April is Earth Month—a great reminder to take a close look at changes we can make that will be more helpful and less harmful to the planet. This time of year is also when many of us are inspired to give our homes a thorough “spring cleaning” to clear away the dust and grime that is so evident when the sunshine streams through the windows.

Cleaning—whether you love it or not—is an essential part of daily life if we want to have a healthy and welcoming living space. Using natural cleaning products instead of products with potentially harmful chemicals is being embraced by more and more people, which is great news for the planet and for your health as well! And while it’s a great option to pick up some ready-made natural cleaners (we have some fantastic brands we love available at Pomme!) it can also be easy, fun, and very budget friendly to make up your own cleaning products with some basic ingredients.

Baking soda, vinegar and Castille soap are the foundational ingredients in many natural cleaning recipes and they will get most jobs done, but if you want to take things to the next level and really put some potent natural ingredients to work for you, then adding essential oils to your green cleaning routine is, well, essential. You may even find that the beautiful, natural aromas of essential oils make cleaning a bit more enjoyable:)

Essential oils not only smell great—and are safe for the environment—they also contain powerful, natural chemical constituents with a variety of benefits. Depending on which essential oils you use, they can have antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties, making them powerful allies as part of your green cleaning kit.

Which essential oils are best for cleaning?

There are many EOs that work great for cleaning so it is partly a matter of preference. Part of the fun is that you can mix and match to create a different blend each time you make up a new batch.

Lemon - For cutting grease, you can’t beat lemon. It’s ideal for kitchen cleaning jobs, and makes everything shine. Nothing works better to remove sticky residues (removing labels from jars, for example) and it can even remove permanent marker from smooth surfaces! Try adding other citrus oils such as lime, grapefruit or orange to your cleaners to customize and bring an uplifting and energizing aroma to your kitchen. Bonus tip: Add 10 - 20 drops of citrus essential oils to your current liquid dishwashing soap for extra cleaning power.

Thyme - Thyme oil is particularly effective for sterilizing cutting boards and kitchen utensils due to its powerful antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties. Allow to sit on the surface for a few minutes before rinsing for maximum efficacy.

Lavender - Typically used for laundry and cleaning in bedrooms due to its relaxing properties, lavender is a powerful (and lovely smelling) cleaning agent for any room in the house. Wipe down children’s toys with a cleaning solution containing lavender for a safe and effective way to disinfect.

Tea Tree Oil - Antiseptic, antiviral and antifungal, tea tree oil is particularly effective for cleaning damp areas prone to mildew, such as window seals and the rubber seal of washing machines. Just add some drops to a damp cloth and wipe. Note: Some studies have shown that tea tree oil is not safe for pets. If you have pets, avoid using tea tree oil on surfaces they will have contact with.

How many drops to use?

The number of drops depends on how potent your essential oils are and how strong you want your cleaner to be (both for cleaning power and scent). A general rule is to use 10 drops to every 2 - 3 cups of liquid. Keep in mind that only pure, high-quality essential oils will have the chemical constituents necessary for effective cleaning power. Synthetic “fragrance oils” should be avoided. The better quality the oils, the more effective and powerful they will be.

Start with some green cleaning basics:

Your all-natural cleaning kit should contain a few foundational items:

White Vinegar: purifying and useful for cleaning grease and mineral deposits
Baking Soda: absorbs and eliminates odours and is a gentle abrasive
Castille Soap: helpful for lifting dirt, stains and grease
Olive Oil: good for cleaning and polishing wood surfaces
Microfibre Cloth: for dusting and cleaning smooth surfaces
Scrubbing brush: for tougher jobs and porous surfaces where dirt needs to be loosened

Some Essential Oil Cleaning Recipes to Get Started

All Purpose Cleaning Spray:
(Remember to always shake it up before using to distribute the essential oils.)
1 cup water
1 cup white vinegar
15 - 20 drops essential oils

Soft Scrub:
¾ cup baking soda
¼ cup liquid Castille soap
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon vinegar
5 - 10 drops lemon essential oil

Glass Cleaner:
In a 16-ounce glass spray bottle, add:
1 ½ cups white vinegar
½ cup distilled water
8 drops citrus essential oils (lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange)

Wood Polish:
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup vinegar
10 drops essential oils (Lemon, Orange, or Cedarwood)

The Wrap Up:

We hope this gives you enough information and ideas to get started on making the switch (or continuing your journey) into safe and effective natural cleaning with essential oils. There are many more ways to use essential oils for cleaning your home and purifying the air—this is just the beginning. So if you thought essential oils were just for aromatherapy, think again!

Disclaimer: As with any essential oil, it is advisable to do a spot test to check if you have any sensitivity or allergic reaction. In addition, please be sure to talk to your veterinarian before using essential oils around your pets, as some oils have the potential to harm animals.

And if and when you're making the transition to a green cleaning household, don't forget that it's important to dispose of the chemical products you have on hand as responsibly as possible! They'll cause harm in a general landfill, so many communities have dedicated centres for taking them off your hands.

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Boost Your Natural Cleaning Routine With Essential Oils