The first morning of the year that the hint of warm spring breeze makes its way to my house means one thing: It’s time for spring cleaning. I couldn’t tell you exactly what it is, but there’s something about that special breeze that always gets me itching to clean up and clean out.
Instead of filling my house with unnecessary toxic cleaners, I prefer to make my own. Not only do they help to get the house clean, but my favorites have great uplifting scents that always seem to help the cleaning process. Sweet orange essential oil is known to be a “happy,” invigorating scent that is known in aromatherapy to help with things like anxiety. I always knew that spring cleaning was a special kind of therapy!
Below is the recipe for one of my favorite all-purpose cleaners that use sweet orange essential oil. This cleaner is great for use on non-porous surfaces, such as kitchen counters and bathtubs. For any surface you aren’t sure about using it on, test in a small, inconspicuous area first.
This cleaner only takes minutes to mix together, and it has a great citrus scent that will help lift your mood. Note that you should use filtered water in this recipe, especially if you have hard water, as water’s mineral content has the tendency to stain surfaces over time. Both grapefruit and sweet orange essential oils used here have antibacterial properties, which make them great for cleaning germ-filled spaces, like kitchens and bathrooms.
Materials You Need
- 16-ounce spray bottle
- 2 cups filtered water
- 10 drops sweet orange essential oil
- 5 drops grapefruit essential oil
Preparation
Mix all ingredients together in the clean, empty spray bottle. Give the bottle a shake before spraying to help distribute the oils evenly. Spray onto surface you would like to clean and wipe off with a dry towel.
| About Merissa Alink Merissa Alink believes in making the most with what you have. She blogs about simple living, modern homesteading, and from-scratch recipes at Little House Living and joins us each month on The Craft Hub with sewing projects you can incorporate into your own home. |
