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DIY All Purpose Cleaner with Essential Oils for a Non-Toxic Clean

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January 10, 2020 By Rebecca D. Dillon 5 Comments

Discover an easy way to make a simple DIY all purpose cleaner with essential oils. A safe, non-toxic way to clean your home, this recipe for a green friendly cleaner — and the essential oils to make it! — are part of the new Simply Earth Essential Oil Recipe Box! Read on to learn how to add this easy, 4-ingredient DIY all purpose cleaner to your cleaning routine. Plus discover six more non-toxic cleaning recipes you make using essential oils.

Should I Switch to Natural Non-Toxic Cleaners with Essential Oils?

Wondering if you should make the switch to natural cleaners or your cleaning routine? The answer, in short, is yes!

While spring cleaning is the buzzword as winter dissipates and warm weather sneaks back in, cleaning is unfortunately a year long (not just seasonal) task. There are so many products marketed for those of us obsessed with killing germs, sanitizing surfaces and removing dirt, it can be hard to know which products to choose. Especially when many of those cleaners contain scary, and sometimes evenly potentially toxic, ingredients. And unfortunately, many of them aren’t very eco-friendly either. They contain ingredients like bleach, which harms not just the environment and its ecosystems, but can also cause skin and respiratory distress in both humans and pets.

Luckily, cleaning your home doesn’t have to be toxic or expensive. You can make your own non-toxic homemade cleaners. This DIY all purpose cleaner with essential oils is an easy way to get started. But first, I want to tell you about a sweet offer from Simply Earth. Their new starter essential oil recipe box not only has essential oils perfect for cleaning and sanitizing your home, but also the ingredients to make your very non-toxic DIY all purpose cleaner. There’s also a recipe to make an easy immunity boost hand sanitizer that’s perfect for cold and flu season!

Simply Earth Makes It Easy to Make the Switch!

There are a lot of recipes for natural non-toxic cleaners to be found through a simple google search. Many of which contain essential oils. Knowing the right products to buy, however, can get confusing fast. Luckily, this is where Simply Earth steps in. They make it easy to not just grow your collection of quality essential oils, but also to get started making your own simple essential oil recipes for health, home and beauty!

If you’ve thought about signing up for Simply Earth before, you may have noticed how quickly their monthly essential oil recipe box sells out. Usually, by mid-month, they’ve sold out of the current month’s box. So if you sign up, you’ve had to wait until the following month to receive your first month’s box. Now, when Simply Earth’s monthly essential oil recipe box sells out, you won’t have to wait until the following month to receive your first box. Instead, you’ll get their awesome new starter box, which includes their 4-ingredient recipe for a non-toxic DIY all purpose cleaner.

Here’s what’s inside:

Lemon Essential Oil
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Frankincense Essential Oil
Sleepy Essential Oil Blend
Aloe Vera Gel
2-oz. Spray Bottle
2 Lip Balm Tubes
Sticker Labels for Your Finished Projects
6 Index Sized Recipe Cards

The recipes included in the Simply Earth essential oil starter recipe box are for the following:

Detox Bath Recipe with Epsom Salt
Sleepy Rollerball Essential Oil Recipe
Fresh Air Essential Oil Diffuser Blend Recipe
Lemon Meringue Lip Balm Recipe
Non-Toxic DIY All Purpose Surface Cleaner
Immunity Boost Hand Sanitizer Recipe

You can purchase the starter box from Simply Earth without a subscription. However, when you sign up for a subscription to the Simply Earth essential oil recipe box, you save almost $40 over purchasing the box solo. In addition, you’ll also receive a free bonus box (valued at $40) packed with empty rollerball bottles, blending bottles, coconut oil, beeswax and more materials and supplies to use in future recipes. You’ll also get a coupon code for $40 off your second order from Simply Earth. And it’s good on literally ANYTHING you want to buy. Whether it’s a new diffuser — theirs is so rad! — single essential oils or even more ingredients for your recipes.

Just use coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE when you sign up. Then enjoy exploring six new home, health and beauty recipes every month afterwards! Order your first box today.

Ready to make that easy, non-toxic DIY all purpose cleaner with essential oils now? Great! Let’s get started.

DIY All Purpose Cleaner with Essential Oils

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons distilled water
2 Tablespoons vinegar
13 drops lemon essential oil
7 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions for making a DIY all purpose cleaner:

You’ll need a 2 oz. spray bottle (included in the Simply Earth starter box) to make this DIY all purpose cleaner. If you have a larger spray bottle you’d like to use, simply double the recipe as needed for the size bottle you’d like to use.

To make this non-toxic cleaner, simply combine all the ingredients in the spray bottle. Then, shake the spray bottle for 30 seconds to mix the ingredients.

How to use your non-toxic DIY all purpose cleaner:

To use your DIY all purpose cleaner with essential oil, shake before use. Then spray the cleaner onto surfaces and wipe clean with a microfiber towel. This all purpose spray not only loosens dirt and grime, it also disinfects surfaces.

