the organically clean home: 150 everyday organic cleaning products you can make yourself--the...

PRAISEFORTHEORGANICALLYCLEANHOME“Ihavebeenafanofusing‘green’cleanersforquitesometimenow,butIhavefoundthattheyaretypicallyeitherextremelyexpensivetopurchaseorextremelytime-consumingtomake.Beingabusymomtothreeboys,itisalwaysmygoaltofindwaystosimplifyasmanyareasofourlivesaspossible.Therecipesinthisbookallowmetodojustthatwithmycleaningroutineanddesiretoremainorganic.Ifeelateaseknowingexactlywhatisgoingintomycleaners,andthatmanyoftherecipescanbemadewithjustafewsimpleingredients.Thebestpartisthatthisbooknotonlycontainsfamily-friendlysolutionsforoureverydaytasks,butalsosolutionsforthose‘surprise’cleaningsessionsaswell!”

—JenniferJones,IHeartOrganizing(http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com)“CleanMamabringsabreathoffreshairtocleaning,literally.Packedfullofnontoxicrecipes,tips,and

checklists,thisbookissuretobecomeawell-lovedreferencemanualinanyhome.”

—ToniHammersley,ABowlFullofLemons(www.abowlfulloflemons.net)“TheOrganicallyCleanHomeisawonderfulresourceforanyone

strugglingtofindamanageablehome-cleaningroutine.Ifoundthecleaningschedulesandprintablestobeverywelldoneandparticularly

useful.Also,thebountyofall-naturalcleaningrecipeshereistrulyremarkable!Asamomwiththreeyoungchildrenrunningaround,Ilove

thatInowhaveanontoxicwaytocleanvirtuallyeverythinginmyhome—nomoreworryingaboutwhatmylittleonesareingestingasI’m

scramblingtocleanupafterthem.I’dhighlyrecommendthisbooktoparentsandnonparentsalike.”

http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/

http://www.abowlfulloflemons.net

—StephanieMorgan,ModernParents,MessyKids(www.modernparentsmessykids.com)“Ifyouwanttostartusingsafe,

homemadecleaningproducts,TheOrganicallyCleanHomeisamust-haveresource.Beckywillteachyouhowtomakeeverycleaningproductneededtocleanyourhomefromtoptobottom,plusimplementaroutine

thatwillkeepyourhomecleantoo!”

—ChristineSatterfield,iDreamofClean(www.idreamofclean.net)

“TheOrganicallyCleanHomeisaverythoroughbookthatteachesyouwhyit’simportanttocleanorganically,andgivesyoutonsofrecipestogetyoustarted.ItmademetakeasecondlookatwhatIusetocleanmyhomeandopenedmyeyestoawholenewworldofhomemadeorganiccleaningproducts!”

—AnnaMoseley,AskAnna(www.askannamoseley.com)

http://www.modernparentsmessykids.com

http://www.idreamofclean.net

http://www.askannamoseley.com

TheOrganicallyCleanHome

150EverydayOrganicCleaningProductsYouCanMakeYourself—TheNatural,Chemical-Free

Way

BeckyRapinchuk,www.cleanmama.net

Avon,Massachusetts

http://www.cleanmama.net

CONTENTS

Introduction

CHAPTER1

OrganicCleaning

CHAPTER2

BuildYourCleaningKit

CHAPTER3

RecipesfortheKitchenCitrusLiquidHandSoapCitrusFoamingHandSoapLemonandCloveLiquidDishSoapLemonDishwasherDetergent—PowderLemonDishwasherDetergent—LiquidLemonDishwasherDetergent—TabletsOvenCleaner—SprayOvenCleaner—PasteOvenCleaner—OvernightFilterCleaner(StoveandHood)LemonMicrowaveOvenCleaner—SprayLemonMicrowaveOvenCleaner—Steam

