Guide to Green Cleaning
Did you know that the inside of your home is typically more toxic than the outside? That’s right, the air inside our homes is generally between 2-5x more polluted than the air outside (with the potential to be much higher!). Let that sink in for a hot minute.
Of course, there are some aspects to this that are somewhat out of our control - the crap (sometimes literally) that comes in on the bottom of our shoes, pollutants from building/construction supplies, furniture material residues, dust + pets to name a few. There are others, however, that are completely in our hands. One of the biggest being the products in our cleaning closet.
I can’t be the only one to find it extremely ironic that many of the common household products meant to “clean” our homes, are actually doing quite the opposite. Not only are they actually making our homes dirtier, they are wreaking havoc on our health. Ingredients in these silent killers can include carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and neurotoxins…….and those are just the ingredients they’re disclosing on the labels. Depending on exposure, the effects can range from skin reactions, headaches + respiratory issues, to infertility, ADHD, memory loss, and weakened immunity.
I often find myself asking the questions - How can it be legal to even sell these products? And, why are we purchasing them when there are better options right at our fingertips?
Here’s where I come in. Although I can’t remove these harmful products from the store isles, I can definitely do my part in spreading awareness. Incase you haven’t noticed, I have a serious passion for low tox living, so any chance I get to help others take accountability in their health and uplevel their wellness, I’m game!
Now, let’s get to the nitty gritty of greening up your cleaning!!
For Starters
First up, let's take a look at the toxicity level of your current products. I love the Environmental Working Group’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning.
This site reviews and rates more than 2,000 popular household cleaning products based on the safety of their ingredients. WARNING: you are not going to like what you see! But don’t fret. This isn’t meant to make you worry or feel guilty about what you’ve been using, it’s meant to inspire you to take action! So once you get over the shock of how dirty some of your current products actually are, it’s time to start making changes.
PSA - This DOES NOT mean using up what you currently have and then cleaning things up from there (can you tell I’ve heard this excuse a few times before?). This means DITCH the harmful chemicals + SWITCH to healthier options NOW! When we know better, we simply must do better, and if you’re reading this you can consider yourself in the know ;)
Next, it’s time to start doing your own research and opt for brands you can trust. Lucky for you, I have done most of the leg work for you and can confidently say that doTERRA is where it’s at. Known for the purest + most potent essential oils in the world, they are an easy + effective (and affordable) way to reduce your toxic exposure + green up your cleaning.
Before we move on I think it’s important to address a misconception that’s probably crossed your mind. The answer is YES! Essential oils are just as effective as the common chemicals you have been programmed to believe are the be all and end all of sanitization. It’s possible for your house to be clean without smelling like bleach! If you don’t believe me (I’ll try not to take it personal), here is just one scientific study (of many) for proof. You can officially put your mind at ease knowing that essential oils will clean your home, enhance your overall wellness, and also be WAY safer for your little ones + furry family members.
The goal of this blog is to provide you with simple swaps that will make a big impact in reducing your overall toxic load. There’s no need to overwhelm yourself and do everything at once….remember, I’ve been working at this lifestyle for 6 years! However, if you’re a go big or go home kinda gal, you’ll want to check out this collection. Now, let’s go through each area in your home that could use some greening up.
Whole Home
If you’re ready to start making some healthy upgrades in your home, these would be my top 2. The amount of toxins you’ll be able to eliminate is mind boggling, and they are very manageable + sustainable changes!
DIFFUSER
A diffuser is a simple + easy way to replace many of the chemicals in your home, specifically synthetic fragrances. The bonus being that it also comes with a million and one positive side effects! (think mood management, clear airways, energy boosting, sleep support, immune protection).
When it comes to green cleaning diffusers play a big role in purifying the air. So ditch the scented candles, plug ins, and air fresheners! Many essential oils have cleansing + purifying properties making them the perfect natural aroma + cleaning companion for your home. Start with one, and once you’re tired of moving it around the house all day long (or tired of everyone in the house fighting over it!), work towards adding one to all of your most used rooms.
