Homemade Thieves Oil (Chemical Free Cleaner)

This homemade chemical free cleaner has the most wonderful Christmassy smell! Not alone does it have that alluring yuletide fragrance but it also is a wonderful cleaner. I discovered this recipe during the summer months, since then I haven't bother to buy my usual branded chemical concoction. 

I bought the essential oils from my local health food shop - all three cost about €11 - but if you have the fresh lavender and rosemary then your only outlay will be the tea tree/eucalyptus oil and that will last for ages. 

If like me you buy all three then obviously they have other uses around the house too - nothing more relaxing than a soothing lavender bath -also there is the satisfaction of making your own wonderfully fragrant chemical free cleaner.    

Makes 450-500ml

Ingredients
2 Lemons, skin only
2 Whole cinnamon sticks
1 tbsp Whole cloves
500ml cold water

3-4 drops of lavender oil or fresh lavender
5-6 drops of tea tree oil/ eucalyptus oil
5-6 drops of rosemary oil or fresh rosemary
Method
Pour the water into a small saucepan, place the lemon peel, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves and if you have them fresh sprigs of lavender and rosemary.

Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and gently simmer with the lid on for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the oil(s) - add the lavender and rosemary oil if you didn't have fresh - cover and allow to sit for 3 hours or overnight. Strain the liquid into a suitable container.

Surface Cleaner -1 part thieves oil to 3 parts water into a spray bottle.
Tiled Floor Cleaner - 1 part thieves oil to 4 parts warm water
Window Cleaner 2 tbsp white vinegar to 1 tbsp thieves oil

Recipe adapted from Domestic Divas