Spring Cleaning with Herbs: Natural Solutions for Your Home

That time of year again, weather is warming and you want to open up the house and refresh after being closed up for the winter.  I love using herbs to wake up my senses and  make my home feel extra clean for the new season.  I wanted to share a few recipes to help you do the same.

The natural ingredients used in these recipes are:

Baking Soda – A gentle abrasive that helps scrub surfaces, deodorizes odors, and neutralizes acids. Great for removing stains and freshening fabrics.

Vinegar – A natural disinfectant that cuts through grease, dissolves mineral buildup, and neutralizes odors. Works well for glass, countertops, and descaling. Herbal vinegar ups this ability and I have several posts on making vinegar.

Castile Soap – A plant-based soap that lifts dirt, grease, and grime without harsh chemicals. Safe for most surfaces and great for all-purpose cleaning.

Essential Oils – Provide antibacterial, antifungal, and deodorizing properties while adding a natural, pleasant scent. Common choices include lemon, tea tree, and lavender. I love Now Brands for my oils because they are local and Illinois, like I am.

Hydrosols – Milder than essential oils, hydrosols have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, making them great for gentle cleaning, refreshing fabrics, and surface sprays. I get my hydrosols from individual suppiers if I don't make it myself. Check out Mountain Rose Herbs

Now to the recipes:

Herby Soft Scrub

• 12-ounce glass jar with lid
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup castile soap
• 15 drops of antimicrobial essential oils, like rosemary, thyme and sage

Mix well until you have a nice consistency like cake frosting. If you have leftovers, add 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin to keep the blend nice and moist.

Super Surface Spray

• 16 ounces spray bottle
• 14 ounce - 1:1 solution of distilled white vinegar and water
• 7 drops tea tree essential oil
• 7 drops lavender essential oil
• 7 drops lemon essential oil

Use this aromatic and disinfecting solution for cleaning kitchen counters, cabinets, refrigerator shelves, blinds, painted wood surfaces, painted walls, molding, fan blades, and more.

Antibacterial Soap Spray

• 16-ounce spray bottle
• 14 ounces water or rosemary hydrosol
• 3 tablespoon castile soap
• 15 drops tea tree essential oil
• 15 drops oregano essential oil

Use this cleaning spray to disinfect your bathroom surfaces. You can use the Super Surface Spray to rinse away any residue left behind by the castile soap.

Natural Lemony Furniture Polish

• 16-ounce spray bottle
• 1 cup olive oil
• 25 drops pure lemon essential oil
• 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
• Fill remainder of the bottle with purified water

Shake well and spray onto your rag or directly onto furniture. Buff dry immediately.

Lavender Dryer Sachet

•          1 3 x 3 inch muslin draw string bag
•          ½ cup lavender buds
•          Cotton balls

Place lavender buds in muslin bag, place 2 to 5 cotton balls in top of bag.  Pull draw string closed and tie in a knot.  The cotton balls keep the buds from slipping out of the tied bag during the tumbling.  Use multiple drier loads.  Spritz with a bit of water after three loads to rehydrate the lavender.  Stop using it when smell is gone.

Do you have favorite scents or cleaning agents that get you ready for the Spring season?  Share them with us.