Amidst the cacophony of people who wanted an article on Herbal Housekeeping, here is your reward!
After some research I have found that it is making quite a comeback. New research indicates not only presumed health hazards with the range of “normal” toxic chemicals we use on a daily basis, but also links to ADD, hyperactivity and a full slew of diseases we are now seeing reported more and more. I will leave the numbers and validity arguments up to the experts and say only that it is a good idea, especially if you already suffer from a disease that can or may have affected your chemical sensitivities. No one need tell you the benefits of prevention! (AND, with no real harmful side effects, you can start enlisting those kids and put them to work!)

So to help you start, there are some basic tools that should be in your arsenal. The first is essential oils and the most used are: Lavender, Tea Tree, Lemongrass, Bergamot, Pine, Rosemary and Lemon. Always make sure they are essential oils and not fragrance oils and try for pharmaceutical grades where available. (When I did cloth diapering -that is another article should there be a request!, I was able to find large bottles of lavender and tea tree for 20.00 on bid on EBay and the woman would let me buy as many as I wanted for the bid price I won. This is something it pays to shop around for.)
Next, you want to get good fresh baking soda, white vinegar (apple cider works alright in most applications, as well), good soft water, soft (but non-linting) cloths, fresh spices where noted (not those packages at the supermarket that may be months old!), re-usable spray bottles, veggie based/castile liquid soap and elbow grease in the biggest size you can find! (Only kidding, mostly!)
Here are a few tips:
Note, I made a special mention of soft water. If you have hard well water, like I do, it may leave deposits and extra spotting/streaking, which is something to be aware of but not a real obstacle, per say. Start with the smaller dose of essential oils and build up to your taste. Don’t make more than a cup or two of solution at a time, some of them can go rancid or just become less efficient after a certain amount of time. A little can go a long way with some of these, so start small and work your way up!
TEST! Test things out in small inconspicuous areas before using full scale. These are home recipes I found from all over and they are use at your own risk, for what risk it may be worth!
Lavender is mentioned the most, if you are allergic, Tea Tree is a common substitution. (You can overload on essential oil smells, too, so don’t overdo it!) If you have never used many essential oils before or tend to be allergic to things, try small amounts before spreading them all around your home! And ask your doctor!
Here are a few recipes:
Lavender Disinfecting Spray
1 cup of hot water
20-25 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
Spray bottle
Mix Lavender and Water in spray bottle. Shake well in between applications. Tea Tree can be substituted for a more “pine” like smell or in substitution for allergies. (Be careful on soft surfaces that may stain.)
Carpet Freshener
¾ cup baking soda
2 T Cornstarch
Sprinkle and leave for 5 minutes. Vacuum. (A drop or two of essential oil may be added, but be careful to mix WELL and test an area of your rug first.)
All Purpose Spray Cleanser
Place 1 cup of very warm water in a spray bottle. Add 5 drops each of lavender and lemon essential oils. (2-3 drops of Tea Tree or Pine may also be added.) Add a small squirt of your castile soap. Shake well and let set a few moments.
Be sure to test areas first and rinse well after application and any scrubbing.
Freshen your Vacuum
Put a few drops of essential oil on a small scrap of paper, a piece of tissue or a cotton ball and suck it up!
Kill Dust Mites
Put 15-20 drops per load or about ¼ ounce placed in a full jug of laundry detergent (natural of course) Eucalyptus Essential Oil. Wash bedding as usual. (Check labels!!!)
Naturally Good-Smelling Clothes
Take a damp wash cloth and place several drops of one or more of your favorite essential oils and place in dryer, dry as normal. (Don’t overdo it. More than 10 drops and it’s just overkill, but experiment.) Fold wash cloth in half or quarters so oil is not in direct contact with clothing.
Window and Shiny Surface Cleaner
warm water, a scant quart
1 cup White Vinegar
5-10 drops of Lemon Essential Oil
OR
1/3 teaspoon of castile soap
3-4 tablespoons of vinegar
2 cups of warm water
Floors
To a bucket of hot water add 1 cup of vinegar and 5-10 drops of pine, lavender, lemon and or tea tree essential oils.
Soft Scrubbing Compound
½ cup baking soda
1/8 cup castile soap
10 drops rosemary essential oil. (lemon or lavender is also good)
Mix thoroughly. Good for scrubbing tubs and sinks. Make sure to rinse very well with good warm water.
Sound like all too much work? Many commercial lines are going more “green” and coming out with a much more natural product, even if some still have a long way to go. Method is a common product line that is relatively easy to find in most areas and can offer a better solution for those who can’t see themselves buying essential oils and mixing them this way.

Pest control can also go green. Many books exist on herbs some bugs hate, like a bay leaf in bins of flours and grains to help keep some beetles away. Or in bait traps (humane or otherwise) use cloves mixed with peanut butter to attract mice more effectively, instead of poison traps. And it is true, ants won’t cross a chalk line but it has to be a good ½ inch across and very, very heavily drawn to be truly effective, otherwise they find a weak spot and over and in! Or try sprinkling hot pepper or ground cloves where they come in most. And it is said spent coffee grounds mixed with orange peels spread around your garden will keep cats out, but I don’t know how effective it may prove to be. I know people who use fresh sage and bay leaves in their cupboards to repel moths.
The point is herbs, spices and essential oils have been used for years and centuries to clean the home. I have barely touched the surface here, but opened a door on a wonderful world where housekeeping is as natural as can be. Look for books where you can, ask friends and maybe join a green newsletter online to find out more useful cleaning tips! Sky’s the limit and with natural cleaning, we can keep it that way!
© 2008 by Jennifer Altherr, Butyoudontlooksick.com