Cleaning
In recent times, essential oils have become more popular than ever and can easily be found in most major retail stores or local health food stores. Although essential oils are known for boosting the health and overall sense of well-being, most people do not realize that essential oils can also be very handy around the house.
There are a few different essential oils that work well for a wide variety of surface cleaning applications. A widely used one for cleaning is lemon oil. Lemon oil is great for cleaning wood and bathroom surfaces because it has antiviral and antibacterial properties. It can also be used with a natural soap and water to make a countertop and hardwood floor cleaner. Orange oil is a great choice for cleaning hardwood floors and stove tops because it can cut grease and stuck on dirt and build up. Sherry Strong explains, “the basis of any nontoxic home cleaning is baking soda, white vinegar, and castile soap. After that, the essential oils that are best for cleaning are: lemon, lavender, orange, rosemary, cinnamon, clove, grapefruit, eucalyptus, melaleuca, cleansing blend, peppermint, protective blend, and bergamot.”
These essential oils can be used in a greater concentration for stubborn spots, but should be diluted heavily with water or a combination of essential oils and mild natural soapy water. Start with a few drops per gallon and then the strength can be adjusted drop by drop until the dirt is effectively banished and you are left with clean surfaces and a fantastic scent.
Pest Control
Anyone who wants to get rid of pests and bugs around the home, but doesn’t want to use dangerous or potentially poisonous chemicals should try using some of the following essential oils to repel and prevent pests from entering your home or trying to bite family members. Perhaps the most potent of the essential oils for repelling a wide variety of pests is peppermint oil. It effectively repels small rodents, fleas, ticks, spiders, and roaches. Preventative Pest Control explains, “to use peppermint oil, soak cotton balls in the liquid and then place them around the house, as their odor drives mice away. Keep in mind that you’ll need to replace the cotton balls on a monthly basis and use fresh oil, so it is good to stock up on plenty of peppermint oil. Alternatively, you can use a spray version to treat tight spaces. To really deter mice with peppermint oil, you need to think strategically and place the substance at key points in the household, such as entry points into the home, spots where they have marked their territory, and places you want to keep off-limits. Since the peppermint oil odor is noxious to mice and covers up their pheromone scents, you can quickly stymie the infestation.”
In addition, tea tree is a powerful oil for repelling ticks, fleas, mosquitos, roaches, and mice. Dilute and spray a strong concentration on cracks and entry points to the home and exterior structures. If going outside, wearing a diffuser on your person like a bracelet or necklace with essential oils on it can greatly reduce the attention you will receive from pests. Other essential oils that work well are geranium for repelling ticks on kids and pets alike, citronella oil for repelling biting flies and mosquitoes outdoors, and eucalyptus oil for repelling most pests and can be used on skin or on surfaces.
Deodorizing
One of the most effective ways to deodorize a space is by using essential oils in a diffuser. Some of the most powerful deodorizing essential oils include grapefruit, lemon, lemongrass, sage, bergamot, and lime. For removing smoke odors, try using bergamot or sage in a diffuser. These essential oils can also be combined with citrus to create a customized scent for the space in question. Other applications can include wiping surfaces such as walls with a solution of any of these essential oils mixed with water, or they can be used in a warmer to let the scent gently fill the room and effectively cut the offensive odors. This works for pets, musty basement odors, and any place there is a lingering smell that won’t seem to go away.