Greener Cleaners Part 2

I’m sure you’ve all been anxiously waiting for Part 2. ….not really I know but a girl can dream can’t she.

Here are a few recipes I’ve tried and they all worked well for me.  They are all very easy and only require a couple of ingredients that are easily found at your local grocery store, with the exception of Essential Oils but you can get them at the Bulk Barn and at some grocery stores.  If you are here in HRM you can pick them up at Casaroma Wellness at Alderney Landing.  Next time you’re at the Alderney Farmers Market stop buy and pick up a couple to try.

If you’re on Pinterest you’ve probably seen this one 450 times.  I kept seeing it and have wanted to try it for myself for quite awhile.  Unfortunately lemons have been a little on the pricey side around here and I just didn’t want to spend the money in case the recipe was a fail.  So when I saw bags and bags of lemons 50% off at my local grocery store I had to buy them up and give it a try.

Citrus Cleaner

What you will need

• Quart size mason jar
• white vinegar
• citrus peels (lemons, limes, oranges or grapefruit – any combination will work)
• spray bottle

Fill jar at least half way with citrus peel. Fill rest of the way with vinegar.  Cover and set aside for 2 – 3 weeks (the longer you let it sit the stronger it gets).  After the time has passed strain the peels out with a fine mesh strainer.  Mix with water in your spray bottle 1:1

*Note – Don’t let the juice go to waste.  I juiced the lemons froze the juice in ice cube trays and the put in a storage bag in the freezer for use at a later date in recipes or you could make up some lemonade if that’s your thing.

I tested this on our gas stove top.  This is the one thing I hate about the gas stove, trying to keep it clean is a full time job in itself. For this test I left it alone for 7 days.  It killed me to look at the disgusting mess but I wanted to see if this cleaner was going to cut it.

You can see for yourself, it did a great job on this disgusting mess.

Up next… Foaming Hand Soap

What you’ll need

• Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps (Liquid Castille Soap)
• 1 old foaming hand soap pump, thoroughly cleaned out.
• distilled water (preferably) tap water will work too.
• Tea Tree Essential oil (optional)

Fill bottle about 1/4 full with the liquid soap.  Fill the rest of the way with water.  Add between 10-20 drops of Tea Tree oil if you would like your soap to have antibacterial properties. 

That’s it..  easy peasy!

*Note – You can buy Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap at the Superstore or online, well.ca is a good site. There are different scents (almond, peppermint, lavender and they have unscented as well).

Fabric Softener

I haven’t used fabric softener for many many years, I either don’t use anything or just add some plain white vinegar in place of the fabric softener.  Trust me you’re clothes won’t smell like vinegar, but if you want to add some scent just add the essential oil of your choice (lavender, wild orange, peppermint, vanilla whatever you want)

What you’ll need

• 1 quart mason jar
• 1 tsp rubbing alcohol (emulsifier)
• 25 – 30 drops of essential oil
• white vinegar

Combine vinegar, essential oil, and rubbing alcohol in mason jar.  Shake to combine.  Add 1/4 – 1/2 cup to the fabric softener dispenser in your washer.

Stainless Steel Cleaner

• cleaning cloth
• Olive Oil
• white vinegar

Put olive oil on your cleaning cloth.  Clean surface.  Either use a separate cloth or just turn over the one you just used and put vinegar on your cloth.  Go over surface you just cleaned with the oil.  That’s it you’re done.  I’ve tried this on my fridge and it gets rid of all those annoying smudges.

Sink Cleanser (You don’t need Comet)

Sprinkle Baking Soda all over your sink. Use a wet sponge to scrub the sink and rinse well when done. If you have some stubborn spots you could use white vinegar instead of water to wet your sponge for some added umph

Here are a couple that I haven’t tried but they look like good combinations.

All Purpose Cleaner (tubs, tiles, counters, etc)

• 1 gallon hot water
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup liquid castile soap
• 1 tbsp borax
• 10 drops essential oil (optional)

Combine all ingredients, mix well and pour into spray bottle.

All Purpose Scour (non abrasive for tubs, tiles, sinks etc)

• 1 2/3 cups baking soda
• 1/2 cup liquid castile soap
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tbsp white vinegar

Combine.  Pour into spray bottle.  Shake well before each use and rinse well.

There you have it.  You can find a lot of natural cleaning recipes on line.  You may have to try a couple to get one that you really like but they are worth trying.

~ Jackie