Until recently, I kept whatever company owns Windex in business. The father in My Big Fat Greek Wedding had nothing on me. I used it to clean almost everything. So a couple years ago when my friend told me she cleaned her windows, mirrors, floors, counters, etc. with water and vinegar I thought she was CRAZY! Until I tried it, that is. Ever since then I have studied and learned more and more about how harmful some commercial cleaners are. Through experimenting with different natural cleaners, I have come to LOVE these 3 all natural cleaning recipes and I know you will as well! They have no chemicals, no artificial anything, you can feel totally good about having your kids use them, in fact it just may improve their attitudes in the process from the ingredient’s aromatherapy benefits!
These all natural cleaning recipes were given to me from my friend Jennifer, who just happens to be a registered Aromatherapist (the first in Idaho) and has a Master’s Diploma in Aromatherapy from the American College of Healthcare Sciences. She knows her stuff! I love asking questions and learning from her – she is amazing.
3 All Natural Cleaning Recipes
This first one is BY FAR my kid’s favorite! When I first introduced this to my kids, they were fighting over who got to clean the toilet! Who wouldn’t with a name like this.
Toilet Bomb
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup white vinegar
5 – 10 drops Melaleuca (Tea Tree) essential oil
Combine all ingredients in at least a quart-size container. Add vinegar to the baking soda to create the explosion your kids are going to love! To make this a no-brainer for the kids, Jennifer uses a canning jar with a sticker at the fill line for the vinegar. She writes the rest of the ingredients on a blank mailing label covered with packing tape. She leaves a ½ cup measure in a big bag (Costco version) of baking soda near the jug of white vinegar and the Melaleuca essential oil in the laundry room. You can also just dump the ingredients right into the toilet and skip the jar, but the reaction isn’t quite as fun. 😉
Basic Sink Cleaning
Baking soda
Sprinkle baking soda, about 1 tablespoon, in a wet sink. Add 1-2 drops of the lemon oil. Scrub the sink with a damp, not wet, sponge or cloth. Rinse thoroughly.
This is easy for the kids to do and you don’t have to worry about them getting it on their hands or breathing it. They love the smell of citrus and it’s antibacterial!
TIP! You can clean adhesive off nearly anything with Lemon oil.
Mirror Bright
Move over Windex!
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
8 drops citrus oil (Lemon, Wild Orange, Lime, Grapefruit)
Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well before use.
Spray solution onto mirror and wipe with a dry cloth or towel.
I love cleaning with this, just so I can smell it. mmm. The hardest part is deciding which oil to choose – they all smell SO GOOD!! I went with wild orange this time.
This mixture not only cleans the mirror (and faucets) to a shine, but because of the essential oils, it will help to prevent fogging while the shower is running.
After you clean your bathroom, you won’t have to evacuate for a couple hours while the chemical smells die down, in fact you might want to camp out for a while just to enjoy the fragrance. Seriously. OR you could make up a batch of this last recipe to enjoy anywhere in your house.
BONUS RECIPE:
Air Freshener
8 ounces water
5-7 drops of essential oils**
Great for use in bathrooms, kitchens, etc. Avoid wood surfaces.
———————————-
I asked Jennifer to tell us a little about her background and explain a bit about essential oils. It is a whole new world to me that I am learning about and loving the benefits from.
Thanks Jennifer!
Do you use essential oils? What are your favorite ones?
Read more about essential oils and how they are helping my son, Skeptic to Believer. All Natural Remedies
We know you’ll love these all natural cleaning products – we do! You might also want to check out some of these awesome cleaning secrets:
Shay says
Thank you! These recipes are great! I am going to be trying them!
Janice says
These are great recipes! Thanks! One side note, make sure not to use anything citrus on granite, zodiac, or corian table surfaces. It can eat the finish and dull it severely. Just fyi.
Jennifer Eden Clark says
That is true with citrus juice for sure. What’s interesting about citrus essential oils is that they come from the peel so they are quite different from the juice and not acidic. I have let lemon essential oil sit on a piece of Zodiac for several hours and it didn’t cause any noticeable change. If you still want to avoid it there are many other essential oils that are antibacterial which you can use to clean those surfaces.
Kim Branch says
Is the toilet bomb safe to use with a septic tank?
jennifer Eden Clark says
I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t be safe going into a septic tank. In fact, it could be beneficial! I looked around at some websites and couldn’t find anything indicating that it would be unsafe. I’d say, Go for it!
Kim Branch says
Thank you for you for your help! I’m looking forward to trying this!
Missy says
I found the spray bottles at our dollar store, I think it is called Dollar Tree. I have also seen cute ones (a little smaller) at Michael’s craft store.
