In today’s world, with an emphasis on sustainability and well-being, people are increasingly seeking healthier alternatives to traditional cleaning products while striving to be as eco-friendly as possible. As a result, pure essential oils have become a popular ingredient in many household products, not only for their eco-friendly credentials but also for their pleasant, lasting fragrances.
In this blog, we will delve into the reasons why pure essential oils are an excellent choice for cleaning, particularly when creating your own homemade cleaning products. We’ll provide a detailed overview of the most effective essential oils and their specific roles in keeping your home clean, fresh, and free from harsh chemicals. Additionally, we’ll explore how Valley Mist Oils, made from pure essential oils, can enhance the cleaning power of your DIY solutions, helping you achieve a healthier, eco-friendly home environment with ease.
The Ascension of Pure Essential Oils Being Used in Cleaning
People have appreciated essential oils for centuries for their therapeutic benefits—from aiding relaxation to boosting immune function. Nevertheless, they are not just for the purpose of wellness but also as a way to naturally clean anything. More and more people are becoming aware of the harmful chemicals in many traditional cleaning products, which is one reason why essential oils for cleaning have burgeoned.
The Difficulty With Commercial Cleaning Products
Many commercial cleaning products contain dangerous chemicals threatening human health and the environment. Some ingredients, such as ammonia and bleach, can irritate the skin, cause respiratory problems, and may produce additional indoor air pollution. In addition, these chemicals often end up in water bodies, damaging aquatic ecosystems.
One of the biggest offenders is household cleaning products, with an estimated 53 percent of common cleaners containing ingredients that can harm your lungs and contribute to asthma. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit organisation dedicated to environmental research: “Fumes from some conventional cleaning products may induce unintentional ‘Sick Building Syndrome,” causing arrhythmias between people living in those houses citing allergies, asthma or respiratory illnesses based on exposure.” As a result, many individuals have started looking for eco-friendly, more natural alternatives when it comes to cleaning their homes and are cautious when choosing green home cleaning products that are safer for themselves and the Earth.
Benefits of Pure Essential Oils in Cleaning
Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts that retain plants’ natural compounds and volatile organic constituents, such as their fragrance, flavour, and medicinal properties. When used in cleaning, essential oils offer a range of benefits that make them a superior alternative to conventional cleaners.
- Antimicrobial Properties: Certain essential oils possess antimicrobial properties, effectively eliminating bacteria and other harmful microbes. For instance, tea tree oil is renowned for its potent disinfectant qualities, making it an excellent choice for sanitising household surfaces and combating mould.
- Antibacterial and Antiviral Effects: Many essential oils also have antibacterial properties and can help eradicate specific viruses. Eucalyptus oil, for example, is both antiviral and antibacterial, making it an ideal component of an all-purpose natural cleaner.
- Fungicidal Activity: Essential oils are increasingly recognised for their fungicidal properties, helping to inhibit the growth of mould and mildew. Tea tree oil, in particular, excels in this area, effectively combating fungus on damp bathroom surfaces.
Incorporating essential oils into your cleaning routine allows you to harness the power of nature to eliminate germs and bacteria without relying on harsh chemicals commonly found in commercial cleaners. Explore trustworthy resources to discover how essential oils can transform your cleaning practices and enhance your home environment! Nice Scents—Essential oils leave behind natural, fresh scents rather than the synthetic fragrances in most cleaning products. They can keep your home smelling nice without aggravating allergies or asthma.
Green: Essential oils are naturally biodegradable, and their production does not harm the environment to the extent that developing new synthetic chemicals does. Essential oils are suitable for green cleaning when used with the right concentration.
Popularity: Essential Oils are popular for cleaning and making your living space smell better. Their versatility makes them one of the best tools to have in a cleaning routine.
Best Essential Oils for Cleaning
Not all essential oils are safe for cleaning, either. For example, there may be an oil with a stronger antimicrobial effect or one that smells better, is less greasy, etc. below are the 6 Best Essential Oils for Cleaning & What to Use Them For
- Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree oil (or melaleuca) is one of the most powerful essential oils used for cleaning. Due to its potent antimicrobial and antifungal properties, it is an excellent selection for cleaning surfaces in your kitchen or bathroom. Tea tree oil, in particular, is wonderful as an antifungal and a fantastic mildew killer.
