Unlocking the Power of Essential Oils: Natural Solutions for Cleaner Spaces and Better Health
As he faced wounded soldiers in the Second World War, army surgeon Jean Valnet adopted a common form of antiseptics that have been used since the seventeenth century in the treatment of the soldiers' battle wounds — essential oil solutions.
In his book, The Practice of Aromatherapy, Valnet went on to cite different cases in which his patients were healed through aromatherapy, including a 31-year-old man with pulmonary tuberculosis who refused to undergo a recommended major operation in 1958.
Recently, researchers at the University of California, Irvine, discovered in a new clinical study that certain essential oils are great for memory loss. It showed how a nightly aromatherapy regimen for six months could improve cognitive abilities in older adults. These adults experienced significant improvements in word list recall as well as improved functioning in the part of the brain known as the left uncinate fasciculus, according to Medical News Today.
They were provided with a diffuser, which they were asked to turn on when they went to bed. And for two hours when they first went to sleep, they breathed in one of seven different scents, which they rotated nightly. The study found that using aromatherapy essential oils such as rose, lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint, orange and rosemary nightly, boosted word recall by 226% and improved the functioning of a key brain pathway that plays a role in learning and memory.
But this should come as no surprise. The use of essential oils for medicinal purposes goes back centuries and, as a result, in the world of eco-friendly cleaning, essential oils have become more than just a source of a pleasant fragrance. These natural oils provide a host of benefits that go far beyond what traditional cleaning products can offer. By using essential oils, you not only reduce the number of harmful chemicals in your home, but you also create a cleaner, safer and healthier environment for your family and pets.
These concentrated plant extracts have powerful properties that can tackle a range of cleaning and health challenges—from boosting your focus to eliminating stubborn mold. This is why essential oils have emerged as an integral part of green cleaning.
Essential oils like tea tree, lavender, and eucalyptus are not only known for their ability to kill germs, bacteria, and viruses naturally. When combined with simple household ingredients like vinegar or baking soda, these oils make a powerful and eco-friendly disinfectant. They are no longer only part of the arsenal for alternative medicine practitioners. They are becoming more mainstream. Not only do they kill bacteria, funguses and viruses, they can boost mood, reduce stress and inflammation as well as relieve headaches and improve sleep.
And their cleaning properties are just as versatile. They can be used to remove mold, kill bacteria, and get rid of stain while lifting your mood. There are no limits to what these gifts of nature can accomplish.
From mold remover to memory loss, essential oils have many cleaning and health benefits. In this blog, we’ll look at 11 of the top essential oils and their benefits in health and cleaning.
CEDARWOOD ESSENTIAL OIL
HEALTH BENEFITS: Cedarwood essential oil, which is extracted by distilling the leaves, bark, or needles of several cedar tree varieties, has antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It is also anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and can be used as an astringent and sedative. It is a popular ingredient in insect repellent, shampoo and deodorant. It can be used to help with anxiety by putting it on the palm of hands, inhale or apply to the back of neck or bottoms of feet. Add a drop to a drop of lavender and apply it to the affected area to get rid of psoriasis and eczema. And apply it with a drop of tea tree to get rid of blemishes. You can use cedarwood oil as aromatherapy, or with a carrier oil to apply on the skin.
CLEANING BENEFITS: You can create your very own floor cleaner with ½ cup white of distilled vinegar and ½ teaspoon of cedarwood oil. Just pour them into a bucket filled with 1 gallon of warm water and use a mop for cleaning your floors after sweeping and vacuuming.
To create a wood polish, mix 1/4 cup of olive oil with 10 to 20 drops of cedarwood essential oil. You can apply the mixture to the wood with a cloth and watch the wood's natural shine return in minutes. To create a natural wood preservative, mix 1 cup of mineral oil with 20 to 30 drops of cedarwood oil. Like the polish, apply this mixture with a clean cloth and let it soak for several hours. This is ideal for keeping pests away. You can also apply the oil directly to the wood during your regular cleaning routine. Cedarwood oil is a natural and effective way to treat unfinished wood, as it can help protect the wood from moisture and pests. It also provides a pleasant, woody aroma. When applied to untreated wood, it protects it from damage and decay.
