Clean Green - DIY cleaning products

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When I packed my bags to move into my new home I was amazed at how many cleaning products and air fresheners I was taking with me. 

Bathroom cleaner, kitchen cleaner, floor cleaner, window cleaner, bleach, drain cleaner... This would also create a lot of empty plastic bottles to dispose of once used. I was concerned as well that using air fresheners were really good for my health or the environment. 

Manufacturers' clever marketing has convinced us that unless with buy multiple products for each room and purpose we must be slobs with unsanitary houses...

Thankfully I learned that there are recipes I can use to make my own products with simple ingredients and that many of these products can be used all over the house. 

GENERAL CLEANERS

I have have several recipes for all purpose cleaners:

1- Castile soap-based cleaner:

Ingredients: Castile soap, essential oil (I use tea tree or lemon) and water. 

- Mix two cups of water with 2 tbsp or Castile soap and 10 drops of essential oil

- Put into a spray bottle and you have a general cleaner for your home. 

2- Vinegar-based cleaner: 

This one is very simple, just mix equal part distilled white vinegar and water. 

This can be used as a general surface cleaner, window cleaner, to remove stains from carpets, to freshen laundry, to clean toothbrushes and trainers and to polish chrome and brass. 

3- Citrus-based cleaner:

This ones will take a few weeks to be ready to use. 

Ingredients: citrus peels (lemon and orange) and distilled white vinegar. 

- Half fill a jar (I use a clean, empty jam jar) with citrus peels

- Top-up with distilled white vinegar and put the lid back on the jar

- Keep in a place away from the sun, like a kitchen cupboard, for six weeks

- Then open the jar, strain to remove the citrus peels and keep the liquid only

- Transfer into a spray bottle and it is ready to use. 

WASHING-UP LIQUID

Ingredients: Baking soda, Castile soap, essential oil (I use tea tree for this)

- Boil some water

- In a bowl mix 1tsp of baking soda and 1.5 tsp of Castile soap for every cup of hot water 

- Let the water cool and add 10 drops of the essential oil of your choice to the bowl such as tea tree oil

- Transfer the washing-up liquid you have just created into a bottle. 

AIR FRESHENER 

Ingredients: Water, essential oil (I use Lavender or Tea Tree)

I just pour two cups of water in a bowl and add about 15 drops of my chosen oil or I mix 10 drops of oil with five of another oil then transfer that into a spray bottle. 

I also made potpourris jars to add pleasant scents to each room in my house and will share how I made them in another post. 

 

Location: England, UK

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