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Posted in Essential Oil Basics by Rocky Mountain Oils

The Most Effective Way To Clean Bathrooms With Essential Oils

Bathrooms. Sigh. They seem to always be dirty! Especially if you have children. But you don't have to buy all of the harsh chemicals to clean your bathroom. Here are some suggestions of ways to clean your bathroom using much more environmentally friendly methods. Methods that are safer for the people in your home. Methods you can also trust your little child to use. As part of our series on cleaning house with essential oils, we are now going to focus on the bathroom. So take a look at the recipes and enjoy green cleaning your bathroom.

Supplies to Have on Hand:

(This list will be the same on each of the cleaning articles)
Cleaning supplies: Equipment:
  • Borax
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Castile Soap, liquid and solid
  • White Vinegar
  • Baking Soda
  • Washing Soda Crystals (L-ascorbic acid powder/crystals)
  • Oil based soap (Murphy's is good)
  • Concentrated Oil Soap Paste
  • Citrus seed extract (different from the essential oil)
  • Beeswax
  • Carnauba wax
  • Cream of Tartar
  • Washing soda, generic name sodium carbonate
  • Alum
  • Vitamin C Tablets
  • Salt
  • Linseed oil
  • Turpentine
  • Cornmeal
  • Lemon Juice
  • Aloe Vera Gel and Juice
  • Natural Cat Litter
  • Plastic squirt bottles
  • Plastic spray bottles
  • Plastic containers with shaker tops
  • Coffee cans with lids
  • Glass jars with lids
  • Cotton cloths
  • Rags
  • Cellulose sponge cloth
  • Gallon size buckets
  • Mops
  • Paper towels
   
 

What Oils to Use

Lemon, Lime, Orange, Lavender, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Grapefruit, Rosemary, Pine, Spruce, Cypress, Thyme, Palmarosa, Citronella, Wintergreen, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Spearmint, Oregano, Cinnamon Bark, Clove Bud, Sage, Petitgrain bigarade, Vetiver, Coriander, Juniper Berry (This list contains all oils used in all the cleaning articles.)

A Few Points of Interest

  • Put 2 drops of one of the above pure essential oils on a wet cloth. Wipe down the surface of the counter and the sink then squeeze it out and let the water run down the drain.
  • For grime on faucets, put 3-4 drops of a citrus oil directly on the dirt, then clean with a toothbrush.
  • To clean a toothbrush holder, if it's a stand-alone holder, run through the dishwasher regularly. Or let stand for 20 minutes filled with water and 2-3 drops Tea Tree oil. Then wash by hand or in a dishwasher.
  • To help keep shower drains clear, once a week put 10 drops Lemon oil down the drain and then pour a few cups boiling water down drain to wash it down.
  • To maintain a fresh scent in your bathroom, put a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil on the inside of the toilet paper roll. The fragrance will be released every time the roll is turned.
  • Place a bowl of potpourri on the counter or the toilet tank. Replace it every three months. If you are worried about little children playing with it, you can place it on a high shelf or try filling a muslin or cloth bag with the potpourri and hang it out of reach.
  • To keep bath mats and rugs smelling fresh between washings, scent 1/2 cup Baking Soda with 8 - 10 drops of essential oil of your choice. Sprinkle on the mats/rugs, wait 15 minutes, and then vacuum.

Recipes

These are aimed at bathrooms but there are many that are interchangeable with the list of recipes in the article about cleaning the kitchen. So check through both.

Clean Room Mist Spray

  • 65 drops Tea Tree
  • 50 drops Thyme
  • 35 drops Eucalyptus globulus
  • 4 fluid ounce pure water
Combine all ingredients in a 4 ounce, fine mist spray bottle. Liberally spritz room to clean the air. Can also use it to wipe down counters.

Comb and Hairbrush Cleaner

  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup Vinegar
  • 20 drops Tea Tree, Rosemary, Lavender or Eucalyptus oil
Let them stand 20 minutes in a container. Rinse well and allow to air-dry before putting away. It is also good to blow them dry with a hair dryer.