Teresa says
In researching the best eco-friendly plastic, I’ve found HDPE to be superior. To my disappointment, though, some suppliers have stated that HDPE are not suitable for essential oil use. Any thoughts on this?
Greta says
I wondered the same. I use do terra and love them. My concern is always that I was told they degrade plastic due to their purity. So when you use them internally like by drinking with water only use in a glass or metal water bottle because they break down the plastics and you then ingest the plastic. I do know this is true because before I knew this, my water bottle became pitted at the top where the oil sat…..so do you have any info on if the plastic water bottles would be harmful? Maybe if you aren’t ingesting it is ok? I have always been concerned so have kept from making things in bottles for longterm. I have found glass spray bottles, but they still have the plastic tubing and sprayer…… And thoughts are appreciated!
Kelly says
If you have cats NEVER use essential oils anywhere near them, even in well ventilated rooms. Make sure you only use hydrosols in place of the EO in the mixtures above. Tea tree oil is especially toxic to cats. Cat’s bodies cannot process terpenes and EOs will reach toxic levels very quickly and cause death.
Amy Leishman says
I use the diluted lemon oil on my corian and have never noticed a dulling… but I will be more carefull now that I know….. thx…!
Jennifer Eden Clark says
Actually, essential oils are safe to use around cats and other pets, but when used on them obviously in small amounts and with care. I wanted to be sure this was true so I consulted a true expert, Robert Tisserand. Check out this link to see what he says: http://roberttisserand.com/2011/06/cats-essential-oil-safety/
He does agree that Tea Tree oil should especially be used with care on cats.
brit says
using essential oils on cats can kill them regardless of what anyone says. Especially tea tree oil which can also harm puppies. Hydrosols are safer in those cases. Remember cats can turn their head and lick any area so this is how it harms their tiny liver. Get Kristen Leigh Bell’s book Aromatherapy for Animals which is the only one that gives proper advice (plus she is not selling anything).
martha says
about the cats and essential oils, the easiest way to keep the cats safe are to make them stay away from it. Add the citrus oil, or lemon. Cats hate them,and will automatically stay away from them
Monica says
Love cleaning with natural products.
Looking for a way to clean stainless steal and found that you can use olive oil and vinegar. Gave this a try on the hood over our stove and it worked great. All the sticky oily residue from cooking rubbed off and didn’t leave any streaks.
Missy says
Thank you! I am going to try this for sure!
Amy Leishman says
I love these recipes and have used them for a few years now…. I would also add that cleaning with a HIGH quality microfiber cloth makes these recipes even more fantastic, especially on glass. Cheap microfiber leaves lint behind, but the High quality leaves a nice shine and picks up any dust and eliminates the waste of paper towels. I use different colored microfiber cloths to keep my kitchen, bathroom, and general dusting separate. I do however always use paper towels for the toilet…. just can’t stomach not throwing those germs out…. Happy cleaning!
And I also love the doTerra oils and I am not a consultant…. just a happy consumer…
Jill R. says
I just love this post! I had already convinced my 5 year old that cleaning the shower floor really is fun(give him the vinegar and baking soda, and he has a blast[really, he does]), but I never thought to add the essential oil to make it aromatic. Thanks!
Dawn says
I LOVE LOVE LOVE doTERRA oils! We have the Family Physician kit and we use it for so many things. I am excited to try out these recipes! Thanks Missy and Jennifer!
Shelley says
You must have been reading my mind. I have been so sick of using chemical cleaners lately. Not only do the fumes bother me, I feel like I am buying them ever other week. I love the idea of making my own… I wish I could sniff the screen to see what they smell like. 😉 When do you think technology will invite scratch and sniff screens? I’m sure it’s coming soon,… right? 😉
Jenny D. says
I have been told essential oils should be used with a special kind of plastic and/or in dark colored glass bottles because the oils can eat away at plastic. I have had this happen actually, when I was just beginning to use them (I use doTERRA too). I just wanted to make others aware, not all plastic works well with the oils.
rosebriars says
I use OnGuard in water dilution as my go-to general cleaner and disinfectant, and have it in a plastic spray bottle. It is indeed getting somewhat degraded (and leaching what? into my water, yuck). I was excited to find out that the spray top fits on my glass apple cider vinegar bottle, so when that gets emptied I’m going to switch my EO solution over to that.
Tiff says
Love doTERRA, and love cleaning with natural products!! My 2 year old eats everything…I would clean the floor with ammonia, and then cringe as he put toys from that chemical-covered floor into his sweet little mouth. I decided to go all natural with my cleaning products, and doTERRA makes it SO easy!! The oils are safer, smell better, and over-all are actually cheaper than all the chemical crap I used to buy…and they’re good for more than just cleaning 🙂
Jodi says
I too had been told that you should only use the oils in dark colored, glass spray bottles. Is that true, is there a certain plastic that it will work ok in?
