We all want a fresh and clean smelling house-am I right?! Then, life happens-lol. Being a multiple dog household, my house...well, used to smell like dogs! Then I got into essential oils and realized how powerful they are at dispelling odors. With a variety of aromas to suit anyone, they are a powerful addition to your home, and you may see other benefits besides just a fresh and clean smelling house! You can also create an atmosphere to fit your mood....or change it! So today, let's chat about essential oils and how you use them as air fresheners!
Why do we even want to use essential oils as an air freshener instead of a chemical store bought one?
Well, for starters, we don't want to endanger our health or that of our family...2 or 4 legged!
With furry companions in the house, this becomes paramount. Our dogs spend way more time than we do close to the floor and are more sensitive to chemicals in general. We dont want to harm our fur kids do we? And yes, essential oils can be used safely with dogs and even cats...to read more about that, click HERE. I've been diffusing and using essential oils in my house for over 7 years now and a 5 pound chihuahua is a member of my family!
We are bombarded by chemicals on a daily basis, many of which we can't control our exposure to, so it makes it even more important to be the gatekeepers of things we can control, like our home. Did you know that a new study mentioned in an article published by the EWG says that "releases from chemical products, including ones we use every day in our homes, are as much a cause of air pollution as automobile emissions" ....and the European Union has banned over a 1000 chemicals while the United States has banned a mere 12. Unfortunately, many people think that because a product is sold in stores, it must be safe, which is far from true!
One of the leading ingredients in chemical air fresheners is 'fragrance', and according to this article published by the EWG "Another ingredient to watch for is the mystery ingredient “fragrance.” Mixtures of fragrance can be made up of any combination of chemicals on a list of thousands. Some, like phthalates, are linked to health hazards. Avoid air fresheners when you can."
And In this article published by the EWG, Samara Geller writes '"many fragrance components are allergens. Some are on California's Proposition 65 list, which is meant to inform citizens about chemicals known to cause reproductive harm, birth defects and cancer."
So, what can you do about it? Make different choices for your family and vote with your dollars! Start simple by making easy swaps! You can start today by ditching your chemical air fresheners and swapping and investing in some essential oils to use instead! Let's speak with our dollars and support companies that dont use dangerous chemicals. Replacing chemical store bought air fresheners by using essential oils can be easy and after an initial investment of a diffuser and some essential oils, it can be cheaper as well!
First, you are going to need some essential oils. One of the most important things to realize is that not all essential oils are created equal! They are regulated by the FDA as part of the cosmetic industry. This means that companies don't have to disclose all ingredients under trade secret laws in the perfume industry. Did you know it's been over 80 years since the federal law designed to ensure personal care products are safe, has been updated? It's important that you find a company that you trust and read your labels. I like Young Living Essential Oils™ because of their Seed To Seal™ guarantee. Young Living™ is the ONLY company to offer this and they control the entire process, from the seeds of the plant used for the essential oil, to sealing the finished product in the bottle that arrives on our doorstep. You can read more about that HERE. Make sure you are using a high quality, premium essential oil. You don't want to add more indoor air pollution-right?!
So how do we use essential oils as air fresheners?!
One of the easiest ways is to invest in a diffuser. A diffuser is simply something that helps to disperse the essential oil into the air. Many essential oil diffusers are on the market today, and I recommend you start out with an ultrasonic diffuser. This type of diffuser doesn't use heat which can degrade the essential oil, it uses a ceramic or metal plate that vibrates, and it does require electricity. This vibration breaks down the essential oil, blends it with the water, and disperses it into the air. This dilutes the essential oil, so that it can be an option for a household with pets. It's easy to find one to fit your goal, whether thats running all day long or intermittently. You can shop for for one you find pleasing to the eye, and even for one with fancy colored lights! You can check out my favorite from Young Living™ HERE.
Simply add water to your diffuser base per the instructions that come with your diffuser. Then add the essential oil you want to use, again referring to the instructions that came with your diffuser. In general, 4-10 drops is sufficient, depending on the amount of water your diffuser holds. Start low and see how you like the aroma, then up the drops if needed.
