i recently have been doing a complete switch over to using natural products to clean my house. i had been partially natural for a while but decided it was time to get more serious about it. i don’t want to be breathing in the chemicals when i clean and i don’t want my family or my sweet animals to be the victims of whatever harm comes from all the harsh chemicals in most store-bought cleaners. i wanted to try a homemade laundry soap. i was leery about it since I have been a tide girl since i was born. i love the smell of laundry, so then of course i also have to use downy…and a bounce sheet in the dryer! i couldn’t believe how easy it was to make as well as affordable! allow me to share the recipe i used for mine!
liquid laundry soap
7L water
1 cup soap granules
1/2 cup borax
1/2 cup washing soda
20 drops essential oil (optional)
add 1L of water and soap granules to pot. heat until diluted. pour into a pail with 6L of water, borax and washing soda. stir until dissolved. add essential oil. soap will gel as it cools. use 1/2 cup per load.
tips from my experience:
- i poured mine into mason jars (i had monstrous vintage ones from my grandma), then i give it a quick shake before i use it and it will become more liquid than gel.
- essential oils recommended: jasmine, lavender, lemon, lemongrass (this was my top choice)
- add 1/2 cup baking soda for whiter whites.
this detergent really impressed me. my towels are soft when they are washed and feel so clean and fresh along with all of my other loads i have done! as far as cleaning the rest of my home, to keep it easy, i generally use straight up vinegar as my all-purpose cleaner or a half & half mixture of vinegar and water, but here are the recipes you need for every job in your home for a good natural deep clean!
glass & mirror cleaner
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup water
pour into spray bottle. (using coffee filters can create a streak-free clean)
*you can also use this as a veggie wash. spray veggies then let sit for a little bit, then rinse. the vinegar will kill off any mold spores and pesticides!
all-purpose spray (for tubs, tile, counters, microwave and floors)
1 gallon hot water
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup liquid castile soap
1 tbsp borax
10 drop essential oil (optional)
combine ingredients and pour into spray bottle.
all-purpose scour (non-abrasive for tubs, tiles and sinks)
1 2/3 cups baking soda
1/2 cup liquid castile soap
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp vinegar
combine and pout into squirt bottle. shake well before use and rinse well.
dishwasher and toilet cleaner
1/2 cup borax
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup white vinegar
combine dry ingredients.
for toilet: sprinkle onto surface, scrub and chase with vinegar.
for dishwasher: add dry ingredients to soap dispenser and vinegar to rinse dispenser.
furniture polish (always do a patch test first)
2 cups warm water
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice
pour into spray bottle. shake well, spray, rub and polish with a rag.
stainless steel cleaner (great for stainless steel appliances)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp vinegar
drip olive oil onto cloth. rub surface to remove smudges. drip vinegar onto opposite side of cloth, wipe and let dry.
