Right there I had another one of my epiphany's. I couldn't believe the amount of chemicals that I had and the cost that they all added up to, easy close to $30. And most of them I needed to buy fortnightly.
There had to be away that I could cut down the amount of chemicals I was pumping into my house and the amount on cash that was flowing out. I jumped on google to 'google it' and there it was, my answer.
I could make my own cleaning products for less money and best of all I knew exactly what was in them.
So now this is all I use to clean my house...
They cost me roughly $45 to buy. Yes I know that the initial cost is more expensive then buying commercial cleaning products, but most of them are fairly cheap. The most expensive items are the essential oils but bear in mind that you only use a few drops at a time. So that little bottle will last you quite some time. The item I buy the most frequently is the pure soap. A pack of four will usually last me a month and it only sets me back $2 a pack.
Have I won you over yet? If not wait till you see how easy it is to make and how well they work.
This one is by far my favourite, the Laundry Powder.
Ingredients
4 cups of grated pure soap (or to save time you could use Lux Flakes)
2 cups of washing soda
1 cup of borax
It is as easy as just combining all the ingredients and pouring it into a container. I prefer to take my stab mixer to my grated soap. You can use it just in the little curls but the perfectionist in me likes it a little finer. Also, when you are using the borax it is always best to play it safe and wear some rubber gloves. Add one tablespoon to every wash and you will be surprised at how well it works, I sure was.
This one is a very close second on my list of favourites.
Eucalyptus Oil All Purpose Cleaner
Ingredients
15 drops of Eucalyptus oil
1/2 cup of vinegar
water
Once again as simple as combining the ingredients. Drop in 15 drops of the oil, pour in the vinegar and then top up with water. Give it a shake and away you go. So simple! I love the smell of Eucalyptus as well it just smells so clean.
This one is a little more fiddly but well worth it.
Dish washing liquid
Ingredients
1/4 cup of grated soap
2 cups hot water
1/4 glycerine
15 drops of orange oil
Mix the soap with the hot water and then stir until the soap is completely dissolved. Put aside till it has cooled to just above room temperate. Add the glycerine and the oil. When the mixture cools it will come to a nearly jelly consistency. Grab a fork and break it all up then pour it into a squeeze or pump bottle. Then tackle those messy dishes.
The one thing I get asked the most when I tell people that I use homemade cleaning products is 'What do you use to get off the baked food in your oven?' Well its simple and easy. And best of all it works!!
Ingredients
1/2 baking soda
1/2 salt
water
Mix the baking soda and salt together with just enough water to make a paste. Smear that paste over the oven. I found it works best when it is kept a little moist. So I always have a little spray bottle of water on hand to give it a squirt every hour or so. Keep the mixture on for about 5 hours then wipe it off with a damp cloth. All those baked on nasty's will come right off.
So there you have it.
That is some of my homemade cleaning products. I have loads more ways to keep your house clean with these ingredients but only have a limited amount of time. I will have to make a part 2 to this post. Try them and I am sure you will be just as surprised as I was with the results.
Happy cleaning.
Tiffany.
Some excellent help there and I love the oven cleaning tip, I'll certainly be giving that a go!
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