Recipe : Natural Drain Cleaner

This is a simple recipe for those who want to try an alternative to harsh chemical drain cleaners.

Baking soda is used as the base and when combined with vinegar, an acid, reacts to form carbon dioxide and sodium acetate.

I also like to add about 5 drops of essential oils to help remove the stinky smell that can form when drain becomes blocked. I find peppermint or eucalyptus oil works the best. Just avoid standing with your face over the drain when pouring the vinegar and boiling water.

Note: You may need to use a larger amount for bigger bathroom drains. I used a whole cup of baking soda and vinegar for the floor drain in my bathroom which was starting to smell a bit funky.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1 jug boiling water
• Optional - 5 drops essential oil
  (eg. eucalyptus, peppermint or clove bud)

Directions :

• Pull out any gunk or hair stuck in drain.
• Pour baking soda down drain hole.
• Pour vinegar down drain hole.
• Optional - Add essential oil to drain. 
• Allow to fizz and sit for 5 minutes. 
• Pour jug of boiling water down drain. 
• Repeat if necessary.

Let me know if this home made drain cleaner works for you!

Related Products:

Essential Oil Blend - Clean & Fresh

Essential Oil Blend - Germ Free

 
Related article : 12 essential oils for cleaning the house.

DIY Incense Sticks

Unfragranced incense sticks enable you to create your own mood enhancers using essential oils. (purchase here)

Directions :

 

1. Using a long flat dish, drop approx 20 drops of essential oil along each incense stick.

2. Roll the stick in any remaining oil to coat the stick evenly. ( It's recommended to wear gloves while applying the essential oils )

3. Let dry overnight before burning.

An olive dish works well

I used this flat dish to do multiple sticks

My incense sticks left to dry in an old jar

Alternatively the fragrance strength of the oils can be decreased by diluting them with a base oil such as Di Propylene Glycol to 15%.

Dip your sticks in or spray them with the mixture and allow them to dry.

Purchase unfragranced incense sticks here :

Incense Sticks (Unfragranced)

12 Essential Oils For Cleaning The House

Essential oils that can be used to make your own natural cleaning and laundry products ~

1 - Lemon
Lemon essential oil has a clean, fresh scent that is often associated with house cleaning. It is perhaps the most common scent of household cleaners, because it's scent is often associated with a feeling of freshness and cleanliness. Lemon blends well with other citrus and floral essential oils, and also with many other essential oils. Like most citrus essential oils it is very good at cutting grease and mould which is another reason they are often used in cleaning recipes. Lemon essential oil is antiseptic, antimicrobial, and bactericidal. SHOP >

2 - Cinnamon
Cinnamon essential oil, also known as cinnamon leaf or bark essential oil, has a spicy and sweet scent. It blends well with orange, and can also make a room feel like it's Christmas time. Generally, cinnamon should not be used alone in a homemade cleaner, but just added for an additional warming touch in small quantities. Cinnamon essential oil has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. A recent study showed that cinnamon zapped E. coli dead. SHOP >

3 - Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus essential oil has a sharp, fresh smell with a bit of camphor and woody smell mixed in as well. Eucalyptus oil blends well with pine, rosemary and tea tree oils, and also lavender and lemon essential oils. It’s a bit of an all-rounder because it has so many great properties that make it fantastic for cleaning – it’s an anti fungal, antibacterial, antiviral and deodorizer. SHOP >

 
4 - Lemongrass
Lemongrass has a fresh lemony scent, with hints of grass and hay. Lemongrass oil blends well with most floral and citrus essential oils, and also with rosemary. It should be used in moderation, most usually blended with another oil.It also has some antiseptic and deodorizing properties, which are helpful in homemade cleaners. SHOP > 

5 - Peppermint
Peppermint essential oil is a favourite for many people that make their own cleaning products, because of it's refreshing, bright minty smell.It blends well with several other popular essential oils for cleaning, including lavender, eucalyptus, lemon and rosemary. An added use of peppermint oil is as a natural pest deterrent. The cleaning power of peppermint oil is due to it's antiseptic properties. SHOP >
 
6 - Clove Bud
Clove essential oil has a sweet, spicy fragrance that is stimulating and revitalising. It is an excellent mould killer due to having the highest eugenol content of all essential oils. It is the eugenol that attacks and kills the spores rather than just bleaching them, thus preventing mould build-up. The eugenol in clove bud has antifungal, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties. SHOP >
 
7 - Tea Tree

Tea tree essential oil is a very useful essential oil for cleaning because of its antiseptic, antimicrobial and antifungal properties. It has a scent that is warm and spicy, but also has a camphor, medicinal undertone. Therefore, I suggest that it be blended with another essential oil for fragrance. Tea tree oil blends well with other common essential oils for cleaning, such as lavender, pine and eucalyptus. SHOP >

8 - Grapefruit

Pink grapefruit essential oil is a citrus oil that smells clean, light and a bit sharp, but still fruity. Grapefruit oil blends well with other citrus oils, and also with rosemary and lavender oil. Many people enjoy the scent of grapefruit in their cleaner because it is also reviving and refreshing. Like most citrus oils it is also good for cutting grease. SHOP >