As vinegar is abrasive, you do not want to use this DIY all purpose cleaner on porous surfaces such as granite. Otherwise you may damage the stone. If you’d like to use this recipe on granite, you can substitute the vinegar with unscented liquid Castile soap.

More Non-Toxic Cleaning Recipes

If you like this recipe for making a non-toxic DIY all purpose cleaner, then you may also want to try these other non-toxic cleaning recipes.

No Scrub Deep Shower Cleaner Recipe with Lemon Essential oil
Vinegar Free All Purpose Cleaner Recipe with Lemon Essential oil
DIY Air Freshener with Essential Oils
Deodorizing Room Spray Recipe with Essential Oils
Stain Remover Recipe for Laundry Stains with Lemon Essential Oil
Natural Soft Scrub Cleaning Clay Recipe with Essential Oils

I hope you enjoy my easy, non-toxic cleaning recipes with essential oils. Don’t forget to order your Simply Earth essential oil starter box to start your subscription today to start on your essential oil journey. Sign up here now. And don’t forget to use coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE to receive your free bonus box and a coupon for $40 off your next order. Or explore past essential oil recipe boxes from Simply Earth here.

Like this recipe for making a non-toxic DIY all purpose cleaner with essential oils? Then don’t forget to pin this natural cleaning recipe to Pinterest for later.

For more great natural product, recipes and ideas from Soap Deli News, make sure to follow me on facebook, twitter, pinterest and instagram as well as on Blog Lovin’. You can also sign up to receive an email whenever I share a new post!

Filed Under: Handmade Home, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle Tagged With: bathroom cleaner, cleaning hacks, cleaning products, cleaning recipe, cleaning solutions, cleaning tips, essential oil recipes, essential oils, healthy homemaking, healthy living, homemaking, kitchen cleaner, non-toxic, simply earth, window cleaner

Ways to Reduce Plastic Use (And Easy Swaps for Plastic Products in Your Home)

April 6, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 2 Comments

Help reduce ocean pollution for Earth Day. Discover easy ways to reduce plastic use in your home. Simply swap out your favorite plastic products with these eco-friendly options for an easy transition into green living.

If you’re looking for easy ways to reduce plastic use and go green, then check out these eco-friendly product swaps. Not only are these product substitutions environmentally friendly solutions, they also save you money over time. Keep reading to learn why reducing plastic waste is so important to our environment. And discover my favorite plastic-free products.

Why Eliminating Plastic Is Important

I’ll admit I’ve always loved straws.They keep the acids from acidic drinks (like orange juice) from coming in contact with my teeth. They also help to reduce staining from drinks like tea and iced coffees. And, as someone with sensitive teeth, I don’t have to worry about ice causing any pain or discomfort. Straws were no big deal. A normal part of life, they have always been a staple when dining out or enjoying a cocktail. Then one day, my friend Bambi who works with wildlife for her job, informed me I was ~~Satan~~ harming marine life through my continued use of straws.

I googled it. Seeing a sea turtle with a 4″ straw stuck in its nose was pretty heartbreaking. And I felt bad. Just not quite bad enough to actually do anything about it. I mean, straws are everywhere! I certainly don’t buy them. However they’re practically thrown at you in restaurants. So I didn’t see the harm in using a straw that had already been torn open on the bottom. And those tiny straws are always thrown in with my gin and tonics when they’re made. Bartenders are busy people. So requesting they omit the straw has a 50/50 chance of actually happening.

And then came the new story about the whale who slowly starved to death, suffering from dehydration and hunger because he’d consumed so much plastic waste. Plastic that doesn’t biodegrade. Plastic that ends up in our landfills and in our oceans. When I actually took the time to research how plastic was harming our marine life and polluting our oceans (despite recycling efforts) I was horrified. And that was the push I needed.

My mom and I had lunch the other day at a Greek restaurant. I politely returned the unopened straw. My mother, on the other hand, did not. She gave me the “I know, I know but I need my straw. I’m waiting for them to come out with paper ones.” At least she acknowledged the harm plastic has on marine life. But like most of us, change can be slow and difficult if we’re stuck in our ways.

If you’re looking for ways to reduce your plastic use, you can make the transition easier by substituting some of your favorite plastic products with easy reusable eco-friendly product swaps. Not only are they not going into a landfill (or our oceans) they actually save you money in the long run as you aren’t buying disposable products over and over again.

More Reasons to Reduce Plastic Waste

90% of all plastics are NOT recycled.

5.25 trillion pieces of marine trash have ended up in our oceans.

90% of all seabirds have eaten plastic. This up from just 5% of seabirds in 1960.

Between 2000 and 2010 we made more plastic than all the plastic in history up to the year 2000.

Plastic doesn’t biodegrade. The EPA reports that “every bit of plastic ever made still exists.”

Marine animals both ingest and get tangled up in plastic. This can lead not just to injuries but also painful deaths.

By 2050 the ocean will contain more plastic by weight than fish.