If you’re new to this lifestyle, diffusing is a great introduction to oils + often the easiest way to get started. It can be used as a stress free stepping stone for integrating these natural solutions into more areas of your health + home. Our Aroma Essentials collection is specifically designed with diffusing in mind!
Some of my favourites for cleansing the air: Lemon, Lime, Wild Orange, On Guard, Siberian Fir, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Abode, Arborvitae, Northern Escape, Purify, Air X.
Learn more about diffusing and how doTERRA oils purify the air.
2. All Purpose Cleaner
You are going to be blown away at how easy this is. And, you’ll be able to ditch almost all of your other toxic cleaning products by switching to this one simple all-purpose cleaner.
Here are a few options for you:
Abode Cleaner Concentrate is doTERRA’s latest and greatest cleaning solution. Formulated with the Abode essential oil blend, it comes in an aluminum recyclable container and is designed to be used in a 10oz glass bottle. It smells amazing and cleans like a champ!
The doTERRA On Guard Cleaner Concentrate is one of the most versatile products in our home. I use it as an all-purpose cleaner, but also for toilets, stain removing, and other fun DIYs!
Don’t have the cleaner concentrate? Not a problem! You can make an all-purpose cleaner using just your oils as well. Whichever recipe you’re using, I like to recommend making 2-3 to spread them out around the house so they’re always handy!
The Abode Collection
Makeover your home with these new non toxic options!
Here are some of more of my favourite household DIYs! Remember, in most recipes you can swap oils if you’d like! For example, if using lemon, you can sub in other citrus oils.
Kitchen
This is definitely one of my most used rooms in the house. I love cooking, bringing the family together, and gathering with loved ones in the kitchen. What I don’t love is how many toxins are lurking in the products commonly used for cleaning. And if you’re anything like us, you’re cleaning a whole lot of the time! Whether it’s washing dishes, running the dishwasher, cleaning surfaces (or produce!), or scrubbing ovens, we are exposed to so many unnecessary chemicals in the kitchen. No need to worry though, I have some great suggestions for you!
Dishwasher Detergent
This was one of the last healthy upgrades we made in our home. That’s not for lack of trying! It drove me crazy thinking that we were eating off plates that were “cleaned” with harmful chemicals, and filling our home with airborne chemicals each time we used the dishwasher. But there’s nothing worse that running a load only to end up hand washing half the the dishes that didn’t come out clean.
It took me a long time to find a natural option that actually works. It’s also important to note that your particular appliance or water type can impact performance.
Here are my 2 favourite options:
I think these are probably the most requested doTERRA product of all time! No need to put in the soap tray, just toss one straight into the dishwasher and let it do it’s thing.
If you want to try making your own, here is a great DIY recipe using the On Guard Cleaner Concentrate.
2. Dish Soap
This swap is equally as important to changing up your dishwasher detergent or more, because you’re actually “cleaning” the dishes with your hands! If using typical store bought options, you’re not only ingesting the chemical residue on your dishes, you’re also breathing them in and absorbing them through your skin.
A few great options for upleveling your dish soap:
I love this soap not just because it’s plant-based but because it also comes packaged responsibly in an aluminum refill that you can add to your beautiful amber glass reusable bottle.
And of course there is always the option to make your own by following the recipe below or using your On Guard Cleaning Concentrate!
And just for fun, or if you’re a keener like me, here are a few other fun DIY recipes for the kitchen!
Bathroom
Now let’s get a bit more personal. This is the room of the house where we expose our most sensitive body parts. Do we really want to subject them to the harshest of chemicals? I know I don’t! I’ll get into personal care products in another blog post (one thing at a time), but until then here are some ways to green up your bathroom…..