9 - Lavender

Lavender essential oil has a clean, floral, fresh scent which soothes, calms and relaxes. Lavender is the most popular floral scent for cleaning supplies, and it is probably also one of the most popular oils for aromatherapy uses as well. One of the reasons for this, beside its nice scent, is that lavender blends well with many other essential oils, including citruses and other florals. It's antiseptic, antiviral, bactericidal, and fungicidal actions make it particularly effective for cleaning. Lavender is commonly used to help scent laundry. SHOP > 

10 - Pine

Pine essential oil is another very common scent for homemade cleaning products, and has a distinctively pine needle scent. Pine oil has antimicrobial properties, and can also act as a deodorizer. It blends well with eucalyptus, lemon and lavender. SHOP >

11 - Rosemary

Rosemary essential oil has an herbaceous smell, and is antiseptic in nature so it can be useful for cleaning in your home. It blends well with lavender and pine. SHOP >

12 - Orange

Sweet Orange essential oil has a sweet, fresh fruity scent, which has a refreshing and cheerful fragrance. It blends well with other citrus essential oils, and also with geranium. Orange oil is also a powerful cleaner, so it can be useful in cleaners needed to remove tough stains and grime. SHOP >

Some simple DIY recipes you might like to try : 

Air Freshener :  Mix a quarter of a teaspoon (about 15 drops) of essential oil with half a teaspoon of vodka or natural dispersing agent. Place in a large atomiser/spray bottle and add 2 cups of water.

Floor Cleaner : Add approx 20 drops of essential oil to a bucket of hot water then mop the floors. You can also add some white vinegar or natural castile soap.

Surface Spray :  Mix approx 20 drops of essential oil like orange with a half a cup of white vinegar, place in a large atomiser/spray bottle and fill with water. Shake well before use.

Mould Remover / Preventer :  Add 10 drops of essential oil like clove, lemon or eucalyptus to a cup of hot water – use to wipe down all the surfaces in your bathroom or fridge or wherever you’re prone to finding mould. Can also be used in a spray bottle with some water and vinegar (see recipe).

Adhesive Remover : Use straight essential oil like orange to remove sticker/decal residue from glass.

Toilet Disinfectant :  Mix 50ml of essential oil like eucalyptus with a litre of water. Try to avoid essential oils directly touching plastic surfaces as they may deteriorate over time.

Linen Spray :  Add 10 drops essential oil like lavender and 2 tablespoons of witch hazel to a small 100ml sized spray bottle and fill with water. Shake well. Spray onto clothes when ironing.

Stain Remover : Lemon essential oil can be rubbed on laundry stains prior to washing and to also help remove greasy/oily smells. 

Kill Dust Mites :  Add about 20 drops of essential oil like eucalyptus or lavender to your washing cycle when washing linens, towels, quilts, blankets or pillows. Add some white vinegar to the rinse cycle to help soften laundry. Try to avoid essential oils touching plastic surfaces by adding them directly to the wash. 

Dryer Sheets :  Put a couple of drop of essential oil on a dish cloth or face washer and place it in the clothes dryer to make both the linen & the house smell fresher.

Pest Deterrent : Put 3 or 4 drops of eucalyptus or peppermint on a cotton ball and place in the areas where ants, cockroaches, spiders, moths, and silverfish hang out.

Whilst essential oils are natural, they should still be used with caution.
Please refer to directions of each essential oil before use.  

Related Products:

Essential Oil Blend - Clean & Fresh

Essential Oil Blend - Germ Free

Aromatherapy Mist - Clean & Fresh

 

Please note this information is for educational purposes only.

© Aromatherapy For Australia
Please feel free to share this article but do not claim this information or graphics to be your own.

 

Recipe : Cold & Flu - Chest Rub + Germ Spray

 Use this chest rub at the first sign of when you think a cold and flu might be coming on. The chest rub and germ fighting spray can both be used as  preventative methods if people in your family or around you are sick. Diffusing the essential oils used in these recipes will also help to fight airborne germs. 

<< RECIPE : CHEST RUB >>
(For 10 years & up)

INGREDIENTS :

• 1/2 cup coconut oil [SHOP ONLINE]
•  2 teaspoons vegetable oil (eg olive) [SHOP ONLINE]
• 15 drops basil sweet essential oil [SHOP ONLINE]
• 15 drops eucalyptus essential oil [SHOP ONLINE]
• 10 drops lemon essential oil [SHOP ONLINE]
•  10 drops peppermint essential oil [SHOP ONLINE]
•  5 drops sandalwood essential oil [SHOP ONLINE]
• 5 drops tea tree essential oil [SHOP ONLINE]
  
  METHOD:

• Combine in a glass bowl or add directly into jar and stir well.
• Store in glass jars with tight lids. 
• If making a smaller amount use approx 30 drops total of essential oil per 50grams of coconut oil. Which is approx half the amount of recipe above.
• Rub on the chest and neck area every few hours or as needed to help ease coughing or a sore throat. 
• Can also be applied to the feet at night and then cover with socks for sleep.
• I usually keep the jar in the fridge when not in use to keep it fresh and the coconut oil a firm consistency. You may need to use a spoon to scoop it out and then warm it up with hands prior to rubbing onto skin.
• Alternatively you could add 2 table spoons of melted beeswax or candelilla wax to make it more balm like.
• Other great oils you could use to replace some oils are - Red Myrtle, Eucalyptus Peppermint, Scots Pine, or Rosemary CT2 essential oil etc. I prefer to keep the basil, lemon , eucalyptus & peppermint as the main components of the blend.

