DIY Natural Cleaners – 7 Easy Recipes to Help You Clean Everything from Windows to Grout

Several years ago I was cleaning my kitchen and happened to glance at the label of a cleaner that I used for everything. It said “Do not use on kitchen surfaces.” I was horrified! I can’t use it on my kitchen surfaces?? I had used that particular cleaner to clean EVERYTHING, as did my Mom when I was growing up. It dawned on me in that moment that just because they kill germs it does not make them safe (which I probably should have realized sooner).

Is the cleaner you’re using to spray your counters, your fridge, your stove, or even your babies high chair safe to use? You cook on those surfaces and your kids drop food on those surfaces and then eat that food. Topical exposure isn’t the only worry though. When you spray a surface you are dispersing those chemicals into the air for everyone to inhale. They can do a lot of damage to our lungs and other organs.

Often times we think that we are using household cleaners to “clean” but take no mind of what they are leaving behind. I’m not sure which is more dangerous, the germs on the counter or the chemicals that killed the germs. Of course, we want the surfaces in our home to be clean but we want them to be clean of chemicals as well. So what do we do?

We can make our own cleaners that are very effective at killing germs while not causing harm to our family members. Let’s first understand the importance of why we don’t want to use regular cleaners.

Were you aware that cleaning products are required by law to include label warnings if harmful ingredients are included? From safest to most dangerous, the warning signals are:

Caution – One ounce to one pint may be harmful or fatal to a 180-pound male

Warning – One teaspoon to one ounce may be harmful or fatal to a 180-pound male

Danger – One taste to one teaspoon is fatal to a 180-pound male

If you look at your household cleaners, chances are you are going to find one of these words on the bottle.

Would you like to know how to make your own cleaners? Well keep reading because I’ve got a great list of ones you can make yourself that smell good and work great! A word of caution when using citrus oils…they can eat plastic so you may want to use a glass spray bottle for cleaners that contain citrus oils and that you will be storing.

7 DIY Natural Cleaners
All-Purpose Spray Recipe

¼ C white vinegar
2 C water
30 drops essential oil

Essential Oils To Try:
15 drops each lavender & lemon
10 drops each eucalyptus, peppermint, and wild orange
30 drops OnGuard

Add all ingredients to a spray bottle. Shake thoroughly before spraying.

Window & Mirror Cleaner Recipe

1 C. water
1/8 C. vinegar
10-15 drops lemon essential oil

Pour ingredients into a spray bottle, and shake to blend, apply and wipe clean.

Floor Cleaner Recipe

1 gallon of hot water
2 T liquid castile soap
15 drops Wild Orange essential oil
8 drops Lemon essential oil

Combine in a large bucket. Use a mop or rag to clean the floor. Rinsing optional.

Air Freshener

You can easily use a diffuser to disperse the aroma of essential oils in your home or you can also use a spray bottle.

15 drops essential oil

Mix with water in a spray bottle.

Essential Oils To Try:
Lemon
Lavender
Peppermint
Or a combination of them

Toilet Bowl Cleaner Recipe

1 ½ C white vinegar in a spray bottle
1 C baking soda
¼ C Salt (optional)
10 drops melaleuca essential oil

Mix baking soda and salt together. Add the oils to the vinegar. Spray the inside of the toilet bowl with the vinegar mixture, and then sprinkle on the powder. It should be fizzy; if it is not, spray a bit more vinegar. Let cleanser sit 10-15 min. before scrubbing with a brush. Flush.

Tile, Grout, and Tub Cleaner Recipe

1/8 C castile soap
1/8 C water
½ C baking soda
10 drops eucalyptus essential oil

Mix all the ingredients together. You can add more water depending on how thin or thick you want the mixture to be. Paint on with foam craft brush (or your hand if you want to). Let sit for 15 – 20 min. Get it wet with a spray bottle, scrub with a scouring pad, and wipe clean with a wet cloth.

Carpet Freshener

1-2 C baking soda (depending on the area you’ll be sprinkling it on)
15-30 drops essential oil

Mix in a container with a sprinkle top or one you can make holes in to create your own sprinkle top. A large yogurt tub works good. Sprinkle on the carpet. Let sit overnight and then vacuum.

Essential Oils To Try:
Lemon
Peppermint
Lavender
Wild Orange
Purify
Citrus Bliss

Would you like to learn more about essential oils and the amazing benefits they can provide? You can attend a live webinar this coming week to teach you how to use essential oils in your home to Makeover Your Medicine Cabinet and also how to use them for Mind, Mood, and Sleep Management. You can register for either of those webinars here: Upcoming Webinars

Christy Fechser is the wife to 1, mother of 3, lover of health, wellness, the beach and sunshine. She is passionate about living an inspired life and loves to inspire others to live life at their fullest. You can find her online educating others on how to live a more natural lifestyle, especially on how to use essential oils. You can read more about Christy at Modern Wellness. You can also find her on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.

You can enter to win a doTERRA Introductory Kit featuring Lavender, Lemon and Peppermint essential oils, plus a copy of doTERRA Living magazine and a copy of Common Sense Health e-book.  The Common Sense Health e-book is also on sale now for 25% off.  Visit the Common Sense Health post to learn more.

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