Green Scouring Paste and Tile/Grout Cleaner

  • 1 cup Baking Soda
  • 1 cup Borax
  • 1 cup table Salt
  • 20 drops Lavender oil
  • 10 drops Tea Tree oil
Place all ingredients in a large, glass measuring cup and mix well. Pour into a large container with a lid. (Can be an old yogurt or detergent tub.) Label container. Apply with a natural bristle brush for best results.

Mirror Bright

  • 1 1/2 cups White Vinegar
  • 1/2 cup Water
  • 8 drops of citrus oil of choice
Combine all ingredients in a plastic spray bottle and shake well before every use. Clean mirrors with it using a dry cloth or towel.
Toilets
Here are some ideas for ways to clean the throne.

Toilet Cleaner

  • 1 cup distilled Water
  • 1/2 cup Liquid Castile Soap
  • 1 cup Baking Soda
  • 1/4 cup White Vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Tea Tree oil
  • 1 teaspoon Lavender oil
Mix all ingredients into a large measuring cup. Be careful when you add the vinegar because the whole thing will fizz up. Pour into a squirt bottle and use for the toilet bowl, rim and seat.

Sparkling Clean Toilet Cleaner

  • 2 cups Water
  • 1/4 cup liquid Castile Soap
  • 10 drops Eucalyptus or Peppermint oil
Combine all ingredients in a plastic spray bottle and shake well before every use. Spray on toilet surfaces and wipe clean with a damp cloth or sponge.

No-Scrub Toilet Bowl Cleaner

  • 1 cup Borax
  • 1 cup Vinegar
  • 10 drops Pine or Lavender oil
  • 5 drops Lemon or Lime oil
Combine all ingredients in a plastic bowl or bottle and pour all at once into the toilet bowl. Allow to sit overnight. In the morning, just flush!

Easy-Does-It  Bowl Cleaner

  • 1/2 cup Baking Soda
  • 1/4 cup White Vinegar
  • 10 drops Tea Tree oil
Combine all ingredients. Just add to the bowl, swipe with a brush, and you're done.

Sinks and Tubs

There is a lot to clean in bathroom sinks and bathtubs. Many problems are found lurking, whether it be soap scum, mildew, mold, or really gross hair clogs.

Herbal Scouring Powder

  • 1 cup Baking Soda
  • 10 drops Sage
  • 10 drops Rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon Cream of Tartar
Combine all ingredients in a plastic container, preferably one with a shaker top. Shake well. Sprinkle small amount of the powder into sink and scrub with damp cloth or sponge. Rinse well with water.

Scrubbing Action Powder

  • 1 cup Baking Soda
  • 1/2 cup Borax
  • 1/4 cup Salt
  • 3 drops Lavender oil
  • 2 drops Bergamot oil
Combine all ingredients in a plastic container with a shaker top. Shake well to mix and allow to sit overnight before using. Sprinkle a small amount directly on surfaces or on a damp sponge and scrub. Rinse well with water.

Fizzy Bathroom Sink Cleaner

  • 1/2 cup Baking Soda
  • 6 drops Lemon or Lime oil
  • 1/4 cup Vinegar
Combine baking soda and essential oil. Sprinkle into sink, pour the vinegar on top. After the fizz settles, scrub clean with a damp cloth or sponge. Rinse clean.

Soap Scum Remover

  • 1 tablespoon Baking Soda
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 2 drops essential oil of choice
  • Vinegar
Combine baking soda, salt, and essential oil in a small cup. Add just enough vinegar to make a paste. Apply to surface and scrub with a damp cloth or sponge. Rinse well.

Soap Scum Preventer

  • 1 1/2 cups Water
  • 1 1/2 cups White Vinegar
  • 8 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract
  • 5 drops Orange oil
Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well to mix. Spray a fine mist of formula on the shower curtain interior, bathtub, shower doors, walls, faucets, etc after each use.

And Finally

What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below. Thanks!