The Organically Clean Home: 150 Everyday Organic Cleaning Products You Can Make Yourself--The...
Transcript of The Organically Clean Home: 150 Everyday Organic Cleaning Products You Can Make Yourself--The...
PRAISEFORTHEORGANICALLYCLEANHOME“Ihavebeenafanofusing‘green’cleanersforquitesometimenow,butIhavefoundthattheyaretypicallyeitherextremelyexpensivetopurchaseorextremelytime-consumingtomake.Beingabusymomtothreeboys,itisalwaysmygoaltofindwaystosimplifyasmanyareasofourlivesaspossible.Therecipesinthisbookallowmetodojustthatwithmycleaningroutineanddesiretoremainorganic.Ifeelateaseknowingexactlywhatisgoingintomycleaners,andthatmanyoftherecipescanbemadewithjustafewsimpleingredients.Thebestpartisthatthisbooknotonlycontainsfamily-friendlysolutionsforoureverydaytasks,butalsosolutionsforthose‘surprise’cleaningsessionsaswell!”
—JenniferJones,IHeartOrganizing(http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com)“CleanMamabringsabreathoffreshairtocleaning,literally.Packedfullofnontoxicrecipes,tips,and
checklists,thisbookissuretobecomeawell-lovedreferencemanualinanyhome.”
—ToniHammersley,ABowlFullofLemons(www.abowlfulloflemons.net)“TheOrganicallyCleanHomeisawonderfulresourceforanyone
strugglingtofindamanageablehome-cleaningroutine.Ifoundthecleaningschedulesandprintablestobeverywelldoneandparticularly
useful.Also,thebountyofall-naturalcleaningrecipeshereistrulyremarkable!Asamomwiththreeyoungchildrenrunningaround,Ilove
thatInowhaveanontoxicwaytocleanvirtuallyeverythinginmyhome—nomoreworryingaboutwhatmylittleonesareingestingasI’m
scramblingtocleanupafterthem.I’dhighlyrecommendthisbooktoparentsandnonparentsalike.”
—StephanieMorgan,ModernParents,MessyKids(www.modernparentsmessykids.com)“Ifyouwanttostartusingsafe,
homemadecleaningproducts,TheOrganicallyCleanHomeisamust-haveresource.Beckywillteachyouhowtomakeeverycleaningproductneededtocleanyourhomefromtoptobottom,plusimplementaroutine
thatwillkeepyourhomecleantoo!”
—ChristineSatterfield,iDreamofClean(www.idreamofclean.net)
“TheOrganicallyCleanHomeisaverythoroughbookthatteachesyouwhyit’simportanttocleanorganically,andgivesyoutonsofrecipestogetyoustarted.ItmademetakeasecondlookatwhatIusetocleanmyhomeandopenedmyeyestoawholenewworldofhomemadeorganiccleaningproducts!”
—AnnaMoseley,AskAnna(www.askannamoseley.com)
TheOrganicallyCleanHome
150EverydayOrganicCleaningProductsYouCanMakeYourself—TheNatural,Chemical-Free
Way
BeckyRapinchuk,www.cleanmama.net
Avon,Massachusetts
CONTENTS
Introduction
CHAPTER1
OrganicCleaning
CHAPTER2
BuildYourCleaningKit
CHAPTER3
RecipesfortheKitchenCitrusLiquidHandSoapCitrusFoamingHandSoapLemonandCloveLiquidDishSoapLemonDishwasherDetergent—PowderLemonDishwasherDetergent—LiquidLemonDishwasherDetergent—TabletsOvenCleaner—SprayOvenCleaner—PasteOvenCleaner—OvernightFilterCleaner(StoveandHood)LemonMicrowaveOvenCleaner—SprayLemonMicrowaveOvenCleaner—Steam
CabinetCleanerLemonandPeppermintAll-PurposeCleanerLemonandPeppermintAll-PurposeCleaningConcentrateTeaTreeandOrangeDisinfectingCleanerTeaTreeandOrangeDisinfectingCleaningConcentrateLemonandCloveNightlySinkScrubFruitandVeggieWashStickerandGooRemoverStainlessSteelCleanerStainlessSteelPolishRefrigeratorCleanerFreezerCleanerLaminateCountertopDeepCleanerMarbleCleanerGraniteCleanerHood/RangeCleaner(Oil-Based)CitrusStoveCleanerKitchenDisinfectingPasteKitchenDisinfectingSpraySmallApplianceCleanerLemonDisposalFreshenerLemonDisposalCleanerLemonDisposalTabletsNaturalDrainUncloggerKnifeBlockCleanerKeurigCleanerCoffeepotCleanerIceMachineCleanerPlasticStorageContainerCleanerTeakettleMineralDepositCleaner
Chemical-FreeSilverCleanerDisinfectingWoodCuttingBoardCleanerLemonandPeppermintGarbageCanFresheningTablets
CHAPTER4
RecipesforBathroomsLavenderandLemonBathroomDisinfectingSprayPeppermintDailyShowerCleanerSpraySoapScumSpongesSoapScumRemoverLemonandCloveLiquidHandSoapLemonandCloveFoamingHandSoapLavenderandLemonDisinfectingCleaningWipesPeppermintWindowandMirrorCleanerLemonGroutCleanerLemonWhiteningGroutCleanerLemonandPeppermintTileCleanerShowerheadCleanerDisinfectingToiletBowlCleanerLemonandPeppermintToiletCleaningTreatmentVinylShowerCurtainCleanerWhirlpoolTubCleanerRustRemoverPeppermintandTeaTreeMoldandMildewPreventerPeppermintandTeaTreeMoldandMildewRemoverVentCleanerLemonandCloveScrubbingSauceNaturalDrainCleaner
Chapter5
RecipesforLaundryLemonandClovePowderedLaundrySoap—SmallBatchLemonandClovePowderedLaundrySoap—BigBatchLemonandLavenderLiquidLaundrySoap—SmallBatchLemonandLavenderLiquidLaundrySoap—BigBatchLemonandCloveFabricSoftener—LiquidFabricSoftener—VinegarWrinkleReleaserDesign-a-ScentDryerSheetHEWashingMachineCleanerRegularWashingMachineCleanerPretreatGooPillowCleanerLemonNaturalWhitenerWhiteningGelNo-BleachLaundryWhitenerandBrightener
StainSpray—GeneralTeaTreeStainStickHomemadeOxygenBleachPastePetStainRemover
CHAPTER6
RecipesforBedroomsandLivingSpaces
LavenderMattressFreshenerPeppermintandLavenderLinenRefresher
CitrusWoodCleanerandPolishLemonWoodPolishCitrusWoodCleanerCitrusMicrofiberWoodCleaningClothsDisposableCitrusFurnitureWipes—WoodNaturalScratchRemoverLeatherWipesPeppermintGlassandMirrorWipesLemonandPeppermintAll-PurposeCleaningWipes
PeppermintandTeaTreeAntibacterialWipes
LavenderandLemonPetFootWipesLemonandCloveAirFreshenerSprayCinnamonandSpiceAirFreshenerSimmerMicrofiberFurnitureCleaningKitLemonandCloveFurnitureFresheningSprayLeatherCleanerLeatherScratchRemoverUpholsteredFabricCleanerElectronicsWipesElectronicsCleaningSolutionEssentialOilAirFreshener
CHAPTER7
RecipesforFloorsCitrusCarpetFreshenerOdorAbsorberPeppermintLaminateFloorCleaner
CitrusTileFloorCleanerLemonandMintVinylFloorCleaner—SprayCarpetDisinfectantandCleanerCarpetSpotRemover(UnknownSpot)CarpetStainRemoverCarpetCleanerforMachinesCitrusandMintHardwoodFloorCleaner—BucketLemonandCloveHardwoodFloorCleaner—SprayMoppH-NeutralHardwoodFloorCleanerFloorWipes—DryFloorWipes—WetBaseboardandDoorCleaner
CHAPTER8
RecipesfortheNurseryandPlayroomCitrusandTeaTreeFabricSanitizerSprayCitrusDiaperPailFreshenersHandSanitizerSprayHandSanitizerGelLemonRoom-FresheningSprayToyCleaner—SoakToyCleaner—SprayBathtubToyCleanerBabyStainSprayRemoverClothDiaperSoakBleachAlternativeKids’CleaningWipesLemonandMintHandandFaceWipes
CHAPTER9
RecipesfortheGarage/Basement/GardenGardenToolCleaningKitCementPatioandPaversDeck—CompositeandWoodDeckandPatioFurniturePaintbrushCleanerHeavy-DutyWindowCleanerHeavy-DutyFloorCleanerOutsideToyCleanerHumidifierandDehumidifierCleanerAirFilter—FurnaceCarWashingSolutionCarInteriorWipesGrillCleanerNaturalInsectRepellent
APPENDIX:PretreatingStainRemovalGuide
Visitwww.cleanmama.net/product/checkliststodownloadthefollowingcleaningchecklists:WeeklyCleaningChecklistWeeklyCleaningChecklist(blank)Monthly(Rotating)CleaningChecklistMonthly(Rotating)CleaningChecklist(blank)HouseholdCleaningChecklistDe-ClutterBeforeYouCleanChecklistTheOne-DayCleanTheWeekendClean
TheOne-WeekDeepCleanThe31-DayCleaningPlanTheDeep-CleaningChecklist
MetricConversionChart
Copyright
INTRODUCTION
Lookingforcheaperandmuchsaferalternativestothestore-boughtcleaningproductsyouhaveunderyoursink?Looknofurther!Inthisbook,you’llfind150recipesforpracticallyanycleaningdilemma,fromnaturaldisinfectiontosafeandeffectivestainremoval.Withjustafewsimple(andpronounceable)ingredients,youwillbeacleaningscientistonyourwaytoanorganicallycleanhome.Whyshouldyoucleanorganically?You’llbeabletocleanyourentirehome,
insideandout,withhomemadeproductsthataresafetousewhileyourkidsandpetsareinthesameroom,andareinexpensivetoboot!You’lllearnhowtomakeeverydayproductslikeanall-purposecleanerandlaundrydetergent,butyou’llalsolearnthebestandsafestwaytocleanthingsyoudon’tcleaneveryday,likeyourcarpetandyourgaragefloor.Evenbetter,youcanscentyourproductstoyourlikingwithavarietyofall-naturalessentialoils.Thinkthatnaturalcleanerswon’tdoasgoodajobasthecommercial
versions?Wrong!You’llbepleasantlysurprisedathoweffectivenaturalcleanersare.Homemadecleanersarealsoeasilycustomizable—I’llshowyouhowtoadjustformulastocreatetheperfectcleaningproductsforyourhomeandcleaningpreferences.Everyhomeisdifferent,butthisguidegivesavarietyofsolutionsforavarietyofconditions,soyou’resuretofindsomethingthatworksforyourhome.Nowthere’snoneedtostashandstoredozensofbottlesofdifferentcleaningproducts“justincase”—youhavetheultimateguidetomakinganyproductyourselfwhenyouneedit!
Areyoureadytostartmakingyourowncleaningproducts?Grabthisbook,gatherafewoftherecommendedall-naturalingredientsandcleaningtools,andgetstarted.Youwon’tbelievehowsimpleitistoformulateyourowncleaningproducts…andbetteryet,youwon’tbelievetheamazingresults.Asamatteroffact,youmightevenstartlookingforwardtocleaningyourhouse!
CHAPTER1
ORGANICCLEANING101
Itdoesn’tmatterifyou’reattemptingtocleanoutanentireroomorasingledrawer,youneedtimeandaplan.Yetformostpeople,findingthetimeandaneffectivecleaningstrategyisdifficult.Throwinthetoxinsfromstore-boughtcleaningproducts,andthewholesituationisdownrightscary.Toavoidfeelingoverwhelmed,checkoutthecleaningstrategiesinthischapter.You’llfindeasy-to-implementroutines,timesavingideas,andbasicinformationonnaturalcleaners.Insteadofbeingatediouschore,housecleaningwillbeabreeze!
CAUTION:Theserecipesandformulationsareorganicinnatureandnontoxic,butaswithanycleanerinyourhome,keepthemoutofreachofchildrenandpets.Aslongasaround1percentofthecleanerismadeupofessentialoils(asistruefortherecipesinthisbook),itisgenerallyconsideredsafeforpets,butcheckwithyourveterinarianfirstifyou’reconcerned.Pleaseusecareinmixingandfollowtheintendedusesanddirections.
WhyUseOrganicCleaningProducts?Therearemanygreatreasonstoswitchtoorganicornaturalcleaningproducts.Maybeyouwantto…
■Keeptoxinsoutofyourhome.(Mosthomemadeproductsaretoxin-free!)AccordingtotheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention,accidentalhouseholdpoisoningsaffectmorethan300childrenintheUnitedStateseveryday.Ifyoukeepthemedicinecabinetlockedandusecleaningproductsthataresafe,you’rereducingyourriskofanaccident.
■Savesomemoney.(Youcertainlywill!)■Cutdownonwhatyou’resendingtothelandfill.(Youcancutbackdramaticallyonplasticsbysimplyusingreusablespraybottlesandcleaningcontainers.)
■Usenaturalproductsbecausesomeoneinyourhomehasasthmaorallergies.(Organiccleanersaremuchbettertousearoundthosewithsensitivities.)Interestinglyenough,thestuffthatyoucleanwithcanactuallymakeyousick,essentiallynegatingthebenefitsofcleaningitself.AccordingtotheEnvironmentalWorkingGroup(www.ewg.org),conventionalcleaningproductsandartificialfragrancescantriggerasthma,canincludelowlevelsof1,4-dioxane(acarcinogen),andcanevenincludelowlevelsofformaldehyde(anothercarcinogen)withoutdisclosure.Theseingredientscanalsoleadtobirthdefectsinpregnantwomenusingthecleaners.Althoughmanypeopledon’thaveanyreactionstothetoxins,whytakeachance?
Nomatterwhyyou’vedecidedtouseorganiccleaningproducts,youcanrestassuredthatyouarecleaningwiththesafestproductsandgettingthebestresults
atthesametime.
TheSafetyFactorPerhapsthemostcommonreasonpeoplechooseorganiccleanersisthat
they’resafertohavearoundthehousethanthestore-boughtversions.Sadly,safecleaningproductsarenotthenorm.You’dthinkthatcleaningproductswouldhavetobesafetobesoldforhomeuse,butthatisn’tthealwaysthecase.Iexperiencedthisfirsthandwhenmyoldestchildwasatoddlerandgrabbeda“safe”cleaningproduct(soldtobeusedonhighchairsandbabyproducts)andsprayeditinherfaceandconsequentlyhermouth.Igrabbedthebottlefromherhandsandwashedheroff.Afteraquickglanceofthebottle,Irealizedthatacalltopoisoncontrolwasnecessary.Thisincidentendedsafelywithherdrinkingacuportwoofmilkandtakingalongbath,butmyjourneytofindingsafecleaningproductswasjustbeginning.Takealookatyourcleaningproductlabelsandreadthewarningsandlistsof
ingredients.Youmightseewarningslike“hazardoustohumansandanimals”and“causessubstantialbuttemporaryeyeinjury,”andunpronounceableingredientslike“ethanolamine”or“hexoxyethanol.”Eventheingredient“fragrance”isaconcernbecauseitcancauseskinirritation,andcantriggerasthmaandallergies.Scarystuff,right?
CHECKPRODUCTRATINGSAfantasticresourcefordeterminingthesafetyofproductsinyourhomeisEnvironmentalWorkingGroup,onlineatwww.ewg.org.Theyratethesafetyofjustabouteveryover-the-counterbrandandproduct.You’llseethatwiththeexceptionofborax,mostingredientsinthisbookareanAonanAtoFscale.Iloveacleanhouse,andIholdhighstandardsforproductsthatIcreateandendorse.Ithastobesafeand
ithastowork.Thismightseemlikeaneasyaccomplishment,butit’snot.
Commercialcleanersarecomposedprimarilyofwater,chemicals,andfragrance.Someofthesechemicalscanaggravateallergiesandskinsensitivitiesaswellasposepoisoningriskstochildrenandpetsthatmaygettheirhandsandpawsonthemwhenyouaren’tlooking.Besidestheobviouspoisonrisks,breathinginthefumesofsomecleanerscanalsobeahealthrisk.Forexample,somecleanerssaytouseamaskortoventilatearoomwhileusing,butmostusersprobablydon’tfollowthatsafetyrule.Evenifyoudo,isthatreallyaproductyouwanttobeusinginyourhome?Assomeonewhoisnervousaboutgermsandgettingsick(andthenhavinga
wholehouseofsickfamilymembers!),Iunderstandtheappealofstore-boughtproductsthatsaytheykill99.9percentofallbacteria.Killinggermsisactuallydifficulttodo,butinanormalhousehold,makingsurethesurfacesarewipeddowndailydoesgetridofthemajorityofgermsandbacteria.Ifyouwanttokillthemaltogether,therearenaturalwaystodothatwith99.9percentaccuracy,too—you’llfindavarietyofdisinfectingrecipesinthisbook.WhenIrealizedthatkeepingcounterscleanandwipeddownregularlywillaccomplishthesamegoal,Ibeganmakingmyownsafeandnaturalcleaningproducts.
TheCost-SavingsFactorIfmakingyourowncleaningproductsisn’tappealingenoughforsafety
reasons,you’llactuallybeabletosavemoney,too!Didyouknowyoucanmakeabottleofall-purposecleanerforpenniesandyoucanmakeabatchofpowderedlaundrydetergentforlessthan$5?A16-ouncebottleofhomemadegranitecleanercostslessthan25cents,whereasa16-ouncebottleofgranitecleaneratthestoreisatleast$5.That68-loadboxofdetergentyoujustheavedintoyourtrunkandpaidover$15for?Youcanmakeitforunder$5.Actually,
withmyrecipeyou’llgetafewmoreloadsoutofitsoit’llbeanevenbettersavings.Ifyoupurchaseyouringredientsinlargerquantities,you’llbemakingjustabouteverycleaningproductfromthisbooktocleanyourentirehomeformerepenniesperuse!
TheBenefitsofaCleaningRoutineEvenwithorganiccleaners,fittingcleaningintoabusyscheduleisn’teasy.Maybethat’sbecausemostofuswouldratherbedoinganythingbesidescleaning.Cleaningiswhatyouputoffandgettowhenyoucanorwhenyouhaveabsolutelynothingelsetodo.Butitdoesn’thavetobethatway.Findingtimeeachdaytosqueezealittlecleaningintoyourscheduleisdifficult,butformostofus,thebenefitsfaroutweighthealternative—spendinganentiredayormorecleaning.Thefirststeptoembracingacleaningroutineistounderstandwhata“clean
house”reallyis.Spotlessisn’tthegoal,butcleanis.Peopleyouloveliveinyourhomeandyouwantthemtofullyenjoylifeinthatplace.Cleanbathroomsrankprettyhighonmyprioritylist,buttoysstrewnfromoneendofthelivingroomtothenextshowsthatkidsareenjoyingthemselves.Again:Cleanisthegoal,notspotless.Itdoesn’tmatterifyouareoutofthehousefor50hoursaweek,orhomeall
day,youcanaccomplishasuccessfulcleaningroutinethatworksforyouandyourschedule.Theimportantthingistostartsomewhere.Ifyouthinkyou’retoobusytostartacleaningroutine,I’darguethatyou’retoobusynottostartacleaningroutine.Youprobablyspendmoretimecomplainingaboutcleaningordealingwithongoingmessesthanyouwouldactuallycleaning!IliketokeepafewrulesinmindasIthinkaboutmycleaningroutine.Ifthese
exactrulesdon’tworkforyou,theycaneasilybetweakedforanyfamily.
1.Berealistic.Ikeepmyexpectationsrealistic,anddoingthisiswhathasallowedmetomaintainthesimpleroutineforyears.Bigresolutionsandchanges
arerarelykeptbecausetheyaredifficulttosustainoveraperiodoftime.Instead,createsmallandattainablecleaninggoals.
2.Putyourfamilyfirst.Myfamilycomesbeforecleaning.IfIhaven’tgottenaroundtocleaningthebathroomsandthekidswantmetogoplayoutside,Idon’tcleanthebathroomsthen.Thebathroomswillbetheretomorrow,butplayingoutsidewiththekidswon’talwaysbethere.
3.Setashorttimelimit.Mygoalistospend15to20minutesadaycleaning.Youmightchoosetospend10minutesaday.Whateveritis,limityourselfandworkquicklytoaccomplishyourgoalandmoveon.Youmightfindthatyouhave5minutesinthemorningbeforeyouleaveforworktodoalittlecleaning.Tidyyourkitchenandmakeyourbedandheadoutthedoor.You’llappreciatethe5minutesyouspentthatmorningwhenyoureturnhomeatnighttoacleankitchen.
4.Remember,perfectionisnotthegoal—comfort,ease,andafresh,cleanhomeis.Takingtimetocleanandkeepthingstidiedupwillhelpyouenjoyyourhomewithoutthedistractionofapileofmagazinesordirtyclothesintheway.
Mygoalforyouissimplytohelpyoustartsomewhere.Don’tgetdiscouragedifyoucan’tcompleteeverythingeveryday—that’swhattomorrowisfor.Anddon’twastetimeandenergytryingtoinvent“theperfectplan.”
ACleaningRoutineThatWorks!Mycleaningphilosophyissimple:Everyday,Idothesamefourbasictasks.ThenIrotatethroughothertasksonadaily,weekly,monthly,orseasonalbasis.
EveryDayAgain,thesearenotbigjobsthattakeatonoftime.Butdoingthefollowing
fourtaskswillmakeyourhomerunmoresmoothlyandwillmakebiggercleaningjobseasier,becauseyouarekeepingupwithdailymaintenance.
1.Sweepfloors.Doaquicksweepofanyfloorsthatneedit—mostlikely,thekitchenormudroom.Ihavealittleminidustpanandbroomhanginginthepantryatkidlevelsomykidscantakecareoftheircrumbsaroundandunderthetable.Keepaneyeoutforpethair,ifthat’saprobleminyourhouse.
2.Declutter.Performaquickdeclutterofmail,schoolpapers,toys,clothes,andotheroddsandends.Thisisnotthetimetocleanoutafilecabinet;it’sforrecyclingtheday’sjunkmailandputtingawayLegos.Makingaquickpickuppartofyourdailyroutineisessentialtokeepingyourwitsaboutyou.Makesureotherfamilymembersareinvolvedaswell.Trysettingatimerforyoungchildrenbeforebedandgivethem5minutestoseehowmanytoystheycanputaway.Manykidswillembracecleaningwhenit’sa“game”andthere’satimerinvolved.
3.Doaloadoflaundry.Icompleteatleastoneloadoflaundryeveryday.Thatmeanstakingthatoneloadthroughthecompletecycleofwash,dry,fold,andputaway.(Thisapproachgetsridoflaundrybasketsatvariousstatesofcompletenessscatteredthroughoutthehome.)Doingaloadadaymightsoundoverwhelmingatfirst,butitwillevolveintoahabit,whichwillinturnfreeyour
timeandenergyforotherthings.Imagineit:You’lleliminatethepilesandpilesoflaundrythatbuildupwhenyoudoitinfrequently.
4.Wipecounters.Iwashoutthekitchensinkeveryeveningwithadishwasher-safebrushanddishsoap,thenquicklywipedownthekitchencounters.Yes,thekitchencountersmayneedtobewipeddownmorethanonceaday,butputtingitonachecklistensuresthatitwillbedoneatleastonce.“Wipecounters”alsoincludesdoingaquickcheck/wipeofbathroomcounters.Aquickswipearoundthebathroomcounterscanbedoneinaminuteortwoanditdefinitelykeepstheweeklybathroomcleaningalittlemoremanageable.
Ifyouarejuststartingwithacleaningroutine,simplifythedailylistbydoingonlyaloadoflaundryandthedailydecluttering.Clutterandlaundrypileupsoquickly,it’simportanttostayontopofthosesoyoudon’tgetthefeelingthatyou’llnevergetcaughtup.Thenafteraweek,addthecounterstothemixandgetusedtothat.Onceyoufeellikeyouhavetheclutter,laundry,andcountersundercontrol,addthefinaldailytaskofsweepingthefloors.
OnceaWeekThen,everydayoftheweekgetsanadditionaltask:
1.MONDAY—CleanBathrooms:Allthebathroomsgetcleaned,minusthefloors.Thisincludeswashingcounters,scrubbingshowersand/ortubs,andcleaningmirrorsandtoilets.
2.TUESDAY—Dust:Aquickweeklydustingisa15to20minutetaskthatevenlittlekidscangetinvolvedin.Iliketouseadustingmittandalong-handleddustingwandtogetallthehighcornersandspaces.Keepingupwithdustingeveryweekissomucheasierthandealingwithdustbuildupsobadthatthekidsstartwriting“dustme”onthefurniture.
3.WEDNESDAY—Vacuum:Thoroughlyvacuumallfloors(carpetandhardsurfaces).Yes,Isweepdailyandspotvacuumasneededthroughouttheweek,butWednesdayisthedaythatIreallyconcentrateongivingthewholehouseagoodvacuuming.Istartwiththecreviceattachmentonthevacuumcleanertovacuumtheedgesoftheroomfirst.Oncethisiscompleted,Imoveontovacuumthemiddle.Vacuumhorizontallyineachroomandthenvacuumverticallyineachroom.Yes,youaregoingoverthecarpettwice,butthistechniqueensuresthatthecarpetisliftedandthedirtthatmaybeembeddedisremoved.Thisisespeciallyhelpfultoremovepethairanddander.Anothergoodideaistovacuumfromthefarthestcornerawayfromthedoorandvacuumyourwayoutoftheroom.Thiswillgiveyouthosebelovedvacuumlinesthatsay,“Ijustvacuumed.”
TAKEVACUUMINGUPANOTCHUsethecarpetneutralizerrecipeifyourcarpetneedsalittlefreshening,oraddacottonballwithadroportwoofyourfavoriteessentialoiltothebagorcanistertoaddalittlearomatherapytoyourvacuuming.
