Cleaning with Essential Oils

Does Your Home Need to Detox? 

Did you ever notice that every home has "it's unique aroma" that greets you and your guests when they enter your front door. It's the odors from the food we cook, the pets we have, the bathrooms, our cleaning products etc.-  

If you are using store bought cleaning products ( and who isn't?)  to clean your house or get rid of odors, these products are probably the most toxic items in your home. These toxic cleaning products may be affecting you and your family members and you may not even know it. 

After getting a strong whiff of a strong bathroom cleaner I was using, I realized that it couldn't be good to be inhaling it. I started to look for better alternatives.

Does it Matter? Yes!

1. Cleaning Products are labeled"Caution, Warning, or Poison" because they contain harsh chemical and toxins that we don't want to be exposed to!
2. Toxins may be inhaled into our lungs, our children's lungs and our pet's lungs
3. Toxins may be absorbed into our bodies through our skin
4. Toxins may be stored in livers, kidneys, or other organs and interfere with the organ's function
5. Toxins may aggravate allergies, head aches, immune system, or hormones
6. Toxins get stored in the body and may interfere with fat storage and weight loss
7. Toxins are bad for the environment ( our soil and water) 

The United States Environmental Protection Agency

My sister in law works for the EPA ( US Environmental Protection Agency). She recently shared a handout that they had published that suggested that the public consider using more natural products to clean their homes because of the toxic and dangerous element in store bought cleaning supplies. They say in the article:

"Consider reducing your purchase of products that contain hazardous ingredients"EPA Website 

Top 10 Hazardous Household Chemicals- 

The Global Healing Center published a list of the 10 most toxic Household chemicals

which included bleach, air fresheners, furniture polish, antibacterial cleaners, oven cleaners, etc. click here to see full article on Top 10 Hazardous Household Chemicals and explanations at Global Healing Center.

What Do I use instead that is safe?

I've been using baking soda, vinegar, essential oils, castile soap, etc and find they make great DIY cleaning products and are a safe choice to keep my home chemical free, clean, germ free ,and smelling fresh, clean, and beautiful without the use of dangerous toxic chemicals ! 

7 Essential Oils That Disinfect and Clean

Lemon, Tea Tree oil, Peppermint, Cinnamon, thyme, Lime, Theives

Cleaning Formulas I make

Basic Ingredients Needed: 

Baking Soda ( store brand runs about 59 cents) 

Liquid Castile Soap ( I buy Dr. Bronners at Vitamin Shoppe for about $6 - very pure for cleaning and for personal use- it's much more expensive at Whole Foods, Rite Aid,  Amazon) \

White distilled Vinegar- any supermarket

Rubbing Alcohol -( cannot use vinegar or citrus on granite or natural stone)

Essential oils: I only buy Young Living 

Mold and mildew anti-fungal formula

1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar

1/2 cup water

1/2 teaspoon liquid castile soap ( or natural dish soap)

5 drops lemon or orange essential oil ( cuts grease, antibacterial, and smells great)

5 drops of tea tree oil ( anti fungal) 

Directions: 

Mix all ingredients together in an 8 ounce glass spray bottle. 

TIPS: I Use it on the shower curtain, inside the shower, on outside umbrellas, 

Basic Cleaning Formula 

1/2 cup water

2 Tablespoons vinegar

6 drops Theives essential oil ( anti bacterial) 

optional: 2 drops lemon essential oil 

Mix together and add to a glass spray bottle. Use as needed for kitchen and 

bathroom. Theives and the lemon are anti- bacterial

** do not use ( vinegar or citrus)  on granite or natural stone

Soft Scrub formula Cleaner ( click here for more ) 

I absolutely love this formula. My white coffee mugs and dishes are strain free and sparkle!

I also use it on my bathroom sinks- works great

3/4 cup of baking soda

1/4 cup Castile Soap ( or natural dish soap) 

1 Tablespoon water

1 Tablespoon vinegar

8 drops lemon essential oil 

Mix the baking soda, castile soap, and water. Add the vinegar and stir until smooth. 

