Orientation:
Let’s head over to the Ship’s Blending Lab. You probably know how to get there by now. Grab your beverage, get comfy as you read the genie-inspired notes, and watch the video lectures.
After the videos, could you download your Practical Potions Workbook? Then, put the ideas into action: Make some blends, return to your quarters, and sparkle up your room by applying your aromatic cleaning knowledge.
How to Clean Like A Genie:
First, you can use basic cleaning tips to make the job easier.
Establish a Cleaning Routine:
Create a daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning schedule to maintain a consistent and manageable cleaning habit. This routine helps prevent the buildup of dirt and grime, making cleaning less daunting over time.
Declutter Regularly: Before cleaning, declutter your space. A tidy area is easier to clean and maintain. Adequate storage space is important; shelves are handy. Encourage regularly sorting through items and keeping only what is necessary or brings joy.
Mindful Product Choices: Opt for eco-friendly cleaning products that are kind to the environment and your health. Many commercial cleaners contain harsh chemicals; choosing natural alternatives or making your own can reduce exposure to toxins. Better yet, take the Practical Potions aromatherapy class and make your products!
Microfiber Magic: Use microfiber cloths to clean surfaces. They’re reusable, efficient, and can trap dirt and dust without chemical cleaners, just water. One trick to making microfiber cloths work well is to rinse them in hot water and squeeze them out until they are almost dry. If you don’t, they might leave streak marks.
Ventilation is Vital: Always ensure good ventilation when cleaning, especially in bathrooms and kitchens. Fresh air helps to dissipate any fumes from cleaning products and prevents the growth of mould and mildew.
Spot Cleaning: Address spills and stains immediately. The longer a spill sits, the harder it will be to remove. Quick action can prevent permanent damage and reduce the need for intense cleaning later.
Mindful Multitasking: Incorporate cleaning into daily activities. For instance, while waiting for your tea to steep or during commercial breaks, tackle small cleaning tasks like wiping down counters or sorting mail.
Green Thumb Cleaning: Incorporate plants into your living spaces. They’re decorative and help purify the air, reducing indoor pollutants and improving air quality.
Respect the Space: Consider each area’s specific needs. For example, use gentle cleaners on delicate surfaces like granite or hardwood and reserve more robust solutions for durable areas like tile flooring.
Reflect and Reward: After a cleaning session, take a moment to appreciate your effort and enjoy the clean space. Recognizing your work can be incredibly satisfying and motivate you to maintain a clean environment.
These holistic cleaning guidelines can create healthier, more sustainable, and enjoyable living spaces.
Aromatic Cleaning-
Try using essential oils to clean your home. They make a less toxic, enjoyable alternative to commercial products.
You can do something simple, like shake a few drops of a disinfecting oil, such as orange, lemon, lemongrass, tea tree, geranium or eucalyptus, into hot water in your kitchen sink. Stir the oils into the water thoroughly to disperse the essential oils, and then use this same mixture to wipe your cupboards and appliances. Use a fine-textured microfiber cloth to reduce streaking.
Make a Cleaning Spray-
Another way to use essential oils is to drop them into a spray glass bottle of 90-97% water and 3%-10% essential oil. The reason for such a range in strength is due to the purpose of the oil and the particular oil chosen. If I were to clean a soiled area, I would opt for a higher ratio of essential oil. I would also choose a strong essential oil with disinfecting properties. Tea tree and eucalyptus are lovely this way. Do not use eucalyptus, peppermint, cinnamon bark, etc., around infants or pets.
Some people like to add vodka to this mix. The advantage of adding vodka is that it will help emulsify the oil and water and add some disinfecting and preservative properties. If you add vodka, add about 10% to your mixture. I prefer vinegar in a cleaning spray to vodka. Vinegar is also a disinfectant and emulsifier. So, you have choices! I often mix pure vinegar and essential oils, omitting the water.
Remember to shake the bottle well before using it. This is important, as oils will often float to the top of a bottle and be used in one spray. Do not spray the mix on anyone, as essential oils can irritate the skin and eyes. Do not spray too close to your walls either, because if you don’t wipe them off, you may notice an oil build-up on them over time.