4.THURSDAY—WashFloors:Allhardsurfacefloorsgetwashed—Iliketouseasteammoponmyvinylandtilefloors.Iusevinegarandwarmwaterwithacoupleofdropsoflemonandcloveessentialoilsonmyhardwoodfloors.
5.FRIDAY—CatchallDay:Thisisadaytofocusonwhatdidn’tgetdoneearlierintheweek.Ilovehavingadayofgracebuiltintomyschedule.SomeFridays,Icompleteamonthlyorseasonalcleaningtask;otherFridaysIcompleteadifferenthometaskordogroceryshopping.Ijustchoosethemostpressingtaskortwoandtacklethem.
6.SATURDAY—WashSheetsandTowels:Insteadofdoing“regular”laundry,IconcentrateonwashingallthetowelsandsheetsonSaturdays.You’lllovethepowderedlaundrydetergentrecipeforyoursheetsandtowels—itmakesthemsofreshandsoft!
7.SUNDAY—JusttheBasics:Sundayisafamilydayandadayofrestandrelaxationforus.Ijustdothefourdailytasks(sweepfloors,declutter,doaloadoflaundry,wipecounters).
Thisroutinehelpsmestayontopofcleaningwithoutlettingittakeovermylife.I’vebeendoingitsolongthatit’sjustpartofmylifeanddoesn’tfeelasdauntingasitmayinthebeginningphaseofimplementation.Mygoalisthatthisguidegetsyoutothesameplace:comfortabledoingsimple,manageabletasksthatgiveyouasenseofaccomplishmentandhelpyourliferunmoresmoothly.
OtherCleaningTipsFollowingaresomeotherlittlethingsthatcanmakeyourapproachtocleaningsimplerandmoreeffective:
■Don’tgotobedwithoutacleankitchen.Forme,thismeanscleaningoffthecountersandkitchentable,handwashinganythingthatneedsit,andhavingstartedthedishesinthedishwasher,ifit’sfull.Thismightsoundextreme,buttryit.It’sgreattogetupinthemorning,makeyourwayintothedarkkitchen,andnotseeamessaheadofyou.
■Pickupthefamilyroombeforebed.Pillowsandblanketsbackonthecouch,toysandbooksputbackintheirbaskets,etc.Thekitchenandfamilyroomsareconnectedinourhome,sowakinguptotwoclutter-freeroomsgivesmethefreedomtotakemymorningalittleslowerwithouttheaddedstressoffeelingoverwhelmedbeforethedayhasevenbegun.Thefamilyroomislikelyamuch-usedspotinyourhouse,too.
■Unloadthedishwasherrightawayinthemorning.Insteadofwatchingyourcoffeebrew,unloadthedishwasher.Rinsebreakfastdishesandputtheminthedishwasherrightaway,insteadofstackingthemup.
■Getotherfamilymembersinvolved.Evenlittleonescanbeexpectedtopickupwhatthey’vebeenusingorplayingwith.You’llfindthistobehelpfulintheefficiencyofahouseholdandcontrollingtheclutter.Takeintoconsiderationyourownchild’sabilitylevelandage,butherearesomeideas:helpmaketheirbeds,putawaydirtyclothes,pickuptoys,feedpets,setthetable.Mylittleonesliketouseasmalldustingwandtohelpdustlowareas;theyusebabywipestowipethebaseboardsifI’mcleaningthemtoo,andtheyuseaminidustpantosweepuptheirownmealtimecrumbs.Encouragingthesesmalltasksearlyonwillhelpyourchildrengetintothehabitofcleaningupafterthemselvesandcleaningupalittlebiteveryday.
■Followthe“TouchItOnce”rule.Trytoputthingsawaywithoutdealingwiththesamethingmorethanonce.Asyoubringinyourmail,lookthroughit,recycleorshredwhatcanbedisposedof,andfilethebillsintheirproperhomerightaway.Trytoeliminateputtingthingssomewheretemporarily.Instead,bringthemtotheirproperspotthefirsttime.Thisissuchasimpleconceptbutitcanbedifficulttoimplement.Persevereingettingyourfamilyonthebandwagon.Youwillfindthatit’llmakeyourdailylifesomucheasier.
Nowthatyouhaveaclearvisionastowhatthemethodentails,allyouhavetodoisstartsomewhere.Everydayisanewday—whatyoudidn’tcompletethedaybeforecanbetabledoryoucantrytoaccomplishitthenextdaywiththenextday’stask.Don’tforgetthatFridayisaCatchallDay,intendedasadaytocatchuponunfinishedoruncompletedtasks.
ChartingYourProgressMycleaningroutineswillstick,Ipromise.Thekeyistostart.Don’tworryaboutitnotworkingorwhenyou’llgetitdone,juststart.Pleasevisitwww.cleanmama.net/product/checkliststodownload(forfree!)someofmycleaningroutinesinhandychartformtohelpyougetandstaymotivatedandorganized.UsetheWEEKLYCLEANINGCHECKLISTtokeepyourselfontaskandontrack.Sometimesaddingalittlecheckmarktotheboxwhenyouhavecompletedataskcanbealltheencouragementyouneedtofeellikeyouareaccomplishingsomething.Afteryou’vebeenworkingwiththeweeklycleaningroutineandchecklistand
youfeellikeyouarereadytoaddanotherlayer,downloadtheMONTHLY(ROTATING)CLEANINGCHECKLIST.Thesearetasksthatarecompletedmonthly,bimonthly,andquarterly.Decidewhenthesetaskscanbeincorporatedintotherestofyourlifeandroutine.IusuallyincorporatethemasIamabletoonFridays.YoucanalsodownloadablankMONTHLY(ROTATING)CLEANINGCHECKLISTincaseyou’dliketoformulateyourown.You’llfindthesechecklistsatwww.cleanmama.net/product/checklists:
WeeklyCleaningChecklistWeeklyCleaningChecklist(blank)Monthly(Rotating)CleaningChecklistMonthly(Rotating)CleaningChecklist(blank)HouseholdCleaningChecklistDeClutterBeforeYouCleanChecklistTheOne-DayCleanTheWeekendCleanTheOne-WeekDeepClean
The31-DayCleaningPlanTheDeep-CleaningChecklist
CHAPTER2
BUILDYOURCLEANINGKIT
Beforeyoustartmixingrecipes,it’sagoodideatocollectsomebasicequipmentandingredientsyou’llusefrequently.You’relikelytoownmostoftheseitemsalready—youmightevenfindyouhavemuchmorethanyouneed.Whenyousimplifyyourcleaningroutineanduseorganiccleaners,youmightfindthatyoucandiscardsomeofthe“cleaningclutter”you’veamassedovertheyears.
ToolsYouprobablyownavarietyofcleaningtoolsthatyouuseinvariouspartsofyourhouse.Here’salistofstandarditemsyou’llwanttohaveonhandtocompleteanypartofyournewcleaningroutine.Trybuildingsmallcaddiesoftoolsthatyoucanleaveintheappropriateroom—forexample,putabathroomcleaningcaddyfilledwiththeappropriatetoolsandcleanersunderthebathroomsink(equippedwithalocktokeepkidsandpetsaway!).Thatway,yourtoolsarerightwhereyouneedthem.
MicrofiberClothsMicrofibercleaningclothsareapolyesterandnylonblendofcloththatcanbe
foundinavarietyoftexturesandweavestocleandifferentsurfaces.Iusemicrofibercleaningclothsforcleaningjustabouteverysurfaceinmyhome.Theyaremyfavoritecleaningtoolbecausetheydon’tleavelintorstreaksonsurfaces,andtheycanbewashedatleast300times,makingthemextremelyeconomical.Youcanalsobuymicrofiberclothsthatarespeciallydesignedforcleaningwindows,stainlesssteel,andmirrors.Aninsidertip:Mostofmymicrofiberclothsarefromtheautomotivesection
ofmyfavoritebig-boxstore.Thesearealittlelargerinsizeandtheyarelessexpensiveinthissectionthanthecleaningsection!
ScrubBrushesDesignateseparatescrubbrushesforspecificjobstoavoidcross-
contamination.Forexample,useagroutbrushforthebathroomandascrubbrushforthekitchensink.Youcanevenuseatoothbrushtoscrubsmallspaces—justmakesureyouonlyuseitforcleaning,ofcourse.
SprayBottlesSixteen-ouncespraybottleswillworkgreatformostoftherecipesinthis
book.Buybottlesthatyoulikethelookof—theydon’thavetobeboringclearplasticmodels!Ifyoulikeyourequipment,you’llbemorelikelytouseit.Amazon.comhasagreatselectionofspraybottles,andIfrequentthecleaningsupplyaisleatthelocalsupermarketsandgrabcoolspraybottleswhenIseethem.
ContainerswithLidsCanningjarsorcleanedandreusedjellyandsaucejarsmakeattractivestorage
containers—simplyaddacutelabelandyouwon’tmissyourflashypackagingfromthestore.Keepalittlestashofdifferent-sizecontainersonhandforstoringyourcleaningconcoctions.
IceCubeTraysIcecubetraysmakegreatformsforcleaningandfresheningtablets.Insteadof
measuringoutscoopsofdishwashersoap,Icanjustgrabacutetabletfrommybluecanningjaronthecounterandtossitinthedishwasher.
SqueegeeIfyouhaven’tusedasqueegeeinyourcleaningadventures,youneedto
purchaseone.Asqueegeetrulychangedmywindow-washinglife!Youcansimplysprayyoursolutiononthewindowandsqueegeeitoff.Oryoucangetasqueegeewithaspongeattachedtouseonespeciallydirtywindows.Simplydipthespongeintoabucketcontainingwindowcleaner,scrubthewindow,andsqueegeeawaythedirt.You’llneedacoupleofextratowelsaroundyourworkspacetoavoiddripsandspills,butit’sworthit.
SpongesYouprobablyhavetheseonhand,ofcourse!Regularspongeshavenoodoror
cleaner,sothey’regreatforusingwiththeproductsinthisbook.Forcertainjobs,Ilovemelaminesponges—youmighthaveheardofapopularbrandname,MagicEraser.Iusuallytrytocleanastainsimplywiththespongeandwaterfirst,andifthatdoesn’tgetthemarkordirtoff,IdipthespongeinalittlesoapywaterorsquirtalittleLemonandPeppermintAll-PurposeCleaneronthespongeorsurfacemixedwithalittlewarmwater.Neverusethesespongesonsurfaceslikehigh-glosspaintoronanytypeofcountertop;ifyouareunsure,testinaninconspicuousplacefirst.
DustingWandsLookforadustingwandwithawashabledusterforthemosteconomical
choice.Adusterwithanextendablepolewillreachcornersandtallceilings.
BroomAbroomanddustpanmayseemold-fashioned,butforlittlecleanupsand
spills,abroomisjustthething.
MopLookforamopthatfitsyourneeds.Youmightlikeaspongemop,atwistable
mop,or—mypreference—arefillablemopwithmicrofiberpadsthatcanbewashedinthewashingmachine.
BucketsEveryhouseneedsabucket(ortwoorthree).Ikeeponeforthetoiletplunger,
oneforsoapymixtures,andoneforcleaningrags.
VacuumCleanerwithAttachmentsBuythebestvacuumcleanerwithattachmentsthatyoucanafford.Tome,that
moneyiswellspent.Makesureithasadecentwarrantyandtakegoodcareofitbyemptyingandcleaningthecanisterorreplacingthebagoften.
ToiletBrushToiletbrushesarenecessaryfortoiletcleaning.Findonethatworksandkeep
itinadiscreetplace.
FunnelAfunnelcomesinveryhandyforrecipeswhereyou’llmixasolution,then
pouritintoabottletouseandstore.
ToolContainersorCaddiesCorralyourcleanersandtoolsinatoolcontainerorcaddythatfitsneatlyina
closetandholdswhatyouwantittohold.Thatway,yourtoolsarerightwhereyouneedthem,savingyoutimeandenergywhenit’stimetocleanthatarea.You’llprobablyfindthatyouwantafewcaddiesinkeyspotsinyourhome.
LABELIT!Addingalabeltoyourcleaningproductswillensurethatanyproductsavedisusedproperly.Usealabelmaker,sendlabelsthroughtheprinter,orjustplaceapieceoftapeonthecontainerandwriteyournecessaryinformationonthetapewithapermanentmarker.Useacutelabelforgiftsorjusttoboostthedesignfactorofyourhomemadecleaningproducts.Makesurethatyouincludethenameoftheproduct,theingredients,andause-bydate.Ifit’saproductthatyou
findyourselfmixingupregularly,youcanevenwritetherecipeonthebottle,soyoucanquicklymixitupthenexttimeyouneedit.
GatherBasicIngredientsManynaturalcleanersusethesamebaseingredients.Youwillfindthatyoualreadyhavealotoftheseingredientsinyourhome.Ifnot,youcanfindborax,Arm&HammerSuperWashingSoda,andcastilesoapatyourlocalbig-boxstoreinthelaundryandnaturalbeautysections.Ifyouprefertoorderfromthecomfortofyourhome,alltheitemscanbefoundeasilyonwww.amazon.comaswell.Storeallingredientsinacool,dryplace.Justpurchasewhatyouneedatfirst,
thendecidewhichcleanersyouwanttokeeponhandbasedonyourparticularcleaningneeds.
DistilledWhiteVinegarVinegaristhepowerhouseinthecleaningcabinet.Ithasgerm-killing
properties,cutsgrease,andgetsridofstains.It’snotmyfavoritesmell(Idon’tlikemyhousetosmelllikeapickle),butIhavelotsofwaystodisguisethevinegarodorinmyrecipes.
Water—DistilledandTapYou’llusebothdistilledandtapwaterintherecipes.Distilledwaterhasgone
throughadistillationprocessthatessentiallyremovescontaminantsandminerals.Thismakesitagreatcandidateforusingincleaningproductsbecauseyouaren’tintroducinganymineralsorbacteriaintothemix,whichwouldcutdownontheshelflifeoftheproducts.Ifyoudon’twanttobuydistilledwater,youcanboilandcooltapwaterwithsimilarresults.
BakingSoda
Bakingsodaworksgreatforabsorbingodorsandasamildabrasivecleaner.Lookforbakingsodainyourgrocerystore’sbakingaisle,orpickupabigbagatyourfavoritewarehousestore.
SuperWashingSodaSuperWashingSodaisascentlesspowdersoldundertheArm&Hammer
brandname.Itissimplysodiumcarbonateandwater—basicallyanamped-upversionofbakingsoda.SuperWashingSodaisadetergentboosterandodorandstainremover,andcanbeusedinmanyorganiccleaningrecipeswithgreatresults.Ifyoucan’tfinditatyoursupermarket,youcanorderitonAmazon.com.
BoraxAvailableinjustabouteverysupermarket,boraxisanaturallyoccurring
mineralfoundwheresaltwaterlakesandseawaterhaveevaporated.Thereissomecontroversyastoitssafetyifinhaledoringested,sotakeextracarewhenusingthisingredient.Keepitoutofthereachofchildrenandpets,thoroughlyrinseallsurfacesyouuseiton,and(aswithallpowderyingredients)avoidinhalingitwhenmixingitinarecipe.Thatextracareiswellworthitbecauseoftheresultsitgives!
CastileSoap—barandliquidIloveDr.Bronner’scastilesoaps.Theyarecertifiedorganicandcanbefound
atmostsupermarketsandonAmazon.com.Betteryet,theyareavailableinawidevarietyofscentsaswellasunscented.Castilesoapisavegetable-basedsoap,makingitespeciallygentle,butthecombinationofvegetableoilslikecoconutandolivemakeitextremelyeffectiveincleaningandgreasecutting.
EssentialOilsEssentialoilsarethenaturaloilsfromplants.(Don’tconfusethesewith
fragranceoils,whicharenotthesame.)Super-concentrated,theseoilsareknownfortheirscent,andsomehaveantibacterialandantifungalpropertiesaswellasamazingcleaningabilities(seethenextsectionformoreinformation).Makesurethatanyessentialoilsyoupurchasearepure,food-grade,andsoldinbrownorblueglassvialsorbottles.You’llwantatleastoneortwoessentialoilstoaddtoyournaturalcleaningproducts.IfIcouldchooseonlytwooils,I’dpicklemonandteatree(alsofoundasMelaleuca).Lemonhasafreshscentandteatreehasstrongdisinfectingproperties.Takecarehandlingtheoilsandneverletchildrenhandlethem,astheyareextremelypotentandconcentratedandcancauseskinirritation.
LemonsandLemonJuiceSomepeoplethinkyoucancleanyourwholehousewithlemonsandvinegar.I
thinkthereareafewotheringredientsthatshouldcometothecleaningparty,butlemonsaredefinitelyamust.Lemonsandlemonjuicehaveantibacterialpropertiesandaregreatcleaningagents—andyoucan’tbeattheirfreshscent!
Salts—EpsomandKosherEpsomsaltsarenotsalt,butacompoundofmagnesiumandsulfate.Epsom
saltscanbeingestedforailments,usedinbathwatertoeasemusclesoreness,andusedtosoftenwater.Epsomsaltsworkwelltoformcleaningtabletsandhavesomesofteningpropertiesinnaturaldishsoap.Koshersaltisagreatabrasivecleaner.Addalittlelemonjuiceandyouhaveanaturalantibacterialscrub.
Oils—Almond,Olive,VitaminE,Mineral,and
CoconutSomepopularoilstouseinorganiccleaningproductsarealmond,olive,
vitaminE,mineral,andcoconut.Youdon’tneedtokeepalloftheseoilsonhand,butit’snicetohaveafew.You’llseethatmostoftheseoilsareusedinwoodcareandinsoapstohelpconditiontheskin.
HydrogenPeroxideSoldinthepharmacysectionforusuallyunderadollarabottle,hydrogen
peroxideisanall-naturalsanitizeranddisinfectant.It’ssosafethatyoucandisinfecttoothbrusheswithit.Itisunscentedandneedstobekeptinadarkcontainer(justkeepitinthebrowncontaineritissoldin).Itsscentlessandgaslesspropertiesarewhatmakehydrogenperoxideagreatdisinfectant.Ifyouhaveacuttingboardthatyoujustcutuprawchickenon,washitwithsoapandwaterandsprayhydrogenperoxideonittoensureanysalmonellahasbeenobliterated.Youcanalsofollowtheperoxidespraywithasprayofwhitevinegarforsuper-germymesses(butnevermixthetwotogetherinonebottle).
Alcohol—RubbingAlcoholandVodkaRubbingalcohol(orisopropylalcohol)isfoundinthepharmacysectionfor
underadollarabottle.Itissoldasanantiseptic,andthoseantisepticqualitiesarewhatgiverubbingalcoholitsgerm-killingproperties.YoumightbesurprisedtoseethatIusevodkainanumberofrecipesinthisbook.Vodkahasahighalcoholcontentthatallowsittokillgerms,mold,andmildew.Igenerallyprefervodkatorubbingalcoholbecausethescentislessnoticeableanditproducessimilarresults.
PureAloeVeraGel
Aloeveraisasucculentplantwhoseleavesproduceagel-likesubstancecommonlyusedincosmeticsandbodycareproductsforitssoothingqualities.Makesurethatyouchoosethepurealoeveragelandnotthegreenstuff.Youcanusetheleftovergelforburnrelief,andIloveitinthehandsanitizerrecipe.
CreamofTartarFoundinthebakingaisle,thisingredientisgreatforwhitening.
OxygenBleachPowderThereisahomemaderecipeforoxygenbleachpasteinthisbook,butyoucan
alsosafelyusestore-boughtoxygenbleachpowderinyourhome.Oxygenbleachpowderremovesstainsandwhitenswithoutbleach.Thehomemadevarietyofoxygenbleachpastehasaveryshortshelflife,soyoumayfindthestore-boughtpowdertobemoreconducivetoyourneeds.
CleaningwithEssentialOilsEssentialoilsactuallyhavecleaninganddisinfectingpowerinadditiontosmellinggreat.Followingaretheessentialoilsthatyou’llfindusedinmyrecipes.Therearemanyhealthbenefitstousingessentialoils—butforthepurposesofthisbook,hereareeachoil’scleaninganddisinfectingqualities.Youcanbuyessentialoilsatyourlocalhealthfoodstoreoratavarietyofstoresonline.Makesureyouarepurchasingpureessentialoils,notfragranceoils.SomeofmyfavoritebrandsincludeBeeyoutiful,doTERRA,andMountainRoseHerbs.ESSENTIALOIL USES
Citronella insectrepellent
Clove airfreshener
Eucalyptus anti-infective,deodorant
Grapefruit airfreshener,antiseptic
Lavender antifungal,antiseptic,anti-infective
Lemon antifungal,antiseptic,anti-infective,antiviral
Lime airfreshener
Orange airfreshener
Peppermint antibacterial,antifungal,antiseptic,antiviral
Rosemary antibacterial,antifungal,anti-infective,antimicrobial,antiseptic
Teatree antibacterial,antifungal,antimicrobial,antiseptic,antiviral
MixingGuidelinesNowthatyouhaveyourtoolsassembledandyourbasicingredientsonhand,it’stimetostartmakingsomerecipes!Hereareafewtipsandtricksthatapplytoalltherecipes:
■Takecaretomaketherecipesasdirected.Keepingredientsandfinishedproductsoutofthereachofpetsandchildren.
■Youcanmaketheserecipesrightinyourkitchensink,butifyouhaveamudroomorlaundryroomsink,thosewillworktoo.Ifyouareworkinginthekitchen,makesureyoudon’thaveanyfoodoutwhilemixinguppowdersoranythingthatcouldtraveltoyourfood.
■Youcanusethesamemeasuringcups,spoons,andscoopsthatyouuseforcookingandbakingtomaketheserecipes.Everythingisnontoxic—asimplerunthroughthedishwasherisallthat’snecessaryforaquickcleanupofthemeasuringandmixingtools.Isn’tthatgreat?
■Ifyouhaveanyleftovers,turnthefaucetwateroncoldandpourdownthedrain.Noneoftheseingredientswillhaveanyilleffectsonyourdrainsorsepticsystem.
CHAPTER3
RECIPESFORTHEKITCHEN
Feellikeyouspendthebulkofyourtimeinthekitchen?Youprobablydo!Asaresult,youprobablyhavealotofcleaningquestions:HowdoIkeepthekitchenclean,especiallywhiletryingtogetdinneronthetableinahurry?What’sthebestwaytosanitizethecuttingboardafterslicingrawpoultry?HowcanIquicklycleanmyrefrigeratorandnotwasteanytimedoingit?Thekitchenposesbothpotentialhealthhazardsandendlesscleaningtasks.Figuringoutthebestwaytocleaneverythingfromthecupboardstothefloorswhilekeepingyourfamilysafefromfoodborneillnessesseemstricky.Withtherecipesinthischapter,youknowthatyourcountersandothersurfacesarenotonlycleanbutsafelysanitizedusingorganicandnaturalproducts.Yourkitchenwillbecleanfromtoptobottomandyou’llknowexactlyhowtopronounceeachandeveryingredientyouused.
CitrusLiquidHandSoap8OUNCES
Store-boughtantibacterialsoapisproventogetridofgerms,butitalsogetsridofthe“goodgerms”thatourbodiesneedtobuildupimmunities.Thisfresh-smellingblendwilleliminategarlicandonionodorsfromyourhandsandgetyourhandsperfectlycleanandridofgermswithouttheuseofchemicalsliketriclosan.
1cupliquidcastilesoap10dropslemonessentialoil10dropsorangeessentialoil1teaspoonvitaminEoil
Variations:UNSCENTED—Useunscentedcastilesoapanddon’taddanyessentialoils.
PEPPERMINTANDLAVENDER—Substitute10dropspeppermintand10dropslavenderessentialoilsforthelemonandorange.
LEMONANDROSEMARY—Substitute10dropsrosemaryessentialoilfortheorange.
ToMake:Combineingredientsinadecorativesoappump,seal,andshakethoroughlytocombine.
ToUse:Useapumpofsoap,rubhandstogether,andwashoffwithwarmwater.
ToStore:Makethiscitrusyhandsoaponesoappumpatatime.
HELPFULHINT
Reciteanurseryrhymeorsing“HappyBirthday”forafull30secondswhilewashingtoeffectivelywashallthegermsfromyourhands.
CitrusFoamingHandSoap116-OUNCEDISPENSEROR28-OUNCEDISPENSERS
Foaming-soapdispensersareagreatwaytomakeyourliquidsoaplastlonger.Youonlyneed1or2tablespoonsofliquidsoapforthewholesoapdispenser!Thisisagreatwaytostretchoutyoursoapwhenyouhavelotsoffamilymemberswashingtheirhandsconstantly.
2cupswater,boiledandcooled(ordistilled,ifyouwon’tuseallthesoapinaweekortwo)1–2tablespoonscastilesoap10–20dropslemonororangeessentialoil
Variations:UNSCENTED—Useunscentedcastilesoapanddon’taddanyessentialoil.
PEPPERMINTANDLAVENDER—Substitute10dropspeppermintand10dropslavenderessentialoilsforthelemonororange.
EXTRAMOISTURIZING—Add1teaspoonvitaminEoil.
ToMake:Pouringredientsintopumpdispenser.Startwith10dropsofessentialoilandaddmore,toyourpreference.Shaketocombine.
ToUse:Dispense1or2pumpsonyourhandsandscrubaway.
ToStore:Withdistilledwater:Storeinpumpforseveralmonths.Withundistilledwater:Storeinpumpfor2weeks.
TIME-SAVINGTIP
MixtheCitrusLiquidHandSoap(seerecipeearlierinthischapter)firstandthenfillyourfoaming-soapdispenserswith2tablespoonsoftheliquidsoapand2cupsofwater.Shaketocombine.
