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:
Im going to try the floor soap this week, just need to find the castille soap and the oil.
Thank you!!!!! This is what I've been needing for a while... now, where do I find castille soap??
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
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!
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!
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!!
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