Make Your Own Aromatherapy Cleanser

Try this super easy, powerful aromatherapy cleanser to lift your mood and scrub away the toughest dirt, grease, and grime. The baking soda is non-abrasive, but effective in cleaning many surfaces, such as sinks, countertops, stoves, cooktops, showers, and bathtubs. The essential oils – the aromatherapy component – add antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties to your cleanser, so they really do enhance its cleansing action.

As a bonus, essential oils even provide some health benefits while you clean, such as calming the nervous system and boosting the immune system. Because they come directly from plants, they are also environmentally friendly and biodegradable, which is a must for green cleaning.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
• 16 drops of essential oil

Preparation:

1. Choose one or a combination of essential oils. (See more information below.)
2. Add the essential oils to the baking soda in a bowl being sure to disperse the essential oil drops throughout the mixture evenly.
3. Blend well with a non-metal spoon making sure to break up all of the clumps. (Essential oils can react with metals.)
4. Store the mixture in an airtight container preferably made of glass.
5. To use, scoop out the amount you need, shake it on the area to be cleaned, and moisten the mixture with a damp sponge to clean.
6. Rinse well.

Depending on your "mood," try these scents, which are combinations of the top five essential oils to use in your green cleaning.

• Lavender with tea tree: Relax and clean away with this disinfecting combo great for bathrooms and kitchens.
• Lavender and orange: Lift your spirits with this potent combination that cuts through grease and grime and is especially good for cooktops, ovens, grills, and stoves.
• Lavender and peppermint: Get pepped up for cleaning with this relaxing and energizing scent which is really nice to use for general cleaning especially at the end of a long work day.
• Lemon: Brighten your mood and get ready to tackle tough cleaning, such as dirt, grease, and grime, with this old-time cleaning favorite.

Tip: For extra cleansing action, moisten your sponge with a combination of equal parts water and vinegar, which due to its low pH and acetic acid content is great at deodorizing, disinfecting, and cutting through mineral build-up, soap scum, grease, and cooked-on food. Or use the cleanser to clean the toilet, by pouring in some vinegar and scrubbing away! Then notice how mineral and mildew stains easily disappear.

Caution! It is important that you use essential oils safely. If you get essential oils in your eyes, flush with water for 10-15 minutes. Consult a doctor if irritation persists. If you get essential oils on your skin, wash with soapy warm water. One exception: Lavender doesn't harm the skin; in fact, it is often used directly on the skin to treat burns, insect bites, etc.