Thursday, May 27, 2010

Cleaning recipes using essential oils

Here are some recipes for making cleaners and soaps using essential oils.  Here is the website I got these recipes from.  I have not made these yet but plan to try them in the future.

BATHROOM CLEANER
What do you want out of a bathroom cleaner? I know I want to disinfect and deodorize, above all. Getting the hard water stains off the toilet bowl would be an excellent bonus, and soap scum removal off the tub wouldn't hurt either. This recipe will do all these and more. It is the only cleaner you will need for your bathroom -- although I guess you wouldn't want to use this one on your mirror!

1/3 c. baking soda
1/4 c. borax
2 TB to 1/4 c. grated soap (or soap powder)
10 drops pine essential oil
20 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops tea tree essential oil

Mix all ingredients and use this as you would a Comet-type cleanser. Simply sprinkle and scrub! Store in an airtight container.

KITCHEN CLEANER

Disinfecting countertops is numero uno in my kitchen. Since we are crazy -- and messy -- cooks, I also need something to degrease the counters and stovetop.

1 TB baking soda
2 tsp. castille soap (such as Dr. Bronner's)
1 c. water or oregano hydrosol
3 drops oregano essential oil (only add this if you are using water, not hydrosol)
8 drops orange essential oil
8 drops lemon essential oil

Heat the water and baking soda until the soda dissolves. Remove from heat and gently add the castille and essential oils and pour into a spray bottle. Spray surfaces and wipe with a clean cloth or damp sponge.

GLASS CLEANER
I would bet that you want what I want -- streak-free cleaning for sparkling mirrors and clear-view windows. Your backyard -- and your reflection -- will never look so good!
1 c. water
1 TB vinegar
1 TB rubbing alcohol, or if you want to be super non-toxic, ethanol (grain alcohol)
3 drops lemon essential oil

Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake well before using. Have you ever tried washing glass surfaces with old newspapers? I don't know why it works, but it helps with the streak-free.

DISH SOAP

If you make cold-process soap, you can easily make a dish soap from coconut oil with a titch of castor oil for smaller, foamier bubbles. Use the lowest superfat you feel comfortable with, and for ease of use, mold soap into ceramic mini-loaf pans or flower pots and put one by your sink. Oh, scent with lavender and tea tree essential oils or citrus and herb essential oils. Decorative and functional, and a wonderful hostess gift, too.

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