tune in thursdays, 6 PM MT, uberconference.com/joanlucci or dial in 505-570-5809 During week 3 of our Spring Clean-Cleanse Challenge we talked about reducing toxic load in our living spaces. Replacing synthetic air fresheners, commercial cleansers, and other household products with natural cleaners can create a healthier environment for you and your family. There is no need to pull out your rubber gloves and surgical masks when you clean your home. It might surprise you to know that you can concoct simple and inexpensive non-toxic cleaners from ingredients already lying around your house. Using essential oils to create your own cleaning products is not only safe for your family, but safe on the environment too. The basics... With natural cleansing and purifying properties, certain essential oils can be a helpful part of your regular cleaning routine. Not only can essential oils be used to cleanse surfaces and purify the air, but they leave behind a pleasant aroma that will instantly make your home feel clean and refreshed. For ideas on how to work essential oils into your cleaning regimen, take a look at some of doterra s best essential oil cleaning DIYs that use ordinary, non-toxic pantry items as base ingredients: baking soda, Borax or washing soda, cream of tartar, Castile soap, citric acid, hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, fractionated coconut oil or olive oil. freshen and purify air naturally Diffusing essential oils 3-5 drops essential oil of choice water Diffusing is the natural, quick, easy and most effetive way to freshen and purify the air, plus they can support us emotionally - throughout the day. Morning-afternoon: Citrus Bliss blend or Lemon-Peppermint to invigorate and energize. Nighttime: Lavender, Petitgrain, Serenity restful blend to wind-down and help support restful sleep. DIY air freshener and carpet freshener Commercial air fresheners can bring many unnatural aromas into your home. There are, however, completely safe and natural alternatives to help keep your home refreshed. Make your own non-toxic, safe and natural air freshener with just two ingredients baking soda and essential oils! ¼ c baking soda 3 to 6 drops favorite essential oil Put ¼ cup baking soda into a small Mason jar. Add 5 6 drops of your favorite doterra essential oil or blend. Put piece of fabric on jar and seal with jar band. To keep an area smelling fresh, place jar on a solid surface and shake often to activate the fresh scent. When scent starts to fade, simply add 2 3 drops of essential oil to jar. This recipe doubles as a Carpet Freshener. Sprinkle on carpets. Let set for about 15 minutes and vacuum thoroughly. pg 1 of 8
All purpose cleaner - recipe #1 ¼ c white vinegar 1 ¾ c water 30 drops doterra essential oils (suggestions below) Add all ingredients to 16-ounce glass spray bottle. Shake thoroughly. This spray is perfect for cleaning hard surfaces in the kitchen, bathroom, patio furniture, and almost any hard surface in your home, office, or car. Here are some ideas for essential oils combinations. 30 drops doterra On Guard -- always an excellent choice 15 drops each of Lavender and Lemon 10 drops each of Eucalyptus, Peppermint, and Wild Orange 15 drops each of Grapefruit and doterra On Guard Countertop cleaner 2 t OnGuard Cleaning Concentrate 30 drops essential oil of your choice (optional), include citrus oils for extra grease cutting power Fill up with water All purpose cleaner - recipe #2 In glass spray bottle, combine... ¼ c white vinegar 1 ¾ c water 2 T OnGuard Concentrated Cleaner Combine above ingredients in a 16 oz glass spray bottle or plastic formulated for use with essential oils. Use: Shake gently before each use. Spray and wipe. See Bathroom spray below for a variation of this recipe. Disinfectant room or hand spray ¼ oz vodka 6 drops Eucalyptus essential oil 4 drops Bergamot or Tangerine essential oil 3 drops Peppermint essential oil 2 drops Basil or Cilantro essential oil 1 ¾ oz purified water Combine the above ingredients in a 2 oz glass spray bottle. Lightly shake to combine and shake gently before use. Glass and mirror spray cleaner Make your own natural glass and mirror cleanser for windows and mirrors in your bathroom and throughout your home. It is affordable, easy, eco-friendly, and more effective than store-bought cleaners. 16-ounce spray bottle 1 ½ c white vinegar ½ c distilled water 8 drops Lemon or other citrus oil of choice Add vinegar, water, and essential oil(s) to spray bottle. Shake to combine and before each use. Wipe dry with lint-free cloth or paper towels. GLASS CLEANER pg 2 of 8
