All-Natural Cleaning Solutions

When I decided to incorporate natural products and essential oils into my cleaning supplies, I started with just a few items that I knew I would use and that would be relatively easy to prepare. Working towards having fewer cleaning products was also important to me.

I enjoy an All-Purpose Cleaner in a spray bottle that I can use for the counter tops, refrigerator and microwave, and even to remove smudges on the walls. Combine water with five or six drops of essential oils like lemongrass, orange or lavender with a tablespoon of castile liquid soap to make your own cleaner to keep on hand. I am experimenting with pine needles right now and how they might be used in an all-purpose cleaner. Stay tuned!

Hardwood floors will receive a good cleaning and freshening with DIY Lemon Oil Cleanser. Mix approximately 10 drops of lemon essential oil and a splash of white vinegar in a bucket with warm water. This is terrific for cleaning hardwood and even tile or linoleum floors, and gives a lovely scent.

For freshening up the carpets, make your own Carpet Freshener and combine baking soda and lavender essential oil. Lemon essential oil is also good if you are sensitive to lavender. I love the flowery scent but too much of it gives me a headache! Add twelve to fifteen drops of essential oil to a cup of baking soda and let sit in a container overnight. I like to save the lids to grated cheese containers. They fit well on the wide-mouth pint canning jars. Alternatively, you can poke holes in the lid of a canning jar. Then, sprinkle onto the carpets and vacuum.

I am still learning to make my own cleaning products. They are beginning to replace those that used to live beneath our kitchen sink.