chemical free all-purpose spray DIY

a few weeks ago i made all-purpose spray using my doterra essential oils and i have waited to post about it to be sure that i actually like the spray. i needed to test it out a few times to see if it was post-worthy.

as you know, our goal this year has been to remove as many chemicals from our home as possible. and i've found that doterra essential oils are a great way to make this happen. i discovered this recipe on doterra's blog and decided to give it a test run…

i followed the directions exactly as they appear on doterra's blog. on guard and grapefruit are two of my favorite oils, and i have to admit i love this all-purpose spray. it worked great and gets the job done because of the properties of both on guard and grapefruit. on guard is a protective blend and great for boosting immunity. it's antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal. on guard helps get the sickies out and is exceptional for cleaning as it kills all those nasty germs. grapefruit also has healing properties; it is a disinfectant and helps build the immune system. the combination of these two oils makes for a solid all-purpose spray.

i am constantly cleaning our countertops and stove. this spray cuts grease and leaves the kitchen smelling fresh. i've also used it to clean the tub in our bathroom. i don't think i would use this spray on granite, marble or other porous surfaces as the citrus oils tend to be harsh and could damage the finish.

the only difference i made is adding a few more essential oil drops than the doterra recipe. here is the recipe i followed:

supplies:

• 16 oz. glass spray bottle (i ordered mine from here)
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1 3/4 cups water
• 20 drops on guard essential oil
• 20 drops grapefruit essential oil
• 1 teaspoon borax

directions:

1. add all ingredients to spray bottle. shake well prior to each use.

we have almost used this whole bottle of all-purpose spray and i cannot wait to test out some new oil combinations next time. doterra has a list of recommendations and the one that's catching my eye most is the eucalyptus, peppermint, and wild orange. 

like i said above, this is a great alternative and non-toxic way to keep your house clean and free of germs. 

happy and healthy cleaning. :)

chemical-free hand sanitizer DIY

i hate germs. in fact, i am somewhat of a germaphobe. i am constantly using hand sanitizer, especially during the winter months. the one thing that i hate the most about hand sanitizers found in stores today is that they are so drying. as if winter isn't drying enough. i can't stand it when my hands are dry, so i decided to make a hand sanitizer without alcohol which is the main ingredient that causes our hands to dry out.

i've been on a quest lately to eliminate chemicals from our home and this is just another way for me to keep us healthy and the best part is, it's 100% non-toxic. the recipe below fills two of the containers pictured above, so adjust as needed if you want to make more bottles. this alcohol-free version will not only clean your hands, but it will moisturize them too! now, don't get me wrong, there are a few natural hand sanitizers on the market, but i've found that making my own is far cheaper and i know exactly what is in it. here is how i do it: 

supplies you will need: 

• 5 tablespoons 100% aloe vera gel
• 1/4 teaspoon vitamin e oil
• 5 tablespoons water
• 10-12 drops on guard essential oil {you could use any essential oil that is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal}
• small plastic squeeze container {i purchased mine here}

directions:

1. in a small bowl combine the aloe vera gel and vitamin e oil.

2. add 10-12 drops of on guard blend to the aloe vera gel mixture.

3. slowly add water and mix well to combine until you achieve your desired consistency. i used all 5 tablespoons and this was perfect for me.

4. pour into your container and toss into your purse. i also keep a bottle on my desk at work.

i gave a bottle of hand sanitizer to my mom last weekend and both her and my dad have texted me a few times raving about how much they like it. i would love to hear your thoughts on the hand sanitizer if you decide to make your own.

note: i've received some questions about storing the hand sanitizer in plastic containers. in this case, it is okay because the essential oils are highly diluted. if they were not as diluted, i would recommend storing in a glass container. if you do use plastic containers make sure that your essential oils are of high quality. contact me if you have questions!