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Our home is supposed to be ourrefuge, a place to feelrefreshed and reenergized. While we enjoy puttering around the house, hoping to makeour homea cleaner,safer, more beautiful and comfortableplace, studies have shown that theaverage household contains approximately 62 known toxic chemicals due to products we bringinto our home!
The productswe may buy tohelp keep our kitchens and bathrooms clean, products we puton our bodies anduse towash our hands and clothes, are often full of toxins that can actually harm us.
Many products we purchasetoclean our home orfor personal care arelinked to asthma, illnesses, cancer, hormone disruptions, reproductive issues and chemicals that harmbabies’ developing brains. Yikes!
Recently a researchstudy from George Washington University also found that 45 toxic chemicals are commonly found in house dust! My goodness! If toxic chemicals are in our house dust, I can’t even imagine how many must be building up in our bodies. That might inspire us to dust more, but even more importantly, we need to feel inspired to get the chemicals out of our house.
These chemicals most certainlyhavean effect on our health, whether we realize it now ornot. I always remind myself, though, that there is no need to be fearful because there are things we can do right now to begin toeliminatethe chemicals in our home and make it a safer place forour family.
Tomorrow I will sharea personal story and some very eye-opening things that have been motivating in our own journey toward creating a healthier less toxic home.
It can feel overwhelming to even know where to start to get rid of all the unhealthy substances in ahome, but what I’ve been working onand what I encourage you to do isto just dive in byreplacing those chemical-filledevery day products with cleaner alternatives. Even just one step at a time. It’s so easy and cost effective to make your own household cleaners, too!
I’ll share more DIY recipes and the changes we have madein our home in the coming weeks, but today here is a super simple way tokeep ashower fresh and clean without the yucky chemicals.
All you need for a daily shower spray that will keep the soap scum away!
- 1/2 cup vodka or vinegar
- 1 cup distilled water
- 10 drops peppermint or your choice ofessential oil
Mix it up in a glass spray bottleand spray your shower every day! You don’t need to wipe it off.
Where to Order:
You can find the 100% pure therapeutic grade essential oils we usehere.
You can finda similarspray bottle like the one inour photo here.
We found this recipe a couple of years ago from Clean Mama. She has a greatbook calledThe Organically Clean Homeand has lots of helpful recipes for organic cleaning!
See this post with more simple changes for a cleaner home!
Ginaon January 18, 2017 at 4:49 am
I’m curious……does this have to be in a “glass” spray bottle?
Sylvia Heaco*ckon January 18, 2017 at 7:19 am
That’s my question too. Glass in the shower area doesn’t sound safe for our house.
Melissa @ The Inspired Roomon January 18, 2017 at 8:27 am
Plastic bottles can leach chemicals so I prefer glass (especially with essential oils).
Patricia Childon January 29, 2020 at 8:45 am
Where can you buy a glass spray bottle
Erinon February 19, 2018 at 12:28 pm
Essential Oils can degrade plastic so I think Stainless Steel or Glass are recommended
Stephanieon January 18, 2017 at 5:47 am
Well, I have everything except Vodka already in my house. Might be a good reason to get some. :)
Nancyon January 18, 2017 at 5:53 am
Love your posts Ann…..I have been using a shower spray every day….I would substitute White Vinegar for the Vodka! I prefer to drink my Vodka!!!! White Vinegar, Distilled Water, & choice of Essential Oil does work wonder in the bathroom!
Kerryon January 18, 2017 at 5:55 am
I really like this idea and have essential oils at home. Why use peppermint in particular?
Melissa @ The Inspired Roomon January 18, 2017 at 8:34 am
We’ve been using this recipe for awhile and it just happened to be the oil that was suggested so I just stuck with it! Peppermint is super refreshing and has antibacterial properties so it’s great in a bathroom, but it’s really personal preference. It’s fun to mix it up and try different blends for different purposes or rooms of the house.
Sandyon January 18, 2017 at 6:53 am
I can’t wait until this evening when I tell my husband I need to go buy some Vodka to clean the shower. But, Really, I am going to try it. Thanks.
Melissa @ The Inspired Roomon January 18, 2017 at 8:44 am
Ha!
Joenon January 18, 2017 at 7:09 am
Thank you for the shower spray recipe! I am currently moving and will definitely be using this is my new house!
BARBARA HUGHESon January 18, 2017 at 7:33 am
Sounds like a simple solution to a huge problem. Creates another problem for me, who won’t buy alcohol or be found in the aisle for appearance sake. Since vodka is essentially 100 proof alcohol, I’m guessing store shelf alcohol would be as effective?
