Essential Oils for Cleaning

 I could talk about essential oils for a long time—although I have so much to learn!

 

Through a friend’s introduction to the amazing healing properties of God’s creation, we have overcome everything from pinkeye to influenza, skin conditions to frostbite!  We think of life as in the blood; plants have oils that run through the “veins”, giving life to that plant and to all who take the time to learn them.  You have weeds in your yard that have more life-giving power than most of the dust-collecting, expensive, over-the-counter fake stuff in your medicine cabinet. 

Dandelions

Take the dandelion for instance—excellent for food and medicinally.  In Permaculutre, we look for solutions in the problem set.  So before you yank these dandelions out of the lawn and pour roundup down into the void left behind in the ground–please note that these reach down deep and pull up calcium to a usable level by other plants such as the trees in your yard. Congested? I like to put thyme (it takes a lot of it) in boiling water and inhale deeply!* 

 

Should cleaning ever create nauseating headaches?  It seems counterintuitive that we are fearful of the fumes, the skin contact, and the overall poisonous nature of the very things meant to purify our world.  With oils, you can know that if the counter is still wet with cleaner when little fingers touch it, that those little fingers will not put poison into a mouth with the next finger-suck. gas maskThe history of essential oils for cleansing purposes…books have been written about that subject and I certainly couldn’t sum up the length of history!  My favorite story surrounds a specific spice blend often called “thieves” or “spice traders” or something similar.   During the time of the Bubonic plague, spice traders made a fortune off of robbing the jewelry from dead bodies.  When they were questioned by the king on how they did not contract the plague, they answered that it was their spices!  Many of my friends swear by this mix for many uses, and I immediately know the scent when walking into a home that uses it for cleaning.  It’s very rich!

 

I haven’t even touched upon how much money I save since I gave up store-bought cleaners a year ago.  A small bottle of essential oil may seem expensive, but it has multiple purposes and since you only use a few drops at a time, it lasts!  I don’t miss the store-bought stuff.  For awhile I missed the convenience of anti-bacterial wipes, but since my formula has anti-bacterial properties, I recycled an old anti-bacterial wipe container.  I just put small cloth wipes (cut from old rags) in some solution and kept it on the bathroom counter.  If you do this, though, please be absolutely sure that a child would not accidentally ingest the oils orally.

 

A warning is still applicable.  Essential oils are extremely potent.  A single drop, maybe two, is all that is needed.  Therefore, all vials of essential oils must be put up safely from small children.  And some essential oils, although healing, are not terribly pleasant-tasting.  Many are not produced by companies for food-grade quality.  If you are only going to use oils for cleaning, you might want to save money in this way.  For me, I use them for medicinal purposes too, so I only get therapeutic grade quality.

 

I don’t really want to give you recipes because there is a lot of room for creativity here.  There is also a lot to be found online.  Not everyone likes everything.  For instance, I cannot stand the smell of vinegar and so I do not use that in my formula.  For you, mixing vinegar and lemon oil might be the perfect blend.  We all have our preconceived notions of what “clean” should smell like. 

 

I’ve gone through a number of homemade concoctions to find the “perfect” cleaner.  I’m finding that simpler is better.  My ideal changes over time, I think to match whatever season in life I might be (like perfume).  There are also some perfectly blended essential oils that take the guesswork out of it, and I’ve done that too. 

My bottle of cleaning oils

 My current mixture in a 36 oz squirt bottle is this:

 2 drops Oregano Essential Oil

2 drops Lavender Essential Oil

 Fill to the 36 oz mark with water, and shake very well before each use!

 

You might also want to try tea tree oil, clove, lemongrass, rosemary, thyme, lemon, or lime.  I find I change my mind on what I like seasonally, even.  Clove is so nice in the Autumn, lemon in the spring!

 

Not only are the essential oils I use excellent cleansing agents (anti-bacterial, antimicrobial, anti-viral), both lavender and oregano are good for inhalation—lavender helps my headaches go away whereas many store bought cleaners cause them!  Oregano is also commonly used as an inhalant to help with congestion. 

 

When I walk into my home and the lingering scent of natural oils greet me, I know I’m home.

Oregano

____

 

*Before purchasing essential oils, please read information about both its’ uses and risks.  For instance, some increase circulation that could interfere with late pregnancy.

 

I am not in any way a medical professional and I do not give medical advice.  All opinions expressed are certainly my own and are not prescriptive in any way.  I have only told you (autobiographically) what I enjoy using for a natural lifestyle, but please consult your medical doctor before implementing anything that could affect your health. 

 

Photo Credits:

Dandelion:by mmFSUvy

Gas Mask: by mhYk3tq

Oregano: by dMNgmF

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