Natural Cleaning
TEA TREE AND PEPPERMINT’S “MOLD IS NOT INVITED” SPRAY
Tea Tree and Peppermint love to host big parties (they also love cleaning up after), and they always keep the atmosphere welcoming and fresh. That means mold is not invited.
Use this recipe: to help prevent mold from growing.
1 oz (30 ml) tea tree hydrosol
1 oz (30 ml) peppermint hydrosol
4 drops tea tree
4 drops peppermint
DIRECTIONS : Make this blend in a 2 oz (60 ml) glass spray bottle. Pour the hydrosols into the bottle and add the essential oils. Shake before each use. Spray this blend often anywhere you think mold might want to grow, such as bathrooms and other humid areas. Let it sit for about 15 minutes, and then wipe the area dry. I recommend making this blend fresh every few weeks.
LAVENDER’S “SQUEAKY CLEAN SKIN-FRIENDLY” DISH SOAP
Lavender is a firm believer that keeping a clean, beautiful home goes hand in hand with health and comfort. It doesn’t like dish soaps that can irritate skin.
Use this recipe: to clean your dishes by hand at the sink.
6 oz (168 g) castile soap
1 oz (30 ml) lavender hydrosol
12 drops lavender
8 drops rosalina
8 drops tea tree
DIRECTIONS : Make this blend in an 8 oz (240 ml) plastic squeeze bottle. Pour the castile soap and hydrosol into the squeeze bottle, and then add the essential oils. Shake before each use. I recommend making this blend fresh every few weeks.
LAVENDER’S “SCRUB-A-DUB-DUB” CITRUS TUB SCRUB
Lavender knows that kitchens and bathrooms can sometimes be tough to clean, but with a combination of this blend and a little elbow grease, it always gets the job done.
Use this recipe: to scrub your kitchen, bathtub, sink, tile, shower, and faucet fixtures.
8 oz (224 g) baking soda
3 tablespoons (45 ml) castile soap
12 drops lavender
9 drops lime
9 drops orange
DIRECTIONS : Make this blend in an 8 oz (240 ml) glass container with a lid. Put the baking soda and castile soap into the container, and mix them with a spoon, creating a paste. Add the essential oils. You can adjust this blend to achieve a consistency you like. More castile soap will give you a smoother paste. Use a small scoop of the scrub on a sponge to clean your tub and tile.
TOILET CLEANER
Lemon likes everything to smell very fresh. It loves the aromas of clean laundry, ocean breezes, and just-been-cut grass. It even loves the way the bathroom smells after it uses this recipe.
Use this recipe: to clean and deodorize your toilet bowl.
1 oz (28 g) baking soda
2 drops lemon
DIRECTIONS : You can use the toilet bowl itself as the mixing bowl for this blend. Put the baking soda and lemon essential oil into the toilet bowl, scrub well, and let stand for five minutes. Then flush the toilet and enjoy your fresh bathroom!
LAVENDER’S “COMFY AND COZY UPHOLSTERY CARE” SPRAY (# 1 OF LAVENDER’S HOME CARE TRIO)
Lavender would love to scent your favorite chair or couch so you can cuddle up in comfort. It promises to take good care of you and offer all the soothing relaxation you could want.
Use this recipe: to freshen your carpets and upholstery.
4 oz (120 ml) lavender hydrosol
DIRECTIONS : Spray the hydrofoil onto your upholstery and carpet to help clean it and make it smell beautiful. You may want to test a small area first to be sure your upholstery likes this spray as much as you do. This spray may not be right for leather or certain fabrics. Be sure to check with the supplier about the shelf life of your hydrosol.
LAVENDER’S “COMFY AND CLEAN” CARPET CARE POWDER (# 2 OF LAVENDER’S HOME CARE TRIO)
Lavender loves the way clean carpets feel on its bare feet. It uses this carpet powder to keep its own carpets fresh, clean, and inviting.
Use this recipe: to give your carpets and rugs a deep deodorizing treatment.
1 oz (28 g) baking soda
1 drop lavender (optional)
DIRECTIONS: You can use 1 oz (28 g) of baking soda alone, and sprinkle it over your carpet or rugs. Let it sit for 15 minutes, and then vacuum. If you want to add 1 drop of lavender essential oil, mix it into the baking soda in a small bowl before sprinkling it over the carpet. Make sure no pets or small children will come around to roll on the carpet before you vacuum the baking soda blend up.
LAVENDER’S “CLEAN AND CAREFREE” KITCHEN FLOOR CARE (# 3 OF LAVENDER’S HOME CARE TRIO)
After Lavender created carpet and upholstery care, it was on a roll! It made an aromatic kitchen floor cleaner that’s safe for kids and pets. Use this recipe: to clean your kitchen floor.
8 oz (240 ml) hot water
1 teaspoon (5 ml) vinegar
1 oz (30 ml) lavender hydrosol
DIRECTIONS : If you’re using a traditional mop, boil 8 oz (240 ml) water and pour it in a bucket big enough to dip the head of your mop. Pour the vinegar and lavender hydrosol into the water, and mop your floors. Rather than a traditional mop, you can use a mop with a reusable terry cloth cover, which you can wash and use again. I use a steam mop with a reusable terry cloth cover that provides really hot water for cleaning. It’s used like a regular mop, and it works well. I recommend making this blend fresh every time you mop.