CLOVE ESSENTIAL OIL
HEALTH BENEFITS: Clove essential oil is antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, regenerative and antioxidant. It has a wide variety of health benefits such as: improving liver and brain support by diluting and applying to bottoms of feet; immune boost by applying diluted (with a base or vegetable oil like coconut or jojoba oil that helps dilute essential oils) to the bottoms of the feet; virus and cold by applying diluted along the spine; circulation and hypertension by applying diluted to spine and bottoms of the feet to increase blood flow, and tooth pain and cavities by diluting and applying to affected area to numb and ease pain.
CLEANING BENEFITS: As an oven cleaner combine 1 cup warm water, 3 tbsps baking soda, 1 tbsp castile soap, 5 drops lemon essential oil, 5 drops clove essential oil in a spray bottle, shake thoroughly then spray the oven and let sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Use a damp scouring pad to clean then wipe with a sponge or cloth.
As a general cleaner, combine 2 cups water, 1 tsp of castile soap and few drops of clove in a spray bottle and with a microfiber cloth just spray and wipe surfaces in the home.
EUCALYPTUS ESSENTIAL OIL
HEALTH BENEFITS: Eucalyptus oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and is a great aid during the cold season as it can soothe a stuffed-up nose by opening your nasal passages so you can breathe easier. It can also relieve pain and fight against herpes simplex virus thanks to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. When using eucalyptus oil, be sure to dilute it before applying it to the skin. It should not be ingested and can have dangerous side effects on children and pets.
CLEANING BENEFITS: As a mold and mildew spray cleaner, dissolve 2 tablespoons of borax into 1¾ cup hot water and let it cool to room temperature and pour into a 16 fluid ounce spray bottle. Then add ¼ cup distilled white vinegar, ½ tsp eucalyptus essential oil, and ½ tsp lavender essential oil, shake thoroughly and spray affected area.
LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL
HEALTH BENEFITS: Lavender essential oil has a wide array of health benefits. It is antidepressant, antibacterial, analgesic, regenerative, relaxing, soothing and can be used as an astringent and a sedative. It can be added to your bath or diffuser as aromatherapy. It can also be added to water to make a room spray or body spritzer or combined with a base oil to make body oil. Lavender can help with stress and anxiety by applying it over your heart, on the back of your neck or inhaling from cupped hands. It can help with migraines and headaches by applying it to the back of the neck or to the temples. It can help with sleep issues by using a diffuser or applying it to the bottoms of your feet. Studies have shown that using lavender oil (and tea tree oil) can potentially disrupt hormones in young boys. It can be used to cleanse cuts, wounds and blisters as well as bug bites and hives by applying to the affected area.
CLEANING BENEFITS: Before the discovery of antiseptics, lavender was reportedly used as a cleaning agent in hospitals. As a disinfecting wipe, make a pile of 12 reusable paper towels, roll them and place them in a wide-mouth mason jar then pour into the jar 1 cup boiled and slightly cooled water, ½ cup distilled white vinegar, ¼ cup rubbing alcohol, 5 drops lavender essential oil and 5 drops lemon essential oil. Then shake jar to soak towels and use as needed. For a mold & mildew spray, combine 1 cup water, 10 drops tea tree oil and 10 drops lavender oil in a spray bottle and spray directly on mold or mildew spots. Let sit for 15-20 minutes, then scrub away.
LEMON ESSENTIAL OIL
HEALTH BENEFITS: Lemon essential oil, which is extracted from the peel of lemons, and has a wide array of health benefits such as reducing anxiety and depression; reducing pain and nausea as well as killing bacteria. As mentioned previously, it can also improve memory in older adults and even cognitive function in people with Alzheimer. Citrus oils, such as lemon and orange, are known to boost mood and energy levels. But there have been some reports that lemon oil can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and increase your risk of sunburn. Avoid direct sunlight exposure after use. This includes lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, lemongrass and bergamot oils.
