It’s no secret that I love using essential oils. We’ve used them to soothe aches and pains, calm stressed nerves, and help keep our home a healthy haven. Speaking of a healthy haven, I have a few favorite essential oils for cleaning a home, too.
From my school texts, I learned that the average American uses 40 pounds of unsafe chemicals a year and that nearly 90% of these products haven’t been studied to prove their safety regarding the potential long-term effects on pregnant women and their babies within the womb. That’s a scary statistic. After reading that it only takes 26 seconds of exposure to find these chemicals within every organ of the person using them, I decided to “clean up” our act!
Here are three of my 3 favorite oils for cleaning a home.
Bergamot:
Bergamot is a mainstay in our home. I first purchased it because I was prone to infections and found it beneficial. But then I learned that it’s considered a natural mood elevator, which intrigued me more.
An antiviral, bergamot is ideal for diffusing during the cold and flu season months, especially by those who are prone to the “winter blues.”
When company comes to visit, I diffuse it to help create a welcoming atmosphere for guests. As a bonus, they may even leave my home a bit healthier, too! Bergamot is considered photo-toxic, so if you use it topically, be sure to dilute it well, and if you’re especially sensitive, it’s advised to avoid sun or UV exposure for at least 2 hours after applying.
I also apply 20 to 30 drops of bergamot essential oil directly to new air filters.
Lemon:
Lemon is refreshing. While I had morning sickness, it was a must-have in my arsenal. It not only kept the air smelling fresh, eliminating those pesky odors, but I also loved knowing that it helped clean and purified the air. Lemon is known as an antiseptic, antiviral, digestive aid, and used by some to help calm nerves.
Like bergamot, lemon is also phototoxic, so dilute it well when applying it topically, and avoid sun and UV exposure for a couple of hours.
We diffuse lemon essential oil to clean the air and to help promote a positive, relaxing mood. You can also take advantage of its ability to clear pathogens by using it as a household cleaner.
Mix 4 ounces of water with 4 ounces of white vinegar, and add 10-20 drops of lemon essential oil.
Lavender
Lavender is a wonderful, all-purpose oil for keeping your home naturally healthy. It can be used to treat minor wounds, help with restlessness, calm nerves, and is also an antifungal and antiseptic.
We apply small amounts of lavender directly to minor scrapes, mix it with a carrier oil and massage it onto achy muscles or when a child is fighting off an illness and wants some extra comfort.
You can also use it to as a disinfectant spray by using the recipe above, but use lavender instead of lemon.
A Bonus Recipe for Fabric Softener
Combine Lemon and Lavender for this fabric softener that works! Your clothes will be naturally soft with the additional benefits of the antiseptic and anti-fungal benefits that you won’t find from conventional fabric softener.
- 1 cup of vinegar
- 15 drops of Lavender Oil
- 25 drops of Lemon Oil.
- Use 2 tablespoons of solution per load.
This post is part of a blog hop! Click through to read how other families use essential oils in their homes.
What about you? Do you use essential oils to make your household cleaners? If so, how do you use them? Share your favorite recipe below!
Statements on this blog have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Information on this blog is for educational purposes only and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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Anna Radchenko says
My husband and I have been married for two and a half years. We are closing on our first home on Valentine’s Day and I am so excited to begin preparing our home to be one that is natural, healthy, and inviting. I’ve been reading more and more lately about natural cleaners and essential oils, but haven’t taken time to just get started with it! There seems to be so much to learn and do when you first get married, that I just didn’t want to add another thing to my plate.
Now that we will have our own home, however, I want to take the first steps to using all-natural, healthy products. 🙂
What do you use for a diffuser?
Sara Elizabeth says
I personally use the Home Diffuser and the TheraPro (I just added them to my site page). The home diffuser is great for ambiance and when wanting to diffuse some oils to help within a smaller environment. The TheraPro is more for serious use. It atomizes the oils directly into the air and is what I use for more medicinal or heavy use. If we travel, it comes with me. 🙂 You can read about them both on my YL page: https://www.youngliving.org/AMamasStory
Anna Radchenko says
Thank you! I’ll check it out. 🙂
Mary @ The Encouraging Home says
Great post and great ideas! Thank you for being a valuable part of our team!
