Shh…. The Dirty, Toxic Secret of a Sanitary Home: How Essential Oils Can Safely Keep Your Home Clean While Enhancing Your Health

The Dangers of Living in a Chemical World

For the past several weeks, we’ve been exploring how the countless chemicals in the world we live in can sabotage our health goals. These unavoidable hazardous substances have been linked to various chronic diseases and dysfunctions including cancer, reproductive issues, metabolic dysfunction, diabetes, psychiatric disorders, and more.

Even more concerning is that many people may be suffering from the unwanted impact of these ubiquitous, unregulated chemicals without knowing it. This is because no matter how careful we are, we cannot escape exposure to them. They are in our food, water, cleaning products, and consumer goods. These toxins persist in our body and accumulate, leading to subtle or not-so-subtle symptoms. They are an unappreciated and under-recognized source of global economic and medical burdens.

Gratefully, there are natural solutions to mitigate the effects of these detrimental compounds, but we must first be aware of the problem. For example, we may try to keep our home sanatized to prevent allergens and microbes from robbing our health, but not realize that conventional cleaning products can trump our desire to achieve wellness.

 

Essential Oils: Removing the Harm While Addressing the Toxic Problem

Limiting my clients’ exposures to chemicals is a priority of mine. It is in alignment with some of the key tenants of naturopathic medicine which are (1) to treat the cause of the disease and (2) to remove the obstacles to cure. Both are needed to achieve lasting health results. For example, one can have the perfect intervention to treat a symptom or disease process. Yet, toxic compounds can block their recovery and contribute to recurring illnesses.

One of my favorite modalities that can help to protect and defend us from hazardous substances are essential oils. In our previous post, we discussed how the biochemical properties of our aromatic allies can help safeguard us from the effects of environmental harms. This is based on their multiple actions which include their ability to:

• modulate inflammation
• balance hormones and neurotransmitters
• influence the stress response
• support mood
• ward off microbes
• assist with digestion and elimination and a healthy microbiome
• act as cellular protectors (antioxidants)

In this post, I will review another way essential oils can shied us from chemical overload. Specifically, I will highlight how to safely keep your home sanitary and boost your health through incorporating these medicinal scents into your cleaning products.

Topics include:

• The dirty, hazardous secret inside cleaning products
• Essential oil DIY cleaning recipes
• Why fragrances are toxic
• How to find your safe, signature scent with Wyld Notes

As always, all the links to the studies and references will be within this accompanying article and in the resource section.

So, let’s get started.

 

The Dirty, Hidden Secrets in Cleaning Products

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) some of the worst offenders to our health are chemicals found in cleaning products. According to EWG, here are some of the main ones to be weary of:

• Ethylene glycol ethers – including harsh solvents like 2-butyoxyethanol and butyoxydiglycol in soil and stain removers. They’re hazardous air pollutants linked to reproductive and developmental effects. 
• Sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid – corrosive chemicals that can cause severe skin and eye damage. They’re typically found in products like oven cleaners, drain openers, hard water stain removers and toilet cleaners. 
• Quaternary ammonium compounds, or quats, found in fabric softeners and disinfectants and sanitizers. They’ve been linked to asthma as well as reproductive harm and birth defects in animals. Avoid distearyldimonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride and other ingredients ending in “-onium chloride,” as well as non-specific terms like “cationic surfactant.”
• Sodium hypochlorite, the active ingredient in chlorine bleach, which is associated with respiratory damage. 

The EWG website also lists alternatives and safe cleaning products. If you want ready-done products, you can use these options and add essential oils to them to capitalize on the wellness benefits of aromatherapy.

For those who are DIYers (Do-It-Yourselfers), I’ll now share some great cleaning recipes with our favorite therapeutic aromatics.

 

Boosting Your Health as You Clean Up Your Home

By using essential oils in your DIY cleaning products you can create wallet-friendly, safe recipes that can make your home cleaner as they soothe your mind-body and support wellness.

