Spring is in the air and that cleaning time of year has snuck up on us again! And while we know that not everyone is a fan of the routine of spring cleaning, by learning how to transform your home environment with essential oils, you will not only become a fan of a natural cleaning experience but the oils will help you in the task of eliminating odors, dust and other allergens that have built up in your home over the winter.

According to the American Lung Association, studies have linked “exposure to chemicals from cleaning supplies to occupational asthma and other respiratory illnesses” adding “even products advertised as "green" or "natural" may contain ingredients that can cause health problems” which include eye and throat irritation as well as causing headaches. [1]

The power of nature in an essential oil bottle made into a DIY natural cleaner not only has the versatility to disinfect and kill germs with its antibacterial and antimicrobial constituents but also captivates your sense of smell. What's more, monoterpene-rich essential oils have the capacity to boost your immune system as you go. 

So how do we incorporate the strength and versatility of the fresh air of mother nature into our cleaning routines?

What Essential Oils Are Good For Home Fragrance To Make A House Smell Good?

Purposely handcrafted and created to keep you healthy and your home smelling wonderful, Home Sweet Home essential oil blend has numerous benefits due to its germ-fighting power. Let's take a quick look at the oils and the research that backs them up. 

• Lime (Citrus aurantifolia): Lime contains chemical components that are known to be cleansing, invigorating and purifying. In an in vitro study of over 20 oils, lime oil [5] was one of two oils found that was able to inhibit both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria - destroying bacteria with both thin and thick cell walls. Rock on Lime oil! Purifying both the surfaces and the air with lime oil is advantageous in its ability to kill germs.
• Gurjun Balsam (Dipterocarpus turbinatus) Besides its captivating depth, grounding and centering aromatics, studies have found that Gurjun Balsam and other species related to it have strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties[6]. 
• Timur Pepper (Zanthoxylum armatum): a traditional healer and known for centuries for its strong antifungal and insecticidal capacity, Timur Pepper essential oil holds various biological activities useful for cleaning purposes which also include antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiviral benefits.
• Patchouli- Dark (Pogostemon cablin): In a study on the antimicrobial properties of patchouli, it was deduced that “patchouli oil was found to be active against the gram-positive bacteria: Staphylococcus, Bacillus, and Streptococcus species.” It is also a known antifungal that inhibits the growth and adhesion of fungi on surfaces.[9]
• Fir- Douglas (Pseudotsuga menziesii): There is less research on this oil so looking at its components and traditional uses, we can better deduce the properties of this oil with respect to cleaning and germs. Fir- Douglas contains a percentage of a-Pinene and b-Pinene - known antibacterial and antifungals as well as another antifungal, Sabinene. Terpinen 4-ol is antiviral, antibacterial and immune stimulating. One study [10] noted its biological activity as antimicrobial and insecticidal. 
• Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens): This unique oil has been used traditionally for centuries for many maladies including colds, flu and stress as well as to clear out negative energy. Its compounds have shown in studies antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. 
• Fir- Balsam Absolute (Abies balsamea): Along with Fir- Douglas, Fir- Balsam is rich in a and b pinene components giving it its antibacterial properties that are beneficial for sanitizing surfaces as well as skin.

What are the Best Smelling Essential Oils to Cleanse the Air?

You are already most of the way there in avoiding harsh chemicals. What we consider some of the best essential oils for refreshing a space include the citrus fresh aromatics combined with Fir oils - a captivating pair when combined for cleaning. Think of the sweetness of the citrus with the aromatics of a mountainside hike but taking it a step further, Edens Garden Home Sweet Home essential oil blend packs a woodsy sweet and slightly spicy punch with the union of Timur pepper. A grounding base of Gurjun Balsam and Palo Santo transforms the blend with an earthly center due to the dry, balsamic and camphor notes that stabilize this sanitizing blend! 

How to Use Essential Oils to Scent a Room

There is almost no wrong way to use essential oils in the home for cleaning and creating delightful aromatic air to refresh and purify. Here are a few simple ideas to use Home Sweet Home in your cleaning and purifying routines. 

• Ultrasonic Diffusers (try Edens Garden Diamond and Terrazzo styles)
• Reed Diffuser: Simple and beautifully stylish, the reeds give off a subtle aromatic 
• Bathroom and Kitchen cleaning scrub (recipe below)
• Car diffuser: Check out the Aromaride!
• Homemade DIY mists and sprays (recipes below)
• Homemade DIY candle (recipe below)
• Wood Diffuser Ornaments: Hang them around the home or in your car as an air freshener

Essential Oils for Home Diffusers

Using a diffuser is a great way to change the mood in a room, disinfect without lifting a hand and even boost the immune system. There are a few types of diffusers out there that can fit the bill depending on the intensity of aroma you desire. Diffusing can change a mood and bring about a positive outlook, help with focus when work needs to be completed and even spread airborne antimicrobial essential oils into the air to halt the spread of sickness. 