Jennifer Eden Clark says
I have never had a problem using essential oils diluted in water in a plastic spray bottle. I use them for room sprays, disinfecting sprays…
I typically use the hard plastic spray bottles but have not paid attention to the type of plastic. The only downfall to using diluted oils in plastic is that it dulls the plastic over time.
On the other hand, you WOULD NOT want to put straight essential oils or water with essential oils in it that you are going to drink in a plastic container.
To avoid the issue entirely you can use glass bottles with atomizer/spray tops. Optimal essential oil storage is in dark glass bottles, but diluted-and if the mix is used fairly quickly, it shouldn’t matter too much. You will see the essential oil floating on the water in clear bottles which will remind you to shake the mix before each use. 🙂
Hope that helps!
Alison says
So many great ideas! I like the lemon oil for sinks–must try this!!
jena says
My mom owned a cleaning business for 12+ years, she ALWAYS used vinegar and water for mirrors. I have never used anything else. We also love ‘Shaklee’s’ scour off. But im completely stoked to try that “toilet bomb”!
Holly says
I’ve been looking for something non-toxic to use in our church nursery to clean toys. Which recipe is recommended and how long can it last in a spray bottle? Will it still need to be wiped down or just sprayed on? I’m thinking he last recipe, just mixing water with the EO’s.
Jennifer Eden Clark says
You’re right on. Use the protective blend, which is antibacterial and antiviral, in the amounts suggested in the last recipe. It will last for a long time. Unless you have a super-fine atomizer on your spray bottle, or you don’t mind the item being a bit damp for awhile, then I would wipe it off (at least a little).
Interesting fact: this protective blend was tested in a hospital on a countertop which had the resistant bacteria, MRSA, on it in a dry form. It inhibited the MRSA from growing for 7 days. So, it is pretty powerful stuff!
Good luck!
Tara says
Wondering if it is ok to add these oils to a homemade laundry detergent for a better scent???
Jennifer Eden Clark says
It is more than okay. It will be great! You can use some of the antibacterial oils as well. Ones that smell good and are antibacterial as well are Lavender, Peppermint, and Lemon to get you started.
I just bought items at the grocery store to make the laundry detergent posted here a week or so ago, without the scented ingredients, and I am going to use essential oils instead to scent it.
Do you have a good recipe too?
Lara says
I just started using vinegar for cleaning about a month ago, I’m SO glad you posted this. I have just been using the stuff by itself.. and boy sometimes it makes my nose burn 😉 I love doterra. I’m actually going to a class/party tomorrow night so I can stock up! I will definitely have to make these recipes. I already know my 3 year old and husband are going to be begging to do the toilets (YES!!!) Thanks for this great post!
julie says
Thank you for this post. I love baking soda and vinager to clean with and the idea of adding some delicious smell just makes it exciting!
Wendy says
Your recipes sound great! I love cleaning with vinegar, too. I do have some doTerra oils, but I have to say the whole Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade label gets to me. They say they are the only oils in the world that are CPTG, but it’s because they copyrighted the term. Nobody else could use that term even if they wanted to. There is no national or world certification called CPTG.
Sorry to be a party pooper on that. I do LIKE their oils, just have a bad taste in my mouth because of the whole CPTG thing.
I use the Wild Orange in the shower for aromatherapy, just putting a few drops on the tub floor and enjoying the fragrance while I shower. It’s supposed to be a stress reducer.
Butterfly Express is supposed to have some good oils for less money than doTerra, but I haven’t tried them yet.
Jennifer Eden Clark says
I hear you! It is a tricky term since there is no standardization of essential oils and no governing body. That is why they came up with the term, because they are trying to raise the bar and provide truly pure and therapeutic grade oils to all consumers. It doesn’t make everyone happy though. I’m currently in a long drawn-out online discussion on this exact topic. I’ve been thinking about it a lot and have come to this conclusion:
Everyone that sells essential oils grades/qualifies/standardizes them and asks their consumers to trust that they have done due diligence in securing the best oils possible.
Other companies do the GC/MS analysis on their oils but don’t even attempt to tell you what standard they are trying to meet or tell you what they do if the oils don’t meet whatever standard they’re using.
So it is not enough for a company to simply say they do testing. It is very important to what standard they are comparing their results and what they do if that batch of oils does not meet the standard. Do they use it anyway? Send it back? It’s good to find out.
