Whether you believe in climate change or just want to save a few bucks on your energy bill each month, people everywhere are switching to more natural and less wasteful lifestyles. “Going Green” can be a daunting task, since there is SO much information out there on what do to, how to do it, and when it needs to be done.
Being Scrunchy, (Silky & Crunchy: enjoys a blend of convenience and environmentally conscious lifestyle choices) I have 3 easy and inexpensive ways to get you off on the right foot.
*Cinnamon
The powerhouse of antimicrobial oils, cinnamon kills E. Coli and Salmonella beautifully, with a delicious smell!
*Tee Tree Oil
Known to help with blemishes, Tea Tree Oil is also great for molds and mildew!
*Lemon
There’s a reason a lot of de-greasing cleansers have a lemon scent. Lemon oils can help cut grime and kill germs without an overpowering smell.
*Peppermint
Another antimicrobial, this one has a multitude of uses, including helping with decongesting and muscle aches!
Make sure you have this versatile oil on hand!
*Lavender
Used for centuries to promote wound healing, lavender is also used in aromatherapy through diffusers to de-stress and help promote sleep.
When applied to the skin, the oils MUST be diluted with a ‘carrier oil’. My favorite is coconut oil because it’s so easy to get your hands on an organic blend! One teaspoon of Coconut Oil should have no more than 2 drops of your oil when using it as a balm.
Blending for cleaning is super simple, too!
1C white vinegar
1C distilled (or filtered) water
15-20 drops of Choice Oil
Glass or BPA-free plastic spray bottle (Glass is preferred!)
-Spray product on a non-fabric surface and let sit for 15 minutes. Wipe down with a damp cloth.
I’m a huge fan of Plant Therapy Organic oils, because of their amazing price, the wonderful blends, and the size options! Find your favorite oils here:
Dryer sheets are a necessity for clean-smelling, softer clothes. Right? Well, not exactly. Lately, the light shed on dryer sheets has them on the wrong side of the Green debate, for two reasons.
#1: Single-Use means more trash.
#2: Chemicals, like butane and “fragrance” (which are never disclosed, of course), can cause issues with skin & respiratory irritation.
Kick the sheet habit with the wool dryer balls, instead! They cut down on drying time (energy win!) and wrinkles. Add a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil scent, too, and you’ve got a gently-scented load!
Did you know that the average household wastes an average of $100 a year from lost energy with unused plugs? IT can be a hassle to keep unplugging everything all the time, too. My favorite fix for this? A power strip! I keep the TV, DVD player, and Media Box all plugged into a power strip, and simply click it off before bed.
My kitchen is a little different. I have a wall with 4 plugs, and most of the appliances are arranged nicely around it. Since it’s an easy reach, I simply keep what I use the most (microwave, toaster, coffee maker) on that side of the counter.
Our energy bill has gone down just enough to save about $10 a month, which we funnel into our Christmas budget. 😉
Let me know in the comments how you feel! Are you a super-green machine, or convenience all the way?
This post contains an affiliate link. This post includes information that may be used as research or reference for Wellness but is NOT to be used as a diagnostic tool. Please use Essential Oils at the discretion of a healthcare provider and/or licensed aromatherapist.