Fun Fridays- Natural Cleaners

So how is your cleaning going?  Have you made the switch yet to more natural products?  Several people have asked me, "Do these really clean?"  Let's hope so, it's all I use now!  ;)

Seriously, I have not seen any more dirt than normal and I love the fresh scent as opposed to the chemicals, so yes, I do believe they work.  Plus, with all of the research I have been doing on essential oils, I am convinced they are a good addition to your life!  (If you are interested in essential oils, let me know!)

Like I said at the first of the month, I use one general cleaner for almost everything, but there are times when you need something with a little more umph.  For tile showers, sinks and tubs then I use the following mixture...

Soft Scrub

1 1/2 cup baking soda

1/2 cup castile soap

10 drops of tea tree or lavender essential oil

Combine all to make a paste, adding water a little at a time if you need a softer consistency.  Scoop out and use on cleaning cloth to clean.  If you save this from cleaning to cleaning, it will dry out.  Just add a touch of water and mix!

Happy cleaning,

Fun Fridays- more Natural Cleaners

 

I do not like to mop.  There, I said it.  I used to think hardwood floors were amazing.  Now that I have them,  they are not so amazing.  They have to be cleaned.  Often.  And mopping hurts my back. Yes, I know the carpets are just as dirty, but at least I can't see that.  But, with hardwood floors, everything shows.

This is one area I have tried several different combinations of cleaners.  One left the floor sticky.  Trashed that.  One made the floor look like it had a film over it.  Trashed that.  The one I like the most is simple.  And it works.  What more could you ask for?

Floor Cleaner
4 tsp. Castile soap
10 drops of lemon essential oil
1 gallon hot water

That's it.  Simple!  I mixed it up and keep it in a container under my sink.
Now, if I could just find someone to mop the floor for me!

Blessings,



This post is linked up to Amy, over at Raising Arrows!

Fun Fridays- Natural Cleaners Month

How is it already March?  Where did the time go?  Anywho...

Trust me when I say that Windex used to be my best friend.  And Scrubbing Bubbles.  And Pledge.  And on and on and on.  

Then my oldest got the natural living itch a few years ago and began to harp, I mean teach me, about the hazards of all of those cleaners.  I listened.  And I continued to use what I had.  And she continued to tell me how many years I was taking off our lives each time I used my favorite products.  AND I may have, on occasion, threatened to spray her with my cleaners!  Just saying.

Guess what?  She wore me down.  I am stubborn, but not stupid.  I knew that those cleaners could not be the best thing for me.  But I was determined to use up what we had first.  And, I told her, her new natural stuff better work.  Or back to my stuff we would go.

Guess what again?  They work.  And I like them.  shhhhhhh, don't tell her.  So for the next few weeks I want to share with you some of my favorites.  I have tried a lot of different ones and these are the ones I find I like the best and that seem to work the best for me.  Ask the oldest, and she will still swear by plain 'ole vinegar and water.

The first one up-

Recycling old bottles!

All-Purpose Cleaning/Disinfectant Spray

This recipe came from Beeyoutiful, a company I had the privilege to review a while back.  We used several of their products and loved them all so I knew I would not be disappointed with anything they recommended.  I was right.

2 cups warm water
1/4 cup Castile soap or 1 tsp all-natural dish soap
1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar (or cheap white vinegar)
20 drops of 1 Tbsp Lavender oil
10 drops Peppermint or Eucalyptus oil
5-10 Grapefruit Seed Crush

Combine together in a spray bottle, shake to mix. Spray surface lightly and polish dry with a soft cloth. Because of the concentration of this cleaner, you don't need a lot to get the job done :)

Quick note- I personally have not added the Grapefruit Seed Crush.  Don't have any, too busy to research it right now.  I still love this cleaner and use it for almost everything...kitchen, bathrooms, you name it.  I have also used tea tree oil instead of the peppermint or eucalyptus because it is anti viral and anti bacterial.

Enjoy!