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

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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.

DIY CLEANING PRODUCT SUGGESTED ESSENTIAL OILS HOW TO MAKE IT
Dry Deep-Clean Powder

to deep clean carpets, couch cushions, mattresses, plush toys, and other fibrous, flexible materials

Eucalyptus

Lavender

Lemon
  1. Fill a mason jar with a shaker lid with 1 cup of Baking Soda, then stir in 1-30 drops of the preferred Essential Oil.
  2. Cap the jar and sprinkle the mixture onto fabrics that have stale or foul odors.
  3. Allow the mixture to settle into the fibers of the fabric for 15-20 minutes, a few hours, or overnight. When the ideal time has lapsed, vacuum the powder.
Multi-Purpose Surface Disinfectant

to sanitize appliances, cabinets, doorknobs, countertops, floors, toilets, sinks, windows, mirrors, and other hard surfaces

Cinnamon

Eucalyptus Grapefruit

Lavender

Lemon

Orange

Peppermint

Tea Tree
  1. Combine 1 cup of White Vinegar, 1 cup of water, and 30 drops of a preferred Essential Oil (or a combination of several oils) in a spray bottle.
  2. Cap the bottle and shake it well to thoroughly combine all ingredients.
  3. Spray the solution onto preferred hard surfaces.
Gentle 2-in-1 Dishwashing & Hand Soap

to clean and disinfect hands and dishes

Cinnamon

Eucalyptus

Lavender

Lemon

Peppermint
  1. In a dispenser bottle, combine equal parts water and Liquid Soap 105N and up to 30 drops of a preferred Essential Oil or Essential Oil blend.
  2. Cap the bottle and shake it well to thoroughly combine all ingredients.
  3. Dispense a small amount of the soap onto the hands or onto dirty dishes, scrub the hands or the dishes, then rinse off the soap.
Linen Spray

to deodorize bed sheets, towels, clothes, yoga mats, curtains, rugs, and other soft fabrics

Eucalyptus

Lavender
  1. In a spray bottle, combine equal parts of distilled water and Witch Hazel and up to 30 drops of a preferred Essential Oil or Essential Oil blend.
  2. Cap the bottle and shake it well to thoroughly combine all ingredients.
  3. Spritz the solution onto preferred linens/fabrics, such as bed sheets, pillows, and clothes that haven’t been worn in a long time.
  4. Allow the fabrics to dry before using them.
Mildew Buster

to prevent/eliminate mold and mildew in the bathtub, on shower walls, and in any other area where moisture gets trapped

Tea Tree

Lemon

Eucalyptus
  1. Fill a spray bottle with White Vinegar, then add 30 drops of the preferred Essential Oil.
  2. Cap the bottle and shake it well to thoroughly combine all ingredients.
  3. Spritz the solution onto the shower walls and door and in the corners of the tub or other moisture-heavy areas.
Room Freshener

Bergamot

Eucalyptus

Lavender

Lemon

Orange

Peppermint
  1. Fill a 16 oz. (470 ml) spray bottle with distilled water and up to 30 drops of a preferred Essential Oil or Essential Oil blend.
  2. Cap the bottle and shake it well to thoroughly combine all ingredients.
  3. Spritz the solution in preferred indoor areas to deodorize unpleasant or musty rooms.
Sink & Tub Cleaning Paste

Eucalyptus

Lemon

Orange

Peppermint
  1. In a wide-mouthed container, combine up to 5 drops of a preferred Essential Oil with enough Baking Soda and water to encourage the mixture to form a paste.
  2. Using a small, soft scrubbing brush, scoop out the preferred amount of the blend, then scrub it into the sink and tub. Rinse or wipe it off after the product has been worked into the fixtures.
Toilet Bowl Disinfectant

Eucalyptus

Lemon

Tea Tree
  1. In a squeezable bottle, combine equal parts Hydrogen Peroxide and Liquid Soap 105N or dishwashing detergent (e.g. ¼ cup each)
  2. To this, add equal parts of Baking Soda and Water (e.g. ½ cup each)
  3. Next, add in 15 drops of a preferred Essential Oil.
  4. Cap the bottle and shake it well to thoroughly combine all ingredients.
  5. Squeeze the solution out of the bottle in a steady jet stream around the rim of the toilet bowl and let it trickle down into the water. Scrub the solution into the toilet bowl.
  6. Allow the solution to stand for 10-20 minutes then flush.
Wood & Leather Polish
+
Sticky Residue Remover

to eliminate tacky or gooey residue left by stickers, tape, glue, chewing gum, candle wax, crayons and other substances with adhesive properties

Pine

Cinnamon

Eucalyptus

Peppermint

Lemon

Lime
  1. In ½ cup (or more, depending on the size of the area to be polished) of a preferred Carrier Oil, dilute 10 drops of a preferred Essential Oil.
  2. Dip a soft cloth in the solution, then rub it gently into the wood or leather for a natural, conditioning shine.
  3. If removing sticky residue, wipe the oil off with a clean cloth.

 

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.

IMPORTANT: All New Directions Aromatics (NDA) products are for external use only unless otherwise indicated. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, and it should not be used by anyone who is pregnant or under the care of a medical practitioner. Please refer to our policies for further details, and our disclaimer below.

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Disclaimer

The information in this document is obtained from current and reliable sources but makes no representation as to its comprehensiveness or accuracy. Information posted on this website may not always have undergone verification/validation by New Directions Aromatics Inc (NDA). Nothing contained herein should be considered as a recommendation by New Directions Aromatics Inc. as to the fitness for any use. While every effort is made to provide accurate information, NDA shall not be liable for any errors in these postings or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. New Directions Aromatics Inc. shall not be responsible for any damages resulting from use of or reliance upon this information.


The user of the product is solely responsible for compliance with all laws and regulations applying to the use of the product, including the intellectual property rights of third parties. Customers may use the information from NDA only with the clear understanding that all products must be used at their own discretion and only after referring to the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and all other relevant technical information specific to the product. New Directions Aromatics Inc. shall not be responsible for any damages, adverse reactions, negative effects, or consequences resulting from use of or reliance upon this information.


Desired results might not always be achieved due to variations in ingredients, temperatures, errors, omissions, or individual ability to follow instructions. As the ordinary or otherwise use(s) of this product is outside the control of NDA, no representation or warranty – expressed or implied – is made as to the effect(s) of such use(s) (including damage or injury) or the results obtained. The liability of New Directions Aromatics Inc. is limited to the value of the goods and does not include any consequential loss. Further, New Directions Aromatics Inc. is not responsible for the comments made in the customer reviews, nor when products are used in ways not suitable to their purpose (for example, fragrance oils in toothpaste; bath salts in metal containers; additives used in larger amounts than recommended).


Please note, the International Federation of Aromatherapists do not recommend that Essential Oils be taken internally, unless under the supervision of a Medical Doctor, who is also qualified in clinical Aromatherapy. In addition, Essential Oils must be properly diluted before use, in order to avoid any damages to property or adverse physical effects (including injury or bodily harm).


In the event of any dispute, the Customer hereby agree that Jurisdiction is limited to the province of Ontario.