Composition of a Neem Based Floor Cleaner

Neem Oil

• Neem oil is an essential oil derived from the neem tree, Azadirachta indica. Neem, or Margosa, is a cousin of mahogany. The oil has a long history of homeopathic use in India.

Common Uses

• Neem oil is one of the most widely researched plant-based products in the world, as its wide-ranging uses have the potential to create strong, effective alternatives to harsh chemical pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, skin care products, insect repellents and disinfectants/antibacterial agents in various household cleaners. The oil works as a broad spectrum antibacterial agent and can be successfully used in cleaning everything from floors to toothbrushes.

Active Ingredients

• In October 2010, a study by Zhang et al. in the journal Fitoterapia identified a new "tetrahydrofuranyl diester 1" as a highly effective antibacterial agent in an extract of neem oil. This study confirms generations of use as a traditional, natural cleanser. The newly identified chemical compound showed promise as a successful antibacterial agent against three major bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis.

Make Your Own

• Neem oil can be used in homemade household products, but it does not suspend well in water without the addition of an emulsifier. Liquid, vegetable-based soap such as castile soap works well as an emulsifier for neem. Mix several drops of neem oil with a small bottle of castile soap. The resulting mixture can be used as a concentrated antibacterial cleaner or mixed with water in a spray bottle or bucket.

  As a spot treatment for your floors, mix equal parts neem/soap mix to water in a spray bottle. Spray, allow it to penetrate for a moment, and then wipe. For carpets, pat with a wet, clean rag until no more bubbles form. (Always test in an inconspicuous area and allow to dry for 24 hours before widespread use.)

  For mopping, mix 1 cup or less of the soap mixture per gallon of water. Mop onto floors and then rinse. (Again, test an inconspicuous area and allow to dry for 24 hours before treating broad sections of your flooring.)