Cleaner Cleaning, the Herbal Way
Let’s not call it “late.” Let’s call it “right on time.”
Even though it's mid-May, and spring might be winding down, there’s still room for one last seasonal reset—and this time, we’re talking about cleaning. But not just any cleaning…cleaner cleaning. The kind that smells like lemon and lavender and leaves your conscience as fresh as your countertops!
Traditional cleaners can be packed with unpronounceable ingredients that make your space feel “clean” but leave your lungs, skin, and qi a little more toxic. Since we believe in a low-tox or non-tox lifestyle as a best practice (to avoid hormone disrupters), the simpler the ingredient list of household cleaners, the better. And while you’re tossing open the windows, swapping out the sweaters, and gearing up for the summer, why not give your home a final sweep with formulas that work with you, not against you?
I’m sharing a few of my favorite herbal cleaning recipes pulled from the brilliant little book The Naturally Clean Home by Karyn Siegel-Maier. They’re simple. They’re effective. You can customize them based on your own scent preferences! And they’re made with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry or essential oil drawer.
Let’s get into it:
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1. The BBQ Tune-Up (just in time for your summer time grilling season)
Stainless Steel Barbecue Polish
Your grill deserves a glow-up too. This formula cuts through grime and gives your stainless steel a mirror shine.
What you’ll need:
½ cup water
4–5 tsp baking soda
10 drops lavender essential oil
How to use it:
Mix water and baking soda to make a goopy paste. Add lavender oil. Rub it on using circular motions with a soft cloth. Rinse with water (or equal parts water + white vinegar), then dry and buff. Fire it up, baby!
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2. Sink, Meet Sparkle
Basic Sink Cleanser
This combo safely scours porcelain and stainless steel sinks. Plus, it’s a little gift to your garbage disposal and drain—no harsh chemicals, just fresh energy.
What you’ll need:
½ cup baking soda
¼ cup vinegar
3 drops essential oil (lavender, rosemary, lemon, lime, or orange)
How to use it:
Sprinkle the baking soda and a few drops of essential oil into your sink basin. Add the vinegar for a little fizzy magic. Let it bubble, then scrub and rinse well with hot water.
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3. For the Streak-Free Shine
Easy Breezy Glass Cleaner
Screens, mirrors, and glass tables rejoice!
What you’ll need:
½ cup water
¼ cup white vinegar
10 drops lemon or lime essential oil
How to use it:
Combine ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake and spritz on a cloth (not directly on screens!). Wipe the smudges away.
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4. The Basic Laundry Boost
Herbal Liquid Laundry Soap
Because your clothes deserve the same love your surfaces do. You are wearing them on your skin for hours at a time, so arguably, they should be the most non-toxic.
What you’ll need:
2½ cups liquid castile soap
¼ cup white distilled vinegar
1 Tbsp glycerin
3/4 cup water
10–15 drops essential oil (your choice—think fresh and clean: eucalyptus, lavender, or tea tree)
How to use it:
Combine in a plastic or glass container. Shake before use. Add ¼ cup per regular load; ½ cup for extra-large or heavily soiled laundry.
Why it works: herbs with purpose
This isn’t just about “natural” for natural’s sake. The herbs in these formulas were chosen because of their time-tested properties.
Lavender: antibacterial + calming.
Lemon / Lime: powerful degreasers, antiviral, and brighten both surfaces and moods.
Eucalyptus: antifungal and respiratory-supportive. Cleans the air while cleaning your home.
Rosemary: antibacterial and invigorating. A total wake-up call for the senses!
Tea Tree: antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial. Triple threat.
Final Thoughts
We talk a lot in this clinic about harmonizing your internal landscape—this is a great way to apply that same logic to your home. Your space reflects your health. Let it support your nervous system, your immune function, your hormones, your sense of peace.
Cleaner cleaning isn’t just a catchy phrase. It’s a way to bring your seasonal routine into better alignment—with your values, your body, and the planet.
Happy (last-minute) spring cleaning!! Let me know what you try at home.
