Back to School. Bring on the Germs. Natural Cleaner Recipes.

Heading back to school means different things for different families. To me it signifies an amplification of GERMS!

The kids go back to school in August, right? Ever wonder why you have an end-of-summer cold around the first part of September? Because you have been out having fun all summer long and feeling healthy. But most people really don’t do anything preventatively, all summer long to help support the body. Then, when the kiddos head back to school, housed in one room, touching each other and not washing their hands, they cross-promote said germs. It is gross, but it is just how it goes.  If you are a teacher or are in the education field at all, you know that your risk of germs seems to escalate the first couple of months of school.

So, how do you keep yourself and your family’s immune systems supported in this crazy environment. Here’s how. You get a good amount of sleep every night and really try to stick to a routine schedule for everyone. You drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water each day and incorporate a healthier routine of eating. Try to cut out the soda, the sugar, the starchy things. You know what I mean. How do you sleep if you are all hopped up on sugar?

As a parent, there are things you can also do for yourself like taking lemon or wild orange essential oils and putting one drop in your water every day. Also try incorporating a drop or two of clove and cinnamon oil every day. Make sure you get your daily supply of vitamins and nutrients. These things help give your body natural support to do what it needs to do to keep you healthy. As I have mentioned in previous articles, the toxicity of some of the household products we use can be very compromising to the body and the immune system. By cleaning your home with more natural products, it also keeps your immune system healthier and not compromised so that the body can function at an optimum level.

I have had a couple people write in and ask me to give some essential oil blends that they can use at home. As I always strongly suggest, please do your homework on the essential oils that you use, making sure that the oils are pure, therapeutic grade, and that you dilute with anyone that has a smaller/weaker/compromised immune system. CHILDREN ESPECIALLY! Remember, they are 1/3 of our size or less, so dilute with fractionated coconut oil, cold-pressed coconut oil, olive oil or grapeseed oil.

NATURAL SPRAY CLEANER

Grab a clean glass spray bottle and fill it with water. Add 6 drops of lemon, 4 drops of oregano and 4 drops of clove essential oils. Slightly shake and spray on counters, etc.

REFRIGERATOR AND MICROWAVE CLEANER

In a clean glass spray bottle, mix 2 cups of vinegar with 2 cups of hot water and 15 drops of lemon essential oil and clean away.

GLASS CLEANER

In a large spray bottle mix 1 ½ cups of white vinegar, ½ cup of distilled water and 8 drops of your favorite citrus essential oil, or a combination of – and you have glass cleaner!

POWDER CLEANSER

In a large glass cheese shaker mix 1 cup baking soda, ½ cup citric acid, ½ cup kosher salt, and 15 drops of lemon essential oil. Spray surface with a little water, sprinkle mixture and scrub clean. (For the toilet, I also add 5 drops of oregano essential oil to this mixture! BE VERY CAREFUL when using this “hot” oil as one accidental touch to the eyes will leave you in tears for a bit!!!)  

BACKPACK CLEANER

Add ¾ cup of distilled water, ¼ cup white vinegar, 3 drops of melaleuca oil and 5 drops of lavender oil in a clean spray bottle and wipe down as needed.

FOAMING HAND SOAP

Grab a clean pump bottle, pour in: 2 tablespoons of liquid castile soap, unscented, 1 tablespoon fractionated coconut oil, 10-12 drops of essential oils of choice and fill slowly with water.  

As always, if you have questions, please feel free to send me an email at ahealthyresidual@yahoo.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

By Shelly Berkowitz, Reflexologist & Holistic Health Counselor

For consultations or more information about how to use or purchase essential oils, please contact Shelly Berkowitz, Reflexologist & Holistic Health Coach at (714) 514-3737. Shelly can also be reached via email at ahealthyresidual@yahoo.com and her website can be viewed at www.mydoterra.com/shellyberkowitz. You can also find her on Facebook at A Healthy Residual

FDA Disclaimer:  The information, advice, statements, and testimonials made about the essential oils, blends, and products mentioned above have not been evaluated by the FDA.  The information above and the products listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease, nor are they intended to replace proper medical help. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any regimen with essential oils.  User submitted testimonials are based on individual results and do not constitute a guarantee that you will achieve the same results – what works for one may not work for another.