CabinetCleanerLemonandPeppermintAll-PurposeCleanerLemonandPeppermintAll-PurposeCleaningConcentrateTeaTreeandOrangeDisinfectingCleanerTeaTreeandOrangeDisinfectingCleaningConcentrateLemonandCloveNightlySinkScrubFruitandVeggieWashStickerandGooRemoverStainlessSteelCleanerStainlessSteelPolishRefrigeratorCleanerFreezerCleanerLaminateCountertopDeepCleanerMarbleCleanerGraniteCleanerHood/RangeCleaner(Oil-Based)CitrusStoveCleanerKitchenDisinfectingPasteKitchenDisinfectingSpraySmallApplianceCleanerLemonDisposalFreshenerLemonDisposalCleanerLemonDisposalTabletsNaturalDrainUncloggerKnifeBlockCleanerKeurigCleanerCoffeepotCleanerIceMachineCleanerPlasticStorageContainerCleanerTeakettleMineralDepositCleaner

Chemical-FreeSilverCleanerDisinfectingWoodCuttingBoardCleanerLemonandPeppermintGarbageCanFresheningTablets

CHAPTER4

RecipesforBathroomsLavenderandLemonBathroomDisinfectingSprayPeppermintDailyShowerCleanerSpraySoapScumSpongesSoapScumRemoverLemonandCloveLiquidHandSoapLemonandCloveFoamingHandSoapLavenderandLemonDisinfectingCleaningWipesPeppermintWindowandMirrorCleanerLemonGroutCleanerLemonWhiteningGroutCleanerLemonandPeppermintTileCleanerShowerheadCleanerDisinfectingToiletBowlCleanerLemonandPeppermintToiletCleaningTreatmentVinylShowerCurtainCleanerWhirlpoolTubCleanerRustRemoverPeppermintandTeaTreeMoldandMildewPreventerPeppermintandTeaTreeMoldandMildewRemoverVentCleanerLemonandCloveScrubbingSauceNaturalDrainCleaner

Chapter5

RecipesforLaundryLemonandClovePowderedLaundrySoap—SmallBatchLemonandClovePowderedLaundrySoap—BigBatchLemonandLavenderLiquidLaundrySoap—SmallBatchLemonandLavenderLiquidLaundrySoap—BigBatchLemonandCloveFabricSoftener—LiquidFabricSoftener—VinegarWrinkleReleaserDesign-a-ScentDryerSheetHEWashingMachineCleanerRegularWashingMachineCleanerPretreatGooPillowCleanerLemonNaturalWhitenerWhiteningGelNo-BleachLaundryWhitenerandBrightener

StainSpray—GeneralTeaTreeStainStickHomemadeOxygenBleachPastePetStainRemover

CHAPTER6

RecipesforBedroomsandLivingSpaces

LavenderMattressFreshenerPeppermintandLavenderLinenRefresher

CitrusWoodCleanerandPolishLemonWoodPolishCitrusWoodCleanerCitrusMicrofiberWoodCleaningClothsDisposableCitrusFurnitureWipes—WoodNaturalScratchRemoverLeatherWipesPeppermintGlassandMirrorWipesLemonandPeppermintAll-PurposeCleaningWipes

PeppermintandTeaTreeAntibacterialWipes

LavenderandLemonPetFootWipesLemonandCloveAirFreshenerSprayCinnamonandSpiceAirFreshenerSimmerMicrofiberFurnitureCleaningKitLemonandCloveFurnitureFresheningSprayLeatherCleanerLeatherScratchRemoverUpholsteredFabricCleanerElectronicsWipesElectronicsCleaningSolutionEssentialOilAirFreshener

CHAPTER7

RecipesforFloorsCitrusCarpetFreshenerOdorAbsorberPeppermintLaminateFloorCleaner

CitrusTileFloorCleanerLemonandMintVinylFloorCleaner—SprayCarpetDisinfectantandCleanerCarpetSpotRemover(UnknownSpot)CarpetStainRemoverCarpetCleanerforMachinesCitrusandMintHardwoodFloorCleaner—BucketLemonandCloveHardwoodFloorCleaner—SprayMoppH-NeutralHardwoodFloorCleanerFloorWipes—DryFloorWipes—WetBaseboardandDoorCleaner