Melissa @ The Inspired Roomon January 18, 2017 at 8:43 am
I don’t think they are the same, the store bought rubbing alcohol is isopropyl alcohol, which I would think would be toxic for cleaning. I haven’t researched that. But you can try different methods, vinegar is another option as a substitute. I would suggest experimenting or researching what is best for your type of shower or surface too. Vinegar could etch marble, for instance.
Beverly Norrison January 18, 2017 at 7:33 am
I am a 3 year cancer survivor and I have changed to all natural cleaners. I clean homes for a living so I use a lot of products on a daily basis. I figured this was one way to help myself and my customers.
Ardithon January 18, 2017 at 2:17 pm
Congratulations, Beverly, on your 3-year anniversary. Best wishes for many, many more.
Beverly Norrison January 19, 2017 at 7:40 am
Thank you!
Melissa @ The Inspired Roomon January 18, 2017 at 2:50 pm
I’m SO glad you are doing well, Beverly! Thank you for sharing. I think it’s wonderfulthat you use natural cleaners for your own health and your customers, too!
Beverly Norrison January 19, 2017 at 7:42 am
Thank you!
Anaon January 18, 2017 at 7:50 am
Do you think this would work with keeping hard water stains away? Or is it just good for soap residue?
Melindaon January 18, 2017 at 6:55 pm
Curious about that myself!
Kathleenon January 18, 2017 at 8:05 am
Oh. My. Goodness. You have just solved a major problem for me. We have cultured marble tub & surround in both bathrooms. (Vintage 80’s, neutral beige, no $$ to update). I’ve been at my wits’ end how to clean the stuff and was finally surrendered to diluted vinegar which I already know is bad (but the toxic cleaners are a much worse bad, so out of the question).
Quick search shows me that I CAN use this on our cultured marble AND on our granite counters in the kitchen. THANK YOU!
Melissa @ The Inspired Roomon January 18, 2017 at 8:44 am
Hooray! Glad it helped. :)
Diane Cummingson January 18, 2017 at 8:14 am
Hi Melissa!
I just can’t wait to hear about the natural cleaners! I agree that we need to get the toxins out of our homes. One thing I am interested in for sure is the smell from dogs!! Our goldendoodle doesn’t really ever smell, but we have a smaller dog that does! Of course they are on our beds :) Any suggestions here would be awesome. I have begun to use essential oils in diffusers in our home, and we are enjoying that! Take care and give Lilly and Jack a hug from me :)Judith Newmanon January 18, 2017 at 9:02 am
I am going to try the natural shower cleaner! Thanks for sharing this information. Jude
Sharonon January 18, 2017 at 9:02 am
I will definitely give this a try. I am just starting to get the toxic chemicals out of my home, but it feels a bit overwhelming to me at the moment. In fact, I had two boxes of cleaning products that I had to take to our city’s service garage for safe disposal due to their hazardous ingredients! That was an eye opener for sure. I was diagnosed with asthma so I need to be careful about the products I am using.
I look forward to reading more of your story and suggestions. I’m sure it will be helpful.
Barbaraon January 18, 2017 at 9:41 am
Is this DIY shower spray safe for natural stone showers? I have showers made of various stone—slate, travertine, small stones (not pebbles). I can’t use vinegar on them at all. Hoping the vodka would be OK.
Norma | The House that Willon January 18, 2017 at 10:45 am
Thanks for sharing this, Melissa. I’m also working on detoxing our home this year, and hadn’t come up with a replacement for our shower spray … until now!
BTW, I just told my husband about this and you know what he said? “Can I drink it in the shower? You’d have such a clean AND happy husband!”Peggyon January 18, 2017 at 10:46 am
This is interesting! We have a glass shower stall which we squeegee after each shower. Would this solution leave spots on the glass if not wiped down? It would be great to just be able to spray and nix the squeegee! Thanks!
glenda wallon January 18, 2017 at 10:46 am
Then when you’re done cleaning you can drink it…… Especially when your family messes it all up again…..Just kidding.
Never knew vodka was good for cleaning….Rachel McKernanon January 18, 2017 at 12:59 pm
I’m so glad you’re addressing this. I’ve been on quite the health journey the past few years through chronic depression/anxiety, thyroid/auto immune disease and have learned a lot through the process. A great book that goes into food and personal care products/home care products and what to change is “A mind of your own” by Kelly Brogan. I highly recommend it. Learning how much all these things can affect our physical and “mental” health is life altering. Anyway! You’re my favorite blogger and it makes me so excited that you’re talking about this. And, yes!!…the bottle needs to be glass!!
Melissa @ The Inspired Roomon January 18, 2017 at 2:17 pm
Thank you Rachel. I have had some similar issues over the years and have also found it life altering to learn about the things we can do and stop doing :). I’m happy to share, it’s such an important topic for everyone.
