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10 Ways Essential Oils Can Help Make Your Home Clean & Green

2018-03-10 Shirani ShanghaiWOWeng


 

Did you always think that going clean and green at home would break the bank? Think again, because whilst organic, safe and environmentally-friendly products once used to cost a premium, by using essential oils, you can actually save money, not to mention your respiratory system. (Studies show that indoor environments can be 200-500 percent more polluted than the outdoors due to toxic cleaning products). With Shanghai as polluted as it is, and ‘tis the season for spring-cleaning, here are some recipes to keep your home safe and allergen-free. In addition to keeping everyone safe (especially young children and pets), get creative by utilizing your favourite scents to create a pleasant environment! All you need is a few basic cleaning essentials (water, white vinegar) and the listed Doterra oils.

 

1. Glass and Surface Cleaner (Lemon, Grapefruit and/or Rosemary)

 

Can’t see what’s outside anymore or lost your reflection in the coffee table? For a streak-free shine on glass or windows, mix 2 cups of water, ¼ cup of white vinegar, and a total of 25 drops of any combination of Lemon, Grapefruit and Rosemary in a 16oz glass spray bottle. Get that reflection back!

 


2. All-Purpose cleaner (Wild Orange/Other Cleaning Oils)

 

Why have five bottles of cleaning stuff when you can have one? Mix 250ml of warm water, 250ml of white vinegar, 25 drops of Wild Orange or other oil suitable for cleaning*, put it all into a spray bottle, wipe down with a microfiber cloth and you’re done! This can be used on counters, wood, glass, stainless steel and porcelain. (*Suitable oils for cleaning include Lemon, Lime, Douglas Fir, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Purify or On Guard).

 


3. Pine Floor Cleaner (no-rinse recipe of Douglas Fir, White Fir, Cypress, Lemon)

 

Want your floors to smell like a fragrant pine forest without having to wash it off? Mix 4 liters of warm water, 2 tablespoons of liquid castile soap, 5 drops of Douglas Fir, 5 drops of White Fir, 5 drops of Cypress (or a total of 15 drops of any combination of these oils) and 10 drops of Lemon essential oil. This can also be used in a spray bottle for cleaning countertops.

 


4. Lime Scale Remover (Lime, Lemon)

 

Who knew you needed Lime to remove limescale? Add ½ teaspoon of baking soda with 3 tablespoons of water, 10 drops of Lemon and 10 drops of Lime. Mix it all into a paste and rub a small amount onto the desired surface. Let it sit for 20 minutes then remove it with a wet cloth. (B)limey!

 


5. Unclogging the Kitchen Sink (Oregano)

 

We don’t mean this figuratively, but actually cleaning the innards of your sink. Didn’t know you could? Mix Oregano with hot water then pour it down your kitchen or bathroom sink as it powerfully eats away any natural or organic compound like hair, mucus or other dried ‘gunk’. If you don’t like the smell of Oregano, drop some Lemon or Purify oil in after.

 


6. Cleaning Toys, Banisters, Door Handles (On Guard or On Guard Concentrate)

 

Toys change grubby hands often if there are multiple siblings in the house, or if you’ve dared to host a big playdate. Other ‘high use’ areas of the house or that people can leave ‘outdoor germs’ on are door handles and bannisters. To prevent viruses spreading, wipe toys, bannisters and door handles with the On Guard blend (20 drops with 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol, 1 tablespoon castile soap and 2 cups of water) or use the On Guard Cleaner Concentrate (mix 2 tablespoons per 24 ounces of water).

 


7. Toilet Cleaner (Eucalyptus, Oregano)

 

Yeap, there’s even hope for the old smelly toilet. Eucalyptus has anti-microbial properties and putting 10-15 drops into toilet cleaner can help to disinfect it. A few drops of Oregano will get rid of old urine or ‘skid marks’ keeping things shiny. Also recycle and dump your old diffuser water into the toilet to make everything smell …well….nicer!

 


8. Air Freshener (Lemongrass, Grapefruit)

 

Speaking of smells… if your home is a musty after winter or you hosted that party that went on a tad too long, diffuse Lemongrass or Grapefruit along with other citrus scents. Add 5-10 drops of Lemongrass to water and use it as a mist too. You can also use Grapefruit on wooden surfaces, countertops, floors or household appliances for unpleasant odours.

 

 

9. Removing Coffee and Tea cup stains (Lemon)

 

A few ‘well-used’ but sentimental mugs you can’t bear to let go of? Do they look a tad tired or downright ‘daggy’? Mix a bit of salt with lemon essential oil, rub those stains off, and voila, fit for the Queen again!

 

 

10. Wood and Leather polisher (Fractionated Coconut Oil, Lemon)

 

In Shanghai’s hot-cold weather, both leather and wood can tightenthen loosen in a short period of time. Things looking worn or less than dapper? Use Doterra Fractionated Coconut Oil to rub into leather or polish wood surfaces and get that glam-gleam back. Mould is also common as you get the leather jackets or bags out for Spring. Adding Lemon to fractionated coconut oil works well to polish it off, but note this only works on real leather and Lemon will ruin pleather or any other imitation material. (Time to check if that ‘Channel’ bag is real?)

 


11. Bug Off (Patchouli)

 

Prepare for Shanghai’s summer bug attacks with Patchouli! It repels mosquitos, fleas, ants, lice, moths and flies. Add 5-10 drops in a spray bottle with water and spray onto clothes, skin, sheets or furniture.

 


12. Garbage Cans and Shoes (Lime, Lemon, Purify)

 

Oscar the Grouch clearly tolerates it but we can’t! Put a few drops of Lemon, Lime or Purify into the garbage can to get rid of that funky smell! Using a cotton ball doused in Purify in your shoes, or in the shoe cabinet helps in keeping things smelling fresh in there too.



So there you go! Going clean and green with oils long-term can actually save you money as well as keeping your home in order. For more information about the essential oil lifestyle, contact Doterra representative Carol Tan for further information and free oil workshops. (Wechat: carolktan).

 


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