• From: Sydney, Australia
  • Registered: 2012-05-16
  • Posts: 302

Topic: Essential oils cleaning your house

I have just 'discovered' the joy of cleaning (pathetic, isn't it?) with pure essential oils.

I make a fairly weak solution - such as 2 teaspoons per 500 ml - of oil and water and put it in a spray bottle.

Heres what I've found so far...

Lemon oil and water is fabulous for kitchen surfaces. You do need to dry it off so it doesn't streak, though, presumably because the solution has no alcohol in it. But it leaves your kitchen smelling so fresh and clean, and leaves the surfaces sparkling and polished.

Lavender oil and water - as above, but for the bathroom.

Oil of cloves is magic for mould and wood. I put a few drops of clove oil in some 'natural' cleaner such as Eco Store (made in New Zealand) and use it to clean wooden floors and furniture. The fragrance is wonderful and and really keeps mildew at bay.

The company I bought all the oils from, which I found on eBay Australia, also sells leather cleaner with clove oil. I ended up getting some of that because I found I couldn't make my own leather cleaner, and it's sensational.

Every room in my house is clean and fragrant, and people who visit comment on it when they come in.

Sure beats room fresheners!

Give me the luxuries and I can dispense with the necessities (Oscar Wilde).
  • From: back in the U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2009-08-10
  • Posts: 5,586

Re: Essential oils cleaning your house

What a fantastic idea! It sounds like it could make what is, for some an odious task, much more pleasant!

I love the lavender cleaning fluid made by Durance in Provence, and wish I could find it here in the States. I loved the fact that you could use it on practically anything, and it never had to be rinsed.

I did find a pretty nice substitute by a company called Meyers at our local Walmart, but I still miss my Durance.

The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom should I fear? The Lord is my life's refuge- of whom should I be afraid?
  • Registered: 2011-05-16
  • Posts: 1,405

Re: Essential oils cleaning your house

Yes, it's an odious task! I use tea tree oil to disinfect, and the scent is good. (Though it's bad for pets, so I use it cautiously. And it evaporates fast.)

offtopic In my DIY skincare I use cedar and lemon oil, separately. I will be trying more over time.

"Did I miss something? Are we girls now? ... Are we bonded together by estrogen or sisterhood or some other feminist drivel?" Pam,True Blood
  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2010-08-07
  • Posts: 1,947

Re: Essential oils cleaning your house

GreyMan wrote:

Yes, it's an odious task! I use tea tree oil to disinfect, and the scent is good. (Though it's bad for pets, so I use it cautiously. And it evaporates fast.)

yikes ftopic: In my DIY skincare I use cedar and lemon oil, separately. I will be trying more over time.

Why is it bad for pets?

Nothing smells better then a freshly bathed Sheltie!
  • Registered: 2012-03-03
  • Posts: 384

Re: Essential oils cleaning your house

Yep, essentials oils are great to clean with. I love my Gold Canyon Candles Homeology brand Rosemary Mint all purpose spray. I've never been one for housework, but it's less of a chore when you can enjoy a nice scent. The Homeology Lavender Eucalyptus Sweet Orange floor spray is great too. If anyone wants to know where to purchase these (or Peppermint Eucalyptus glass spray), PM me. I'm a Gold Canyon fragrance consultant.

  • From: Sweden. Lives in Australia
  • Registered: 2010-11-04
  • Posts: 172

Re: Essential oils cleaning your house

I mix methylated spirits with whatever essential oil before I add water to the solution. That way the oil mixes better with the whole mix. I keep one spray bottle of eucalyptus mix for general use, and one spray bottle of lavender mix in the bathroom as air freshener/disinfectant. The added bonus of the methylated spirits is that it disinfects any surface at the same time. It also evaporates quickly, leaving a fully cleaned surface.

Nothing endures but change  - Heraclitus
  • Registered: 2011-05-16
  • Posts: 1,405

Re: Essential oils cleaning your house

Rizack2 wrote:
GreyMan wrote:

Yes, it's an odious task! I use tea tree oil to disinfect, and the scent is good. (Though it's bad for pets, so I use it cautiously. And it evaporates fast.)

  yikes ftopic: In my DIY skincare I use cedar and lemon oil, separately. I will be trying more over time.

Why is it bad for pets?

I'm not sure if it's just the strength of it or if it's actually toxic for them. But I know of people killing their cats by mistake thinking it would do them good. Presumably it's ok if there's a hint of it in the air, but it mustn't come in contact with them. I'd be cautious with all pets.

"Did I miss something? Are we girls now? ... Are we bonded together by estrogen or sisterhood or some other feminist drivel?" Pam,True Blood
  • From: Florida The Sunshine State
  • Registered: 2012-05-11
  • Posts: 3,592

Re: Essential oils cleaning your house

GreyMan wrote:
Rizack2 wrote:
GreyMan wrote:

Yes, it's an odious task! I use tea tree oil to disinfect, and the scent is good. (Though it's bad for pets, so I use it cautiously. And it evaporates fast.)

  yikes ftopic: In my DIY skincare I use cedar and lemon oil, separately. I will be trying more over time.

Why is it bad for pets?

I'm not sure if it's just the strength of it or if it's actually toxic for them. But I know of people killing their cats by mistake thinking it would do them good. Presumably it's ok if there's a hint of it in the air, but it mustn't come in contact with them. I'd be cautious with all pets.

It's used to repel fleas on dogs,,,but I suppose cats would lick it off and could be poisoned by it.  I would ask a vet first.

It is sufficient honor for you that you are a muslim.
  • From: Wisconsin, USA
  • Registered: 2012-01-27
  • Posts: 1,071

Re: Essential oils cleaning your house

Yes, tea tree oil is toxic to cats even in small amounts... sad

  • From: Florida The Sunshine State
  • Registered: 2012-05-11
  • Posts: 3,592

Re: Essential oils cleaning your house

I was part owner of a janitorial service.  Employees and clients were having problems with our cleaning fluids so we decided to go green and use hydrogen peroxide cleaners.  They were amazing disinfectants and left no smell.  I like the idea of adding essential oils to these cleaners.  I also have recipies for all kinds of green cleaners and even furniture polish.

It is sufficient honor for you that you are a muslim.
  • From: UK
  • Registered: 2010-01-23
  • Posts: 109

Re: Essential oils cleaning your house

For steam ironing, I make my own ironing water by adding lavender or geranium essential oil to distilled water. It smells lovely & is cheaper than commercial ironing water.

  • Registered: 2011-11-30
  • Posts: 440

Re: Essential oils cleaning your house

I make a few of my own but I don't use lemon anymore. Found out the hard way, brown spots on my hands, that it reacts to the sun.

If you are using essential oils for cleaning. Please be carefull and know what amounts to use. Also lemon oil in high quantity provides an excellant enviroment for bacteria, they like it for food. Check out http://www.naha.org/articles/brief_safe … nce%20.htm

  • Registered: 2012-03-03
  • Posts: 384

Re: Essential oils cleaning your house

I'd recommend using distilled water as opposed to tap water if you're mixing your own cleaners. Unless you use up all the cleaner at once, tap water can get "funky" if stored for long periods of time. Just a tip.