Spring Cleaning

If you've been following me for any amount of time, you'll know how I feel about environmental toxins contribution towards many of the health conditions that people experience today.

It's the season of spring cleaning, and it's tempting to start cracking out the super strength cleaning products and start scrubbing every nook and cranny in our homes. Whilst I'm all for good hygiene, there's good reason to steer clear of the average shop bought cleaners.

This post is a round up of some of my favourite cleaning recipes and how you can keep your home hygienically clean, without upsetting your families delicate microbiome or adding pressure to their detoxification systems. Best of all, the ingredients are all easily obtained and won't cost the earth.

They aren't my recipes, they're just ones I like, so I've linked to the original recipe for you on each one, so just click on the title or the photo to see where they came from.

DIY Cleaning Wipes

• 1 roll premium paper towels

• 2 cups warm water

• 2 tablespoons Fractionated Coconut Oil

• 3 drops doTERRA On Guard® Protective Blend

• 1–2 tablespoons doTERRA On Guard® Foaming Hand Wash

1. Cut paper towel in half width wise with serrated or electric knife. Use half the roll now and half later.

2. Combine water, Fractionated Coconut Oil, essential oils, and On Guard Foaming Hand Wash in a small bowl.

3. Pour mixture over paper towels and cover with airtight lid. Let mixture absorb for 10 minutes.

4. Turn container over and let sit for another 10 minutes.

5. Remove and discard cardboard tube. Pull wipes from center of the roll when ready to use.

Spring Cleaning Soft Scrub:

• 1/8 c. On Guard Cleaner Concentrate

• 2 1/2 Tbsp. Vinegar

• 2 1/2 Tbsp. Water

• 3/4 c. (or a bit more) baking soda

• An Empty Dish Soap Squeeze Bottle

Mix the On Guard cleaner concentrate, vinegar, and water in a large liquid measuring cup.

Whisk in the baking soda and add enough until you get the desired consistency.

Pour mixture into an empty dish soap squeeze bottle.

Shake before each use

Powder Cleaner

1 cup baking soda

½ cup citric acid

½ cup kosher salt

20 drops Lemon oil

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients into a large bowl and stir until combined.

2. Store in a large shaker bottle.

3. To use, dampen surface and sprinkle powder over area you want to clean.Let sit for 15–30 minutes. For an extra cleansing boost, spray distilled vinegar on powder and wipe clean.

This works really well on carpets, sofas and mattresses

Fridge Refreshers

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups baking soda

• ½–1 cup water

• 15 drops Purify

1. Combine baking soda, ½ cup water, and essential oils into bowl.

2. Stir together. If needed, add more water until thick paste forms. The mixture should resemble damp sand.

3. Divide mixture equally into silicone mold.

4. Allow it to rest for two to three days or until mixture hardens.

5. Once hard, place in refrigerator to help eliminate unpleasant odors. Store additional fridge refreshers in an airtight container until ready to use. One disk will last up to a month in your fridge.

These can be placed in shoe cabinets, behind toilets, in the wardrobe, or anywhere else that needs a bit of a freshen up.

Wood Polish

Ingredients

¼ cup olive oil

¼ cup vinegar

10 drops doTERRA essential oils

Recommended oils: Wild Orange, Arborvitae, or Lemon.

Instructions:

1. Add olive oil and vinegar to glass spray bottle.

2. Add 10 drops of essential oil.

3. Shake well before each use.

4. Apply to microfiber cloth and wipe wood surfaces clean. Repeat every two to three months or as often as needed.

Garbage Disposal cleaner:

• 2 cups baking soda

• 1 cup salt

• ½ cup water

• ⅓ cup unscented liquid castile soap

• 30 drops Lemon oil

1. Combine baking soda and salt into bowl.

2. Add castile soap and essential oil into mixture.

3. Add water, one tablespoon at a time, while stirring with hands until it forms into the consistency of "damp sand". It should stay together when you press it together. If you add too much water just add some more baking soda and salt until the consistency is right.

4. Grab a tablespoon measurement device and scoop packed spoonfuls onto parchment paper.

5. Once the mixture has been scooped, let dry for 24 hours or until they are hard. One batch should make about 36 garbage disposal refreshers.

6. Put into glass jar and use the next time you do dishes. Just put 1–3 refreshers into the garbage disposal and turn it on. You will immediately smell the refreshing scent of Lemon essential oil.

On Guard Dishwasher Detergent

• 2 tbsp Baking Soda

• 1/2 tbsp On Guard Cleaner Concentrate

Mix together well and add to the detergent dispenser of your dishwasher for sparkling clean dishes.

Natural Stone Cleaner

½ cup isopropyl alcohol 1½ cups water 15 drops doTERRA On Guard® ½ teaspoon castile soap Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a 16 ounce glass spray bottle.

2. Before using, shake well and spray over the surface.

3. Wipe away with a soft cloth.

Washing Machine Cleaner

Ingredients ½ teaspoon castile soap 4 tablespoons washing soda 1 cup white vinegar 20 drops Melaleuca (tea tree) oil

Instructions Phase One:

1. Remove tray dispenser and fully submerge in hot water with natural dish soap. Scrub away residue with a toothbrush, rinse and put back in the machine.

2. Put washing soda in the drum. Using the hottest setting on your washer or the “tub clean” cycle on certain models, run your machine.

Phase Two:

1. After the cycle finishes, pour vinegar and essential oils into your liquid dispenser. Run your washer using the “tub clean” cycle or hottest setting again.

2. Wipe out the seal, drum, and door with a cloth and let dry completely before doing a batch of laundry.

3. Remove and clean the filter at the bottom of the machine if your washer has one.

Looking for even more recipes?

You can download a free eBook on cleaning with essential oils here.