Instructions — To make a germ-fighting home spray, Add a few drops of tea tree oil to a spritz bottle, water, and vinegar. It’s also great to add mop water for a clean floor. - Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon oil has a clean, citrusy smell and is great as an all-purpose cleaner. It is a natural antibacterial and breaks down grease like no other. That is why you frequently find it in kitchen cleaning products like those old lemon-scented furniture polishes. Lemon Oil Uses include removing sticky residue, polishing wood, and adding a few drops to dish soap for extra grease-fighting power. - Lavender Essential Oil
Calming-scented lavender oil also has antibacterial and antifungal powers. The uses are disinfecting the surfaces and giving you a calm odour. KID & PET SAFE — We are meant to be cautious; however, we swear they never fail in their use of safe therapeutic grade lavender oils out there.
How to Use: Mix lavender oil into a DIY all-purpose cleaner or mist it on sheets and linens before sleeping. - Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus oil has a powerful, fresh smell and is reputed to be an effective germ killer. It is frequently a component in natural solutions for respiratory problems, and it’s also an efficient cleaner.
How to Use: Eucalyptus oil (or eucalyptus oil, too) is a great cleaning aid for the bathroom (in forms that you can add instead of bleach), even for mould in tubs. - Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil is a very aromatic, cooling, and antiseptic essential oil. It is an ideal solution for cleaning your kitchen and Bathroom and will also act as a good repellent of pests like ants and spiders.
How to Make: Add about 20 drops of peppermint oil in a spray bottle full of water and clean your countertops, sinks or other such surfaces with it. You could include it in your mop water for a fresh-smelling floor cleaner. - Cinnamon Essential Oil
Cinnamon oil is another under-the-radar essential oil you can use for cleaning, as it has antimicrobial properties. Ozone is a powerful oxidiser, so it can kill bacteria and fungi, which would be useful for killing surface germs.
How to use: You can use cinnamon oil in a natural disinfectant spray or on your gelatine air
freshener and vacuum.
Homemade Cleaning Solutions
One of the reasons why using pure essential oils to clean can be beneficial is that you can create your own natural cleaning products at home. You can control the ingredients, waste less, and save money, such as with easy DIY Cleaning Recipes using Essential Oils.
All-Purpose Cleaner
This all-purpose cleanser turns to the dirt on countertops, sinks and other surfaces.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 10 drops of tea tree oil
- 10 drops of lavender oil
Instructions:
- Add all of the ingredients to a spray bottle
- Shake well before each use
- Spray on surfaces wiped with a damp cloth
Glass and Window Cleaner
Use as a streak-free glass and mirror cleaner
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 10 drops lemon oil
Instructions:
- Combine in a spray bottle
- Use it on glass or mirrors; apply and wipe with a clean microfiber cloth
Natural Wood Polish
Homemade wood polish is used to clean and nourish your wooden furniture, making it shine with a fresh smell.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 10 drops lemon oil
Instructions:
- Combine ingredients into a spray bottle.
- Grip, spray on a cloth and wipe the wood surfaces
- Dry off with a dry cloth to make the wood shine naturally.
Bathroom Cleaner
A fantastic bathroom cleaner which gets rid of soap scum, mould and mildew.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup castile soap
- 10 drops eucalyptus oil
- 10 drops of tea tree oil
Instructions:
- Make a paste of the ingredients.
- Rub a sponge over bathroom surfaces and rinse with water.
- Results are a fresh, clean bathroom.
Valley Mist Pure Essential Oils
Throughout this blog post we have recommended some Pure Essential Oils by a small UK based manufacturer called Valley Mist. We have recommended these products due to the sustainability and quality associated with these small batch, steam distilled products that are produced in the UK. This makes it perfect for those looking to get started with essential oils in their cleaning for a sustainable and eco-friendly home cleaning solution. You can use the pure essential oils they offer on their website to create the strong and natural cleaning solutions outlined in this article. If you need an all-purpose cleaner or bathroom scrub—no problem, Valley Mist Pure Essential Oils are the perfect choice.
