I've been doing a lot of work with essential oils lately (in case you hadn't noticed from the posts, lol ;>), and whipped this up last week and have been using it for the kitchen counters & appliances. You could probably also use it in the bath --- I just have tried it there yet. It's a nice alternative to the bleach wipes and even just ammonia and water for cutting grease, which is something the bleach wipes don't (or didn't) do.
If you work extensively with essential oils, I'm sure you could wipe up something similar from scratch. I just found it easier to use an essential oil mix already on the market --- one similar to what the pick pockets used during the plague in Europe. See what you think and feel free to adapt and change the ingredients as needed. Enjoy!
Natural Grease Cutter, Sanitizer & Disinfectant
Shopping List:
- 1, 10 ml (1/3 oz) bottle of Plant Therapy Germ Fighter essential oil mix. This mix contains essential oils of Lemon, Clove, Eucalyptus, Cinnamon, and Rosemary so be careful not to touch your hands to your eye area during use or while mixing. Clove, Eucalyptus, and Cinnamon oils can burn! A 1997 study (Weber State University) showed these oils are 99.96% effective against airborne bacteria, so you know they'll kill surface germs as well.
- 1, 16 oz spray bottle
- 12 oz to 16 oz bottle of isopropyl alcohol (70%) or witch hazel, whichever you have on hand. It's ok if some has been used and it's not a full bottle.
The alcohol evaporates fast and kills germs in its own right. I had alcohol on hand and used that. Witch Hazel is a tad more expensive but also germicidal as well as astringent. (I use it as a skin toner and makeup remover before moisturizing.) Besides their antimicrobial properties, these two also helps us mix the essential oils with water.
- Tea Tree essential oil (2 to 4 droppers full)
Tea Tree essential is also a well known antiseptic / antimicrobial / germ killer.
- Filtered water
Directions:
Add the alcohol or witch hazel to the spray bottle first. Then add the Germ Fighter and tea tree essential oils. Fill bottle with filtered water. Shake well before each use. Spray and wipe like you would with any other disinfectant. I think it smells much better (and cleaner) than what you get with the chemical wipes, and it's just as convenient once mixed.