Americans use 500 million plastic straws EVERYDAY. That’s enough to circle the Earth twice.

Ways to Reduce Plastic Use in Your Home

An easy way to reduce plastic use in your home is to swap out plastic products with eco-friendly alternatives. If you’re ready to challenge yourself and reduce plastic use in your household, then try one or all of these easy product swaps.

Plastic sandwich bags.

Ditch the plastic sandwich bags with reusable storage bags. Reusable food storage bags are just as convenient as their single-use counterparts. I love the Grove Collaborative Reusable Sandwich Bags. They’re heavyweight so they can handle just about anything you need a plastic zipper bag for and they come in a variety of sizes. Sustainably made from a food-safe, BPA and phthalate-free material, these reusable bags are leak-proof and super easy to clean.

You can also use products like beeswax food wraps. These beeswax wraps from Suzy’s Bees Wraps are a sustainable solution to your food storage and preservation needs. Made with a natural fiber base, Suzy’s Bees Wraps are infused with pure beeswax and easily mold to whatever container, dish, item or food item you need to cover.

Disposable coffee cups.

16 billion disposable coffee cups that get thrown away every year. If you can’t live without your Starbucks coffee in the mornings, simply ask your barista to pour your favorite coffee into your own reusable insulated coffee cup. I live right beside a Starbucks and I see people asking for their refills in their own insulated tumblers almost everyday via the drive thru. I recommended purchasing two insulated mugs – one for the car and one to swap out while the other is being washed.

Single use straws.

If you’re like my mom and can’t live without straws, then this is probably the easiest product swap ever. You can buy compostable paper straws to keep in your car for when you go out to dinner at a restaurant. Or, if paper tastes gross to you like it does for me, bamboo straws or stainless steel straws are an easy fix. I love the stainless steel straws because I can buy them with soft silicone tips. I prefer the reusable straws over paper as they’re a one time purchase just like the drinking glasses in your home.

Plastic grocery bags.

While most grocery stores still offer plastic grocery bags, this looks like it could be changing. I just read in the news yesterday that Kroger stores are slowly doing away with plastic grocery bags all together. In the future, customers will be expected to either bring their own bags or pay for bags when they make a purchase. So why not go ahead and buy reusable grocery shopping bags now? Many sellers now offer durable, eco-friendly reusable grocery bags that it’s easy to find bags that fit the way you shop. (Not to mention the larger size!)

I love this durable waxed market bag from Thread & Canvas Co. in Seattle. It’s perfect for grocery store trips as swell as those seasonal trips to the farmers market. I plan to buy extra reusable shopping bags soon to add the ones I already have. This way I can keep a few in my car just in case I forget mine at home or make an unplanned trip to the store.

Plastic bottles of household cleaners.

Not only do most household cleaners come in ugly plastic bottles, they take up a lot of space under the sink. So I made the switch to glass spray bottles filled with cleaning concentrates. This will not only reduce your plastic consumption, but the bottles also look beautiful on your countertops. As you finish out the half-empty bottles under your sink, try swapping them out for a reusable glass bottle. Grove sells a full line of eco-friendly cleaning concentrates and glass bottles that are the perfect substitute.

For a limited time you can get three Grove cleaning concentrates, a glass spray bottle, a cleaning caddy and walnut scrubber sponges FREE with your first Grove order of $20 or more. Redeem this offer now.

Product packaging.

It might not seem like much, but the plastic wrappers that our products come in can add up to a huge amount of waste. For example, paper towels almost always come wrapped in plastic. One way to avoid this waste is by reaching for microfibers or euro dish cloths instead of single-use paper towels. I purchased a dozen microfibers so I can get through a full week without needing to do laundry.

I also have a serious crush on Grove’s European dish cloths. A reusable replacement for people who love paper towels, these durable cellulose and cotton dish cloths are as absorbent as a sponge. To clean, simply throw them into your dishwasher on the top rack when you wash dishes.

Purchasing reusable paperless towels is also another great way to break your paper towel habit. You can even get unpaper paperless towels on a roll, like these from the Prairie Cloth Company.

You can also reduce plastic product packaging in your daily hair care routine. Making the switch to a solid shampoo bars (aka syndet bars) and conditioners. These solid shampoo bars work amazingly well (unlike past no poo hair care options made with soap.) They’re gentle on hair but also powerful enough to remove product build up while moisturizing and conditioning hair.

More Ways to Reduce Plastic Use & Go Green.

Explore this collection of handcrafted eco-friendly cleaning products. (Many of which also offer ways to reduce plastic use.)

Shaving soap bars are also an eco-friendly beauty alternative that reduce waste. Learn how to make your own homemade shaving soaps to save money and help the environment.

Learn how to make the best 3-ingredient natural cleaning clay for a long lasting household cleaner that works on glass stovetops, granite countertops and tile.

Check out my collection of eco-friendly spring cleaning tips to make your household chores even easier.

Try my zero packaging homemade stain remover soap bar recipe to treat laundry stains and wash delicates.