CLEANING BENFITS: As a carpet stain remover, combine 2 cups warm water, ½ tsp castile soap or clear dish soap and 10 drops lemon essential oil in a spray bottle. Spray affected area, then gently blot with a clean dry cotton cloth. Once done, use another cloth soaked in warm water and squeezed dry to remove the residue by blotting. Do not rub as this with damaged the fibers of the carpet. For an all-purpose cleaner, combine 1 cup water, 1 cup white vinegar, 20 drops tea tree oil, 10 drops lemon oil. Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle and use it to clean countertops, sinks, and other surfaces.
LEMONGRASS ESSENTIAL OIL
HEALTH BENEFITS: Lemongrass essential oil has antibacterial properties, which makes it a great oil to use on wounds and to kill bacteria. It is also antifungal and can fight the fungus found in athlete’s foot, ringworm and jock itch. It also is known to help relieve stress, anxiety and depression.
Lemongrass oil is also reportedly able to help reduce blood sugar in those with type 2 diabetes. Be sure to use a carrier oil when applying it to the skin.
"In 1971 an Indian study was published which showed that lemongrass oil was slightly more effective against Staph. aureus than penicillin, and much more so than streptomycin," according to Robert Tisserand, author of Aromatherapy: To Heal and Tend the Body.
CLEANING BENEFITS: As a disinfectant, combine 30 drops of lemongrass oil with a 4:1 liter mixture of water and distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle and apply to surfaces around the home. It’s great for cleaning kitchen and bathroom counter-tops, nursery surfaces and children’s toys, and anywhere else you would use an all-purpose disinfectant cleaner. But avoid using this solution on natural stone surfaces such as granite or marble because of the acidic content.
ORANGE ESSENTIAL OIL
HEALTH BENEFITS: Orange essential oil, made from the rinds of the fruit, can be used to kill bacteria, reduce anxiety and ease pain. It can be used in a diffuser to help with memory loss or applied on the skin with a carrier oil. It can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight so be careful about using it before going outside.
CLEANING BENEFITS: As a wood cleaner, combine 1 cup olive, almond or fractionated coconut oil, ½ cup distilled water, 20 drops lemon essential, 10 drops orange essential oil in a spray bottle, shake thoroughly and spray onto a microfiber cloth then wipe any wood surface in a circular motion to clean and polish.
Also, as a drain cleaner, scent ¼ cup baking soda with 3 drops of orange essential oil, pour it down the drain, then pour ¼ cup distilled white vinegar. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes then pour hot water down the drain followed by cold water to unclog the drain.
PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL
HEALTH BENEFITS: This oil can be anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antimicrobial. It has a wide array of benefits such as lifting mood, helping digestion, fighting fatigue, easing headaches, and reducing gut spasms. And as previously mentioned, it can help boost memory. Also, peppermint tea works wonders in settling your stomach if you have irritable bowel or gastric irritation. Be sure to dilute this oil with a carrier oil when using it on the skin.
CLEANING BENEFITS: as a garbage can scented tablets combine 2 cups baking soda and 1 cup Epsom salts in a container. Then add ¼ cup water, 10 drops lemon essential oil, 5 drops peppermint essential oil and stir. Use a spoon to place mixture in an Ice cube tray, filling each space up to three-quarters and leave overnight to dry. Place one to two tablets in the bottom of your garbage can and store the rest in an airtight container. For air freshener spray, combine 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon vodka or rubbing alcohol and 15 drops of peppermint essential oil in a spray bottle and mist around your home for a fresh, uplifting scent.
ROSEMARY ESSENTIAL OIL
HEALTH BENEFITS: Rosemary essential oil helps in digestive and respiratory health, and in skincare. Regular use can stimulate the activity of antioxidants which aid in the fight against infection and disease and will help to boost your immune system. It has a wide array of health benefits such as: helping improve brain function; promote hair growth, reducing pain and stress as well as joint inflammation and lifting your mood. Rosemary oil is safe to use in aromatherapy and on the skin with a carrier oil. Still, if you’re pregnant or have epilepsy or high blood pressure, it’s advised to avoid using rosemary oil.