CHAPTER8

RecipesfortheNurseryandPlayroomCitrusandTeaTreeFabricSanitizerSprayCitrusDiaperPailFreshenersHandSanitizerSprayHandSanitizerGelLemonRoom-FresheningSprayToyCleaner—SoakToyCleaner—SprayBathtubToyCleanerBabyStainSprayRemoverClothDiaperSoakBleachAlternativeKids’CleaningWipesLemonandMintHandandFaceWipes

CHAPTER9

RecipesfortheGarage/Basement/GardenGardenToolCleaningKitCementPatioandPaversDeck—CompositeandWoodDeckandPatioFurniturePaintbrushCleanerHeavy-DutyWindowCleanerHeavy-DutyFloorCleanerOutsideToyCleanerHumidifierandDehumidifierCleanerAirFilter—FurnaceCarWashingSolutionCarInteriorWipesGrillCleanerNaturalInsectRepellent

APPENDIX:PretreatingStainRemovalGuide

Visitwww.cleanmama.net/product/checkliststodownloadthefollowingcleaningchecklists:WeeklyCleaningChecklistWeeklyCleaningChecklist(blank)Monthly(Rotating)CleaningChecklistMonthly(Rotating)CleaningChecklist(blank)HouseholdCleaningChecklistDe-ClutterBeforeYouCleanChecklistTheOne-DayCleanTheWeekendClean

TheOne-WeekDeepCleanThe31-DayCleaningPlanTheDeep-CleaningChecklist

MetricConversionChart

Copyright

INTRODUCTION

Lookingforcheaperandmuchsaferalternativestothestore-boughtcleaningproductsyouhaveunderyoursink?Looknofurther!Inthisbook,you’llfind150recipesforpracticallyanycleaningdilemma,fromnaturaldisinfectiontosafeandeffectivestainremoval.Withjustafewsimple(andpronounceable)ingredients,youwillbeacleaningscientistonyourwaytoanorganicallycleanhome.Whyshouldyoucleanorganically?You’llbeabletocleanyourentirehome,

insideandout,withhomemadeproductsthataresafetousewhileyourkidsandpetsareinthesameroom,andareinexpensivetoboot!You’lllearnhowtomakeeverydayproductslikeanall-purposecleanerandlaundrydetergent,butyou’llalsolearnthebestandsafestwaytocleanthingsyoudon’tcleaneveryday,likeyourcarpetandyourgaragefloor.Evenbetter,youcanscentyourproductstoyourlikingwithavarietyofall-naturalessentialoils.Thinkthatnaturalcleanerswon’tdoasgoodajobasthecommercial

versions?Wrong!You’llbepleasantlysurprisedathoweffectivenaturalcleanersare.Homemadecleanersarealsoeasilycustomizable—I’llshowyouhowtoadjustformulastocreatetheperfectcleaningproductsforyourhomeandcleaningpreferences.Everyhomeisdifferent,butthisguidegivesavarietyofsolutionsforavarietyofconditions,soyou’resuretofindsomethingthatworksforyourhome.Nowthere’snoneedtostashandstoredozensofbottlesofdifferentcleaningproducts“justincase”—youhavetheultimateguidetomakinganyproductyourselfwhenyouneedit!

Areyoureadytostartmakingyourowncleaningproducts?Grabthisbook,gatherafewoftherecommendedall-naturalingredientsandcleaningtools,andgetstarted.Youwon’tbelievehowsimpleitistoformulateyourowncleaningproducts…andbetteryet,youwon’tbelievetheamazingresults.Asamatteroffact,youmightevenstartlookingforwardtocleaningyourhouse!

CHAPTER1

ORGANICCLEANING101

Itdoesn’tmatterifyou’reattemptingtocleanoutanentireroomorasingledrawer,youneedtimeandaplan.Yetformostpeople,findingthetimeandaneffectivecleaningstrategyisdifficult.Throwinthetoxinsfromstore-boughtcleaningproducts,andthewholesituationisdownrightscary.Toavoidfeelingoverwhelmed,checkoutthecleaningstrategiesinthischapter.You’llfindeasy-to-implementroutines,timesavingideas,andbasicinformationonnaturalcleaners.Insteadofbeingatediouschore,housecleaningwillbeabreeze!

