Cleaning with Tea Tree Oil

Cleaning a home takes a lot of work. Many of the cleaners we expose ourselves and family to can make us sick--or even kill us. According to the American Association of Poison Control Center, there were more than 4 million calls to centers nationwide in 2008. One of the top five causes was household cleaners. Parents try hard to protect their children, and can do that better by removing harmful chemicals from the home. Tea tree oil is a natural substance that has many uses around the home.

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda
• Rag
• Spray bottle
• Eye dropper
• Lemon juice
• Humidifier
• Olive oil
• Cloth
• Mop

Instructions

1. Mix ½ cup of baking soda with enough water to make a thick, creamy paste. Add 10 drops of 100 percent tea tree oil to the paste with an eye dropper. Use the paste to scrub bathroom counters, sinks and bathtubs. The tea tree oil is germicidal and antimicrobial, which will kill bathroom bacteria. This paste is used on kitchen counters and stove tops, or anywhere an abrasive cleaner is needed.

2. Fill a plastic spray bottle with water. Using an eye dropper, add 20 drops of tea tree oil to the water. Shake well to mix. Use the mixture as a disinfectant on surfaces that may be a home to bacteria and germs. This spray can be used effectively anywhere you would use a disinfectant spray.

3. Mist the air in your home to kill airborne germs, using the spray bottle. Spray the carpet and soft cloth furniture. Mist the surfaces of furniture until damp, and allow the surfaces to air-dry. This will destroy odor-causing bacteria. Tea tree oil will also kill dust mites and fleas. Run a humidifier in your home; adding 10 drops of tea tree oil to the water will sanitize the air.

4. Spray the walls in your house with the spray bottle. Use a cloth to wipe the walls down. This mixture will freshen the room, and remove any smoky residue. To remove crayon or ink pen marks from the wall, apply a few drops of tea tree oil to 1 tsp. of olive oil. Apply the oil mixture to a rag and rub until the mark is gone.

5. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to dish water to help kill bacteria.

6. Mop your floors with a mixture of 1/2 cup of lemon juice and 2 tbsp. of tea tree oil. The lemon juice and tea tree oil will break down oil and dirt, and sanitize the floor.

Tips & Warnings

• Adding 10 to 15 drops of tea tree oil to the rinse cycle on your washing machine will remove the musty smell.

• Add several drops of tea tree oil to the air filters. The tea tree oil fumes will destroy bacteria in the air.

• Keep tea tree oil away from children; it is very potent and can cause illness if ingested.

• Straight tea tree oil will remove paint from walls, so test a small area before cleaning.

References

• 2008 Poison Control Center Annual Report

Resources

• Green Housecleaning Guide: Make Your Household a Non-Toxic Sanctuary