LemonandCloveLiquidDishSoap8OUNCES
Lemonandcloveismyfavoritescentcombinationandit’sespeciallywonderfulinthekitchenwithasinkfullofdishes.It’sevenbetterwhenthedishesareclean,streak-free,andputaway,butthat’sanotherstory.
8ouncescitruscastilesoaporunscentedcastilesoap10–15dropslemonessentialoil5dropscloveessentialoil
Variations:GREASEFIGHTING—Addasplashofwhitevinegartothewarmdishwater.
CITRUS—Substituteorange,lime,orgrapefruitessentialoilfortheclove.
ToMake:Pourcastilesoapandessentialoilsinstoragecontainerandshakewelltocombine.
ToUse:Add1or2squirtstoyourdishwaterandscrubup!
ToStore:Storeindefinitelyonyourcounterorunderyoursink.
TIME-SAVINGTIPAddessentialoilsdirectlytothecastilesoapcontainer.Labelanduseoften!
LemonDishwasherDetergent—PowderABOUT24LOADS—1heapingtablespoonperload
It’sespeciallyimportanttoavoidusingtoxicchemicalsonthingsweeatanddrinkfrom.Restassuredthatwiththisrecipe,allyou’llgetissparklycleandishes.Thefreshscentisamazinganditmixesupinasnap.
1cupArm&HammerSuperWashingSoda1cupbakingsoda1cupborax20dropslemonessentialoil
Variations:FORHARDWATER—Add ⁄ cupEpsomsalts.
UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoil.
LEMONANDPEPPERMINT—Use10dropslemonand10dropspeppermintessentialoils.
CITRUS—Use10dropslemonand10dropsorangeessentialoils.
ToMake:Combineingredientsinalargemixingbowl.
ToUse:Place1heapingtablespoonperloadinthedishdetergentcompartmentandrunasusual.
ToStore:Pourintoaglasscontainerwithalid.(Iloveantiquecoloredcanningjarsfordishpowderstorage.Theylookstylishandkeepthemixturedry.)
HELPFULHINT
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Ifyouhavehardwater,youknowthatyouhavevariousissueswhenitcomestospotsonyourglasswareanddishes.TheEpsomsaltswillnontoxicallysoftenthewaterandwillhelptoeliminatespotsonyourglassware.Ifyouhavealreadyinstalledawatersoftenerinyourhomeoryoudon’tneedawatersoftener,youmaystillgetspotsonglasswareifyouaren’tusingarinsingagentinyourdishwasher.Youcanaddwhitevinegartoyourrinsedispensertoactasarinseaid,andyoucantrytheEpsomsaltsinyourdishwasherdetergentrecipe.Startwith ⁄ cupofvinegarinsteadofthefull ⁄ cupandincreaseifneeded.FeelfreetoaddtheEpsomsaltsinyourdetergentreciperightalongwiththevinegarrinse.Experimenttofindtheperfectratioforyourwater.
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LemonDishwasherDetergent—LiquidABOUT20LOADS—1tablespoonperload
Preferliquiddishwasherdetergenttopowdered?Trythissimplerecipe.You’lllovethefreshlemonscentthatfillsyourkitchenwhilethisisworkingitsmagicinyourdishwasher.
1cupcastilesoap⁄ cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooledslightly1teaspoonlemonjuice5dropslemonessentialoil
ToMake:Mixingredientsinabowlandpourintoacontainerthathasalidorspoutforeasypouringintoyourdishwasher’sdetergentcompartment.
ToUse:Use1tablespoonperloadandrunasusual.
ToStore:Storeatroomtemperatureforupto3weeks.
HELPFULHINTAdddistilledwhitevinegartotherinsecompartmentofyourdishwashertoremovehardwaterspotsfromyourglassesanddishware.
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LemonDishwasherDetergent—Tablets32TABLETS
Cleaningproductsintabletformareverypopular.Ifthisisyourpreference,you’lllovethiscleaningsolutionforitssimpleingredients,greatscent,andhowwellitworkstogetdishescompletelycleanandresidue-free.
2cupsbakingsoda2cupsborax⁄ cupwhitevinegar20dropslemonessentialoilicecubetrays
Variations:FORHARDWATER—Add ⁄ cupEpsomsalts.
UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoil.
LEMONANDPEPPERMINT—Use10dropslemonand10dropspeppermintessentialoils.
CITRUS—Use10dropslemonand10dropsorangeessentialoils.
ToMake:Combinethedryingredientsinalargemixingbowl.Slowlyaddthewhitevinegarandstirtocombine.Thevinegarwillcreateafizzingaction.Oncethemixtureisthoroughlycombined,measureroundedtablespoonsintoseveralicecubetraysandpressdowntoformthetablets.Donotfillthetraystothetop,justusearoundedtablespoonineachcompartment.Allowtodryoutandhardenovernightorinthesun.Oncethetabletshavehardened,carefullyturnthetray
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overontoacleansurface.Thetabletsshouldfalloutwithoutanytwistingorbanging,whichcouldbreakthemintopieces.
ToUse:Place1tabletinthedishdetergentcompartmentandrunasusual.
ToStore:Storeinanairtightglassorplasticcontainerforupto2months.
KID-FRIENDLYTIPThisisafunrecipeforlittleonestohelpwithoncethepowdersaremeasuredandinthebowl.Mykidslovetoaddthevinegartoseethefizzingandtheyhavefunpushingthedetergentintotheicecubetrayswithatablespoon.
OvenCleaner—Spray8OUNCES
Ifyourovenneedsalittlecleaning,thisistheperfectcleaningsolution.Itmixesupinahurryanddoesagreatjobremovingstuck-onfoodandgrease.
1cupwarmwater3tablespoonsbakingsoda1tablespooncastilesoap
Variations:LEMON—Add10dropslemonessentialoil.
LEMONANDCLOVE—Add5dropslemonand5dropscloveessentialoils.
LEMONANDROSEMARY—Add5dropslemonand5dropsrosemaryessentialoils.
ToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Sprayliberallyinyouroven.Letsitforupto15minutesandwipecleanwithaspongeorcloth.Rinseasneededandallowtoair-dry.
ToStore:Ifyouhaveanyleftovers,youcanstorethissolutionforupto2weeks.Shaketocombine,astheingredientswillsettle.
TIME-SAVINGTIPIfyouhaveextracleaningsolution,spraydownyourstovetopandcleanthatareawhileyou’rethere!
OvenCleaner—Paste1CLEANOVEN
Spillsthatgounattendedinthebottomofanovenaredifficulttoremove.Withthispowerfulpaste,you’llbeabletowipethegrimeawayinahurry.
⁄ cupwater⁄ –1cupbakingsoda1tablespooncastileordishsoap
Variation:LEMON—Add1or2squeezesoffreshlemonjuicetoharnessthecleaningpoweroflemonandtoaddafreshscent.
ToMake:Combineingredientsinabowltoformapaste.
ToUse:Applywithasponge,coatingtheoven.Letsitfor15to30minutes.Usingacleansponge,rinsethoroughlywithwarmwater.Repeattherinsingwithaspongeandwarmwateruntiltheoveniscompletelyclean.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
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OvenCleaner—Overnight1CLEANOVEN
Ifit’sbeenalongtimesinceyoucleanedyouroven,orifyourmother-in-lawisvisiting,thisistheovencleanerforyou.
1cupwater⁄ –1cupbakingsoda2tablespoonscastileordishsoap
ToMake:Combineingredientsinabowltoformapaste.
ToUse:Turnovenonto250°F;letitcometotemperatureandturnoff.Quicklyapplythesolutionwithasponge,coatingtheoven.Closethedoorandletitworkovernight.Thenextday,spraythoroughlywithwarmwater.Usingacleansponge,rinsethoroughlywithwarmwater.Repeattherinsingwithaspongeandwarmwateruntiltheoveniscompletelyclean.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
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FilterCleaner(StoveandHood)1OR2CLEANFILTERS
Didyouknowthatthere’sprobablyawashablefilterhidinginyourrangeorhood?Ifyouhaven’tcleanedyourfilterbefore,it’stimetostart!Ifyouhavecleanedyourfilterorregularlycleanit,you’llappreciatethiseasymethod.
⁄ cupwater⁄ cupdistilledwhitevinegar1teapotofboilingwater
ToMake:Mix ⁄ cupwaterandvinegarinspraybottle.
ToUse:Placefilterinsinkandsprayvinegarandwatermixtureon.Letsitforatleast15minutestodissolvegreaseandgrime.Pourboilingwateroverfilter(s)andrepeatifnecessary.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
TIME-SAVINGTIPCleanallyourwashablefilters(youmightalsofindfiltersonyourovenvent,stovetop,airconditioners,etc.)atthesametime.Addthistasktoyourcleaningchecklisttobesureyourememberthem.Dependingonhowmuchcookingyoudo,it’sbestdonemonthlyorquarterly.
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LemonMicrowaveOvenCleaner—Spray1CLEANMICROWAVE
Everyonehasaccidentallyhadsomethingspillorexplodeinthemicrowave.Whatamess!Thisspraywillhavetheentirethingsparklingagaininnotime.
⁄ cupwater⁄ cupdistilledwhitevinegar⁄ cuplemonjuice
ToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Sprayliberallyoninteriorofmicrowave.Letsitfor15minutestodissolveanydirtandgrease.Wipecleanwithaspongeormicrofibercloth.Repeatifnecessary,rinse,anddry.
ToStore:Storeinspraybottleforupto1week.
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LemonMicrowaveOvenCleaner—Steam1CLEANMICROWAVE
Usingsteamtocleanmessesandgreaseofftheinteriorofamicrowaveissimplebutextremelyeffective.Thebestperkisthesmellfromthejuiceofthefreshlemonwhilethemicrowavecleansitself.
4cupswater1lemon
ToMake:Placewaterinamicrowaveablebowl.Cutthelemoninhalfandjuiceit.Addthejuiceandthelemonhalvestothebowl.Runthemicrowaveuntilthewaterboils(3–5minutes).Whendone,letthemixturesitandsteaminthemicrowavefor15–30minutes.
ToUse:Removethebowlandwipemicrowavecleanwithaclean,dampclothorsponge.Wipedry.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
TIME-SAVINGTIPThiscleaningtaskismostlyhands-offandcaneasilybedonewhileyou’reworkingonotherthingsinthekitchen.
CabinetCleaner1KITCHENFULOFCLEANCABINETS
Cabinetsdon’talwaysshowtheirdirt,butbelieveme,it’sthere!Onceyourcabinetsareclean,you’llseewhatadifferencealittlescrubbingcando.Thissimplerecipewillcutgreaseandfingerprintsanditoffersalittlearomatherapytoboot.Useitonyourcabinetanddrawerfrontsandinsides.Thissolutionworkswithanyfinishedcabinets—wood,laminate,orveneer.Makesureyousqueezeanyexcessliquidfromyourclothtokeepunnecessarywateroffyourcabinets.
8cupswarmwater2teaspoonscastilesoap3dropslemonessentialoil
Variation:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoil.
ToMake:Mixingredientsinasmallbucket.
ToUse:Startatthetopleftsideofyourcabinetsandscrubyourwaydownandtotherightwithaspongeormicrofibercloth.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
HELPFULHINTUseamicrofiberclothoncabinetsanddrawers—themicrofiberwillgrablittlecrumbseasilyandwipethefingerprintsandsmudgesaway
withease.
LemonandPeppermintAll-PurposeCleanerABOUT3CUPS
Generally,homemadecleanersarenotmeanttobemixedupinlargequantitiesbecausetheydon’thavestabilizers,orartificialingredientsintendedtoextendtheshelflifeoftheingredients.It’sagoodideatotestanyhomemadecleanerinaninconspicuousspottomakesurethatit’ssafeonthesurfaceyouareintendingtouseiton.Awarning:Don’tuseanyvinegarproductsongraniteormarble.Theacidinthevinegarwilleatawayatyourgraniteandmarble.
⁄ cupwhitevinegarjuiceof1lemon2cupswater10dropspeppermintessentialoil
Variations:LEMONANDCLOVE—Substitutecloveessentialoilforthepeppermint.
LEMONANDROSEMARY—Substituterosemaryessentialoilforthepeppermint.
ToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Spraycounters,sinks,tables,appliances,andanyotherkitchenitemwiththisall-purposecleaner.Thiscleanerisapowerhouse,cuttingthroughdirt,grime,andgrease,anditwillcleanjustabouteverysurfaceinyourkitchen.Thelemonandvinegaralsohavegerm-killingpropertiesthatyou’lllove!
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ToStore:Thisrecipehasfreshlemonjuiceinit—useitwithinafewdaysofmakingitand/orstoreintherefrigeratorforupto1week.
LemonandPeppermintAll-PurposeCleaningConcentrate32OUNCES
Createyourowncleaningconcentratebyaddingessentialoilstovinegar.
32-ouncebottleofwhitevinegar30dropslemonessentialoil10dropspeppermintessentialoil
ToMake:Addessentialoilstothe32-ouncebottleofvinegar,seal,andshaketocombine.
ToUse:Pour ⁄ cupofthevinegarmixtureintoaspraybottle.Add2cupsofwaterandthejuiceofalemon.Spraycounters,sinks,tables,appliances,andanyotherkitchenitemwiththisall-purposecleaner.
ToStore:Storeinacool,darkplaceforupto2months.
HELPFULHINTPurchasea32-ouncebottleofwhitevinegar.Labelitwithyourconcoctionandyou’vegotaready-madestoragecontainer!
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TeaTreeandOrangeDisinfectingCleaner2 ⁄ CUPS
Disinfectionisn’tnecessaryallthetime,butit’sgoodtohaveanall-naturalcleaningsolutionforthosetimesthatyouneedtodisinfect,likewhenyou’vejustcutuparawchicken.Enterthisrecipe—noharmfulfumes,justall-naturaldisinfectionfromthegerm-killingpowerhousesvinegarandteatree.TheSuperWashingSodaaddsalittleextracleaningkick.Theboiledwaterkillsgermsinthewater,givingthecleaneralongershelflife,andusinghotwaterhelpsdissolvetheingredients.
⁄ cupwhitevinegar1teaspoonArm&HammerSuperWashingSoda20dropsteatreeessentialoil10dropsorangeessentialoil2cupsboiledandslightlycooledwater
ToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Spraysurfaces,letsitfor10minutes,andwipecleanwithacleaningclothorpapertowel.
ToStore:Storeinspraybottleforupto2weeks.
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TeaTreeandOrangeDisinfectingCleaningConcentrate32OUNCES
Makingyourowncleaningconcentrateissimple—justaddtoaspraybottlewithwaterandyou’rereadytocleananddisinfect!
32-ouncebottleofwhitevinegar50dropsteatreeessentialoil30dropsorangeessentialoil
Variation:EXTRACLEANINGPOWER—Add1teaspoonSuperWashingSodatoyourwaterandconcentrate.
ToMake:Addessentialoilstothevinegar,seal,andshaketocombine.
ToUse:Pour ⁄ cupofthevinegarmixtureintoaspraybottle.Add2cupsofwaterandshaketocombine.Spraycounters,sinks,tables,appliances,andanyotherkitchenitemwiththisdisinfectingcleaner.Spraysurfacesandletsitfor10minutes,thenwipecleanwithacleaningcloth,sponge,orpapertowel.
ToStore:Storeinacool,darkplaceforupto2months.
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LemonandCloveNightlySinkScrub2CUPS
Thisisoneofmyfavoritehomemadecleaningsolutions.Ikeepmineinavintagebluecanningjarundermykitchensinkanduseitnightlywithadishwasher-safescrubbrush.Oncethedishesaredoneandthecountersarewipeddown,Iscrubthesink.Iputoutacleanhandtowelandmykitcheniscleanandreadyforanotherday.
2cupsbakingsoda10dropslemonessentialoil10dropscloveessentialoil1squirtofLemonandCloveDishSoap(seerecipeearlierinthischapter)
Variations:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoils.
CITRUS—Add10dropsorangeorgrapefruitessentialoil.
ToMake:Addbakingsodatoajarorcontainerandscentwithessentialoils.Stirtocombine.
ToUse:Wetkitchensink.Sprinklealittlebitofthebakingsodamixtureinsink—upto ⁄ cup.Addasquirtofdishsoaptothemixtureandscrubwithscrubbrush.Rinseandair-dryordrywithaclothorpapertowel.
ToStore:Storeinacool,darkplaceindefinitely.
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FruitandVeggieWash12OUNCES
It’simportanttowashanypesticidesandgermsoffyourproduce.Thissolutionremovesallthoseresiduesandhasgerm-killingpropertiestoboot.
⁄ cupapplecidervinegar⁄ cuplemonjuice⁄ cupwater
ToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Sprayliberallyonfruitsandvegetables,thenrinseincoldwaterandprepareasusual.
ToStore:Storeintherefrigeratorforupto1month.
GIFT-GIVINGTIPMixupaspraybottleofthisveggiewash,addacutelabel,andpackageitwithapeckoflocalapplesforafriend.
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StickerandGooRemoverABOUT1TABLESPOON
Haveastuck-onlabelorsticker?Trythispaste.Itmixesupinasnapandwillremovejustaboutanystickerorgooonhardsurfaces.
1tablespoonbakingsoda1tablespoonalmondorvegetableoil
Variations:LEMON—Add1or2dropsoflemonessentialoilifyou’dlikealittlescentwithyourgooremoval.
LARGERBATCH—Use ⁄ cupbakingsodaand ⁄ cupoil.Combineandstoreinaglasscontainerinacool,darkplace.
ToMake:Combinebakingsodaandoilinsmallglassorplasticcontainer.
ToUse:Applyasmallamounttospot.Letsitforaminuteortwotosoak.Rubwithapapertowelorcleaningclothtoremove.Repeatifnecessary.Ifthere’salittleoilyresidueremaining,applyrubbingalcoholtoacottonballandwipetoremoveanyresidue.
ToStore:Storeinasealedcontainerforupto1month.
GIFT-GIVINGTIPMixupadoublebatchofthispasteandputhalfinacutejarwithalabelandgivetoafriendthatismovingorhasjustmoved.Thisall-naturalcleaningsolutionwillbeperfectforallthestickersthatneedtoberemovedwhenmovingintoanewhome!
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StainlessSteelCleanerASMUCHASNEEDED
Cleaningstainlesssteelhasleftmeinaconundrum.Therearesomanycommercialcleanersoutthere,butnoneofthemworkonallmyappliances,andwhowantstobuymultiplestainlesssteelcleaners?Thissimplesolutionmaysurpriseyou,butallyouneedisalittlevinegarandmicrofibertocleanyourstainlesssteel.Don’tbelieveme?Giveitatry—it’samazing!
distilledwhitevinegar
ToMake:Pourorsprayalittlevinegardirectlyonamicrofibercleaningcloth—notonyourstainlesssteel.Ifpossible,useaclothdesignedforstainlesssteelorwindowsandmirrors.
ToUse:Applytoyourappliancesgoingwiththegrainofyourstainlesssteelandfromtoptobottom.Buffasneeded.
ToStore:Keepyourvinegarandcleaningclothhandytoquicklywipefingerprintsandsmudgesonyourapplianceswhenneeded.
TIME-SAVINGTIPStuckonholdduringaphonecall?That’sagreattimetoaccomplishsmallcleaningtaskslikethisone!
StainlessSteelPolishASMUCHASNEEDED
Ifyourstainlesssteelneedsalittleshineafteryou’vecleanedit,youneedalittleoil.Theoilwillprotectthestainlesssteelandpreventsmudges.Polishingstainlesssteelisn’tanecessitybutitdoesmakeadifference.Trythiseasytechniqueafteryou’vecleanedyourappliances.
almondoil
ToMake:Pourasmallamountofthealmondoilonyourcloth.
ToUse:Usingyourclothwiththealmondoil,buffyourstainlesssteelinthedirectionofthegrainandfromtoptobottom.Useaseparateclothtobuffoffanyexcess.
ToStore:Keepyouralmondoilinyourkitchensoit’shandyforpolishing.
RefrigeratorCleaner1CLEANANDDEODORIZEDREFRIGERATOR
Acleanrefrigeratorisnicetolookat,butkeepingitcleancanalsosaveyoumoney,sinceyou’llbeaccessingforgottenfoodthat’sstashedintheback.Thiscleaningprocessismosteasilydonewhenyouhaveanalmostemptyrefrigerator.
2gallonswarmwater2tablespoonscastilesoapordishsoap2tablespoonsbakingsoda
ToMake:Mix1gallonwarmwater,1tablespooncastilesoapordishsoap,and1tablespoonbakingsodainalargecontainerorbucketuntildissolved.Then,fillyoursinkwithwater(about1gallon)andadd1tablespooncastilesoapordishsoapand1tablespoonbakingsodatowashthedrawersandshelves.
ToUse:Emptyrefrigeratoroffoodcontents(placeitemsinacoolerwithiceifyouanticipatethistakingmorethan15minutes).Placeshelvesanddrawersinsinktosoak.Usingamicrofiberclothorcleanwashcloth,wipedownyourrefrigeratorfromtoptobottom,rinsingandwringingoutyourcleaningclothasneeded.Oncerefrigeratorhasbeenthoroughlywipedclean,drywithacleandishtowelandheadtoyoursink.Wash,rinse,anddryshelvesanddrawers.Returntheshelvesanddrawersbacktoyourrefrigeratoralongwiththefood.Placeaboxofbakingsodainyourrefrigeratortoabsorbanylingeringodors.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
TIME-SAVINGTIPDoaquickrefrigeratorcleanoutwhenyoumakeyourweeklygrocerylist.Wipeupanyspills,tossoldfood,andmakeroomforfreshgroceries.Doingthisweeklykeepstherefrigeratorclean(oratleastcleaner)fromweektoweek.
FreezerCleaner1CLEANANDDEODORIZEDFREEZER
Cleaningyourfreezercanbedifficultbecauseaddingwatertoafreezerjustcreatesice.Thissimplerecipeandsolutionwillhelpyoucleanyourfreezerquicklyandgetyoubacktomoreimportantthings.
2cupswarmwater⁄ cupbakingsoda
ToMake:Mixingredientsinabowluntildissolved.
ToUse:Emptyfreezerofitscontents(placeitemsinacoolerwithiceifyouanticipatethistakingmorethan15minutes).Dipacleanclothinthesolutionandwringoutexcessliquid.Startingatthetopofthefreezer,wipeclean.SoakandcleanshelvesanddrawerswiththeRefrigeratorCleanerrecipe(thischapter),ifdesired.Returntheshelvesanddrawersbacktoyourfreezeralongwiththefood.Placeaboxofbakingsodainyourfreezertoabsorbanylingeringodors.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
TIME-SAVINGTIPCombinecleaningyourrefrigeratorandfreezertosavetime.Makesureyouhavecoolersreadyandplentyofclothsandtowelstocleananddryallthecomponents.
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LaminateCountertopDeepCleaner1KITCHENFULOFCLEANCOUNTERTOPS
Foreverydaycleaningofyourlaminatecountertops,usetheLemonandPeppermintAll-PurposeCleanerspray(seerecipeearlierinthischapter).Ifyourlaminateislookingalittlelackluster,givethisrecipeatry.It’sperfectforthetimeswhenyoureallywanttocleanyourcountertopsthoroughly.
32ouncesverywarmwater3tablespoonscastilesoap2dropslemonessentialoil
Variation:UNSCENTED—Useunscentedcastilesoapanddon’taddanyessentialoil.
ToMake:Mixingredientsincontainer—aplasticstoragecontainerorbucketworkswell.
ToUse:Clearallcountertopsofsmallappliancesanddécor.Usingacleaningclothormicrofibercloth,dipinsolutionandwipefromthebackofthecounterstothefront,workingyourwayaroundthekitchen,wipingthoroughly.Rinseclothoftenandrepeatprocesswithclearwatertorinse.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
HELPFULHINT
Neveruseanabrasivecleaneronyourlaminatecountertops,becausetheyscratcheasily.
MarbleCleaner16OUNCES
Youshouldneverusevinegaronmarbleorgranite,sowhatcanyoucleanitwith?Soapandwater,ofcourse!Here’sasuper-simplerecipeyou’lllovetouseonyourmarblecountertops.
16ouncesdistilledorboiledandcooledwater1teaspooncastilesoap
ToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Sprayonmarblecountertops,wipewithadampmicrofiberclothorsponge.Dryifnecessary.
ToStore:Storeinspraybottlefor1to2months.
HELPFULHINTCleanyourmarbleinsmall,3’sectionstopreventanystandingwaterorspraycleanersittingonyourcountertops.
GraniteCleanerABOUT8OUNCES
Graniteneedsextraloveandattentionwhenitcomestocleaning.Youcancleanwithwarmwateranddishsoap,butifyou’dlikeapH-neutralspraythat’ssafetouseonyoursealedgranite,here’syourrecipe.
3tablespoonsrubbingalcohol2cupswater⁄ teaspooncastilesoapordishsoap
ToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Sprayongraniteandwipecleanwithamicrofibercloth.
ToStore:Storeinspraybottleforupto1month.Mayseparate;justshakebeforeusing.
MONEY-SAVINGTIPThissolutioncostspenniesperuse,whichismuchlessexpensivethancommercialgranitecleaners,anditisall-naturalandsafetousearoundyourfamily.You’lllovehowthealcoholspeedsthedryingprocessandkeepsyourcountersstreak-free.Neverletwaterstandonyourgranitecountertops,asitwillstain.Sprayandwipeimmediately.
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Hood/RangeCleaner(Oil-Based)1CLEANANDOIL-REPELLENTHOODANDRANGE
Oilsplattersinthekitchenarecommon,butwhat’sthebestwaytocleanthemoffastovehoodandovenrange?Withoil!
vegetableoil,almondoil,ormineraloil
ToMake:Applyoildirectlytoamicrofibercleaningcloth.
ToUse:Wipeoiledclothinthedirectionofthegrain,fromtoptobottomandlefttoright.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
TIME-SAVINGTIPIfyourstoveknobsneedalittleshiningup,givethemaswipewhileyou’reatit.Wipetheoilonandrubitoffforalittlenaturaloilrepellent.
