The Goodness of Natural Products
Some natural cleaning recipes call for making them as you go, using baking soda and vinegar, for example, causes foaming to take place-as any kid in chemistry class will tell you-and needs to be made right on top of the grease you are trying to clean up. Some, however, can be made and stored, just like the chemical or commercial brands.
For starters I love natural. Call me a vegan, a dinosaur, old-school – whatever. I do my regular domestic cleaning using only materials I have prepared myself. I wouldn’t trust their commercial alternatives for the world. Life has seen a lot of corporate greed that comes into play when any products are involved. So that is that. Out of the way. On to the making of these beauties.
The Recipes
First, some essentials need time you go shopping:
- Clean plastic spray bottles
- Liquid Castile soap
- White vinegar (Apple cider vinegar can stain and some people have allergies to it)
- Pure lemon juice
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Grapefruit seed extract
- Essential oils and/or herbs for fragrance-optional
These are the basics. As long as you keep these products on hand, you will always be able to concoct natural cleaning recipes for use around animals and pregnant women, or simply cut down on the use of chemicals and commercial products. The following are recipes for natural cleaning products.
All-Purpose Cleaner
- This will last for a couple of months if you keep it in the refrigerator (using lemon), makes 32 ounces.
- 1 cup Vinegar or Lemon Juice,
- 1 teaspoon of liquid Castile soap
- 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract.
- Fill with cold water to the top of the container. If you use about 20 drops of essential oil you can delete the vinegar smell and won’t have to store it in the refrigerator. If you use Lemon, mark the sprayer clearly!
Use as a shower spray to cut down on the soap scum. Just spray and leave on for 20 minutes, then wipe with a towel or spray and leave to dry. For your kitchen counters, appliances, floors, windows, and mirrors, use as you would any spray and wipe cleaner.
For your floors, use about 1/2 cup in a bucket of water and use in your Dishwasher as a dish rinse. You can even use it in your laundry.
- Soft Scrub
- 1 cup of baking soda
- 1 cup of Castile soap
- Mix together and use as a soft scrub for all your bathroom (tub, tile, and toilet) cleaning needs.
Liquid Natural Detergent
This makes one gallon and can be used anywhere that the all-purpose spray can be used. It is especially helpful in cutting today’s laundry detergent prices.
1 cup of Castile Soap
1 /3 cup of Salt
1 cup of baking soda
1 cup of Vinegar
40 drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract.
To half a gallon of water, add the salt and baking soda which has been melted down over low heat and just enough water to help it dissolve. Add Castile soap and the vinegar.
Fill your gallon jug up the rest of the way, and then add Essential oils and Grapefruit extract. For tub and tile cleaner, put your solution in a spray bottle and use on your bathroom or kitchen. For floors, add 1/2 to one cup (more) of Castile soap to your bucket of water and clean almost any floor. If you have concerns, spot mop a small section to test. You can also use this natural cleaning recipe instead of commercial dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent, induction burner stoves, and on all counter tops.
