I recently read an interesting article (
http://www.hivehealthmedia.com/bathroom-clean-safe/ ) that describes how your bathroom space is a potential breeding ground for germs, mold and mildew, which not only cause foul odor, but put you at a risk of infections and allergies. Even a reasonably clean-looking bathroom has disease-causing organisms hiding in inconspicuous places that often escape our attention. Most commercially available cleaning products contain chlorine and other toxic ingredients that pollute the environment and may pose a hazard for children and pets. If you are an eco-conscious individual who likes to do things the natural way, you can try substituting some of these products with
essential oils. Certain essential oils
possess strong antibacterial and antifungal properties, which make them very potent disinfectants. What’s more, they are safe, affordable, environment friendly and leave your bathroom smelling clean!
Mold and Mildew 
The constant moisture in bathrooms encourages the growth of fungus, especially in hard-to-reach corners – these fungal spores can cause respiratory problems and skin allergies in some people. To keep your bathroom space mold-free, make a bathroom spray: In a
16 oz spray bottle combine: 12 oz distilled water
4 oz white vinegar
10 drops each of
Cinnamon Leaf,
Tea Tree,
Niaouli,
Basil and
Lemongrass essential. Shake well. Spray the area liberally with this mixture and scrub. After the areas are clean, use this versatile spray in all areas of your bathroom as a maintenance routine.
Shower curtains 
Shower curtains are a perfect place for germs and fungus to thrive because they are usually damp. Vinyl curtains even release toxins into the environment, which can be harmful if your bathroom is inadequately ventilated. Try switching over to
fabric curtains and toss them in the washer at least once a month. You can add 10 drops of
Tea Tree and 10 drops of
Lemongrass oil as an additive to kill bacteria and fungal spores.
Shower Heads
They may look innocuous on the outside, but the minute holes on shower heads are home to bacteria and mold. These contaminate your bath water as it flows through the openings and may be ingested. Detach the shower head occasionally and give it a thorough cleaning. Mix 5 drops each of
Lemongrass,
Cinnamon Leaf, and
Niaouli with ½ cup of baking soda. Dilute this in 1 liter water and immerse the shower head in this solution. Let it soak for an hour to loosen the dirt particles before scrubbing it with an old toothbrush. Rinse with very hot water.
Toilet 
To get a squeaky-clean toilet, mix 1 cup of baking soda with 15 drops of
Tea Tree and 15 drops of
Lemon essential oil. Sprinkle all over the seat and bowl, and let it sit for 30 minutes. Scrub with a bowl brush. As an everyday routine, you can just sanitize the toilet seat by spraying it with the bathroom spray and wiping with a paper towel.
Bathtub and sink
The soapy scum that forms on bathtub and sink surfaces looks unsightly and can put you at the risk of injuries. A paste made with ¼ cup baking soda, 5 drops of
Lemon oil, 10 drops of
Basil oil and some dish washing liquid is strong enough to cut through the slick layers. Sponge the surfaces with this mixture, rinse and finish off with your multipurpose bathroom spray. With these simple aromatherapy home recipes, your bathroom will always look and smell divine.
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How to get rid of your carpet germs with essential oils © 2012, Cristina Proano-Carrion, Aromandina LLCThis information is based on traditional use of aromatherapy and it does not intend to diagnose or treat any condition. This information should not be used as a substitute for medical counseling with a health care professional. No part of this article may be reproduced in whole or in part without the explicit written permission of Aromandina.
