Cleaning With Essential Oils

Tips on how to use essential oils while cleaning!

The virtues of essential oils when used in the right dilutions provide a refreshing scent and have an uplifting effect on mood while cleaning.   This makes cleaning less of a chore and more of a productive workout.

Let's begin with the basics.

The three main ingredients you need to add with your essential oil blends are:

Vinegar: A solution of acetic acid. Most vinegar contains 5% acetic acid in water. This cleans and deodorizes with anti-septic antibacterial properties with no streaking or residue build up. 
Baking Soda: A white solid crystalline that appears as a fine powder. It is a phenomenal deodorizer for carpets, refrigerators, upholstery, and drains. In addition, baking soda can be used to polish aluminum, chrome and jewelry. Baking soda softens the water in your laundry and the bathtub.
Liquid Soap: (Fragrance & SLS free Soap) Clear liquid soap without any harsh chemicals is typically used for hand and body washing, detergent, and dishwashing liquid.  It acts as a dispersant for the essential oils.
Essential oils: Essential oils are a wonderful alternative from using artificial room deodorizers.   Essential oils are found to reduce different strains of airborne bacteria and molds that may affect the household and office environment.

Keep in mind that even though essential oils are derived from pure botanical sources, over exposure to them can pollute the environment and cause skin reactions.  Therefore, awareness of room ventilation and wearing gloves is an important factor to consider when using essential oils for cleaning.

Six essential Oils For Cleaning

Lavender, Lavendula angustifolia:  The fresh familiar floral aroma of Lavender consists of a cluster of terpenoids mainly linalool and linalyl acetate. Both of these constituents are known to have an effect on reducing air-borne bacteria and at the same time creating a peaceful ambiance.
Recommendation:  Use Lavender essential oil as part of a soap solution for all purpose cleaning or air mist spray deodorizer. When using this essential oil for cleaning it is advisable to use the final product within 24 hours, in a well-ventilated area with no more than 1-2% dilution.  (6-12 drops in 30 ml solution)

Mandarin, Citrus recutita:  The lovely sweet citrus aroma is uplifting and refreshing. The main chemical constituents consist of: d-limonene which is known for its antibacterial properties, Terpinolene and Gamma Terpinene which have anti-fungal properties. Mandarin essential oil is always a compliment to any personalized cleaning product. The oil is rejuvenating and refreshing, while contributing to the antimicrobial effects of the environment.  
Recommendation:  Use Mandarin essential oil as part of a soap solution for all purpose cleaning or air mist spray deodorizer. When using this essential oil for cleaning it is advisable to use the final product within 24 hours, in a well-ventilated area with no more than 1-2% dilution.  (6-12 drops in 30 ml solution)

Rosemary 1,8 Cineole, Rosmarinus officinalis:  A herbaceous, camphor aroma, that is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal.  This chemo-type consists of 30-60% range of 1,8 cineole/Eucalyptol which is the contributing factor to its camphor aroma and its ability to inhibit certain strains of bacteria and fungal infections.  This oil is a good choice when there is a need to prevent mildew and bacteria from forming in areas such as: bathrooms, toilets and laundry rooms.
Recommendations: Use in soap solutions for all purpose cleaning or spraying an alcohol based mist of rosemary in cabinets, drawers, bathrooms, bath tubs, garbage cans and other areas in the home that may accumulate mildew or fungus.  When using this essential oil for cleaning product it is advisable to use the final product within 24 hours, in a well-ventilated area with no more than 0.5-1% dilution.  (3-6 drops in 30 ml solution)

Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus radiata:  When used at low concentrations Eucalyptus radiata essential oil, contributes to a refreshing environment. Eucalyptus radiata essential oil consists of 70-80% range of 1,8 cineole/Eucalyptol.  This constituent is the contributing factor for the essential oil’s ability to inhibit certain strains of bacteria and fungal infections. Eucalyptus has been an age-old remedy for: medicinal purposes, cleaning agent to remove sticky grime and even removing adhesive glue.  Evidence based research indicates that it is also has the potential to kill off dust mites, the number one cause of allergies.

Recommendations:  Use in soap solutions for all purpose cleaning or spraying alcohol based mist of Eucalyptus in cabinets, drawers, bathrooms, bath tubs, garbage cans and other areas in the home that may accumulate mildew or fungus.  When using this essential oil in a cleaning product it is advisable to use the final product within 24 hours, in a well-ventilated area with no more than 0.5-1% dilution.  (3-6 drops in 30 ml solution)

Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia:  Tea Tree consists of 35- 40% Terpene-4-ol along with other terpenoids Gamma Terpinene providing the essential oil with antiseptic, antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties.  Tea tree has the potential to reduce the spread of infection and can help inhibit mildew buildup in the home especially in bathrooms and in toilet bowls.

