Monday, August 21, 2006

Making Do On Mondays

Ellie is expecting very soon... you all know what kind of toll that takes on your energy AND brain! Hence I am pitching in some Monday tips for now. I have long been dreading the day when Aidan would be able to open cabinet doors and discover toxic cleaning products. This day has come and I find myself wanting to know more about NATURAL cleaning solutions that would be safe if ever he happened to swallow any. In using natural, non-toxic cleaners there is also the benefit of putting in our little efforts of protecting the environment.

"...Cornstarch can be used to clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets and rugs. White Vinegar cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up. Baking Soda cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours..." Lemon Juice is also a wonderful cleaner and has a great fresh scent! I just did some research online for some good household cleaning recipes and came across the latter tips as well as the below recipes, which I am excited about trying. Perhaps some of you could find them useful, too. The best site I discovered while searching is called Eartheasy.

All-Purpose Cleaner: *makes 32 oz. Make in a spray bottle.

  • -1 cup Vinegar or Lemon Juice (or use more if you want it to be stronger) *Use apple cider vinegar if you are allergic to White Vinegar * Lemon Juice must be kept refrigerated
  • -Fill the rest up with water
  • -add 10 to 20 drops of your favorite essential oil (optional)
  • -add 1 TBS of Liquid Castile Soap(optional)
  • -Add 5 to 10 drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract (also optional)
  • Directions: Spray and Wipe. Uses:Use as a Daily Shower spray to cut down on the soap scum. Use as an All Purpose Cleaner for your kitchen counters, appliances, floors, windows, mirrors. Can be used on your window sills. Pour about 1/2 cup in a bucket of water to mop any floor. Use in your Dishwasher as a dish rinse or in the laundry as a rinse.

Soft Scrub

  • -1 cup of baking soda, borax or Washing Soda
  • -1 cup of Castile soap
  • Directions: Mix together and use as a soft scrub for your tub and tile and in the toilet

Liquid Natural Detergent

  • Can be used for: Dishwasher/Floors/Tub & Tile/Toilet Bowl/Laundry. *Makes 1 gallon.
  • 1 cup of Castile Soap
  • 1 /3 cup of Salt
  • 1 cup of Dissolved Borax or baking Soda (Optional)
  • 1 cup of Vinegar (Optional)
  • 40 drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract. ( Optional)
  • Added boost: add some papaya enzymes (about 4 crushed capsules per gallon) If your skin if very sensitive then just stick to the salt, Castile Soap and the Grapefruit Seed extract or experiment with it.
  • Directions: Fill a Gallon Jug up 1/2 way with water. Pour 1/2 of the water into a bowl and reserve it. Dissolve your salt, baking soda or borax in a pan of water. Warm the water on the stove on low heat and stir until it is dissolved. Add to your gallon jug along with the Castile soap and the optional vinegar.Fill your gallon jug up the rest of the way. Add Essential oils and Grapefruit extract. Shake the gallon jug well.
  • Uses: Floors : add 1/2 to one cup to your bucket of water toclean any floor except Pergo. ~Dishwasher - Use in your dishwasher in place ofdishwashing detergent. ~Laundry - Use in your Washing Machine in place of Laundry Detergent. ~Glass Top Stoves - This works well on your glasstop stove. ~Countertops- This will produce a nice shine.

Furniture Polish/Leather and Vinyl Cleaner/Conditioner: *makes 1 gallon; lasts a long time.

  • 3 1/3 cups of Olive Oil
  • 1/3 cup Castile soap
  • 40 to 60 drops of Essential Oil (optional)
  • 10 drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract *If your are sensitive to essential oils then leave that part out.
  • Directions: In a gallon jug: Fill half-way with water. Add all your ingredients. Fill the rest of the way up with water. Shake well. Put in a spritzer bottle for use for best results. *This needs to be shaken before each use.
  • Uses: on as a furniture polish.Use like armor all on your car interior tires and such. Use on your leather clothes, couches and on vinyl. Use to shine up your stainless steel. Use on painted surfaces and on blinds.* Not recommended for antiques, or floors. This does not do well on wood, pergo or linoleum floors.

...And there are a lot more wonderful formulas for natural cleaning needs on the Eartheasy site. If any of you have any of your own natural cleaning recipes you can share, please post them in the comments. Happy cleaning!

~Sia in Vancouver, WA

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one of us :: 9:41 AM :: 2 Comments

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