I am not an expert on housekeeping, as my husband will surely attest, but in my 14 years of homeownership I have tried many cleaning products. Harsh products work, but the chemicals irritated my sensitive skin and the strong fragrances can trigger allergies, headaches and wheezing.

Kathleen Ames, a yoga instructor (at Shakti in Maplewood, Spa Lady in South Orange, and Motion Fitness in Millburn) and Maplewood resident since 2004, used to get sinus headaches from cleaning. “In between jobs, I used to clean homes and I had to stop because of the cleaning supplies.”

With young children at home, the links to childhood asthma may also be a concern. Lydia, a Maplewood mom of two daughters agrees. “When you're a new mother, all of the sudden all the everyday stuff you never gave much thought to like cleaning supplies, shampoo, body lotion, etc., seem less benign.” 

Nowadays, mom’s old stand-bys like Comet, Windex and Pine Sol are pretty easy to replace with more eco-conscious options. Target, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Eden Gourmet all have shelves full. I have used these products with varying levels of success, but their biggest drawback to me is the price. Not only that, but I was frustrated by the assortment of plastic bottles in my recycling bin.

Channeling my inner-Heloise, I decided to try making my own cleaners from basic household products. Baking soda, white vinegar and borax can be found inexpensively at any supermarket or drugstore. I buy them in the largest containers available to save money and limit the plastic. With a bag full of lint-free microfiber cloths and these basics, my no-frills cleaning was underway, but these formulas lacked an “essential” ingredient I was used to…a scent!

Since my first pregnancy I had been interested in aromatherapy and essential oils, so I raided my medicine cabinet stash of tiny, tinted jars and started adding a few drops to my cleaning solutions. Books I had collected over the years and internet research confirmed that not only did they give me the scent I felt my home needed to smell “clean” but each therapeutic grade essential oil has specific benefits, including killing bacteria and viruses.

A September 2009 article published in The New York Times Health Section reported on a recent study that “a solution made with cinnamon oil killed a number of common and hospital-acquired infection. The study found it was just as effective as several antiseptics widely used in hospitals. Another study by French researchers in 2008 had similar results, showing that at concentrations of 10 percent or less, cinnamon oil was effective against Staphylococcus, E. coli and several antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.”

Kathleen began using therapeutic grade essential oils in her homemade cleaning products three years ago, and no longer suffers from sinus headaches. “Clove is my favorite in cleaning solutions because it has the highest antiviral and antibacterial components of any other essential oil.” She also likes to use orange essential oil on her wood floors and furniture. “Orange is great for your wood and it's uplifting for your mood.”

Lydia likes to clean her kitchen floor with a mild soap and rinse with warm water mixed with lavender oil. Lavender is her all-around favorite essential oil, but it must be “therapeutic grade essential oil” because if it’s just labeled “lavender oil,” it’s “probably just lavender perfume and definitely won't offer any of the benefits of using essential oil. Lavender essential oil is anti-bacterial, helps repel insects, it's relaxing." Sounds like something every “happy homemaker” needs!

I have not bought cleaning products (other than those basics listed above) in years, and daily cleaning is so much simpler (and less toxic for me and my family). Under each sink in the house I keep some recycled containers filled with my own cleaning products and an assortment of microfiber cloths and rags. Below are some simple recipes you can try.  Please write to let me know how you like them!

Soft Scrubbing Kitchen/Bathroom Cleaner:
1/2 cup baking soda or borax
A few drops of liquid soap
15 drops of antibacterial essential oils such as thyme, sweet orange, lavender, clove, rosemary, tea tree or cinnamon.
Place baking soda in a bowl. Slowly pour in the liquid soap, stirring until the consistency reaches that of frosting. Add a few drops of essential oil. Scoop mixture onto a sponge, wash the surface and rinse with clean water. 

Basic Spray Cleaner:
In a spray bottle, put water and a squirt of natural soap. Add your favorite antiseptic, anti-bacterial essential oil,  (suggested options are 5 drops each of lavender, lemon, and lemongrass essential oils). Shake well before each use.

Bathroom/Kitchen Disinfectant Cleaner:
1 Cup distilled white vinegar
1 quart clean hot water
1 tablespoon mild, natural soap
20-30 drops essential oils such as melaleuca (tea tree oil), white fir, eucalyptus, oregano, lavender, lemon, rosemary.
Mix in a small bucket or container, use generously. Will effectively clean, kill germs and sanitize. 

Suzanne Hassler is a Wife, Mom, semi-retired Graphic Designer, Interior Design Consultant, and Independent Distributor of Young Living Therapeutic Grade Essential oils, Member # 1109967. If you would like more information on using therapeutic grade essential oils throughout your home, please contact Suzanne at suzhassler@optonline.net