Create Your Own Spring Cleaning Essentials with These Recipes
Freshness is in the air, and if you and your family and preparing for an annual top-to-bottom house scrub, try these DIY approaches to cleaning products that use essential oils. They work great and can save you a little money while boosting your pride – I made the cleaners that got this house so spiffy!
All-Purpose Cleaner
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Borax
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- 2 cups water
- 30 drops essential oil blend
Directions
- Boil 2 cups of water.
- Pour into a large glass measuring cup or pitcher with a spout.
- Add Borax and stir until dissolved
- Add in vinegar and let cool.
- Pour mixture into a spray bottle and add essential oils.
Bathroom Cleaner
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Borax
- 2 cups hot boiled water
- ½ teaspoon liquid dishwashing soap
- 3 tablespoons white vinegar
- 30 drops essential oils (Recommended: 15 drops lavender, 10 drops eucalyptus, 5 drops tea tree)
Directions
- Stir together all the ingredients in a small plastic container.
- You should end up with a slightly damp powder.
To use: wet tub, sink, or counter and apply cleaner with a sponge or rag. Rinse well.
Carpet Cleaner
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing soap
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- 2 cups of water
- Spray bottle
- 5-10 drops of essential oils (use about 3 drops lavender and 2 drops tea tree)
Directions
- Combine all ingredients.
- To use: Try to treat stain when still wet.
- Spray the homemade cleaner onto the stain. Do not saturate carpet.
- Blot with a clean, damp cloth. Repeat steps 1-3 if necessary.
Tips and Tricks for Carpet Stains
- Liquid stains: Blot, do not rub stain
- Alcohol, coffee, and tea stains: Blot the carpet with club soda. Then treat with homemade cleaner.
- Grease stains: Rub baking soda into stain. Leave overnight and then vacuum. Follow with homemade cleaner.
- Mud: Let dry completely. Then vacuum carpet and follow with homemade cleaner.
- Chewing gum: Rub the gum with an ice cube until it hardens. Then scrape gum out with a dull knife. Follow with homemade carpet cleaner.
Glass Cleaner
Ingredients
- Distilled water
- White vinegar
- Essential oils (recommend using 5 drops lemon or 5 drops lavender)
- Spray bottle
Directions
- Combine ingredients
- To use: spray window or glass surface with homemade cleaner. Wipe down with microfiber cloth.
