Friday, August 6, 2010

Cleaning Naturally! - Re-post

When I first had Little Bear, I started to become more aware of the cleaning products we were using in our home. So I began to make sure that I was buying eco-friendly and babysafe products. It was important to me because I knew that my little guy would crawl on the floor (where he would inhale those products), dropping food then picking up and putting back in mouth (therefore, picking up any residue with it), and anything and everything else toddlers and babies tend to do...then put their hands back into their mouths.
It wasn't until right before I had Zoe did it really come to my attention that I could be making my very own cleaning products-go figure! Why hadn't I thought of this before? The funny thing is, while nesting I kind of...well, really got into this show on the BBC called, "How Clean is Your House?". The ladies made their own cleaning products out of really simple, already in your pantry ingredients. I began to find recipes on line, through books, friends (thank you Kelly!), etc. It was not only fun, but it felt great to not only know that "I" made it, but the fact that "I" knew EXACTLY what was in it! My goodness, not only was it simple, but it has saved us loads of money at the same time!
I thought I'd share a few of my fave's with you-Brandy, this one's for you hon!

Alice's WonderSpray (from Clean House, Clean Planet by Karen Logan)
Combine the following ingredients in a 32 oz. bottle
Dissolve tsp. borax in 28 oz. hot water or less
Add 1/4 c. White Vinegar-preferably Heinz (since it's made from grains)
1/4 c. liquid soap-your preference (I use Mrs. Meyers either geranium or lemon verbena)
10-15 drops lemon or lavendar essential oil for scent (I use lemon)
This is an all-purpose spray and works wonders...hence the name "WonderSpray". I absolutely love this stuff.
Floor Cleaner
(I got this from one of my on-line groups a while back and have loved it ever since!)
1 gal. Hot Water
2 tbsp. Liquid Castille Soap-I use Dr. Bronner's Peppermint
1/4 tsp. Your choice of mixed EO (Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Citrus and/or Tea Tree)
Blend in a bucket and Mop
Laundry Detergent
1 c. Borax
1 c. Washing Soda
1 grated bar of Dr. Bronner's Castille Soap
I've been using this recipe for quite some time now. It's a non-sudsing recipe and I've not had any problems with it so far. I did have to go back and use my old detergent for one load, since I ran out and didn't have time to run to the store to buy the last ingredient. Anyhow, DH's pants were in that particular wash and I noticed the water looked pretty murky. I'm not sure why???? Maybe it was his pants. I think I'll try a load of my clothes and see if that happens. I'll let you know as it just happened today.
There are so many more, but these are some of the one's used the most in my home.
Please feel free to share any of your homemade cleaner recipes in your comments. I'd love to hear about them!

6 comments:

  1. Yay! For new homemade cleaning recipes!
    I love to clean with vinegar my wood floors, my windows... it is pretty funny as I explained to the kids what "that yucky smell" was they are now shocked that we can also 'eat' vinegar : ) My son will not go near it and will ask does this have that "stinky feet smell" in it?? When referring to salad dressing, pickles etc. : ) So I love your addition of yummy smells! We are addicted to Dr. Bronner's too!

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  2. Wow...great post! Thanks for the recipes. I'm an aromatherapist and I've made my own products before, but I've yet to make cleaning products! Can't wait to try. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  3. Thank you so much for the recipes, they almost inspire me to clean...it's so hard to come inside when it is so beautiful out. Well, maybe I will wash something outside:)

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  4. really grt recepies....though some brands u r usin there are not available here in india....but i am goin to substititute with ones we get in our markets....will try more ideas frm ur blog.
    thanks
    himadri
    www.mumpaintslives.blospot.com

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  5. great recipes! Thanks for gathering all this info!

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  6. Since I have learned I have candida, I have become more aware of using natural products.

    You have some great recipes there and I am going to try them.

    By the way, I am now following you.

    I am on a mission to follow 10 new interesting blogs a day for a month. Hopefully they follow me back.

    My Journey With Candida
    http://myjourneywithcandida.blogspot.com/

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