body’s stability and immunity, sometimes the factors are the regularly-used conventional household cleaning products, which can sometimes lead to the irritation and inflammation that ultimately cause tumors and disease. Traditional household cleaners are often laden with harsh and harmful toxic chemicals – such as fragrance agents, antibacterial agents, and polishing agents – that have been found to cause watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, headaches, and upset stomach as well as having links to more serious and long-term illnesses, including breathing difficulties, reproductive ailments, neurotoxicity, hormone disruption, and cancer. Essential Oils can replace these potentially poisonous ingredients while demonstrating antibacterial, deodorizing, degreasing, and pleasantly aromatic properties in more healthful ways for a touch of uplifting and energizing aromatherapy while doing housework.

Read on to discover the best Essential Oils for household cleaning and to learn simple ways of using them for an effective clean each time.

POPULAR ESSENTIAL OILS FOR CLEANING

When looking for Essential Oils to use in natural DIY household cleaning products, look for labels that state that the product is 100% Pure Essential Oil, as this ensures that neither the source plant nor the oil has been introduced to synthetic substances and that there are no other ingredients, such as preservatives, that are diluting/cutting the oil. The following Essential Oils are the most popular options for DIY cleaning products:

CINNAMON LEAF
Reputed benefits:

• Exhibits antiseptic and antibacterial properties
• Helps to guard against mold and mildew
• Helps to ward off pests
• Exudes a warm aroma that promotes feelings of emotional security
• For more information about the benefits of Cinnamon Oil, click here

EUCALYPTUS
Reputed benefits:

• Exhibits natural antibacterial properties
• Helps eliminate dust mites
• Helps to ward off pests
• Exudes a cool scent that promotes refreshing feelings of cleanness
• For more information about the benefits of Eucalyptus Oil, click here

LAVENDER
Reputed benefits:

• Exhibits natural antibacterial properties
• Exudes a warm, floral aroma that promotes feelings of emotional comfort
• Helps to prevent the development of fungal growth on surfaces and in fabrics
• Helps to deodorize stale and moldy odors
• For more information about the benefits of Lavender Oil, click here

LEMON
Reputed benefits:

• Exhibits natural antibacterial and antiviral properties
• Exudes a bright, energizing scent that promotes feelings of freshness and emotional upliftment
• Helps to eliminate grease and tacky substances
• Helps to deodorize foul odors
• Helps to gently polish wood and leather
• Other citrus oils, such as Orange, Bergamot, Lime, and Grapefruit are also ideal for their natural antibacterial properties, which make them effective disinfectants
• For more information about the benefits of Lemon Oil, click here
• For more information about the benefits of Orange Oil, click here
• For more information about the benefits of Bergamot Oil, click ?here

PEPPERMINT
Reputed benefits:

• Exhibits natural antibacterial properties
• Exudes a cooling, revitalizing scent that promotes feelings of freshness and clarity
• Helps to deodorize unpleasant odors
• Helps to ward off pests
• For more information about the benefits of Peppermint Oil, click here

PINE
Reputed benefits:

• Exhibits natural antibacterial and antiviral properties
• Helps to eliminate fungal growth from surfaces and in fabrics
• Exudes the scent of a lush green forest that promotes feelings of improved emotional well-being
• For more information about the benefits of Pine Oil, click here

ROSEMARY
Reputed benefits:

• Exhibits natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties
• Exudes a penetrating camphoraceous, woody, and herbal aroma that promotes feelings of mental alertness
• Helps to eliminate fungal growth from surfaces and in fabrics
• Helps to ward off pests
• Helps to polish furniture
• For more information about the benefits of Rosemary Oil, click here

TEA TREE
Reputed benefits:

• Exhibits natural antibacterial and antiviral properties
• Helps to ward off pests
• Helps to eliminate fungal growth from surfaces and in fabrics
• Exudes a penetrating medicinal, camphoraceous, woody aroma that promotes feelings of clarity and calmness
• For more information about the benefits of Tea Tree Oil, click here

THYME
Reputed benefits:

• Exhibits natural antibacterial and antiviral properties
• Helps to ward off pests
• Exudes a spicy, warm, herbaceous scent that promotes feelings of tranquility and alertness

CLEANING PRODUCT TYPES & SUGGESTED ESSENTIAL OILS

The most common natural and safe cleaning products include White Vinegar, Baking Soda, and liquid dish soap (the latter may be replaced with Liquid Soap 105N). These products are known to help deodorize, degrease, and eliminate accumulated dirt, residue, mineral deposits, and stains. The cleaning power of these simple ingredients may be further enhanced with the addition of Essential Oils.

Before using the following recipes, test them on small areas to ensure that there is no damage to the material on which they will be used.

USAGE, STORAGE, AND SAFETY TIPS FOR CLEANING PRODUCTS

• It is acceptable to store cleaning recipes that incorporate Essential Oils in plastic spray bottles/containers, as these formulations are typically diluted to a considerable extent


• Avoid combining Vinegar with Liquid Soap 105N, as the combination is known to produce a slimy substance; instead, when a recipe calls for Vinegar and soap, use dishwashing detergent


• When formulating a cleaning recipe, combine all the base ingredients before adding the Essential Oils. This will help to ensure that the Essential Oils do not come in direct contact with the plastic bottles/containers


• Before applying a cleaning product that contains Essential Oils, shake the bottle well to encourage thorough mixing between all the ingredients


• If you have pets, avoid using Essential Oils in cleaning recipes unless you have educated yourself about the relative safety of the particular oil for your particular type of pet. For more information about Pet-Friendly Oils, click here


• The strength of the final product’s scent will depend on the amount of Essential Oils added to it; to give cleaning products mild scents, add a maximum of 10 drops of Essential Oils to the above cleaning blends

ESSENTIAL OILS SIDE EFFECTS

As with all other New Directions Aromatics products, Essential Oils are for external use only. It is imperative to consult a medical practitioner before using these oils for therapeutic purposes. Pregnant and nursing women are especially advised not to use Essential Oils without the medical advice of a physician, as they may have effects on certain hormone secretions and it is unclear whether these effects are transferable to babies at these stages of development. These oils should always be stored in an area that is inaccessible to children, especially those under the age of 7.

Those with the following health conditions are especially recommended to be advised by a physician: cancer, heart-related ailments, skin disorders or allergies, hormone-related ailments, or epilepsy. Individuals that are taking prescription drugs, undergoing major surgery, or who are at a greater risk of experiencing strokes, heart attacks, or atherosclerosis are also advised to seek medical consultation prior to use.

Prior to using any Essential Oil, a skin test is recommended. This can be done by diluting 1 drop of the Essential Oil in 4 drops of a Carrier Oil and applying a dime-size amount of this blend to a small area of skin that is not sensitive. Essential Oils must never be used near the eyes, inner nose, and ears, or on any other particularly sensitive areas of skin. Potential side effects of Essential Oils include redness, rash, hives, burning, bleeding disorders, decreased speed of healing, low blood pressure, dizziness, headache, nausea, diarrhea, convulsions, and rapid heartbeat. In the event of an allergic reaction, discontinue use of the products and see a doctor, pharmacist, or allergist immediately for a health assessment and appropriate remedial action. To prevent side effects, consult with a medical professional prior to use.