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Non-Toxic Cleaning
The less toxins you have in your environment, the less the liver has to work on processing them which makes for a happier body! Here are some natural ways you can clean and disinfect your home!
Natural Ingredients for Cleaning
Citric Acid
Citric acid is a weak, water-soluble organic acid that comes from the fermentation of crude fruit sugar.
Citric acid is a substance that helps dissolve certain stains and residue buildup such as hard water and mineral deposits. It kills bacteria and mildew and works great for removing calcium deposits, dirt and rust.
Vinegar
Kills up to 99.8% of all known bacteria.
Baking Soda
Deodorizes, removes stains, great for use in scrubbing and softens water.
Salt
Abrasive qualities for cleanser, water softener, stain remover.
Cleaning with Essential Oils
Essential oils are perfect for natural cleaning, they are antiseptic and antibacterial, so they inhibit the growth of bacteria and kill germs. They also naturally purify the air by wrapping around odor molecules and deodorizing them, instead of masking an odor, leaving the air fresh and clean. You can use an oil as a single, blend them together yourself to create your own custom scent or use a blended oil from an essential oil distributor. This is my list of the top bacteria busting essential oils. In addition to these I love to use my essential oil distributer’s immune support blend, citrus blend and purifying blend.
Cinnamon – very powerful antimicrobial
Clove – kills viruses and bacteria
Lemon – grease stains, stain remover, brightener, disinfectant
Lemongrass – best oil for disinfecting and purifying
Lime – removes gum, wood stains, oil stains, grease spots on clothing
Orange – removes sticky adhesive residue from most surfaces
Eucalyptus – targets and eliminates bacteria, viruses, and fungi
Thyme - prevents fungi molds, antibacterial
Pine - disinfectant
Thieves – antibacterial blend
Multi-Purpose Cleaners
Vinegar Spray
Stuff a jar with citrus peels or disinfectant herbs such as thyme, oregano, pine, or lavender. Cover with vinegar and let sit for about 2 weeks then shake and strain.
Use 1 part vinegar infusion/1 part water, store in a spray bottle. You can use this solution for multi-purpose cleaning, as a fruit and veggie wash, and a mold and mildew killer. I have also used this undiluted for killing weeds, just spray on the weeds on a calm, sunny day.
Alternatively, you can just add some essential oils from the list below to 1 part water and 1 part white vinegar (skipping the citrus/herb infusion).
Citric Acid Solution
1 ⅓ cup water
2 Tbsp citric acid
10 drops lemon (or essential oils of choice)
5 drops lime
Stir until dissolved, place in a spray bottle.
This solution is also great as a veggie wash, mold and mildew killer, and as a stain remover. Just spray on stain and let sit 15 minutes then scrub with a cloth.
Essential Oil Spray
Fill an 8 oz bottle with distilled water
Add 40 drops of one of the cleaning essential oils
Shake and spray.
Other Cleaners
Window Cleaner
The only window/mirror cleaner I have found that works for streak free clean is the Norwex Window Cloth. I have tried about everything and this is the only thing that is truly streak free, it is amazing. Use this for windows, mirrors, chrome and that build up on the windshield of the car – it is awesome!
Drain Cleaner
Sprinkle baking soda down the drain followed by vinegar and a couple drops of essential oil, choose from the list above.
Furniture Polish
Fill a ½ pint jar ¾ full of olive oil, add 10 drops citrus essential oil and shake. Dab a tiny amount on a soft rag and rub into furniture.
Air-Purifier/Hand Sanitizer/Disinfectant
8 oz. water
40 drops of one of the essential oil blends above
Mix in a spray bottle and squirt until your heart’s content. This works great to spray on furniture, curtains, beds, blankets, mattresses, etc. Use like Lysol to disinfect bathrooms, door handles, and any area you want sanitized. I also keep a 4 oz. spray bottle in my purse for a hand sanitizer.
Other Cleaning Tips
Use citrus essential oils as a spray for cleaning the fridge, they deodorize without permeating the area with aroma.
Add 10 drops of essential oil to dishwashing liquid.
Add a few drops of essential oil to the dishwater.
Shoe refresher: Sprinkle 2 tsp. baking soda with 2 drops essential oil (lemongrass is great for this) in shoes overnight. Shake out in the morning.
Carpet: Equal parts borax and baking soda with essential oil blend of choice. Whisk together and put in shaker jar (I like a used spice bottle), sprinkle on carpet/mattress leave for a few minutes then vacuum.
Vacuum refresher: Place a few drops of essential oil blend of choice directly on the bag. Every time you vacuum the air will be refreshed and deodorized.
Bathroom refresher: Place a few drops of essential oil blend on the cardboard of the toilet paper roll. Every time someone pulls toilet paper it will gently release cleansing and deodorizing molecules.
Place a few drops of oil on a cotton ball and place in dresser drawers to keep clothing fresh. This also works great for repelling spiders, use peppermint, lemon or one of the bug repelling oils.
Already-Made Alternatives
There are so many companies around now that are providing non-toxic cleaners it is truly amazing! These are a few of my favorites:
Blue Land - I've seen some of their products showing up in my local Costco
Norwex - I love their microfiber cloths for cleaning and personal care!
