Essential Oils for Home Cleaning
Recipes and photographs by Amber Moss Ek, originally published in our now sold out Issue 11::MEND. But you can find these recipes and more in Special Edition, MAKE.
Look to your pantry to naturally clean your clothes and your home. Adding essential oils contributes antibacterial properties to your homemade cleaning agents and gives that oh-so-fresh-and-clean scent. This basic blend of oils is antibacterial and it smells divine!
Once you’ve made up a batch of the Antibacterial Essential Oil Blend, add it to the other recipes included for cleaners or create your own. Once you start creating your own cleaning products, you’ll discover just how easy it is to make cleaners that are truly clean.
Antibacterial
Essential Oil Blend
Ingredients
40 drops clove oil
35 drops lemon oil
30 drops cinnamon oil
25 drops eucalyptus oil
20 drops rosemary oil
15 drops lavender oil
10 drops tea tree oil
10 drops peppermint oil
Instructions: Combine all oils in a light-proof bottle.
Foaming All-Purpose Paste Cleaner
Ingredients
baking soda
liquid castile soap
antibacterial essential oil blend
Instructions
Make a paste of equal parts baking soda and your favorite liquid castile soap. Adjust the ratio to your liking. Add a few drops of the essential oil blend. The baking soda is abrasive, so take care when cleaning delicate surfaces.
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Foaming All-Purpose Spray Cleaner
Ingredients
2 cups water
1 tablespoon borax
2 tablespoons liquid castile soap
1 cup vinegar
20 drops antibacterial essential oil blend
Instructions
Heat water and borax, and stir until borax is dissolved. Stir in liquid castile soap, vinegar, and antibacterial essential oil blend. Store in a spray bottle. To use, spray and wipe clean. The vinegar smell will dissipate shortly.
Happy cleaning!