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.
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)
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I would like to try the germ destroyer.
i would love to try kidsafe germ destroyer!!
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I would love to try them all!! :) The Germ Destroyer sounds interesting.
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I would like to try the germ fighter roll-on.
I would love to try pink grapefruit! Thanks.
I would like to try the germ fighter.
I would like to try the adult wellness kit!
Signed up. Looking forward to the NEWSLETTER.
KidSafe please! Mom of 4 who works with kids too!
KidSafe Blends!
Gosh, so many to choose from. :) I kind of would like to try them all, but I guess the thing I am most interested in is adult wellness.
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Adult Wellness Kit please :)
I’d like to have both!!
Newsletter- they’re newsletter is great!
I’d like to try the adult wellness kit! I’m very interested in learning more
I’d like to try the KidSafe blends.
Respir-Aid for my kids colds/coughs
I am interested in oils that will help keep my family well this winter.
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Thanks for the post. :) I’m interested in oils that boost immunity and fight germs. :) Blessings!
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I’m interested in oils that might help my kids sleep better at night.
Interest in help for coughs and colds.
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Newsletter – thank you.
Cleaning gift set.
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i am interested in oregano oil
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i am very interested in the germ destroyer. Want to make my own counter wipes. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
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I would be interested in he germ fighter blend
germ fighter
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I would like to try the sleep aid synergy blend.
I would like to try the candy cane oil
I would like to try the eucalyptus oil
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i would love to make the counter wipes! Especially the lavender scent!
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The product I am most interested in checking out is the lavender lotion.
Newsletter!
I would love to learn more about the children’s wellnes set! I am a teacher and I use essential oils in my classroom diffuser. I also use them with the 3 kids of my own.
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The Modern-Vintage Copper Necklace looks very interesting. I would like to try it.
I’d really like to try the germfighter in order to make the diy hand sanitizer. My husbands hands stay irritated from constantly using sanitizing wipes and harsh soaps at his jobsite.
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Thanks for a great giveaway!
Happy Thanksgiving :)
Immune aid :)
I already use this hand sanitizer recipe and have given it as gifts. Love the homemade wipes idea. My kids can be messy, can`t wait to try it. Thanks flr the new idea
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I want to try the KidSafe synergy line!
I have plant therapy and would LOVE to try their Kids Safe and Respi-Aid! I’ve already been a subscriber too! THANKS!
I would be most interested in the Germ Destroyer Wellness set! Yes please, sounds amazing!
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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.
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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.
The kids wellness formula would be great now that it’s kids coughing all over each other season :-)
Newsletter!
Ooh there are so many great choices! I’d really like to try the Germ Fighter.
Newsletter. Excited about the $10 coupon!
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.
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!
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!
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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.
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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!
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.
I really want to try the oils.
I would be interested in the kids wellness kit. It even the germ fighter blend in its own.
I would be interested in the Adult Wellness kit and will definitely check out the website! Thanks.
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I love it all! The oils, the recipes and the great prices! Top choice would probably be the Kids Wellness Kit. Thank you!
I have been wanting to try the calming oil for children to see if it helps my little one sleep longer.
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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.
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!
I’d be interested in trying the KidSafe Wellness kit.
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I’m new to oils altogether so I’m interested in all the benefits they offer
I would be interested in the Adult Wellness Set. Thank you!
Would love to try the Brain-aid as well as Immune-Aid. Newsletter too!
I really would like to try theAdult complete wellness set
I’d love to try ‘germ distroyer’ and make some of that lovely hand friendly sanitiser ☺️
I would like to try respir-aid.
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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.
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I would love to try more of the KidSafe synergies. Looking at Headache Away for my son.
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My first choice would be the Kids Safe kit and then the adult.
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