Cleaning with Essential Oils: Tips and Recipes for Every Room

Last updated on June 15th, 2023 at 08:13 pm

Keeping a clean and safe home is a top priority for most families, including mine. But so many cleaning products contain toxic chemicals and synthetic fragrances that can be harmful to our health and the environment. When I started my clean living journey over six years ago, fragrances and cleaning products were one of the first things I tossed. I thought I’d have to live without those fresh smelling scents forever.

Fortunately, I realized there were natural and effective solutions that could replace those toxic cleaning products and smell good at the same time, essential oils!

In this post, I’m sharing the benefits of using essential oils for cleaning, the top 5 essential oils for different rooms in your home, recipes for cleaning with essential oils, how to find safe 3rd party tested essential oils, and how to use them around babies and children.

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds extracted from plants. They are highly concentrated and can be used for a variety of purposes, including aromatherapy, cleaning, and personal care. Each essential oil has unique properties and benefits that can support our health and well-being.

Benefits of Using Essential Oils for Cleaning

Essential oils are not only natural and non-toxic, but they also have powerful cleaning properties. They can be used to kill bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms, as well as remove dirt and grime. Additionally, essential oils can leave your home smelling fresh and invigorating, without the use of synthetic fragrances.

Top 5 Essential Oil Fragrances for Cleaning

Lemon – Best for the Kitchen
Lemon essential oil has a fresh, clean scent that is perfect for the kitchen. It has powerful antimicrobial properties that can kill germs and bacteria, making it an excellent choice for cleaning countertops, sinks, and cutting boards.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 10 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:

1. In a spray bottle, combine the white vinegar and water.
2. Add 10 drops of lemon essential oil to the mixture and shake well to combine.
3. Spray the mixture onto kitchen countertops, appliances, and other surfaces.
4. Wipe the surfaces with a clean cloth or paper towel.

This all-purpose cleaner is effective for cleaning and disinfecting the kitchen, and the fresh lemon scent will leave your kitchen smelling clean and inviting.

Tea Tree – Best for the Bathroom
Tea tree essential oil has anti fungal and antibacterial properties that make it an effective cleaner for the bathroom. It can be used to remove mold and mildew, clean toilet bowls, and disinfect shower stalls.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 10 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix together the baking soda and tea tree essential oil.
2. Add the white vinegar slowly to the mixture, stirring constantly.
3. Once the mixture stops fizzing, pour it into the toilet bowl.
4. Use a toilet brush to scrub the bowl, focusing on areas with stains or buildup.
5. Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes.
6. Flush the toilet to rinse away the mixture and any debris.

This natural toilet bowl cleaner is effective for removing stains and disinfecting the toilet bowl. The tea tree essential oil helps to kill germs and bacteria, leaving your bathroom fresh and clean.

Orange – Best for the Living Room Orange essential oil has a refreshing scent that can help to energize and uplift the mood. It is great for cleaning carpets and upholstery, as well as freshening up the air.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 10 drops Orange essential oil

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix together the baking soda and Orange essential oil.
2. Sprinkle the mixture onto carpets or upholstery.
3. Use a brush to work the mixture into the fibers.
4. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes.
5. Vacuum up the mixture.

This is a natural way to clean carpets and upholstery with oils. Its effective for removing odors and freshening up the living room.

Lavender – Best for the Bedroom Lavender essential oil has a calming and relaxing scent that is perfect for the bedroom. It can be used to freshen up linens, pillows, and mattresses, as well as promoting a peaceful sleep.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup distilled water
• 2 tablespoons witch hazel
• 10-15 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions:

1. In a small spray bottle, combine the distilled water and witch hazel.
2. Add 10-15 drops of lavender essential oil to the mixture.
3. Shake well to combine.
4. Spray the mixture onto your pillows, linens, and mattress before bed.
5. Allow the spray to dry before getting into bed.

This DIY linen spray is perfect for freshening up your bedroom and promoting a peaceful sleep. The lavender essential oil has calming and relaxing properties that can help you unwind after a long day.

Grapefruit – Best for the Laundry Room Grapefruit essential oil has a fresh, citrusy scent that can help to eliminate odors and leave clothes smelling clean and fresh.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 10-15 drops Grapefruit essential oil

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix together the white vinegar and water.
2. Add the Grapefruit essential oil to the mixture and stir well.
3. Pour the mixture into a clean spray bottle and shake well.
4. Spray the mixture onto your clothes before putting them in the dryer.

This natural fabric softener is effective for softening clothes and leaving them smelling fresh and clean.

Aromatherapy Benefits of Essential Oils

Essential oils also have various aromatherapy benefits like relaxation and stress relief. Lavender is my favorite essential oil scent for relaxing.

How to Find Safe 3rd Party Tested Essential Oils

When choosing essential oils, it is important to look for high-quality, pure, and 3rd party tested products. This helps to ensure that the essential oils are free from contaminants and are safe to use. Look for companies that provide detailed information about the sourcing, extraction, and testing of their essential oils.

How to Use Essential Oils Around Babies and Children

Some essential oils can be harmful when used around babies and young children. It is important to do your research and only use essential oils that are safe for them. I know we’re talking about using essential oils to clean your home in this post but please avoid using essential oils topically on babies and young children, and always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before using them. It is also a good idea to diffuse essential oils in a well-ventilated area and avoid using them around infants.

Some oils can be too strong or irritating for their sensitive skin and developing respiratory systems. Oils to avoid around babies under 2 years of age include peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary, and cinnamon. These oils can cause respiratory distress and even seizures if used improperly. For children over 2 years of age, these oils can be used, but should be diluted properly and used with caution. I like to proceed with extra caution and will probably avoid these oils until my little one is much older. When in doubt, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional before using essential oils around babies and children.

Which Brands of Essential Oils Should You Choose?

I personally use Plant Therapy essential oils in my home. Plant Therapy offers a wide range of high-quality, 3rd party tested essential oils, including kid and pet safe options. I love that they provides detailed information about the sourcing, extraction, and testing of their essential oils. This gives me peace of mind, knowing that the products I am using are pure and safe for my family. I love using their KidSafe Germ Destroyer blend to clean and disinfect surfaces, and their KidSafe Orange Essence blend to freshen up the air.

Some other 3rd party tested essential oil brands to consider are:

Aura Cacia – This brand offers a wide variety of essential oils, as well as other aromatherapy products like diffusers and carrier oils. They have a commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing, and their products are 3rd party tested for quality and purity.

Rocky Mountain Oils – This company sources their essential oils from small farms and distilleries around the world, and they offer a variety of blends and single oils. Their products are 3rd party tested for purity and they offer a satisfaction guarantee.

Eden’s Garden – This brand offers a large selection of essential oils. They are committed to sustainability and ethical sourcing, and their products are 3rd party tested for purity and quality.

Florihana – This company is based in France and offers a wide range of essential oils that are certified organic and 3rd party tested for quality and purity. They use a low-heat steam distillation process and offer transparent information about the origins and processing of their oils.

It’s always a good idea to do your research and read reviews before purchasing essential oils from any brand, and make sure the oils are safe and suitable for your individual needs but these options are a good place to start.

Overall, using essential oils for cleaning has been a game changer for me. Not only do I feel good about using natural, non-toxic products in my home, but the aromatherapy benefits are also a huge plus.