EOs, Cleaners, Etc.

[joolissa]

Hey!
I know this subject has been covered quite a few times, but I've read through everything here I could find and some stuff on the internet and still have some questions.

It's been established that EOs are toxic to cats and probably ferrets as well and shouldn't be used on them or in food, litter, detergents used on their items, etc. etc.

Here's my questions, let me know if I should split any of them into a separate thread:

1. Are extracts of safe plants toxic as well? People have talked about using Vanilla extract on toys and bedding, so I am wondering if extracts are safe alternatives to use for scenting things?

2. I want to make my own cleaning supplies, among other things, and have started to use vinegar a lot. I'm not overly fond of the smell of vinegar and neither are my parents, so I definitely want to make some herbal vinegars and herbal waters. If I were to put, for example, lavender powder, lavender flowers, or catnip in vinegar, or boil it it water, or add it to oil would this be safe to use for cleaning and such?

3. Hydrosols (which are sometimes also called floral waters, flower essences, etc.) they've been mentioned here and online as alternatives to EOs. Does anyone use them or know about them? I'm talking about actual hydrosols and not a few drops of EOs put into water (which I think wouldn't be safe)

4. Do you still use EOs in soaps and other things your pets don't have access to (your own shampoo, deodorant, cleaners for non-pet areas, etc.) or is the possible residue on your hands/hair etc. enough of a risk? What about your own laundry? What about things that get rinsed off? If you wash caging with a something that has an EO in it, but rise the cleaner off instead of wipe it off, does this still pose a risk?

5. Would adding things like extracts or flowers etc. to the vinegar affect it's cleaning ability very much? I've seen it recommended to add lemon juice and/or EOs to it for cleaning, but since EOs are out of the question if it's going to be used near the furry ones, I need an alternative. I don't have an objection to using pure vinegar for messes that really should have more disinfecting (mouse gut covered feeding dens for example), but I'm curious if anyone knows whether it would affect it or not.

Since I live in my parents household I doubt that I will be able to convert the house to using natural cleaners and detergents etc., but the better things smell and if I make a good case about it saving money the better chance I have.

If anyone knows of any good websites about this or any good recipes, please share!
- Jools

[sherrylynne]

I don't know if it will help with the dislike of the smell of vinegar, but have you tried cutting it 1/2 and 1/2 with water? That's what I use in a spray bottle for the cages, and the odour dissipates quite quickly.
Flower essences are fine. I use them in some herbal remedies, like Bach's Rescue Remedy. There are other flower essences put out by the same company for various problems, and they can be safely used.
I'm actually not that fond of EO's to begin with, so really don't use anything with them in there for myself.

[zoologist]

At the risk of sounding dumb.... what are EOs?

[luci]

Essential oils.

[joolissa]

Oops. I should have mentioned that! I hate it when posts have weird abbreviations without the full term somewhere in them and here I made one myself! Thanks Luci for telling her!