By blog team member, Kiran. To learn more about Kiran, check out our team page or her blog!
The excitement of cooler weather is here, but there's also something else among us—unwelcome germs that like to rear their ugly heads! I have some germaphobe tendencies, especially this time of year. I like to keep the little buggers at bay but without the use of unwanted chemicals found in some hand sanitizers.
So I'm happy today to share a couple of germ fighter recipes from our friend and sponsor, Plant Therapy. Think of them as home remedies for staying sick-free (or trying to!) this season.
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About Plant Therapy
Plant Therapy is a family-owned and family-run essential oils company who we've enjoyed partnering with over the last few years. They work with essential oils expert Robert Tisserand and several analytical laboratories to create their essential oil formulas. All of this has led them to develop their KidSafe oils, which are, you guessed it, safe for kids (over the age of 2)!
What you'll notice about Plant Therapy is how good their prices are. Owners Chris and Amanda Jones aim to provide their products at affordable prices with the highest quality available so everyone can take advantage of the benefits. They offer great information as well, including the DIY remedies below.
Homemade Counter Wipes
Supplies
- 2 tablespoons castile soap
- Essential oils of your choice
- 2 cups warm water
- 1.9 quart airtight container (like this Oxo Round Canister)
- 1 roll select-a-size paper towels
Instructions
- Cut a roll of paper towels in half using an electric knife or serrated bread knife.
- Place one of the paper towel roll halves into the container. If you have to smash it a bit to fit, that is okay. Once wet, you will take out the core.
- In a measuring cup, combine the warm water, castile soap, and 30-40 drops of essential oils (see recipes below).
- Pour the mixture over the paper towels and let soak.
- Once soaked, you can easily remove the center tube.
- Seal with a lid and use as you would any other counter wipes.
Recipe Ideas
- Fresh Kitchen: 15 drops each lavender and lemon
- Disinfecting: 15 drops tea tree, 10 drops lemon, and 5 drops rosemary
- Fresh & Fruity: 20 drops sweet orange, 10 drops grapefruit, and 5 drops of vanilla
- Or use one of Plant Therapy's germ synergies (Germ Destroyer or Germ Fighter)
Homemade Hand Sanitizer
Who needs hand sanitizer that is full of ethyl alcohol and oftentimes even food dyes? Not to mention that they dry out your hands and are also flammable. No thanks! Here's how to easily make your own version.
Supplies
- 4 tablespoons or 2 ounces aloe gel (Plant Therapy offers plain and lavender aloe jelly)
- The following essential oils: Germ Destroyer (kid safe version), Germ Fighter (adult version), or Palmarosa & Fir Needle
Instructions
- Pour aloe gel into a flip-top bottle.
- Add 10 drops Palmarosa and 8 drops Fir Needle or 18 drops of Germ Destroyer or Germ Fighter
- Shake well to incorporate oils.
- Use a dime-size squirt of gel as needed on your hands and rub in.
You or your child can carry this gel with you to work or school. It's a perfect alternative to traditional hand sanitizer. Not only will you support your immune function, but you will fight off the germs that many of us pick up every day. Keep your family healthy and happy using a homemade hand sanitizer!
Caught Something Anyway?
If sickness or sniffles are already in your home, Plant Therapy offers a DIY sore throat solution here and solutions for coughs and congestion. They all utilize essential oils to combat the ailment at hand. Obviously, the steam solution should be used with caution for children.
Other Fun DIY Projects
- How to Make Homemade Natural Bath Bombs
- How to Make Homemade Natural Candles
- How to Make Homemade Bath Salts
Homemade Natural Counter Wipes
Equipment
- Airtight container
- Measuring cup
Ingredients
- 1 roll select-a-size paper towels
- 2 cups warm water
- 2 tablespoons Castile soap
- 40 drops essential oil your favorite combination of oils
Instructions
- Cut a roll of paper towels in half using an electric knife or serrated bread knife.
- Place one of the paper towel roll halves into the container. If you have to smash it a bit to fit, that is okay. Once wet, you will take out the core.
- In a measuring cup, combine the warm water, castile soap, and 30-40 drops of essential oils.
- Pour the mixture over the paper towels and let soak.
- Once soaked, you can easily remove the center tube.
- Seal with a lid and use as you would any other counter wipes.
