Natural Household Cleansers
Written: May 28 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Cleans great with no antiseptic or "cleanser" smell; safe, non-abrasive.
Cons: None
The Bottom Line: Great cleansers! They work, are safe, cost very little, and smell wonderful.
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| jaykat's Full Review: Household |
Do you get tired of constantly using harsh chemicals to clean? It's either rubber gloves or peeling skin, along with that somewhat strong chemical smell that hangs in the air or on your hands!
Not to mention the worry of having these chemicals in a house with youngsters who want to "help"!
Now there is a better way! I have discovered several "recipes" for natural household cleansers. Use as substitute cleansers for your tub, shower, sink, countertops, stovetops, floors, carpet freshener - it's endless! These are non-abrasive, and actually make cleaning fun, leaving everything sparkling fresh, and smelling like a spring day year round!
Dr. Bronners Liquid Soap (either peppermint or almond scented) is a basic ingredient that you may have to find at a health food store. I found mine for $10.25 a quart, and it stretches a loooooooonnnng way - so don't let the price deter you - you WILL get your money's worth!
You will also want to have an essential oil or two on hand, also available at health food stores. My favorites are peppermint, lemon and orange.
Most of the other ingredients you will find already on your own shelf at home. If not, WalMart or Target will have them.
Now to the cleansers themselves! These are three of my favorites!
Earth Paste (Tub & Tile Cleaner)
Mix together with a fork until smooth:
1 2/3 cup baking soda
1/2 cup Dr. Bronners liquid soap
2 Tbsp water
Stir in:
2 Tbsp white distilled vinegar
Keep in a covered container and use just like any other cleanser! I keep mine in empty butter tubs.
Scented Baking Sodas
So simple!
Empty a 1# box of baking soda into a mixing bowl. Add 25 drops of essential oil. I like to store a variety of these in shaker containers, such as you find cheese in at the local pizza restaurant.
So many uses!
As a carpet freshener - just shake on the carpet and vacuum. Your house smells wonderful! I change the scent of the oil with the season.
As a car freshener - shake on the carpets and vacuum, just like in the house! Peppermint removes smoke and pet odors!
As a sink cleanser - use soda with lemon for this one - what a wonderful fresh scent as you clean, and it lingers in the kitchen and bathroom afterwards!
As a litter box deoderizer - we used lavendar scented soda, and sprinkled just a spoon full or so over a fresh box. The cat didn't even notice, but we did!
Use your imagination - you will find more!
Momma's Earth Mop (Floor Cleaner)
Fill a 16 ounce squirt bottle with equal amounts of white distilled vinegar and water. Add 15-20 drops of essential oil. Spray and mop! I like lemon or orange for this one. We recently laid hardwood floors in our entry way. I asked the carpenter what to clean it with. Imagine my delight when he said, "Plain old vinegar and water are best"! I also use on my vinyl flooring.
The recipes for these environmentally safe cleansers are excerpted from the book "Clean House, Clean Planet : Clean Your House for Pennies a Day, the Safe, Nontoxic Way" by Karen Logan. My thanks to my sister-in-law for discovering and sharing! Our local library had a copy, but I soon wanted one for myself! It can be found at Amazon.com, for you internet shoppers. Here is the URL where I ordered my copy. It also has reviews of this book, and lists some other books that appear to be related to the same topic.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0671535951/especiallyforsen
May all your cleaning days be bright and wonderfully scented!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
jaykat
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Member: Katie
Reviews written: 36
Trusted by: 18 members
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