The Essential Oil You Should Use To Clean Your Walls

When cleaning, most homeowners focus on the big items like floors, countertops, and appliances, however, your beautiful walls require tender love and care, too. But those stubborn, overbearing smears and stains on your walls don't make it easy, do they? Commercial cleaning agents, while effective, often pack a punch of harsh chemicals — oftentimes a perilous remedy in disguise. Instead of risking the integrity and aesthetic of your painted surfaces, how about considering a safer, eco-friendly alternative – pine essential oil?

Pine essential oil is derived from parts of the Scots pine tree (think needles, cones, and twigs) via steam distillation. Its prowess extends far beyond the invigorating scent. It's a natural powerhouse for combating grime, stripping away troublesome dirt and stubborn stains while preserving your wall's integrity. It also provides a protective layer against bacteria, and its natural anti-viral properties eliminate unwanted fungal growth, creating a safer and healthier environment. With that in mind, let's see how you can use pine essential oil to redefine part of your housekeeping into an eco-friendly undertaking.

Begin your wall-cleaning by assembling pine essential oil, white vinegar, warm water, a sturdy spray bottle, and a sponge or cloth. For every cup of warm water in your spray bottle, add 10 to 15 drops of pine essential oil. If you want to amplify the effects, add three-quarter cups of white vinegar– its acidic nature can cut through grease and battle stubborn stains. Couple this with pine essential oil, and you've just unleashed a formidable and non-toxic cleaner for your walls. Afterward, give your spray bottle a gentle shake, for these elements must blend well to work as intended.

Before fully spraying your walls, test it on a small, hidden patch — different wall paints may react differently, and you wouldn't want an impromptu shade change. If the test is successful, sparingly spray the mixture onto the rest of your wall and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes to combat dirt and spots. Do a victory sweep with a clean rag or sponge. As a final reminder, you should always wear gloves when using any kind of homemade cleaner, and tread cautiously with pine essential oil around your furry companions — their sensitivity towards it can prove harmful.