CLEANING BENEFITS: As a disinfecting spray, combine 50 drops rosemary oil and 10 oz. of water in a spray bottle. Shake well before using. It can be used as a carpet freshener, and to disinfect trash cans.
TEA TREE (MELALEUCA) ESSENTIAL OIL
HEALTH BENEFITS: Tea tree oil is antibacterial, anti-parasitic, antiviral, antimicrobial, and antifungal. It’s also a decongestant, analgesic, and antiseptic. To help remove acne simply dip a cotton swab into the oil and apply it to the acne; or dilute it with a carrier oil such as jojoba oil and place it on the affected area. One note of caution: Since tea tree oil can be neurotoxic, you shouldn’t diffuse it if you have small children or animals at home. You can use it to clean and disinfect wounds, apply to the abdomen to fight against diarrhea, apply on the area to prevent or get rid of cankers and cold sores; apply behind ear for ear infections and at the bottoms of feet to get rid of hives, rashes and itchy eyes. It can also help to deter mold, which can lead to various respiratory issues, allergies, and even skin irritation. By using essential oils like tea tree oil, you’re not only preventing mold growth but also promoting better indoor air quality, which is crucial for respiratory health.
CLEANING BENEFITS: as a disinfecting toilet bowl cleaner combine ½ cup baking soda, ¼ cup distilled white vinegar and 10 drops tea tree essential oil, mix until the baking soda dissolves, pour into the toilet and let sit for 5 to 15 minutes then scrub with a toilet brush and flush. As mold & mildew preventer, combine 2 cups water, 30 drops tea tree essential oil, 10 drops peppermint essential oil in a spray bottle, shake thoroughly then spray directly on mold or mildew and let sit. Repeat daily or weekly or as needed.
THYME ESSENTIAL OIL
HEALTH BENEFITS: Thyme essential oil is antiviral, analgesic, antirheumatic and antioxidant. It can be used to combat a wide range of illnesses and disease such as: cold, flu and viruses by inhaling; asthma, croup and pneumonia by inhaling or diluting with a carrier oil and massaging into chest; memory, concentration and depression by inhaling and applying to the back of the neck to increase brain health; apply to the bottoms of the feet for low blood pressure; hair loss, dandruff, buildup and lice by applying 1 drop of thyme essential oil to every tbsp of shampoo bottle, and fatigue, stress and depression by combining with basil to apply diluted to the back of the neck or inhaling. It can also ease pain and sore muscles by combining with wintergreen and applying to the area as well as get rid of acne.
To help achieve clearer, detoxified, and more balanced skin, it can be used in cleansing applications such as soaps, shower gels, facial oil cleansers, and body scrubs. To make a scrub, combine 1 cup of sugar and ¼ cup of a preferred carrier oil with 5 drops each of thyme, lemon, and grapefruit essential oils. Apply one palmful of this scrub onto wet skin in the shower, exfoliating in circular motions to reveal brighter, smoother skin.
CLEANING BENEFITS: Thyme essential oil works great in kitchen cleaners because of its wonderful herbal fragrance and antiviral ability. To make your own all-natural surface cleaner, combine 1 cup of distilled white vinegar, 1 cup of water, and 30 drops of thyme essential oil in a spray bottle. Cap the bottle and shake thoroughly to combine all ingredients then use it on countertops, floors, sinks, toilets, and other surfaces, except granite and marble.
As you can see, essential oils are much more than just a way to make your space smell great—they are an integral part of green cleaning and provide a wide range of health benefits. From disinfecting surfaces and combating mold to improving air quality and boosting focus, essential oils should become a staple in every home. And that's why they are an integral part of Nature Keen's cleaning regimen.
At Nature Kleen, we believe that cleaning doesn’t have to mean compromising your health or the environment. By incorporating essential oils in our green cleaning routine and our cleaning products, we embrace nature’s power while achieving sparkling clean results.
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