Here are some DIYs from various sources.

All Purpose Cleaner (Dr. Northrup)

• 2 cups white distilled vinegar
• 2 cups water
• Essential oils
  

My favorite oils to add: 2 drops lemon to 1 drop tea tree, or 3 drops of any citrus oil.

 

Soft Scrub (Dr. Northrup)

• 2 cups baking soda
• ½ cup to 2/3 cup liquid castile soap
• 4 teaspoons vegetable glycerin (preservative)
• 5 drops essential oils

Some of my favorite oils to add into this formula are tea tree, orange, and lemon. They provide an immune and mood boosting lift while disinfecting.

 

Natural Living Family is another great source of non-branded essential oils DIYs.

Two of their cleaning recipes are cut and pasted below:

 

Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner With Mood-Boosting Essential Oils

Author: Mama Z

Equipment

• Glass jar with a shaker lid
• Microfiber cloth (white)

Materials

• ½ cup baking soda
• 5 drops lemon essential oil
• 5 drops sweet or wild orange essential oil
• 5 drops grapefruit essential oil

Instructions

• Combine the baking soda and essential oils in a glass jar and shake until thoroughly mixed. The mixture will be powdery, like a conventional store-bought cleaner.
• Use as you would a typical cleaner. Sprinkle on the surface you want to clean, then use a damp cloth to make a paste and scrub. Wipe away with a clean, wet cloth.

Notes

I like cheese shakers for this because they make it easy to use, but any glass jar with a shaker lid will do!

For extra cleaning power, spray the soiled area with organic distilled white vinegar before sprinkling on the cleanser and add an additional drop of one of the essential oils to the surface.

 

Homemade Kitchen Cleaner With Refreshing Essential Oils

Author: Mama Z

Equipment

• Glass spray bottle

Materials

• 4 ounces organic distilled white vinegar *
• 10 drops lemongrass essential oil
• 10 drops tea tree essential oil
• 5 drops lemon eucalyptus essential oil
• 5 drops citronella essential oil
• 1 cup purified OR distilled water

Instructions

• Pour all the ingredients into a glass spray bottle and shake to evenly combine.
• Spray kitchen surfaces and wipe down.

Notes

Because this recipe contains essential oils, it’s best to store it in a dark, dry spot. I usually keep my DIY cleaning products under the kitchen sink!

For extremely tough messes, try spraying the surface and letting the cleaner sit for about five minutes before scrubbing.

You can switch up the scent of this spray if you like. Try replacing a citrus-based oil with lavender or magnolia!

*Vinegar can damage granite countertops. Replace the vinegar with 70% isopropyl alcohol or 190-proof grain alcohol (or the highest-proof alcohol you can get).

 

Don’t Forget to Toss Out the Dangerous Fragrances and Plug-Ins

Synthetic fragrances are another category of chemicals you want to avoid in your environment, as they are not safe for your health or your loved ones.

According to Natural Living Family:

Around 4,000 fragrance ingredients are disclosed on the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) transparency list, (1) and many of them are known to cause serious health problems such as cancer, respiratory difficulty, and hormone imbalances. This means that the word “fragrance” on a label can be any one or a combination of over 4,000 ingredients!

Something else that causes concern is the concentration of artificial fragrances in enclosed spaces with inadequate ventilation, including most vehicles and offices, and many homes; modern homes are designed to be as airtight as possible. They are designed for comfort, cost-effectiveness, and convenience, not health and wellness. This may save on our utility bills, but it exacerbates the issue of indoor air pollution from artificial fragrances (as well as other sources).

These fragrances can lead to skin irritations, dry eyes, debilitating migraines, as well as various serious issues. (Read more about the sneaky, harmful toxins in fragrances here.)

Essential oils are a way to make the home smell wonderful without any of these side effects. I personally use an air purifier to clean up my air and a diffuser to create a heavenly scent to enhance health, not negative reactions.