CAUTION:Theserecipesandformulationsareorganicinnatureandnontoxic,butaswithanycleanerinyourhome,keepthemoutofreachofchildrenandpets.Aslongasaround1percentofthecleanerismadeupofessentialoils(asistruefortherecipesinthisbook),itisgenerallyconsideredsafeforpets,butcheckwithyourveterinarianfirstifyou’reconcerned.Pleaseusecareinmixingandfollowtheintendedusesanddirections.

WhyUseOrganicCleaningProducts?Therearemanygreatreasonstoswitchtoorganicornaturalcleaningproducts.Maybeyouwantto…

■Keeptoxinsoutofyourhome.(Mosthomemadeproductsaretoxin-free!)AccordingtotheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention,accidentalhouseholdpoisoningsaffectmorethan300childrenintheUnitedStateseveryday.Ifyoukeepthemedicinecabinetlockedandusecleaningproductsthataresafe,you’rereducingyourriskofanaccident.

■Savesomemoney.(Youcertainlywill!)■Cutdownonwhatyou’resendingtothelandfill.(Youcancutbackdramaticallyonplasticsbysimplyusingreusablespraybottlesandcleaningcontainers.)

■Usenaturalproductsbecausesomeoneinyourhomehasasthmaorallergies.(Organiccleanersaremuchbettertousearoundthosewithsensitivities.)Interestinglyenough,thestuffthatyoucleanwithcanactuallymakeyousick,essentiallynegatingthebenefitsofcleaningitself.AccordingtotheEnvironmentalWorkingGroup(www.ewg.org),conventionalcleaningproductsandartificialfragrancescantriggerasthma,canincludelowlevelsof1,4-dioxane(acarcinogen),andcanevenincludelowlevelsofformaldehyde(anothercarcinogen)withoutdisclosure.Theseingredientscanalsoleadtobirthdefectsinpregnantwomenusingthecleaners.Althoughmanypeopledon’thaveanyreactionstothetoxins,whytakeachance?

Nomatterwhyyou’vedecidedtouseorganiccleaningproducts,youcanrestassuredthatyouarecleaningwiththesafestproductsandgettingthebestresults

http://www.ewg.org

atthesametime.

TheSafetyFactorPerhapsthemostcommonreasonpeoplechooseorganiccleanersisthat

they’resafertohavearoundthehousethanthestore-boughtversions.Sadly,safecleaningproductsarenotthenorm.You’dthinkthatcleaningproductswouldhavetobesafetobesoldforhomeuse,butthatisn’tthealwaysthecase.Iexperiencedthisfirsthandwhenmyoldestchildwasatoddlerandgrabbeda“safe”cleaningproduct(soldtobeusedonhighchairsandbabyproducts)andsprayeditinherfaceandconsequentlyhermouth.Igrabbedthebottlefromherhandsandwashedheroff.Afteraquickglanceofthebottle,Irealizedthatacalltopoisoncontrolwasnecessary.Thisincidentendedsafelywithherdrinkingacuportwoofmilkandtakingalongbath,butmyjourneytofindingsafecleaningproductswasjustbeginning.Takealookatyourcleaningproductlabelsandreadthewarningsandlistsof

ingredients.Youmightseewarningslike“hazardoustohumansandanimals”and“causessubstantialbuttemporaryeyeinjury,”andunpronounceableingredientslike“ethanolamine”or“hexoxyethanol.”Eventheingredient“fragrance”isaconcernbecauseitcancauseskinirritation,andcantriggerasthmaandallergies.Scarystuff,right?

CHECKPRODUCTRATINGSAfantasticresourcefordeterminingthesafetyofproductsinyourhomeisEnvironmentalWorkingGroup,onlineatwww.ewg.org.Theyratethesafetyofjustabouteveryover-the-counterbrandandproduct.You’llseethatwiththeexceptionofborax,mostingredientsinthisbookareanAonanAtoFscale.Iloveacleanhouse,andIholdhighstandardsforproductsthatIcreateandendorse.Ithastobesafeand

http://www.ewg.org/guides/substances/2073

http://www.ewg.org/guides/substances/20962

http://www.ewg.org

ithastowork.Thismightseemlikeaneasyaccomplishment,butit’snot.

