We have some really great cleaning recipes on our blog. I wanted to take the opportunity to round them all up for you in one place. Plus, add a few new hints, tips and even a few NEW recipes! It’s almost time to throw open your windows, air out the house and get down to the business of spring cleaning! This time of renewal and rejuvenation always occurs when the weather warms up and the crocuses pop out of the soil! As we prepare to enjoy the sun again, let’s take a look at these great cleaning recipes!
Carpet, Mattress and More… cleaning powder
Now let’s take a look at some *new* recipes to the blog for spring cleaning!
Essential oils that may be helpful for these recipes:
- Orange: Can help in cutting grease, fingerprints, and smells amazing
- Lemon: That fresh, clean scent and lemon is also amazing for it’s grease cutting power
- Lavender: A soft scent that is fantastic when used in cleaning products, especially for laundry applications.
- Tea Tree: A wonderful disinfectant and helpful when cleaning in bathrooms!
- Or try our “Spring Cleaning Set” that contains Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, Tea Tree, Citrus Burst and Germ Fighter.
Laundry Soap Bombs
What you’ll need:
- 1 1/2 cup washing soda
- 1/2 cup grated soap, of your choice
- 2 tbsp Epsom salt
- 3 tbsp hydrogen peroxide
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 20 drops essential oil of your choice
What you’ll do:
- Combine “dry” ingredients in a medium bowl
- Combine “wet” ingredients in a separate measuring cup
- A little at a time, add the wet to the dry, stirring to combine
- Continue until all the wet ingredients are added. The resulting mixture will be slightly damp
- Use a small scoop or tbsp to place rounds onto parchment or sil-pat
- Allow to air dry for 8-12 hours. Once dry store in tightly lidded container
- Use 1 round per load of laundry, or 2 for those really dirty loads
Fabric Softener
This is a quick and easy project that leaves your clothes soft and with a hint of scent!
What you’ll need:
- Epsom salt
- Essential oils of your choice
- A container for storage
- A scoop, measuring spoon or other item to dispense the crystals
What you’ll do:
- For each cup of Epsom salt, add 10 drops of your essential oil
- Mix well
- Store in tightly capped container
- Use 1-2 tbsp per load of laundry. Place in your softer dispenser
Steel Appliance Polish
What you’ll need:
- 1/3 – 1/2 cup Olive oil or other vegetable oil
- 2-3 drops of Orange Sweet or Lemon Essential Oil
- Soft cloth
What you’ll do:
- In glass jar or container, combine the vegetable oil with the 2-3 drops of your chosen essential oil
- Dab a small amount onto your soft cloth
- Use small circular motion, polish stainless steel
- Continue to buff until fingerprints, grime and smudges are removed
Tub & Sink Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- 1/4 cup Castile Soap
- 1/4 cup washing soda
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 20 drops Orange Sweet, Grapefruit Pink, or Lemon essential oil
- mold, small plastic container or other item to make a “bar” {see below for more information}
What you’ll do:
- Combine all ingredients in a medium glass bowl
- Mix well to blend together
- Press paste into mold and allow to dry for a few hours, until firm
- Once set, remove from mold (I used an old 4 inch round butter container)
- To use the bar: wet and rub the surface of your sink or tub. The bar will gently remove dirt and soap scum. Wipe clean with a damp rag. Rinse with cool water.
- Enjoy your beautifully clean tub or sink!
Window Spray
What you’ll need:
- 12 ounces water
- 0.5-1.5% Optiphen Plus*
- 1 tbsp Ammonia
- 1 tsp Rubbing alcohol
- Essential oils of your choice
**If you choose not to use a preservative you will need to store it in the fridge. Optiphen plus is a preservative which reduces the instance of bacterial growth in water-based products. We recommend that a preservative be used in any water-based products that you make at home. This is a great choice since it contains no parabens, no formaldehyde, and are not formaldehyde contributors.
What you’ll do:
- Combine everything in a 32 ounce spray bottle
- Spritz windows, wipe with soft cloth
- Ta-da! Sparkling clean glass!!
Need some great recipe combination ideas for essential oils? Check out these ones to get you started:
Fresh Kitchen: 15 drops each Lavender & Lemon
Disinfecting: 15 drops Tea Tree, 10 drops Lemon and 5 drops Rosemary
Fresh & Fruity: 20 drops Sweet Orange, 10 drops Grapefruit Pink and 5 drops Vanilla
OR instead use one of our germ synergies (KidSafe Germ Destroyer or Germ Fighter!)
We sincerely hope that when the warm weather finally makes an appearance, you’re ready to get down to cleaning! Open up your home and let the sunshine in! These project only take a few minutes and will leave your home looking & smelling beautiful! If you have any questions regarding these or any other recipes you find on our blog, please be in touch by emailing us at Aromatherapist@planttherapy.com We look forward to helping you in any way that we can.
