Keepers at Home-Cleaning
Proverbs 31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Regular cleaning and disinfecting can do a good job of removing allergens and germs, helping to prevent illnesses and promote wellness. By safely and effectively removing soils, germs and other contaminants, they help us to stay healthy, care for our homes and possessions, and make our surroundings more pleasant.
Reasons Cleaning is essential for your health:-
1. Removes germs and bacteria from around the house, hence keeping you and your family healthy.
2. Feel less stressed. It is said that stress level is linked to your environment
3. Stay more active. Keeping your house tidy ensures that you get some sort of physical activity during the week. As a result, you burn calories and become more active.
4. Improve quality of sleep. Your mind is not racing about things left undone around the house.
If you want to clean your home without using harmful chemicals, then you must include different essential oils in your supplies. This natural product has the following advantages over commercial products.
Benefits Of Cleaning With Essential Oils
1. Eco-friendly-Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts so completely natural. Therefore, it doesn’t harm the environment in any manner. Like store-bought products, no harmful chemicals are used in such oils.
2. Kills Bacteria-It has antibacterial properties; thus, it is so useful to get rid of bacteria, fungus, viruses, etc. You can keep the mold and bacterial infections at bay by using the essential oil in an appropriate manner.
3. Easy To Use-Using the essential oil is also very easy. Unlike store-bought products, you don’t need to follow the instructions. All you need to do is add a few drops of essential oil of your choice. You can use it by mixing in your homemade all-purpose cleaner and can even apply it directly.
Types And Uses Of Essential Oils
Tea tree oil
Also known as Melaleuca oil, tea tree oil is a powerful cleansing oil. It has antimicrobial properties and is effective against germs, viruses, bacteria, and insects.
Use: Tea tree oil is great for regular cleaning around the house. It’s especially good in removing musty or mildew odour from kitchens, bathrooms and attics.
Lemon oil
Cleaning with lemon essential oil is very common among people who follow an eco-friendly approach. It spread a light, lemony perfume without the use of any harsh chemicals or artificial fragrances. This antiviral and antibacterial oil attacks and dissolves any dirt that comes into contact with it.
Use: Lemon essential oil is useful in cleaning products for the kitchen and toilets. It is also excellent for keeping wood floors and furniture gleaming.
Lavender oil
Lavender oil is naturally antibacterial and anti-odour. Lavender also has calming effects, making it an excellent choice for domestic use.
Use: Lavender oil can be used to clean your mattress and linens while also providing a relaxing scent. It’s also great for toys because it’s extremely effective against viruses and bacteria while remaining completely safe for children. You can use it in all the places where germs and bacteria strive in your home.
Peppermint oil
Peppermint is cooling, energising and refreshing. It is antifungal and antibacterial, so it will eliminate any muck in your house. It also works as a natural rodent and pest preventive. Cleaning with peppermint oil destroys bacteria and keeps the bugs out of your house.
Use: Peppermint is fantastic all over the house, but it is particularly effective in keeping the pests away. It is also beneficial to give you glasses and a mirror streak-free finish. It also works when combined with other essential oils such as lemon, lavender, and eucalyptus.
Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus contains anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiseptic qualities in addition to its antiseptic and antimicrobial capabilities. It can be very effective against seasonal allergies, so you can use it in regular house cleaning.
Use: Eucalyptus is an excellent all-purpose cleaner and highly effective against mould, combating allergies, and repelling rats.
Below are some do it yourself recipes for homemade cleaning products with Essentials Oils.
All Purpose Cleaner
Items Needed
Baking Soda
Dish Soap
Vinegar
Essential Oils (optional, use preferred)
Tools
1 Spray Bottle, with attachment
Bowl
Rubber Kitchen Gloves
Measuring Cup
Instructions
Add 1/2 tsp. dish soap, 1 tsp. baking soda, 2 Tbsp. vinegar, 2 c. water and 3 drops essential oils into a plastic bowl, or funnel ingredients into glass spray bottle.
Close spray bottle and shake gently to combine all ingredients.
Mixture will fizz slightly when vinegar is added. Allow to stop before closing the top of the bottle.
Spray on surface and wipe with clean rag for quick cleanups. For food prep areas, wipe again with clean, wet rag to rinse if desired.
Do not use on wood surfaces or anything you cannot use vinegar on!
Notes:- If adding essential oils, use only a glass spray bottle, preferably dark tinted.
Just use 1/3 c. melted coconut oil and 1/3 c. baking soda (or equal parts). Combine both ingredients and store in a covered jar or container. Scrub with a moistened rag and get those jars sparkling clean!