I discuss these topics in more detail in my book “Essential Oil Basics” found at Amazon.
Hope that helps.
Kacey says
I know that you posted this comment almost 2 years ago – but I just need to comment and say that I love this response so much! It makes perfect sense – and I love the wording that you used. May I quote this, Jennifer, and give you credit for it? Thanks!!
Jennifer Eden Clark says
Hi Kacey!
I’m sorry I’m just seeing this.
You can use the following, which comes from my book, “Essential Oil Basics: A Simple Guide to Greater Health with Essential Oils” , and link to my website, http://www.LearnEssentialOils.com. I am an unbiased mediator/moderator among the many groups of essential oils users, so I do not promote any particular brand.
WHAT is the difference between Pure, Therapeutic, Therapeutic Grade, Organic, and Wildcrafted essential oils?
There may not be much difference. There is no industry standard for essential oils, be- cause there is no governing body for them, and thus no official “grades.” In reality, any company can use the first three terms on their essential oils, no matter the quality of the actual product in the bottle. Essential oil consumers need to remember, “Buyer Beware” or better yet, Buyer Be Aware.
There is a wide range of quality when it comes to essential oils. It is partly determined by the skill of the essential oil producers, partly by the standard each grower/distiller/purveyor of essential oils uses, and partly by their intended industry use—fragrance and flavoring being the main ones. Oils for these purposes are generally of a lesser quality than those intended for therapeutic use.
Each essential oil company chooses or defines their own standard, conducts whatever tests they choose (if any), then compares the results to their standard.
There is a trademarked term, owned by a particular company, that can only be used by them on their essential oils. Not only does it claim the oil in the bottle to be “Pure Therapeutic Grade”, it is certified to be so…Even though there are no “grades” of essential oils, these essential oils are tested and certified to be pure and potent for therapeutic use.
katie says
I have a question for Jennifer! I am a teacher and I’m interested in using aromatherapy in my classroom. Do you have any suggestions for what oil I should start with? Maybe something soothing or calming? 😉
Jennifer Eden Clark says
Great question! Here are a few of my favorite blends.
Invigorating Blend, This uniquely exhilarating blend brings together all of the uplifting and stress-reducing benefits of citrus essential oils in a sweetly satisfying way. In addition to their elevating properties, many of the citrus oils in this blend have been studied for their ability to cleanse and to disinfect. You can diffuse them or dilute them in water in a spray bottle and use it to disinfect surfaces. This is a great blend for anxiety and depression when you still have to get something done. It calms and invigorates.
Protective Blend, The oils in this blend have been studied for their strong abilities to kill harmful bacteria, mold, and viruses. This blend can be diffused into the air or used to clean and purify surfaces.
Calming Blend, This relaxing blend contains essential oils that are often used to help calm and soothe feelings of stress, excitement, and anxiety in order to help the body maintain its natural state of health. This is great in a diffuser!
amber says
How much eucalyptus is used in OnGuard? I would love to buy it to make my home cleaners, but my husband is allergic?
what else would you recommend?
Jennifer Eden Clark says
I don’t know exactly how much eucalyptus is in that protective blend, but it is the second to last ingredient so maybe not too much.
You can successfully use the citrus oils to clean.
You could also use a popular purification blend containing lemon, lime, pine, citronella, melaleuca, and cilantro. This one is good to diffuse in the air-as are the others-to purify the air.
Jennifer Eden Clark says
Quick note–to me, the purification blend does not smell as good as the others unless you like that strong cleaner smell when you’re done with the cleaning. Some people really like that.
amber says
Thanks for answering my questions, Jennifer! I’m looking forward to receiving my new oils and getting rid of nasty chemical cleaners.
Abbie says
Rosemary improves mental recall (I believe Shakespeare wrote in Hamelt about “rosemary for remembrance”); I would blend with lemon to improve alertness/focus (no worries, your students won’t get “hyper”). Studies have been done with lemon, showing that students’ mental acuity/test scores improve with it in the room.
Rosemary says
I tried to post your article about natural cleaners to Facebook but it wouldn’t work–the Facebook box was shimminging back and forth, something technical I think. Maybe you can check it out and get it fixed so I can post it. It would also be helpful to make it available via email and/or PDF it. Thanks so much especially for the air freshener — I will certainly use this as we have cats and I am Chemically Sensitive.
Myra says
Excellent blogging and info. I still prefer Young Living Oils over any other though! Keep up the good work!
