If you are are a long time reader of my blog you will know I have been switching up all my cleaning products. It really is possible to clean your entire home with just a few simple, natural ingredients. Yep, no more expensive or toxic cleaning items are in my home.
If you look under your kitchen or bathroom sink or any of your storing cupboards, you will no doubt see rows of plastic bottles full of chemicals that have unpronounceable names, each one with a specific ‘purpose’. A cleaner for your glass, for your oven, for your bathroom, the list goes on. I would really recommend that once you have used these up (and disposed of them sensibly) you try your hand at making your own multi purpose cleaning product. (I mean if I can make them anyone can, seriously).
White vinegar:
Because vinegar is so acidic, it can counteract some horrible buildups. It can dissolve away soap scum, brines left by hard water, and glue left behind by stickers. Vinegar can’t be used on every surface (like marble and granite), but even with its limitations vinegar is an extremely versatile product to keep in your natural cleaning toolkit.
Castile soap is a concentrated vegetable-based soap and is gentle on the skin and effective in the fight against dirt, grease, and unwanted germs. Dr. Bronner’s is a very a popular brand of castile soap.
Castile soap can be used to clean just about anything and everything: your face, your laundry, and even your baby’s bum. Pretty amazing stuff.
Lemon Juice:
Fresh citrus, particularly lemons and lemon juice, is an amazing addition to natural cleaners. Lemons contain antibacterial properties which aid in fighting unwanted germs and bacteria in the home. Plus, citrus provides an amazing fresh scent to homemade cleaners.
Essential Oils:
Essential oils are becoming very popular, with lots around. DoTerra are amazing, but if you’re on a budget, there are still some fabulous ones.
Essential oils are basically concentrated oils derived from plants.
Not only do essential oils provide a pretty, natural fragrance to homemade cleaners, but they also add important disinfecting properties. A few of my favourite essential oils for cleaning, include: lemon, tea tree, peppermint, lavender, thyme and orange.
Water:
Yep, water is a staple in all the products I make. When making homemade products, clean tap water may be used for temporary storage (1-2 weeks); for long-term storage use distilled water or boiled and then cool the water to limit the possibility of bacteria growth.
Spray Bottles:
In order to make your own cleaners you’re going to need spray bottles. You could re purpose old cleaning bottles; just make sure you wash the bottles out thoroughly or you could purchase ready-to-go cleaner bottles (these are my favorite).
I’m going to share 2 basic surface cleaner recipes. (I got these recipes from an event I went to). They serve an all-purpose role in the home and can be used to clean kitchen and bathroom surfaces/cupboards, the inside of the fridge/freezer and carpet accidents (the vinegar cleaner is best for this use).
When it comes to making a surface cleaner, or any homemade product, it’s important to be educated and know what ingredients should or shouldn’t be used on various surfaces.
The vinegar cleaner does have a little vinegary scent, but it works very well for cleaning multiple surfaces, including carpet mishaps. If you have a marble or granite surface, do NOT use a vinegar-based surface cleaner since it can etch away at the stone.
The castile soap cleaner is safe to use on any surface (always test cleaners in a small area first before applying to a greater surface area), including granite and marble.
Ingredients:
Castile Soap Surface Cleaner
- 2 cups distilled water
- 2 tbps castile soap up to 1/4 cup*
- 15 drops lavender essential oil or peppermint or orange
Vinegar Surface Cleaner
- 1 cup distilled water
- 1 cup white distilled vinegar
- 1/2 lemon juiced (optional)
- 15 drops lavender essential oil or peppermint, orange, or lemon
Instructions
-
For the castile soap cleaner, pour the water into your spray bottle (use a funnel, if needed). Add the castile soap and essential oil. Gentle shake the cleaner. This cleaner may be stored at room temperature.
-
For the vinegar cleaner, pour all the ingredients into your spray bottle (use a funnel, if needed). Gently shake the cleaner. This cleaner will need to be stored in the fridge between uses due to the fresh lemon juice.
-
Gently shake the spray bottle before spraying the cleaner on the desired surface. Spray the cleaner and wipe off the surface with a damp cloth (this is important when using the castile soap cleaner since it can leave a soapy residue if left to dry)! Do NOT use the vinegar cleaner on marble or granite. The castile soap (avoid the citrus variety) cleaner may be used on sealed marble or granite.
Shelley x
P.S; When you introduce water into a product without a preservative you always run the risk of introducing bacteria, so use water-based products quickly. I use my cleaners (when lemon is added, which should be stored in the fridge) within 3 weeks.
P.P.S; If you want to use your essential oils around your home in a diffuser, I have and love this one. My fave oil to burn is definitely thyme, but the eucalyptus oil works a treat in the kids rooms when they have a cold.