Commercialcleanersarecomposedprimarilyofwater,chemicals,andfragrance.Someofthesechemicalscanaggravateallergiesandskinsensitivitiesaswellasposepoisoningriskstochildrenandpetsthatmaygettheirhandsandpawsonthemwhenyouaren’tlooking.Besidestheobviouspoisonrisks,breathinginthefumesofsomecleanerscanalsobeahealthrisk.Forexample,somecleanerssaytouseamaskortoventilatearoomwhileusing,butmostusersprobablydon’tfollowthatsafetyrule.Evenifyoudo,isthatreallyaproductyouwanttobeusinginyourhome?Assomeonewhoisnervousaboutgermsandgettingsick(andthenhavinga

wholehouseofsickfamilymembers!),Iunderstandtheappealofstore-boughtproductsthatsaytheykill99.9percentofallbacteria.Killinggermsisactuallydifficulttodo,butinanormalhousehold,makingsurethesurfacesarewipeddowndailydoesgetridofthemajorityofgermsandbacteria.Ifyouwanttokillthemaltogether,therearenaturalwaystodothatwith99.9percentaccuracy,too—you’llfindavarietyofdisinfectingrecipesinthisbook.WhenIrealizedthatkeepingcounterscleanandwipeddownregularlywillaccomplishthesamegoal,Ibeganmakingmyownsafeandnaturalcleaningproducts.

TheCost-SavingsFactorIfmakingyourowncleaningproductsisn’tappealingenoughforsafety

reasons,you’llactuallybeabletosavemoney,too!Didyouknowyoucanmakeabottleofall-purposecleanerforpenniesandyoucanmakeabatchofpowderedlaundrydetergentforlessthan$5?A16-ouncebottleofhomemadegranitecleanercostslessthan25cents,whereasa16-ouncebottleofgranitecleaneratthestoreisatleast$5.That68-loadboxofdetergentyoujustheavedintoyourtrunkandpaidover$15for?Youcanmakeitforunder$5.Actually,

withmyrecipeyou’llgetafewmoreloadsoutofitsoit’llbeanevenbettersavings.Ifyoupurchaseyouringredientsinlargerquantities,you’llbemakingjustabouteverycleaningproductfromthisbooktocleanyourentirehomeformerepenniesperuse!

TheBenefitsofaCleaningRoutineEvenwithorganiccleaners,fittingcleaningintoabusyscheduleisn’teasy.Maybethat’sbecausemostofuswouldratherbedoinganythingbesidescleaning.Cleaningiswhatyouputoffandgettowhenyoucanorwhenyouhaveabsolutelynothingelsetodo.Butitdoesn’thavetobethatway.Findingtimeeachdaytosqueezealittlecleaningintoyourscheduleisdifficult,butformostofus,thebenefitsfaroutweighthealternative—spendinganentiredayormorecleaning.Thefirststeptoembracingacleaningroutineistounderstandwhata“clean

house”reallyis.Spotlessisn’tthegoal,butcleanis.Peopleyouloveliveinyourhomeandyouwantthemtofullyenjoylifeinthatplace.Cleanbathroomsrankprettyhighonmyprioritylist,buttoysstrewnfromoneendofthelivingroomtothenextshowsthatkidsareenjoyingthemselves.Again:Cleanisthegoal,notspotless.Itdoesn’tmatterifyouareoutofthehousefor50hoursaweek,orhomeall

day,youcanaccomplishasuccessfulcleaningroutinethatworksforyouandyourschedule.Theimportantthingistostartsomewhere.Ifyouthinkyou’retoobusytostartacleaningroutine,I’darguethatyou’retoobusynottostartacleaningroutine.Youprobablyspendmoretimecomplainingaboutcleaningordealingwithongoingmessesthanyouwouldactuallycleaning!IliketokeepafewrulesinmindasIthinkaboutmycleaningroutine.Ifthese

exactrulesdon’tworkforyou,theycaneasilybetweakedforanyfamily.