CitrusStoveCleaner1CLEANSTOVE
Thestoveisthepowerhouseinthekitchen,soittendstoneedfrequentcleaning.Trythisstrongandnontoxicstovecleanerthenexttimeapotboilsover.Thissimplesolutioncanalsobeusedonaflatelectricstovetop.
8ounceshotwater2tablespoonscastilesoap2tablespoonsbakingsoda5dropslemonessentialoil2dropsorangeessentialoil
Variation:UNSCENTED—Useunscentedcastilesoapanddon’taddanyessentialoils.
ToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Sprayliberallyonstovetocover.Letstandfor15to30minutes.Sprayagainandwipeclean.Rinseanyresidueanddrywithaclean,dryclothorpapertowels.Microfiberclothswillgiveyouastreak-freeshineifyouhaveaflatstovetop.
ToStore:Storeinspraybottleforupto1week.
KitchenDisinfectingPasteABOUT ⁄ CUP
Ickystuffinyoursink,oronyourlaminatecountertoporkitchenworkspace?Trythisdisinfectingpastetokillthegermsandgiveyoursinkagoodscrubatthesametime.
⁄ cupbakingsoda⁄ cupdistilledwhitevinegar10dropsteatreeessentialoil
ToMake:Stirbakingsodaandvinegarsoitformsapaste.Addessentialoilandstirtocombine—therewillbealittlefizzing;thisisnormal.
ToUse:Applytoareathatneedsdisinfecting,scrub,andrinsewithwater.Youmayneedtorepeattocompletelyeliminatestubbornresidue.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
TIME-SAVINGTIPIfyouaredisinfectingyoursink,mixinsinkinlieuofmakingapaste.Scrubandrinseasdirected.
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KitchenDisinfectingSpray16OUNCES
Thisspraycanbestoredunderyourkitchensinkanduseddailyfordisinfection.Thetrickistoletthespraysitfor10minutestothoroughlydisinfectcounters,sinks,andcuttingboards.Becarefulnottosprayonanyfabrics,asthehydrogenperoxidehasbleachingproperties.Itissafeforalltypesofcountertops,though.
16-ouncecontainerofhydrogenperoxide—usethe3percentsolutionthatyoufindinadrugstorespraytop
ToMake:Findaspraytopthatwillfit.Mostareuniversal,soyoucanwashandreuseastore-boughtcleaner’sspraytopforthispurpose.Ifthetubeistoolongbutthetopfits,trimthetubewithapairofscissors.Placespraytoponbottleofhydrogenperoxide.
ToUse:Rinseanyfoodparticlesawayifyouaredisinfectingacuttingboardorothersurface.Spraysurfacethoroughlywiththehydrogenperoxide.Letstandfor10minutesandwipeorrinseclean.Forevenstrongersanitation,addcastilesoaptoaspongeandusethattowashandwipeupthesolution.Rinsethoroughlyandwashasusual.
ToStore:Hydrogenperoxidemustbestoredinadarkcontainertokeepitsdisinfectingproperties,sokeepitinitsoriginalcontainer.
SmallApplianceCleaner1KITCHENFULLOFCLEANSMALLAPPLIANCES
Smallappliancesdon’tgetthecleaningattentiontheydeserve!You’retoobusyusingthetoaster,coffeemaker,andblendertocleanthem,afterall.Givethemalittlecleaninglovewiththisoh-so-simpletechnique.
⁄ cupwhitevinegar5dropsessentialoil
ToMake:Pourwhitevinegarinasmallbowlandadd5dropsofyourfavoriteessentialoil.Lemonisgreatforthisrecipe!
ToUse:Pouralittlevinegarandessentialoilmixtureontoadampcleaningcloth.Wipeyoursmallappliancesfromtoptobottom.(Youshouldn’tevenneedtorinseandrepeat.)Thevinegarwilldissolveanywaterspots,grease,andstains.
ToStore:Storeinanairtightcontainerforupto2months.
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LemonDisposalFreshener161-OUNCECUBES
Runningyourgarbagedisposalwithanicecubeortwohelpssharpenthebladesabit.Ifyouusevinegaricecubeswithlemonpeel,youhaveagreatfreshener.
16ounceswhitevinegarthepeelof1lemon,coarselygratedicecubetray(s)
ToMake:Pour16ouncesofwhitevinegarintoaglassmeasuringcup(thiswillkeepspillstoaminimum).Pourvinegarintotheicecubetraysandplacelemonpeelinthewhitevinegarineachcubespot.Freeze.
ToUse:Runcoldwaterinyoursinkandturnonyourdisposal.Carefullydrop1or2cubesindisposalandallowtorun.Turnoffdisposalandrepeatifnecessary.
ToStore:Placetrayinthefreezerovernight.Turnvinegarcubesoutintoalargezip-topbagandstoreinthefreezertousewhenneeded.
HELPFULHINTIfyouhaveanextralemonortwo,gratethepeelandplaceinthefreezerforrecipeslikethisone.
LemonDisposalCleaner1CLEANANDFRESHDISPOSAL
Isyourdisposalsufferingfromstuck-onfoods?Thisweeklycleanerwillnotonlymakeyourkitchensmellgreat,it’llmakeyourdisposalcleanandodor-free.
⁄ cuplemonjuice⁄ cupbakingsoda
ToMake:Mixlemonjuiceandbakingsodatogethertomakeapastyliquid.
ToUse:Pourmixturedowndisposal.Letsitfor5minutes.Runcoldwaterandturnonthedisposalandrunforaminuteorso.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
MONEY-SAVINGTIPLookforlargebottlesoflemonjuiceatyourfavoritewarehouseclub.You’llhavelemonjuiceonhandforall-naturalrecipesandyou’llsavemoneybybuyinginbulk.
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LemonDisposalTablets12TABLETS
Preferahandytabletforyourdisposalcleaningandfreshening?Inadditiontofresheningyourdisposal,thissimplerecipewillgiveyourdisposalbladesalittleworkout.
1cupbakingsoda2–3tablespoonslemonjuice10dropslemonessentialoilicecubetray
ToMake:Combinebakingsodaandlemonjuice.Stirtocombine—alittlefizzingisnormal(andfun).Mixtureshouldbedrybutpackable.Stirinessentialoil.Placebythetablespoonintothecompartmentsofanicecubetray.Allowtodryoutandhardenovernightorinthesun.Oncethetabletshavehardened,carefullyturnthetrayoverontoacleansurface.Thetabletsshouldfalloutwithoutanytwistingorbanging,whichcouldbreakthemintopieces.
ToUse:Runcoldwaterinyoursinkanddropatabletinthedisposal.Turnoffthewaterandletthetabletsitinthedisposalforabout5minutestosoftenabit.Rundisposalasusual.
ToStore:Storeinanairtightglassorplasticcontainerforupto1month.
NaturalDrainUnclogger1UNCLOGGEDDRAIN
Cloggedorslowdraingotyoudown?Startyourteakettle!Ifyou’reuncloggingadisposal,addlemonpeeltofreshenandsharpenthebladesabit.
⁄ – ⁄ cupbakingsoda⁄ – ⁄ cupdistilledwhitevinegar3dropslemonororangeessentialoil3–4thinlyslicedcurlicuesfromalemonpeel(ifyouareuncloggingadisposal)1kettlefulofboilingwater
Variation:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoilandlemonpeel.
ToMake:Put3dropsessentialoildirectlydownthedraintoaddanicescent.Addthelemoncurlicuesandsprinklebakingsodadowndrainandfinishbypouringindistilledwhitevinegar.Allowtositfor5–15minutes.
ToUse:Pourhotwaterdownthedrainoncethesolutionhasdoneitsmagic.Thenruncoldwatertoseeifdrainhasbeencleared.Repeatifnecessary.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
TIME-SAVINGTIPWhileyou’rewaitingforthedraintoclear,cleantherestofyourkitchencounters.Onceyou’vecleanedthem,thedrainshouldbeunclogged.
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KnifeBlockCleaner1CLEANKNIFEBLOCK
Thisrecipeisforthosedayswhenyou’reincleaningmodeandscrubbingeverythinginsight.Workquicklytopreventanywarpingofyourknifeblock.
warmwater1teaspooncastilesoap
ToMake:Fillyoursinkwithwarmwaterand1teaspoonofcastilesoaporLemonandCloveLiquidDishSoap(seerecipesearlierinthischapter).
ToUse:Diptheknifeblockinthesoapysolutionandscrubtheholeswithabottlebrush.Rinsethoroughlyandallowtoair-dry,preferablyoutsideinthesun.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
KeurigCleaner1CLEANKEURIG
Ifthatfirstcupofcoffeeisanecessaryday-starterforyouandtheKeurigmachineisyourcoffeebrewerofchoice,youneedthisrecipe.Youmaynotevenhaverealizedthatitneedstobecleanedtorunproperlyandtolast!Don’tworry,theprocessissimpleandyouprobablyhavealltheingredientsonhand.
whitevinegarcastileordishsoapwater
ToMake:Wetaclothwiththevinegar.Fillthekitchensinkwithwarmwaterandafewdropsofcastileordishsoap.
ToUse:TocleanthedriptrayandK-cupholder:RemovethedriptrayandK-cupholder.Ifyourmodelhasareservoir,removethataswell.Placetheseinyoursinktosoak.
Tocleanexteriorofmachine:Ifyouhavewaterspotsontheexteriorofthemachine,wipewithalittlewhitevinegaronyourcleaningcloth.Useacleaning-designatedtoothbrushtoscrubanysmallpiecesandremoveanymineraldeposits.Rinseanddrythepartsandreassembleyourmachine.
TocleantheinsideofyourKeurig:Eitherfillthereservoirabouthalfwayfullwithvinegaror,ifyoudon’thaveareservoir,placeabout10ouncesofvinegarintothewaterchamber.Runthemachineasyounormallywould,butleaveouttheK-cup.Repeatonceortwicedependingonhowmuchmineralbuildupisin
yourmachine.Run2or3cycleswithcoldwateroruntilthereisn’tanyvinegarsmell.
ToStore:Nostorageisnecessary,butyoumaywanttokeepatoothbrushandvinegarinyourkitchenforlittlecleaningtaskslikethis.
CoffeepotCleaner1CLEANCOFFEEPOT
Ifwashingyourcoffeepotdoesn’tusuallymaketherotationinyourcleaningschedule,here’sasimplemethodtocleanyoursinahurry.Thebenefit?Yourcoffeewilltastebetterandbrewmorequickly.How’sthatformotivation?
waterwhitevinegar
ToMake:Fillcoffeepotwithequalpartscoldwaterandvinegar.
ToUse:Poursolutioninthewaterdispenserandruncoffeemakerasusual.Emptysolutioninsink.Runyourcoffeepotasusualwith2–3cyclesofcoldwateroruntilvinegarsmellisgoneandwaterrunsclear.
ToStore:Nostorageisnecessary,butvinegarandappliancesaregreatfriends—keepsomevinegarhandy!
HELPFULHINTVinegarisagreatwaterspotremover.Whileyou’rewaitingforthecoffeetocycle,pouralittlevinegaronacleaningclothandwipeawaywaterspotsonthecoffeemachineitself.
IceMachineCleanerCLEANICE!
Cleaningyourrefrigerator’sicemakerisprobablynotevenonyourradar.Itshouldbe—it’sahidingspotforbacteria.Nottoworry,acleanicemachineisaneasyprocess!
16ounceswarmwatercastileordishsoap
ToMake:Combinewarmwaterand1or2dropsofsoapinabowl.
ToUse:Locatetheicemachineinyourfreezerandcarefullyremovetheicebinanddumptheiceinyourkitchensink.(Ifyoucannotdeterminehowtoremovetheicecontainer,consultyourowner’smanual.)Thoroughlywashanddry.Wipedownentireinterioroficemakerwithwaterandsoapmixture.Rewipewithacleanwetclothanddry.Puticecontainerbackandgetreadytoenjoycleanice!
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
TIME-SAVINGTIPAddthiseasysteptoyourrefrigeratorandfreezercleaningscheduleandyou’llneverforgettocleantheicemachineagain.
PlasticStorageContainerCleanerCLEANPLASTICSTORAGECONTAINERS
Ifyouuseplastictostoreleftovers,you’veprobablyexperiencedatomatostainorgreasyfoodresiduethatremainslongyou’ve“cleaned”thecontainer.Thissolutionisforthoseoccasionswhenastainremainsafternormalwashing.
bakingsoda1tablespoonhydrogenperoxidewarmwaterliquidcastilesoap
ToMake:Thoroughlyrinsetheplasticcontainer(s)inwarmwater.Addhydrogenperoxidetothebottomofyourcontainer.Placethecoverbackonthecontainerandswirlthehydrogenperoxideupthesidesofthecontainerifthestainextendsupthesides.
ToUse:Letcontainersitwithhydrogenperoxideforaboutanhour.Beforedumpingthehydrogenperoxide,checktoseeifthestainisgone.Ifitisn’tgone,sprinklealittlebakingsodaontopofthehydrogenperoxideandscrub.Washthoroughlywithwarmwaterandcastilesoaporinyourdishwasher.Dryandadmireyourlike-newplasticstoragecontainer.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
TeakettleMineralDepositCleaner1CLEANTEAKETTLE
Ifyou’reateadrinkerandhavehardwater,youmostlikelyhavemineraldepositsinyourteakettle.Thesedepositsaren’tharmful,butit’seasytoremovethem.
1cupwater1cupdistilledwhitevinegar
ToMake:Pourwaterandvinegarinteakettle.Placethetopontheteakettleandputthekettleonthestoveandbringtoafullboil.
ToUse:Allowthewaterandvinegarmixturetositinthecoveredteakettleforatleastanhourorovernight.Pourdownthedrainandwashinteriorwithdishsoap.Repeatifnecessary.Wipedry.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
Chemical-FreeSilverCleaner1SETOFSPARKLINGCLEANSILVER
Thesecrettocleansilver?Aluminumfoil!It’shardtobelievethatthisactuallyworks,butitdoesaprettyamazingjob.Thebestpart?Therearenoharmfulchemicalscomingincontactwithyouoryourfamily.
bakingsoda—enoughtocoverthesilver,generallyabout ⁄ – ⁄ cupaluminumpanaluminumfoil1kettlefulofboilingwater
ToMake:Lineanaluminumpan(thedisposableonesworkgreat)withaluminumfoil.Placeyoursilverinthepan.
ToUse:Placethepaninasafeplacelikeyourkitchensinkorutilitysink.Sprinklebakingsodaoverallyoursilver.Slowlypourboilingwateroverthesilver.Watchthetarnishdisappear.Oncethesilverisclean—about15minutes—washinsoapywaterandbuffwithasoftmicrofiberorcleaningcloth.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
HELPFULHINTMakesurethatyoukeepaneyeonthetarnishremovalprocessandhandlethesilvercarefully,asitwillbeextremelyhot.
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DisinfectingWoodCuttingBoardCleaner1–2DISINFECTEDCUTTINGBOARDS
Cuttingboardsaregreattoolsinthekitchen,buttheyneedalittlecaretodisinfectthembetweenuses.Thissimplereciperemovesanyfoodresidue,andyoucanrestassuredthatyourcuttingboardsarecleanandreadyfortheirnextcookingadventure.
1lemon1–2tablespoonssalt
ToMake:Cutalemoninhalfandsprinklesaltonthecuthalf.
ToUse:Rubthelemonhalfandsaltdirectlyonthecuttingboardtokillgerms.Rinseandwashasusual.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
TIME-SAVINGTIPForacrylicandplasticcuttingboards,justuseaLemonDishwasherDetergentTablet(seerecipeearlierinthischapter)andtosstheminthedishwasher.Easypeasy!
LemonandPeppermintGarbageCanFresheningTablets16TABLETS
Place1or2oftheseodor-absorbingtabletsinthebottomofyourgarbagecantoabsorbandeliminateodors.
2cupsbakingsoda1cupEpsomsaltsorKoshersalt⁄ cupwater10dropslemonessentialoil5dropspeppermintessentialoilIcecubetray(s)
Variation:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoils.
ToMake:Combinethedryingredientsinalargemixingbowl.Slowlyaddthewaterandstirtocombine.Oncethemixtureisthoroughlycombined,measureroundedtablespoonsintotheicecubetraysandpressdowntoformthetablets.Donotfillthetraystothetop,justusearoundedtablespoonineachcompartment.Allowtodryoutandhardenovernightorinthesun.Oncethetabletshavehardened,carefullyturnthetrayoverontoacleansurface.Thetabletsshouldfalloutwithoutanytwistingorbanging,whichcouldbreakthemintopieces.
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ToUse:Place1or2tabletsinthebottomofagarbagecantofreshen.Replacewhenyounolongersmellthelemonandpeppermint.
ToStore:Storeinanairtightglassorplasticcontainerfor3months.
CHAPTER4
RECIPESFORBATHROOMS
Cleaningbathroomscanbedaunting,andit’sachorethatdefinitelydoesn’trankhighonanyone’slistoffunthingstodo.IthoroughlycleanallofthebathroomsinmyhomeonMondays,sheerlytogetitoverwith!Toxiccleaningproductsmakethesituationevenworse.Usingyourownconcoctionsmightchangeyourmindaboutcleaningyourbathroom.Youmightnotrankitatthetopofyourlist,butatleastyouwon’thavetowearamasktogetridofsoapscuminyourshower!Ihaveformulatedsomeamazingall-naturalandorganicbathroomcleaningproductsthatyoucanuseoneverythingfromdingygrout,soap-scummedtile,stickysurfaces,toothpaste-splatteredmirrors,andstainedtoilets.
LavenderandLemonBathroomDisinfectingSpray2 ⁄ CUPS
Disinfectioninthebathroomisagoodidea—sendwhitevinegarandvodka,germ-killersextraordinaire,todothejob!You’llkeeptheharmfulfumesawayandkillickygermsatthesametime.
⁄ cupwhitevinegar⁄ cupvodka10dropslavenderessentialoil10dropslemonessentialoil1 ⁄ cupsboiledandslightlycooledwaterToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.(Useboiledwatertodissolvetheingredientsproperlyandkillgermsinthewater,givingthecleaneralongershelflife.)ToUse:Spraysurfaces,letsitfor10minutes,andwipecleanwithacleaningclothorpapertowel.
ToStore:Storefor1–2monthsinacool,darkplace.
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PeppermintDailyShowerCleanerSpray12OUNCES
You’vecleanedyoursoapscumfromyourbathtubandshowerandyouneverwanttodoitagain.Howaboutadailyshowercleanerspraytokeepthesoapscumatbay?
⁄ cupvodka1cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled10dropspeppermintessentialoil
Variations:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoil.
VINEGAR—Novodka?Justsubstitutedistilledwhitevinegarforsimilarresults.
ToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Sprayshowerand/ortubdailyafterallbathinghasoccurred.Noneedtorinse;justsprayandwalkaway.
ToStore:Storeinyourshowerfor1–2months.
HELPFULHINTKeepashowersqueegeeinyourshowertohelpkeepthesoapscumaway—spraydailyshowercleanerandsqueegeefromtoptobottom.
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SoapScumSponges1SPONGE
Makeyourownsoapscumspongeswithmelaminespongespurchasedinbulk.TheeasiestplacetofindthemisonAmazon.com.Youcanpurchasethemelamineprecutinvarioussizes,butyoucanalsocutthemtoasmallersizeforyourcleaningproject.Justaddalittlewaterandthemelaminematerialistransformedintoacleaningpowerhousereadyforjustaboutanycleaningendeavor.Whiletheusesareendless,thesesimplemelaminespongesareamazingatremovingsoapscumandavarietyofresidueswhenactivatedwithalittlewater.Usingessentialoilswilladdalittlescenttoyourcleaningprojectandwillalsohelptoremoveanyresidue.
melaminesponge1–2dropsofyourfavoriteessentialoil
ToMake:Trimdownmelaminefoamtothedesiredsizewithapairofscissorsorarazorblade.
ToUse:Addalittlewatertoyoursponge,wringoutexcesswater.Addyourfavoriteessentialoilandstartscrubbing.Thespongesaredisposableandwilleventuallydisintegrateafterabout1–2uses.
ToStore:Storeindefinitely.
SoapScumRemover1SCUM-FREESHOWER
Soapscum—isthereanywaytoavoidit?Notreally,butyoucanreduceit:Usingcastilesoapasyourshowergelwillcutdownonsoapresidue.Ifyouwanttogetridofsoapscumquickly,twoingredientscanbanishitinahurry:boraxandwater.Getreadytowashyoursoapscumaway!
⁄ – ⁄ cupborax2cupshotwater
ToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Spraythoroughlyandletsitforupto15minutes.Wipewithasoapscum–removingsponge(melamine).Rinseandwipedry.
ToStore:Ifyouhaveanymixtureleftover,findanothertuborshowertoclean.Thisismeanttobeusedupinonecleaningsession.
HELPFULHINTIfyouhaveanextralemonortwo,usethemforsoapscumremoval.Simplycutinhalfandrubthefruitsideofthelemonoverthescummyareas.Rinseandrepeatifnecessaryuntilsoapscumisgone.
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LemonandCloveLiquidHandSoap8OUNCES
Amoisturizinghandsoapisgreatforthebathroom—thisrecipewillfillthespacewithawarm,freshscentandgetyourhandssqueakyclean.
1cupliquidcastilesoap10dropslemonessentialoil10dropscloveessentialoil1teaspoonvitaminEoil
Variations:UNSCENTED—Useunscentedcastilesoapanddon’taddanyessentialoils.
PEPPERMINTANDLAVENDER—Substitute10dropspeppermintand10dropslavenderessentialoilsforthelemonandclove.
LEMON—Use20dropslemonessentialoilandnoclove.
ToMake:Combineingredientsinasoappump,seal,andshakethoroughlytocombine.
ToUse:Useapumpofsoap,rubhandstogether,andrinsewithwarmwater.
ToStore:Storeinpumpforseveralmonths(ifitlaststhatlong!).
LemonandCloveFoamingHandSoap116-OUNCEDISPENSEROR28-OUNCEDISPENSERS
Foaming-soapdispensersareagreatwaytomakeyourliquidsoaplastlonger.Youonlyneed1–2tablespoonsofliquidsoapforthewholesoapdispenser,whichisverycost-effectivewhenyouhavealotoffamilymemberswashingtheirhandsfrequently.
2cupswater,boiledandcooled(ordistilledwater,ifyouwon’tusethesoapinaweekortwo)1–2tablespoonscastilesoap10dropslemonessentialoil10dropscloveessentialoil
Variations:UNSCENTED—Useunscentedcastilesoapanddon’taddanyessentialoils.
PEPPERMINTANDLAVENDER—Substitute10dropspeppermintand10dropslavenderessentialoilsforthelemonandclove.
EXTRAMOISTURIZING—Add1teaspoonvitaminEoiltothemixture.
ToMake:Pouringredientsintopumpdispenserandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Dispense1or2pumpsonyourhands,rub,andscrubawaygerms.
ToStore:Withdistilledwater:Storeinpumpforseveralmonths.Withundistilledwater:Storeinpumpfor2weeks.
TIME-SAVINGTIP
FirstmaketheLemonandCloveLiquidHandSoap(seepreviousrecipe)andthenfillupyour8-ouncefoaming-soapdispenserwith2tablespoonsoftheliquidsoapand2cupsofwater.
LavenderandLemonDisinfectingCleaningWipes24WIPES
Lovetheconvenienceofawipebutwanttoknowwhat’sinthem?Here’sagreatrecipe—that’sright,youcanevenmakeyourownwipes!Thewhitevinegarandvodkahelpwipeawaythosegerms.
12thickanddurablepapertowels(suchasBountyDuraTowels)⁄ cupwhitevinegar⁄ cupvodka5dropslavenderessentialoil5dropslemonessentialoil1cupboiledandslightlycooledwater
Variation:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoils.
ToMake:Tearoffaboutadozenpapertowels,cuttheminhalf,andstackintoaneatpile.Rollupthestackandstuffthemina2-cup,wide-mouthmasonjar.Mixtheingredientsinalargemeasuringcupandpouroverthepapertowelsinthemasonjar.Putthelidonandshakeandswirltheliquidaroundtomakesurethatitisabsorbedintothepapertowels.(Alargezip-topbagorbabywipecontaineralsoworksforstoringthesewipesifyoudon’thaveamasonjar—thebagwillsavespaceaswell.)ToUse:Carefullyremoveawipeortwo,anduseasyouwouldanycleaningwipe.
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ToStore:Storeinasealed,airtightcontainerforupto1week.
TIME-SAVINGTIPKeepcleaningwipesonhandforaquickdailywipe-downofcountersandsurfaces.Alittlebiteverydaywillmakeyourweeklycleaningmucheasier!
PeppermintWindowandMirrorCleaner16OUNCES
Everyonenoticesadirtywindow.Usethissimpleconcoctiontoleaveapeppermintscentbehindasyoucleanyourwindowsandmirrors.
2cupswater,distilledorboiledandcooled2tablespoonsdistilledwhitevinegar2tablespoonsrubbingalcohol5dropspeppermintessentialoil
ToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Spraywindowsandmirrors,wipe,andadmire.
ToStore:Storeinacoolplacefor1–2months.
HELPFULHINTUseamicrofiberclothspecificallydesignedforwindowsandmirrors.Thefiberswillgliderightalongtheshinysurfaceandgiveyoucleanandstreak-freemirrorsandwindowsinasnap!
LemonGroutCleaner1TUBORSHOWERAREA’SWORTHOFCLEANGROUT
Grimygroutgotyoudown?Trythistwo-ingredientsolutiontogetridofit.Thecreamoftartarandlemoncombinationwillhelpremoveanygroutstainsandworksespeciallywelloncoloredgrout.
2teaspoonscreamoftartarlemonjuice
ToMake:Combinecreamoftartarandlemonjuicetomakeathinpaste.
