Essential oils are great for many reasons. They make a central ingredient for aromatherapy when you use them with a diffuser. You can also have a few drops in the bathtub when you want to relax. But did you know you can also use them for home cleaning purposes? It is an excellent way to improve the quality of air inside your home. More importantly, essential oils can replace a large portion of the harsh chemicals you use and disinfect grimy surfaces to make your home smell great.
If you want to try them out, here is how:
- Tea tree essential oil – this is one essential that possesses unquestionable cleaning power. It can help against bacteria, viruses, as well as some other more mundane problems, as hard water deposits. The way you use it is by mixing 20 drops of it with two teaspoons liquid dish soap, and 2 cups distilled white vinegar. Spritz some of this mix on the shower area after each use, and you will not have to worry about hard water stains.
- Lemon essential oil – thanks to the antibacterial properties of lemon, you can use lemon essential oil as a degreaser and disinfectant for cutting boards and countertops in the kitchen. These are all areas you want to keep sanitised after all. You can also use it as a leather/wood polish by combining 10 drops with half a cup of olive oil.
- Peppermint essential oil – the fresh scent of peppermint along with its antibacterial properties make this kind of essential oil a fantastic cleaner. It is also a great solution to use against ants. Mix 10-15 drops of essential oil with a cup of water and shake well in a spray bottle. Use it along the crevices and floorboards where you suspect ants may come from.
- Thyme essential oil – when you prepare raw meat, the remains harbour salmonella bacteria. However, with a few drops of thyme essential oil and lemon juice, you can prevent any risk. Spray it directly on your cutting board.
- Pine essential oil – if your goal is to have sparkling clean wood furniture and floors, then 1 tbsp. liquid castile soap combined with 10-15 drops of this essential oil in 4 cups of water is the way to go.
- Cinnamon essential oil – this is a very effective solution against pests. Whenever you see any insects emerge in your home, spray some undiluted essential oil of this type. It will deter any pests.
As you can see, there are quite a few types of essential oils you can use in your cleaning routine. Try all of them and see how much of a difference they make.