SOME ESSENTIAL OIL PROPERTIES:

Lemon essential oil is antibacterial and also an expectorant. It can be diffused to kill airborne bacteria and can also be used to help slow wheezing and upper respiratory problems.

Basil (Sweet) contains a balance of linalool and methyl chavicol. It can be used diluted to help with headaches associated with cold and flu, ear aches, sore throats and to help ease coughing combine in a chest rub.

Eucalyptus essential oil is excellent for aiding in the relief of many respiratory complaints, expectorant and anti-infectious. Seen as a potential anti-viral essence, Eucalyptus radiata has good ‘toning’ qualities, for boosting our Defensive Qi, the ‘energetic’ aspect of our immune system. Singly distilled (not rectified) from ACO certified organic tree.

You can also use these oils in the diffuser or place a few drops in a bowl of hot water for a steam inhalation.

<< RECIPE : GERM SPRAY >> 

This recipe  is for a 50ml travel size bottle. Increase amounts according to the bottle size you will be using.

INGREDIENTS:

• 50ml water
• 10 drops lemon essential oil [SHOP ONLINE]
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil [SHOP ONLINE]
• 5 drops eucalyptus essential oil [SHOP ONLINE]
• 20 drops disper [SHOP ONLINE]

METHOD:

• Add oils & disper directly to a dark coloured spray bottle then fill with water.

• Spray before going out in public.

• Can be used as a hand sanitiser.

• Avoid spraying into eyes.

• Can be also used to spray around the home or on furniture.

 

Recipe : Homemade Natural Foundation Powder

Ingredients :

    - Arrowroot flour/starch
    - Cocoa powder or cacao powder
    - Cinnamon (ground)
    - Nutmeg (ground)
    - Ginger (ground)
    - Bentonite clay [shop online]
    - Vitamin E liquid [shop online]
    - Pure lavender essential oil [shop online]

Method :

1. Gather your ingredients and a non-metallic bowl (Bentonite Clay should not come in contact with metal).
   
2. The amount you use of each ingredient will greatly depend on your skin complexion. So start with a 1/4 cup arrowroot flour/starch. This is your base. You can go back later and add more if you need a lighter powder.
     
3.  Add 4 Tablespoons cocoa / cacao powder to begin . (if you have darked toned skin add more as required)
    
4.  Add 1/4 teaspoon each of the ground nutmeg and ginger (if you have more of an olive skin complexion you may need more)
     
5.  Add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
       
6. Add 2 teaspoons bentonite clay
       
7. Add 10 drops of the vitamin E liquid
       
8. Add 12 drops of lavender essential oil
    
9. Mix all your ingredients in the bowl, starting with the arrowroot as your base. Add each ingredient as listed above. Whisk together. Test the color by placing a small amount on your face (or arm) with your finger. It may take a little tweaking the first time to make the perfect shade for your complexion. Keep record of the amounts used once you have made and tested your first batch.
   
   
10. Store your foundation powder in a small container and use a sponge or brush to apply.
    

DIY Natural Liquid Hand Soap

Ingredients :
1/3 cup Liquid unscented Castile soap (shop)
2/3 cup filtered or distilled water
15 Drops Essential Oils (shop)

To make antibacterial hand wash:
Use essential oils with antibacterial properties such as lemon, tea tree, clove, lemongrass, grapefruit, orange & bergamot etc.

Essential oil combinations you could try -
lavender & rosemary
Lemon & Peppermint
Grapefruit & Jasmine
Lemongrass & Eucalyptus
Sandalwood & Geranium
Orange & Cinnamon

     

Mix the ingredients in a pump dispenser bottle.

Thieves

 Thieves® was created based on research about four thieves in France who protected themselves with cloves, rosemary, and other aromatics while robbing plague victims. This proprietary blend was university tested and found to be highly effective fortifying defenses.

Thieves® oil blend is an integral ingredient in Thieves® Household Cleaner, Thieves® Spray, Thieves® Wipes, Thieves® Dentarome Plus™ and Thieves® Dentarome Ultra™ toothpastes, and Thieves® Fresh Essence Plus™ Mouthwash.

Thieves Spray contains all-natural ingredients formulated to distribute the power of therapeutic-grade essential oils in your home and during travel. It is ideal for use on door handles, toilet seats and any surface that needs cleansing.

Thieves® Waterless Hand Purifier is an all-natural purifier designed to cleanse and refresh the hands. It can be used by adults and children to keep hands clean and promote good hygiene, without the use of water. It's a fantastic travel companion no matter where you are. Dermatologist tested.

Contains: Clove (Syzygium aromaticum), lemon (Citrus limon), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), Eucalyptus radiata and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis CT 1,8 cineol).

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