There are 84,000 different chemicals in our household items – this includes personal care and cleaning products. Of those, only 200 have been tested by the FDA. Of those 200 items tested only 5 are even regulated by the FDA. Any guess as to when the federal chemical safety law was updated last? It was 1976, and hum, I think a lot has changed since then!
Our skin is the largest organ in our body and absorbs product and chemicals very easily. In fact, what we put on our skin can be absorbed into our bloodstream in about 90 seconds and that includes harmful chemicals and toxins. It shouldn’t come as a surprise then why I’m a proponent for “green cleaning” and using essential oils to either make or as a powerhouse ingredient in the cleaning products I use.
WHY USE ESSENTIAL OILS TO CLEAN NATURALLY?
SAFE & EFFECTIVE: Many essential oils not only have grease-cutting and stain-fighting abilities, but they also have purifying properties and help fight environmental threats. Because of these special properties, essential oils can be used as a safe and natural alternative to the chemicals found in commercial cleaning products. They are natural, safe, and effective to use in the home especially when you have littles or pets.
SAVE MONEY: When you make your own cleaners at home using essential oils, you’ll be saving the money you would have spent on those expensive store-bought cleaners. Plus, you only need to use a few drops of essential oils for most cleaning applications or recipes. That means that even a small bottle of oil will go a long way toward keeping your house clean! So, whether you’re interested in a more natural or less expensive way to clean your home, cleaning with essential oils can help!
REDUCE TOXIC LOAD: Once we start eliminating those toxic store-bought cleaners we will naturally reduce the toxic load in our homes as well as the toxic burden in our bodies. Do you put on gloves when you clean? Do you get a headache? Do you open the windows or turn on the vents to release and disperse the fumes? Even if you’re using a natural product, do me a favor, check your ingredients for the word fragrance. That one word hides over 1,100 chemicals. Why? Because fragrance is considered a company’s “trade secret,” so they don’t have to disclose the numerous chemicals that make up its scent.
REDUCE WASTE & SINGLE PLASTIC USE: Think about how many times in the last year you’ve run out of your cleaning products. Disinfectants, toilet cleaners, glass cleaners, and so much more…all those empty bottles just tossed in the trash. Even one less plastic bottle finding its way to a landfill makes a difference. When you start creating your own green cleaning recipes you will be cutting down on the waste and helping the environment too. So that’s another added bonus.
ECO FRIENDLY: Since essential oils come from nature they are much gentler on the planet when we clean with them. Imagine the difference of cleaning a sink with bleach versus with baking soda and a few drops of lemon essential oil. Using essential oils is gentler on our eco system, water supply, soil and our own body – no need to wear gloves when you can literally eat the ingredients that you’re cleaning with.
WHAT ARE THE BEST ESSENTIAL OILS TO USE FOR CLEANING?
If I had to choose ONLY one essential oil to clean with I would choose lemon. On any given day you can find 4 open bottles scattered throughout my home. Don’t over complicate, you do not need tons of oils. You just need ONE oil with incredible cleansing powers…and lemon is just that.
Yes, while you only need one, I know we like variety and choices, so here are a few other of my favorite essential oils to clean with:
• Bergamot, Tangerine & Lime essential oils are powerful cleansing agents that purify the air and surfaces, and can be used as natural cleaners throughout the home. Also helps protect against environmental threats.
• Wild Orange is another great citrus oil to cleanse and purify surfaces. Putting a few drops in your own all-purpose spray will not only add a great cleansing boost but a lovely aroma as well!
• Douglas Fir & Siberian Fir are also cleansing and purifying oils. These oils deodorize the air and leave a fresh, piney scent on surfaces.
• Eucalyptus is refreshing and cleansing.
• Tea Tree (Melaleuca) is well known for its purifying properties. Use on surfaces to protect against environmental threats. When diffused, Tea Tree will help purify and freshen the air.
• doTERRA Purify® Cleansing Blend is comprised of Lemon, Siberian Fir, Citronella, Lime, Tea Tree, and Cilantro. This blend is specially designed to dispel unpleasant odors and purify the air, or gym bag, or stinky shoes, or trashcan, or, or, or...
• doTERRA Air-X™ Air Blend is an intense citrusy, woody, and faintly herbal aroma with Litsea, Tangerine, Grapefruit, Frankincense, and Cardamom. Not only does is help with unwanted odors, but it promotes clarity and openness too. If you find you’re not a fan of the Cilantro found in Purify, then this will be your go-to.
• Peppermint is refreshing and rejuvenating. It repels bugs naturally and creates an invigorating atmosphere when diffused or used topically on surfaces.
• doTERRA On Guard® Protective Blend is made up of Wild Orange, Clove, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary essential oils. It provides natural protection against environmental factors and overall cleaning capability. On Guard can be diffused to clear the air or used topically on hard surfaces.
No, I’m not diving into giving you a bunch of recipes just yet. But don’t worry, as we continue this Healthy Home series we’re going to go through each room in our home and I’ll give you my top recipes for each.
xoDanette