Make your own natural cleaning products to completely eliminate those plastic bottles with this collection of eight eco-friendly cleaner recipes.

Go green and save money with these frugal laundry tips.

If you’ve already made the decision to go green and move toward a zero waste lifestyle, I’d love to hear about your favorite product swaps and ways to reduce plastic use. So be sure to share your ideas and eco-friendly solutions in the comments.

For more great ideas for your eco-friendly lifestyle, be sure to check out my Eco-Friendly Lifestyle board on Pinterest. You can also find me across your favorite social media platforms including Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram so you never miss a post. Or sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter.

Filed Under: Handmade Home, Lifestyle Tagged With: cleaning products, eco-friendly, green cleaning, green living, healthy homemaking, homemaking, household, lifestyle, zero waste

Natural Cleaning Clay Recipe for Your Glass Stove Top, Countertops & Tile Floors

March 27, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 3 Comments

Learn how to make a natural cleaning clay recipe to clean just about everything! Perfect for cleaning glass stove tops, granite countertops and even tile floors, this easy cleaning clay recipe requires just 3-ingredients. Make yours in just 5-minutes! Plus discover more simple, all natural cleaning products you can make using essential oils.

Natural Cleaning Products That Work

I first discovered the miracle of cleaning clay after attending an H2O at Home party at a friend’s home. I was particularly impressed with both the effective of their cleaning clay and the simplicity of this all purpose cleaning product. Not only does it work great as a non-toxic, natural household cleaning product on most surfaces, it literally lasts forever!

Since trying out their products, I’d been dying to make my own natural cleaning clay. Unfortunately this homemaking project kept getting pushed onto the back burner. That is until I received the new Simply Earth essential oil recipe box for April. Well timed for spring cleaning, this essential oil recipe box contained a variety of recipes for natural cleaning products. It also had a bottle of that one ingredient I’d needed to finally make my natural cleaning clay recipe – lemon essential oil.

All of Simply Earth’s essential oil boxes come with a collection of four essential oils. They also include additional ingredients and containers to make everything from natural beauty and skin care products to non-toxic cleaning products and aromatherapy diffuser blends. Each box also includes a collection of essential oil recipe cards. As their recipe cards are the same size as index cards, they fit easily into a standard 3″ x 5″ recipe box for quick reference and storage.

I love receiving my Simply Earth essential oil recipe box every month. It’s such a great way for me to explore new essential oils (some of which I’d never heard of like the amyris essential oil) as well as affordably grow my essential oil collection. Plus it feels good knowing that Simply Earth donates 13% of their profits to help end human trafficking. How can you not get behind a cause like that?

Related: Amyris Essential Oil Uses, Benefits and Recipes

Inside the new Simply Earth essential oil recipe box.

The April recipe box from Simple Earth is all about making your own natural cleaning products. The most recent box contained nutmeg essential oil, tea tree essential oil and lemon essential oil. It included an essential oil blend – BO Be Gone – as well. (It’s kind of perfect for making hand soap and natural laundry detergent.) In addition to the essential oils, my box also contained liquid Castile soap and an aluminum spray bottle for making their tea tree & lemon multi-surface cleaning spray.

The April essential oil recipe box contains recipes for the following natural cleaning products.

Tea Tree and Lemon Surface Cleaner Recipe
Lemon and Nutmeg Dishwasher Detergent Recipe
Laundry Stain Remover Roll On Recipe
Natural Home Diffuser Recipe
Easy Foaming Hand Soap Recipe
Natural Laundry Detergent Recipe

(If this is your first time learning about Simply Earth’s amazing essential recipe boxes, I’ve provided a clear overview of their ingredients, supplies and benefits here. There’s also coupon code for a free jam packed bonus box on your first order and a discount code for your second box.)

Related: Eco-Friendly Spring Cleaning Tips

Essential Oil Natural Cleaning Products

Following are some of my favorite homemade natural cleaning products included in the latest essential oil recipe box from Simply Earth. I’ve also included my own natural cleaning clay recipe so you can discover why I think it’s the bee’s knees. (And yes, I’m told, bees do have knees. Technically.)

Tea Tree & Lemon Surface Cleaner

Ingredients:

1/3 cup hot distilled water
1 tsp. borax powder
2 tsp. white distilled vinegar
2 tsp. rubbing alcohol
10 drops tea tree essential oil
10 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:

Measure out the hot water into a glass measuring cup. Add the borax powder then stir to dissolve.

Follow with the remaining ingredients for the surface cleaner as called for in the recipe. Stir well to combine.

Now pour the mixture into an aluminum spray bottle. If desired, label your creation with one of the product stickers provided by Simply Earth.

Usage:

Shake this product prior to each use. To use, simply spray onto countertops and other non porous surfaces, then wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. Your natural tea tree & lemon essential oil surface cleaner not only cleans surfaces and kills germs, it will also leave your home smelling naturally fresh.