Sara Elizabeth says
Thanks, Mary! You’re a sweetie. 🙂
Joy says
Thanks for these great ideas! Love your blog! 🙂
Sara Elizabeth says
Thanks, Joy!! 🙂 And thanks for visiting.
Janine says
I am going to try that fabric softener this week. Would like to invite you to come link up this post at oil me up Wednesday. A new party for essential oils ideas at My Lamp is Full! Please stop by.
Sara Elizabeth says
Will check it out. 🙂 Yes the fabric softener is great, and I love that there are other cool benefits included, too. 🙂
Heather says
Such great ideas! I’m new to bergamot so this will give me a head start!
Sara Elizabeth says
Bergamot has been my favorite must-have oil for months now. Very versatile and useful.
Lisa Carter says
Thanks for the great share! I’m looking forward to trying out the fabric softener recipe 🙂
Sara Elizabeth says
You’re welcome. 🙂 I hope you like it!
Theresa Hoff says
Love your blog! I have a question about the fabric softener though…do you put the 2 T. in the dispenser or along with your detergent? I only ask because it seems the homemade softener runs right through the dispenser. Thanks.
Sara Elizabeth says
I put mine in the dispenser or if you don’t have one and need to use one of the balls that go into the washer, then you just put it in one of those.
Heather @ Raising Mighty Arrows says
I definitely want to try the fabric softener recipe! Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂
Sara Elizabeth says
Let me know what you think, Heather. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
Stephanie says
I would have never thought to add bergamot to an air filter. I’m so glad I have a bottle on the way. Thank you for sharing that tip!
Sara Elizabeth says
Yep!!! I sometimes add Thieves, too. 🙂
Mary Bernard says
What a beautiful blog you have! Thanks for these ideas. Definitely trying the fabric softener ASAP!
And I love the idea of bergamot on air filters. Awesome. 🙂
Jill @ Jill's Home Remedies says
Great recipe!
Rachel W. says
Thanks for more great ideas! I LOVE using essential oils. Lavender & lemon are my favorites. I even add a couple drops to the water tub in my Rainbow vacuum, usually one drop of peppermint and one drop of lavender.
Do you know what I could use Clary Sage for? I have a bottle I bought for when I was in labor…that was 3 years ago and I have no idea what to use it for. Thanks! ♥
Sara Elizabeth says
Rachel, I can look it up for you tomorrow. I’m headed to bed now. 🙂 My little fella is still a little fussy (although no more fever, hooray!)
Georgia Limes says
I love learning new cleaning recipes! I use baking soda and vinegar to clean my oven and it works much better than the common cleaners on the market! Thanks a lot for sharing this article here! Dagenham Carpet Cleaners Ltd.
Nadine says
I love the sounds of your fabric softener recipe! I don’t have any bergamot so I’ll have to get some 🙂 We’re used to slightly crunchy clothes from line drying and we never use fabric softeners even when we don’t line dry. Great recipe with all natural ingredients is perfect! Thanks for sharing.
Sara Elizabeth Dunn says
Oh, I LOVE Bergamot. 🙂 I diffuse it all the time. As I often write, if I had to pick just one oil that would be it. Let me know how the fabric softener works for you!
Heidi says
Great ideas! I’m new to Bergamot, and I didn’t realize it helps your immune system. I’ll be getting some to try!
Heidi
Sara Elizabeth Dunn says
I absolutely love bergamot! 🙂 If you try it, be sure to let me know how you like it.
Maisy says
Very helpful post for natural cleaning newbs like me, Sara 🙂 I can’t wait to have my own place to create it exactly the way I want to. Thank you for linking up at the Friday Favorites linky party!
*Maisy
Sara Elizabeth Dunn says
Sure thing! Creating homemade cleaners is so much fun!