Toilet Cleaners
Yes, you can absolutely get your toilets clean with essential oils. You don’t have to use bleach, comet, or those nasty little stick on pucks that disintegrate with each flush (I’m begging you not to!). I love this toilet bowl pod recipe because they’re simple to make and so easy to use. I keep a jar on the back of each toilet. To use, drop in the bowl, let sit for 20-30min, then brush clean.
2. Hand Wash
At this point, when we’re this far into this blog, do I really need to school you on why your hand wash should be free of toxins? Work with me here people. Let’s just say, if you actually want your hands to be clean, this cannot be overlooked! This swap will not only be better for your overall health, but gentler on sensitive skin (I would know!). So many dangerous ingredients hide behind the term “fragrance”, and the majority of hand washes are loaded with them! So say goodbye to your Bath & Body Works faves, and hello to healthier options. And just so we’re on the same page……if you can smell the store you’re purchasing your products from halfway across the mall, it’s not a good thing.
Here are some healthy swaps:
This is doTERRA’s most recent formula infused with the incredible Citrus Bloom oil. If you like the aroma of floral + citrus you’re going to love this. It also comes responsibly packaged in a recyclable aluminum bottle to be used in the refillable glass pump.
In my opinion this hand wash is the BEST. I love that it is infused with the On Guard protective blend so that it cleans your hands AND supports your immune system. Win Win!!
Again, you always have the option to DIY. Making handwash is surprisingly easy and extremely affordable!
Here are some other green cleaning bathroom DIYS! And FYI is you’re not into making your own, the On Guard hand wipes are amazing!
Laundry
This is my favourite room to makeover. One thing you’ll begin to notice as you decrease the amount of toxins in your life, is that you become more and more sensitive when you’re exposed to them. I’m to the point where I have to air out the house after guests with strong smelling clothes visit, and any hand me downs have to go through a laundry stripping process before we can where them. I know it sounds extreme, but it’s just who I am now and I’m at peace with it. Now let’s talk about the extremely simple methods for greening up your laundry room.
Detergent
Nothing makes me want to hold my breath more than when I’m out for a walk and pass by a house who happens to be poisoning the neighbourhood with their toxic laundry detergent. If it can span a whole block what do you think it’s doing to the inside of your home? Think respiratory distress, skin sensitivities, hormone disruption, to name a few. I apologize if I’m getting more direct as this blog goes on, I guess I’m starting to feel more comfortable around you ;)
Now let’s talk swaps:
Another highly anticipated doTERRA product. Just toss one (or 2 if you have extremely dirty children like I do) into your washer and be amazed at the cleansing power of oils!
Norwex Ultra Power Plus Detergent supercharged with Purify essential oil (or your oil of choice).
2. Dryer Sheets
Ok we’re doing things a little different here because I don’t have any clean version of a dryer sheet to offer you, but it doesn’t really matter because they’re completely unnecessary. Instead I’m recommending that you swap these out for dryer balls and essential oils.
Dryer balls are great for reducing static and drying time, and you can customize the scent of your laundry by adding drops of your oil of choice right onto them! My faves are Wintergreen, Lavender, Midnight Forest, and Purify.
Hot tips:
If you’re dealing with stains apply straight up OG Cleaner Concentrate onto the trouble spots. Let sit for a few hours. Soak in cold water if need be.
If you have grease, sap, or other stubborn substances on clothes or fabric try using a drop of Lemon oil.
Here are a few other great DIYs:
Well, I never said it was going to be quick, but I hope you made it to the end and will bookmark this blog to use it as a helpful guide on your journey towards low tox living! Be sure to check out the class recording and shopping guide below.
If you aren’t a member of my oil community I would love to help you get started! There’s nothing I love more than guiding others on this incredible journey.
If you are already a customer I’m sure this gave you plenty of ideas for adding oils + products to your collection. You might want to consider the Loyalty Rewards Program so you can customize a monthly wellness box and earn points toward free products!
Feel free to contact me with any questions. Cheers to healthy + happy (especially if you’re using mood boosting citrus oils) cleaning!