Laundry Stain Remover Roll On Recipe

Ingredients:

10 mL liquid Castile soap
10 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions:

Combine the essential oils in a 10 mL roll on bottle. Swirl the bottle to mix the oils.

Now fill the remainder of the bottle with liquid Castile soap.

Usage:

Shake well prior to each use. Then simply roll this natural laundry stain remover onto laundry stains. Allow to sit 5 to 10 minutes prior to washing.

Natural Cleaning Clay Recipe

Ingredients:

4 oz. liquid Castile coconut oil soap
12 oz. white kaolin clay
40 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:

Using a digital scale to weigh out the Castile soap into a large glass bowl. Add the lemon essential oil and stir well to combine.

Then, in a separate container, weigh out the kaolin clay. Slowly add the clay to the the liquid soap base, mixing with a fork until all the clay is incorporated into the soap. If necessary, use your hands to blend the last bit of clay into the natural cleaning clay. There should be no dry clay left. However the mixture should be very firm.

Now fill an 8 oz. low profile jar with the cleaning clay. Press the natural cleaning clay firmly into the jar until it’s filled. You can then use the back of a measuring cup or as spatula to press the clay flat on top.

Usage:

Massage a slightly damp bubble up brush or sponge onto the cleaning clay. Then cover your surface with the cleaning clay, adding slightly more water to the sponge if necessary to form a thick foam. Then remove the cleaning clay using a damp microfiber cloth.

For dirty glass stove tops, cover the entire stovetop with cleaning clay. Allow the mixture to dry on the surface, then wipe clean with a dry microfiber cloth. Follow with a damp cloth to remove any residue if needed. Then polish clean with a dry cloth.

My natural cleaning clay recipe works great for deep cleaning a number of other surfaces including granite countertops, sinks, tubs and tile. However, as will all natural cleaning products, I recommend testing the cleaning clay first in an inconspicuous area on natural surfaces.

More Natural Cleaning Products Recipes

Now that you’ve tackled these recipes for natural cleaning products, try some of these other recipes for natural cleaning products for your home.

Also be sure to check out my eco-friendly laundry tips to save time and money as this household chore. You’ll also love my collection of spring cleaning tips for a green friendly lifestyle and a non-toxic clean throughout your entire home.

Explore more recipes with essential oils.

It’s so easy to get started with essential oils as well as make your own simple essential oil recipes for home, health and beauty. Visit Simply Earth now to order your first essential oil recipe box and get a free bonus supply box with coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE You’ll also receive a $40 discount on your next order of anything you like.

To discover more ways to use essential oils in your home, visit my Essential Oils & Herbs for Health, Lifestyle and Beauty Pinterest board. You can also find and follow me across your favorite social media platforms including Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram so you never miss a post. Or simply sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter.

Filed Under: Handmade Home, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle Tagged With: bathroom cleaner, cleaners, cleaning, cleaning hacks, cleaning products, cleaning recipe, cleaning solutions, cleaning tips, diy, easy, eco-friendly, essential oil recipes, essential oils, green cleaning, green living, handmade home, healthy homemaking, healthy living, homemaking, housework, kitchen cleaner, simply earth, spring cleaning

Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Eco-Friendly Lifestyle

March 13, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 1 Comment

This collection of eco-friendly spring cleaning tips will not only help you save time, but also save money! Discover the best spring cleaning tips for a non-toxic home.

It’s that time of year again! Time to give your home an overhaul and clean everything and every room for the new spring season. Sounds daunting, right? You bet it is! Rather than try to tackle the task all in one go, try implementing these spring cleaning tips over time instead! Plus learn how you can save money on your favorite eco-friendly cleaning essentials. All while making more time to do the things you actually enjoy!

Eco-Friendly Spring Cleaning Tips

1. Give yourself a break. While women certainly perform superhero feats in our daily lives, we are in fact, not superwoman. Rather than try to tackle a whole house makeover in a single day, go room by room one day a week. After all, it’s not a race.

2. Clean your windows with water, not chemicals. You can save money by using microfiber cloths from Grove Collaborative to clean mirrors, windows and other glass surfaces. Simply clean with a wet microfiber cloth, then follow with a dry cloth for spotless windows. For extra tough jobs, save money with Grove’s eco-friendly glass cleaning concentrate.

You’ll also want to wash your windows on a cloudy day as the sun can hamper your efforts by drying your windows too quickly. This in turn can cause streaks to be left behind.

3. Kitchen cabinets can build of with grease and grime fast. Especially those cabinets in range of the stove. Make cleaning your greasy kitchen cabinets a breeze by mixing a few drops of Mrs. Meyers new spring scented dish soap with a vinegar and water solution. Then simply wipe them down with a microfiber towel or soft sponge.

You can also make a natural cleaner to clean and polish your wood cabinets, along with the wood furniture in your home. Simply mix 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil with 1/2 cup of vinegar or lemon juice in a plastic spray bottle. Shake well then spray onto a microfiber cloth to use.

