Try these homemade cleaning products recipes
Whether or not we actually eat well, most of us do a pretty good job with at least knowing what is healthy vs not healthy for us. But how many of us actually know that there are other things, like how we clean our home, that impact our health.
You read my articles all the time about eating real food, less processed with minimal chemicals. But food is not the only way that toxins enter our body.
Think about it. Our bodies absorb some of what comes into contact with our skin and what we breathe. When we clean our home, some of the chemicals in the cleaners we use are absorbed by our skin, and we also inhale the chemicals.
Typical household cleaners expose our lungs to strong chemical agents. Compounds in bleach, deodorizers, disinfectants, dish washing liquid, air fresheners laundry detergents and various other cleaning products have been shown to cause asthma-like symptoms in people who do not have asthma or allergies.
However, until recently, these symptoms were only identified after short-term exposure, and there had not been information available regarding the impact of these chemicals over time.
Recent studies have looked at the long-term effects of chemical agents found in cleaning products on respiratory health. The findings indicate that household cleaning products - and the chemical agents within them - pose a significant risk to long-term lung function.
Despite the common use of harsher chemicals, natural products are effective alternatives to standard cleaners. Just ensure that the Essential Oils you are using are the best quality, so that you are getting the antimicrobial, anti-viral and antiseptic qualities you need to effectively clean.
(I can help you with this if you reach out.)
In our book, A Taste of Open we share some recipes for natural cleaning products.
Here are a few others you may want to try:
Soft Scrub Bathroom Cleanser
Ingredients
¾ rounded cup baking soda
¼ cup unscented liquid castile soap
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon vinegar
5–10 drops Lemon oil
Instructions
In bowl, combine baking soda and castile soap.
Add water and stir.
Add vinegar and essential oil. The consistency should be a soft paste.
Store in airtight container.
Make in small batches and store in an airtight container. This is enough for two to four applications. This soft scrub is excellent for getting rid of soap scum, removing stains, and brightening your tub, tile, and toilet. To use, just apply and let it sit for 5–10 minutes and then scrub. Once done scrubbing, take a wet cloth and wipe clean. Note: this scrub is also great to use when cleaning your kitchen sink or refrigerator.
Glass Cleanser
Ingredients
16-ounce spray bottle 1 ½ cup white vinegar ½ cup distilled water 2 drops each of Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit and Wild Orange
Instructions
Add vinegar, water, and essential oil(s) to spray bottle and shake.
Clean surfaces.
As you set goals related to personal health and wellness, don’t forget to consider the cleaning products used in your home and the respiratory health of you and your family.
If you want to explore more about using Essential Oils in your home, we are hosting a free webinar about this. You can register here.