Common Essential Oils and Their Cleaning Properties

Essential oils can be used to clean on their own or to enhance the smell of other natural cleaning products and to boost their performance. Adding these natural oils to your homemade cleaning products is a great way to not only make your house smell terrific, but to improve your cleaning results as well. Here are some of the most commonly used essential oils for cleaning.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is probably the most popular essential oil when it comes to cleaning. Why? Because it has strong antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties while at the same time being well tolerated by most people...even those with allergies. It is particularly useful for killing mold and mildew and disinfecting surfaces.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender oil has antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal properties and is another favorite for cleaning products. It has a soothing, woody aroma. Avoid using lavender in areas where you need to stay alert and awake (such as in your car) since the calming effect of the aroma may cause drowsiness.

Lavender essential oil also repels a variety of insects including flies, fleas, mosquitos and moths.

Oregeno Essential Oil

Oregeno oil has antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properies. It has a herbaceous aroma that makes it most suitable for cleaning applications in the kitchen. Try adding it to floor cleaner to disinfect your floors.

Clove Essential Oil

Clove oil has antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiseptic properties. It smells great and is a good choice for cleaning kitchens. It also is great at repelling a variety of different insects. Try using it mixed in water for cleaning and protecting your cabinets from bugs. Or, mix with water in a spray bottle and spray it around your windows and doors to keep bugs out.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit oil can be used as a disinfectant and the aroma can be stimulating and energizing. Grapefruit oil works well both in the kitchen and the bathroom.

Thyme

Thyme oil has strong antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties and works as an excellent disinfectant. Use a few drops in water on a rag to disinfect door handles and other contact surfaces during cold and flu season to help stop the spread of germs.