I have been cleaning with no chemicals for years now and I am always tweaking recipes, finding new ones and as always, experimenting. Today I want to share with you my favorite cleaners and cleaning products to keep your house fresh, clean and disinfected without toxic chemicals.
It's all about the ingredients, so here is a list of what I use and why I use it.
It's all about the ingredients, so here is a list of what I use and why I use it.
Essential oils are the key ingredient in all of my no chemical cleaners. They are antiseptic and antibacterial so they inhibit the growth of bacteria and kill germs . They also naturally purify the air by wrapping around odor molecules and deodorizing them, instead of masking an odor, leaving the air fresh and clean.
You can use an oil as a single, blend them together yourself to create your own custom scent or use a blended oil from an essential oil distributor. This is my list of the top bacteria busting essential oils. I also love and use my essential oil distributors immune support blend, citrus blend and purifying blend.
Bacteria Busting Oils:
You can use an oil as a single, blend them together yourself to create your own custom scent or use a blended oil from an essential oil distributor. This is my list of the top bacteria busting essential oils. I also love and use my essential oil distributors immune support blend, citrus blend and purifying blend.
Bacteria Busting Oils:
- Cinnamon – very powerful antimicrobial. Virus spores, bacteria, and fungus cannot live in the presence of this oil.
- Clove – kills viruses and bacteria.
- Lemon – grease stains, stain remover, brightener, disinfectant
- Lemongrass – best oil for disinfecting and purifying
- Lime – removes gum, wood stains, oil stains, grease spots on clothing
- Orange – removes sticky adhesive residue from most surfaces
- Eucalyptus – targets and eliminates bacteria, viruses, and fungi
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Thyme - prevents fungi molds, antibacterial
- Pine - disinfectant
Citric Acid:
Citric acid is a weak, water-soluble organic acid that comes from the fermentation of crude fruit sugar.
Citric acid is a substance that helps dissolve certain stains and residue buildup such as hard water and mineral deposits. It kills bacteria and mildew and works great for removing calcium deposits, dirt and rust.
Vinegar:
Vinegar kills up to 99.8% of all known bacteria.
Baking Soda:
Deodorizes, removes stains, great for use in scrubbing and softens water.
Salt:
Abrasive qualities for cleanser, water softener, stain remover.
Borax:
Natural multi-purpose household cleaner. For those concerned with the use of borax, here is a great post about it.
So now that we have a simple run down of our ingredients I have some awesome recipes and cleaning tips to share. First off, I do all of my multi-purpose cleaning with Norwex enviro cloths, all you need is water and you are ready to go. In addition or instead of the Norwex cloths, here are some recipes and tips for cleaning your home naturally.
Citric acid is a weak, water-soluble organic acid that comes from the fermentation of crude fruit sugar.
Citric acid is a substance that helps dissolve certain stains and residue buildup such as hard water and mineral deposits. It kills bacteria and mildew and works great for removing calcium deposits, dirt and rust.
Vinegar:
Vinegar kills up to 99.8% of all known bacteria.
Baking Soda:
Deodorizes, removes stains, great for use in scrubbing and softens water.
Salt:
Abrasive qualities for cleanser, water softener, stain remover.
Borax:
Natural multi-purpose household cleaner. For those concerned with the use of borax, here is a great post about it.
So now that we have a simple run down of our ingredients I have some awesome recipes and cleaning tips to share. First off, I do all of my multi-purpose cleaning with Norwex enviro cloths, all you need is water and you are ready to go. In addition or instead of the Norwex cloths, here are some recipes and tips for cleaning your home naturally.
Make Your Own Cleaners
Window Cleaner:
The only window/mirror cleaner I have found that works for streak free clean is the Norwex Window Cloth. I have tried about everything and this is the only thing that is truly streak free, it is amazing. Use this for windows, mirrors, chrome and that build up on the windshield of the car – it is awesome!
Drain Cleaner:
Sprinkle baking soda down the drain followed by vinegar and a couple drops of essential oil, choose from the list above.
Furniture Polish:
Fill a ½ pint jar ¾ full of olive oil, add 10 drops citrus essential oil and shake. Dab a tiny amount on a soft rag and rub into furniture.
Air-Purifier/Hand Sanitizer/Disinfectant:
8 oz. water
40 drops of one of the essential oil blends above
Mix in a spray bottle and squirt until your heart’s content. This works great to spray on furniture, curtains, beds, blankets, mattresses, etc. Use like Lysol to disinfect bathrooms, door handles, and any area you want sanitized. I also keep a 4 oz. spray bottle in my purse for a hand sanitizer.
*This method also works for diffusing any essential oils into the air, perfect during flu season.
The only window/mirror cleaner I have found that works for streak free clean is the Norwex Window Cloth. I have tried about everything and this is the only thing that is truly streak free, it is amazing. Use this for windows, mirrors, chrome and that build up on the windshield of the car – it is awesome!
Drain Cleaner:
Sprinkle baking soda down the drain followed by vinegar and a couple drops of essential oil, choose from the list above.
Furniture Polish:
Fill a ½ pint jar ¾ full of olive oil, add 10 drops citrus essential oil and shake. Dab a tiny amount on a soft rag and rub into furniture.
Air-Purifier/Hand Sanitizer/Disinfectant:
8 oz. water
40 drops of one of the essential oil blends above
Mix in a spray bottle and squirt until your heart’s content. This works great to spray on furniture, curtains, beds, blankets, mattresses, etc. Use like Lysol to disinfect bathrooms, door handles, and any area you want sanitized. I also keep a 4 oz. spray bottle in my purse for a hand sanitizer.
*This method also works for diffusing any essential oils into the air, perfect during flu season.
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Other Cleaning Tips
- Use citrus essential oils as a spray for cleaning the fridge, they deodorize without permeating the area with aroma.
- Add 10 drops of essential oil to dishwashing liquid.
- Add a few drops of essential oil to the dishwater.
- Shoe refresher: Sprinkle 2 tsp. baking soda with 2 drops essential oil (lemongrass is great for this) in shoes overnight. Shake out in the morning.
- Carpet: Equal parts borax and baking soda with essential oil blend of choice. Whisk together and put in shaker jar (I like a used spice bottle), sprinkle on carpet/mattress leave for a few minutes then vacuum.
- Vacuum refresher: Place a few drops of essential oil blend of choice directly on the bag. Every time you vacuum the air will be refreshed and deodorized.
- Bathroom refresher: Place a few drops of essential oil blend on the cardboard of the toilet paper roll. Every time someone pulls toilet paper it will gently release cleansing and deodorizing molecules.
- Place a few drops of oil on a cotton ball and place in dresser drawers to keep clothing fresh. This also works great for repelling spiders, use peppermint, lemon or one of the bug repelling oils.
