March 22, 2010

Eco-Cleaning: The Second Recipes


Here are the recipes that will make cleaning your kitchen a natural breeze:

  • Liquid Dish Soap: In a container of your choice (a thoroughly washed squirt bottle from your former brand of liquid dish soap is ideal), add 1 cup liquid castille soap, 3 tbsps water, and 20 drops of tea tree oil (or lavender if you prefer the scent). This soap can leave a bit of a film, which is why the vinegar rinse is such an important step in the handwashing. 
  • All Natural Soft Scrub for sinks, countertops, etc.: In an old 12 oz glass jar with lid, add 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup castille soap or until you have a consistency like cake frosting, 15 drops of an antiseptic essential oil (I prefer tea tree oil for this recipe, just because it smells super-clean). If you have leftovers, add 1 tsp vegetable glycerin to keep moist.
  • Antiseptic Soap Spray: If you've got areas that are so grimy you want to wash prior to using the All-Purpose Cleaner, by all means - get to it: Fill a 16 oz spray bottle with about 15 oz. of purified water, add 3 tbsp castille soap, and 30 drops of tea tree essential oil. This is some serious cleaning spray, perfect for surfaces that get a lot of germy scum - it's going to come in very handy when you head to the bathroom tomorrow. Just follow it up with the All-Purpose Cleaner to rinse away any soapy residue.
  • Optional Glass, Tile, and Surface Cleaner: This one is great for ceramic tiles and other surfaces as well as your All-Purpose Cleaner. It also works for glass. It's just a matter of preference at this point, and who doesn't love choices? 16 oz. Spray Bottle: 1 cup Rubbing Alcohol, 1 cup water, 1 tbsp distilled white vinegar. Choose your poison.
And finally, the much discussed, and frankly, put-off, mopping solutions. I don't know why I procrastinate sometimes...that's for another blog post, another day. 

  • General Mop Solution: Perfect for tile floors, vinyl, or linoleum - Fill a small bottle (reused hot sauce bottles are the best for this!) with 1/4 cup castille soap, 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar, and 20 drops of tea tree essential oil. Mop as usual, and keep a bucket or clean sink close-by filled with 2 gallons of hot water per solution for rinsing. 
  • Wood Floor Mop Solution: For super glossy floors, in a 20 oz. spray bottle, add: 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar, 1 tsp. glycerin, 20 drops lemon essential oil, water. Spray, mop as usual, and quickly buff dry to protect your floors.
Now, your kitchen is so clean, and your floors are so clean - you could eat off of them. Or lie despondently like a starved fashion model if you felt like it...


I'm sorta hoping you'll just relax and daydream on your freshly mopped floors like this:


You know you deserve it. And hey, the agenda just changed: Home fragrance will be included tomorrow. I'm WAY too wiped out today. Sorry darlings. 

Best,
Tara

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Im going to try the floor soap this week, just need to find the castille soap and the oil.

Charis said...

Thank you!!!!! This is what I've been needing for a while... now, where do I find castille soap??

Tara said...

You can find both online at Mountain Rose Herbs (there's a banner at the bottom of the blog - as well as a blurb about why I personally love them so much on a post Mar.20th).

Or you can find both at a Health Food Store like Whole Foods - if you aren't in America - or don't have Whole Foods in your town - try Trader Joe's for liquid castille soap. Essential oils are definitely a health foods store or online purchase - and ever so worth it.

Today, I'll be talking about making your house smell yummy - and later on for laundry...you might want to hold off and just buy a few of your favorite scents in addition to the recommended online at MRH.

Best,
Tara

cabin + cub said...

Thanks for sharing! I am always looking for alternative ways to clean around the house... especially cleaner and greener ways. ;)

ps. I am having a giveaway...come check it out!

Tara said...

Hey Val -

I will definitely come by for the giveaway - read this morning about your shower and I think it's a bit unfair we don't get to see the pear costume! ; ).

These recipes are coming at a good time for you with the Bun in the Oven and on the way out!

jana* said...

so i'm trying your floor cleaner for the first time today.... when i mixed the castille soap (which I found at Target, by the way!) and vinegar, it separated into a white yogurty part & a watery part. is this supposed to happen? and do i spray this on the floor & mop with a damp mop, or mix with the 2 gallons of water to mop? thanks for your help!!