ToUse:Applytogroutandscrubwithasmallcleaningbrush.Rinseandwipedry.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
LemonWhiteningGroutCleaner1SHOWERSTALL’SWORTHOFCLEANGROUT
Thisrecipewillbreathenewlifeintoyourdiscoloredwhiteorlight-coloredgrout!
⁄ – ⁄ cupbakingsodahydrogenperoxidejuicefromhalfalemon
ToMake:Inasmallcontainerorbowl,mixbakingsodaandhydrogenperoxidetoformathickpaste(fizzingisnormal).Stirinthelemonjuicetothinthepasteortoyourdesiredconsistency.
ToUse:Testinaninconspicuousplacefirsttomakesurethatthesolutionwhitensthewayyouarehopingitwill.Wetyoursmallcleaningbrushwithwaterandapplythegroutcleanertoyourgrout.Scrub,rinse,andmoveon!
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
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LemonandPeppermintTileCleanerABOUT16OUNCES
Ifyourbathroomhasalotoftile,thiswillbecomeyourgo-tobathroomcleaner.Itshinestile,removeswaterspots,andreallycleans!
⁄ cupwater1tablespoonbakingsoda⁄ cupwhitevinegar1cupwarmwater5dropslemonessentialoil3dropspeppermintessentialoil
Variation:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoils.
ToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Spraythoroughlyontiles.Allowtositfor5–15minutes,scrubifnecessary,rinse,anddrywithacleanclothorair-dry.
ToStore:Storeinspraybottleforupto2weeks.
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ShowerheadCleaner1CLEANSHOWERHEAD
Mineralsandsoapscumdepositthemselvesontheshowerhead,andovertimethisbuildupminimizesthewaterpressureandeffectivenessofyourshowerhead.Whitevinegarcansingle-handedlytakecareofthiscleaningtask—justaddalittletimeandaplasticbagandyourshowerheadwillbelikenew.
aboutacupofdistilledwhitevinegar1rubberband
ToMake:Pouracupofvinegarintotheplasticbagandliftittotheshowerhead.Submergethesprayholesinthevinegar.Addmorevinegarifnecessarytosubmerge,andsecurethebagtotheshowerheadwiththerubberband.
ToUse:Keepthebagontheshowerheadforatleast3hoursorovernight.Thenremovethebag,rinse,andenjoytheincreasedwaterpressureresultingfromthisminoreffort.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
DisinfectingToiletBowlCleaner1CLEANANDDISINFECTEDTOILET
Cleaningatoiletiseveryone’sleastfavoritecleaningtask,butthissimplerecipemakesiteasy.
⁄ cupbakingsoda⁄ cupwhitevinegar10dropsteatreeessentialoil
ToMake:Combineingredientsintoilet—therewillbealittlefizzing.
ToUse:Letbakingsoda,vinegar,andessentialoilsitfor5–15minutes.Scrubwithatoiletbrushandflush.
ToStore:Thisisaone-timeuseproduct;nostoragenecessary.
TIME-SAVINGTIPStartwithonebathroomandgoontothenext.Onceyouhavefinishedcombiningtheingredientsinyourtoilets,gobacktoyourfirstoneandscrub.Thenmoveontoeachtoiletuntilcompleted.YoucanalsowipedowntheexteriorofthetoiletbowlwithyourLavenderandLemonBathroomDisinfectingSpray(seerecipeearlierinthischapter)orotherdisinfectingspraywhileyouwait.
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LemonandPeppermintToiletCleaningTreatment16TABLETS
Thisisahands-offcleaningtreatment—thebestkind!Placeatabletinthetoiletbowl,letitfizzandflushitawayorletitfizzandgiveitalittlescrub—youdecide.Bestthing?Itsmellswonderful.Iusethemforaquickbathroomcleanupbetweenregularbathroomcleanings.Youcanpickupthecitricacidatthecanningsectionofyourgrocerystore,orlookonline.
2cupsbakingsoda⁄ cupcitricacid2tablespoonshydrogenperoxide10dropslemonessentialoil10dropspeppermintessentialoilicecubetray(s)
Variations:LEMONANDCLOVE—Substitutecloveessentialoilforthepeppermint.
CITRUS—Substituteorange,grapefruit,orlimeessentialoilforthepeppermint.
ToMake:Combineingredientsinabowlandstir—fizzingisnormal.Scoopalittlelessthanatablespoonofthemixtureintoeachicecubetraycompartment.Allowtodryoutandhardenovernightorinthesun.Oncethetabletshavehardened,carefullyturnthetrayoverontoacleansurface.Thetabletsshouldfalloutwithoutanytwistingorbanging,whichcouldbreakthemintopieces.
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ToUse:Place1tabletinthetoilet.Letfizzandsitfor15minutesandflushorgivealittlescrubwithatoiletbrushandflush.
ToStore:Storeinanairtightglassorplasticcontainerforupto2months.
VinylShowerCurtainCleaner1CLEANSHOWERCURTAIN
Vinylshowercurtainscanbesoapscumandmildewmagnets.Didyouknowthatyoucanwashtheminyourwashingmachine?
1cupwhitevinegar
ToMake:Placewhitevinegarinyourdetergentdispenserordirectlyinthewasherforatop-loadmachine.
ToUse:Load1or2showercurtainlinersinandrunthroughanormalcycleusingwarmwater.Linedryorhangrightbackupintheshower—donotputinthedryer.
ToStore:Keepvinegarinyourlaundryroom—therearesomanygreatwaystousethisnaturalproduct!
TIME-SAVINGTIPWashaloadofragswiththeshowercurtainliners—you’llhavecleanragsandacleanshowercurtain.
WhirlpoolTubCleaner1CLEANTUB
Gettingawhirlpooltubcleancanbeachallenge.Withallthenooksandcrannies,it’salittlemoredifficulttocleanthanstandardtubs.Here’saneasymethodthatusesvinegar,dishwasherdetergent,andthepowerofthewhirlpooljetstogetitcleaninahurry.Thedishwasherdetergentloosensdirt,soapscum,andmineraldeposits,whilethewhitevinegardisinfects.
⁄ cupdishwasherpowder⁄ cupdistilledwhitevinegar
ToMake:Fillwhirlpooltubwithhotwater,toabout3"abovethejets.Addthedishwasherpowder,andvinegartothewater.
ToUse:Onceyou’veaddedthedetergentandvinegartothewater,turnonthejetstofullcapacityandrunfor15minutes.Emptyandagainfillwithcoldwaterto3"abovethejets.Runthejetsforanother15minutestoremoveanyresidue.Wipeawayanyresiduewithamicrofibercloth.Ifanygunkremainsinthejetsoronthehandles,useasoftclothortoothbrushwithalittlewhitevinegartogentlywipeaway.Rinseandwipedry.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
HELPFULHINTThismethodofcleaningawhirlpooltubisintendedtobecompletedseasonally.YoucanwipeyourwhirlpooltuboutweeklyorbiweeklywiththeLavenderandLemonBathroomDisinfectingSpray(seerecipe
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earlierinthischapter).Thenafewtimesayearusethismethodtogiveyourwhirlpooltubadeepcleaning.
RustRemoverASMUCHASNEEDED
Rustcanhangoutinthebathroomaroundyourfaucetsandfixtures—usethisoh-so-simpletechniquetogetridofitwithminimalscrubbing.
distilledwhitevinegar
ToMake:Saturatepapertowelsorcleaningclothswithvinegar.
ToUse:Drapewetclothsoverruststainsandleavefor15minutes.Thenrubareawiththeclothandwatchyourrustdisappear.Fortougherstains,usealittleLemonandCloveScrubbingSauce(seerecipelaterinthischapter)afterthe15-minutesoak.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
TIME-SAVINGTIPApplythevinegarclothstoyourfixturesandfaucetswhileyouaretakingashowerorcleaningtherestofyourbathroom.Givethem15minutesandyou’veremovedanyrustyremnantswithoutscrubbingorusingchemicals.
PeppermintandTeaTreeMoldandMildewPreventer16OUNCES
Moldandmildewarecommonvisitorstobathrooms.Forgetallthosestore-boughtoptions—thisspraywillsmellmuchbetteranddothesamegreatjob!
2cupswater,distilledorboiledandcooled30dropsteatreeessentialoil10dropspeppermintessentialoil
ToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Spraydirectlyonareasthattendtogrowmoldormildew.Norinsingisrequired.Repeatdailyorweeklyasneeded.
ToStore:Storeinspraybottleforupto1month.
HELPFULHINTIfmoldandmildewareconstantproblemsforyou,checktoseewhetheryouhaveproperventilation.Leavelarge-scalemoldandmildewremovaltotheexperts.
PeppermintandTeaTreeMoldandMildewRemover16OUNCES
Havealittlemoldandmildewinyourbathroom?Usethisnaturalsolutioninsteadofbleachtogetridofit.
1cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled⁄ cuphydrogenperoxide10dropsteatreeessentialoil10dropspeppermintessentialoil
Variation:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoils.
ToMake:Addingredientstoa16-ouncedark-coloredspraybottleandswirl(donotshake)tocombine.
ToUse:Spraydirectlyonsurfacesthathavemoldormildew.Letsitfor1–2hoursandrinse.
ToStore:Storeforupto1monthinadarkcontainer.(Thehydrogenperoxideislightsensitiveandwillnotworkaswellifexposedtolight.Youcanaddaspraytoptothehydrogenperoxidecontainerifnecessary.)
HELPFULHINTVinegarcanalsoremovemoldandmildew.Pourintoaspraybottle,andsprayonsurfaceandletitsit.Norinsingisnecessary.
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VentCleanerCLEANVENTSALLAROUNDTHEHOUSE
Thereissomethingabouttheventsinbathroomsthatattractsalittlemoredirtanddustthatsticks.Here’sasimplewaytogetridofwhatavacuumcleanerattachmentleavesbehind.
distilledwhitevinegar
Variation:SCENTED—Addadropofyourfavoriteessentialoiltothevinegartocutthesmell.
ToMake:Pouralittlevinegarinasmallbowlorcontainer.
ToUse:Dipyourclothinthewhitevinegar,wringoutanyexcess,andwipevents.Ifyouhaveaventthat’suphigh,putasockwithadabofvinegaronabroomhandleandcarefullywipe.
ToStore:Keepwhitevinegarinyourbathroomforcleaning—you’llbegladit’shandy!
TIME-SAVINGTIPUseanold(butclean)socktocleanyourvents.Fititrightoveryourhandanddipinthevinegarandcleanaway!Youcanalsousethistechniqueonotherdifficult-to-cleanareaslikewindowblinds,ceilingfans,andwindowsills.
LemonandCloveScrubbingSauceSCRUBBINGPOWERFOR1BATHROOM
Thissolutionisgreatforbothfixturesandtile.
⁄ cupbakingsoda⁄ cupdistilledwhitevinegar5dropslemonessentialoil5dropscloveessentialoil
Variation:DISINFECTING—Substitute10dropsteatreeessentialoilforthelemonandclove.
ToMake:Mixingredientsinasmallbowltomakeapastelikeconsistency.Addmoreorlessvinegardependingonyourdesiredconsistency.
ToUse:Applypastetofixturesandanyotherareathatneedsalittleextrascrubbing.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
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NaturalDrainCleaner1UNCLOGGEDDRAIN
Cloggedorslowdraincausingamess?Startyourteakettle!
⁄ – ⁄ cupbakingsoda ⁄ – ⁄ cupdistilledwhitevinegar3dropslemonessentialoil1kettlefulofboilingwater
Variation:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoil.
ToMake:Put3dropsessentialoildirectlydownthedraintoaddanicescent.Sprinklebakingsodadowndrainandfinishbypouringindistilledwhitevinegar.Allowtositfor5–15minutes.
ToUse:Pourhotwaterdownthedrainoncethesolutionhasdoneitsmagic.Thenruncoldwatertoseeifdrainhasbeencleared.Repeatifnecessary.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
TIME-SAVINGTIPKeepyoureyeonthedrainandcleanthebathroomatthesametime.Onceyou’vecleanedyourbathroom,thedrainshouldbeunclogged.
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Chapter5
RECIPESFORLAUNDRY
Staringdownapileoflaundryisdaunting—especiallyifyou’vegotstainstodealwith.Grease,food,grass…howcanyougeteverythingclean?Withorganicproducts,ofcourse!Fromtherecipesinthischapter,chooseasoapandsoftenerthatfityourlaundrylifestyle,andaddastainremovertodealwithtoughmesses.Ifyouuseawrinklereleaser,tryahomemadeversionandyou’llbeironinglessandenjoyingcrisp,cleanclothesinstead.You’llneverhavetoluggiant,heavybottlesoflaundrydetergenthomefromthestoreagain!
LemonandClovePowderedLaundrySoap—SmallBatchABOUT96LOADS—1tablespoonperloadforHEmachinesand2tablespoonsforregularmachines
Thissoaponlytakesafewminutestomake,butityieldsawholecanisterfullofgreat-smellingnaturaldetergentthatcanlastformonths.It’snatural,itfullydissolves,andit’ssafeinmyhighefficiency(HE)washer.Irarelypretreatstainsbecausethisformulagetseverythingout.Grabyourpilesoflaundryandafewsimpleingredientsandyou’llbeonalaundryfrenzyinnotime.
15-ouncebarcastilesoap(suchasDr.Bronner’sCitrusOrange)2cupsborax2cupsArm&HammerSuperWashingSoda1cupbakingsoda20dropslemonessentialoil10dropscloveessentialoil
Variations:UNSCENTED—Useunscentedcastilesoapanddon’taddanyessentialoils.
PEPPERMINTANDEUCALYPTUS—Useeucalyptuscastilesoap,and20dropspeppermintand10dropseucalyptusessentialoils.
LAVENDERANDORANGE–Uselavendercastilesoap,and20dropslavenderand10dropsorangeessentialoils.
ToMake:Gratesoapfinely(itwillyieldabout1 ⁄ cupsofgratedsoap).Mixallingredientsinacleangarbagebagtominimizemessandtomakesurethatthedetergentiscompletelycombined.
ToUse:Put1tablespoonofsoapforHEmachinesand2tablespoonsforregularmachinesintoyourwasherinthedispenserormachine.Addabout1tablespoonofHomemadeOxygenBleachPaste(seerecipelaterinthischapter)oroxygenbleachpowdertoanyloadthatneedsalittleextrastainfightingorwhitening.
ToStore:Storeinanairtightcontainer,about1-gallonsize,forupto3months.
TIME-SAVINGTIPDon’thavetimetogratebyhand?Cutthecastilesoapin2or3chunksandgrateinyourfoodprocessorinstead.
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LemonandClovePowderedLaundrySoap—BigBatchABOUT288LOADS—1tablespoonperloadforHEmachinesand2tablespoonsforregularmachines
35-ouncebarscastilesoap(suchasDr.Bronner’sCitrusOrange)6cupsborax6cupsArm&HammerSuperWashingSoda3cupsbakingsoda60dropslemonessentialoil30dropscloveessentialoil
Variations:UNSCENTED—Useunscentedcastilesoapanddon’taddanyessentialoils.
PEPPERMINTANDEUCALYPTUS—Useeucalyptuscastilesoap,and60dropspeppermintand30dropseucalyptusessentialoils.
LAVENDERANDORANGE—Uselavendercastilesoap,and60dropslavenderand30dropsorangeessentialoils.
ToMake:Gratesoapfinely(itwillyieldabout4 ⁄ cupsofgratedsoap).Mixallingredientsinacleangarbagebagtominimizemessandtomakesurethatthedetergentiscompletelycombined.
ToUse:Put1tablespoonofsoapforHEmachinesand2tablespoonsforregularmachinesintoyourwasherinthedispenserormachine.Addabout1tablespoonofHomemadeOxygenBleachPaste(seerecipelaterinthischapter)oroxygenbleachpowdertoanyloadthatneedsalittleextrastainfightingorwhitening.
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ToStore:Storeinalarge,airtightcontainer—atleast3gallons,preferably5gallons—forupto3months.
LemonandLavenderLiquidLaundrySoap—SmallBatchABOUT20–40LOADS,DEPENDINGONHOWMUCHSOAPYOUUSE
Lovetheconvenienceofaliquidlaundrydetergentbuthatethepricetag?Thisrecipewillcostyouabout$1foran86-ouncebottle—that’sabout3centsaload!
⁄ 5-ouncebarcastilesoap(citrusorlavenderscented)2cupswater,plus64ounceshotwater⁄ cupborax⁄ cupArm&HammerSuperWashingSoda10dropslemonessentialoil10dropslavenderessentialoil
Variations:PEPPERMINTANDEUCALYPTUS—Useeucalyptuscastilesoap,and10dropspeppermintand10dropseucalyptusessentialoils.
LAVENDERANDORANGE—Uselavendercastilesoap,and10dropslavenderand10dropsorangeessentialoils.
ToMake:Gratesoapfinely.Placesoap,2cupswater,borax,andsodainasaucepanandheatonlowtomeltthesoapanddissolvethepowders.Addessentialoilsandstirtocombine.Pour64ouncesofhotwaterinto11-gallonor2half-galloncontainers(thisshouldfillthecontainer(s)abouthalfway).Fillthe
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restofthecontainer(s)withmeltedsoapmixture.Closetightlyandshaketocombine.Letdetergentstandovernightbeforeusing.
ToUse:Add ⁄ – ⁄ cupoftheliquiddetergenttoanormalload.Everywasherisdifferent—reducetheamountifthere’stoomuchsudsing,andincreasetheamountifyourclothesneedalittlemoresoap.
ToStore:Storeinoriginalcontainersorotherairtightcontainersforupto4months.
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LemonandLavenderLiquidLaundrySoap—BigBatchABOUT128LOADS
Ifyoudoalotoflaundry,skipthesmallbatchrecipeandusethisbigbatch.It’sevenmorecost-effective,andifyouhaveaplacetostorethejugs,you’llbegladyoumadeextra.
15-ouncebarcastilesoap(citrusorlavenderscented)8cupswater,plus2gallonshotwater1cupborax1cupArm&HammerSuperWashingSoda40dropslemonessentialoil40dropslavenderessentialoil
Variations:PEPPERMINTANDEUCALYPTUS—Useeucalyptuscastilesoap,and40dropspeppermintand40dropseucalyptusessentialoils.
LAVENDERANDORANGE—Uselavendercastilesoap,and40dropslavenderand40dropsorangeessentialoils.
ToMake:Gratesoapfinely.Placesoap,8cupswater,borax,andsodainalargestockpotandheatonlowtomeltthesoapanddissolvethepowders.Addessentialoilsandstirtocombine.Pouranadditional2gallonsofhotwaterinto41-gallonor8half-galloncontainers(thisshouldfillthecontainersabouthalfway).Filltherestofthecontainerswithmeltedsoapmixture.Closetightlyandshaketocombine.Letdetergentstandovernightbeforeusing.
ToUse:Addabout ⁄ cupoftheliquiddetergenttoanormalload.Everywasherisdifferent—reducetheamountifthere’stoomuchsudsing,andincreasetheamountifyourclothesneedalittlemoresoap.
ToStore:Storeinoriginalcontainersorotherairtightcontainersforupto4months.
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LemonandCloveFabricSoftener—LiquidABOUT32LOADS
Iffabricsoftenerisanecessityonyourlaundryday,you’lllovethisformula.Notonlywillyourlaundrybesoftened,butitwillsmellgood,too.
1gallondistilledwhitevinegar2cupsbakingsoda20dropslemonessentialoil20dropscloveessentialoil
Variations:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoils.
CONDITIONER—Ifyouwanttomakeyourhomemadefabricsoftenerlookalittlemorelikestore-bought,add2–3cupsofhairconditionertothisformula.Thiswillchangetheamountofsoftenerproduced,butperloadmeasurementsarethesame.
LEMONANDLAVENDER—Substitute20dropslavenderessentialoilfortheclove.
ToMake:Pourvinegarinalargebowlorcontainerformixing.Addbakingsodaandessentialoilsandstirtocombine.Pourbackinvinegarcontainerforstorage,oruseadifferentcontainerifdesired.
ToUse:Add ⁄ – ⁄ cupperload.
ToStore:Storeinairtightcontainerforupto3months.
HELPFULHINT
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Preferadryersheetinsteadofaliquid?Spraythissofteneronasmallcottonclothandtossitinwithyourlaundry,orsaturateasheetwiththesoftenerandletitdrythoroughly.Addthesheettoyourlaundryuntilthesmellandeffectsdissipate,thenuseanewone.
FabricSoftener—VinegarABOUT64LOADS
Didyouknowthatyoucanusevinegarintherinsecycletosoftenfabrics?Addsomeessentialoilandyou’vegotagreat(andcheap)fabricsoftener.
16-ouncebottleofwhitevinegar50dropsessentialoilsofyourchoice
Variations:UNSCENTED—Omitessentialoils.
LEMONANDCLOVE—Use30dropslemonand20dropscloveessentialoils.
ToMake:Addessentialoilstowhitevinegarbottle.Coverandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Add ⁄ cupofthesoftenerperload.Dependingonyourmachine,addinthesoftenerdispenser,intherinsecycle,orinasoftenerball.
ToStore:Storeindefinitely.
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WrinkleReleaserABOUT8OUNCES
Ifyou’reanavidwrinkle-releaseruser,you’lllovethisnaturalrecipe.Nochemicals,justalittlewrinkle-releasingaction.Thevodkahelpstospeedthedryingprocessofthewrinklereleaser.Sprayonyourclothes,givethemalittletug,andbeamazed!
1cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled1teaspoonfabricsoftener,suchasLemonandCloveFabricSoftener(seerecipeearlierinthischapter)1teaspoonvodka
ToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Hangclothingtobewrinkle-releasedonahanger.(Alwaystestdelicatefabricfirst.)Usingaverylightmist,evenlyspraywithwrinklereleaserfromtoptobottom.Tugandsmoothandallowtoair-dry.
ToStore:Storeinspraybottleforupto3months.
Design-a-ScentDryerSheet1REUSABLESHEET
Lovethelingeringscentsofdryersheets?Trythiseasyandnaturalsolution.Createyourownsignaturescent,ortryoneofthesuggestedcombinations.
6"×6"cottonorwoolsquare(recycledT-shirts,sweaters,orsockswillwork)2–4dropsessentialoils
Variations:LEMONANDCLOVE—Use2dropslemonand2dropscloveessentialoils.
LEMONANDLAVENDER—Use2dropslemonand2dropslavenderessentialoils.
ToMake:Placecottonsquareinaglassorplasticcontainer.Dispenseessentialoilsonfabricsquare.Allowessentialoilstodrythoroughly.
ToUse:Placedryersheetontopofwetclothesindryeranddryasusual.
ToStore:Storeinjarorcontainerinlaundryroominbetweendryeruses.Whensheethaslostitsscent,addmoreoilasabove.
HELPFULHINTDon’tusemorethan4dropsofessentialoilonthedryersheetanddon’tstoreyouressentialoilbottlesnearyourdryer—oilisflammable.
HEWashingMachineCleaner1CLEANHEWASHINGMACHINE
Despiteallthebenefitsofhighefficiency(HE)machines,HEwashingmachineownershaveonecommoncomplaint:bad-smellinglaundry.Onesimplecleaningtaskwilleliminatetheproblemandkeepyourwasheringreatconditionaswell.HEwashersuselesswaterandlessenergy,buttheycancreatemildew,mold,anddetergentresiduebuildup.Somewashershaveaseparatecleaningcycleasanoption,sousethatifyoursfallsintothatcategory.Ifnot,allyouneedissomechlorine-freebleach,vinegar,andalittletime.
⁄ cupchlorine-freebleachvinegar
ToMake:Choosethehottestwatersettingonyourmachineandtheextrarinseoptionifyourmachinehasthat.Addchlorine-freebleachtothebleachdispenser.
ToUse:Runwashcycleandthenrepeatwithoutthechlorine-freebleach.Cleanthedispenserswithaclothdampenedwithwhitevinegar.Drythoroughlybeforereinserting.Don’tforgettherubberseal—wipeitdownwithaclothdampenedinwhitevinegaranddrythoroughly.Finishbywipingdowntheentireexteriorofyourwashingmachine.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
HELPFULHINT
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Repeatthisprocessmonthlyandyou’lleliminatethestinkylaundryandkeepyourHEwashingmachineintip-topshape.Alwayskeepthewashingmachinedooropenwhenit’snotinusetokeepthemildewaway.
RegularWashingMachineCleaner1CLEANANDMILDEW-FREEWASHINGMACHINE
Cleaningawashingmachinemayseemlikeanoxymoron,butmakeitpartofyourcleaningroutine.Makingsurethatthemachineiscleanwillensurethatyourclothesandtowelsdon’thaveanylingeringodorsandthatyouhaveremovedanyextradetergentthat’sstuckinnooksandcrannies.
4cupsdistilledwhitevinegar
ToMake:Fillwashingmachinewiththehottestwater,choosethelongestcycleandlargestloadsetting,andaddthevinegar.Openthelidorpausethecycletoallowthevinegartositandworkitsmagicforatleastanhour.
ToUse:Whilethevinegarisworking,dipacleaningclothinthevinegarsolutionandwipedowntheexteriorofthewashingmachine.Removeanycompartmentsthatyouareabletoandcleanthoseaswell.Onceanhourhaspassed,letthewashingmachinecompletethecycle.Wipeanyremainingmissedareasoncethemachinehasrunitscycle.Leavethedoor/lidopentolettheinteriordrythoroughly.Ifanyodorsremain,runanothercyclewithoutthevinegar.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
PretreatGoo4OUNCES
Ifyoulikeyourpretreatertobeinaliquid-ygelform,you’lllovethisrecipe.Mixituprightalongwithyourliquidlaundrydetergenttosavetime.Iliketouseitonfoodstainsonmykids’clothing.Itstayswhereit’sappliedandgetsallthosemysterystainsrightout.
