Keeping your home chemical free

Keeping your home chemical free

Aromatherapy

Ellen Cox

I have a good friend who has a great bedtime ritual with her children. Before tucking them in she asks them to tell her one thing they liked and disliked about the day. A simple reflection that in its own small way helps to bring about balance. I try to practice it sometimes.

So, keeping things aromatic, today I (really) disliked walking down the cleaning isle of the supermarket. The assault on my nose from the synthetic perfumes and chemicals and the taste in my mouth was extremely unpleasant. And today, while walking in the sunshine, I (really, really) liked the sweet, heady aroma of the plump flowers of the whin in full bloom.

We introduce many products to our homes for cleaning and freshening, many of which are completely unnecessary, industrial products in domestic settings. Our health and families’ health can be challenged – one indication is the high volume of skin disorders, from eczema to psoriasis and dermatitis. And the environment suffers too. With so many homes not on main drains, whatever goes down the sink goes straight into the garden, streams and rivers.

Essential oils have long been used in cleaning products, so take what is best (the oils) and leave the rest. Here are some easy and effective ways to incorporate oils into your daily routine:

Tough cleaning

Bread soda is a magical cleaning agent. It lifts almost any stain in the kitchen and bathroom. Add a few drops of an essential oil such as lemon and a little water, and you have a very tough cleaning paste that smells good.

Shower

A few drops (3-6) of citrus oil (grapefruit, lime, lemon, mandarin or orange) on the floor of the shower (away from the plug hole) makes a very refreshing start to the day. For an evening shower, try calming lavender or camomile. Eucalyptus or thyme oils are good for respiratory ailments and colds.

Whiffs

There’s no need to buy chemical air-fresheners: A few drops of oil on a tissue and placed over the radiator gives an instant, pleasant aroma in a room. Lavender and camomile are good for bedrooms, while bergamot or other citrus oils are a little livelier for other rooms.

Mattresses

We can’t clean mattresses (though I believe vacuuming them from time to time is beneficial). A mattress under the eye of a microscope is not a pretty sight. When changing the bed sheets, 10-20 drops of lavender and tea tree oil will freshen – and help deter unwanted inhabitants!

Hoovers

Everyone knows how musty and stinky a Hoover can become. Place around ten drops of either lemon or lemongrass  oil on the filter inside your hoover. As soon as you turn on the machine you get a fantastic fresh aroma.

In the car

Keeping a bottle of a stimulating oil in the car can be very useful. Peppermint is refreshing and good for nausea. Simply place a few drops on a tissue and inhale. Alternatively, sprinkle a few drops on the carpet floor – this is is also useful for dispelling unwanted odours. Select an oil that you like and avoid sedative oils like lavender and camomile.

Room freshener

Make your own room freshener using an atomiser (available for €1.99) and an empty 100ml bottle (99c). Use oils with fresh and zesty aromas like orange, mandarin, grapefruit, lemon or bergamot. Add 3-5ml of oil into 100ml of water, and give the bottle a good shake before using to disperse the oil. To promote restful sleep or to calm over-excited children, use lavender or camomile. For a party, use ylang ylang, sandalwood or orange. For a sick room, use antiseptic oils like tea tree or lemon. For study use rosemary or basil.

Ironing

While ironing, using the atomiser to ‘mist’ lavender water will lightly scent and freshen clothes beautifully. Many people use lavender water in the iron instead of water.

Dish cloth and fridge

Putting a few drops of Lemon oil on a dish cloth, then rinsing and squeezing, both freshen and disinfect it. Wiping out the fridge with this cloth will help dispel nasty odours and disinfect the surface. Lemon oil is highly antiseptic (0.2 per cent can kill TB bacteria) and has a very acceptable odour around food.

Ellen Cox is a qualified professional aromatherapist and a member of the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists. She currently practices aromatherapy two days a month in St Brendan’s Retirement Village in Mulranny. She has worked with Atlantic Aromatics for 15 years.