Who wouldn’t want to clean their home of the unwanted viruses and bacteria that cause illness? Unfortunately, many people, unknowingly, purchase the most toxic chemical cleaners to get the job done – which only create more resistant viruses and bacteria.
The Environmental Working Group explains that commercial cleaning products can cause numerous health problems, including asthma, allergies, chemical burns and even birth defects and cancer. Simply put, avoid these poisonous products like ‘air fresheners’ and ‘scented’ cleaners. Instead, you can eliminate bacteria and viruses – naturally – with essential oils, which are concentrated essences from plants.
Are essential oils really better than chemical cleaners?
A study in the journal Molecules explains that these plant essences are widely accepted for their antimicrobial qualities, and have been for a long time. Essential oils destroy microbes like bacteria and viruses with the compounds they contain – which include phenylpropanoids and terpenes, explains the Phytotherapy Research journal.
Essential oils offer a fantastic alternative to harmful chemical cleaners, as a study in the journal Support Care Cancer found that essential oils are safe for fighting certain microbes. Of course, like most researchers will say, more study is needed.
Is there any risk? Essential oils are only potentially harmful when ingested or by causing allergic reactions in contact with the skin, but they are not likely to cause harm when used as a household cleaner. You are supposed to dilute these concentrated oils with water, base oils like almond oil or other cleansers. Diluting the oils generally cuts down on any harmful effects they might have.
Which essential oils are best to kill viruses and bacteria?
All essential oils seem to have the compounds that fight microbes. Nonetheless, some may work better than others. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy recommends using eucalyptus, lemon, lemongrass and tea tree essential oils as natural antivirals and tea tree oil to fight bacteria.
Many experts, in the field of essential oils, will suggest using oregano, thyme, cinnamon, melissa and hyssop as strong virus fighters. Nonetheless, many studies have shown that additional essential oils fight viruses, bacteria and fungal infections. For instance, you could use peppermint, lavender or clove oils.
How do I use essential oils to disinfect the home?
Many sources explain that you can simply add a few drops of essential oils to a spray bottle filled with water to create a simple, effective and natural cleaner. You can use this to clean countertops, sinks and other areas in the bathroom, kitchen and throughout the home. How simple is that?
You can also add some drops of essential oils to water to clean the floor or to other natural cleansers, such as baking soda, vinegar, washing soda and borax. Add one type of essential oil or create a blend from a few different scents and say ‘goodbye’ to those nasty chemical cleaners.
Are you looking for a specific recipe for cleaning with essential oils? Try mixing 10 drops of essential oils with two cups of hot water and 1/4 cup of washing soda. Put this mixture in a spray bottle to spray clean and disinfect your home.
By the way, for those curious, washing soda has high alkalinity, which gives it stain removal ability and should not be confused with baking soda. The two are completely different in chemical composition.
References:
http://www.motherearthliving.com/homemade-cleaners/natural-cleaning-recipes…
http://www.naha.org/explore-aromatherapy/about-aromatherapy/most-commonly…
http://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/207196
http://www.mdpi.com1420-3049/17/4/3989
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19653195
Source: RiseEarth