1tablespoonborax⁄ cupliquidlaundrydetergent(suchasLemonandLavenderLiquidLaundrySoap—seerecipeearlierinthischapter)
ToMake:Mixdetergentandboraxandpourintosmallsquirtbottle—arecycledgluebottleworksgreat!Shaketomakesurethattheboraxisdissolved.
ToUse:Squirtdirectlyonstain,rubintostain,andletsitforatleast15minutes.Launderasusual.
ToStore:Storeinsquirtbottleforupto1month.
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PillowCleaner3–4CLEANPILLOWS
Didyouknowthatyoucanwashyourpillows?Mostsyntheticanddownpillowsaresafetolaunder,butjusttobesafe,double-checkthetagsonyoursbeforegivingitatry.Washingyourpillowsafewtimesayearwillensureyoualwayshaveclean,freshpillowsonyourbeds.
detergent,suchasLemonandClovePowderedLaundrySoap(seerecipeearlierinthischapter)1–2tablespoonsHomemadeOxygenBleachPaste(seerecipelaterinthischapter)
ToMake:Placepillowsinyourwashingmachine.Takecarenottooverfillyourmachine—mostmachinescanhandle2pillows,butifyouhavealarge-capacitywasheryoucanprobablyfit3or4.
ToUse:Adddetergentandwhitenertoyourwashingmachine.Choosethehottestsettingandwashasanormalload.Beforeremovingpillows,checktoseeiftheyareholdingextrawater.Iftheyare,youmayneedtorunasecondspincycle.Dryinyourdryeronhigh,rotatingonceortwicetoensurethattheydrythoroughlyandevenly.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
HELPFULHINTPutapillowprotectoronyourpillows—thiswillkeeptheskinoilsandsweatoffyourpillowsandthedustmitesaway,inturnkeepingthe
pillowscleanerforlonger.
LemonNaturalWhitener1LOADOFWHITES
Thisisagreatbleachalternativeforclothdiapers,antiquelinens,andotherwashabledelicates.Trythisonawarmandsunnydaywhenyoucandrytheclothesoutsideonaclothesline,andyou’llreapthebenefitsoflemonsandsuncombined.
thejuiceof1lemon,about ⁄ – ⁄ cup1gallonhotwater
ToMake:Squeezethejuiceofalemoninagallonofhotwater.
ToUse:Combine1gallonhotwaterandthejuiceofonelemoninabucket,laundrytub,orwashingmachine.Letyourclothessoakfor1–2hours.Runthroughtherinsecycleandsetoutinthesuntodry.Thesunwillworkwiththelemontonaturallywhitenthewhites.Washafterwardsasusual.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
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WhiteningGel3TABLESPOONS
Thisrecipeismosteffectiveonwhiteclothingwithorganicstainslikejuice,berries,andwine,butyoucantryitonanywhiteclothingwithanykindofstainandwatchthestaindisappearbeforeyoureyes.
2tablespoonshydrogenperoxide1tablespoonArm&HammerSuperWashingSoda
ToMake:MixhydrogenperoxideandSuperWashingSodainasmallbowl.Microwaveonhighfor10–20secondstodissolvethewashingsoda.Thesolutionwillfizzup,sokeepaneyeonit.Stirtocombineandhelpdissolve.
ToUse:Applydirectlytostain.Letsitforatleast15minutesandlaunderasusual.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary(hydrogenperoxidewillloseitseffectivenesswithinafewhours).
TIME-SAVINGTIPKeeptrackofwhichclotheshavestainsbyputtingastainbasketinyourlaundryroom.Pretreatandsoak,orsavethemupandtreatthemallatonce.
No-BleachLaundryWhitenerandBrightener1LOAD
Ifyou’rereachingforthebleach,insteadturntothisonenaturalingredient—hydrogenperoxide!It’sknownforitsbleachingpropertiesandit’ssafetouseinthelaundryroom.
2ouncesor ⁄ cuphydrogenperoxide
ToMake:AddthistothebleachcompartmentonyourHEwashingmachine,ordirectlytothewaterifyouhavearegularmachine.
ToUse:Launderasusual.Treathydrogenperoxidelikebleach—donotuseitanywherenearyourbrightsorcolors.
ToStore:Keepabottleofhydrogenperoxideinyourlaundryroomifyouhavelotsofwhitestowhiten.
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StainSpray—General8OUNCES
Here’sagreattwo-ingredientsprayforfreshorset-instains—keepasmallbottleinyourlaundryroomforpretreating.
8ounceswater,distilledorboiledandslightlycooled2tablespoonsborax
ToMake:Addboraxtoaspraybottleandpourwarmwateroverborax.Shakethoroughlytocombine.
ToUse:Spraydirectlyonstain.Launderasusual.
ToStore:Storeforupto1month.
MONEY-SAVINGTIPKeepapieceofwhitechalkboardchalkinyourlaundryroomtopretreatanylittlegreasestains—thechalkabsorbsthegrease.
TeaTreeStainStick1STICK,ABOUT3OUNCES
Ifyoupreferyourstainremovalinstickform,usethisrecipe.Teatreeisamildsolventandwillhelptodissolveset-instains.
⁄ 5-ouncebarcastilesoap3teaspoonswater4dropsteatreeessentialoil
ToMake:Gratesoap;placeinmicrowave-safebowlandadd3teaspoonsofwater.Meltonlowheatinmicrowavein30-secondintervalsforaboutaminuteandahalf.Stirandcheckevery30seconds.(Dependingonyourmicrowave,thismaytakelonger,butitwillmelt.)Onceithasmelted,letcoolfor5minutesandstirinessentialoil.Pourinacleancontainerwithapush-upbottom—likeanoldcleaned-outstainstickcontainerordeodorantcontainer.Allowtocooltoasolidstatebeforeusing.
ToUse:Spreadalittlestainstickonanystainsandlaunderasusual.
ToStore:Storeinacoolplacetoavoidsofteningforupto6months.
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HomemadeOxygenBleachPaste1LOADOFLAUNDRY
Thisinexpensivealternativetothestore-boughtversionworksjustaswell!
1tablespoonhydrogenperoxide1tablespoonwashingsoda
ToMake:Mixperoxideandwashingsodatogetherinasmallbowl.Theconsistencyshouldbeadrypaste,andnotpowdery.
ToUse:Addalittlewatertothebowlbeforeputtingthebleachinthedetergentdispenserordirectlyintothewashingmachinewater.
ToStore:Aftertheingredientsaremixedtheylosetheireffectivenessinafewhours,souseitrightaway.Storeperoxideandsodaseparatelyinyourlaundryroom.
TIME-SAVINGTIPDoingmultipleloadsonlaundryday?Mix ⁄ cupofperoxideand ⁄ cupofwashingsodainasmallcontainerandadd2tablespoonsperload.
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PetStainRemover4OUNCES
Weallloveourpets,butsometimesthosepetstainscanbetoughtoremove.Thisrecipeworksondogbeds,blankets,andotherlaunderablepetproducts.Thevinegarcleansandsanitizeswhilethebakingsodaneutralizesodors.
⁄ cupdistilledwhitevinegar⁄ cupbakingsoda⁄ cuplaundrydetergent(eitherliquidorpowder)
ToMake:Mixingredientstogetherinabowlorcontainer(fizzingisnormal).
ToUse:Pretreatanyobviousstains.Poursolutiondirectlyindetergentdispenser(forHEmachines)orinyourwashingmachine(forregularmachines).Launderonhot,andusethesoakoptiononyourmachineifyouhaveit.Dryasusual.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
HELPFULHINTOnceyouhavelaunderedyourpetstainsaway,cleanyourwashingmachinetogetridofanypethair,dander,andotherpet-relatedgerms.UsetheHEWashingMachineCleanerorRegularWashingMachineCleanerrecipegivenearlierinthischapter.
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CHAPTER6
RECIPESFORBEDROOMSANDLIVINGSPACES
Keepingthemost-usedspacesinyourhomeneatandtidycreatesawelcomingenvironmentandallowsyoutotrulyrelax.Ifyou’realwayslookingatpilesandmesseswhileyou’retryingtorelaxafteradayofwork,declutteringwillhelp,butsowillsomegreatnaturalandorganiccleaningrecipes.Freshscents,truecleanliness,andsafeandeasy-to-makeformulaswillhaveyouhappytobecleaningagain.Ifyouloveairfresheners,youcancreateyourownversionswithessentialoils.Really!Inthischapter,you’llfindwaystocleanuplife’slittleandbigmesseswithease.
LavenderMattressFreshener1FRESHMATTRESSANDAGOODNIGHT’SSLEEP
Needtofreshenyourmattressandwanttogetagoodnight’ssleeptoboot?Freshenyourmattresswiththissuper-easyrecipe.
1cupbakingsoda3–4dropslavenderessentialoil
Variation:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoil.
ToMake:Combinethebakingsodaandessentialoil.
ToUse:Sprinkleonmattress.Allowtositandabsorbanyodorsforatleast30minutes.Usethehoseattachmentonyourvacuumcleanertovacuumupthepowder.
ToStore:Youcanstoreanyextraindefinitelyorplaceinyourbedroomclosettoabsorbanyodorsuntilthenexttimeyouneedtofreshenyourmattress.
TIME-SAVINGTIPUseacleaned-outsprinkle-topcontainertoevenlydistributethefreshener.
PeppermintandLavenderLinenRefresher12OUNCES
Thislinenrefresherisperfectforhidingsmellsonpillows,bedding,andclothing—anditisalsoalittlearomatherapyinabottle!Sprayonyourpillowbeforebedforarestfulnight’ssleep.
1cupwater⁄ cupvodka10dropslavenderessentialoil5dropspeppermintessentialoil
Variation:LAVENDERANDLEMON—Substitutelemonessentialoilforthepeppermint.
ToMake:Combineingredientsandpourintoa16-ouncecontainerwithaspraytop.
ToUse:Sprayabout8"awayfromanylinenthatneedsalittlefreshening.
ToStore:Storeinspraybottleinacoolplaceforupto2months.
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CitrusWoodCleanerandPolishABOUT1CUP
Thisispracticallyanaromatherapysessioninacleaner.Theessentialoilsarethepowerhouseinthisconcoction,andtheyhelptocleanandpolishanywoodfurniturebacktoabeautifulshine.You’lllovehowfreshandcitrusythiscleanerandpolishis!
⁄ cupolive,almond,orfractionatedcoconutoil ⁄ cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled10dropsorangeessentialoil30dropslemonessentialoil
ToMake:Addwaterandoiltoaliddedcontainerorspraybottle.Shaketocombineandaddessentialoils.Shakethoroughlybeforeusing,asthisisoilandwaterandwillnaturallyseparate.
ToUse:Shakethoroughly.Pourorsprayalittlebitofthiscleaneronamicrofiberclothandstartdusting.Whenyourclothgetsdusty,giveitashakeoutsideandaddalittlemorecleanertoyourcloth.Continuecleaningandpolishing.
ToStore:Storeinacool,darkplaceforupto2weeks.
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LemonWoodPolish1HOUSEFULOFCLEANWOOD
IusethisconcoctionseasonallywhenIwanttooilmyfurniturefromtoptobottomtoconditionitandkeepitlookinggreat.IfindthatthisisjustalittlemorethanIneedtooilallthefurnitureinmyhouse.Thelemonpeelsprovidenaturalessentialoil.
Lemonpeelsfrom1lemon⁄ cuplemonjuice⁄ cupalmond,olive,orfractionatedcoconutoilToMake:Useavegetablepeelertopeelthinstripsofalemonrind.Mixlemonjuice,oil,andpeelsinanairtight,liddedcontainer.Shaketocombine.Letrestovernighttoreleasetheessentialoilofthefreshlemonpeels.
ToUse:Pourasmallamountofthepolishonacleandustingclothandpolish.Iloveusingmicrofiberfordustingandpolishingbecauseitcollectsandkeepslintanddustinitsfibers.
ToStore:Useimmediatelyorstoreforupto1weekintherefrigerator.Letmixturecomeuptoroomtemperaturebeforeusing.
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CitrusWoodCleaner1HOUSEFULOFCLEANWOOD
Havesomefurniturethatneedsalittlecleaning?Scorebigatthefleamarket?Thisformulaisgreatforcleaningdirtyanddustyfurnitureandthealmondoilwillgiveyourfurniturealittleshine,too.
⁄ cupwhitevinegar2tablespoonsalmondoil5dropslemonessentialoil5dropscitrusessentialoil
ToMake:Mixingredientsinasmallbowlorjar.
ToUse:Dipamicrofibercleaningclothinthesolutionandwipefurniture.Buffinacircularmotiontoremoveanyresidualoil.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
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CitrusMicrofiberWoodCleaningCloths4CLOTHS
Ifyou’relookingtoinfusealittleall-naturalessentialoilintoyourwoodcleaning,thisisagreatsolution.Thecitrusscentleavesyourroomsmellingfreshandclean,andtheconcentrationoflemonrindandessentialoileliminatesthevinegarsmell.
4microfibercloths1cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled⁄ cupwhitevinegar2teaspoonsalmondoilrindof1lemonrindof1orange10dropslemonessentialoil
ToMake:Combineliquidsinajar,thenplacecleanmicrofiberclothsandlemonandorangerindsinthecontainer.Swirlliquidaroundinthecontainerandpouroffexcess,squeezingclothstogetexcessliquidoutofcontainer.Clothsshouldbebarelydamp.
ToUse:Wringoutexcessliquid(thereshouldn’tbemuch)andwipedownwoodfurnitureasneeded.
ToStore:Keepclothsinsealed,airtightcontainerfor1–2weeks.
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TIME-SAVINGTIPUseavegetablepeelertoquicklyremovetherindoffyourcitrusfruits(lemonandorangeworkgreat!)andleavethewhitepithbehind.
DisposableCitrusFurnitureWipes—Wood24WIPES
Wanttheconvenienceofawipeforyourwoodfurniture?Here’sagreatrecipe.
12thickanddurablepapertowels(suchasBountyDuraTowels)⁄ cupwhitevinegar1tablespoonalmondoil5dropslemonessentialoil5dropscitrusessentialoil1cupwater(boiledandcooled,ordistilledifstoringforlongerthanacoupleofdays)Variation:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoils.
ToMake:Tearoffaboutadozenpapertowels,cuttheminhalf,andstackintoaneatpile.Rollupthepapertowelsandstuffthemina2-cup,wide-mouthmasonjar.Mixtheingredientsinalargemeasuringcupandpouroverthepapertowelsinthemasonjar.Putthelidonandshakeandswirltheliquidaroundtomakesurethatitisabsorbedintothepapertowels.(Alargezip-topbagorbabywipecontaineralsoworksforstoringthesewipesifyoudon’thaveamasonjar—thebagwillsavespaceaswell.)ToUse:Carefullyremoveawipeortwo,wipefurniture,andbuffanyoilwithamicrofibercleaningcloth.
ToStore:Storeinasealed,airtightcontainerforupto1week.
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NaturalScratchRemoverABOUT2TEASPOONS
Haveafewminutes?Mixupthissimplescratchremoverandbuffawaythosescratchesonyourwoodfurniture.Thelemonjuiceandvinegarcombinetohelpremoveshallowscratchesorminimizethelookofdeeperscratches.
1teaspoonlemonjuice1teaspoondistilledwhitevinegar
ToMake:Mixlemonjuiceandvinegartogetherinasmallbowl.
ToUse:Dipclothinsolutionandrubintoscratchesuntiltheydisappear.Buffawayanyresiduewithadrycloth.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
LeatherWipes24WIPES
Ifyouprefertheconvenienceofawipeforcleaning,trythissolutiononyourleatherfurniture.Alwaystestyourcleanersonaninconspicuousareafirsttomakesurethereisn’tanydiscoloring.
12thickanddurablepapertowels(suchasBountyDuraTowels)3tablespoonsalmondoil⁄ cupvinegar⁄ cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooledToMake:Tearoffaboutadozenpapertowels,cuttheminhalf,andstackintoaneatpile.Rollupthepapertowelsandstuffthemina2-cup,wide-mouthmasonjar.Mixtheingredientsinalargemeasuringcupandpouroverthepapertowelsinthemasonjar.Putthelidonandshakeandswirltheliquidaroundtomakesurethatitisabsorbedintothepapertowels.Pouroffexcess,asthiswipeworksbetteralittleonthedryside.(Alargezip-topbagorbabywipecontaineralsoworksforstoringthesewipesifyoudon’thaveamasonjar—thebagwillsavespaceaswell.)ToUse:Carefullyremoveawipeortwo,wringoutanyexcesscleanerinyoursink,anduseasyouwouldanycleaningwipe.
ToStore:Storeinasealed,airtightcontainerforupto1week.
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PeppermintGlassandMirrorWipes24WIPES
Sometimesyoudon’twanttobotherwithaspraybottle—inthatcase,usethesewipes!
12thickanddurablepapertowels(suchasBountyDuraTowels)1cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled1tablespoondistilledwhitevinegar2tablespoonsrubbingalcohol5dropspeppermintessentialoil
Variation:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoil.
ToMake:Tearoffaboutadozenpapertowels,cuttheminhalf,andstackintoaneatpile.Rollupthepapertowelsandstuffthemina2-cup,wide-mouthmasonjar.Mixtheingredientsinalargemeasuringcupandpouroverthepapertowelsinthemasonjar.Putthelidonandshakeandswirltheliquidaroundtomakesurethatitisabsorbedintothepapertowels.Pouroffexcess,asthiswipeworksbetteralittleonthedryside.(Alargezip-topbagorbabywipecontaineralsoworksforstoringthesewipesifyoudon’thaveamasonjar—thebagwillsavespaceaswell.)ToUse:Carefullyremoveawipeortwo,wringoutanyexcesscleanerinyoursink,anduseasyouwouldanycleaningwipe.
ToStore:Storeinasealed,airtightcontainerforupto1week.
LemonandPeppermintAll-PurposeCleaningWipes24WIPES
Wipeobsessed?You’lllovethisgreatall-purposecleaningwipe.Ithasafreshcitrusyscentthat’ssuretobrightenanycleaningtask.
12thickanddurablepapertowels(suchasBountyDuraTowels)⁄ cupwhitevinegar5dropslemonessentialoil5dropspeppermintessentialoil2cupswater(boiledandcooled,ordistilledifstoringforlongerthanacoupleofdays)Variation:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoils.
ToMake:Tearoffaboutadozenpapertowels,cuttheminhalf,andstackintoaneatpile.Rollupthepapertowelsandstuffthemina2-cup,wide-mouthmasonjar.Mixtheingredientsinalargemeasuringcupandpouroverthepapertowelsinthemasonjar.Putthelidonandshakeandswirltheliquidaroundtomakesurethatitisabsorbedintothepapertowels.(Alargezip-topbagorbabywipecontaineralsoworksforstoringthesewipesifyoudon’thaveamasonjar—thebagwillsavespaceaswell.)ToUse:Carefullyremoveawipeortwo,wringoutanyexcesscleanerinyoursink,anduseasyouwouldanycleaningwipe.
ToStore:Storeinasealed,airtightcontainerforupto1week.
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PeppermintandTeaTreeAntibacterialWipes24WIPES
Wantthereassuranceofknowingthatyou’vedisinfectedwithacleaningwipe?Here’sagreatrecipeyou’llmakeagainandagain.Thevinegarandvodkahavenaturalgerm-killingproperties.
12thickanddurablepapertowels(suchasBountyDuraTowels)⁄ cupwhitevinegar⁄ cupvodka5dropspeppermintessentialoil5dropsteatreeessentialoil1cupboiledandslightlycooledwater
Variation:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoils.
ToMake:Tearoffaboutadozenpapertowels,cuttheminhalf,andstackintoaneatpile.Rollupthepapertowelsandstuffthemina2-cup,wide-mouthmasonjar.Mixtheingredientsinalargemeasuringcupandpouroverthepapertowelsinthemasonjar.Putthelidonandshakeandswirltheliquidaroundtomakesurethatitisabsorbedintothepapertowels.(Alargezip-topbagorbabywipecontaineralsoworksforstoringthesewipesifyoudon’thaveamasonjar—thebagwillsavespaceaswell.)ToUse:Carefullyremoveawipeortwo,anduseasyouwouldanycleaningwipe.Wipesurfacethoroughlyandallowittoremain
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wetfor5–10minutes—thisisnecessaryfortheantibacterialpropertiestokickin.Usefreelyonhardsurfaceswheregermkillingisnecessary—remotes,lightswitches,andcountersaregreatplacestostart.
ToStore:Storeinasealed,airtightcontainerforupto1week.
LavenderandLemonPetFootWipes12WIPES
Petsinthehousecanwreakhavoconyourcleaningregime—keepthesewipesnearthedoortowipeoffmuddypawsrightwhenSpotwalksin.Thelavenderandlemonessentialoilsarecalming,odor-reducing,andsafeforpets.Keepessentialoilbottlesoutofthe“reach”ofyourfurryfriends,though.
12small,cottonwashcloths1 ⁄ cupswater,distilledorboiledandcooled2teaspoons–1tablespooncastilesoap2dropslavenderessentialoil2dropslemonessentialoil
Variation:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoils.
ToMake:Placewashclothsinalargeglassorplasticcontainerwithalid.Mixtheingredientsinalargemeasuringcupandpourovertheclothsinthecontainer.Putthelidonandshakeandswirltheliquidaroundtomakesurethatitisabsorbedintothecloths.Pouroutexcess.Alargezip-topbag,masonjar,orbabywipecontaineralsoworksforstoringthesefootwipes.
ToUse:Removeclothandsqueezeoutanyexcessliquid.Wipepawsandlaunderwashcloth.
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ToStore:Storeinasealed,airtightcontainerforupto1week.
LemonandCloveAirFreshenerSpray12OUNCES
Keepthissprayhandyforanytimearoomneedsalittlefresheningup.You’lllovethelemonandclovecombination—it’stheperfectblendoffreshandcozy.
1cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled⁄ cupvodka5–10dropslemonessentialoil—startwith5dropsandgiveitaspray.Addmoreessentialoiltoyourlikingifneeded.5–10dropscloveessentialoil—startwith5dropsandgiveitaspray.Addmoreessentialoiltoyourlikingifneeded.
ToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Spray2or3spraysinanyroomthatneedsalittlefreshening.
ToStore:Storeinspraybottleinacoolplaceforupto2months.
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CinnamonandSpiceAirFreshenerSimmer1SIMMER
Lovethesmellofbakingbutdon’twanttobake?Trythisspicysimmer!It’sperfectifyou’rehavingcompanyover,orifyou’rehavinganopenhousetotrytosellyourhome.
4cupswaterpeelfrom1lemon3cinnamonsticks1wholenutmeg10–12wholeclovesor5dropscloveessentialoildashofvanillaextract
Variation:ROSEMARYANDLEMON—Preferasavorysmell?Addrosemaryleavesinsteadofthespices.
ToMake:Combineingredientsinalargesaucepan.
ToUse:Letsimmeronlowfor1–2hours.Makesureyoukeepaneyeonthepan.Discardwhensimmerhascompleted.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
TIME-SAVINGTIP
Ifyouknowyou’llusethisrecipemultipletimesinthenextmonthorso,youcancombinethespicesinajarandstorethatportionoftherecipe.Whenyou’rereadytosimmer,justcombinewater,lemonpeel,andvanillaextractwithaportionofspicesandproceedwithyoursimmer.
MicrofiberFurnitureCleaningKit1CLEANSOFAORCHAIR
Microfiberisappealingbecauseofitsdurabilityandhowitseemstobeimpervioustowearandtear.Butifyouownmicrofiberupholstery,youknowthatitdoesattractdirtandfingerprints.Cleaningmicrofiberrequires3ingredientsandjustafewsteps.
4–8ouncesrubbingalcoholwhiteorlight-coloredspongewithascrubbingsurfacebristledcleaningbrushwithwhitebristles
ToMake:Pourrubbingalcoholinaspraybottle.
ToUse:Removecushionsfromthefurniture.Usingahoseattachment,vacuumallcrumbsanddirtfromthesofaorchair.Makesureyouvacuumthearms,front,andbackofthesofaorchairaswell.Thencleanonesmallsectionatatime.Spraythealcoholonthesurfaceand,usingthetexturedsideofthesponge,scrubthesurface.Repeatthisprocessuntiltheentirepieceoffurnitureisclean.Lettheentirepieceoffurnituredrythoroughly.Thelaststepistofluffupthefibersbylightlyscrubbingwiththescrubbingbrush.Useacircularmotionsoyoudon’tseeanybrushstrokes.Continuedoingthisuntilyourfurnitureisuniformlybrushedandyourfurniturewilllookgoodasnew!
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
LemonandCloveFurnitureFresheningSpray8OUNCES
Ifyourfurniturehasalittleodor,giveitalittlesprayofthis—thevodkawillkillgermsandtheessentialoilswilleliminatethescent.
⁄ cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled ⁄ cupvodka5dropslemonessentialoil—startwith5dropsandgiveitaspray.Addmoreessentialoiltoyourlikingifneeded.5dropscloveessentialoil—startwith5dropsandgiveitaspray.Addmoreessentialoiltoyourlikingifneeded.
ToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Spray2or3spraysonanyfurniturethatneedsalittleodorremoval.Alwaysspot-testyourfurnitureinaninconspicuousplacetomakesurethatthespraydoesn’tleavearesidueorcausediscoloration.
ToStore:Storeinacoolplaceforupto2months.
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LeatherCleanerABOUT8OUNCES
Leathermaynotalwaysshowitsdirtyside,butrestassured,thedirtisinthere!Onceyouseehowmuchdirtyoucanliftoff,you’llbeinclinedtocleanitmoreoften.
1teaspooncastilesoap1cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled
ToMake:Combineingredientsandplaceinabottlewithacap.
ToUse:Shakethoroughlyandpourontoacottoncleaningcloth.Wipecleaninsmallsectionsanddryimmediately.
ToStore:Storeforupto1month.
