Spring is in the air, and I’ve spotted the daffodils popping up in places that always make me feel happy. Spring is one of my favourite times of the year, the days start to get longer and slightly warmer. It’s also a lovely reminder that summer is not far off.
For many, it is also the time of year when we start to do a big clear-out, get started on our spring cleaning and start to revamp the home in preparation for Easter. For many years this has meant chemical-heavy cleaning products which promise to get the job done in half the time, and with minimum effort.
But have you stopped to wonder how all those chemicals are really affecting us? Many contain harsh chemicals which are harmful to our health. If these products are used improperly or overused they can cause health problems for us such as headaches, nausea, and eye, nose, and throat irritation. In 2010 a study was conducted to find out if the endocrine-disrupting chemicals or mammary gland carcinogens that are contained in some household cleaning products may contribute to breast cancer. The report from the study suggests that exposure to chemicals from household cleaning products could be a reasonable cause of breast cancer. (Ref: ( https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20646273/)
Considering all the information available to us I feel it is important to take steps to use cleaning products safely by following the instructions carefully and using non-toxic products where possible. Even better why not try making your own natural cleaning products at home?
For simple weekly mops, I often use hot water and a few drops of essential oil that has anti-bacterial and or anti-viral properties. There are many essential oils that can help make effective cleaning agents for household chores minus the toxic chemicals. It is still important to use gloves to protect your hands when mixing ingredients and cleaning.
Here are some of the best essential oils for homemade cleaning solutions
- Lemon Essential Oil, known as “Liquid Sunshine”, has a fresh, clean, and invigorating scent and is known for being a natural degreaser. It is useful for helping to get rid of mould, stubborn dirt, grime, and dust. It can also be used on glass and mirrors for a streak-free clean. I often use a small amount on a soft cloth to gently wipe off the dust on bulbs.
- Lavender Essential Oil is one of my favourite oils with its relaxing and tranquil smell. It is perfect for refreshing linens and bedding; I often use a few drops on small squares of cut old linen and pop them into the corner of my linen and clothes cupboards. It also makes the perfect room spray which is a great alternative to toxic air fresheners. Lavender’s antiseptic, bactericidal properties gently tackle germs and odours without spreading them around.
To find out how air fresheners could be affecting your health click here
Peppermint Essential Oil has anti-microbial, anti-bacterial properties and a bold, fresh aroma, Peppermint Essential Oil is equally as versatile as Lavender and can be used almost everywhere in the home. It works well when blended with Lavender or Lemon essential oil to enhance and purify the air. Peppermint Oil can also be used to disinfect surfaces and act as a natural insect repellent. It is an oil I often use in my laundry. I pop a few drops onto a small piece of cloth I keep especially for the dryer. Not only does my laundry smell amazing and clean it also saves me the cost of buying expensive products to pop in the dryer as a small 10ml bottle of peppermint oil will last months.
Tea Tree Essential Oil is an anti-microbial, antibacterial, and antiseptic oil that helps remove bacteria and fungi from surfaces and purifies the air. It is versatile and can be used to clean surfaces in almost every room in the home, including the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and even walls and doors.
Rosemary Essential Oil has antibacterial, and antifungal properties and has a lovely herbaceous smell. It is an effective deodorizer that can eliminate musty smells in the air, on surfaces, on clothes, and even on the insides of shoes.
Orange Essential Oil has a zesty happy scent and can be used to disinfect kitchen items such as cutting boards, appliances, pots, and pans. It can also be blended and used as an all-purpose spray to enhance the cleansing properties.
Grapefruit Essential Oil is very useful for cutting through grease, soap scum, and build-up on multiple surfaces. Its citrusy scent makes it a choice for homemade air fresheners.
Important safety tips to follow around cleaning products
- Always use rubber gloves when cleaning products (even if they are natural)
- Always wash your hands up to the elbows with soap well after handling cleaning products
- Lock away your cleaning products after use so that children and or pets cannot gain access to them.
- If a cleaning product is accidentally consumed seek medical advice immediately and take the product with you to the emergency services so they can identify the chemicals.
