Detoxing the Bathroom
Updated: Aug 28, 2019
I think I’m like most people when I say this… the bathroom is my least favorite room to clean. I realize this room needs regular cleaning and it looks much better when it is cleaned but I dread having to do it. There are so many other unpleasant chores that rank higher in my book of desired chores than scrubbing a toilet.
Making the situation worse, is the exposure we can have not only to the situation in the bathroom but the products we use to deal with said situation. The cleaners aimed at keeping a bathroom clean are some of the most hazardous in a home. In our quest to kill germs, fight mold and soap scum and eliminate odors the typical set of bathroom cleaners necessitate wearing a hazmat suit and armor before using.
Today I’m going to outline what I found that works in this room and how some of the products you may find in your cabinet for cleaning the bathroom are honestly a toxic waste to you and our planet. These will not only save you a bunch of money on your cleaning products but do a great job at keeping this special room clean, disinfected and ready for action.
The Throne
Yes, the throne, commode, toilet, potty or whatever you call it in your home is a seat in constant need of sanitizing and cleaning.
The average toilet bowl cleaner typically contains these 4 primary ingredients:
Hydrochloric acid
Chlorine bleach
Sodium Lauryl Suplphate
Citric acid
The mixture of these ingredients is highly toxic. Add in chemically based fragrances and the toxicity increases even more. While these ingredients provide a glistening toilet bowl and do eradicate anything living in the toilet they also expose us to significant risks to our skin and respiratory systems. Further when you flush these ingredients down after cleaning the bowl, they implicate aquatic life, fish and the water system.
Switching Your Bowl Cleaner
What I do instead that kills the germs, ensures a white toilet bowl and does not harm me or the planet is this:
Add in the toilet bowl 4 tablespoons baking soda
Add in 10 drops doTERRA Purify essential oil
Add in 1/2 cup white vinegar
Let the mixture “fizzle” and then scrub as normal.
I have friends who make this into tablets they simply drop into the toilet bowl, let fizzle and then clean. Here’s a recipe for that if you prefer to have it premade:
1) Add 1 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup citric acid, and 40 drops lemon, Purify or essential oil of your choice – Mix well, breaking up any clumps
2) Add 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar and 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide (3% kind) Slowly ! Add in to the mixture to the point it feels and looks like heavy wet sand. It should clump together when you squeeze it but should also break apart easily when you drop it into the bowl.
3) Scoop fizzy mixture into silicone tray and press firmly into each opening. Let dry overnight and store in an airtight plastic container
Seat, Tank and other Toilet “Parts”
Once the bowl is clean I then use doTERRA OnGuard Concentrate Cleaner (1 tablespoon diluted into a bucket of warm water) and wipe down the rest of the toilet. This ensures all the germs are killed and the toilet is safe for use.
Drains
Clogs and slow drains are a common household issue. Soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and hair all build up in the drain until it is backed up. Often we will reach for the toxic drain cleaner to clear these problems. However, not only is this average drain cleaner toxic to you, pets, children, the environment and your pipes, it is costly!
This is from the safety data sheet on Draino Liquid Drain Cleaner:
Those are some hefty warnings! Seriously how do you even use this product in your home without a mask on since it says DO NOT BREATHE DUST OR MIST?
YIKES!
Thankfully there is an alternative that also works, is much more safe and much less expensive. Who wants a bunch of skin burns when you’re just trying to clean the drain right?
Sprinkle baking soda in the drain (depending on how backed up it is you may need to repeat). Start with a couple tablespoons
Add in 5 drops doTERRA Lemon essential oil and 5 drops Melaleuca (these both help break down grease, grime and stuff in the drain)
Add in 1/2 cup white vinegar slowly
Allow to fizzle and then flush with hot water. If clog persists repeat. You may also need to use a plunger to help move the clog up or down and then repeat this process to ensure the pipe is now cleaned.
Shower & Tub
I admit when it comes to cleaning the shower and tub I prefer something I can spray on, let set and the come back and wipe down. The shower doors particularly also benefit from this approach and it makes the process much easier.
Like the previous cleaners, shower and tub cleaners are also highly hazardous. It is very disconcerting to think about stepping barefoot and naked into a shower that has been covered in these chemicals. That’s a risk because all of those chemicals are taken up through your feet bottoms and skin exposing you to risk.
Here’s a simple spray that works well and is very inexpensive to make:
1 1/2 cup water
1 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup rubbing alcohol or vodka
1 teaspoon Castille soap
15 drops lemon essential oil
15 drops melaleuca essential oil
You can switch up the citrus oil to one of your preference or replace both oils in this recipe and use doTERRA Purify.
Sinks and Counters
When it comes to cleaning the bathroom sinks and counters, I like to take a tablespoon of the doTERRA Concentrate Cleaner and mix it in a sink-full of warm water. Then I just wipe down the faucets, sinks, counter tops and cabinets. This can also be used on door handles, light switches and fixtures as well as the bathroom trashcan.
The OnGuard Concentrate Cleaner kills the germs and is a natural anti-bacterial cleaner. The aroma is pleasant and does not burn your nose hairs or expose your skin to harmful ingredients to use.
Mirrors and Windows
When it comes to glass and mirrors in the bathroom we again want a germ fighting cleaner but also ones that is going to leave that clean shine and be smudge free.
Glass cleaner is so expensive and that blue coloring – super bad for you! You can however make your own and have sparkling clean mirrors and windows. Here’s the recipe:
1 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
1/4 cup water
20 drops Lemon essential oil
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Shake well and spray. Wipe and clean as normal.
Interested in more?
If you’ve never tried natural cleaners, the bathroom is a great place to switch. Not only will you see great results and have a good experience from switching but you’ll realize bottom line savings to your cleaning budget. Perhaps with those savings you can even hire out cleaning the bathroom!
If you have questions about the products and oils I mention in this post please reach out!
amyk@dragonspitapothecary.com
With a doTERRA account you can get these oils and the doTERRA Concentrate Cleaner for at least 25% off retail. Learn more at:
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