Add essential oil. ( * do not use vinegar on granite or any natural stone) 

Window Cleaning Formula 

1/4 cup white distilled vinegar

1/4 cup rubbing alcohol

1 Tablespoon cornstarch

1 Tablespoon water

7 drops of lemon essential oil

Stain Remover Cleaner + Tips 

1/4 cup of white distilled vinegar

1/4 cup rubbing alcohol 

10 drops of lemon essential oil 

Mix together in spray bottle. Use on washable clothing. Wet the garment, spray, allow to sit for 10 minutes, and wash. ** for bad stains apply lemon oil directly on stain, rub, and wash immediately.

Check to see that the stain is gone before putting in the dryer. If needed repeat - The dryer will set the stain if it is not fully removed.

Tips for Lemon Essential oil 

2. If you have "goo" on a bottle left from a price tag or label- lemon oil works great- apply directly, rub and it's gone!

Granite or natural stone Cleaner 

1 cup of Water

1/4 cup alcohol 

5 drops tea tree essential oil 

Mix together in a 8 ounce spray bottle. Shake before using and spray on the granite surface. 

Wipe off with a damp cloth. 

** do not use citrus, lemon, or orange essential oils or Theives on Granite. 

** do not use vinegar on granite or any natural stone

I found this recipe suggested on several sites-I am a little nervous putting this or  anything on my granite- however, I will note that my sweet smelling lovely store bought granite cleaner has a ton of harmful toxins and it doesn't smell toxic!
What do you use on your granite?

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DIY Microwave Cleaning Spray

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My Notes: 

I purchased my Young Living Oils kit about 7 months ago and find so many helpful ways to use them. When I travel, I make sure to take Theives with me to help keep my immunity strong, I carry purification to keep cuts and scapes clean. I bring my RC for respiratory concerns, and Digeze for any digestive disturbances. Tea Tree oil for it's powerful antiseptic properties.

Thieves, Purification, Digeze, RC, and Tree Tree oil go with me on all of my trips- especially when I travel out of the country. Once you get used to relying on essential oils, you won't want to go back to using chemical products.

I buy small dark glass bottles with a glass dropper and make solutions that are ready to use like these: Eclectic Supply B37-6 Glass Bottles for Essential Oils with Glass Eye Dropper, 2 oz Capacity, Amber (Pack of 6)  to dilute my essential oils with olive, almond, or coconut oil. I get labels in the dollar store and put one on each jar.

Essential oils are potent and should be diluted with a vegetable oil like olive oil or almond oil before applying. 

Thieves: I dilute with carrier oil like organic olive oil and use to massage into the bottom of my feet which have lots of pores and it is a good way to deliver the essential oil to your body. I use this every night when I travel on public transportation, if I am in crowds, if anyone is sick around me.

Digeze: I use this direct from the bottle. I use it if I have gas, bloating, or stomach or digestive discomfort. I rub a few drops on my stomach. ( If you are very sensitive- dilute with olive oil) 

Tea Tree Oil: I use this at the start of a sore throat to gargle and spit it out. I mix it with water. 

                       I also use it as a hand sanitizer- 

                       4 ounces aloe gel 

                       1 Tablespoon witch hazel

                       12 drops tea tree oil 

                       4 drops lavender

RC- I use this if I have any kind of respiratory chest cold- I dilute it with olive oil or almond oil and rub it on my chest ( you could use coconut oil too.) 

** Disclaimer: The information in this post and throughout this blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice. Always consult your doctor before making any changes in your diet or trying anything new.
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Want to Purchase Young Living Essential Oils?
Click Here to purchase Young Living Essential Oils
: Judee Algazi- Young Living Distributor- # 3329912-
If you would like to order a starter kit of Young Living Oils, contact me at vegyid2@yahoo.com 
If you would like to receive a 24% discount on all of your Young Living products, you can purchase as starter kit. I will work with you to help you understand how to use your oils and answer any questions you may have. You would be part of my team . 

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