Green cleaning with Essential oils

The word for today is simplification. I am so inspired to use and work with essential oils is because of the way they detox, de-plastic and de-clutter my home, starting with my cleaning cupboard! 

Caustic and toxic ingredients used in most conventional cleaning products can be harmful to our skin, lungs and hormones. I've used eco products for many years now but essential oils are a whole new level of budget friendly, plastic free goodness (not to mention how beautiful they smell!). 

I've put together some of my favourite green recipes and a shopping check list of key ingredients for making your homemade cleaning products. 

DISWASHING POWDER
 
1 ½ cups Baking Soda
½ cup citric acid
1/3 cup fine sea salt
10 drops doTERRA lemon essential oil
10 drops doTERRA On Guard essential oil
 
Combine all ingredients in a large glass jar, screw on the lid and tip upside down to mix well. Use 1 tbsp per load as needed. For an extra clean load, add white vinegar to the rinse compartment.
 
 
ALL PURPOSE SPRAY
 
2 tsp liquid castile soap
10 drops doTERRA lemon essential oil
10 drops doTERRA On Guard essential oil
(or you could experiment with doTERRA Purify or tea tree).
 
Put all ingredients in a 500ml glass spray bottle and top with filtered water. Shake gently to combine and use as needed.
 
 
AIR FRESHENER
 
1 tbsp witch hazel
10 drops doTERRA peppermint essential oil
10 drops doTERRA lemon essential oil
 
Put all ingredients in a 100ml glass spray bottle and top with filtered water, Shake gently to combine and use as needed.
 
 
LAUNDRY POWDER
 
1 bar natural soap, grated
¾ cup borax or washing soda
½ cup baking soda
10 drops doTERRA lavender essential oil
10 drops doTERRA wild orange essential oil
 
Place all ingredients into the bowl of a food processor and process until you have a fine powder. Transfer to a glass jar. Use 2-3 Tbsp per load of washing
 
 
FABRIC SOFTENER
 
Traditionally one of the most irritating products we can have in the home. Simply soak your empty essential oil bottles in a big jar of white vinegar, and add 2/3 cup of the infused vinegar to a load.
 

WINDOW CLEANER 
 
1 tsp liquid castile soap
10 drops doTERRA lemon essential oil
1 tbsp white vinegar
 
Place all ingredients into a 500ml glass spray bottle and top with filtered water. Shake gently to combine before each use.
 
 
TOILET CLEANER
 
½ cup baking soda
½ cup white vinegar
 
Place baking soda into toilet bowl, add vinegar and allow to fizz. Leave for 10 minutes to work its magic, scrub well and flush.
 
PASTE CLEANER
 
½ cup baking soda
3-4 tbsp liquid castile soap
5 drops doTERRA teatree essential oil
 
Stir all ingredients into a creamy paste. Dip a cloth in the mixture and scrub your bath, tiles or oven, and rinse.
 
WOOD CLEANER
 
5 drops doTERRA arborvitae essential oil
1 tsp liquid castile soap
¼ cup filtered water
¼ cup olive oil
 
Combine ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine. Dip a cloth into the solution, and wipe over wodden surfaces to polish and nourish.
 
STAIN REMOVER
 
Add 2 drops doTERRA lemon essential oil directly to stain. Allow to stand for an hour before popping in the washing machine. 

​Dishwash Liquid
2 C of Castile Soap
1⁄2 C Warm Water
30 drops Lemon and Grapefruit Essential Oil

Floor Cleaner
​2 Tbsp Castile Soap
2 Tbsp Distilled White Vinegar
4L Hot Water 10 drops dōTERRA OnGuard Oil

Shopping Checklist

Essential Oils (including, but not limited to Lemon, Grapefruit, Teatree, Lavender, OnGuard)
Baking Soda
Liquid Castille Soap
White Distilled Vinegar
Witch Hazel
Olive oil
Distilled water
Spray Bottles
Natural Soap Bar
Borax