Sunday, April 22, 2012

Healthy Household - Cleaning Naturally Better


I have a hormone imbalance and allergies.  Cleaning around the house is, of course, important - but so is HOW the house is cleaned.  I have been exploring the wonderful new (to me) world of homemade cleaning recipes.  Let me assure you, these really work and cost pennies, maybe dimes, on the dollar compared to other store bought, chemical based cleaners.


My store bough laundry detergent is $5.36 for 32 loads.  My homemade laundry detergent $2.85 for 44 loads.  Seriously!!  The detergent I made works really well.  My clothes smell fresh, are very soft, and do not irritate my sensitive skin.  I even have homemade fabric softener.  I keep it in an old, empty bottle of my former store bought  fabric softener.  I like the irony and it help my DH and I remember which container it's located in.


Laundry Soap 
  • 3 bars ivory soap, grated – $1.29
  • 1.5 cup Borax – $0.63 (Per box - $4.00 - 9.5 cups)
  • 1.5 cup Arm and Hammer Super Washing Powder – $0.66 (Per box - $3.00 - 6.875 cups)
Mix all and store in a container with a lid.
Total for one recipe = $2.85 for 44 loads
(Initial output of $8.29)


Use: 2 tablespoons per load


Don't use your food processor to grate the soap unless you have a grating disc in place.  It just makes a globby mess otherwise.  And and be careful not put the food processor or grater in your dishwasher with very much soap left on it.  You could have a foamy accident!


Fabric Softener
  • 2 cups warm water
  • 1 cup baking soda
  • Shake well
  • 1 cup white distilled vinegar
Use: 1/3 cup per load - shake before each use.
Both are suitable for sensitive skin.  The ingredients are all natural and gentle to your skin.


All Purpose Spray Cleaner


Quick and inexpensive spray clean with easy to find ingredients.  It cleaned the inside of my microwave with ease and cuts through grease with no trouble!  If you need to scour a surface, use baking soda and a spray of this cleaner.


Add the following to a spray bottle:
  • 2 cups hot tap water
  • 3 tablespoons Borax (shake well with water to dissolve)
Add:
  • 1/2 cup vinegar
  • 10 drops of your favorite essential oil. (I used 5 drops orange and 5 drops grapefruit oils.)
Shake before each use.  It works like a dream and smells delicious!