*Photo Credit: Vision Web Agency
I was doing some deep cleaning in our formulary recently. It felt so good to get organized and make everything sparkly-clean in preparation for the cooler months ahead. After rearranging and organizing, I felt inspired to write a little bit about autumn here in Phoenix. I also want to share some tips about a DIY natural cleaning solution that I use both at work and at home.
In Arizona, with our harsh summer weather and mild beautiful winters, it makes sense for us to do fall cleaning the way the rest of the country cleans in the spring. Fall in Phoenix gives us cooler days so that we can finally open our windows and doors again to circulate some air through our homes and businesses. It feels so refreshing, after months of keeping everything closed up in order to keep the cool air in and the intense heat out.
The main product I use to clean is a natural disinfectant spray that smells great. This spray is so simple to make, and is great for dusting and disinfecting countertops, mirrors, windows, and all bathroom surfaces.
You will need:
- A good 32 oz spray bottle
- 27 ounces of purified water
- 3 ounces of rubbing alcohol
- 1/2 ounce of any of the following essential oils (alone, or blended in a combination, for the total amount of essential oils to equal 1/2 ounce)
- Lemon
- Sweet orange
- Grapefruit
- Peppermint
- Cypress
- Tea tree
- Oregano
- Lavender
- Rosemary
- Eucalyptus
- 4 Thieves blend (this is great by itself, and smells even better with the addition of peppermint oil)
All of the essential oils listed above are effective at killing bacteria, molds, and variety of other germs.
My favorite blend is a combination of tea tree, lemon, sweet orange, and grapefruit essential oils. Tea tree is great for killing mold and fungus, and the citrus oils destroy all types of bacteria.
If tea tree smells too medicinal, sweet orange, lemon, and grapefruit make a great combo.
If you prefer fresh scents, make a combination of peppermint and tea tree. Once you start experimenting with essential oils, you will create your own favorite combinations.
The great thing about this spray is how effective and chemical free it is. The aromatherapy is an added bonus that works on your mood while you work on your home. Whenever I clean with my favorite blend, I feel more energized and joyful. Get creative and discover your own favorite blend that benefits you while you work, that will ultimately benefit all the people around you. This spray is safe for the whole family including your beloved pets*. I have a toddler and 2 dogs, so this is so important for my family.
Happy Fall cleaning!
-Sasha
*Safety reminder: essential oils are extremely strong and potent substances, so make sure to keep them far out of reach of children at all times. Certain essential oils can pose a health hazard to pets, so make sure to do your homework, and only use essential oils in their diluted form and not straight out of the bottle. Lavender oil is one of the safest oils you can use, so if you’re not sure what to start with, lavender alone can be employed for all of your cleaning needs.
