8/8/2019 Natural Cleaning Solutions - Essential Oils

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/natural-cleaning-solutions-essential-oils 1/3

© 2010 http://www.speedcleaningcentre.com/organic-cleaning-solutions/ 

The 

Speed CleaningCentrePresents

 Natural cleaning

 solutions – 

essential oils

By

Penelope Pettikrew

8/8/2019 Natural Cleaning Solutions - Essential Oils

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/natural-cleaning-solutions-essential-oils 2/3

© 2010 http://www.SpeedCleaningCentre.com  

page 2

Natural Cleaning Solutions – Essential OilsNumerous natural cleaning solution recipes call for the use of essential oils.What exactly are essential oils? You may ask. This document answers thatquestion and explores some specific oils.

An oil is a hydrophobic liquid. Hydro relates to water. Phobic means a fear ordislike of. Thus, oils do not dissolve in water – hence the expression “oil andwater do not mix.” The “essential” part of “essential oils” mean that they arederived directly from the plant and carry the scent of the plant.

Many essential oils are extracted from plants by distillation, in a process notunlike how crude oil is separated into its various parts. Plant materials areheated, usually with steam. As the steam contacts the plant materials, it heatsthem so much that the oils in the plants turn into vapor and rise. This steam and

gaseous oil mixture is then channeled through coils, where it cools. As the oilvapor cools, it returns to its liquid state and gets collected. This is the essentialoil. A miniscule amount of the oil remains in the steam; when the steamliquefies, the result is water that has tiny oil droplets suspended in it. This liquidis called an “herbal distillate,” a hydrosol, or a plant water essence. Rose waterand orange blossom water are 2 common herbal distillates that are commerciallyavailable.

Oil of thyme, once extracted, if further processed to derive a chemicalcompound called Thymol. Because of its antiseptic properties, it is used as aningredient in some disinfectants, such as those made by Seventh Generation.

Thymol was used by some Native American tribes to treat skin infections; it wasalso used by the Ancient Egyptians to preserve mummies.

Tea tree oil is another essential oil with antiseptic properties. In a studyreported in the Journal of Hospital Infection [ J Hosp Infect. 2004 Apr;56(4):283-6.],tea tree oil was as effective as traditional drug therapies in treating MRSA(Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infections. The essential oil alsotreats dandruff and head lice. Caution: If you choose to add tea tree oil tohomemade cleaners, you must take care not to ingest it, because it is toxic.

Pine oil is also used as a disinfectant. Cleaning products made with pine oil arewidely available and relatively inexpensive.

Lavender and lemon oils are used in natural cleaning solutions mainly for theirpleasant smell.

8/8/2019 Natural Cleaning Solutions - Essential Oils

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/natural-cleaning-solutions-essential-oils 3/3

© 2010 http://www.SpeedCleaningCentre.com  

page 3

It is interesting that essential oils are being “rediscovered” for their uses incleaning products. Though the term “essential oil” may not come up ineveryday conversation, almost everyone living in a developed country makesuse of essential oils on a daily basis:

  Perfumes are mixtures of essential oils.  Cannabis flower oil is used to flavor candy and beverages.  Caraway oil is used to flavor toothpaste and mouthwash.

  Star anise oil is used in the manufacturing of the influenza drug, Tamiflu.

  Spearmint oil is used in mouthwash and gum.

  Parsley oil is used in soaps and detergents

In summary, we have discussed what an essential oil is, and how it is derived.We have identified several essential that can be used in cleaning products. Wehave also identified instances where essential oils are encountered in daily life.

Finally, this article must conclude with a note of caution: Essential oils are highlyconcentrated, and you should investigate them thoroughly prior to using them inyour cleaning regimen. Some essential oils are toxic. Some are skin irritants.In all cases, keep essential oils away from children and pregnant women untilyou have discussed their use with your doctor.