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More and more people are waking up to the fact that chemical based household cleaners are not good for us to breathe in or make contact with our skin. Have you ever wondered how people kept their homes clean and free of germs before Mr. Clean, Lysol and Clorox came into being?
Simple, these were simpler times and people found simple ingredients to get the job done. Below, find a list of commonly used ingredients in natural cleaners:
Castile soap
This is a natural soap made from olive oil that dates back to ancient Greece. This soap has many uses, including washing dishes, clothing, cleaning floors and surfaces, and much more.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a natural, nontoxic substance. Baking soda does NOT contain aluminum, for those who may have been mistakenly led to believe otherwise. It is helpful for applications that call for a gentle abrasive, such as cleansing the bath tub, or porcelain sink surfaces.
Washing soda
Also known as soda ash, washing soda is baking soda that has been heat treated. You can make it at home by baking in the oven, however it’s much easier to just find it on the shelves of your favorite grocery store. Washing soda is found in homemade laundry detergent.
Vinegar
Acid combined with oil and salt is a highly effective way to cleanse and disinfect. Mix up a natural cleaning spray solution of white vinegar plus a teaspoon or two of baking soda, and you’re good to go.
Essential oils
The best essential oils for cleaning include those with the most antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial power. This includes thyme, lemon, cinnamon, clove and rosemary.
It’s easy and economical to make your own essential-oil based, natural cleaning products. You can either take some time to bottle them up in advance using safe, dark-colored glass storage containers… or, just break out these simple ingredients on the fly, grab a bucket and wash rag, and get to cleaning.
MYO Disinfectant Abrasive Cleaner Recipe – Spring Cleaning Blend – Tea Tree, Peppermint, Lemon and Lime
What you will need:
1 cup baking soda
4 Tablespoons castile soap
3 drops tea tree oil, 5 drops lemon oil, 5 drops lime oil
Glass container with lid
Mix up a batch of this sanitizing abrasive scrub to use on the bathroom sink, in the tub, and the kitchen sink. Just place a quarter-sized amount on a clean wash rag or sponge, and scrub. Continue adding the cleaner to your cloth and wiping in as needed. Rinse out your cleaning cloth in hot water and wipe away until all traces of cleaner are gone and your surfaces sparkle and shine.
You can also make this into a foaming abrasive cleaner by adding 2 Tablespoons of vinegar just before use.
Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap Using Essential Oils
This recipe calls for washing soda. You may wonder what this is and where to get it. Washing soda is available from Arm & Hammer at most grocery stores and at Wal-Mart. It is basically heat-treated baking soda. Some people attempt to make their own washing soda by spreading baking soda in a pan and cooking it in the oven. Why do this when Arm & Hammer has already done it for you?
What you will need:
1 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
1 cup Borax
2.5 gallons of hot water near to simmering
1 bar of chemical-free soap, such as Ivory or castile soap
Extra large pot such as for boiling spaghetti
Vegetable or cheese grater
About 30 drops of your favorite essential oil blend
Start by grating the natural soap into the pot. Pour in the water and begin to heat on the stove top. When the water is near to boiling, add in a cup each of the washing soda and Borax. Stir until mixture dissolves together. Remove from heat and let cool overnight. Drop in the essential oils and stir again. Pour into large glass jars with air-tight lid.
To wash clothes with homemade laundry soap, add about a half-cup per washing machine load. Tips: Start with warm water and make sure to mix the laundry soap in before adding the clothes.
Please note, essential oils work great for removing mold and mildew from dirty clothing. However, the scent typically does not linger on the clean laundry for long.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to serve as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before using any natural medication or if you experience any unusual symptoms. Read Full Disclaimer here.
