"If the facts don't fit the theory then change the facts"
Albert Einstein
The facts that have been imposed on us in the last 30 years about cleaning agents, just don't seem to fit the theory of having a clean home.
More and more evidence is revealing that chemical detergents are polluting our homes and creating environments that are affecting our health. The facts indicate that respiratory illness is now the leading cause of admissions to hospitals. Childhood asthma has risen exponentially. It is now estimated that cancer will affect 2-3 people in North America. These facts should lead us to a question. What is it that we are doing, that is creating an epidemic of poor and life threatening illness?
Extensive research is revealing that our everyday household products contain, chemicals that on a long term and short term basis will effect our health.
"These hard facts need to be replaced with old age remedies that were used to clean homes effectively."
Vinegar: A solution of acetic acid. Most vinegar contains 5% acetic acid in water. This cleans and deodorizes your home with anti-septic antibacterial properties with no streaking or residue build up.
Baking Soda: A white solid crystalline that appears as a fine powder. It is a phenomenal deodorizer for carpets refrigerators, upholstery drains, It polishes aluminum chrome and jewelry. Baking soda softens the water in your laundry and the bath tub. An excellent toothpaste and safe under arm deodorant.
Liquid Soap (Fragrance & SLS free Soap) Clear liquid soap that does not have any harsh chemicals. It can be used as a detergent, dishwashing liquid, hand and body soap.
Essential oils: Pure natural essential oils are a wonderful alternative to using artificial room fragrances and they also have the ability to remove airborne bacteria and infections that may effect the household. Keeping in mind that even though essential oils are natural and derived from pure botanical sources, over exposure to them may also have their contraindications.
Listed below you are essential oils that I highly recommend to use in your personalized cleaning products;
Lemon Citrus limon
The lovely citrus fragrance is uplifting and refreshing. It is always a compliment to any personalized cleaning product. Rejuvenating and refreshing, while contributing to the anti-septic and anti-bacterial effect of the environment. This oil may also be used as a bleach to lighten or remove stains.
Rosemary Rosemarinus officinalis:
A wonderful herbaceous fragrant that is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. This is an oil to use when air is infested with mildew and infections relating to respiratory tract, also it is insecticide: I would recommend spraying a mist of rosemary in cabinets, drawer, bathrooms, bath tub, garbage cans and other areas in the home that may accumulate mildew or fungus.
Eucalyptus Eucalyptus radiata
The freshness and the openness of the Eucalyptus essential oil will refresh the air. Leaving your home with the feeling of open space. This age old remedy has been used for medicinal purposes, cleaning agent to cleaning sticky grime and even removing adhesive glue. Now there is a vast amount of research that indicates that it is capable of killing dust mites, the number one cause of allergies.
Tea Tree Melaleuca alternifolia:
Tea tree strong anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antiseptic properties reduces the spread of infections and disinfects the areas of applications. Tea Tree will inhibit mildew build up in the home especially in bathroom and toilet bowls.
Lavandin: Lavendula X intermedia
The fresh floral fragrant of Lavandin is a wonderful fragrant is highly anti-septic, anti-bacterial; decongestant. Relieves any room with stagnant air circulation. Highly recommended when with a feeling contributing to an uplifting and clean aroma in your home.
Pine: Pine Sylvestris:
A fresh pine aroma leaving your home smelling like an alpine forest: Pine essential oil disinfects bacteria, cleans the home environment from dust and grime. Allows easy breathing. Recommended for colds and flues allowing easy breathing.
[Eco-friendly natural cleaners. Vinegar baking soda salt lemon and essential oil. Homemade green cleaning on white background.]
A few of my homemade cleaning products.
(Please note even though I use natural ingredients, I highly recommend to use gloves while cleaning to prevent dry chapped skin)
Lavandin & Pine All Purpose Cleaner
10 drops of Lavendin E.O
8 drops of Pine E.O.
1tbl of liquid soap.
1 litre of water. Add to bucket and clean areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Lavandin Glass Cleaner Spray
250 mls Vinegar
100 mls of water
20 drops of Lavandin.
Pour in spray bottle
Rosemary & Lemon Disinfectant & Deodorizer
10 drops of Lemon
8 drops of Rosemary
1tbl of grain Alcohol
100 mls of water.
In beaker or small cup add alcohol. then add the essential oils, then pour into 100 mls water. Add to spray bottle disinfect and deodorize after have washed and cleaned an area.
