For instance commercial carpet fresheners are made from adding sweet smelling and toxic chemicals to baking soda, all packed up in a pretty box. By making your own, you will not only save money but will harness the bacteria fighting powers of essential oils. All you need is a wide mouth glass jar with a tight cap. Add the oils to the baking soda, seal and set aside for a day to let the scent grow stronger. Sprinkle on your carpet, let it set in for at least 20 minutes then vacuum.

Using Aromatherapy

Bring the experience of smelling a fresh pine forest, fresh flowers and ocean breezes into your home. With the use of essential oils and herbs we can freshen the air, disinfect the room and lighten our spirits, things no artificial chemical fragrance can do. For all air fresheners, fill a mist spray bottle with purified water and add 2 parts essential oils to 10 parts of water ( 1 or 2 drops per ml). To keep your scents fresh use a spray bottle with a tight fitting lid, and keep stored in a cool dry place. Glass bottles are preferable to plastic, as essential oils will migrate into the plastic. As the blends age, the scent improves and becomes stronger.

Herbs Used for Home Cleaners

Apple * Grapefruit * Lemon * Orange *

Apple cider vinegar For: Vinegar for household cleaning
Profile	You can replace the over-priced toxic cleaning chemicals with vinegar. It is naturally anti-fungal and leaves the bathroom, windows, and glass ware clean and shiny. The best way to clean fresh produce is a solution of one part vinegar to three parts cold water, which removes 98 percent of the bacteria. Ericksen, Marlene. Healing with Aromatherapy. (2000), Keats

Grapefruit oil For: Grapefruit extract household uses
Profile	Grapefruit extract is user-friendly, versatile,easy to use, and environmentally safe, so safe in fact that you can use it to purify drinking water to kill disease causing pathogens when traveling, or in cases of emergency (ten drops per gallon of clear water). It is often added to homemade cosmestic and medicinal formulations to extend shelf-life.

Lemon For: Air cleansers, water purifier
Profile	Lemon is a very effective oil for disinfecting room air using a diffuser, and leaves a fresh clean scent. A few drops of the lemon essential oil is useful as a water purifier, as is a slice of lemon.

Oregano oil For: Antibacterial oils
Profile	The most effective essence in inhibiting micro-organisms is oregano, followed by ( in descending degrees of effectiveness) by thyme, cinnamon, clove, cajeput, rosemary, pine, fennel, lavender, and myrtle. Marlene Ericksen, Healing with Aromatherapy (2000)

Soap Nuts For: Natural Soap, Hypoallergenic soap
	Fruits of species in the Sapindus genus have been used as a natural detergent in both Eastern and Western traditions for years, and are becoming more popular as a green alternative to chemical based detergents. Soap nuts contain saponin, a natural detergent which acts as a natural surfactant in the wash water, removing grime and soil from clothing. Just add 5-6 nuts in a muslin bag can be used for 4 or 5 loads of clothes. Commonly known as soap nuts, they are really berries, relatives to Lycii/Goji berrys, are are hypoallergenic, and can be used safely by people with nut allergies, and those with allergic reactions to chemcials and perfumes in commercial soaps. Those with troubled skin, eczema and psorisis can also benefit from the creams made from the powdered herb. . Soap Nuts Profile. (), Mountain Rose Herbs

Home Cleaners Information

• Insect Repellent :
  choose your insect repellent carefully. While it is important to minimize the risk of being bitten, many commercial products contain dangerous and toxic chemicals such as DEET.
• Pet care :
  

  Non toxic, effective ways to treat pet problems such as fleas, coat and skin health, and calming obsessive behaviors in dogs, cats and other domestic animals