If you don't have a diffuser, you can make a 'spritzer'. Then simply mist rooms that need some help. You don't really even need a recipe to make a spritzer. Simply add about 20 drops of essential oil per 2 ounces of water, to a spray bottle. Shake well each time you spray as essential oils and water don't mix. For a step by step guide to making a spritzer, click HERE.
Air Freshener Spray Basic Recipe:
-2 oz distilled water (you can use tap water, but distilled is better because the impurities have been removed-your recipe will last longer too)
-20 drops essential oil
You can also make a linen spray to refresh fabrics. Using vodka instead of water allows the mixture to evaporate quickly leaving the pleasant aroma behind.
Basic Linen Spray:
2 oz vodka (use this instead of water so it evaporates quickly)
20 drops essential oil
Deodorizing Discs:
These are fun and easy to make. You probably already have an ice cube tray and baking soda! If you want to get fancy or give them as gifts, you can purchase sandwich cookie molds for a fancier design. They work great for the bottom of your trash can (instead of buying trash bags scented with fragrance), or for stashing in closets, cabinets, and drawers.
You will need:
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup water
30 drops essential oil
Non stick sandwich cookie pan or ice cube tray
Mix the baking soda and water to form a paste. Stir in your essential oils. Spoon into your cookie pan or ice cube tray, pressing firm. Let dry overnight, and then pop out. Easy peasy! Store the extras in an airtight container until ready to use.
Other ways to use essential oils as an air freshener:
-Drop a few drops onto several cotton balls and strategically stash around the house, works great for trash cans and drawers!
-Drop a few drops onto wooden clothespins and strategically pin around the house, pinning them where air will pass like on a fan or the vent for your ac or heater works great!
-Drop about 5 drops onto the cardboard roll of your toilet paper in the bathroom.
-Drop several drops onto your Kleenex boxes.
-Add a few drops to the filter of either your furnace or air conditioner ducts.
-Carpet deodorizer-Add around 20 drops to 1 cup of baking soda. Sprinkle on your carpet and let sit for a about 5-10 minutes. Then vacuum up.
-Wood, clay, and leather items work well as mini essential oil diffusers, so if you have knick hacks in your house made of these materials, consider dropping some essential oil onto them in inconspicuous places. Keep in mind some essential oils can stain, so add in areas that aren't seen or to items you don't have attachments to. Unfinished wood and clay ornaments work well and then you can hang them around your house.
-Purchase cork stickers, add a few drops of essential oil onto the cork stickers and then stick where needed. (I love to stick a few of these in my horse trailer and then drop Lavender onto them before each trailer ride)
-Make a Coffee Filter Sachet
You will need:
Coffee Filters
Baking Soda
Essential Oils
Add about 20 drops of essential oil to a cup of baking soda in a glass, ceramic, or stainless steel bowl, (essential oils degrade plastic) stir, and mix well. Then add a couple of tablespoons of the baking soda/essential oil mix to a new coffee filter. Pull the coffee filter together at the top and use a twist tie or rubber band to tie shut, then stash in closets, cabinets, and drawers.
-Make a Jar Air Freshener
You will need:
A clean glass jar with a lid that you can poke holes in. I like to recycle my jelly jars. Mason jars, baby food jars, peanut butter jars, pickled ginger jars...you get the idea, any jar will do! Worst case scenario, you can buy jars on Amazon.
Baking soda-enough to fill the jar.
Now simply add baking soda to whatever jar you have, add essential oils (maybe 20 drops to half cup baking soda, but feel free to use less or more, depending on your preference.)
Put the lid on and shake well, then take the lid off and poke several holes in it with an ice-pick...ta-da...now you have an air freshener that you can stash in strategic places in your house.
If you want to get really fancy, you could even decorate your jar! Remember to refresh your oils from time to time or when you feel the aroma is less.
You can see that there are many options for using essential oils as air fresheners. If you are using chemical air fresheners, keep it easy and simple by swapping out one product at a time with a method from above.
For more essential oil recipes, tips, and tricks...join 'The Weekly Oiler' HERE keepin' the "oily lifestyle' simple and easy for you, your horses, and dogs...
This easy DIY will have your mirrors and glass clean and streak free. Using ingredients you most likely already have in your house, you can get the same clean for a fraction of the cost of buying the blue stuff...and your house will smell aah-mazing.