Any single oil or mixture can be used. When making your choice, consider your preferences, the purpose of the oil, and, of course, the cost.
Sprays can be used for various purposes: To make a cleaning spray, use the essential oils listed above for disinfecting attributes. To create a room spray, select essential oils that will enhance your mood and be appealing.
Laurie Demonstrates How to Make A Spray, Video
I Believe in Genie, Practically Magical Spray
A very similar product can be made for cleaning the bathroom. Add 5-10% essential oil and 25%-90% vinegar to water.
Vinegar is an excellent medium for cleaning, as it disinfects and eliminates smudges. Use a medium of pure white vinegar with 5% peppermint or lemon oil for a squeaky, clean finish. You can play with these portions, depending on the purpose of the spray and your preference.
Eucalyptus, orange, lemon, pine, lemongrass, peppermint and tea tree are effective, heavy-duty cleaners for bathroom environments.
Please remember that shaking the concoction well before using it is necessary, and do not spray it into the eyes. Essential oils are sometimes destructive to plastics or specific furniture finishes. Please always try on a non-obvious spot, such as under the counter, before applying to ensure it is safe. Do not use these strong essential oils around any pet or child under the age of 7.
Jean the Cleaning Genie Video- Toilet Bowl Cleaning Bomb
Caution:
You should wear a mask and gloves while making this recipe. Do not let children eat this! Dissolve the pellets fully before flushing to avoid damaging your bathroom pipes from the pressure.
10 More Genie Cleaning Tips
As your friendly cleaning genie, I’m here to sprinkle a bit of magic on those everyday cleaning tasks with a touch of old-fashioned wisdom and a nod to the enchanting world of essential oils! ✨🧹
Baking Soda Brilliance for Ovens: Cast a spell on tough oven grime with baking soda and water paste. Apply it inside the oven, let it sit overnight, and then easily scrub away the grime. Add a few drops of lemon essential oil to the mix for an aromatic touch, leaving your oven sparkling.
Enchanted Essential Oil Mixture for Pet Areas: Keep pet areas pristine and inviting by cleaning them with water, a touch of white vinegar, and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Lavender’s calming scent will soothe your pets and keep their spaces magically fresh. Please feel free to wipe the area with pure water, as your furry companions have a very acute sense of smell.
Fairy Dust for Hardwood Floors: Conjure a homemade floor cleaner by mixing water, white vinegar, and a few drops of gentle soap with a few drops of orange essential oil. This potion not only cleans but also leaves a rejuvenating citrus aroma, making your hardwood floors dance with shine. You can use only a mist of this mixture on hardwood, as too much water can damage hardwood. A spray mop allows me to add my mixture rather than the commercial one. If your hardwood is very touchy and does not like water, Bona brand spray may be preferable. Always do a small test spot before proceeding.
Genie’s Touch for Stainless Steel: Make your stainless steel appliances shine like treasures with a mixture of vinegar and olive oil. First, clean the surface with vinegar, then polish with minimal olive oil. A drop of lemon essential oil can add a zesty freshness, ensuring your stainless steel surfaces gleam like new. Use a microfiber cloth.
Magical Microfiber for Windows: Use a microfiber cloth with a simple mixture of water and vinegar. Add a touch of magic with lemon essential oil for extra sparkle and an uplifting scent. This blend will leave your windows so clear that you’ll think they’ve vanished!
Mystical Mixture for Stovetops: Banish stovetop stains with a potion of baking soda and water, creating a paste. For stubborn spots, add a drop of lemon essential oil for its natural degreasing properties. Apply, let it sit, then scrub to reveal a surface that shines like the morning sun.
Old-School Shaking for Carpets: Before vacuuming, sprinkle baking soda with a few drops of your favourite essential oil onto the carpet. Let it sit, then vacuum it up for a rug that smells as delightful as it looks.
