April showers bring May flowers … and Spring Cleaning for both the home and body! Being mindful of your home products is super important for four major reasons:
1. Keep your kiddos safe! “Household cleaning products are responsible for many unintentional poisonings in children and are consistently in the top 5 categories for pediatric poisoning exposure.” ~ Household Cleaning Product-Related Injuries Treated in US Emergency Departments in 1990–2006
2. Breathe deep and clean! In fact, according to the Environmental Working Group’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning, about 53% of cleaning products they tested contain ingredients that can harm the lungs. Due to chemical residues, the pollution inside our homes can actually be higher than outside! Our goal is to add healthy options to our environment and improve our indoor air quality.
3. Be confident in your ingredient list. Did you know that cleaning products are not required by federal law to carry a list of ingredients? “The federal Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, which regulates industrial chemicals, focused almost exclusively on newly created chemicals, and largely ignores more than 60,000 substances that are already in widespread use. As a result, cleaning supplies and other consumer products often contain ingredients that have never been adequately evaluated for safety.” ~ EWG, Cleaning Supplies: Secret Ingredients, Hidden Hazards
Let’s consider the word “fragrance” – again, the perfume/cologne industry is shrouded in secrecy – making it difficult for consumers to make informed choices. In fact, “laboratory tests commissioned by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and analyzed by Environmental Working Group revealed 38 secret chemicals in 17 name brand fragrance products.” ~ EWG, Not So Sexy: Hidden Chemicals in Perfume and Cologne
Our skin is our largest organ! As I’ve moved toward a more holistic way of living, knowing exactly what I’m placing on my skin is extremely important! When you start reading the labels on the back of many commercial cleaning products, it can be quite scary. Many contain: pthlatates, triclosan, and a whole list of others most of us can’t spell or pronounce. Many of these common ingredients are registered pesticides and have been linked to asthma, cancer, reproductive disorders, hormone disruption and neurotoxicity.
When the goal is eliminating toxins, of course it’s important to research the brand of essential oils, to ensure no pesticide residues or other contaminants could be in your ingredients.
4. Save money. Using green alternatives or creating your own DIY version using essential oils often is cheaper and easier! EO’s are powerfully concentrated, so a few drops go a long way. A typical spray or foam cleanser for the bathroom, for instance, can cost $4 or more. A natural alternative, on the other hand, will cost pennies to make and not involve an extra trip to the store. Here are a few recipes I’ve collected to help you keep your home and body looking their best!
Clean Your Home
A few general tips:
- Use essential oils to create nontoxic multipurpose cleansing sprays.
- Diffuse essential oils to deodorize the air.
- Helpful products to pair with essential oils for cleaning: baking soda, liquid castile soap, vinegar, and borax.
Cleansing Hand Spray
Fill a 15 mL spray bottle half-way with water. Add 1/4 teaspoon Aloe Vera Gel, 1 drop Vitamin E Oil, and 4 drops of the Protective Blend. Fill the rest of the way with water, add the top, and shake before each use.
Window Cleaner
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
10-15 drops Lemon essential oil
Combine and shake well!
Furniture Polish
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white vinegar
10 drops Lemon or Wild Orange essential oil
Combine and polish wood with a soft cloth.
Bathroom Soft Scrub
3/4 rounded cup baking soda
1/4 cup liquid castile soap
1 Tablespoon water
1 Tablespoon vinegar
5-10 drops Lemon essential oil
Combine and store in an airtight container. To use, just apply and let sit for 5-10 minutes, then scrub. When finished scrubbing, wipe clean with a wet cloth.
Scented Wool Dryer Balls
Add 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil to a laundry dryer ball. (Lasts a few loads.)
Stovetop Cleaner
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup table salt
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 Tablespoons water
4-5 drops Cleansing Blend essential oils
Stir all ingredients together until they form a paste, then spread it over the stove top and burners. Leave on for 15 minutes, or longer for hard-to-remove stains. Using a sponge, scrub the mixture into the grime. Remove excess cleaner and wipe surface clean.
Homemade Air Freshener
In an 8-oz spray bottle, combine 1/2 cup of distilled water and 20 drops of your favorite essential oil. Shake before each use.
Beauty Tips
General comments:
- Consider the exclusively 100% natural Anti-Aging Skin Care Line, all-natural deodorant, and fluoride-free toothpaste, all infused with essential oils for health and beauty from the inside out.
- Add a couple drops of Lemon essential oil to a glass of water for a mild cleanse. Ideal amount for adults: 2-4 drops every 4 hours, with a maximum of 12-24 drops (of all essential oils taken in this way) in 24 hours. Remember to start small and pay attention to your body signals!
- Some essential oils cleansing/nourishing to the skin: Frankincense, Lavender, Anti-Aging Blend, Basil, Melaleuca, Geranium
Fresh and Floral Perfume
Combine 2 drops Basil, 4 drops Lavender, and 3 drops Ylang Ylang in a 5 mL spray bottle. Top with fractionated coconut oil and shake before each use.
Sweet Musk Cologne
Combine 4 drops Lime, 3 drops Fennel, and 2 drops Patchouli in a 5 mL spray bottle. Top with fractionated coconut oil and shake before each use.
Make-Up Brush Cleanser
Add a few drops each of the Protective Blend Cleaner Concentrate and the Cleansing Blend of essential oils to a glass of room-temperature water. Swirl your brush around and rinse under running water until the water runs clear. Squeeze out excess water and lay flat to dry.
Candice is a mama of two precious little ones and an active essential oil educator in her community. She blogs at cjmeyerdesigns.com on motherhood, wellness, and crafting adventures.