Pam@behealthybehappywellness says
I’m a Young Living fan too – LOVE their Citrus Blend for cleaning and diffusing (which is similar to Citrus Bliss), but I do think DoTerra oils are also good ones. I love these recipes – thanks for sharing. I recently did a post with some more uses for Lemon Oil – you might enjoy these too: http://behealthybehappywellness.com/2013/03/lemon-oil-recipes/
Lisa says
These are wonderful cleaning recipes! Please stop over and share at Mix it up Monday:
http://flourmewithlove.blogspot.com/2012/02/mix-it-up-monday_26.html
I hope to see you soon 🙂
Jill says
Love this! We have our Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday Link Party going on now and would love for you to share this! http://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/2012/02/kitchen-fun-and-crafty-friday-link_23.html
Rose :: FineCraftGuild.com says
It is just such a neat aid to make your own cleaning products and what’s neat too is that you’ll always have the right ingredients for a next supply of toilet cleaner at hand. No more excuses not to clean the house 😉
Rosebriars says
The best thing about using natural concoctions to clean the bathroom is you can do it while you shower (yes, I clean my shower in the nude); I always spray my shower down after I’m done with my apple cider vinegar dilution which I use in my hair, and when I’m feeling really ambitious I’ll just scrub the walls down with straight baking soda (which I have in my bathroom for toothbrushing & exfoliating). I tell you, my bathrooms are much cleaner now than they used to be.
Jennifer Eden Clark says
Sounds great. Is the vinegar dilution for preventing hard water deposits? What about in your hair?
Missy says
people wash their hair with vinegar and water – I have tried and wasn’t a fan – but a lot of people swear by it.
Bridget says
Ooh!! I am actually in the process of making home made cleaners! Thanks for sharing this. I bought some tea tree oil just the other day! I’d love it if you stopped by my blog sometime!
Sue says
In your toilet bomb recipe is the tea tree oil used for it’s antibiotic properties?
Jennifer Eden Clark says
That’s correct, because it is antibacterial–and it smells good (at least I think it does).
Nicole says
I love them I use my doterra oils everyday, but not for cleaning though, mainly, for medicinal purposes. I should try it. This looks Great and it bet is smells wonderful too.
Sue says
Tried your toilet bomb today. worked really well. Like the idea of not using harsh chemicals. Thanks!
Hailey says
HI! Love your recipes, i’m teaching a ‘Green Cleaning’ with doTERRA oils class and was wondering if I could use your awesome pictures, and recipies (with links of course).
Missy says
Sure, we love links back to the site! What a fun class!
Jackie says
Where can I find those sponges?
Missy says
I found them at my dollar store. I loved the colors!
Kay Pickron says
I’ve been making my own cleaning products for over a year now. The Toilet Bomb recipe looks interesting but I have read many places that mixing baking soda and vinegar is fun to do but because one is acidic (vinegar) and one is alkaline (soda) they essentially neutralize/cancel each other out. Do you or your friend that you received the recipe from have any thoughts on that? I’ve been avoiding this combo….
Carrie says
Which of these cleaning recipes can be mixed and stored? I would love to mix enough for several uses.
I know the toilet bowl cleaner was mixed immediately prior to use..
What about the air freshener!? Can it be mixed and stored? How long does it last before it goes bad?
Do you know where to buy glass spray bottles?
cristi says
I noticed that Doterra has a new Onguard cleaner concentrate- have you tried that by chance?
Cruz71cruz says
Great cleaning recipes!!!!!
Thanks for sharing 😉
Megan says
I love doTerra oils and have much success in helping my family with our health concerns. They are wonderful!!!
Susan says
I would like to know what to mix with the water and lemon? I put lemon oil in a water bottle to clean with but the oil sits on top and I have to keep shaking it. What do else do I put in the bottle so it stays mixed?
Missy says
I am not aware of anything that will keep it mixed – I just shake it before I use it each time and it works fine.
B Weathers says
Does anyone have a good homemade cleaning soultion for cleaning a gas stove top and vent hood?
jennifer Eden Clark says
Lemon essential oil cuts the grease. On the stovetop you can sprinkle some baking soda and a couple drops of lemon oil. Using a damp sponge or dishcloth, scrub away.
You can spray the vent hood with lemon in water in a spray bottle and let it sit awhile before wiping off. Or you can make a baking soda paste by adding a couple drops of lemon oil and just a bit of water to scrub it with.
Maryjane says
Where do you buy the big bag of baking soda? I have not ever seen that size!
Missy says
I found it at CostCo. 🙂
Joyce says
Woooo Hoooo! This laundry soap is the best!! To mix, I layered the products in a heavy duty plastic bag, tying it shut. With a few roll “arounds” on the floor it was well mixed. Then I transferred the mixture to my bucket!
Again, this is the best!!