• Active diffusers need a stimulus to work, such as electricity and vibration in an ultrasonic diffuser. These diffusers send out a fine mist of vapor blended with the essential oil that you desire to use. 
• Passive diffusers are gentler and do not need a stimulus - an example is a Reed Diffuser. The aroma is diffused into the air slowly by evaporation and is much more subtle.

You can read more about the difference between diffusers here. 

How do you use essential oils at home?

Over the years, essential oils have become very popular in transforming many cleaning routines away from harsh chemicals. Instead of abhorring the drudgery of cleaning kitchens and bathrooms and reducing allergy-causing dust build-up, we can look forward to a task that lets us bask in the stimulating bouquet and reset our minds and senses just in time for the birth of spring. 

By incorporating essential oils into your cleaning routine, you will effectively purge the dour moods of winter and bring forth productive and positive energy - all the while gaining the peace of mind of optimizing the health of those around you. Read on to learn about some spring cleaning tips and how to use essential oils to make DIY cleaning products, room sprays, diffusers, refrigerators, stove top cleansers and garbage can cleansers and more! 

Spring Cleaning Recipes:

Bathroom & Kitchen Scrub

Germs are no match for this baking soda scrub made for deep clean sessions! In an old plastic container with a lid, blend the following ingredients until you have a smooth and creamy scrub that you can use on tiles, tub surfaces, sinks, toilets, stove tops, inside ovens, refresh an old garbage can and more! 

• Combine: 1 cup Baking Soda & ¼ tsp Cornstarch
• Blend in the liquids of 3 tbsp liquid Castile soap and 2-3 tbsp white vinegar
• If needed, add a little more soap and vinegar to make the batch of scrub smooth and stick together but not too liquidy
• Then combine into the concoction and add 15-18 drops of Home Sweet Home essential oil blend

Edens Garden DIY Cleaning Spray

Dust and dirt are no match for this all-around home cleaner recipe great for mirrors and surfaces. After adding all the ingredients to a spray bottle shake well before use. Store in the refrigerator and away from sun and heat to keep the blend and essential oils volatile.

• 1 Cup White Vinegar 
• 2 Cups Purified or Distilled Water
• 10 Drops of Edens Garden Home Sweet Home essential oil blend

Dish Soap

Combine 15-18 drops of Home Sweet Home per ounce to an unscented dish soap and wash away!

Stale Air Reviver

In a 4 oz spray bottle combine:

• 40-50 drops of Home Sweet Home with 2 tbsp of 190-proof grain alcohol (blending with high-proof alcohol keeps the oil from separating in the water)
• Let sit for a few hours or overnight
• Top the alcohol mixture off with distilled water
• Shake well to combine.

Make A DIY Candle

Melt 20 oz of soy wax in a double boiler, then remove from heat and add 10-20 drops of Home Sweet Home per ounce of wax. Gently warm your heat-safe candle containers before transferring the melted wax mixture, so that the wax adheres to the container properly. Add a wick, then pour the wax to fill the container.

Note: Take caution when using essential oils with wool dryer ball due to potential fire hazard.

SOURCES:

1. Cleaning supplies and Household Chemicals https://www.lung.org/clean-air/at-home/indoor-air-pollutants/cleaning-supplies-household-chem
2. Hazardous substances in frequently used professional cleaning products https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4096065/
3. Risk in cleaning: chemical and physical exposure https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9599458/
4. Cleaning Supplies and Your Health https://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/content/cleaners_and_health/
5. In vitro antibacterial activity of some plant essential oils https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1693916/
6. A Phytochemical, Ethnomedicinal and Pharmacological review of genus Dipterocarpus https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271642103_A_Phytochemical_Ethnomedicinal_and_Pharmacological_review_of_genus_Dipterocarpus
7. A Review on Medicinal Properties of Zanthoxylum armatum https://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:rjpt&volume=11&issue=5&article=080
8. Evaluation of Zanthoxylum armatum Roxb for in vitro biological activities https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5634757/
9. Characterization and antimicrobial activity of patchouli essential oil extracted from pogostemon cablin https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA385069479&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=19950756&p=AONE&sw=w&userGroupName=nysl_oweb&isGeoAuthType=true
10. Pseudotsuga menziesii (Pinaceae): Volatile Profiles, Antimicrobial Activity and Toxicological Evaluation of Its Essential Oil  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34216094/
11. Chemical Composition, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of the Essential Oil of Bursera graveolens (Burseraceae) From Perú https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320247305_Chemical_Composition_Antimicrobial_and_Antioxidant_Activities_of_the_Essential_Oil_of_Bursera_graveolens_Burseraceae_From_Peru