BATHROOM Being stuck in a small closed space, like many bathrooms and powder rooms, with harsh chemicals not only makes it hard to breathe, but can also be hazardous to your health. The next time you clean your bathroom, why not try mixing up an effective cleaners with ingredients you already have at home. When you add essential oils like Lemon or Wild Orange, you can transform your bathroom cleaning routine. Bathroom spray cleaner Make a batch of Countertop cleaner substituting part of the water with white or apple cider vinegar. Vinegar helps remove mineral deposits - adjust water-to-vinegar ratio based on harshness of water in your home. Lemon grout cleaner 2 t cream of tartar, 2 drops Lemon essential oil plus a few squeezes of lemon juice - combine to make a thin paste. Apply with small brush or toothbrush, rinse, wipe dry DIY soft scrub cleaner bathroom, kitchen, refrigerator, and tile floors Remove stains, soap scum, and brightening the appearance of your toilet and tile. Forget scrubbing for hours, this mixture only needs to sit for 5-10 minutes before you scrub and then wipe away grime until it is clean. Make in small batches and store in an airtight container. This is enough for two to four applications. ¾ rounded c baking soda ¼ c unscented liquid Castile soap 1 T water 1 T vinegar 5 to 10 drops Lemon oil or other citrus oil In mixing bowl, combine baking soda and Castile soap. Add water and stir. Add vinegar and essential oil(s) -- mix to the consistency of a soft paste. Store in an airtight container. General use: Apply and let it sit for 5 10 minutes and then scrub. Once done scrubbing, take a wet cloth and wipe clean. Toilet bowl cleaning: Add ingredients directly toilet bowl. As it reacts, scrub toilet. Let set a few more minutes. Scrub again and flush. Top the clean toilet bowl off with a drop of Lavender, Lemon, or your favorite scent - leave to sit on the surface of the water - a sweet smelling gift for the next toilet user! pg 3 of 8
Toilet bowl fizzies Makes about 24 These are also called toilet bombs and they are very similar to our DIY bath bombs. Use a silicone ice cube tray or candy mold to form these. Or use a spoon or small scoop and form into balls and place on wax or parchment paper to dry for about six hours. 1 1/3 c baking soda 1/2 c citric acid 90 drops of essential oils (suggestions below) A few favorite combinations: 30 drops each Lavender, Lemon, and Peppermint 90 drops OnGuard protective blend 90 drops Purify cleaning blend You may want to wear a medical mask while mixing baking soda and citric acid (these are non-toxic, but combining these will create fumes that you don't want to inhale). Mix citric acid and baking soda. Put all the essential oils in a spray bottle and spray little by little stirring the mixture at the same time in order to keep the fizz from escaping. Optionally and if needed, add a small about of water to the spray bottle for additional moisture (too much will make the citrus acid fizz and the fizzies will not explode). Put the mixture into silicone ice cube tray or molds and let them dry for about 6 hours. Store in a glass mason jar or container with a lid. To Use: Drop one fizzie in the toilet bowl. Leave for a few minutes, then scrub with toilet brush and flush. pg 4 of 8
laundry Make over your laundry room DIY no-bleach for cleaning Makes 1 quart 2 c hydrogen peroxide (3 percent solution) 2 T lemon juice OR ½ t citric acid 2 c water 10 drops Lemon essential oil Store in dark or covered bottles, as exposure to light will weaken the solution. Lasts up to 1 month in a clear bottle, 2 3 months in a dark bottle. DIY fabric softener #1 Substitute apple cider vinegar with 2 or 3 drops of essential oil (optional) instead of liquid fabric softener in the wash cycle. DIY fabric softener #2 If DIY fabric softener #1 was too easy... 1 64-ounce bag of Epsom salt 40 drops Lavender essential oil 30 drops Melaleuca essential oil 20 drops Lemon essential oil Natural substitute for dryer sheets Dampen a clean wash cloth and add a sprinkle of apple cider vinegar with a 2 or 3 drops of your favorite essential oil. Throw it in the dryer with your clothes. The vinegar prevents static cling and will help make your clothes softer. Another idea: See our recipe for Dryer Sponges - page 8. Natural Makeover your laundry routine Natural, safe, and effective with essential oils Add 4 drops of Lemon to a water bottle to pretreat some stains. Pour Epsom salt into a large glass or stainless steel bowl. Add essential oils and stir well to combine. Store in a glass jar. Use ½ cup for medium to large loads in the wash cycle at any temperature and ¼ cup for small loads. Use the doterra On Guard Laundry Detergent to add the benefits of doterra On Guard to every load. Add 2 drops of your favorite essential oil to the rinse cycle for lasting benefits: Add Citrus Bliss to your towels for an uplifting scent after each shower. Add Wild Orange to your workout clothes for an energizing scent during your next workout. Add Purify to your dish towels for added purifying benefits. Add Melaleuca for its cleansing properties. Add 2 to 4 drops of Lavender to unscented dryer sheets or a clean washcloth to further infuse a fresh scent into your laundry. Add a drop of your favorite oil to a damp cloth and place on top of clothing when ironing. pg 5 of 8
