Crafting natural health and home remedies is my expression of creativity…
…and I’ve written before on the topic of natural cleaners for the home.
The simpler the better, in my opinion…
…but today I wanted something more!
Something powerful, yet gentle enough for most surfaces of the home.
Something from the garden.
Something that smelled pretty and fresh.
Lemon Thyme Disinfecting Spray
Ingredients
-2 cups water
-1 lemon, sliced
-a bunch of garden-fresh thyme
-2 cups lemon verbena hydrosol
-1 tablespoon thyme extract
-2 teaspoons borax
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-2 teaspoons castile soap
-1 teaspoon lemon or lemongrass essential oils
-1/4 teaspoon thyme essential oils
-5 drops tea tree oil
Method
- In a small pot — over medium to low heat — bring water, lemon, and thyme to just a simmer. Do not allow to boil.
- Remove pot from heat and allow mixture to steep for at least 1 hour.
- Strain. Reserve herb-infused liquid.
- Add baking soda and borax to herb-infused liquid and stir until completely dissolved.
- Mix in remaining ingredients.
- Pour into spray bottle.
- Label.
- Use as you would any commercially-prepared all-purpose cleaner. Excellent in the kitchen!
Where Can I Get This Stuff?
–Mountain Rose Herbs…they have everything you’ll need for this remedy! I LOVE the quality of their castile soap, hydrosols, and essential oils. Including strictly medicinal, non-GMO herbal seeds for your home herb garden. It’s your one-stop-shop!
–The Bulk Herb Store also carries a few of these ingredients if you’d like to price check.
–From Nature With Love likewise carries a HUGE selection of high-quality raw materials.
Wow! This looks great…I can pretty much smell the lemon lol!!
I’ve been on the hunt for natural cleaners. I’m totally pinning this, thanks! 😀
That sounds amazing! I can just smell it now!! Love.
Nice! I am going to try this. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Lisa
Fresh Eggs Daily
http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com
I have tto thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this website.
I am hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts from
you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own,
personal blog now 😉
Looks like 2 cups of lemon verbena hydrosol would be $30 plus shipping?!? Is there a way to make that or is there a less expensive alternative? I have some lemon verbena growing…
Indeed, ouch! I did a quick search & found another website selling lemon verbena hydrosol for $6.50/4 oz. & another site selling 16 oz. for $35. Is there a more frugal option for this ingredient?
I’ll have to give this a try. I never tire of the scent of lemons so this should work very well in my abode. Good stuff!
You could most definitely leave the hydrosol out because, yes, they do drive the cost up. I normally only use them for hair/skin care products or body mists/perfumes. Another 2 options would be to either use a cheaper hydrosol (although still not exactly economical, something like rosemary or lemon hydrosol), simmer a bunch of left over lemon/orange/grapefruit rinds in water, OR mix an equal amount of lemon verbena or other essential oils with polysorbate 20 & then add that to either the citrus water above or just plain water. Of course, follow the rest of the recipe. There is also a very concentrated natural citrus peel extract called d-limonene which is an EXCELLENT addition to any non toxic cleaner. It’s so effective that it can be found in commercial-type cleaners. It can also be used straight to cut through baked on grease, oils etc. Personally, this is what I use, along with borax, polysorbate 20, vinegar, water & my chosen essential oils. It’s far more cost effective & can be mixed up in large batches, refilling your smaller bottles as needed. Just be sure that you know that citrus oils can negatively affect cats, so please do your research carefully if you own a cat.
Thank you for this suggestion! $30 plus shipping for one ingredient scared me off. Thanks for you post!
How pretty and it sounds like it will be effective. How do you come up with all these marvelous ideas ? I
m trying it minus the hydrosol 🙂 Thanks!
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