Friday, June 10, 2011

Natural Cleaning Ingredients ~ Featuring Tea Tree Oil

image from wikipedia

I love Eco Friendly cleaning products for many reasons.  I suffer from skin allergies so I love that they are better for me, and better for Chris with his eczema.  Also, because they are gentle I don't worry about Jeremy using them or breathing in the fumes.  I believe my cleaner cleans better than anything I could buy at the store.  Then there is the money factor I don't shell out big money for cleaners, not even for the 'Green Cleaners.'  I just make my own.  I have a few favorite ingredients that I use baking soda which sprinkled in the tub by itself is a GREAT cleaner, and white vinegar I LOVE both, and use them a lot around the house. 
 
I'm now going to mention one of my other favorite green ingredients.  I love Tea Tree Oil also known as melaleuca oil.  Now as far as my general cleaning concoction goes I add tea tree oil to it.  Here is my simple recipe, and I use this all over my kitchen:
 
~ empty spray bottle ~ fill 1/2 way with water, 1/2 with white vinegar, 3 small squirts of dish washing liquid & 10 - 15 drops of tea tree oil.  Spray on surface and wipe.
 
The reason I add the tea tree oil is that it has antiseptic and antibacterial properties.  I don't believe in buying antibacterial soaps, and cleaning products.  I believe those products have added to the problems we now face with all these Super Bugs.  So I believe if I can make an antiseptic type cleaner by adding more natural ingredients like white vinegar, and tea tree oil then it is my responsibility to do so.
 
I also use tea tree oil for other uses.  I use tea tree oil on cuts for its antiseptic properties.  I've put it directly on acne, and found that it took the redness right out, and size of breakouts reduced.  A great use for tea tree oil is to put it on misquote bites, and it takes the itch away.  Up here in Alberta where a misquote is the size of a small bird we use tea tree oil on misquote bits all the time at my place.  That's the great thing about using more natural products in your home when was the last time you sprayed your kitchen cleaner on a pimple....lol...wait, unless you are the Dad from 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' then maybe you have...lol.
 
So what are some of your favorite natural ingredients or products?  How do you use them? Do you like them?  Do you find them effective?


14 comments:

.. said...

I just bought some Tamanu Oil which is supposed to be great on cystic acne. One popped up on my face a couple of days ago and I cannot get rid of it, so I decided to buy it to try out. I bought it online so it hasn't come yet but I've heard it is really effective. I also bought sweet almond oil because it's supposedly good for undereyes.

Crunchy Diva said...

@ jacquie keep me posted how the tamanu oil works for you. sweet almond oil is wonderful for so many things. can't wait to hear how it works under your eyes.

The Vegetarian Hunter said...

I too am very interested to hear about Jacquie's results with the Tamanu Oil.
You mention that you have skin allergies and Chris has eczema - do you have a skin care product you use for Chris that does not bother your allergies? I had a doctor tell me that part of what looks like a rash on my chin is eczema, when I asked how do I make it go away, he told me cortizone cream, but I also have acne and the cortizone seems to clog my skin and make it worse. Even without treating, my chin is always covered in this rash and bumps from acne.
Any suggestions for me??
hugs,
carolyn

Natural Momma said...

I would LOVE to read more about this type of subject! I just reviewed a Green cleaner called BasicH-2 by Shaklee and it was incredible! I had never tried a Green cleaner before, but now that I have- I am all for trying to make my own, as well.

If you want to get a sample of it, come enter the giveaway with my review. There is only 1 entry and there are 5 samples being given away... so there are 4 samples left LOL!

Crunchy Diva said...

@ Natural Momma ~ i will do my best to try to get more posts like this up. making your own is SOOOOO easy!

Natural Momma said...

YAY! Thank you!

Crunchy Diva said...

@ Natural Momma ~ your welcome...lol

garry said...

Thanks for posting your insights and experiences.
Anybody looking for Fluorene

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