Natural Stainless Steel Cleaner
Items Needed
Water (1 cup)
Vinegar (1/2 cup)
Olive oil (8 to 10 drops)
Instructions
In a spray bottle, combine vinegar and water. Then spray the solution on the stainless steel surface. After that, use a sponge or a rag to rub in the direction of the grain. Once it’s clean, apply 8 to 10 drops of olive oil to a new piece of cloth and buff the surface.
Homemade Wood Cleaner
Items Needed
Water (1/4 cup)
Lemon juice (1/2 cup)
Liquid soap or mild detergent (1/2 teaspoon)
Olive oil (4 to 5 drops)
Instructions
In a mixing dish, combine all of the ingredients and thoroughly combine them. Soak a sponge in the solution and wring it properly before wiping a small area. Then use a dry rag to wipe away the excess moisture from the cleaned area.
All Natural Carpet Stains Remover
Items Needed
Water (1 cup)
Salt (1 tsp.)
White vinegar (1/2 cup)
Essential oil (6 to 8 drops)
Instructions
In a spray container, combine all of the ingredients and mix properly. Spray a sufficient amount of this solution on the stains to completely soak the area. Then allow the solution to get dry. Finally, vacuum the area that has been treated.
Homemade Window Cleaner
Items Needed
Hot water (1/2 cup)
Baking soda (1/4 teaspoon)
Detergent or liquid soap (1/4 teaspoon)
Instructions
In a spray container, combine all of the ingredients and shake well. After that, spray the solution on the windows and wipe it away with a dry, clean rag. It’s a simple, safe, and inexpensive solution to clean glass surfaces
Natural Oven Cleaner
Items Needed
Water (As required)
Salt (1 tsp.)
Baking Soda (1/4 cup)
Instructions
Using the ingredients, make a thick paste and apply it inside the oven. Then leave it for at least 12 hours or overnight. The next morning, use a moist towel to wipe the paste from the oven’s surface.
Cleansing Wipes
Items Needed
½ Cup of vinegar
¼ Cup of water
1 Teaspoon liquid dish soap
10 Drops essential oil (optional)
1 Paper towel roll Empty canister or tupperware container (you can also use an old cleaning wipe container)
Instructions
Combine your vinegar, dish soap, and essential oil into a bowl.
Next, cut your paper towels down to the length of your container.
Put the half roll into your container of choice, then pour your mixture over the paper towels.
Let it soak in before removing the cardboard roll in the center of your paper towels.
Begin dispensing from the center of the roll once the cardboard is removed.
Car Air Refresher
Items Needed
1/2 to 1 cup baking soda- Enough to fill a small Mason jar
1 Fat Quarter of Cotton Fabric
Pure essential oil
Small Mason Jar with ring
Container- larger than Mason Jar Ring
Pen or pencil
Tools
Scissors or craft/sewing shears
Instructions
Fill mason jar with baking soda
Add drops of your favorite essential oil or oil blend onto the top of the baking soda.
On a flat surface, turn the fabric to wrong side up, and lay your mason jar ring on top of the fabric.
Over that, put a small container larger than the mason jar ring. I used a Rubbermaid dish. It can be any shape, but you need 2" or more of extra fabric extending around the mason jar ring. The Rubbermaid dish will be your guide to cut the fabric big enough to show on the outside of the ring, when finished.
Using a pencil, trace around the Rubbermaid container to use as a cut line on the fabric. Remove the container.
Cut along the line. You can use decorative edge scissors if you have them.
Turn fabric right side up and hold tightly against the mason jar.
Then, close the ring around the fabric, giving an extra tug to ensure the ring will not loosen over time.
Toilet Bombs
Items Needed
½ cup Citric Acid
30 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
30 drops Lavender Essential Oil
30 drops Citrus Fresh Essential Oil (or combo of orange, grapefruit, lime, lemon, tangerine, mandarin)
A spray bottle with water just in case
Something to mold the toilet bombs, like ice cube trays.
Method
In a bowl, I mixed the Baking Soda and Citric Acid. As with any time you are handling chemicals, you'll want to use proper safety techniques to protect your sensitive eyes, etc, reactions are expected -this is the same fizzing used in bath bombs. As long as it's not in your EYES!!! You'll be just
You can use a fork to get the ingredients well incorporated. Next, get your essential oils ready and add the essential oils one drop at a time. Be sure to stir continuously, as getting too much in one spot could cause premature fizzing, which means no fizz later when you drop the toilet bombs in the toilet.
Stir with one hand while adding the drops with the other. At this point you need to determine if the mixture has enough liquid to stick together. You do not want it wet, just have enough of the liquid ingredients to where it will pack together and stick.
Then, you will just need to fill your molds pressing them in firmly.
