Tuesday, February 17, 2009

HOMEMADE CLEANERS AND DETERGENTS

With just a few items, you can make all of your own cleaners and detergents!


Laundry Detergent:
1 bar of Kirk’s Castile or Fels Naptha (I haven’t been able to find this anywhere, but I’m told it is wonderful), grated
2 cups borax
2 cups washing soda
Mix well in a bucket and use 1-2 tablespoons in each load.
Use vinegar with a few drops of essential oil for fabric softener.
All ingredients are located in the laundry section of most major grocery stores.

Update:  Because of the recent information on the Dangers of Borax, I have found a recipe that does not call for it:

2 gallons Water (hot)
1 bar Soap (grated)
2 cups Baking soda (yes baking soda–not washing soda)
  • Melt grated soap in a saucepan with enough hot water to cover. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring frequently until soap is melted.
  • In a large pail, pour 2 gallons hot water. Add melted soap, stir well.
  • Then add the baking soda, stir well again.
  • Use 1/2 cup per full load, 1 cup per very soiled load.

All Purpose Spray Cleaner:
2 tsp Washing Soda
2 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp liquid castile soap (I use Dr. Bronner’s Baby Mild)
1/4 cup vinegar
2 cups hot water
Put all ingredients in spray bottle and shake (I mix it up in a measuring cup first)

Soft Scrubber:
3/4 cup baking soda
1/8 cup liquid castile soap
5 drops lavendar essential oil
1/4 cup vinegar
Add enough water to make a smooth paste

Floor Cleaner:
I just fill the sink with hot water, add a few splashes of vinegar, and several drops of lavendar essential oil. It works really well.

Thyme Cleaner- disinfectant:
2 1/2 cups water
1 handful thyme (fresh or dried)
Vinegar
Liquid castile soap (squirt)
Boil water, add thyme. Simmer for several hours over medium-low heat, covered. Cool, then strain. Pour the water into a spray bottle, top with white vinegar and squirt of soap. Thyme is a natural disinfectant.

Tub and Tile Cleaner:
1 2/3 cup water
1/4 cup liquid castile soap
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4-1/2 cup vinegar
A few drops of essential oil
Add soap to water and let dissolve. Stir in baking soda, then add vinegar (make sure to add it in slowly!). Store in a squirt bottle and shake before using. Rinse thoroughly!

Toilet Cleaner:
Sprinkle baking soda and borax in toilet, then pour vinegar. Allow it to sit for a few minutes (as long as you want, depending on how dirty it is!). Then, scrub with brush.

1 comment:

Allvira said...

Thanks for the home made cleaner recipe. LOL
I'll try out these by myself. It'll be less harmful as compared to inorganic one.

Allvira,
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