Monique says
I love love love DōTERRA essential oils and so EXCITED to add these recipes as I have been wanting ones for cleaning! Thanks!!:)
Kelli says
I’m assuming the essential oils are used just for the scent? If so can they be made with out them or could I replace it with juice from real citrus (lemon, orange etc.) I can’t use any essential oils in my home because I raise parrots and they are ALL toxic to birds. But I am able to use real Citrus juice and I can boil the rinds or oranges or lemons as a air freshener, Just can’t use any form of Essential oils Specially tea tree oil
jennifer Eden Clark says
Hi Kelli,
The essential oils are used for their antibacterial qualities. The scent is a bonus.
I don’t believe the citrus juice would do the trick.
It is a common belief that essential oils are toxic to animals but one that is proving to be a misconception. The key seems to be in the quality of the essential oils used, just as it is in humans.
There are some vets who use essential oils to heal their patients, including birds.
According to what I’ve read from those who know and have experience using essential oils with animals, there is no risk to your parrots using high-quality essential oils to clean.
Note: When you boil the rinds of citrus as an air freshener, what you are smelling is the essential oil being released by the heat.
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen says
The smells alone of conventional cleaning products drive me up the wall and it’s all I can smell. They drive me crazy, so all I use now is vinegar + something, so these are right up my alley. Pinned for sure!
Lindsi says
I love the recipes you published for cleaning products…however….if you REALLY want to get “green” I’d suggest you skip the Melaleuca…they fully admit to putting triclosan in their products. What concerns me is that they claim to have “better, safer products” and “don’t use parabens or ingredients that are linked to cancer…however, they do. Just food for thought.
jennifer Eden Clark says
Thanks for your comment Lindsi. I didn’t know that about Melaleuca, the company.
Fortunately we are talking about the pure essential oil Melaleuca (or Tea Tree) in the recipe, not the brand Melaleuca. So there are no worries. 🙂
Leigh Ann Phillips says
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! These are not complicated and will be wonderful to use in expensive Maui!
Susan from Michigan says
You don’t need to go through mixing up the Baking soda and vinegar to clean the toilet. Just have a spray bottle with vinegar and a few drops of tea tree oil, and a container of baking soda(I use an old sugar shaker) Spray the sides of the toilet, and sprinkle with the B.soda. it will foam slightly, then swish with a toilet brush and flush.
jennifer Eden Clark says
Hadn’t thought of that. The Toilet Bomb is more FUN though! 🙂
Linda E says
Loved this post, the information was very helpful and very interesting. As a society, we have gotten way to spoiled to just being able to go to the grocery store and pick up what every we wanted. Then with the age of advertisements we were hooked on what ever sales pitch was sent our way. We just had to have it first and have gotten way from doing things the way they use to. Cleaning with baking soda isn’t anything new, it is going back to doing things the way your great grandmothers did before the age of modern conveniences. So glad to hear things are going back to using more natural ingredients.
Audrey says
Do you know if you can use On Guard in your steam mop, the directions say not to put anything in the fill tank except water?
jennifer Eden Clark says
If it was me, I would use lemon. It is still antibacterial, smells wonderful, and it shouldn’t gum anything up. Another option would be to mop with plain water, then go around after and spray with an antibacterial or protective blend diluted in water. Just a thought.
Abbie says
I would refrain from putting essential oils in the tank…in aromatherapy class we were taught 1 drop can be equal to 26 cups of tea from the same herb/flower/citrus….that could cause the plastic parts to break down. The steam already disinfects if you move slowly; if you just want to boost the aroma, you could put a few drops on your mop head, or use an aromatherapy diffuser in your room to get the health benefits.
Cleaning Services Chandler AZ says
Natural products are rocking now a day. Vinegar helps me lot in cleaning. Hope your suggestion will be helpful for me. Let’s try it.
Abbie says
My favorite blend is a ratio of 5 drops of peppermint to 1 drop of lemongrass…smells clean and cheerful!
Abbie says
Club soda also shines/decreases fabulously!!!
Abbie says
*ahem* Degreases. I’d be spraying it on my thighs if it “decreased”!
jennifer Eden Clark says
Ha! Me too!
shantaye says
Can I use this cleaner on my quartz countertop? Also does the water in these recipes need to be distilled?
shantaye says
Can I use this cleaner on my quartz countertop? what about hard wood floors? Also does the water in these recipes need to be distilled?
jennifer Eden Clark says
Yes. I have been using essential oils on my quartz for several years. No, you don’t need to use distilled water but you can.
I don’t have hardwood floors so I can’t vouch for it but I know people do use diluted essential oils on hardwood floors.