 

Want a Signature Scent That is Toxin Free?

Another hidden source of chemical exposure is the perfumes and colognes that we wear which exude from us onto unsuspecting inhalants! Due to the toxicity of these fragrances, many have sworn off a personal signature scent and have chosen to use essential oils as natural fragrances.

Now, we can get the best of both worlds.

Recently, I was introduced to a way that we can combine the benefits of our essential oils with the allure of our own, natural, clean, signature scent!

I was so excited to find this “non-toxic perfume” that is good for us and loving to our planet, that I became an affiliate!

Now, I want to share it with you.

It’s called Wyld Notes and their fragrances are crafted with a deep commitment to purity and global wellness. They state, “Each note reflects the vibrant, untamed beauty of nature, brought to life through farming practices that restore, protect, and honor the earth we all share.”

I can’t wait to receive my sample kit, as many of my friends and colleagues are raving about them (making me jealous).

Curious to find your own natural signature scent?

You can take the Wyld Notes quiz to find your signature sent and learn more here.

 

Summing Up the Ways Essential Oils Can Help to Keep Us Safe in a Toxic World by Creating Healthy Homes

Our environment is full of harmful chemicals that are unregulated, ubiquitous, persistent, and linked to chronic diseases. Our own cleaning products and fragrances can add to our health issues by compounding our exposure to them. By using safer options to spruce up our space and adding essential oils into the mix, we not only keep our homes healthy, but also our family. We can also create our own non-toxic signature scent to enhance our air quality and uplift the environment with Wyld Notes.

What do you think?

After reading the blog or watching the video, I’d love to hear from you on how you use essential oils to support your health and to keep you safe in this toxic world.

Thank you so much for taking the time to learn how to nurture your mind, body, heart, and soul.

Sending you many blessings.

 

Interested in learning more about essential oils?

• Sign-up for my free weekly newsletter.
• I offer free resources and more education on essential oils and mind-body wellness which are accessible here.
• Learn about my community membership program that provides full access to my essential oils database, essential oils course, Q&As, and exclusive content.
• Spring Refresh Non-Toxic Cleaning and Home Products
• Take the Wyld Notes quiz to find your signature scent and learn more here. Click here for your 10% coupon code.

 

Resources

• Four Ways that Essential Oils Gently, Yet Powerfully Aid Detoxification and Cleansing (My article with references)
• The Three Dangers of Detoxes and Cleanses That No One is Talking About (My article with references)
• How Diet Culture Messages About Cleanses, Detoxes, and Healthcare Can Backfire: Part 1 (My video blog with references)
• How Diet Culture Messages About Cleanses, Detoxes, and Healthcare Can Backfire: Part 2 (My video blog with references
• Personalized Medicine: Why A One Diet-Fits-All Approach to Food Goes Against Naturopathic Principles (My article with references)
• Resources for Living a Healthy, Non-Toxic Life for Better Mind-Body Balance: Greener Living with Clean Food, Safe Cosmetics, Chemical-Free Household Products, and Quality Water (My article with references)
• Why Cleanse and Detoxify in Our Toxic-Soup, Chemical World? A HAES (Health at Every Size) and Naturopathic Perspective: Part II (My article)
• The Therapeutic Order (AANMC article)
• What Is Environmental Medicine? (National Association of Envriornmental Medicine article)
• Do We Really Need to Cleanse and Detoxify in Our Chemical World? A HAES (Health at Every Size) and Naturopathic Perspective on Shielding the Body from Toxic Insults: Part I (My article with references)
• The Unclean Truth That is Finally Spreading and Why We Should Know About It (Part 1) (My article on NaturalPath)
• Psst…The Dirty Little Secret That May Kill You! Is There Hope for a “Cleaner” Future? (My article on Natural Path)
• 10 Non-Toxic Cleaning Products For Spring Cleaning (Dr. Northrup)
• Are Air Fresheners Bad for You (Natural Living Family)