LeatherScratchRemoverAFEWDROPS
Ilovethelookofleatherfurniture,butI’mnotfondoftheveryvisiblescratchesthatsometimesappear.Whetherthey’refromapet’sclawsoratoytruck,thosescratcheswillbegoneinasnapwiththissuper-simpleremedy.
Oliveoralmondoil
ToMake:Pour1or2dropsoftheoilonyourcloth.
ToUse:Ruboilintoleatheruntilscratchdisappears.Wipeoffanyexcesswithadrycloth.
ToStore:Storeoilsinacool,darkplace.
UpholsteredFabricCleaner2OUNCES
Thisrecipeisforthosetimeswhenyoujustwashedthepillowsonyoursofaandsomeonespillsalittledropofchocolatemilkonone.Itdoesn’tneedtobefullylaundered,butyoudon’twantthestainsittingthere.
2teaspoonscastilesoap⁄ cupwarmwater
ToMake:Mixwarmwaterandcastilesoapinasmallcuporcontainer.
ToUse:Dipcottoncloth(preferablywhite)inthewaterandcastilesoapmixture.Dabawaythestain.Oncethestainisremoved,dabwithaclean,dryclothtoabsorbanyliquid.Addalittlewatertowipeawayanyresidualsoap.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
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ElectronicsWipes6WIPES
Ifyouwanttomakeyourownelectronicscleaningwipes,trythisrecipe.It’llmakecleaningyourscreens,computermouse,andkeypadsabreeze.Usingdistilledwaterensuresthatnomineraldepositsenduponyourscreens.
6smallcleaningcloths—microfiberworksgreat⁄ cuprubbingalcohol⁄ cupdistilledwater
ToMake:Mixsolutionincontainer.Addwipesandpouroutsolution.Squeezeclothstogetridofmostoftheexcesssolution.
ToUse:Takeoutacloth,andsqueezeoutanyexcesssolution.(Clothshouldbebarelydamp.)Wipescreens,fromtoptobottomandlefttoright.
ToStore:Storeinairtightcontainerfor1month.
TIME-SAVINGTIPWhenonescreenisdirty,youmightaswelltakethetimetowipeallscreenswhileyou’vegotawipeout—thisformulaworksoncomputerscreens,televisionscreens,mice,keyboards,remotes,andotherelectronicdevices.
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ElectronicsCleaningSolution8OUNCES
Withthiseasy(andcheap!)solution,you’llhavecleanscreensthroughoutyourhomeandofficeandneverhavetobuyapre-madeelectronicscleaneragain.Thedistilledwaterensuresthatnomineraldepositsenduponyourscreens.
⁄ cuprubbingalcohol⁄ cupdistilledwater
ToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Spraydirectlyonmicrofibercloth—donotsprayonscreens.Wipefromtoptobottomandlefttoright.
ToStore:Storeinspraybottlefor2monthsorlonger.
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EssentialOilAirFreshener4OUNCES,FORUSEIN1OR2CONTAINERS
Artificialfragrancesandperfumescanbeharmfultobreatheandcanincreasesensitivitiesinpeoplewithallergiesandasthma.Ifyoulikeanairfreshenerandwantasafealternative,you’lllovethisrecipe.
⁄ cupalmondoil⁄ cupvodka10dropsorangeessentialoil5dropslemonessentialoil5dropscloveessentialoilreeds—lookfor12"reeddiffuserreplacementsticksonAmazon.comsmallglasscontainerwithanarrowneck—likeashortvaseorsmalldecanterVariations:LEMONANDCLOVE—Use10dropslemonand10dropscloveessentialoils.
LAVENDERANDMINT—Use10dropslavenderand10dropspeppermintessentialoils.
ToMake:Mixoilandvodkatogethertocombine.Addessentialoils—youcanreducetheamountorchangethescentsbasedonyourtaste.
ToUse:Pourairfresheneringlasscontainer,addreeds,andsetasidetofreshenair.Keepoutofreachofchildrenandpets.
ToStore:Keeponcounterorshelfuntilscentnolongerremains—upto2months.
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HELPFULHINTPlaceadropofessentialoilonalightbulbandturnthelightbulbon.Thewarmthfromthebulbwillactivateasecret,subtlescent.
CHAPTER7
RECIPESFORFLOORS
Whenyou’vegotunexpectedcompanycomingover—whatdoyoucleanfirst?Irunforthebathroomsandcheckthefloors.Cleanfloorswillmakeyourwholehousefeelcleaner,butitcanbedifficulttofigureoutthebestcleaningsolutionfordifferentfloortypes.Whetheryouhavevinyl,carpet,orhardwood,youcancleanitsafely,effectively,andorganically.Andyoucanresteasyknowingthatyou’realsosavingmoney.How’sthatforacleansweep?
CitrusCarpetFreshener2CUPS
Thisisoneofmyfavoritehomemadecleaningsolutions.Itkeepsmycarpetssmellingfreshnomatterhowbusymyhousegets!
2cupsbakingsoda10dropslemonessentialoil10dropsorangeorgrapefruitessentialoil
Variations:UNSCENTED—Omitessentialoils.
LEMONANDCLOVE—Substitute10dropsclovefortheorangeorgrapefruitessentialoil.
ToMake:Addbakingsodatoaglassjarorcontainerandscentwithessentialoils.Stirtocombine.
ToUse:Sprinkleoncarpetorrug.Letsitfor15minutesandvacuumthoroughly.
ToStore:Keepinacool,darkplaceindefinitely.
MONEY-SAVINGTIPThishomemadecarpetfreshenercostspenniestomake(muchcheaperthancommercialversions!),mixesupinaminute,andkeepsindefinitely.
OdorAbsorberASMUCHASNEEDED
Ifyouhaveanodorinyourcarpetandyoucan’tgetridofit,youdon’twanttomaskitwithanotherscent.Justgrabthatboxofbakingsoda—it’stheultimatenaturalodorabsorber.
bakingsoda
ToMake:Nomixingrequired,justsprinkle!
ToUse:Simplysprinklebakingsodaonthecarpetorrugandletitsitforatleast24hours.Coverthespotsoapetorsmallchilddoesn’tdisturbthebakingsoda.Vacuumupresidueandrepeatifnecessary.
ToStore:Keepbakingsodaonhandforallofyourodor-absorbingneeds.Keepsindefinitely.
MONEY-SAVINGTIPBakingsoda’sbakingqualitieshaveashelflife,butyoucanstillusethebakingsodaforcleaningandneutralizingodors.Insteadoftossingan“expired”boxofbakingsoda,repurposeitforyourcarpetcare.
PeppermintLaminateFloorCleanerABOUT16OUNCES
Streaksaboundwhenyouusecommercialfloorcleaners.Thisconcoctionwillnotonlycleanyourfloors,itwillleavethemstreak-freeandsmellinggreat.
5ounceswater5ouncesdistilledwhitevinegar5ouncesrubbingalcohol10dropspeppermintessentialoil
ToMake:Mixliquidandpourinacontainerwithaspraytop,orpourmixtureinarefillablespraymopcontainer.
ToUse:Dampenamicrofibermopapplicatororpadwithwater;spraysolutiononfloorandwipeclean.Applyinonedirectionandrinsemicrofiberfloorpadfrequentlytoavoidstreaks.
ToStore:Storeinasealed,airtightcontainerforupto1week.
CitrusTileFloorCleanerABOUT1GALLON
Tilecangetgrungyinahurry.Here’sagreatrecipethatwillcutthegrimeandleaveyourfloorsclean—norinsingrequired.
⁄ cupborax1gallonhotwater5dropslemonessentialoil5dropsorangeessentialoil
Variations:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoils.
EXTRACLEANING—Ifyourfloorsareextradirty,add1or2dropsofcastileordishsoaptothesolution.Rinsingshouldstillnotbenecessary.
ToMake:Mixborax,water,andessentialoilinyourmoppingbucket.Stirtodissolve.
ToUse:Mopfloorsasusual.Rinsingisnotusuallynecessary.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
HELPFULHINTIfyourfloorsareextradirty,haveabucketofcleanwateralongsideyourcleaningsolution.Rinseintheplainwaterbucketinsteadofthecleaningbucket—thiswillensurecleanwaterisonyourfloorsanditshouldeliminatestreaking.
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LemonandMintVinylFloorCleaner—SprayABOUT16OUNCES
Vinylfloorsdirtyandsticky?Thisspraydriesquickly,killsgerms,andwillbrightenupthosevinylfloorspronto!
5ounceswater,distilledorboiledandcooled5ouncesdistilledwhitevinegar5ouncesrubbingalcohol3dropslemonessentialoil2dropspeppermintessentialoil
Variations:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoils.
LEMONANDCLOVE—Substitutecloveessentialoilforthepeppermint.
ToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Sprayonvinylfloorandmopwithawetmoporwetmicrofiberpaddedmop;continueuntilfloorisclean.
ToStore:Storeinacool,darkplaceforupto1month.
TIME-SAVINGTIPKeepthisspraybottlehandytospot-cleanyourvinylfloorsinbetweenyourweeklyfloorwashing.
CarpetDisinfectantandCleanerASMUCHASNEEDED
Ifyouhaveaparticularickycarpetspot(stomachbuggoingaroundthehouse?)thatneedstobedisinfected,trythissolution.Iprefervodkabecausethere’svirtuallynosmellanditseemstoabsorbanyodorsalittlebetter.
vodkaorrubbingalcohol
ToMake:Pourvodkaorrubbingalcoholonthestainorspot.
ToUse:Blotstainorspill(neverrubastain,itwillonlysetit)withcleanwhiteclothsorpapertowels.Repeatasnecessary.
ToStore:Vodkaandalcoholwilllastindefinitely.
CarpetSpotRemover(UnknownSpot)IhavecarpetstainremovalonmyrotatingcleaninglistbecauseIdon’talwayscatchstainsrightaway.Igothroughmyhouseandcheckforanystainsandapplythissimplesolutiontoridmyhomeofanyunknownstains.
enoughdistilledwhitevinegartocoverstainbakingsoda
ToMake:Coverthestainwiththewhitevinegar.Sprinklebakingsodaontopofthevinegar.Thestainwillbubbleupfromthecarpet.
ToUse:Letthebakingsodasitonthecarpetuntilitisdry.Thiscantakeadayortwo,soyoumaywanttocoverthespotwithatowel,container,orbowltokeepitcontained.Vacuumuptheresidue.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
CarpetStainRemoverABOUT2CUPS
Ifyoucatchacarpetstainearly,youcangenerallygetthestainremoved,andwithoutnastychemicals.Takecaretoblotandnotrubthestain,asrubbingwillruinthecarpetfibers.
4cupswarmwater,divided⁄ teaspoonclearcastilesoapordishsoapVariation:PETODORNEUTRALIZER—Onceyouhavesuccessfullycleanedthespot,sprinkletheareawithbakingsodatoneutralizeanyodorsleftbehind.Apetismorelikelytoreturntoits“spot”(andleaveyouanotherstain)ifthereisanyscentleftbehind.Coverthespotsoapetorsmallchilddoesn’tdisturbthebakingsoda.Letsitanddryovernightandvacuumuptheresidue.
ToMake:Mixasolutionof2cupswarmwaterand ⁄ teaspooncleardishwashingsoap.Haveanadditionalcontainerwith2cupsofplainwarmwaterhandyforrinsing.
ToUse:Soakacleanragorpapertowelinthemixture,wringout,andgentlyblotthestainwithit.Afteryouhaveblottedwiththesoapsolution,useacleanragsoakedinwarmwatertoremovetheresidue.Alternatethesoapsolutionwiththefreshwateruntilthestainisgone.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
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CarpetCleanerforMachines1GALLON,ORENOUGHTOFILL1CARPET-CLEANINGMACHINE
Thisrecipewasrecommendedtomebyacarpet-cleaningprofessional.It’seasytomixanduse,anddoesn’tsudsuporleaveanyresiduebehind.Refertoyourcarpet-cleaningmachine’sdetergentcapacityfortheexactliquidamounts.Mostcarpetcleanerscanholdaboutagallontoagallonandahalfofliquid.
4cupshotwater4cupsdistilledwhitevinegar10–15dropslemonessentialoil(tominimizethevinegarscent)
Variation:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoil.
ToMake:Pourliquidsintoliquiddispenser.
ToUse:Runcarpetcleanerasusual.Anyvinegarscentwilldissipateassoonasthecarpetsaredry.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
MONEY-SAVINGTIPCleaningyourowncarpetscansaveyouhundredsofdollars,andusingvinegarandwaterasyourcleaningsolutionwillsaveyouevenmoremoney.Youcanrentacarpetcleanerbytheday,oryoumay
choosetopurchaseone,onceyouseehoweasyitistomakeyourowneffectivecleanersforyourmachine.
CitrusandMintHardwoodFloorCleaner—BucketABOUT1GALLON
Hardwoodfloorsarebeautiful—butthey’reespeciallybreathtakingwhentheyareclean.Thisrecipesmellsamazingandthefloorslookevenbetter!Makesurethatyouuseabarelydampspongeorclothwhenyouarewashingyourfloors—standingwatercandamagehardwoods.
1gallonwarmwater⁄ cupdistilledwhitevinegar3dropslemonororangeessentialoil2dropspeppermintessentialoil
Variation:LEMONANDCLOVE—Use3dropslemonessentialoilandsubstitute2dropscloveforthepeppermint.
ToMake:Mixwater,vinegar,andoilsinalargebucketorcontainer.
ToUse:Mopwithadrymopandbucketorbyhandwithmicrofibercloths.Rinseoftenandchangesolutionasneededduringcleaning.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
HELPFULHINTVinegardoeshaveapHandisconsideredamildacid,soyouwanttomakesurethatyouarefollowingtheratioof1partvinegar:32partswaterwhenmakingahardwoodfloorcleaningsolution.
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LemonandCloveHardwoodFloorCleaner—SprayMopABOUT16OUNCES
Ifyoulovetheeaseandconvenienceofarefillablespraymop,you’llfallheadoverheelsforthisrecipe.
16ounceswarmwater,distilledorboiledandcooled3teaspoonsdistilledwhitevinegar1droplemonessentialoil1dropcloveessentialoil
Variation:CITRUSANDMINT—Use1dropoflemonororangeessentialoiland1dropofpeppermintinsteadoftheclove.
ToMake:Pouringredientsinspraymopdispenser.
ToUse:Dampenmoppadwithwarmwater.Spraysolutiononfloor,thenmopitup,takingcaretowipesolutionimmediatelyaftersprayingonfloor.
ToStore:Storeinthedispenserforupto1month.
MONEY-SAVINGTIPLookforarefillablespraymopwithwashablemicrofiberpads.Thepadscanbewashedatleast300times—talkaboutamoneysaver!
pH-NeutralHardwoodFloorCleaner1PH-NEUTRALLYCLEANEDFLOOR
Ifyou’reconcernedaboutusingvinegaronyourhardwoodfloors,takethepH-neutralapproachandjustusewarmwater.Amicrofiberclothandwarmwaterwillcleanmost“everyday”dirtonyourwoodfloors.Addalittleessentialoiltomakethejobmoreenjoyable.
warmwater2dropsessentialoil
ToMake:Useabucketandspraymopormicrofiberdustingmop.
ToUse:Fillabucketwithwarmwaterandadd2dropsofyourfavoriteessentialoil(lemonisgreatforthispurpose).Sprayordipandmop.Takecaretonotallowanywatertostandonyourhardwoodfloor,asthiscanquicklydamageyourhardwoods.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
FloorWipes—Dry4REUSABLEWIPES
Disposablefloorsweepersaregreatfortrappingdust,fur,hair,anddirt.Ifyouwanttotrytomakeyourown,looknofurtherthantheautomotiveaisleforyourmicrofibercloths.You’llfindabigpackofmicrofiberclothsthatyoucanrepurposeforjustaboutanycleaningtaskaroundthehome.Ilovethemforfloorwipesbecausetheytendtobealittlelargerthanthestandardsizesotheyworkreallywelloveryourfloormophead.
1packageofmicrofibercleaningcloths—atleast12"×16"
Variation:SCENTED—Putadropofessentialoilonthewipebeforeplacingonthesweeperforinstantscentedfloorwipes.Lavender,lemon,orange?Anyscentthatgetsyouinthefloor-sweepingmood.
ToMake:Fitmicrofiberclothsoverfloorsweeper—pinchfabricintoplace.
ToUse:Onceclothissecuredinfloorsweeper,simplypushoveryourfloor,pickingupanydirt.Launderusedragswiththerestofyourcleaningrags.
ToStore:Storeindefinitely.
HELPFULHINTFliptheclothoverandusetheothersidebeforelaundering.Firstshakeanydirtordustoutinthegarbageoroutsideifnecessary.
FloorWipes—Wet4REUSABLEWIPES
Lovetheconvenienceoffloorwipes,butnotthecost?Thesereusablewipeswillhaveyousingingtheirpraises.They’llkeepforaweek,sotrytogaugehowmanyyou’llneed—youneverknow,itmightbean8-floor-wipekindofweek…
1packageofmicrofibercleaningcloths—atleast12"×16"16ounceswater,distilledorboiledandcooled3teaspoonsdistilledwhitevinegar2dropsessentialoil,suchaslemon,orange,orteatree
ToMake:Mixwater,vinegarandessentialoiltogether.Placeclothsinlargecontainerwithalid.A2-cupwide-mouthcanningjarwillworkwithupto6or7cleaningcloths.Pourliquidovercloths.Placelidoncontainer;swirlandmixtomakesureliquidhasbeenabsorbedintocloths.Leavingaboutacupbehind,pourexcessliquidoutofcontainer.
ToUse:Placemicrofiberclothoverfloorsweeper—pinchfabricintoplace.Wipefloorswithcloth.Replaceasneeded.Oneclothshouldbeenoughforasmallroom.Launderasusual.
ToStore:Storeincontainerforupto1week.
BaseboardandDoorCleaner1HOUSEFULOFCLEANBASEBOARDSANDDOORS
Ihavewhitepainteddoorsandtriminmyhome,socutelittlehandprintsshowupquickly.Thisismygo-tocleaningsolutionforbaseboardsanddoorsinmyhome.
⁄ cupborax1gallonwarmwater
ToMake:Dissolveboraxinwarmwater;stirtocombine.
ToUse:Dipmicrofiberclothorspongeinsolution.Wringoutanyexcesswater,andwipebaseboardsand/ordoorstoclean.Norinsingisnecessary.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
HELPFULHINTKeepoldbathtowelsnearbytoplaceunderbucketandtocatchanydrips.Washdoorsfromtoptobottomandlefttoright.
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CHAPTER8
RECIPESFORTHENURSERYANDPLAYROOM
Ifyouhaveyoungchildren,you’lllovethesenaturalandsaferecipes.Isn’titamazingthatassoonasbabystartscrawlingandputtinganythingthatfitsintohisorhermouth,everythingseemssomuchdirtier?Tryyourhandatthesesimplesolutionsforyourlittleones’playspacesandtoys.Thebestpartisthattheyaresosimpletomake.That’skeyforbusyparents—I’mguessingthatyoudon’thaveaspareminutetobeconcoctingcleaningrecipes.You’llfindthattheserecipesareeasytomake,haveasimplescentornoscent,anduselotsofvegetable-basedsoapandwaterforacleanbabyandahappymama.
CitrusandTeaTreeFabricSanitizerSpray12OUNCES
Sometimesyoujustneedtogivethatfabricaspraytomakesureit’sreallyclean.Usethisformulaonfabricsthataren’tmachinewashableorthatyoudon’thavetimerightnowtolaunder.Didbabyspituponachairoronyourfabricchanging-tablecover?Giveitalittlespritzuntilyoucanreallywashit.
8ounceswater,distilledorboiledandcooled4ouncesvodkaorrubbingalcohol2dropsorangeessentialoil4dropsteatreeessentialoil
ToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Sprayverylightlyonfabricthatneedstobesanitizedorfreshenedabit.Allowtothoroughlydrybeforeusingfabric.
ToStore:Storeforupto2months.
CitrusDiaperPailFresheners16TABLETS
Ifyouhaveadiaperpail,youneedthesefresheners.Putafewoftheminasmallcanningjarwithacutelabel,wrapupsomediapers,andgivetoanewmom!
1cupbakingsoda⁄ cupEpsomsaltsabout ⁄ cupwater10dropsessentialoil—anycombinationoflemon,lime,orange,orgrapefruitisgreatinthisrecipeicecubetray(s)
ToMake:CombinesodaandEpsomsaltsandaddessentialoils.Slowlystirinwatertomakeadrypaste.Spoonaboutatablespoonineachcompartmentofanicecubetray,packingdowntightlyandabout ⁄ full.Thiscombinationwillexpandalittle.Allowtodryoutandcompletelyhardenovernightorinthesun.Oncethetabletshavehardened,carefullyturnthetrayoverontoacleansurface.Thetabletsshouldfalloutwithoutanytwistingorbanging,whichcouldbreakthemintopieces.
ToUse:Place1or2freshenersinyourdiaperpailorgarbagecan.Eachfreshenerwillfreshenforatleast2weeks.
ToStore:Storeinanairtightcontainerforupto3months.
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HandSanitizerSpray2OUNCES
Preferaliquidsprayforyourhandsanitizingneeds?Ditchthemall-brandchemicalversionandtrythis.Keepitinyourpurseforaquickspritz.ThewitchhazelisanaturalastringentbutthevitaminEwillhelpmoisturize.
2ounceswitchhazel1teaspoonvitaminEoil5dropsteatreeessentialoil2dropslemonessentialoil
Variation:LAVENDER—Substitutelavenderessentialoilforthelemon.
ToMake:Dispenseingredientsdirectlyintoasmallcontainerwithaspraytopandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Squirtonhands,rubthoroughly,andallowtoair-dry.
ToStore:Keepoutofthereachofsmallchildren,butstorewhereyou’lluseitmost—purse,nursery,orcar.Willkeepfor2months.
HandSanitizerGel2OUNCES
Thisismykids’favoritehandsanitizerrecipe.Itcleans,leaveshandssoft,andissafeforthekidstousethemselves.
1 ⁄ ouncespurealoevera(notthegreenstuff)3teaspoonsrubbingalcohol1teaspoonvitaminEoil5dropspeppermintessentialoil
Variations:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoil.
CITRUS—Substitutelemonororangeessentialoilforthepeppermint.
ToMake:Dispenseingredientsdirectlyintoasmallcontainerwithalid.Shakeliberallytomixallingredientsthoroughly.Ifyouwantyourgeltobeslightlythinnerinconsistency,addanadditionalteaspoonofrubbingalcohol.
ToUse:Squirtonhands,rubthoroughly,andallowtoair-dry.
ToStore:Keepoutofthereachofsmallchildren,butstorewhereyou’lluseitmost—purse,nursery,orcar.Willkeepfor2months.
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LemonRoom-FresheningSpray12OUNCES
Keepthissprayhandyforanytimearoomneedsalittlespritzofsomethingtofreshenitupafterthekidshavemadeitsmelly!
1cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled⁄ cupvodka10–20dropslemonessentialoil—putin10dropsandgiveitaspray.Addmoreessentialoiltoyourlikingifneeded.
Variation:LAVENDERANDMINT—Substitute5dropslavenderand5dropspeppermintessentialoilforthelemon—adjusttoyourliking.
ToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Spray2or3spraysinanyroomthatneedsfreshening.
ToStore:Storeinacoolplaceforupto2months.
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ToyCleaner—Soak1PLAYROOMFULOFCLEANTOYS
Ifyou’vehadaboutofsicknessrunthroughyourhouseorjustwanttogivethetoysalittlebath,thisisaneasywaytodoit.
1tablespoonliquidcastilesoap,citrusorunscentedsinkwithwarmwater
ToMake:Fillsinkwithwaterandcastilesoap.Haveaclean,drytowelreadytosettoystoair-dry.
ToUse:Wash,rinse,anddrytoys.Letthemair-dryonthecounter,orsetoutinthesuntogetalittlefreesunsanitizing.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
KID-FRIENDLYTIPMykidslovetostandonachairatthesinkandgivetheirplastictoysabath.Fillthesinkandletthemscrubandrinsetheirowntoys.It’sacleaningwininmybook.
ToyCleaner—Spray8OUNCES
Ifyou’dlikeatoycleanerinsprayform,here’sagreatnaturalsolution.Keepthebottleoutofreachofchildren,butit’ssafetousearoundthem.
4ounceswater,distilledorboiledandcooled4ounceswhitevinegar2dropslemonessentialoil
ToMake:Mixingredientsinspraybottleandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Sprayontoys.Rinseiftoyswillbeinchild’smouthorifdesired.Air-dry.
ToStore:Storeinspraybottleforupto2months.
KID-FRIENDLYTIPYoucanalsousestraighthydrogenperoxide(3percent)tosanitizekids’toysandsurfaces.Placeaspraytoponahydrogenperoxidebottleandsprayanyoffendingtoys.Lethydrogenperoxidedryandrinseinwarmwater.Allowtoair-dry.
BathtubToyCleaner1SETOFCLEANBATHTUBTOYS
Bathtubtoyscanbeabreedinggroundforbacteriaandmold.Lookfortoysthatdon’thaveholesinthebottomtokeepthebacteriaandmoldtoaminimum.Mykidslovemeasuringcups,bowls,andcolanders.Giveyourbathtoysabathinthedishwashermonthlytoridthemofmoldandbacteria.
1LemonDishwasherDetergentTablet(seeChapter3)
ToMake:Placebathtubtoysonthetoprackofdishwasherandrunacleaningcyclewiththetablet.
ToUse:Washtoysandallowtoair-dryonthecounteroroutsideinthesun.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
BabyStainSprayRemover8OUNCES
Babiesspitupalot,butstainsdon’talwayscomeoutinthefirstlaundering—especiallyifyouaretooexhaustedtoremembertopretreat.Thissimplespraywillhelpgetthosestainsoutonceandforall.
