I love keeping my cleaning products minimal... we honestly don't need a cupboard full of cleaners... or sprays....keeping it simple works best. Once you have a collection of basic ingredients and recipes... you can create a wide range of products affordably .. quickly and easily.
Today I am sharing suggestions for cleaning in general.... you may also like these more specific posts...
Toilet Cleaning Bombs -
1 Cup Baking Soda1/4 Cup Citric Acid
11/2 Teaspoons Castile soap or On Guard Cleaner Concentrate
15 drops Purify or Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Stir the baking soda and citric acid together until combined.
Slowly stir in the castile soap and Purify. Stir until the mixture resembles wet sand.
Pack the pod mixture into a mold and let dry at least four hours. If the mixture expands above the mold, firmly press back down.
Once dry, remove the pods from the mold and store in an airtight container.
To use, simply drop one into the toilet, wait until the pod stops bubbling, and scrub away!
Sheet and Linen Spray
20 ml Witch Hazel
8 drops lavender Essential oil
Distilled Water
In a 50ml glass spray - add the ingredients.
Spray on your bed sheets... if you are using the dryer...add in the last 10 mins.
Note: Can also double as a soothing face mist.
250 ml of white vinegar (Optional - I prefer without to be truthful)
10 drops of lemon Essential Oil
10 drops of On Guard Essential Oil
Add the ingredients to a 500ml Glass spray bottle. Shake well before each use. Can double as an air freshener and spray cleaner in the toilet / bathroom. (I chose a metal spray bottle for the bathroom area - mines from Kmart)
8 drops lavender Essential oil
Distilled Water
In a 50ml glass spray - add the ingredients.
Spray on your bed sheets... if you are using the dryer...add in the last 10 mins.
Note: Can also double as a soothing face mist.
All-Purpose Spray – Lemon and Wild orange
250ml distilled water250 ml of white vinegar (Optional - I prefer without to be truthful)
10 drops of lemon Essential Oil
10 drops of On Guard Essential Oil
Add the ingredients to a 500ml Glass spray bottle. Shake well before each use. Can double as an air freshener and spray cleaner in the toilet / bathroom. (I chose a metal spray bottle for the bathroom area - mines from Kmart)
Soft- Cleaning Scrub
¾ Cup baking soda
¼ Cup castile soap (I use unscented)
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon vinegar
5-10 drops of lemon or wild orange essential oil.
Mix all the ingredients together to form a smooth paste. You can use this paste to clean all areas you would normally use a creamy cleaner... great for the bath...sinks and tiles.
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon vinegar
5-10 drops of lemon or wild orange essential oil.
Mix all the ingredients together to form a smooth paste. You can use this paste to clean all areas you would normally use a creamy cleaner... great for the bath...sinks and tiles.
Furniture polish for wood
15 drops Aroborvitae Essential Oil
1 cup Olive Oil
1 cup white vinegar
Mix the ingredients together in a glass spray bottle. Spray wooden furniture surfaces and then polish with a cloth. This spray both dusts and polishes at the same time. win win!
Easy Toilet Bowl cleaner
Simply add to the bowl
½ cup of baking soda
10 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil
¼ cup of white vinegar
Scrub as the vinegar and baking soda react for a sparkly clean and fresh loo.
Goo Remover
1/2 cup coconut oil1/2 cup baking soda.
10 drops Lemon Essential oil
Mix together and store in a jar. Apply directly to the sticker residue or anything gooey.... rub gently with your fingers to loosen and then wipe away with a cloth. Sometimes a drop of Lemon Essential Oil alone will do the job.
Fridge Fresh
1 cup of baking soda
10 drops of Lemon Essential Oil
Add mix to a jar - cover with a breathable top like fabric secured with an elastic band.
Place in the fridge to reduce odours.
Produce Cleaning Spray
20 drops of Lemon Essential Oil
Apple Cider Vinegar
Add the Essential Oil and vinegar to a small spray bottle.
Mist produce well to remove waxes and coatings. Allow to sit for a 5 or sop minutes then rinse well.
Alternatively fill the sink and add the oils and ACV to the water.
Stainless Steel cleaner
3/4 cup of olive oil
10 drops of Lemon Essential Oil
Add the ingredients to a spray bottle. Shake and spray onto Stainless Steel surfaces and polish dry with a clean soft cloth in the direction of the stainless.
Unfortunately manufacturers are not required to list all the chemicals in their products unless they pose an immediate risk... so some will be listed with a warning to avoid skin contact etc...others wont even be in the label. Aside from the immediate risk there is also a risk from cumulative exposure which is so worrying.
Some of the many chemicals to avoid when reading your labels are -
Ammonia and Bleach - "The toxicity of bleach depends on where it is applied. It causes significant eye irritation and irritates the mouth and throat but is fairly benign when ingested.
A dangerous problem with bleach occurs if bleach is mixed with other household cleaners, especially toilet bowl cleaners and ammonia. These mixtures result in the release of chlorine gas, an asphyxiant. When chlorine gas contacts moist tissues, such as eyes or lungs, hydrochloric acid (HCl) results. This acid is a digestive molecule and damages tissue. It will cause damage to the airways, asphyxiation, and can result in death.[source)
Phthalates / Synthetic Fragrance - often contained in air fresheners..fabric softeners.. sprays etc - associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and potential endocrine disruping effects on the reproductive system.2-Butoxyethanol - found in window and glass and multi purpose sprays...its a solvent.. and associated with asthma and allergies.
Triclosan- a synthetic antibacterial ingredient used in soaps and disinfectant hand gels.
(Hows this - The Environmental Protection Agency registers it as a pesticide.. calling it highly toxic to any living organism.) It is also classified as a chlorophenol which means its in the cancer-causing chemical class. Triclosan disrupts hormones and can affect sexual function and fertility.
You might like to consider -
Simply Clean Products - I love their Lemon Myrtle range.
Or choose Another green product - be cautious about 'all natural' and other claims... read the ingredients and do your checks.
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