Amy says
Any natural cleaning suggestions for kitchen tables???
jennifer Eden Clark says
A super simple method would be to combine water and 6 drops lemon essential oil in a
12 oz. spray bottle. Shake each time before using. Simply spray the counter, table, etc. and wipe off with a damp cloth. If it’s a wood table try it on a corner first to make sure it doesn’t affect the finish at all. Being diluted, it shouldn’t, but better safe than sorry. 🙂
Michele says
Let me point out that most white vinegar is synthetically manufactured (http://www.theecomum.com/1/post/2011/11/eco-myth-busting-myth-3-white-vinegar-is-the-greener-cleaner-nope.html). It is typically about 5% acetic acid, and it is caustic meaning it damages live tissue. I learned this the hard way when I was cleaning the bathroom and I had the lining of my throat burned from inhaling the vapors. Luckily that is an extremely fast healing part of the body and I was back to normal the next day. Treat your “natural” home cleaning products with all the same precautions you would a store bought cleaner: ventilate, use gloves, keep it away from your face/eyes, and be extremely cautious if you’re mixing anything (do your research first). The problem with “natural” home cleaners is that there are no warning lables or instructions, and every blog espouses how safe they are but that’s just not true. I’ll be trying Apple Cider Vinegar next time since it’s supposedly fermented, but I’ll still be taking all the same precautions. Some more info from the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/81-123/pdfs/0002.pdf
Heather Shepherd says
This is awesome!
Joann Tucker says
Where can I purchase lemon oil
Missy says
We LOVE doTERRA oils. You can get lemon here, http://www.mydoterra.com/howdoesshe/
Michelle Patterson says
So excited to try these recipes! #oils4everyone
Jody says
I am trying to make own cleaners. however in searching different sites you see such large differences in the amount of essentials oils being used in cleaners. I am using 24 oz bottles w/ sprayers for my different needs. Some sites say 20 or more drops of oils. I noticed your recipes use very few drops. what is the proper strength for my bottles so that I get the benefits of the oils? I want to have germ killing & grease cutting in the kitchen & germs in the bathroom.
Jennifer Eden Clark says
That’s a good question Jody. Since essential oils are very concentrated, less is best when using them.
Our recipes use 5-7 drops for an 8 oz container. Multiplied by 3 for a 24 oz. container, that’s 15-21 drops, which is about right. You can make it stronger if you want a stronger smell, but as far as effectiveness, the lower number of drops is adequate for killing germs. For cutting grease you may want to use the higher number of drops. Start with the lower amount, see if works, use more if necessary. I hope that helps!
Kari says
I was so glad to see a positive review of doTerra by an Aromatherapist. I am brand new to essential oils with doTerra as my first experience. In trying to get information, it seems everyone else out there is most critical of the practice doTerra has of taking the oils internally and applying with little or no dilution. Why is it that everyone else says to dilute to at least to a 1 2 or 3% solution. If the doTerra product is just as potent as other brands shouldn’t I dilute it as well. Would InTune be just as effective on a child if it was diluted or not. As a new IPC I would really like to know what an Aromatherapist thinks about dilution. I really want to get behind this product but am confused by all the bashing out there about this topic.
Jennifer Eden Clark says
I noticed you checked out my book on my website, http://www.learnessentialoils.com. That’s good, because I explain thoroughly the answer to these questions in there.
It’s always safer to dilute essential oils, especially when you’re using them on anyone who is new to them, though there are some that are generally recognized as being safe to not dilute. Over time, you see how you respond to them and then you may decide to not dilute some of the oils, because you know there will be no reaction to them.
It does not reduce the effectiveness of essential oils to dilute them.
Note: You can take a new bottle of essential oil or blend, pour half into another bottle, especially another roller bottle if you have it, then fill it the rest of the way with fractionated coconut oil. Then it’s ready to easily use.
Homemade Cleaning Products says
Thanks for the great cleaning ideas! Have you tried homemade laundry detergent? It’s one of my family’s favorite DIY cleaners. I’ve listed the recipe we use incase you are interested:
Ingredients
1 Cup of Washing Soda
1 Cup of Borax
1 Bar of Castile Soap, grated
Instructions
Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container (non-metal)
Use approximately 1 tablespoon per load of laundry.
Tips:
Instead of grating the castile soap by hand, cut it into chunks and put it in a microwave safe bowl and heat in microwave for 30 second increments, watching closely. When it starts to “swell” and all the corners are rounded and melty looking, remove from microwave and let cool to room temperature. The texture changes and you can now just crumble it up. OR, throw it in your food processor!
Mary B says
Would love to know if there is a basic cleaning solution that works well on Stainless Steel appliances – Mirror, Window & Faucet cleaner??