Lemon, Pine & Eucalyptus Carpet & Mattress Cleaner
15 drops of lemon essential oil
10 drops of pine essential oil
3 drops of Eucalyptus essential oil
2 cups of baking soda.
Add baking soda to mason jar. drop the 15 drops of lemon, 10 drops of pine 3 drops of Eucalyptus into the jar. Place lid and shake the jar well and to allow the essential oils to evaporate into the powder. Sprinkle the powder into carpets and mattress and leave for one hour. Then vacuum thoroughly. (While doing this make sure you do not have animals around)
Liquid Laundry detergent
1 litre of fragrance free sulphur free soap
1tbls of Lavandin essential oil.
Add ingredients together and put this in the soap section of your washing machine. For extra scent add a few drops of Lavandin to your rinse cycle.
Dust Mite Washing Solution
1/2 tbls. of Eucalyptus essential oil
1/2 tbls. Tea Tree essential oil
1 cup of vinegar.
Add this solution on the last spin of laundry. (Especially sheets)
Cleaning Paste (For cleaning sinks & bathrooms.
10 drops of Lemon essential oil
5 Drops of Tea Tree essential oil
5 drops of Rosemary essential oil
1 cup of baking soda
1 tbls of Vinegar, 5 tbls of water.
Start by creating a paste with the baking soda, vinegar and water. If mixture is liquify add more baking soda. If it to dry add 1tbl of water at at a time. Add essential oils to paste. Apply the paste to surface and let sit for 15 minutes. Wipe and rinse thoroughly.
Household & personal care products that may have synthetic chemicals and may create an unhealthy environment. Try to find products that do not have these chemicals in them.
Daily household products
Chemical Component
Symptoms
Shampoos
Cresol, formaldehydes, glycols nitrates/nitro amines
Sulfur compounds
Skin Irritants
Skin Irritants
Carcinogenic
Hair spray
Butane propellants
Skin Irritants
Eye Irritants
Carcinogenic
Anti-per spirants & deodorants
Aerosol propellants
Ammonia
Formaldehyde
Triclosan
Aluminum chlorhydrate
Skin Irritant
Eye Irritants
Carcinogenic
Moisturizers, Lotions & Cosmetics
Glycols
Phenols
Skin Irritants
Eye Irritant
Carcinogenic
Chlorine bleach
Sodium hypo chlorite
When combined with ammonia, it will release a dangerous gases
Respiratory disorders
Asthma
Metal Polish
Petroleum distillates
Eye irritation
Nervous disorders
Skin irritation
Short and long term exposure may effect kidneys
Glass Cleaners
Ammonia
Eye irritant
Headaches
Lung irritation
Disinfectants
Phenols & Cresols
Please note: These chemicals exist in natural essential oils.
Corrosive to skin
Fainting dizziness
Kidney
Liver damage
Furniture & Floor Polishes
Nitrobenzene
Skin discoloration
Shallow breathing
Vomiting
Cancer
Birth defects
Preservatives in cleaning products
Spray starch
Formaldehyde
Carcinogenic
Eye, skin & throat irritant
Spot Removers & Carpet Cleaners
perchloroethylene or 1-1-1 trichloroethane solvents
Liver damage
Carcinogen
Moth Balls
paradichlorobenzene
Carcinogenic
Long term exposure affects the nervous system
Eye irritant
Toilet bowl Cleaners
Hydrochloric acid or sodium acid sulfate
Long term use
Contact dermatitis
Eye irritation. When in straight contact with the eyes can cause blindness.
Danielle Sade B.Sc. & CAHP
Danielle Sade is the founder of Healing Fragrances School of Aromatherapy and has over 20 years experience in teaching and practicing holistic healing Internationally. Her travels have led her to create a unique approach to understanding and imparting Clinical and Holistic Aromatherapy.
Danielle includes many techniques to convey her information such as meditation, guided imagery and color therapy. Danielle's professional approach as well as her passion for teaching essential oils in an in-depth clinical study sets her apart from other teachers and practitioners.
Danielle promotes health, nutrition and lifestyle awareness for her clients, offering
Seminars & Workshops (Natural Skin Care and Signature Perfumes)
Certification classes (Clinical Aromatherapy)
Spa consultations
Product consultation (Natural skin care, Perfumes and Healthy Enviromental Cleaning)
Healing Fragrances School of Aromatherapy Absolute Aromas Canada
