It seems like every where I’ve turned over the past month I’ve been hearing about essential oils. Have you caught on to the rage? Well after a lot of research and talking to some family and friends, like Beth from Young Living from Unskinny Boppy and Erica with DoTerra, I decided to give them a try (both sell oils so feel free to buy, buy, buy). My first project: homemade all purpose cleaner with essential oils!
I have been using vinegar and water to clean for a long time now in order to cut down on the unnecessary chemicals and to keep like more kid-friendly. But I like the idea of also using essential oils for the added disinfectant qualities and to improve the smell.
Using a Glass Bottle
Essential oils are fabulous but can break down plastic, so it’s really important to use a glass bottle. Rather than buy an expensive glass spray bottle on Amazon (which was the only place I could find them), I used the nozzle from my cheap plastic one and put it on a glass vinegar bottle. PERFECT!
Of course, it was kinda ugly, so I added some scrapbook paper and covered it in packing tape to protect it.
Essential Oils
I haven’t invested yet in some of the fab essential oil blends from Young Living or DoTerra, mainly because they cost a little more and I wanted to see if I can follow through with essential oils into everyday living before making the investment. On a side note, I did a lot of research and found that Aura Cacia is a great brand, affordable, and available on Amazon and our local Vitamin Shoppe.
When making your household cleaner, here are some essential oils you can use in combination (totaling 30 drops) for cleaning and are also safe for children:
- lemon & peppermint
- peppermint, eucalyptus & sweet orange
- tea tree & lavender
- lemon & lavender
Feel free to wing and figure out what scents you love best.
All-Purpose, Natural Cleaner
- Glass spray bottle
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 3/4 cups water
- 30 drops essential oil
- Mix together ingredients in glass spray bottle. See above for essential oils suggestions safe for kids and how to make your own glass spray bottle on the cheap.
- Shake before each use.
What do you think? What’s your favorite recipe for CLEAN?
As always, thanks for reading!
Thanks for sharing this, Jocie. 🙂
Love this. We are trying to go organic in our house this year, so this tutorial is perfect. Pinning!
I’m totally going to try this! I LOVE lavender and am glad to hear about an affordable resource!
I love this, going natural is the way to go esp for us with a new baby in the house!
I knew that essential oils broke down plastic, but I figured it was something I’d have to live with until I could splurge on glass bottles. What a great idea to use empty vinegar bottles! Can’t wait to get through my current bottle 🙂
Great Idea with the Vinegar/Spray Bottle – Love it! Will definitely use this trick & recipe, thanks for the great post!
Hmmmm….. this is very interesting as I refuse to use vinegar to clean with because I can’t stand the smell. Do the essential oils “improve” the smell enough for someone that can’t stand the smell at all?
It will not cover up the smell of the vinegar completely although it does help alot. But you will still smell the vinegar while using it. Afterwards it goes away after about 20 minutes.
I’ve been using Plant Therapy and Nature’s Gift essential oils. Extremely good quality at a fraction if the multi-level marketing companies’ prices. And both of those companies abide by Robert Tisserand’s (the authority on EO safety) guidelines for safe usage.
does this work for bathroom as well>?
I can’t wait to try this! Also, I use Edens Garden essential oils. They’re very good, far cheaper (especially if you buy sets!) and the customer service is fantastic. 🙂 As are the oils!
Okay, I had no idea that they sold bottled vinegar for $1!! Now, I’m on the prowl.
Essential oils are not 100% safe.