8ounceswater,distilledorboiledandslightlycooled2tablespoonsborax2tablespoonsLemonandLavenderLiquidLaundrySoap(seeChapter5)
ToMake:Addboraxandlaundrydetergenttoaspraybottleandpourwarmwaterovertheborax.Shakethoroughlytocombine.
ToUse:Spraydirectlyonstainandtossinthewasher.
ToStore:Storeinspraybottleforupto1month.
ClothDiaperSoak1LOADOFCLEANDIAPERS
Ifyouuseclothdiapers,youneedadiapersoakinyourlaundryroom.Here’sasuper-simplesoakthatyoucandoforafewhoursorovernight.Theboraxactsasalaundryboosteranddeodorizerinthisrecipe.
⁄ –1cupborax⁄ cupLemonandLavenderLiquidLaundrySoap(seeChapter5)
ToMake:Fillwashingmachinewithdirtydiapers,hotwater,laundrydetergent,andborax.IfyouhaveanHEmachine,puttheboraxinwithyourdetergent.
ToUse:Washandsetthemachinetosoakforafewhoursorovernight.Launderasusual.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
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BleachAlternative1LOADOFWHITELAUNDRY
Bleachcanbeirritatingtobabies’skin(andadults’too),buttherearetimeswhenawhitenerisneeded.Here’sagreatformulatoaddinwithyourdetergent.
2ouncesor ⁄ cuphydrogenperoxide
ToMake:AddthistothebleachcompartmentonyourHEwashingmachine,ordirectlytothewaterifyouhavearegularmachine.
ToUse:Launderasusual.Makesurethatyouaretreatinghydrogenperoxidelikebleachandnotusingitanywherenearyourbrightsorcolors.
ToStore:Keepabottleofhydrogenperoxideinyourlaundryroomifyouhavelotsofwhitestowhiten.
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Kids’CleaningWipes24WIPES
It’sagreatideatogetkidsinvolvedincleaningupafterthemselves,buthandingatoxicwipetothemjustdoesn’tseemright.Akids’cleaningwipethatworksandissafeforthemtouse?That’swhatIneed!
12thickanddurablepapertowels(suchasBountyDuraTowels)2cupswater(boiledandcooledordistilledifstoringforlongerthanacoupleofdays)1tablespooncastilesoap
ToMake:Tearoffaboutadozenpapertowels,cuttheminhalf,andstackintoaneatpile.Rollupthepapertowelsandstuffthemina2-cup,wide-mouthmasonjar.Mixtheingredientsinalargemeasuringcupandpouroverthepapertowelsinthemasonjar.Putthelidonandshakeandswirltheliquidaroundtomakesurethatitisabsorbedintothepapertowels.(Alargezip-topbagorbabywipecontaineralsoworksforstoringthesewipesifyoudon’thaveamasonjar—thebagwillsavespaceaswell.)
ToUse:Pouroffallexcessliquidinthecontainerbeforeusingtoensurealesswetwipe.Lethelpfulkidsusethesetowipedowndoors,windowsills,baseboards,tables,counters,andotherareasthatneedalittlecleaningswipe.
ToStore:Storeinasealed,airtightcontainerforupto1week.
LemonandMintHandandFaceWipes24WIPES
Ifyou’veeverthoughtaboutthechemicalsyouareputtingonyour(oryourkids’)handsandfacewhenyouuseacommercialhandorfacewipe,itmightbetimetoswitchtoanaturalversion.You’lllovetherefreshingscentoflemonandmint—andthenontoxicingredients!
12thickanddurablepapertowels(suchasBountyDuraTowels)2cupswater(boiledandcooledordistilledifstoringforlongerthanacoupleofdays)1tablespoonwitchhazel1tablespooncitruscastilesoap1tablespoonfractionatedcoconutoiloralmondoil5dropslemonessentialoil2dropspeppermintessentialoil
Variations:UNSCENTED—Useunscentedcastilesoapanddon’taddanyessentialoils.
CITRUS—Addlime,grapefruit,ororangeessentialoilinsteadofthepeppermint.
ToMake:Tearoffaboutadozenpapertowels,cuttheminhalf,andstackintoaneatpile.Rollupthepapertowelsandstuffthemina2-cup,wide-mouthmasonjar.Mixtheingredientsinalargemeasuringcupandpouroverthepapertowelsinthemasonjar.Putthelidonandshakeandswirltheliquidaroundtomake
surethatitisabsorbedintothepapertowels.(Alargezip-topbagalsoworksforstoringthesewipesifyoudon’thaveamasonjar—thebagwillsavespaceaswell.)
ToUse:Justpullawipeupfromthecenter,wipehands,andair-dry.
ToStore:Storeinasealed,airtightcontainerforupto1week.
TIME-SAVINGTIPIlovemakingabatchofwipesforpicnicsandparktrips,butrarelyhavetimethemorningofaneventtowhipupabatch.Instead,Ikeepprecutpapertowelsinalargezip-topbaginthepantry,soIdon’thavetocutthematthelastminute.Ifyouwanttobeevenmoreefficient,youcouldhaveacoupleofmasonjarsinyourpantrywithpapertowelscutandrolledandinsertedinthejars.ThebestthingaboutthesewipesisthatIknowthatmykids’handsarecleanandIalsoknowwhattheycleanedthemwith.IkeepalittlemoreoftheliquidinthejarbecauseIlikethewipestohaveplentyofsolutiononthem.Adjustforyourpersonalpreference.
CHAPTER9
RECIPESFORTHEGARAGE/BASEMENT/GARDEN
Keepingtheoutsidespacescleanandtidycanbedifficulttomanagewithalltheforcesatworkonthem—dirt,mud,leaves,rain,andsoon.Thebasementhasitsshareofproblemswithdampnessandodors.Withtherecipesinthischapter,you’llbeabletocleanyourgrill,patio,orporchandmaintainyourfurnaceanddehumidifierwitheaseandexpertise.Herearemyfavoriterecipesandtechniquestoorganicallykeeptheoutsideofmyhomejustascleanastheinside.
GardenToolCleaningKit1SETOFCLEANGARDENTOOLS
Youshouldcleangardentoolsaftereachuse,butthat’stoughtodowhenyou’reexhaustedafteralongdayofplantingorweeding.Atthebeginningortheendofthegardenseason,trytogiveyourtoolsalittlebath.
5-gallonbucketwarmwater1tablespooncastilesoap5dropsrosemaryessentialoil
ToMake:Combinewaterandsoapinlargebucket.
ToUse:Soaktoolsforafewminutes,scrubwithascrubbrush,anddrythoroughly.Oilanytoolsifnecessary.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
HELPFULHINTYoucanstoreyourtoolsinalargegardenpotwithplaysandinit.Add1or2tablespoonsofmineraloilifyou’dlikeandstiritintothesandtohelplubricatethetools.Thiskeepsthemechanismsrunningsmoothlyandkeepstherustaway.
CementPatioandPavers1CLEANPATIO
Mostpatioscanbeeffectivelycleanedwithapressurewasherandwarmwater,butifyoudon’thaveone,orwantalittlemorebrighteningpower,trythisrecipe.
1gallonwarmwater2tablespoonsHomemadeOxygenBleachPaste(seeChapter5)
ToMake:MixwarmwaterandOxygenBleachPasteinlargebucket.Mixtocombine.
ToUse:Moporbrushcementinsectionsandrinsethoroughly.Repeatinareasasnecessary.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
Deck—CompositeandWood1SUPER-CLEANDECK
Cleaningyourdeckbeforeorafteraseasonisnecessarytoremoveanymoldormildewthat’sgrown.Trythistwo-ingredientsolutionthenexttimeyourdeckneedsalittlecleaning.
1gallonwarmwater1–2cupsdistilledwhitevinegar—lessforjustasimplecleaningandmoreforadeepcleaning
ToMake:Mixwaterandvinegarinalargebucket.
ToUse:Thoroughlywetdeckwithyourhoseandwaterfirst.Usingasturdymoporbroom,scrubthevinegarwatersolutioninsectionstoclean.Rinsethoroughly.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
HELPFULHINTUseaspongeandthissamesolutiontowashspindlesandrailingsonyourdeck.
DeckandPatioFurniture16OUNCES
Ifyouhavedeckfurniture,youprobablyeatoutsideandneedtogiveyouroutsidefurnitureagoodwashingfromtimetotime.Thissimplesoapysolutionworksforjustaboutanydeckfurniture.Justmix,apply,andrinse.Noneedtodrywithatowel,justair-dry.
16ounceswarmwater2tablespoonscastilesoap2dropsorangeessentialoil
Variation:UNSCENTED—Useunscentedcastilesoapanddon’taddanyessentialoil.
ToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Wetfurniturewithhose,spraywithsoapysolution,rinse,andair-dry.
ToStore:Storeindefinitely.
PaintbrushCleaner1CUP—enoughtoclean6paintbrushes
We’vealldoneit:Finishedaprojectandwashedoutthepaintbrushestooquicklyonlytocomebackthenextdaytohardandcrustypaintbrushes.Thissuper-easyandnaturalsolutionwillsoftenyourpaintbrushesinahurry.
1cuphotvinegar1tablespooncastilesoap
ToMake:Heatvinegarinamicrowave-safecontainer.Placepaintbrushorpaintbrushes(bristlesonly)invinegarforatleastanhourtoovernighttosoakanddissolvethepaint.
ToUse:Oncepaintbrusheshavesoakedinsolution,rinse,andrepeatifnecessary.Applytablespoonofcastilesoapandwashthoroughly.Dryexcesswaterwithacleanclothorpapertowelandsetinthesunoroutsidetocontinuedrying.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
TIME-SAVINGTIPThenexttimeyouhaveapaintingproject,usethiscleaningsolutionthefirsttime,andyou’lleliminatethehard,crunchybrushes.
Heavy-DutyWindowCleaner1HOUSEFULOFCLEANWINDOWS
Ifyou’rebraveenoughtowashtheoutsideofyourwindows,youneedahigh-poweredcleaner.Mixupthissolutionanduseasqueegeeforaprofessionallook.
⁄ gallonor64ounceswarmwater4tablespoonsrubbingalcohol4tablespoonsscentedcastilesoap,suchaspeppermint
Variation:SPRAYBOTTLE—Youcanmixthisupinasmallbatchanduseitinsideaswell.Pour16ouncesofwarmwaterinaspraybottleandadd1tablespoonofcastilesoapand1tablespoonofrubbingalcohol.Shaketocombine.Sprayandwipeorsqueegeeclean.
ToMake:Addwarmwater,alcohol,andcastilesoaptobucket.Stirtocombine.
ToUse:Useasqueegeewithaspongeattachmenttoscrubbugsanddirtaway.Squeegeethesolutionawayandwipeupexcess.Ifwindowsarehigh,youcanalsospraywithwatertorinseandclean.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
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Heavy-DutyFloorCleaner1GALLON
Garageandbasementfloorstakeabeating.Trythissimpleandnontoxicsolutiontocutgreaseandgrimeandgetthosesurfacesbacktonormal.
1gallonwarmwater1cupdistilledwhitevinegar⁄ cupborax
Variation:DISINFECTING—Add5to10dropsteatreeessentialoiltothesolutiontoupthegerm-killingbenefits.
ToMake:Mixallingredientsinabucket.
ToUse:Mop,rinse,andallowtoair-dry.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
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OutsideToyCleaner1SETOFCLEANOUTSIDETOYS
Ifyoukeepplastictoysoutside,theyprobablygetalittledirtyfromtimetotime.Here’saneasywaytocleanthemnaturally.
1cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled1cupwhitevinegar
ToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.
ToUse:Spraythoroughlyontoys.Rinsewithhoseandair-dry.
ToStore:Storeforupto2monthsinspraybottle.
HELPFULHINTUseyourhomemademelaminesponges(seetherecipeforSoapScumSpongesinChapter4)togetridofbigandlittlestainsonoutsideplastictoysandfurniture.
HumidifierandDehumidifierCleanerASMUCHASNEEDED
Didyouknowthatyoushouldcleanregularlyusedhumidifiersanddehumidifiersweekly,oratleastmonthly?Thankfully,it’saprettyeasyprocesssoyoucanaddittoyourcleaningtasklist.
distilledwhitevinegar
Variation:DISINFECTING—Foralittleextragerm-killing,wipehydrogenperoxideontheoutsideandinsideofthehumidifierordehumidifierafteryouhavecleanedit.
ToMake:Thiscleaningprocesswilldependonyourmachine,butforthemostpart,allmachinescanbecleanedwithwhitevinegarandascrubbrush,followedbyathoroughrinse.
ToUse:Unplugandemptymachineofwater.Disassembleanypartsthatcanbedisassembled.Fillbasewithwhitevinegar—aboutacup.Letsitandsoak;coverandshakeabittoevenlydistributethevinegar.Wipeanyexposedpartswithvinegaronacleaningclothorpapertowel.Rinsethoroughly,letdry,andreassemble.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
HELPFULHINT
Alwaysusedistilledwaterinyourhumidifiertopreventextraunnecessarymineralbuild-upfromyourwater.
AirFilter—Furnace1CLEANFURNACEFILTER
Didyouknowthatyoushouldreplaceyourfurnacefiltermonthly?Somefiltershavea3-monthlifespan,butreplacingyourfiltersonaregularbasiswillcutdownondustandallergensintheair.It’simportanttoalsokeeptheareaaroundthefurnacecleananddust-free.Nexttimeit’stimetoreplaceyourfilter,bringyourvacuumcleaneralongtoyourfurnace.
vacuum
ToMake:Ifyouhavereplaceablefurnacefilters,jotdownthesizeandgotothestoreandgetwhatyouneed.Buyextrasoyoudon’thavetodothisagainnextmonth.
ToUse:Turnofffurnace.Vacuumaroundareaandremoveoldfurnacefilter.Bringaplasticgarbagebagwithyoutocontaintheickyfilteruponremoval.Vacuumareawhereoldfilterwasandputnewfilterinitsplace.Ifyouhaveawashablefurnacefilter,bringitoutsideandgiveitahosingdown,andletitdryinthesunifpossible.
ToStore:Storeyourfurnacefiltersnearyourfurnacesoyouaren’tsearchingforthemnextmonth.
CarWashingSolution1OR2CLEANCARS
Rememberthedaysofwashingthecarwithabigsoapybucketandgiantsponge?Thosedaysarehereagainwiththiseasysolution.Usemicrofiberclothsforastreak-freeshine!
warmwater1–2tablespoonscastilesoap—unscentedorscented
ToMake:Filllarge(e.g.,5-gallon)bucketwithwarmorhotwaterandcastilesoap.
ToUse:Usehoseandwetyourcar.Dipspongeorclothinwaterandstartscrubbing.Rinseanddrythoroughly.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
KID-FRIENDLYTIPGetthewholefamilyinvolvedwithafewextrasponges.Washingyourcarisfunagain!
CarInteriorWipes24WIPES
Usingaspraybottleinthecarcanleadtospotsonwindowsandupholstery.Trythesemintywipestocleantheleather,plastic,andfauxleatherinyourcar.
12thickanddurablepapertowels(suchasBountyDuraTowels)3tablespoonsalmondoil⁄ cupvinegar⁄ cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled2dropspeppermintessentialoil
ToMake:Tearoffaboutadozenpapertowels,cuttheminhalf,andstackintoaneatpile.Rollupthepapertowelsandstuffthemina2-cup,wide-mouthmasonjar.Mixtheingredientsinalargemeasuringcupandpouroverthepapertowelsinthemasonjar.Putthelidonandshakeandswirltheliquidaroundtomakesurethatitisabsorbedintothepapertowels.Pouroffexcess,asthiswipeworksbetteralittleonthedryside.(Alargezip-topbagorbabywipecontaineralsoworksforstoringthesewipesifyoudon’thaveamasonjar—thebagwillsavespaceaswell.)
ToUse:Carefullyremoveawipeortwo,wringoutanyexcesscleaner,anduseasyouwouldanycleaningwipe.
ToStore:Storeinasealed,airtightcontainerforupto1week.
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GrillCleaner1CLEANGRILL
Grillsgetgreasyanddirtyquickly,andthatmesscanaffecttheflavorofyourfood.Hereareacoupleofeasywaystocleanthemfromtheinsideout.
1cupwarmwaterdistilledwhitevinegar⁄ – ⁄ cupbakingsoda
ToMake:Mixapasteofbakingsodaandwater.
ToUse:Openupcoolgrillandapplypastetothegrates.Closelidandapplywhitevinegartocleaningclothorpapertowels.Wipetheexteriorofyourgrillwiththevinegar.(Norinsingisnecessary.)Afterexteriorisclean,removegratesandscrubinsinkoroutsidewithabrush.Rinsethoroughlyandreturngratestogrill.Keepgrillopentoallowthegratestodrycompletely.
ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.
HELPFULHINTAftereverygrillingsession,keepthegrillonforabittoburnoffandscrapeanyremainingfoodparticles.Thiswillkeepyourgrillcleanerinbetweenmeals.
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NaturalInsectRepellentABOUT4OUNCES
Youseealotofdebateinthenewsaboutwhethercommercialinsectrepellentsaresafetouse.Here’sasimplerecipethatkeepsinsectsawayandissafetousearoundyourfamily.Theoilslistedinthisrecipeareknownfortheirfly-,tick-,andflea-repellingproperties.
4ounceswitchhazelorvodka2teaspoonsalmondoil10dropsessentialoils—combine3oftheseoils:lemon,lemongrass,citronella,peppermint,lavender,cedar
ToMake:Pouringredientsinsmallspraybottleorcontainer.
ToUse:Sprayonhandsandrubhandstogether.Dabaroundareaswherebugsandfliesarebotheringyou.Becarefultonotspraydirectlyonclothes,astheoilmaystain.
ToStore:Storeforupto2monthsinacoolplace.
APPENDIX
Pleasevisitwww.cleanmama.net/product/checkliststodownloadallthesefreecleaningchecklists!
WeeklyCleaningChecklistWeeklyCleaningChecklist(blank)Monthly(Rotating)CleaningChecklistMonthly(Rotating)CleaningChecklist(blank)HouseholdCleaningChecklistDe-ClutterBeforeYouCleanChecklistThe
One-DayCleanTheWeekendClean
TheOne-WeekDeepCleanThe31-DayCleaningPlanTheDeep-CleaningChecklist
PRETREATINGSTAINREMOVALGUIDE
Thischartisforitemsthatarewashable.Treatstainasrecommendedandtossinthewashingmachine.STAIN TREATMENT
BloodandVomit
BlotwithcoldwaterandtreatwithHomemadeOxygenBleachPaste(seeChapter5)madeintoapasteoraddedtothewashingmachine.
Chocolate WetwithwarmwateranddabwiththeTeaTreeStainStick(seeChapter5).
Fruit Wetareawithwarmwateranddabwithwhitevinegar.Ifstainremains,rinseandaddalittlehydrogenperoxidetothestain.
Grass PretreatwiththeTeaTreeStainStickortheLemonandLavenderLiquidLaundrySoap(seeChapter5forbothrecipes).Washwiththehottestsettingonyourwashingmachine.
Gum Placeanicecubeonthegumorplacethearticleofclothinginthefreezer.Scrapeoffwithacreditcardandwashasusual.
LipGlossandLipstick
DabwithrubbingalcoholandsoakinHomemadeOxygenBleachPaste(seeChapter5).Launderasusual.
OilandGrease
Rubwithapieceofchalkboardchalktoabsorbtheoil(keepastickinyourlaundryroom),and/orpretreatwiththeStainSpray—General(seeChapter5).
PenandInk Rinsewithcoolwater.Ifstainremains,dabwithrubbingalcoholorpretreatwithStainSpray—General(seeChapter5)andwashasusual.
SweatandPerspiration
Usinga2:1ratio,mixalittlepasteofbakingsodaandwhitevinegar.Ifyou’reworkingthroughastackofT-shirts,you’llwanttouseabout ⁄ cupofbakingsodaandabout ⁄ cupofwhitevinegartocoverthosepitstains.Scrubintostainwithascrubbrushortoothbrush.SoakandlaunderonhottestsettingwithHomemadeOxygenBleachPasteandLemonandClovePowderedLaundrySoap(seeChapter5forbothrecipes).
TeaandCoffee
PretreatwithStainSpray—GeneralorTeaTreeStainStick(seeChapter5forbothrecipes),soak,andwashasusual.
TomatoSauce
Dabwithcoolwater.Ifstainremains,rubalittlecastilesoapintothestain.Letsitforafewminutesandwashasusual.
Water-BasedPaint
Simplyrinseusingwarmwaterwhilepaintisstillwet.
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Wine Dabwithwaterandsoakupstain.Ifstainremains,dabwithalittlevodkaorrubbingalcoholandwashasusual.
ABOUTTHEAUTHOR
BECKYRAPINCHUKisacleaningandhousekeepingexpert,awifetoawonderfulhusbandandmomtothreeadorablechildren,asuccessfulbusinessowner(CleanMamaPrintables),andaformerartteacher.Withanaffinitytohomekeepingandcleaning,herstorybeganyearsagowhenshewasfiguringoutthebestwaykeephermessyartclassroomcleanandorganized.Thetricksshedevelopedeasilytranslatedtokeepingherhomeclean,buttherealCleanMamastartedwhenheroldestwasababy,andallofasuddeneverythingseemedtoposeachemicalorgermthreattohercrawlingbaby.Thatwaswhenshestartedlookingfornaturalandorganicwaystoreallycleanherhomewhileprotectingherfamilyfromtoxins.Afteryearsofsearchingfortheperfectcleaningproductline,shealsofoundthatshecouldmakeherowneffectivecleaningproductswithafeweasy-to-findingredients.That’swherethisbookcomesin—it’stheculminationofBecky’sloveforreal-worldcleaningroutinesandsafe,naturalcleaningproducts.YoucanfindBeckybloggingatherwebsite,Cleanmama.net,wheresheisalwayslookingfornewwaystodothemundanetasksofcleaningandorganizingandbringingalittlemorefunintotheprocess.Herfocusisnaturalcleaning,cleaningroutines,simpleorganizingtips,andhomekeepingandhomemanagement.ShehasbeenfeaturedonOprah.com,HGTVMagazine,BHG.com,HuffingtonPost,Answers.com(housekeepingexpert),andhasalsoprovidedcleaningcontentforScotch-Brite(3M),Peapod/Reckitt,andCafemom.com,tonameafew.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Abigthankyoutomyfamilyandfriendsforyourlove,support,andprayers—Iloveyouall!Thankyoutomywonderfulhusband,George,andmythreebabiesforputtingupwiththecrazinessthatcomeswithwritingabookinthemidstofreallife.ThisbookexistsbecauseofGodwhoreallytrulymakesALLthingsgoodinHistime.
METRICCONVERSIONCHARTVOLUMECONVERSIONS
U.S.VolumeMeasure MetricEquivalent
⁄ teaspoon 0.5milliliter
⁄ teaspoon 1milliliter
⁄ teaspoon 2milliliters
1teaspoon 5milliliters
⁄ tablespoon 7milliliters
1tablespoon(3teaspoons) 15milliliters
2tablespoons(1fluidounce) 30milliliters
⁄ cup(4tablespoons) 60milliliters
⁄ cup 90milliliters
⁄ cup(4fluidounces) 125milliliters
⁄ cup 160milliliters
⁄ cup(6fluidounces) 180milliliters
1cup(16tablespoons) 250milliliters
1pint(2cups) 500milliliters
1quart(4cups) 1liter(about)
WEIGHTCONVERSIONS
U.S.WeightMeasure MetricEquivalent
⁄ ounce 15grams
1ounce 30grams
2ounces 60grams
3ounces 85grams
⁄ pound(4ounces) 115grams
⁄ pound(8ounces) 225grams
⁄ pound(12ounces) 340grams
1pound(16ounces) 454grams
1 8
1 4
1 2
1 2
1 4
1 3
1 2
2 3
3 4
1 2
1 4
1 2
3 4
Copyright©2014byRebeccaRapinchuk.
Allrightsreserved.Thisbook,orpartsthereof,maynotbereproducedinanyformwithoutpermissionfromthe
publisher;exceptionsaremadeforbriefexcerptsusedinpublishedreviews.
PublishedbyAdamsMedia,adivisionofF+WMedia,Inc.57LittlefieldStreet,Avon,MA02322.U.S.A.
www.adamsmedia.com
ISBN10:1-4405-7251-8ISBN13:978-1-4405-7251-7eISBN10:1-4405-7252-6
eISBN13:978-1-4405-7252-4
LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataRapinchuk,Becky.Theorganicallycleanhome/BeckyRapinchuk,www.cleanmama.net.pagescmIncludesbibliographicalreferencesandindex.ISBN-13:978-1-4405-7251-7(pb:alk.paper)ISBN-10:1-4405-7251-8(pb:alk.paper)ISBN-13:978-1-4405-7252-4(ebook)ISBN-10:1-4405-7252-6(ebook)1.Housecleaning--Environmentalaspects.2.Cleaningcompounds--Environmentalaspects.3.Naturalproducts.4.Formulas,recipes,etc.I.Title.TX324.R372014648’.5--dc23
2013045804
Manyofthedesignationsusedbymanufacturersandsellerstodistinguishtheirproductareclaimedastrademarks.WherethosedesignationsappearinthisbookandF+WMedia,Inc.wasawareofatrademarkclaim,thedesignationshavebeenprintedwithinitialcapitalletters.
CoverdesignbySylviaMcArdle.Coverimage©AdamsMedia.
Interioricons©iStockphoto.com/dutchicon/TheresaTibbetts.
Readersareurgedtotakeallappropriateprecautionsbeforeundertakinganyhow-totask.Alwaysreadandfollowinstructionsandsafetywarningsforalltoolsandmaterials,andcallinaprofessionalifthetaskstretchesyourabilitiestoofar.Althougheveryefforthasbeenmadeto
providethebestpossibleinformationinthisbook,neitherthepublishernortheauthorisresponsibleforaccidents,injuries,ordamageincurredasaresultoftasksundertakenbyreaders.Thisbookisnotasubstituteforprofessionalservices.