I like making things for my home if you already hadn't guessed that. With my daughter and I being chemical sensitive and having so many allergies and struggles with our lungs, we set out years ago to eliminate toxic chemicals and cleaning items from our home. Recently I mentioned on my Facebook Page that I create a cleaner for my home which smells lovely! I had a surge of interest on what things I use to safely yet effectively clean our home.
As I test out new ideas I will share them with you here... so please check back
As I test out new ideas I will share them with you here... so please check back
Safe Silver Cleaner
Place This +
this in a
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This +
Stainless steel pot
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Place the dirty silver in a stainless steel pot with about a half a cup of baking soda, a piece of aluminum foil, hot water (be safe) and let it sit. Viola... clean silver without the toxic cleaner :)
This +
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Essential oils
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No... I am serious... vodka makes a great cleaner :) I mix the cheap stuff with a little essential oils for hard surfaces which need to be disinfected! I place it in a spray bottle and clean my counters and hard surfaces with it! Seriously... your house will not smell like a distillery! :) People balk at this but not using things like bleach... go figure! :)
Drain Cleaner
Baking Soda with
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Apple Cider Vinegar
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Mix right in the sink and let it go down the drain.Fifteen minutes later flush it with hot water! If you do this on a regular basis you should not get clogs...not I said "should not"
Window Cleaner
White Vinegar
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Distilled Water
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I add half distilled water and half white vinegar to a spray bottle to use as a window cleaner! Go a step further and use old newspapers in place of paper towels... or better yet use a squeegee!
Tub Scrub and Cleanser
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I add about 5 cups of Borax, A box of baking soda, 10 drops of GSE and essential oils of my choice. I love using lemon and lavender, orange and lavender, lemon and peppermint, and even lemon, lavender, and orange. I guesstimate the amount but I would say a 10 drops of lavender, and ten drops of a combination of other oils! Always test your surface so you do not damage it and wear gloves if you are not sure if you are sensitive to the oils. I wear a mask so as not to breathe the powder when I sprinkle it. Mix in a stainless steel bowl with a stainless steel spoon! I also recommend getting a cheese container to sprinkle it out of!
Dish Washer Detergent
Your basic ingredients
Label in a glass jar!
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Mix in a glass or stainless steel bowl
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I have found since we have a lot of minerals in our water, this particular recipe still requires I use a rinsing agent such as the Lemi Shine. I am still experimenting with recipes and Ill post a new one if I find something better!
1 cup borax
1 cup super washing soda
1/2 cup epsom salt
1/2 cup citric acid
1/2 cup lemi shine
Add White vinegar to the rinse compartment.
It only takes a tablespoon of this cleaner per wash!
1 cup borax
1 cup super washing soda
1/2 cup epsom salt
1/2 cup citric acid
1/2 cup lemi shine
Add White vinegar to the rinse compartment.
It only takes a tablespoon of this cleaner per wash!
Floors
I use a variety of methods to clean my floor! For daily easy cleaning I have a Bissel Floor Mate. I add hot water and a few drops of essential oils. I do not believe this is manufacturer recommended so do so at your own risk. I will say I have used my cleaner safely in this manner for three years with no issues! Make sure you test an area of your floor so you do not damage! For disinfecting or deep cleaning we bought a floor steamer recommended for our type of flooring. Steam is a GREAT germ killer but use all safety precautions recommended for your cleaning machine!
Laundry
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1 Bar grated Dr Bronners Castile Soap (DO not use regular soap as it will be too sudsy!)
1/2 cup borax
1/2 cup Arm and Hammer Wash Booster
1/2 cup vinegar for rinse cycle ONLY
I have an HE and have had no issue using this mixture but use at your own risk.
I use very little per load! Like a 1/4 of a cup
1/2 cup borax
1/2 cup Arm and Hammer Wash Booster
1/2 cup vinegar for rinse cycle ONLY
I have an HE and have had no issue using this mixture but use at your own risk.
I use very little per load! Like a 1/4 of a cup
Safety First
Please do your research on all listed ingredients and do not take my word as authority on anything. This is not meant as a recommendation but only an example of we use as a family. Check with your health care provider in regards to allergies and safety. I have seen a lot of concern over the use of BORAX. Please note Borax is NOT Boric Acid!!
A great article I found on it's safety and use can be found @ http://www.crunchybetty.com/getting-to-the-bottom-of-borax-is-it-safe-or-not
ALWAYS use safety precautions such as eye protective wear, face mask, and gloves when mixing :)
A great article I found on it's safety and use can be found @ http://www.crunchybetty.com/getting-to-the-bottom-of-borax-is-it-safe-or-not
ALWAYS use safety precautions such as eye protective wear, face mask, and gloves when mixing :)
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