Professional’s Spell for Vacuuming: Always start from the farthest corner of the room and work your way backward toward the door. This technique ensures you don’t walk over the cleaned areas, keeping the magic alive and your carpets pristine.
Time-honoured Technique for Sinks: Sprinkle baking soda in and around your sink, adding a few drops of tea tree essential oil for its antimicrobial properties. Scrub with a sponge, then rinse to reveal a sink that sparkles like a gemstone.
Wizardry Wiping for Dusting: Use a damp microfiber cloth to capture dust effectively. Add a few drops of lavender or lemon essential oil to the water for an enchanting scent. This method traps dust and leaves the room smelling enchanted.
With these magical tips, you will not only master the art of cleaning but also transform your space into enchanting sanctuaries. Happy cleaning, dear apprentices! 🌟🧼
Hand Soap that Foams-
One foaming soap dispenser (These dispensers are indispensable.)
2 Tbsp. Dr. Bronner’s liquid castile soap
1-2 Tbsp. Fractionated coconut oil
10- 15 drops essential oils with disinfecting properties- try lemongrass, tea tree, peppermint, eucalyptus or orange.
Pour the castile soap and fractionated coconut oil into your foaming soap bottle.
Add the essential oils
Fill the rest of the bottle with water
Screw on the top and shake gently to mix the oils.
Baking Soda, Sink and Toilet Shaker:
You can find a large glass salt shaker with generous openings. This is necessary so the baking soda does not plug into the shaker. You can also choose a container that fits securely in your hands.
Fill it halfway with baking soda, then add 20 drops of essential oil (tea tree, peppermint and eucalyptus). These are good choices, as they are all disinfecting and strongly scented. The amount of essential oil you choose will depend on the size of the container and the strength you desire. Could you fill it close to the top with baking soda and stir it well?
You can now use this to sprinkle onto sinks and scrub. I leave a small, sink-sized scrub brush at the back of my sink to do this frequently.
You can also drop this into toilets to alleviate bad smells. Please do not use it around young children or pets.
Grapefruit & Peppermint Scouring Paste
Ingredients:
½ cup baking soda
¼ cup water (adjust for desired consistency)
10 drops of grapefruit essential oil
5 drops of peppermint essential oil
Instructions:
Mix baking soda with water to form a paste.
Stir in the grapefruit and peppermint essential oils.
Use the paste to scrub surfaces, then rinse well.
This paste is excellent for scrubbing away tough stains and leaving a fresh, invigorating scent.
🌟 5 More Cleaning Tips 🌟
Oil Diffuser Cleaner: Clean and refresh your essential oil diffuser by filling it with water and adding 10 drops of white vinegar. Run it for 5-10 minutes, then drain and wipe clean. This removes oil residue and keeps the diffuser running efficiently.
Microwave Refresh: To clean and deodorize your microwave, mix 1 cup of water, 1/2 cup of vinegar, and 10 drops of lemon essential oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 5 minutes, then wipe down the interior with a cloth. The steam loosens grime, and the lemon oil leaves a fresh scent.
Essential Oil Garbage Disposal Freshener: Freshen up your garbage disposal by mixing a cup of baking soda with 15 drops of lemon or orange essential oil. Pour the mixture down the disposal, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, and rinse with hot water while running the disposal. This combination eliminates odours and cleans the blades.
Vinegar and Essential Oil Weed Killer: Mix 1 gallon of white vinegar with a teaspoon of liquid dish soap and 20 drops of clove essential oil in a spray bottle. Spray directly on weeds in your driveway or patio cracks—the vinegar and clove oil work together to kill weeds naturally.
Baking Soda Carpet Freshener: Mix 1 cup of baking soda with 20 drops of your favourite essential oil. Sprinkle the mixture on your carpet, let it sit for at least 15 minutes, then vacuum. This will deodorize your carpets and leave a lasting, pleasant aroma. Patch-test a spot before doing this.
Cleaning Video-
Michelle Lund- Student Project
More ideas and recipes are available in your Practical Potions Journal. Scroll to Downloads at the bottom of this page to get your Practical Potions Journal for this section.