Jo Joon January 18, 2017 at 2:16 pm
I’m wondering if just plain rubbing alcohol could be used in place of the vodka in the shower cleaner recipe? We don’t drink, so… and from what I understand, vodka (even the cheap stuff) isn’t inexpensive.
Ardithon January 18, 2017 at 2:23 pm
Distilled white vinegar might a better option, Jo Jo. I’ve been using a recipe similar to Melissa’s, but it calls for equal parts of this vinegar and distilled water. I then add 12 drops each of Tea Tree and Orange essential oils. This is my go-to, all purpose cleaner—in a spray bottle. I’ve been using it for about a year and a half and can’t be happier with it. I use it in the kitchen and bath, on glass and mirrors, and to clean the exterior of the washer and dryer, the inside of the washer.
Melissa @ The Inspired Roomon January 18, 2017 at 2:43 pm
Yes, I agree on vinegar as an alternative (but be sure to check before you spray it on natural stone to make sure it won’t be a problem). Thanks for the great recipe, I have a similar all purpose cleaner I’ll share soon too!
Maggieon January 19, 2017 at 7:20 am
Vinegar on travertine is really bad! I know I spotted the floor with it. The only solution is to have it resealed! $$$$$$
Melissa @ The Inspired Roomon January 18, 2017 at 2:45 pm
Hi Jo Jo, I would try vinegar as a great alternative (but be careful with vinegar on natural stone)! :)
Ardithon January 18, 2017 at 2:59 pm
Thank for the catch, Melissa. I should have mentioned that this cleaner does work great on sealed tile (which we have in our showers and the floors in the kitchen and one bath). In our master bath we have unsealed floor tile, so I must use a different cleaner for it.
Lisa Madsonon January 18, 2017 at 2:23 pm
Can I order JUST the peppermint essential orders without signing up for a membership/commitment? If not, would peppermint extract work?
Melissa @ The Inspired Roomon January 18, 2017 at 2:39 pm
Hi Lisa, yes, you can order just the peppermint essential oil if you’d like!
Here’s how:
Click this link: https://www.youngliving.com/vo/#/signup/start?site=US&sponsorid=3731456&enrollerid=3731456&type=member&isolanguagecode=EN
Select RETAIL
Fill out the required info to place your order for Peppermint Essential Oil.
By the way, there is no commitment or membership to get the wholesale prices. They call that option a “membership” but there’s no fee or commitment at all. The only requirement to get the wholesale prices are that you start out with an order for a premium starter kit (which comes with Peppermint and 10 other oils plus a diffuser, by the way). Beyond that, no requirements to get the wholesale prices!
But yes, if you only want the one oil you start with the “retail” account and get the peppermint essential oil. If decide later you want to switch to wholesale, just message me and I can help.
Peppermint extract is not the same as the pure essential oil.
Let me know if I can help any further! Thanks Lisa.
mcgrathinnolaon January 18, 2017 at 2:32 pm
Melissa, What would suggest for scrubbing the tub? And will this shower spray clear mold/mildew? We live in NOLA where the humidity can be off the charts and it’s a constant moisture battle…..HELP!!!
Carol Karlon January 18, 2017 at 8:39 pm
I use this for scrubbing my tub. Works like a charm. http://www.livingareallife.com/blog/1/3/2014/peppermint-cleaning-paste
Lorion January 18, 2017 at 3:49 pm
Sounds like a good solution especially since vinegar leaves a sour smell and vodka none and the alcohol s better at killing bacteria. Have you ever tried this on sink scum?
Carol Karlon January 18, 2017 at 8:38 pm
Hi Melissa, Thank you for this recipe. It looks great.
You might also like to try this cleaner – http://www.livingareallife.com/naturalliving/27/11/2013/orange-cleaner?rq=orange%20cleaner. It’s so easy to make and it’s something to do with all those orange peels.
Shannonon February 9, 2017 at 3:16 pm
What did you use to write the word “shower” on your bottle?? So cute!
Melissa @ The Inspired Roomon April 10, 2017 at 11:33 am
Hi Shannon! So sorry I just now am seeing your question. It’s a pen that you can write on wine glasses with. Like this! >> https://www.amazon.com/Wine-Glass-Writer-Metallic-3-Pack/dp/B009SLJDYG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1491849199&sr=8-2&keywords=wine+glass+pen
Mirandaon January 7, 2018 at 8:31 am
What would be the shelf life of this??
Melissa @ The Inspired Roomon January 7, 2018 at 10:10 am
It lasts a really long time, long enough to use the entire bottle! :)
