Eucalyptus Oil (EO)
The following has been summarised to the best of my ability at 4am in the morning from the 138 page book named Magic of Eucalyptus Oil from Cherie de Haas and Peter Abbott
Here are some suggestions for having a cleaner, toxic free home and paying less on household cleaners and personal care products. Use concentrated or diluted – it’s up to you. I would personally use it a little stronger in areas that have the most germs such as the bathroom.
Use as a floor cleaner by adding to your bucket. If the floor has stains, add EO direct to the stain then mop/scrub. For really dirty floors or if you’re a clean freak, add white vinegar. The cheap versions such as No Frills, Home Brand or Aldi Vinegar work just as good as the expensive options.
Make an all purpose cleaner. It’s cheaper and less toxic than the commercial cleaners. Add 4 drops to a spray bottle containing just water and a strong or concentrated dishwashing liquid eg Morning Fresh, Palmolive or Dawn. I can’t help but add vinegar. The ratio is up to you.
Add 5 ml EO TO 50ml olive oil for hot oil hair treatments or add 10gm gelatine with 300ml mineral water. Stir and leave it until it forms a gel (not sets), then add 5ml witch hazel and 10 drops EO. Cover your hair for 10 mins then rinse off.
Vinegar conditioner – 50 ml cider vinegar with 2ml EO and 1 litre spring water. (Not sure about this one - doesn't vinegar strip natural oils out???)
Skin Tonic – (great for summer when your pores are open and large)
100 ml rosewater
5 drops EO
1 drop sandalwood oil or lavender oil
(for the above mentioned personal products you can switch EO with your favourite essential oils such as avocado oil, lavender oil, sandalwood oil or chamomile oil)
Use to clean nappy change tables. Please don’t use commercial products that contain formalyhyde as your baby’s skin touches it.
Spray direct on bedding and carpets and let the house air all day as EO reduces asthma by killing dust mites that live in carpets, blinds and mattresses
Use as mosquito (insect) repellant by mixing with canola oil (or 1 part EO with 1 part metho). This is especially useful to pregnant mothers who are concerned about chemicals affecting their unborn babies.
Stop cockroaches breeding in your home by placing a few drops of EO on cotton wool and store where coach roaches live (such as a warm moist spots – under refrigerator and under sinks) – much safer and healthier especially if you have children.
Removes grease, chewing gum, ink and paint from carpet and hair
Removes black scuff marks from floors such as tiles & vinyl
Removes labels from bottles and plastic
Helps remove blue tack – to remove all blue tack follow through with a stiff toothbrush and a lot of elbow-grease.
Disinfects, cleans and deodorisers bathrooms and kitchens.
Use in a vaporizer for coughs and colds (not recommended for babies)
Place a little on cotton wool or a hanky when you are feeling nauseous or sick
Kills fleas (spray on pet bedding – maybe too strong on pets nose if you spray direct on pet)
Kills germs that cause the flu and cold – spray on pillows and anything a sick person touches – no more need for expensive sprays that claim to do the same.
Helps heel muscular pain (stiff muscles)
Use it to clean telephones, which can get smelly and dirty over time (and can be a breeding ground for winter bugs)
Use diluted to clean leather (remember spot test first)
Use on car wheels and dogs wont mark their territory on your car
Note - Eucalyptus Oil is not good on woods.
Extra Note - Whenever you use lemons always scrub them over your hands before throwing them away. Apparently they remove yellow discolouration and tobacco from hands.
