Australian oils are refreshing, uplifting and balancing. The unique freshness of Australian essential oils makes them an excellent natural solution for cleaning inside and outside the home.
Here are some useful suggestions how to use Australian essential oils for cleaning and which oils are best to use:
CLEANING INDOORS
Air Freshener
A number of Australian native essential oils are remarkably fresh. Some of the best for using in an air freshener are Fragonia, Honey Myrtle, Kunzea, Lemon Myrtle, Lemon Tea Tree, Rosalina (Lavender Tea Tree) and any of the Eucalypts.
All Purpose Cleaner
Mix 40 drops Eucalyptus ‘Australiana’ or Gully Gum with 20 drops of Lemon Myrtle and 50 drops of Tea Tree with 20ml white vinegar. Add to 200ml of water. Shake well, spray on area and wipe off. Use to help clean surfaces, deodorise rubbish bins etc.
Also wipe telephones, door handles, kitchen benches to create a healthy home or environment.
Antibacterial Boosters
Add drops of the Eucalypts, Fragonia, Lemon Myrtle, Lemon Tea Tree, Niaouli, Rosalina, or Tea Tree to your favourite cleaners.
Carpet Cleaning
To deodorise and freshen carpets, mix 1 drop of either Eucalyptus ‘Australiana’, Peppermint Gum, Niaouli or Rosalina to each tablespoon of Bicarbonate Soda or talc. Sprinkle directly onto carpet. Wait 10 minutes before vacuuming.
Carpet Stains
Add Eucalyptus (Australiana, Blue Gum, Blue Mallee, Gully Gum), to a damp cloth and wipe stain to centre to avoid ring stain (patch test first).
Easy Breathing
Add one or some of the following, Eucalyptus Peppermint Gum, Kunzea, Lemon Tea Tree, Niaouli, Sandalwood or Anise Myrtle to an oil burner for good fresh air.
Foot / Shoe Odours
Add Lemon Myrtle, Lemon Tea Tree, Fragonia or Eucalyptus (Australiana, Blue Gum, Lemon Ironbark) to an air freshener and spray into mouldy shoe smells.
Grease Marks
Use Eucalyptus (Australiana, Blue Gum, Blue Mallee, Gully Gum), (perhaps patch test first) leave for a minute, then wipe with a damp cloth, toward the centre of the stain, to avoid a ring stain.
Mould and Mildew
For green mould prevention use Lemon Myrtle in sprays for bathroom, shower moulds etc. To kill green mould use Lemon Myrtle in sprays at around 2% or greater.
Oil Burners
All Australian Native Essential Oils are excellent in oil burners, many have different roles;
- Add Fresh Air and Freshness (Eucalypts, Fragonia, Honey Myrtle, Lemon Myrtle, Niaouli, Rosalina)
- Are Refreshing (Honey Myrtle, Lemon Ironbark, Lemon Myrtle),
- Uplifting (Honey Myrtle, Lemon Ironbark, Lemon Myrtle),
- Aid Concentration (Honey Myrtle, Lemon Myrtle),
- Are Calming (Sandalwood, Australian Blue Cypress, Emerald Cypress, Fragonia).
- While some are hygienic and reassuring (Eucalypts, Fragonia, Kunzea, Niaouli, Nerolina, Rosalina, Tea Tree)
Problem Children Hair and Scalp
Add Nerolina up to 5% to a favourite hair or body wash, for children with unhappy hair or scalp conditions brought home from schools or kinder gardens Apply Nerolina to a hair wash or body-wash, leave in the hair for an hour with a shower cap on. Comb the hair afterwards to remove anything unwanted.
Spots and Stains
Eucalyptus (Australiana, Blue Gum, Blue Mallee, Gully Gum) and Tea Tree are good for removing ink and biro stains. Add a several drops to a stain, wait for a few minutes and then wash.
Stainless Steel Cleaner
Use Eucalyptus (Australiana, Blue Gum, Blue Mallee, Gully Gum) on a damp cloth and rub.
Sticky Residue / Chewing Gum
Add Eucalyptus (Australiana, Blue Gum, Blue Mallee, Gully Gum) on a damp cloth and rub on sticker, wait a minute then scrub or peel off.
Toilet Cleaning
Add a capful of any Eucalyptus, Rosalina or Tea Tree to deodorise and disinfect toilets and drains.
Vacuum Cleaning
Put 6 drops of your Fragonia essential oil, Lemon Myrtle oil or Kunzea oil onto a cotton ball. Place in your vacuum cleaner and inhale the fresh vapours while you vacuum.
Washing Clothes
Add 5-10 drops of Eucalyptus (‘Australiana’, Gully Gum, Lemon Ironbark, Lemon Scented Gum), Fragonia, Lemon Myrtle, Kunzea, or Rosalina, to a washing machine before a washing cycle commences.
Washing Dishes
Add 10 drops of Honey Myrtle, Lemon Myrtle, Eucalyptus (Australiana, Lemon Ironbark, Lemon Scented Gum) or Rosalina into a litre of detergent, for a sparkling, fresh finish to your dishes.
CLEANING OUTDOORS
Car Deodorants
Use car deodorisers and a variety of essential oils, some excellent ones are Honey Myrtle, Lemon Myrtle, Eucalyptus (Australiana, Peppermint Gum, Lemon Ironbark) Fragonia, Kunzea, Niaouli or Rosalina. Mask persistent bad smells with Anise Myrtle (Aniseed Myrtle).
Car Driveways
Clear greasy driveway stains with soapy water and a few teaspoons of Eucalyptus essential oil (Australiana, Blue Gum, Blue Mallee or Gully Gum). Scrub with a brush and then rinse with water.
Car Tar Marks
Clean tar marks with a simple wipe of a Eucalyptus moist cloth on your car exterior.
Garbage Bins
Clear and wash an empty garbage with water and Eucalyptus, Lemon Myrtle, Rosalina or Tea Tree, mask bad smells with Anise Myrtle (Aniseed Myrtle).
Outdoor Spas
Add a few drops regularly of a combination of any of the following, Eucalyptus Australiana, Fragonia, Kunzea, Niaouli, Rosalina, Sandalwood and Tea Tree to help keep clean and fresh.
Pet Housing
Keep pet homes and rugs (bird cages, cat beds, dog kennels, rabbit hutches) clean and deodorised by washing with Anise Myrtle, Eucalyptus and water or Lemon Tea Tree, Niaouli, Rosalina or Tea Tree with water. Use Anise Myrtle (Aniseed Myrtle) to mask bad smells and ward off nasties.
Pet Washes
Use Anise Myrtle (Aniseed Myrtle), Eucalyptus (Australiana, Blue Gum, Blue Mallee), Nerolina, Niaouli, or Tea Tree for pet wash issues.
