These homemade cleaners leave your household healthier
I was shocked when I learned that the air inside our home is actually 200-500 times MORE polluted than the air outside our homes. Can you believe that?
Eliminating toxic scents in our home had an immediate effect on our family’s health (both my husband and son were prone to asthma). I started by ditching the typical household cleaners and switching to more green cleaners that I purchased at the health food store. Over the years I’ve learned how to make my own cleaners and I urge you to try it too. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is, and how much money you can save.
Greening up your household cleaners is one of the fastest ways to improve the air quality of your home. Many conventional cleaners can either trigger or exacerbate allergies. The chemicals in household cleaners have the potential to cause shortterm and long-term health problems, and children are more vulnerable to chemical exposure because certain chemicals may interfere with the development of their neurological, endocrine, and immune systems.
Think about it this way – you’re cleaning a kitchen counter and then 10 minutes later your kids are making a sandwich or a snack on that very surface. Now they are not only inhaling toxic chemicals that have been sprayed into the air, they are also ingesting residue from these cleaners that have been sprayed on the countertop.
Time to switch things up, right? I like to use therapeutic grade essential oils in my DIY cleaning products. That way I get lovely scents in the air, and anti-bacterial properties from plants that keep my home clean in a gentle but effective way.
Furniture and Polish Duster
10 drops doTERRA’s Arborvitae essential oil
1 cup olive oil
1 cup white vinegar
Add all ingredients to a glass spray bottle and use on wood furniture.
Shake bottle before use. This mixture both dusts and polishes. Store in a dark cupboard, away from sunlight.
Window Cleaner
I had my cleaning lady compare this to her store-bought window cleaner and she gave this one the thumbs up.
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
10 drops Lemon essential oil
Add all ingredients to a spray bottle. Shake bottle before use. Spray glass and wipe with a lint-free cloth. Store in a dark cupboard, away from sunlight.
Homemade Disinfectant
I got this recipe from a friend of mine who is a Naturopathic Doctor.
She uses it to disinfect her office and toys between client visits. It can be used on pretty much any surface in both the bathroom and the kitchen. Plus, you can use it on toys when illness runs through the home!
5 drops of Oregano oil (a natural disinfectant.)
5 drops of Tea Tree oil
1/2 litre of water
8 drops of an essential oil (I use wild orange & grapefruit)
Add all ingredients to a spray bottle. Shake bottle before use. Store in a dark cupboard, away from sunlight.
If you want to learn more about essential oils and green cleaning, I’m having a webinar on May 28. Email maggiesavage@me.com for more information.
Maggie Savage is a holistic nutritionist who blogs about healthy gluten-free living. Find more of her recipes at www.SheLetThemEatCake.com