1.Berealistic.Ikeepmyexpectationsrealistic,anddoingthisiswhathasallowedmetomaintainthesimpleroutineforyears.Bigresolutionsandchanges

arerarelykeptbecausetheyaredifficulttosustainoveraperiodoftime.Instead,createsmallandattainablecleaninggoals.

2.Putyourfamilyfirst.Myfamilycomesbeforecleaning.IfIhaven’tgottenaroundtocleaningthebathroomsandthekidswantmetogoplayoutside,Idon’tcleanthebathroomsthen.Thebathroomswillbetheretomorrow,butplayingoutsidewiththekidswon’talwaysbethere.

3.Setashorttimelimit.Mygoalistospend15to20minutesadaycleaning.Youmightchoosetospend10minutesaday.Whateveritis,limityourselfandworkquicklytoaccomplishyourgoalandmoveon.Youmightfindthatyouhave5minutesinthemorningbeforeyouleaveforworktodoalittlecleaning.Tidyyourkitchenandmakeyourbedandheadoutthedoor.You’llappreciatethe5minutesyouspentthatmorningwhenyoureturnhomeatnighttoacleankitchen.

4.Remember,perfectionisnotthegoal—comfort,ease,andafresh,cleanhomeis.Takingtimetocleanandkeepthingstidiedupwillhelpyouenjoyyourhomewithoutthedistractionofapileofmagazinesordirtyclothesintheway.

Mygoalforyouissimplytohelpyoustartsomewhere.Don’tgetdiscouragedifyoucan’tcompleteeverythingeveryday—that’swhattomorrowisfor.Anddon’twastetimeandenergytryingtoinvent“theperfectplan.”

ACleaningRoutineThatWorks!Mycleaningphilosophyissimple:Everyday,Idothesamefourbasictasks.ThenIrotatethroughothertasksonadaily,weekly,monthly,orseasonalbasis.

EveryDayAgain,thesearenotbigjobsthattakeatonoftime.Butdoingthefollowing

fourtaskswillmakeyourhomerunmoresmoothlyandwillmakebiggercleaningjobseasier,becauseyouarekeepingupwithdailymaintenance.

1.Sweepfloors.Doaquicksweepofanyfloorsthatneedit—mostlikely,thekitchenormudroom.Ihavealittleminidustpanandbroomhanginginthepantryatkidlevelsomykidscantakecareoftheircrumbsaroundandunderthetable.Keepaneyeoutforpethair,ifthat’saprobleminyourhouse.

2.Declutter.Performaquickdeclutterofmail,schoolpapers,toys,clothes,andotheroddsandends.Thisisnotthetimetocleanoutafilecabinet;it’sforrecyclingtheday’sjunkmailandputtingawayLegos.Makingaquickpickuppartofyourdailyroutineisessentialtokeepingyourwitsaboutyou.Makesureotherfamilymembersareinvolvedaswell.Trysettingatimerforyoungchildrenbeforebedandgivethem5minutestoseehowmanytoystheycanputaway.Manykidswillembracecleaningwhenit’sa“game”andthere’satimerinvolved.

3.Doaloadoflaundry.Icompleteatleastoneloadoflaundryeveryday.Thatmeanstakingthatoneloadthroughthecompletecycleofwash,dry,fold,andputaway.(Thisapproachgetsridoflaundrybasketsatvariousstatesofcompletenessscatteredthroughoutthehome.)Doingaloadadaymightsoundoverwhelmingatfirst,butitwillevolveintoahabit,whichwillinturnfreeyour

timeandenergyforotherthings.Imagineit:You’lleliminatethepilesandpilesoflaundrythatbuildupwhenyoudoitinfrequently.

4.Wipecounters.Iwashoutthekitchensinkeveryeveningwithadishwasher-safebrushanddishsoap,thenquicklywipedownthekitchencounters.Yes,thekitchencountersmayneedtobewipeddownmorethanonceaday,butputtingitonachecklistensuresthatitwillbedoneatleastonce.“Wipecounters”alsoincludesdoingaquickcheck/wipeofbathroomcounters.Aquickswipearoundthebathroomcounterscanbedoneinaminuteortwoanditdefinitelykeepstheweeklybathroomcleaningalittlemoremanageable.

