I have been very busy the past two weeks looking after my newborn (who is no so newborn anymore) baby. However I have been looking into making my own cleaning products. Something I promised myself I would do once the ones I had ran out. Then the toilet cleaner ran out, I freaked out because I NEEDED to clean the toilet and I didn't have time to figure out how to do it and source the ingredients. So what did I do? Bought another bottle of toilet cleaner. Yes, I caved. BUT I am making up for it now. I remembered reading an awesome book by Eleanor Ozich, so I googled her and found just what I needed. Here are her awesome recipes:
dishwashing powder
1 1⁄2 cups baking soda 1⁄2 cup citric acid 1/3 cup fine sea salt 10 drops lemon essential oil 10 drops On Guard essential oil
Combine all ingredients in a large glass jar, screw on the lid, and tip upside down to mix well. Use 1 tbsp per load as needed. For an extra clean load, add white vinegar to the rinse compartment, and wash as needed.
all purpose spray
2 tsp liquid castile soap 10 drops On Guard essential oil10 drops lemon essential oil
Put all ingredients in a 500ml glass spray bottle, and top with filtered water. Shake gently to combine and use as needed.
room mist / air freshener
1 tbsp witch hazel 10 drops peppermint essential oil10 drops wild orange5 drops lemon essential oil
Put all ingredients in a 100ml glass spray bottle, and top with filtered water. Shake gently to combine and use as needed.
laundry powder
A bar of natural soap, grated 3⁄4 cup borax or washing soda 1⁄2 cup baking soda 10 drops of lavender essential oil10 drops wild orange essential oil
Place all ingredients into the bowl of a food processor, and process until you have a fine powder. Transfer to a glass jar. Use 2-3 tablespoons per load of washing.
lemon window cleaner
1 tsp liquid castile soap 20 drops lemon essential oil1 tbsp white vinegar
Place all ingredients into a 500ml glass spray bottle, and top with filtered water. Shake gently to combine before each use
fabric softener
Add 2/3 cup white vinegar to the beginning of your cycle along with your washing powder, to soften clothes and keep colours lovely and vibrant.
toilet bowl cleaner
1⁄2 cup baking soda1⁄2 cup white vinegar
5 drops tea tree essential oil
Pour the baking soda in to the toilet bowl, and add the white vinegar. Allow to fizz, and leave for 10 minutes or so to do it’s magic. Scrub well, and then flush.
paste cleaner / aka jiff
1⁄2 cup baking soda 3-4 tbsp liquid castile soap5 drops tea tree essential oil5 drops lemon essential oil
Stir together the ingredients until a creamy paste is formed. Dip a cloth in to the mixture and scrub your bath, tiles or oven, then rinse with water.
wood polish
5 drops arborvitae or lavender essential oil1 tsp liquid castile soap 1⁄4 cup filtered water 1/4 cup olive oil
Combine ingredients in a bowl, and stir to combine. Dip a cloth in to the solution, and wipe over wooden surfaces to polish and nourish.
stain remover
Add 2 drops lemon essential oil directly to stain, and allow to stand for an hour or so before popping in the washing machine.
Seems easy right?! So I went onto the Pure Nature website and ordered an essential oil starter kit which has most of the essential oils I need. 5 essential oils for $29. Awesome!
I am so excited for my essential oils to arrive so I can start making my own cleaners. I did buy some castile soap a while back which I have been using as a cleaning spray with great results, so now I can add to my bag of tricks! I will try to get back to you and let you know how I go.
Maria
