In my youth, I didn’t understand my mother’s insistence on keeping the house tidy and clean. I would have rather spent that time doing anything else. Now that I’ve spent some time “adulting” on my own, I’ve come to not only understand but also appreciate the peace of mind a clean house brings. Spring cleaning serves double duty for me. It’s not only the practical reminder to wash the baseboards and sweep behind the refrigerator, it’s also the time of year I refresh my DIY cleaning supplies. I’ve been creating my own cleaning products for years and love how easy and inexpensive they are to make. I also appreciate that they’re free of the synthetic chemicals found in many commercial cleaning products that can irritate your skin, eyes, and lungs, and are toxic to our environment. These eco-friendly cleaning recipes are easy to make for a spring cleaning spree and are great to keep on hand for the rest of the year.
Organic Fab-Breeze Refreshing Linen Spray
This organic linen spray is fabulous when sprayed on mattresses, pillows, bed linens, couches, and fabric chairs. One of my favorite ways to use it in spring cleaning is to spritz heavy blankets before putting them away for the summer months.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces organic lavandin hydrosol
- 3 ounces vodka
- 15 drops organic lavender essential oil
- 15 drops organic ylang-ylang essential oil
- 15 drops organic sweet orange essential oil
- 16-ounce spray bottle
Directions
Mix all ingredients together in the spray bottle and shake well to mix before each use.
Citrus Zinger Deodorizing Carpet Shake
The energizing aromas of sweet orange and fresh ginger are just the thing to clear away the winter blues and welcome spring into your home with zest!
Ingredients
- 1 cup baking soda
- 15 drops organic sweet orange essential oil
- 15 drops organic fresh ginger essential oil
Directions
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and use a funnel to transfer the mixture to a powder shaker or glass jar. Sprinkle the aromatic blend onto your carpet and allow to sit for 30 minutes, then vacuum as normal.
Sweet Citrus Fizzy Toilet Fresheners
These fizzies are a fun way to freshen your toilet and an unconventional way to bring aromatherapy into your bathroom.
Ingredients
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup citric acid
- 1/8 cup borax, optional
- 20 drops organic lemon essential oil
- 20 drops organic juniper berry essential oil
- 20 drops organic sweet orange essential oil
- Organic lemon thyme hydrosol
Directions
Note: Wear gloves and mix in a well-ventilated room.
Mix baking soda, citric acid, and borax in a non-reactive bowl, add 20 drops of lemon essential oil and stir well. Repeat with the juniper berry and sweet orange essential oils, adding 20 drops and stirring well after each addition. Next, add five spritzes of hydrosol into the mix and stir well. Continue to add five spritzes of hydrosol at a time, stirring until the mixture is just damp enough to hold its shape when squeezed together. Pack mixture into a soap mold or ice cube tray, or use a scoop to form small balls. The mixture will continue to puff up once it’s in the mold, so be sure to leave some room for this. Let the mixture dry overnight. Store your fizzies in an airtight container away from children and pets. When you’re ready to use them, toss one or two in the toilet, let it fully dissolve, swish with toilet brush, and flush.
Mountain Rose Herbs, 152 W 5th Ave., #3, 541/741-7307, mountainroseherbs.com
