Using Essential Oils As Disinfectants

By Author: Robert Watson
Total Articles: 63
Comment this article

Because of the unique properties found in essential oils, you can easily use essential oils as disinfectants. Using essential oils as disinfectants provides you with a completely natural alternative to harsh chemicals.

All essential oils have disinfectant properties, though some have higher degrees. Using the right essential oils as disinfectants not only has the advantage of cleaning the area you are targeting, the room will also smell great, and not like a chemical bath.

When using essential oils as disinfectants, most of the citrus oils are high in disinfectant properties, as are lavender, tea tree and bergamot. To use any or a blend of these essential oils as disinfectants, simply add to warm water to clean the floor, or place on a damp cloth to clean surfaces.

To create a cleaning blend which uses essential oils as disinfectants, try the following recipes:

Deodorizing and Disinfectant Spray
6 drops Grapefruit oil
6 drops Rosemary oil
4 drop Lemon oil
2 oz (60ml) distilled or purified water

Combine the ingredients in a glass ...
... spritzer bottle and spray as necessary, shaking before use. This combination can also be used in a burner or diffuser (without the water in a diffuser).

Air Freshener
6 drops Orange oil
4 drops Cinnamon Leaf oil
4 oz (120ml) distilled or purified water

Combine the ingredients in a glass spritzer bottle and spray as required, shaking before use.

When using essential oils as disinfectants, it is important that only therapeutic grade oils be used. Synthetic oils, though cheaper, have no disinfecting properties, and may actually be harmful. It is certain that they can't be used like essential oils as disinfectants.

You can easily find more information about using essential oils as disinfectants in a good aromatherapy book. A good book will list the oils that have the highest disinfectant properties, and will usually include some recipes that you can try.

The internet is also a good source for finding information about essential oils as disinfectants. As more and more people turn to natural alternatives, more information becomes available on the internet. You can even find a few select sites offering informative classes and resources about aromatherapy free of charge.