When we choose to use commercial products from the big box store two things happen. 1) We support the companies that don’t care about the effects on you and your intimate environment; and 2) we spend needless funds on commercial products that harm the environment at large, causing toxic effects that can create multiple problems around you. A few simple ingredients can help you create natural cleaning aids that work just as well or better than those plastic bottles we have stored throughout our homes.

Making Furniture Polish
There are a few ingredients that in combination make great furniture polish; olive oil, lemon juice or lemon essential oil, and vinegar.
Recipe for varnished wood:
1/2 cup olive oil
10 drops lemon essential oil
Rub a small amount onto furniture with a clean cloth and polish with another cloth until dry.
For extra cleaning power, combine white vinegar in equal parts with lemon juice. Wipe on and dry off.

By now we all know the best and easiest natural counter top cleaner is a simple mix of water, vinegar, and baking soda.  And I’m not here to disagree.  Below is a recipe to enhance this simplistic recipe, and make a wonderful smelling cleaner that will make you forget you are even using vinegar.

What you need:
12 oz water
6 oz vinegar
Dried Herbs (I used rosemary, lemon verbena, and orange peel)
30 drops lemon essential oil
15 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops pine essential oil
Funnel
Spray Bottle
Mason Jar

1) Take 6 oz of white vinegar and pour into a mason jar.  Fill the remainder of the jar with your favorite dried herbs or flowers.   For my recipe I used lemon verbena (my favorite!), orange peel, and rosemary.  Let vinegar infuse for at least 1 week – shake up once a day.
2) Strain your vinegar and add essential oils.
3) Use a funnel to combine the water and vinegar solution into a spray bottle. Shake to mix.

And there you go! You’re ready to clean.  You can use this to make a paste to use on dirty sinks and tubs too.  Simply mix 1/3 cup baking soda and 1 tablespoon of your cleaner.  What are some of your favorite natural cleaning solutions?  Comment below!