Instead of having to open the windows to air out your house, having to wear gloves, and worry about possible health effects, you can sit back and just inhale the beautiful aroma left over from cleaning your glasses and mirrors.
All ya need is:
2 cups distilled water
1/4 cup alcohol (rubbing or vodka)
1/2 cup white vinegar
15 drops Lemon Essential Oil
15 drops Orange Essential Oil
Simply add all of the ingredients into a quart size spray bottle, shake well each time you use, spray and wipe. Easy peasy!
I prefer to use vodka in my recipes because rubbing alcohol has a more pungent aroma.
You can also use any essential oils that you would like but the citrus oils work well to help remove residues and grime, and they are the least expensive essential oils you can buy!
Tap water is ok too, but ya might get some streaks, so distilled water is preferred. You can also omit the alcohol but it contributes to streak free and helps the mixture dry quickly.
For more recipes, tips, tricks, and essential oil hacks, sign up here for 'The Weekly Oiler'.
Have you ever turned over one of the cleaning products you have bought and actually read the label? The first time I did that-yikes! 'Hazardous to humans' 'May cause cancer'... If ya haven't, I encourage you to read your labels...When I saw those warnings, there was no way I was using that! With a whole herd of dogs and cats in my house tho, I still needed to clean. Thankfully with some basic household ingredients that are inexpensive and essential oils, easy DIY cleaners are at our fingertips!
One of the easiest cleaners to make is equal parts white vinegar and water. I like to add Lemon essential oil or Pine essential oil, and sometimes I will add both for an outstanding aroma and a cleaning boost. If you have natural stone, granite, or marble, vinegar isn't recommended as it can scratch and dull the countertop, and affect the sealers. You will want to use plain ol' soap and water.
When I'm using soap and water, I like to take a quart size spray bottle, add a couple of tablespoons of liquid Castile soap, then fill with water. Simply squirt and wipe, easy peasy! For more info on Castile soap and my favorite hand soap recipe click HERE
Side note: Sometimes I have an 'ant attack' in my kitchen..I make the above soap spray and add about 30 drops of Peppermint essential oil. It hasn't failed me yet-lol.
Alcohol (at least 60%) is one of the most effective alternatives to chemical cleaners. You can use 2 parts vodka to 1 part water and let it sit on the surface for about 30 seconds. I also add about 30 drops of essential oil. You can use isopropyl rubbing alcohol instead of vodka, but I find its aroma a bit more pungent, so I stick with Vodka or Everclear. My fave essential oil to add to this is a blend from Young Living™ called Thieves™. Lemon and Orange also work well and fill the house with a happy and uplifting aroma.
You can also make an effective cleaner with hydrogen peroxide. The CDC acknowledges that hydrogen peroxide does effectively kill viruses and bacteria. You will need to let the peroxide sit for at least one minute before wiping away. Since light breaks down hydrogen peroxide, you will want to keep it in a dark colored bottle, or you can simply take the bottle you buy the peroxide in and add a spray top. You can add a cleaning boost and aroma with any essential oils that you like, try Pine! To stretch your peroxide further, or make a milder solution-mix a half a cup with 2.5 cups of water, and make a spray.
And if DIY isn't your thing at all but you still want an effective household cleaner that's safe for you and your pets...Thieves™ Household cleaner to the rescue. Using plant based ingredients and the power of Thieves™ essential oil blend, you can safely and effectively clean. It comes super concentrated, simply add 1 or 2 capfuls to a quart size spray bottle and fill with water. It's also highly economical, costing less than 2.00 per each quart sized spray bottle ya make.
Last week we chatted about your shopping list to start swapping out 1 product at a time, room by room in your house. If ya missed it click HERE
Why do we want to do this, you ask? Good question!
Unfortunately, todays household products contain many chemicals that are well researched to be bad for us! Known cancer causing agents and hormone disrupters are found quite commonly in the majority of products on the market. Trade secret laws give companies the option of not fully disclosing all ingredients. Did you know that literally hundreds of chemicals can be added to a product and listed on the label with ONE word....FRAGRANCE...