Thanks so much!
Tina says
Hello,
I just mad your windex and after spraying and wiping it down with a dry paper towel, it left white powdery foggy streaks on the mirror…. I followed your exact recipe…..any thoughts or ideas???
Sarah says
Have you heard tried newspaper instead of paper towel? I have the same problem with paper towels but have very ttle residue with newspaper.
Lilla phinney says
I have recently retired and looking for a fulfilling hobby/occupation as I continue my life’s journey. What can you tell me about focusing on essential oils; learning, using, and hopefully sharing natural ways to feel better.
Look forward to hearing from you.
One more question. Have you heard or used Young’s essential? How do they compare to doTerra oils?
Jane Stabler says
can’t wait to use the soap and cleaners!
Megan Hawkes says
Can you use Citris Bliss for the citris oil?
Jennifer Eden Clark says
You could use that but I would use plain lemon instead, because of cost. No reason to use a machine gun when a simple pistol will do, you know what I mean? Plus, if you like the blend you wouldn’t want to overuse it, especially for cleaning and possibly develop negative associations with it–just my opinion.
Carolyn says
My daughter introduced me to essential oils, I use a diffuser , and several different kinds of oils, they make the house smell so clean and fresh. I also mix lime oil to olive oil and rub on fish and chicken and bake, so good. I recently had pneumonia , and used , on guard, breath, and peppermint, they all helped with my breathing. I love all of the products.
Sarah says
Hi!! I am new to cleaning with do terra oils and I’m looking for a recipe to clean my kitchen granite counter tops and my bathroom marble floor and natural stone shower… I just don’t want to ruin or strip these stones but I’m so sick of using chemicals to clean with. Thank you sp much for your help! I’m anxious to get started!
Holly Thomas says
I have recently used Lavender and Melaleuca (tea tree) EO’s on two of my cats for wound infections. They each had a wound on a paw and I put 1-2 drop daily on the site. The first cats paw completely healed within a week! I noticed improvement after the first day! The second cat was not improving past a certain point and that’s when I started using the melaleuca oil! It was healed in few days of use. Both cats are still alive and I noticed no side affects from the usage of the oils! It saved me an expensive vet bill that’s for sure!
Jill says
You want to be careful with lemon oil and plastic because it eats away at the plastic. Glass spray bottles are best! You can get them at aroma tools.
Office Cleaning Company Arizona says
Appreciated your efforts. Thanks for the post.
Peggy says
Why use essential oil in the toilet? That makes no sense to me~ It just goes down the drain!
Corbett says
I don’t know if I missed it, but what’s the toilet bomb for? Cleaning or clogs?
Thanks!
Missy says
It’s for cleaning the inside of the toilet.
kathleen stuckey says
sounds great!!
sumit says
Great information about natural cleaning recipes
Jackie says
I just discovered these natural cleaners on your post and very interested in the doTERRA oils. But when I click on the different places to try and get the 25% discount or possibility of selling I just get site not found message. Do you have a different link I can use? Thanks so much for all the helpful posts.
maria smith says
I like adding various essential oils to my favorite DIY green cleaning recipes. Love the fragrance and knowing my home is toxin free!
strawberryhillcarpetcleaners ltd. says
Great recipes!! I can’t wait to try them out! I started using vinegar and baking soda a few years ago for my household cleaning and since then I’ve found there is nothing vinegar can’t do. I’m still shocked
Melinda Evens says
Amazing natural cleaning recipes in this post! Thank you so much for sharing all of them here! Regards! Crouch End Carpet Cleaners Ltd.
Amanda says
Just an FYI Melaleuca oil or tea tree oil is extremely toxic to many of your pets so it is safer to research what oils to use with your feathered, fuzzy or scaley family members.
Kim says
I’ve been wanting to switch to natural cleaning solutions for some time now, I just didn’t know enough about them to actually do it. It seems there is a recipe for almost everything that needs cleaning
Mswrapsla says
Do I need to put EO in carrier oil? I have some and wanted to put them to use.
Emily Campbell says
These are quite good recipes, love the Mirror Bright mix. It’s the best ever cleaning solution I’ve used on my mirrors and windows. Thank you for sharing!
Melanie Lietz says
I totally love this brand of essential oils. My family and I are using them in our journey to a healthier life.
Mark Bartholomew says
I was worried that I am using nasty chemicals which can be harmful for my family health. I will surely add these natural cleaning recipes to my daily house cleaning routine. Now I can go for non-toxic cleaning. Thanks for sharing valuable tips.
Betty Ann Washington says
WOWW I just started reading from the beginning and loved reading all the responses and learning so much. I look forward to trying out everything.