Cleaning Surfaces

Most surfaces around your home can be easily cleaned with kitchen ingredients that you probably have on hand, such as vinegar and liquid dishwashing soap. Essential oils add a pleasant fragrance and, in addition, many have antimicrobial properties, which make them excellent for killing the germs that cause colds, flus, and other infections. The following natural cleaners are non-toxic, inexpensive, and easy to make, and are good for removing dirt, grease, and grime.

Antiseptic hand soap
Essential oils such as lavender, eucalyptus, and lemon are natural antimicrobials.
250ml (8fl oz) liquid natural hand and body soap
30 drops lavender essential oil
20 drops eucalyptus essential oil
10 drops lemon essential oil
Combine the ingredients together in a plastic bottle or soap dispenser and mix well.

All-purpose spray
Borax, vinegar, and soap will dissolve dirt and greasy residues on surfaces around the home. Lavender and rosemary essential oils have natural antiseptic properties.
1 teaspoon borax
500ml (16fl oz) warm water
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon natural liquid dishwashing soap
10 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops rosemary essential oil
Combine the borax and water in a spray bottle and shake well. Add the vinegar, soap, and essential oils and shake again. Spray on surfaces such as countertops, walls, and woodworl and wipe clean with a sponge.

Soapy spray cleanser
Grimy, greasy surfaces need the added power of orange essential oil.
1 teaspoon borax
250ml (8fl oz) warm water
60ml (2fl oz) distilled white vinegar
60ml (2fl oz) natural liquid dishwashing soap
10 drops orange essential oil
Combine the borax and water in a spray bottle and shake well. Add vinegar, soap, and orange essential
oil and shake again. Spray on surface and wipe clean with a sponge. Rinse well with water.

Vinegar glass cleaner
A combination of white vinegar and water makes an inexpensive yet effective window and glass cleaner
Adding lemon essential oil gives a pleasing fragrance.
170ml (6fl oz) water
90ml (3fl oz) distilled white vinegar
2 drops lemon essential oil
Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. Spray on to surfaces and wipe with a clean, lint-free towel.

Heavy-duty glass cleaner
Windows sometimes need a stronger cleanser-adding a bit of soap helps to remove grease and grime.
250ml (8fl oz) distilled white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon natural liquid dishwashing soap
250ml (8fl oz) warm water
Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. Spray on to surfaces and wipe with a clean, lint-free towel.

Remedy for streaky windows
Streaky windows might be caused by a build-up of wax from previous commercial cleaners. Use this formula to remedy the problem, then switch to a simple water and vinegar window cleaner (see Vinegar glass cleaner).
125ml (4fl oz) isopropyl alcohol
125ml (4fl oz) warm water
1/4 teaspoon natural liquid dishwashing soap
Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake well. Spray on to windows and wipe dry with a clean, lint-free towel.