Pine, Pinus Sylvestris:  A fresh pine tree aroma.  Pinus sylvestris consists of alpha and beta pinene that helps reduce bacteria, cleans the home environment from dust and grime.  
Recommendations:  When using this essential oil in a cleaning product it is advisable to use the final product within 24 hours, in a well-ventilated area with no more than 1% dilution.  (6 drops in 30 ml solution)   

Essential Oil Cleaning Blends

When making cleaning products always use gloves to prevent skin reactions or dehydration of the skin.

Blend in a small beaker the Lavender and the Scotch Pine oils.  Add the essential oil blend into isopropyl alcohol and gently.  Store and label in a brown, amber bottle.  

Blend in a small beaker the Lavender and Tea Tree.  Add the essential oil blend into the isopropyl alcohol and gently stir. Store and label in a brown, amber bottle.  

Blend in a small beaker the Mandarin and the Rosemary oils.  Add the essential oil blend into the isopropyl alcohol and gently stir. Store and label in a brown, amber bottle.  

Blend in a small beaker the Mandarin, the Pine and the Eucalyptus oils.  Add the essential oil blend into the isopropyl alcohol and gently stir. Store and label in a brown, amber bottle.  

Blend in a small beaker the Mandarin and the Lavender oils.  Add the essential oil blend into the isopropyl alcohol and gently stir. Store and label in a brown, amber bottle.  

If you want to use any of the above blends for dusting substitute Isopropyl Alcohol with Sweet Almond oil.

Cleaning Bases

Add baking soda into a mason jar.   Add 15-12 drops of the essential oil blend while stirring.  Cover the jar with a cheese cloth and attach it with an elastic band.  Cover with mason jar lid and use within 24 hours. 

Use as:

• Sink cleaner:  Sprinkle powder into sink, bathtub, or toilet bowl and spray with white distilled vinegar to activate it and let the mixture sit for 1-2 minutes. rinse with warm water thoroughly.

• Carpet cleaner:  Sprinkle powder onto carpet, upholstery, or mattress.  Let sit for an hour.  Then vacuum thoroughly.   Make sure animals or children do not enter the room while cleaning.

• Mix the ingredients together and use as a liquid soap for all purpose cleaning.

Pour all the ingredients into a glass spray bottle.  Shake to mix and use within 24 hours.  

Aromatic Dust Mop or Cloth
Add 4-5 drops of essential oil cleaning blend to a microfibre cloth or dust mop to dust surfaces.

Precautions:   

• Even though essential oils are natural - they can be hazardous 

• Make sure you ventilate the area you are cleaning.

• Store them in safe place away from children.

• Ensure animals and babies are not overly exposed to essential oils.

• Wear protective gloves. Always keep rooms well ventilated.

References

Camp, R. (2004). The Wizard of Oz,11Australia, commonly referred to by Australians and the British as “Oz”. or the Intriguing Tale of the Tea Tree. Journal Of Investigative Dermatology, 123(4), xviii-xix. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0022-202x.2004.23451.x

Sade, Danielle. (2020). Healing Fragrances School of Aromatherapy, The Practitioners Guide to Aromatherapy (5th ed.). Danielle Sade.

Gelmini, F., Belotti, L., Vecchi, S., Testa, C., & Beretta, G. (2016). Air dispersed essential oils combined with standard sanitization procedures for environmental microbiota control in nosocomial hospitalization rooms. Complementary Therapies In Medicine, 25, 113-119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2016.02.004

Goodyear, N., Brouillette, N., Tenaglia, K., Gore, R., & Marshall, J. (2015). The effectiveness of three home products in cleaning and disinfection of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli on home environmental surfaces. Journal Of Applied Microbiology, 119(5), 1245-1252. https://doi.org/10.1111/jam.12935

Lis-Balchin, M. (2006). Aromatherapy science (1st ed., pp. 188, 299, 265). Pharmaceutical Press.

Swamy, M., Akhtar, M., & Sinniah, U. (2016). Antimicrobial Properties of Plant Essential Oils against Human Pathogens and Their Mode of Action: An Updated Review. Evidence-Based Complementary And Alternative Medicine, 2016, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/3012462

Disclaimer:

The information contained in this educational service is not intended nor is it implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Healing Fragrances School of Aromatherapy does not accept responsibility for any problematic situations experienced by you or anyone to whom you give treatment.

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Nothing contained in the course is intended to provide a medical diagnosis or offer a treatment.