Eucalyptus oil is a natural, effective and economical way to clean your home. By incorporating eucalyptus essential oil into many of your household cleaning tasks you’ll reduce waste, save money and improve your health. In this episode I’ll share a wide range of applications for cleaning your home with eucalyptus oil.
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What is Eucalyptus Oil?
Extracted from the foliage of Eucalyptus trees (Eucalyptus Radiata), eucalyptus essential oil is a natural disinfectant, antibacterial cleanser and deodoriser.
What are the Benefits of Cleaning with Eucalyptus Oil?
It’s a versatile essential oil that can be used in the toilet, laundry and in some general household cleaning tasks.
Despite its strong ability to clean, eucalyptus oil is surprisingly gentle and is suitable for almost all household surfaces including bench tops, sinks, tiles, porcelain, mirrors, glass, hard surface floors and carpet.
Eucalyptus essential oil is non-toxic for drains, including septic systems, and is an environmentally friendly way to clean.
How to Clean with Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus Oil in the Bathroom
- Clean shower screens and mirrors by spritzing a fine mist of eucalyptus soil spray onto the surface and wiping off with a clean cloth.
- Clean and disinfect the toilet by placing a few drops of pure eucalyptus essential oil into the toilet bowl and scrub with a toilet brush. Wipe the toilet seat (and door handle) using Eucalyptus Oil spray or a couple of drops of pure eucalyptus essential oil on a clean cloth.
- Use as a natural air freshener by adding a few drops of pure oil to a small glass bottle with a spray and spritz in the room that needs freshening.
Eucalyptus Oil in the Laundry
- Use to spot treat stains such as soluble grease, grass marks, chewing gum and ballpoint ink. Do a test patch before applying.
Eucalyptus Oil Around the Home
- Spray a fine mist on your mattress and pillows every time you change your sheets. The oil will clean the area and act as a deterrent for dust mites.
- If your wardrobe is musty and damp, wipe the walls with hot soapy water with eucalyptus oil added. Rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly.
- To deter moths and silverfish, spray or wipe drawer liners or wardrobe walls with eucalyptus oil spray. You can also place a drop of oil on a padded coat hanger to act as a deterrent.
- Add several drops of eucalyptus oil to your water when mopping floors to clean and disinfect. Eucalyptus can be used on wooden, lino, tiles and most other floor surfaces. Scuff marks can also be easily removed with eucalyptus oil. If you use a fabric mop such as the ENJO model, just apply one or two drops to help disinfect and leave your home smelling like an Australian forest.
- You can easily spot treat stains on carpets using Eucalyptus Oil spray or a damp cloth moistened with oil. Just spot treat first.
- Remove adhesive labels from articles without damage by rubbing the required area with a cloth dampened with eucalyptus oil.
- To gently remove chewing gum from hair, surround the gum with a cloth dampened with eucalyptus oil and gently slide the gum out without the need for cutting.
- Soak some cotton wool with eucalyptus oil and place the cotton wool in the toe of an old stocking inside the shoe to prevent odours.
- Restore oil paint brushes by soaking in eucalyptus oil.
Safety Precautions of Cleaning With Eucalyptus Oil
Due to its concentrated and flammable nature, be mindful of the following considerations when cleaning with eucalyptus essential oil. Keep out of reach of children, don’t take orally or apply directly to the skin if pregnant and keep away from flames and sparks. For best results, use therapeutic grade oil that does not contain synthetic fillers and hasn’t been altered. Also be mindful when using around pets, especially cats as they are sensitive to eucalyptus essential oil.
Final Thoughts
Eucalyptus oil is a natural, effective and economical way to clean your home. By incorporating eucalyptus essential oil into many of your cleaning tasks you’ll reduce waste, save money and improve your health.
If you’d like more tips on breaking up with toxic chemicals in your home, check out my Home Detox Boot Camp. It’s there where I guide you step by step through the process of replacing toxic chemicals in your home with effective, economical and natural alternatives.
OVER TO YOU!
What are your best applications for cleaning with eucalyptus oil in your home? Share in the comments below!
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Laura Trotta is one of Australia’s leading home sustainability experts. She has a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering, a Masters of Science (in Environmental Chemistry) and spent 11 years working as an environmental professional before creating her first online eco business, Sustainababy, in 2009. She has won numerous regional and national awards for her fresh and inspiring take on living an ‘ecoceptional’ life (including most recently winning the Brand South Australia Flinders University Education Award (2015) for the north-west region in SA and silver in the Eco-friendly category of the 2015 Ausmumpreneur Awards). With a regular segment on ABC Radio and with her work featured in publications like Nurture Parenting and My Child Magazine, Laura is an eco thought leader who’s not afraid to challenge the status quo. A passionate believer in addressing the small things to achieve big change, and protecting the planet in practical ways, Laura lives with her husband and two sons in outback South Australia. 
