A young woman cleaning a wooden kitchen countertop using a homemade cleaning spray.
Common cleaning products like disinfectants, detergents, degreasers and surface cleaners often contain harsh chemicals (eg: formaldehyde, phthalates, butoxyethanol, chlorine, ammonia, etc.) that can be harmful to your health. Amber Boston Round
"VOCs and other chemicals released when using cleaning supplies contribute to chronic respiratory problems, allergic reactions and headaches," states the American Lung Association.
Moreover, young children who are exposed to high concentrations of fumes emitted from common household water-based cleaners and paints appear to have an increased risk of asthma, rhinitis, eczema, as well as multiple allergic diseases, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.
Switching to natural cleaning agents such as essential oils is a safer (and more eco-friendly) way to clean your home. Plus, they typically feature fresh, floral scents so they will also make your home smell good.
"Essential oils are plant extracts obtained by pressing and steaming different parts of plants, such as bark, flowers and leaves," says Yasmin Sharp, aromatherapy expert at Nikura.
Research indicates that certain essential oils have potent antimicrobial and disinfectant properties, making them powerful plant-based cleaners.
Here are five multipurpose essential oils that you can use around the house to clean every kind of surface:
Empty Perfume Roller Bottles For best results, always choose pure essential oils and use purified, distilled or filtered water for dilution. In addition, keep the solution in a glass spray bottle (preferably dark glass) as some essential oils contain compounds that can break down certain plastics over time, causing them to leach chemicals into the contents inside.