Clean with essential oils kitchen Many of the bathroom recipes can be used in your kitchen and dining areas. Refrigerator and microwave spray cleaner 1 c white vinegar 2 c hot water 15 drops Lemon oil Combine the ingredients in glass spray bottle. Spray mixture inside fridge or microwave, then scrub and wipe using damp cloth. An easy tip: Really grimy microwave? Place a microwave mug or small glass bowl of water, uncovered, with a few drops of Lemon essential oil. Set microwave on high for 1-2 minutes. Leave to set for 2-5 minutes as the lemon-steam will soften the grime for easy clean-up. Remove the lemon water, turntable, or shelving inside the microwave. Spray with the refrigerator-microwave spray and wipe clean. Stovetop cleaner This recipe was featured in the Spring 2014 edition of Living magazine. ¼ c baking soda ¼ c table salt 1T apple cider vinegar 2 T water 4 5 drops Purify cleansing blend Stir all ingredients together until they form a paste and spread it over the stove top and burners. Leave it 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. Liquid dish soap and dishwasher soap Everyone uses liquid dish soap so why not make your own? This super simple recipe is great for removing grease, adding shine, and waking up your senses. 2 c unscented Castile soap 20 drops Lime oil 8 drops Lemon oil 6 drops Citrus Bliss Fill a large, clean bottle with Castle soap (if it is concentrated, dilute according to instructions). Add essential oils and shake to combine. Give it a gentle shake before each use. Add about 1 or 2 tablespoons to dish water. Automatic dishwasher tablets 1 c baking soda ¼ c citric acid 1 tablespoon doterra On Guard Cleaner Concentrate 5 drops Grapefruit oil Put baking soda, citric acid, and doterra On Guard Cleaner Concentrate, and Grapefruit oil in a mixing bowl. Mix together until the mixture is an even consistency. Place in silicon ice cube tray or molds and let sit for 4 hours. Remove tabs. Store in an airtight container. Use in dishwasher in place of store-bought dishwasher tablets. Citric acid and baking soda will create gentle fumes. As a precautionary measure, wear a mask over nose when mixing these two ingredients. pg 6 of 8
more household cleaners Wood polish Add to 8 oz. glass spray bottle: 1/4 c white vinegar, 1/4 c olive oil, 10 drops Lemon or Wild Orange essential oil. Shake to combine ingredients and shake before each use. Wood floor cleaner for refillable mop 3 t white vinegar 16 ounces warm water 1-2 drops essential oils; Lemon and Clove make a great combination Pour ingredients into refillable mop. Dampen the mop pad with warm water, spray floor with cleaner solution (do not overspray) and mop solution as soon as possible. Note, if no refillable mop: use solution in a spray bottle. Laminate floor cleaner 5 ounces each: white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, water, plus several drops of Peppermint or Eucalyptus essential oil. Pour into refillable mop or spray bottle. Dampen mop, spray floor with solution, mop immediately. Carpet stain remover 2 t baking soda 10 drops Lemon essential oil ½ c of hydrogen peroxide ¼ c liquid dish soap If the stain is still wet, begin by blotting it out with tissue papers. If the stain is dry, continue with the following steps. Mix the baking soda and essential oil in one small bowl. In another bowl, mix the hydrogen peroxide and liquid dish soap. Dust a medium-thick coating of the baking sodaessential oil mixture onto the stain. Next, pour the hydrogen peroxide mixture onto the baking soda dusting. It will create a fizzy, bubbling reaction as it works to dissolve the stain. Use a wet sponge to scrub the stain and blot dry any excess water with clean towel or paper towels. Repeat if needed. Carpet dry shampoo-deodorizer 2 c baking soda 10 drops Lemon essential oils 10 drops Wild orange or Grapefruit essential oil Add baking soda and essential oils to a large mason jar. Stir to combine. Use: Sprinkle on carpet or rug. Let sit for 10 minutes then vacuum thoroughly. Store remaining deodorizer in a cool dark place and use as needed. Leather polish ¼ c fractionated coconut oil + ¼ c vinegar + 5 to 10 drops Eucalyptus essential oil Combine all ingredients into a small glass dish and mix thoroughly. Use: Dip a toothbrush or other cleansing tool into mixture and rub over leather surface to clean and condition. Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth and let any extra moisture dry before use. pg 7 of 8
bonus DIY recipes Waterless hand cleaner 1 c aloe vera gel 3 T vodka or witch hazel 2 t glycerin 10 drops essential oil : Lavender or peppermint (or 5 drops of each) are good choices. Combine aloe, vegetable glycerin, alcohol, and mix well. Add essential oils. Fill into squeeze bottle. Dryer sponges ½ c baking soda ½ c water ½ c vinegar 5 to 10 drops Lavender essential oil 5 to 10 simple sponges Combine baking soda and hot water in a glass container and stir. Add vinegar and mix, then add Lavender oil and stir again until all ingredients are combined. Fill container with sponges (trimming sponges to fit if needed) and top with more hot water (if needed). Place lid on container and let set until ready to use. Use: Gently shake or stir container, remove one sponge, wring out slightly, and place in dryer with wet clothes. After dryer cycle place sponge back in container and reseal with lid for future use. best essential oils for cleaning Lemon, Lime, Wild Orange, Douglas Fir, Eucalyptus, Melaleuca or Tea Tree, Purify cleansing blend, Thyme, Peppermint, doterra On Guard protective blend doterra On Guard Cleaner Concentrate pg 8 of 8