4. While sheets and pillowcases should be washed at least every two weeks, comforters and pillows don’t need laundering quite as often. Typically they should be washed 2-3 times a year. You can simply toss these into your washer, then dry normally. (Just be sure to check the manufacturer’s guidelines for washing first!)

5. Not only do you need to launder your bedding, your mattress should also get a spring cleaning! While your comforter and pillows are in the wash, take the time to vacuum out the crevices, top and sides on your bare mattress. Then use a spot cleaner, like Paw Sense Pet Stain and Odor Remover, to tackle anything that remains after vacuuming.

6. Spring is also a great time to clean out your refrigerator. After all, it is where food is stored. Mrs. Meyer’s multi-surface cleaner is great for this task. First, pull out your refrigerator’s interior shelving. Then wash them with warm soapy water. Before putting the shelves back, use your multi-purpose spray and a sponge to wipe down the surfaces on the inside of your fridge that can’t be removed.

7. While area rugs don’t need to be cleaned every spring – with the assumption you are vacuuming out the dirt on a regular basis – now’s a great time to treat stains. If your rugs are too large to throw in the washer, you can use club soda to treat stains. Just keep in mind that some stains, such as those caused by pets, coffee or red wine, can be more difficult to remove. Therefore spill or stain with a dye or acid base should be cleaned immediately – or as soon as humanly possible.

This recipe for a DIY all purpose cleaner without vinegar works great at removing stains not just from rugs and carpets, but laminate countertops as well. Or try this soap based DIY stain stick for anything you can toss in the wash.

8. Organizing your closet can be frustrating. Therefore I recommend removing and donating any items you haven’t worn in at least year. Then go back and organize your clothing by type or color – whatever works best for you. I typically organize my closet starting with short sleeve shirts to long sleeve, then following with skirts, short and pants so each type of clothing is grouped together. This makes my everyday routine easier. It’s also easy to keep organized once it’s done.

9. Use an old toothbrush to clean out the track for your sliding glass door. It can loosen up dirt and grime that your vacuum cleaner can’t. Vacuum again once the extra dirt and grime is knocked loose. Then follow with a damp sponge.

10. Don’t forget to perform your spring cleaning routine to your makeup bag as well. Most makeup is only good for 3-6 months. So toss the old and treat yourself to something new. Plus, you can use your old eyeshadows to create custom nail polish! Just add eyeshadow to clear nail polish and shake to mix!

11. You’ll also want to deep clean the carpeting in your home. This is my least favorite thing to do as the fibro makes it ten times as challenging as it needs to be. So if you have the money, you may want to hire a professional carpet cleaner. Otherwise, vacuum up dirt and debris. Then spot treat your carpet stains first. Follow with a carpet steam cleaner. (If you don’t have one, you should easily be able to find one for rent.)

12. If your curtains aren’t dirty enough to wash, you can remove dust by simply going over them with the upholstery attachment on your vacuum. Or, for more delicate or sheer curtains, toss them into the dryer on low with one of Seventh Generation’s essential oil based fabric softener sheets. They’ll come out dust free with a fresh non-toxic fragrance that’s perfect for spring.

13. Get rid of stubborn hard water stains, soap scrum and even grease your tub by using this 2-ingredient shower cleaner recipe made with vinegar and Dawn. It’s the perfect solution for really grimey tubs and my go to cleaner whenever I move into a new apartment.

You can also make a daily shower cleaner to help prevent mildew and resist soap scum by mixing equal parts white vinegar and water, then adding citrus based essential oils to suit. (I love a lemon lime combo. But lemongrass and orange is also amazing!) Simply spray inside your shower after you bathe for a fresh scent and an extended clean.

My Favorite Everyday Eco-Friendly Cleaning Tips

1. Use wool dryer balls to conserve energy and dry clothes faster. A money saver that allows you to toss softener and dryer sheets, wool dryer balls can be reused again and again. Plus they can be scented with your favorite essential oils. I bought my wool dryer balls from Grove Co., rather than make my own, and I absolutely love them!

2. For everyday cleaning of kitchen countertops, use Full Circle’s Squeeze Cellulose Sponge Cloths or Grove Collaborative’s European Dish Cloths. They work like like super heavy duty paper towels, but are reusable rather than disposable. When they get dirty, simply toss them in the dishwasher the next time you run it.

3. Swap out the rinse aid for your dishwasher with plain white vinegar. You can add a few drops of a citrus based essential oil, if desired. Otherwise, switch to Seventh Generation’s eco-friendly rinse aid for a non-toxic shine.

4. The new front loading HE washers need to be cleaned out periodically. Ours automatically lets us know when it’s time for a deep clean. While the manufacturer suggests running a cycle with bleach to keep our washer from developing odors, a combination of distilled white vinegar and baking soda is a more eco-friendly choice. You should also leave your washer door open to prevent odors from developing faster than usual.

5. To save both time and money on cleaning essentials, I order all of my cleaning supplies from Grove Collaborative. Their discounted pricing makes the products I use everyday more affordable. They also offer auto-ship, not just for cleaning supplies, but also for the probiotics and personal care items I use regularly.

