Using Essential Oils for Natural Cleaning and a Healthy School

Keeping surfaces clean and sanitized is more important than ever, and maintaining a healthy school environment is especially important. However, we’re often forced to choose between harsh chemicals that work well but have harmful side effects and natural cleaning products that are gentle but aren’t as effective at cleaning. Fortunately, natural cleaning products have come a long way, and using essential oils for natural cleaning is a safe and effective way to boost cleaning power and keep schools clean and healthy without some of the negative side effects. Keep reading to learn more about the best natural cleaning ideas to help you keep your school clean and healthy.

Benefits Of Natural Cleaning In Schools

At one point, we were using cleaning products and were blissfully unaware of their toll on our health. Now we know the chemical in cleaning products can irriate peopel’s eyes and throats and cause other health problems. They are also bad for the environment and contribute to water, soil, and air pollution. It feels more important than ever to keep our children safe and find the best natural cleaning products to help maintain a healthy school environment.

Essential Oils For Natural Cleaning

One way to amplify the effectiveness of DIY natural cleaning products is to add essential oils. Essential oils for natural cleaning are a popular choice because many of the oils contain beneficial properties. Here are a few of our favorite essential oils that make the best natural cleaning products:

Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon oil is known for its powerful natural cleansing properties. It can be used to remove grease, grime, and sticky residue. It also provides a fresh and uplifting scent that makes everything smell renewed.

Tea Tree Essential Oil

With its natural cleansingproperties, Tea Tree essential oil is great for cleaning surfaces. It can be added to homemade cleaning solutions or used as a natural cleaner.

Lavender Essential Oil

Besides its calming aroma, Lavender essential oil also possesses cleaningproperties. It can be used in DIY cleaning sprays or laundry to give clothes a fresh scent.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint essential oil has an array of uses. While we enjoy the scent, some insects do not, and it acts as a natural repellent. Peppermint can reinvigorate the senses and is useful for cleaning surfaces.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

If you want to breathe easy, add Eucalyptus essential oil to natural cleaning products. It is well known for its ability to help refresh the air and can be used in natural air fresheners or added to cleaning solutions.

doTERRA On Guard^® Protective Blend

doTERRA On Guard is doTERRA’s proprietary blend. It’s a powerful combination of essential oils like Wild Orange, Clove, cinnamon, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary. It supports a healthy immune system when ingested* and can be used for cleaning surfaces to help support a clean and safe environment.

Note: No matter which oil you use in your eco-friendly cleaning products, please follow proper dilution guidelines and safety precautions. Read each essential oil's usage instructions and guidelines to ensure safe and effective cleaning.

DIY Natural Cleaning Ideas For Schools

Instead of using traditional cleaning materials, schools can utilize more natural cleaners like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice to keep things clean. A little extra effort will go a long way, and the following DIY natural cleaning products use essential oils. They are effective, environmentally friendly, and safe alternatives to help maintain a clean and healthy school environment. You can, use this blend in your diffuser or mix up one of the following to clean school surfaces.

All-Purpose Cleaning Spray

Ingredients:

• 1 cup distilled water
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 10 drops Lemon essential oil

Directions:

Mix the ingredients together in a spray bottle and use.

Uses:

This eco-friendly cleaning solution can be used to clean desks, chairs, and other surfaces in classrooms. The Lemon essential oil adds a fresh scent while helping cut through grease and grime. Lemon also has cleansing properties. The vinegar is an effective cleanser while leaving a streak-free shine behind.

Cleansing Wipes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup distilled water
• 1 Tbsp castile soap
• 10 drops Tea Tree essential oil

Directions:

Place a stack of reusable cloth wipes or paper towels in a container with a lid that closes tight. In a separate bowl, combine the ingredients. After mixing, pour the solution over the wipes, allowing them to absorb the solution. Use immediately, or seal the container and use as needed.

Uses:

Nothing beats the convenience of cleansing wipes, so it’s unfortunate the store-bought variety can potentially harm your family’s health. These DIY natural cleaning wipes are just as convenient to use but don’t include the chemicals you don’t want your kids touching or breathing. These wipes can clean frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs and light switches.

Air Freshener

Ingredients:

• Distilled water (enough to fill the small bottle)
• 5-10 drops Lavender or Peppermint essential oil

Directions:

Mix the ingredients together in a small spray bottle.

Uses:

The air in classrooms is often filled with plenty of smells, but most aren’t particularly good. Either of these scents can be used as natural air fresheners in classrooms and common areas to freshen up the area and promote a pleasant and calming atmosphere.

Sticky Residue Remover

Ingredients:

• Coconut oil
• Baking soda
• 3-5 drops Lemon essential oil

Directions:

Mix equal parts coconut oil and baking soda in a small bowl until it forms a paste. Add a few drops of lemon essential oil and stir well. Apply the mixture to sticky residues on desks, lockers, or other surfaces. Let it sit for a few minutes, then gently scrub with a cloth or sponge to remove the residue. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Uses:

Sticker residue, gum, and who knows what else can be taken care of with DIY natural cleaning products like this sticky residue remover. Use wherever children have left, but sticky residue remains.

Carpet Freshener

Ingredients:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 10-15 drops essential oil (Lavender, Eucalyptus, or a scent of your choice)

Directions:

Combine baking soda and dōTERRA essential oil in a jar (a mason jar with lid or similar container will do). Secure the lid and shake well to distribute the oil and combine the two ingredients. Sprinkle the mixture over carpets in classrooms and hallways. Let it sit for about 15 minutes before vacuuming thoroughly.

Uses:

It’s tough to find natural cleaning ideas for carpets, but this one not only deodorizes carpets and rugs but it also leaves a fresh scent behind.

doTERRA On Guard^® Sanitizing Mist

If you’re looking for an easy way to use essential oils for natural cleaning, the doTERRA On Guard Sanitizing Mist is effective and ready to use. It is infused with moisturizing apple extract and provides an invigorating spicy, citrusy aroma. Not only does it smell good, but it is 99.9% effective against the most common germs.† We recommend using it to cleanse hands when soap and water aren’t available. It’s also great to use on your hands after touching playground equipment, door handles, shopping carts, and anything else your kids handle, poke, or prod with their fingers.

Choosing The Best Natural Cleaning Products For Schools

Kids spend hours every day at school, in close contact with other kids, and touching EVERYTHING! That’s why keeping the school and all its surfaces clean and safe is important. Essential oils have great properties to help you protect those you love.

So before you opt for cleaning supplies with harsh chemicals and harmful side effects, try some of these dōTERRA DIY natural cleaning products, and donate them to your kid’s classroom as well. Learn more about the benefits of essential oils for natural cleaning, and get some to try for yourself at doTERRA.

†Most common germs includes Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia, Enterobacter cloacae, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus brasiliensis.