Ifyouarejuststartingwithacleaningroutine,simplifythedailylistbydoingonlyaloadoflaundryandthedailydecluttering.Clutterandlaundrypileupsoquickly,it’simportanttostayontopofthosesoyoudon’tgetthefeelingthatyou’llnevergetcaughtup.Thenafteraweek,addthecounterstothemixandgetusedtothat.Onceyoufeellikeyouhavetheclutter,laundry,andcountersundercontrol,addthefinaldailytaskofsweepingthefloors.

OnceaWeekThen,everydayoftheweekgetsanadditionaltask:

1.MONDAY—CleanBathrooms:Allthebathroomsgetcleaned,minusthefloors.Thisincludeswashingcounters,scrubbingshowersand/ortubs,andcleaningmirrorsandtoilets.

2.TUESDAY—Dust:Aquickweeklydustingisa15to20minutetaskthatevenlittlekidscangetinvolvedin.Iliketouseadustingmittandalong-handleddustingwandtogetallthehighcornersandspaces.Keepingupwithdustingeveryweekissomucheasierthandealingwithdustbuildupsobadthatthekidsstartwriting“dustme”onthefurniture.

3.WEDNESDAY—Vacuum:Thoroughlyvacuumallfloors(carpetandhardsurfaces).Yes,Isweepdailyandspotvacuumasneededthroughouttheweek,butWednesdayisthedaythatIreallyconcentrateongivingthewholehouseagoodvacuuming.Istartwiththecreviceattachmentonthevacuumcleanertovacuumtheedgesoftheroomfirst.Oncethisiscompleted,Imoveontovacuumthemiddle.Vacuumhorizontallyineachroomandthenvacuumverticallyineachroom.Yes,youaregoingoverthecarpettwice,butthistechniqueensuresthatthecarpetisliftedandthedirtthatmaybeembeddedisremoved.Thisisespeciallyhelpfultoremovepethairanddander.Anothergoodideaistovacuumfromthefarthestcornerawayfromthedoorandvacuumyourwayoutoftheroom.Thiswillgiveyouthosebelovedvacuumlinesthatsay,“Ijustvacuumed.”

TAKEVACUUMINGUPANOTCHUsethecarpetneutralizerrecipeifyourcarpetneedsalittlefreshening,oraddacottonballwithadroportwoofyourfavoriteessentialoiltothebagorcanistertoaddalittlearomatherapytoyourvacuuming.

4.THURSDAY—WashFloors:Allhardsurfacefloorsgetwashed—Iliketouseasteammoponmyvinylandtilefloors.Iusevinegarandwarmwaterwithacoupleofdropsoflemonandcloveessentialoilsonmyhardwoodfloors.

5.FRIDAY—CatchallDay:Thisisadaytofocusonwhatdidn’tgetdoneearlierintheweek.Ilovehavingadayofgracebuiltintomyschedule.SomeFridays,Icompleteamonthlyorseasonalcleaningtask;otherFridaysIcompleteadifferenthometaskordogroceryshopping.Ijustchoosethemostpressingtaskortwoandtacklethem.

6.SATURDAY—WashSheetsandTowels:Insteadofdoing“regular”laundry,IconcentrateonwashingallthetowelsandsheetsonSaturdays.You’lllovethepowderedlaundrydetergentrecipeforyoursheetsandtowels—itmakesthemsofreshandsoft!

7.SUNDAY—JusttheBasics:Sundayisafamilydayandadayofrestandrelaxationforus.Ijustdothefourdailytasks(sweepfloors,declutter,doaloadoflaundry,wipecounters).

Thisroutinehelpsmestayontopofcleaningwithoutlettingittakeovermylife.I’vebeendoingitsolongthatit’sjustpartofmylifeanddoesn’tfeelasdauntingasitmayinthebeginningphaseofimplementation.Mygoalisthatthisguidegetsyoutothesameplace:comfortabledoingsimple,manageabletasksthatgiveyouasenseofaccomplishmentandhelpyourliferunmoresmoothly.