Unlike other auto-ship services, Grove reminds me well ahead of time that an auto-shipment is coming up. So I always have plenty of time to change the items in my cart as needed. I can remove everything from my cart – even if it’s on auto-ship for the month – if I’ve not run out of something or money is tight. I can also change the frequency of how often things come with ease. It’s truly effortless. And I’ve honestly never had any issues with having something ship without me be aware.

If you’re not already a Grove customer, you can totally score some awesome freebies right now! All new customers will receive the hand soap, dish soap and all purpose spray in Mrs. Meyer’s new spring scents along with their best selling walnut scrubber sponges. Plus you get a really cool bubble up soap dish. Just add soap and water to the spring loaded ceramic base. Then move the brush up and down to make super scrubby bubbles for pre-washing stubborn pots and pans or even simply hand washing. (It can also be used as a drain for your kitchen sponges.)

All you need to do is spend $20 on other products at Grove that you might need, including any of the products mentioned above. So basically you end up getting over $50 in products for $20. And shipping is free! Spend $39 and you’ll also get a free stoneware tray. Plus new customers also get a free 60 day VIP trial. I’ve been a VIP member since I’ve joined and it really pays off! As a VIP customer I get free shipping, free gifts, price matching, exclusive sales and personal service! Truly this is an amazing company. Check it out! (Delivery is carbon offset right to your doorstep!)

Now that I’ve shared my favorite eco-friendly spring cleaning tips, I’d love to hear your ideas as well! Be sure to leave a comment with your favorite spring cleaning tips in the comments so we can all learn from one another!

To discover more eco-friendly homemaking solutions, sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter! You can also find and follow me across a number of social media platforms: Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter, pinterest and instagram.

Filed Under: Handmade Home, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle Tagged With: cleaners, cleaning hacks, cleaning products, cleaning recipe, cleaning solutions, cleaning tips, easy, eco-friendly, green cleaning, green living, healthy homemaking, healthy living, homemaking, housework, kitchen cleaner, life tips and tricks, spring, spring cleaning

DIY Wax Air Fresheners with Essential Oils – Unicorn Style!

January 23, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 7 Comments

We don’t need a guy to remind us how awesome we are just because it’s Valentine’s Day. However, sometimes it’s nice getting that extra bit of reassurance from our friends. Remind your BFFs how magical they are with these unicorn DIY wax air fresheners for Galentine’s Day. Scented with natural essential oils, these unicorn wax air fresheners are perfect for musty closets or to use as drawer sachets. Or hang them in a sunny kitchen window.

These DIY air fresheners are super easy to make. They’re also the perfect reminder that, yes, we DO sparkle every single day! (Even if we don’t always realize it.)

Do you believe in (YOUR) magic?

I was the lucky girl who got an awesome unicorn mold for Christmas from my boyfriend. While my first thought was to make unicorn soap, I’m excited that my first project for this mold was actually for Galentine’s Day gifts. Of course, actually completing this project didn’t go off without a hitch. The one day I’m ready to put this project to paper (or wax in this case) I realized that I wasn’t able to dig my beeswax out of storage.

We are currently living in a shoebox, as I like to call it. Therefore, most of my craft supplies are stacked in crates. These crates are pretty heavy. They are also stacked in pairs of two on top of our kitchen cabinets. Because of their height and weight, my stash of beeswax was completely unattainable. And my boyfriend, of course, was at work. So I did what every crafty girl does. I improvised.

I still had a bit of white cosmetic beeswax leftover from last month’s Simply Earth box within easy reach. So I used the rest of that beeswax for this project. I also grabbed the only other workable ingredient I had within reach – stearic acid.

Similar to a wax, stearic acid is a solid saturated fatty acid obtained from either animals or vegetable fats. This waxy substance is a common ingredient in soaps, cosmetics and detergents. In my case, I keep vegetable-based stearic acid on hand to use as an emulsifying agent for lotions, creams and deodorants. Luckily, it also worked well as an ingredient for my wax-based DIY air fresheners.

While you can create my DIY wax air fresheners with simply essential oils and beeswax, the stearic acid does raise the melting the point slightly. This in turn allows you to use a bit more in the way of essentials oils to scent your DIY wax air fresheners if you’re so inclined.

Waxes and their melting points.

Beeswax has a melting point of around 144°F. While stearic acid melts at about 150°F. However, if you prefer to make vegan DIY air fresheners, you can substitute the beeswax in this recipe for candelilla wax, which melts at around 154°F. Just keep in mind that candelilla wax is yellow. Therefore its natural color will have an impact on your finished DIY wax air fresheners.

Alternately carnauba wax, which is also yellow, has a melting point of 180°F, and can be used in place of the beeswax. Just keep in mind that the pour and cleanup may be a bit trickier due to its higher melting point.

Put some glitter in your wax air fresheners.

