Chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other powerful inorganic compounds, like ammonia, are widely used in household cleaning products. These chemicals are known to have a negative effect on health, and just to name a few, can cause dizziness, migraines, contact dermatitis, and irritation to the airways.

Some chemicals, like glycol ethers found in cleaning solutions for glass, carpets, floors, and ovens, are hormone disruptors, and can even result in reduced fertility or birth defects. These same chemicals damage our environments (including the food chain and our water supplies!).

Using essential oils to create your own cleaning supplies is safer for the environment and your family. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make! Time to put the rubber gloves and toxic ingredients down, and pick up these instead (full recipe below):

castile soap

Made from organic coconut and sunflower oils, liquid Castile soap base is natural and has a mild pH that will not dry out your skin. It’s used in various cleaning recipes, and makes the perfect base for shampoos, body cleaners, hand wash, and mild laundry detergents.

perfumery alcohol liquid (200 proof)

Used in perfumes, hand sanitizers, surface cleaners, foaming hand soaps, glass cleaners, room sprays, and more, perfumery alcohol is an extremely effective disinfecting agent and acts as an emulsifier* in your DIY projects by allowing essential oils to evenly disperse in water-based solutions.

*Oil and water don’t mix, so without an emulsifier your essential oils will remain undiluted on the surface of the water, and may even cause skin irritations.

recipe

Our recipe can be safely used throughout your home on countertops, remotes, handles, switches, toys, and other frequently touched surfaces (you can even use it to wipe down your car interior!). Give it a try:

2 Tbsp Castile Soap
10 drops Orange Essential Oil
20 drops Protective Blend (dōTERRA: On Guard or Young Living: Thieves)
1/4 Cup Perfumery Alcohol (or rubbing alcohol that is 91% or higher, or white vinegar)
Distilled Water
480ml bottle (with trigger)

Instructions: In a 480ml bottle, mix Castile Soap, Orange EO, Protective Blend, and Perfumery Alcohol. Top with distilled water. Shake well and spray over desired surfaces with soft cloth or paper towel.

Let us know if you tried our recipe and what you think in the comments! We love to hear your feedback 💚

DISCLAIMER: Make sure you are using the safest essential oils available to you. We use Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade. All information mentioned in this blog post has not been evaluated by Health Canada or the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. NOTE: The alcohol might overpower the scent of the essential oils. Adding more drops may not necessarily change this. 

Photo by Good Soul Shop on Unsplash