Lucky for us, using a few household pantry items most of us have on hand anyways, and natures life essence of plants aka essential oils, we can make our own cleaning products that work just as well. I would even argue better, and usually (after a bulk buy of basic ingredients) cheaper in the long run. We can also reuse the recipe containers over and over again, which is better for the environment.
Let's start with the basics...the number one caustic, dangerous, yucky chemical I used to use, was BLEACH....lucky for us, there's a fast and easy recipe, that's much less caustic and much safer, with all the germ fighting capabilities.
A close second is our hand soap, especially in todays times where we seem to be washing our hands all the time. This hand soap recipe is great for dry or sensitive skin, and I like to add essential oils known to support skin.
The main ingredients you're going to need today are...
For the bleach alternative:
Hydrogen Peroxide
Lemon Essential Oil (any essential oil you have and like will do-tho!)
For the hand soap
Castile soap
Olive Oil (optional- but I like to add for extra moisturizing)
Lavender Essential Oil (any essential oil you have and like will do-tho!)
Lets take a closer look at those ingredients...
Hydrogen Peroxide: It is widely acknowledged as a safer substitute for bleach and kills bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The oxidation from the extra oxygen molecule kills germs and bleaches color from porous surfaces (like fabrics).
The extra oxygen does break down over time so keep the recipes you make in dark colored spray bottles to avoid exposing to light. It used to be touted as a great wound cleanser but research has shown that it actually can keep wounds from healing so it is best used for cleaning.
Castile Soap: an eco friendly plant based soap traditionally made from olives and named after the Castile region of Spain where it originated from. Today, it can be made from coconut, castor, or hemp oils as well. Since it's naturally hydrating and mild, it works well for sensitive and dry skin, and is safe for kids and pets.
I like Dr. Bronner's as it's readily available in most health food stores and cost effective. I also buy the unscented so that I can choose the aroma and properties of the essential oil that I want.
Lemon essential oil: Extracted from the peel of lemons and known for its cleansing properties. It's widely used in home cleaning solutions. Its fresh, uplifting aroma is also an effective odor neutralizer. It also works well to remove sticky residues.
Lavender essential oil: Whats not to love- with a soothing aroma and soothing to the skin, Lavender provides many skin care benefits. It contains cleansing and antioxidant properties.
Bleach Alternative
16 oz. dark colored spray bottle
1 cup Hydrogen Peroxide
1 cup distilled water (tap can be used as well)
20 drops Lemon essential oil
Hand Soap
8 oz foaming pump dispenser (or a spray bottle can be used)
2 TBS Liquid Castile Soap
1 TBS Olive Oil (you can use any liquid carrier oil you have on hand hand such as grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, or fractionated coconut oil)
Distilled water (tap can be used as well)
20 drops essential oil ( My fave are Lavender essential oil-good for the skin, or Thieves™ essential oil blend from Young Living™)
Give the recipes a try...you'll find it a nice surprise that it actually smells good to clean your home and your hands will be squeaky clean and moisturized!
For recipes, tips, tricks, and essential oil hacks delivered straight to your inbox, click HERE for 'The Weekly Oiler'.
Did you know that if you have a few basic ingredients in your home, you can easily start swapping out your store bought cleaners with healthier alternatives..oftentimes for much cheaper and without all the toxic yuck?
Simply put these on your grocery list:
- Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- Liquid Castile Soap
- Vodka
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Citric Acid (optional- I have a few great recipes that include citric acid and it is readily available & inexpensive on Amazon)
You might even have these ingredients already!
Using these ingredients you can safely and easily clean every surface in your home...including you-lol...
Over the next month, I'l be sharing some of my top home cleaning recipes mixing these ingredients with premium essential oils. You can really use any essential oil you like the aroma of, but here is a list of my must haves:
- Lemon
- Orange
- Pine
- Peppermint
- Lavender
- Thieves™ essential oil blend from Young Living™
- Purification™ essential oil blend from Young Living™
So add these must haves to your cleaning cabinet and get ready to start swapping out 1 product at a time...and don't worry, if you're not a DIY'r, I'll have my fave equivalent you can buy ready to go!
You are the gate keeper! Let's control what we can for the health of ourselves and our fur kids!
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