Thank goodness the sun is out today so we can start to dry-out here in Fort Lauderdale!
The past week’s torrential rains and flooding issues were a bit much for most of us.
I guess that’s the flip side of living in paradise!

Cleaning up after a storm isn’t particularly fun either but adding fresh aromas of essential oils to your household cleaning chores is not only “green” but is also very uplifting.  Essential oils can be used on countertops, cupboards, floors, bathrooms, sinks, tiles, carpets and more.  They are naturally anti-bacterial, and depending on which oils you add, they can be anti-viral and anti-fungal as well.  Don’t forget they can be used inside your cars also.  Remember, essential oils are very potent and should be kept well away from children and pets and don’t spray directly into the eyes. Make sure that they are always clearly labelled and stored safely out of reach.

It’s easy to change essential oils as the seasons change so your home will always have a relaxed, friendly fragrant atmosphere for friends and family.  Here’s a few ideas to add sparkle and freshness to your home anytime!

Dishwasher:  Add a few drops to the soap in the soap dispenser to help disinfect and purify.  I also put a few drops on a sponge and run it through a wash cycle.  Some popular oils are lemon, sweet orange, tangerine, pine, and peppermint.

Dishwashing liquid:  Add several drops of essential oils such as lavender, tea tree, grapefruit, spruce, pine, lemon, bergamot, and sweet orange.

Laundry: To help kill dust mites in your bedding, add 25 drops of Eucalyptus to your soap into the soap dispenser for each machine load.

Dryer:  Add a few drops of essential oils onto a damp washcloth and add to the dryer with wet laundry.  Some popular oils are lavender, geranium, lemon, may chang, and fir.   Muslin bags filled with dried lavender are also a nice way to add fragrance to the clothes dryer.

Vacuum Cleaner:  Saturate a few cotton balls or a tissue with several drops of essential oil and place it into the collecting bag of your vacuum. This will diffuse a pleasant odor as you vacuum.

Tile Floors:  Adding 10-15 drops of an essential oil to a mop or swiffer wet jet pad such as lemon and peppermint or lime creates a refreshing, uplifting atmosphere immediately.

Bathroom:  For a particularly fresh bathroom, add a few drops of your preferred essential oil to the cardboard roll which holds the toilet paper so that each time it is pulled and paper is dispensed, the fragrance of the oils will be released.

Hot tubs, jacuzzis, and saunas:  All act as reservoirs for germs, especially if used frequently. Lavender, Eucalyptus globulus, thyme, or grapefruit can be used to disinfect and fragrance the water. Use 3 drops per person. For saunas, add several drops of rosemary, thyme, pine, or lavender in a spray bottle with water and then spray down the surfaces.  Scented water can also be used to splash on hot sauna stones.

Cupboards, linen closets, drawers:  Add a few drops of essential oils to cotton balls and place in corners.  Citrusy scents are invigorating and refreshing.  Peppermint helps keep bugs away.  Florals such as lavender & geranium are nice for lingerie.

Horizon Antiseptic Air Spray

(Use as an air spray or surface disinfectant.  Don’t forget phones, sneakers,
laundry rooms, garbage cans,  cars and more  –  anyplace that harbors germs.)

 ●  5 drops Eucalyptus   ●    3 drops Peppermint   ●   4 drops Lavender
●   10 drops Lemon or May Chang   ●   8 drops Lime   ●   4 drops Tea Tree