DIY - Go Green & Save $$$
Not only will these cleaners save you money, but they are also non-toxic, which is great news for you and your family!
I get such a sense of accomplishment from making my own products and using them, instead of paying a fortune for the packaging and advertising of those "big names". Plus, you're re-using packaging, which is good for the environment and your wallet.
So, have fun with these!
Homemade Liquid Dish Soap:
1/2 cup liquid castile soap - I like tea tree oil scented, but you can use unscented as well
1/8 cup water
4 drops of essential oil of your choice - I like lemon or orange flavor when making citrus scented
1 tsp vinegar or Homemade all-purpose citrus cleaner (see below)
Mix ingredients together & fill your old empty laundry soap's plastic squirt bottle with your new creation.
Your might have to use a little bit more, but not much more. And it might not suds up like you're used to, but it works!
Homemade All-Purpose Citrus Cleaner:
Can be used to clean kitchen and bathroom surfaces, the refrigerator, floors...you name it
Orange or lemon peels
1-2 Tbsp salt - any kind
vinegar
water
essential oil (optional)
Keep orange and/or lemon peels / scraps after you juice & Cut them into pieces small enough to fit into glass jars. Sprinkle the peels with enough salt to lightly coat them and let that sit for at least 30 minutes to leach the oils from the citrus peels. Fill the rest of the jars with a mixture of 1/2 vinegar & 1/2 water. Close the jars and let them sit and be pretty for 2-3 weeks. The longer the better, since it'll get stronger. Strain the mixture and place liquid into squirt bottles, which are now ready to use.
Smells great & works great too!
No toxins filling your bathroom and kitchen to strangle you as you clean, and safe for the kids to use and help you!
1/2 cup water
2 tsp baking soda
2 drops tea tree essential oil
2 drops peppermint essential oil
Place ingredients in a jar and shake before use. Swish 2-3 tsp for a minute in your mouth & gargle. Spit out. This mix is particularly good for garlic breath!
1 orange or lemon
2 cups water
1/4 cup vodka
6-8 drops lavender essential oil
Cut the fruit into wedges. Boil in the water until liquid is reduced by half. Strain through cheesecloth into a measuring cup. You need 1 cup. Cool. Add vodka and essential oils. Pour into spray bottle (at least 10 ounces). Shake before each use. Lemons are better for blondes, and oranges are better for brunettes, because if a brunette uses lemon and goes into the sun, it can lighten your hair. Remember doing that as a teenager? No more toxic sprays in the bathroom! Enjoy this natural alternative, and you can enjoy a little cocktail with the leftover vodka! ;)
Homemade Powder Laundry Soap:
1 grated bar of Ivory, Dr. Bonners, Mrs. Meyers, or Fels Naptha Soap
1 cup Borax
1 cup Washing soda (example: Arm & Hammer - washing soda, not baking soda!)
Stir thoroughly. Use 1 Tbsp per load. Add essential oils if you like, but I enjoy the soap scent personally.
Homemade Toothpaste:
2/3 cup baking soda
4 tsp fine sea salt
1-2 tsp peppermint extract or 10-15 drops peppermint essential oil
Add water to desired consistency and store in a small plastic container. Dip your toothbrush in it and use as you would any toothpaste. It's milder on your teeth than the abrasives in commercial toothpaste.
Homemade Deodorant Spray:
Fill a spray bottle with Everclear liquor. Add 10 drops of essential oil per 1 oz of alcohol / liquor. Use once or twice daily.
This mixture will not keep you from perspiring, because you should perspire, but it kills the bacteria that cause odor, so you won't stink. Spray a few times under each arm in the morning and optionally again at night. It might sting a little, but not much and not for long. You won't want to spray immediately following a bath or shower or immediately after shaving!
Homemade Powder Dishwasher Soap:
1 cup Borax
1 cup Washing Soda (example Arm & Hammer - washing soda, not baking soda!)
1 cup Citric Acid
1/2 cup Kosher salt or Epsom salts
(Can substitute Lemishine or Lemonade flavored Kool-Aid for the Citric Acid)
Mix ingredients together and keep in an air-tight jar or plastic container.
Use 3/4 to 1 Tbsp per load, in the open compartment of the dishwasher, or just thrown into the dishwasher.
Suggestions: You may need to double the Citric acid for really hard water to avoid spotting, and you can also add a splash of white vinegar or lemon juice to each load, in the rinse agent compartment for a clean finish.
To keep your mixture from clumping, you can add a packet of desiccant (like the silica packets that come in a new purse or inside vitamin / medicine bottles. Keep the desicant closed and just place it in the container to absorb moisture. Another option would be to cut the toe off a clean pair of pantyhose, place some rice in the toe and tie it off. Put that little sachet inside the container to absorb moisture.