Of course, you can’t have unicorn air fresheners without some sparkle and glitter! I used a purple mica to tint my DIY air fresheners. I also included both electric blue and chunky bubblegum eco-friendly glitter to give these wax unicorn air fresheners some bling. A bit of star ribbon that I scored from the Target Dollar Spot over Christmas then gave my DIY wax unicorn air fresheners that extra bit of magic.

Unicorn DIY Wax Air Fresheners

Supplies & Materials:

Rainbows & Unicorns Silicone Unicorn Mold
.75 oz. white cosmetic beeswax
.75 oz. stearic acid
.35 oz. essential oil, of choice
mica powder, to suit
eco-friendly glitter, to suit
ribbon, of choice
chopsticks

Tips & Tricks for Making Wax Air Fresheners:

Keep in mind that the color of your DIY wax air fresheners will appear darker when the wax is melted. Once the wax air fresheners solidify, the white color of the wax will lighten the final color.
The mica and glitter you use for this project will sink somewhat toward the bottom of the mold. This means that the front and back of your wax unicorn air fresheners may be different shades. In my case, the front of my unicorn air fresheners were purple, while the backs were a more subdued pink.
Because most of the glitter will sink to the bottom of the mold, you may want to sprinkle a bit of glitter onto your DIY wax air fresheners once you’ve poured them into the mold. This will give the backside of your wax air fresheners that extra bling they won’t have otherwise.
You can use your favorite essential oil or essential oil blend for your DIY wax air fresheners. I recommend cedarwood essential oil for closets. Or try lavender essential oil for the unicorn drawer sachets. Want to hang your unicorn wax air fresheners in your kitchen? Try a bright, fresh fragrance like lemongrass! Alternately, you can also use your favorite fragrance oil.
Depending on what you have on hand, you can use all beeswax, all stearic acid or all some other wax. Mixing wax with stearic acid isn’t the only way to make these.

Instructions for Crafting Your Unicorn Wax Air Fresheners:

Weigh out the beeswax and stearic acid using a digital scale. Combine in a double boiler and heat over medium-low heat until melted. Once melted, weigh out the essential oil and stir into the melted wax. Remove from heat, then stir in your choice of mica and glitter.

Evenly pour the melted wax into two cavities of the unicorn mold. Wait about 30-60 seconds. Then position a chopstick in the wax of the first wax air freshener toward the top of the unicorn’s head. Hold the chopstick in place, pushing the chopstick toward the bottom of the mold. Do this for about 15 – 30 seconds or until the chopstick stays in place of its own fruition. Then repeat this process with a second chopstick for the other unicorn wax air freshener.

Once the wax has solidified and starts to pull away from the edge of the mold cavities, remove the air fresheners from the mold.

Push the chopsticks forward through the front of the unicorn air fresheners, if needed, so the hole goes completely through from front to back.

Then remove the chopsticks.

Now thread ribbon through the holes of your DIY wax air fresheners. You can use a chopstick to help push the ribbon through the hole.

Your wax unicorn DIY wax air fresheners are now ready to scent your home or to gift to your BFF for Galentine’s Day!

More Galentine’s Day Gift Ideas

If you’re looking for more Galentine’s Day gift ideas, be sure to check out these other home inspired scent ideas that your friends will love!

DIY Vanilla & Rose Reed Diffusers

These DIY vanilla rose diffusers with essential oils from Country Hill Cottage are the perfect way to fragrance a room and they make adorable gifts for your BFF. The indulgent scents of rose and vanilla create a romantic and relaxed atmosphere and will lift your mood. The best part is that DIY diffusers are only made with natural ingredients and you have full control over what goes into them. So you can feel good about this unique DIY Galentine’s Day gifts. Learn to make them here.

DIY Soy Wax Dipped Roses

These soy wax dipped roses from Everything Pretty make a great Galentine’s Day gift for your gal pal that’s allergic to the real deal. These are popular around Valentine’s Day, but they can be displayed at any time. Dipped in naturally scented soy wax, these faux flower roses have a natural fragrance that lightly scents any room. Learn to make them here.

Chocolate & Roses DIY Room Spray

Your BFF will go gaga over this natural DIY room spray from A Life Adjacent for Galentine’s Day! (And don’t forget to make extra for yourself!) This chocolate and roses room spray captures the romantic scent of roses and chocolate – without any artificial scents. Your entire home will be filled with the delicious, fragrant aroma of dark chocolate and fresh roses. Learn to make it here.

Now that you’ve made something amazing for your gal pals, learn how to make more great giftable crafts and bath and beauty recipes! Sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter to receive updates when new projects are available. You can also follow me on Pinterest, facebook and instagram.

Filed Under: DIY Craft Project, Gift Guides, Handmade Home, Holiday DIY, Homemade Gift Ideas, Lifestyle Tagged With: air freshener recipe, beeswax, crafts, diy, easy, essential oils, Galentine's day, gift idea, gift ideas for teens, gift ideas for women, homemaking, sachet, stearic acid, unicorn, Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day gifts