Let's Get Clean!
In honor of this being Trash Cancer week, I wanted to share some of the recipes that I have collected over the last couple of years. Since going through treatment for breast cancer I have become vigilant about what I put in, on and around me. That being said, I try and use chemical free/toxic free products in my home, and it is so easy! Almost everything you need to do this is already in your pantry! I've narrowed it down to the following eight items:
Vinegar: Plain old white distilled vinegar because darker vinegars can stain. I use vinegar on everything from windows to counter tops to bathroom surfaces. You will want to make sure and not use vinegar on marble, granite or any type of stone. These surfaces do not like anything acidic and if you do use them it will most like cause etching to occur.
Lemon Juice: Also in the acid family, lemons are great to have around for cleaning. I use it in my all-purpose counter spray, bathroom scouring scrub and furniture polish.
Liquid Castile Soap: My favorite is Dr. Bonner's and I literally use it for everything. Dishwashing, bathroom scrubs, counter scrubs, degreasing, laundry detergent and more! I keep a one gallon jug in my pantry and use it everyday.
Baking Soda vs. Sodium Carbonate: I use them both. Baking Soda I use everyday as a gentle abrassive, to get rid of odors in litter boxes, carpets and in the fridge. Mixed with vinegar it fizzes and will help unclog a mildly clogged drain! Sodium Carbonate is great as a booster in the washer and a great stain remover on tubs and sinks. Sodium Carbonate works wonders on your electric tea pot and coffee maker as well!
3% Hydrogen Peroxide: Nature's bleach. I use it in spray form to disinfect areas of the bathroom and kitchen.
Essential Oils: Essential Oils are so nice to have on hand to add to your cleaning solutions to bring in a fresh scent that is free of phthalates and parabens! Essential oils also have really powerful properties to them. Some of which are anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. My favorites for housecleaning include lavender, tea tree (great at killing germs) and eucalyptus. My favorite resource for essential oils is Young Living Oils and Floracopeia. They have an extensive selection and their oils are high quality.
Beeswax: Furniture polish. Leaves a lovely polish on all types of wood. Very easy to use.
With the above products you will be able to make a wide variety of cleaning products for your home that are safe for you and your family. A few of the recipes are as follows:
All Purpose Spray
1 cup water
1 cup white vinegar
Juice from one lemon
All Purpose Scrub
1 cup Baking Soda
1/3 cup warm water
1 lemon or a few drops of favorite essential oil
1 tablespoon of castille soap
Stove Top Spray
1/2 white vinegar
1 cup water
1 tablespoon castille soap
A special recipe that I came across last summer on Priscilla Woolworth's site was for Moroccan Furniture Polish. This particular polish requires a few more steps to make, but is absolutley worth it. The end result is gorgeous and chemical free!
Morrocan Inspired Furniture Polish
1 cup of white vinegar.
3 cups of olive oil.
1-Pour the oil and vinegar in a glass jar with a lid.
2-Close the lid tightly and shake well.
3-Apply a small amount to a soft rag and buff the furniture.
4-Let the surface dry for an hour before using, so all the goodness can seep in.
5-Label the jar and store the polish at room temperature in a dark place.
I hope these recipes will help you to create an environment in your home that is clean and sparkling and non-toxic! I love learning old secrets to cleaning and would love to hear any that you might have to share!
To happy and healthy cleaning!! Trashing Cancer one home at a time!!!