Notes
Essential Oil Recipe Ideas
- Fresh Kitchen: 15 drops each lavender and lemon
- Disinfecting: 15 drops tea tree, 10 drops lemon, and 5 drops rosemary
- Fresh & Fruity: 20 drops sweet orange, 10 drops grapefruit, and 5 drops of vanilla
- Or use one of Plant Therapy’s germ synergies (Germ Destroyer or Germ Fighter)
Homemade Hand Sanititzer
Equipment
- Flip-top bottle
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons aloe gel (or 2 ounces, Plant Therapy offers plain and lavender aloe jelly)
- 10 drops Palmarosa essential oil
- 8 drops Fir Needle essential oil
- 18 drops Germ Destroyer (or Germ Fighter)
Instructions
- Pour aloe gel into a flip-top bottle.
- Add 10 drops Palmarosa and 8 drops Fir Needle or 18 drops of Germ Destroyer or Germ Fighter.
- Shake well to incorporate oils.
- Use a dime-size squirt of gel as needed on your hands and rub in.
Kelley says
I'm an essential oil skeptic - sort of. Afraid to spend money on something I'm not sure of. It would be great to win some oils to prove to myself they work. I'm interested in the castile soap mentioned for countertop wipes. I hate the smell and toxicity of store bought cleaners.
Carol Burnette says
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Carol Burnette says
I love using essential oils for cleaning, etc... This is the first time I have heard of Plant Therapy. I am eager to give them a try! I would love to try the anti-age synergy blend.
Krista says
The kids wellness formula would be great now that it's kids coughing all over each other season :-)
Carly says
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Carly says
Ooh there are so many great choices! I'd really like to try the Germ Fighter.
Kim M. says
Newsletter. Excited about the $10 coupon!
Kim M. says
Wow, so excited you shared this! I'm just getting into making my own non-toxic cleaners, so I'm interested in the cleaning set. Also, the lotions look great.
Patricia says
I've only heard about Plant Therapy recently through your web site, and I'm very excited to learn more! I'd love to win because I'm very interested in the Germ Fighter oil. I've suspected for some time that the alcohol-based hand sanitizers were not good for me, but I haven't known where to turn for an alternative until now. Ohhhh, I hope I win, I hope I win!
katherine says
Someone else just recommended Plant Therapy! I have been looking at the kids' germ fighter roll ons, plus the other kid-safe oils. I'm an oil newbie, so I'd love to win!
Janine says
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Janine says
I was JUST thinking a couple days ago that it would be nice to have some essential oils that were better quality than the ones at my local natural foods store, but not as pricey as DoTerra. This seems like it's just what I was looking for, thanks! Great timing on the email. I am very interested in the Kids Wellness Set, more specifically the Immune Boom and Germ Destroyer.
Lisa Jones says
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Lisa says
I would be interested in the child wellness kit. I was also looking at the roll on for kids; germ destroyer, calmness, and attention roll on all look great!
Heather Cates says
I've been looking at their A+ Attention and Calming the Child oils. I also just noticed they have an oil for warts, which my son recently turned up with 3 plantar's warts.
Beth says
I really want to try the oils.
Amy says
I would be interested in the kids wellness kit. It even the germ fighter blend in its own.
KT C says
I would be interested in the Adult Wellness kit and will definitely check out the website! Thanks.
Emy Holtwick says
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Emy Holtwick says
I love it all! The oils, the recipes and the great prices! Top choice would probably be the Kids Wellness Kit. Thank you!
Ali says
I have been wanting to try the calming oil for children to see if it helps my little one sleep longer.
Ali says
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Debra Jackson says
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Debra Jackson says
What if I said that I want to try them all? I am so excited to find essential oils at a price that does not break the bank. I appreciate being able to use oils but I find Young Living and DoTerra a little outside of my budget. Thank you. Thank you for introducing me to Plant Therapy.
Jennifer Spies says
This is exactly what I've been looking for!! I'm interested in it all but if I had to pick one, the kids wellness kit! Thanks!
Kristin says
I'd be interested in trying the KidSafe Wellness kit.
Katie says
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Katie says
I'm new to oils altogether so I'm interested in all the benefits they offer
Christine says
I would be interested in the Adult Wellness Set. Thank you!
Debb says
Would love to try the Brain-aid as well as Immune-Aid. Newsletter too!
Dayton says
I really would like to try theAdult complete wellness set
Amanda says
I'd love to try 'germ distroyer' and make some of that lovely hand friendly sanitiser ☺️
Cynthia Ward says
I would like to try respir-aid.
Debbe says
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Debbe says
I'd love to check out peppermint essential oil and other essential oil prices. Since you mentioned the word "affordable", we'll see if your definition of that matches with mine. :)
Thank you for all you do! Love your site.
Misty C says
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Misty C says
I would love to try more of the KidSafe synergies. Looking at Headache Away for my son.
Lisa Montero says
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Lisa Montero says
My first choice would be the Kids Safe kit and then the adult.
Alison Olson says
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