OtherCleaningTipsFollowingaresomeotherlittlethingsthatcanmakeyourapproachtocleaningsimplerandmoreeffective:

■Don’tgotobedwithoutacleankitchen.Forme,thismeanscleaningoffthecountersandkitchentable,handwashinganythingthatneedsit,andhavingstartedthedishesinthedishwasher,ifit’sfull.Thismightsoundextreme,buttryit.It’sgreattogetupinthemorning,makeyourwayintothedarkkitchen,andnotseeamessaheadofyou.

■Pickupthefamilyroombeforebed.Pillowsandblanketsbackonthecouch,toysandbooksputbackintheirbaskets,etc.Thekitchenandfamilyroomsareconnectedinourhome,sowakinguptotwoclutter-freeroomsgivesmethefreedomtotakemymorningalittleslowerwithouttheaddedstressoffeelingoverwhelmedbeforethedayhasevenbegun.Thefamilyroomislikelyamuch-usedspotinyourhouse,too.

■Unloadthedishwasherrightawayinthemorning.Insteadofwatchingyourcoffeebrew,unloadthedishwasher.Rinsebreakfastdishesandputtheminthedishwasherrightaway,insteadofstackingthemup.

■Getotherfamilymembersinvolved.Evenlittleonescanbeexpectedtopickupwhatthey’vebeenusingorplayingwith.You’llfindthistobehelpfulintheefficiencyofahouseholdandcontrollingtheclutter.Takeintoconsiderationyourownchild’sabilitylevelandage,butherearesomeideas:helpmaketheirbeds,putawaydirtyclothes,pickuptoys,feedpets,setthetable.Mylittleonesliketouseasmalldustingwandtohelpdustlowareas;theyusebabywipestowipethebaseboardsifI’mcleaningthemtoo,andtheyuseaminidustpantosweepuptheirownmealtimecrumbs.Encouragingthesesmalltasksearlyonwillhelpyourchildrengetintothehabitofcleaningupafterthemselvesandcleaningupalittlebiteveryday.

■Followthe“TouchItOnce”rule.Trytoputthingsawaywithoutdealingwiththesamethingmorethanonce.Asyoubringinyourmail,lookthroughit,recycleorshredwhatcanbedisposedof,andfilethebillsintheirproperhomerightaway.Trytoeliminateputtingthingssomewheretemporarily.Instead,bringthemtotheirproperspotthefirsttime.Thisissuchasimpleconceptbutitcanbedifficulttoimplement.Persevereingettingyourfamilyonthebandwagon.Youwillfindthatit’llmakeyourdailylifesomucheasier.

Nowthatyouhaveaclearvisionastowhatthemethodentails,allyouhavetodoisstartsomewhere.Everydayisanewday—whatyoudidn’tcompletethedaybeforecanbetabledoryoucantrytoaccomplishitthenextdaywiththenextday’stask.Don’tforgetthatFridayisaCatchallDay,intendedasadaytocatchuponunfinishedoruncompletedtasks.

ChartingYourProgressMycleaningroutineswillstick,Ipromise.Thekeyistostart.Don’tworryaboutitnotworkingorwhenyou’llgetitdone,juststart.Pleasevisitwww.cleanmama.net/product/checkliststodownload(forfree!)someofmycleaningroutinesinhandychartformtohelpyougetandstaymotivatedandorganized.UsetheWEEKLYCLEANINGCHECKLISTtokeepyourselfontaskandontrack.Sometimesaddingalittlecheckmarktotheboxwhenyouhavecompletedataskcanbealltheencouragementyouneedtofeellikeyouareaccomplishingsomething.Afteryou’vebeenworkingwiththeweeklycleaningroutineandchecklistand

youfeellikeyouarereadytoaddanotherlayer,downloadtheMONTHLY(ROTATING)CLEANINGCHECKLIST.Thesearetasksthatarecompletedmonthly,bimonthly,andquarterly.Decidewhenthesetaskscanbeincorporatedintotherestofyourlifeandroutine.IusuallyincorporatethemasIamabletoonFridays.YoucanalsodownloadablankMONTHLY(ROTATING)CLEANINGCHECKLISTincaseyou’dliketoformulateyourown.You’llfindthesechecklistsatwww.cleanmama.net/product/checklists:

WeeklyCleaningChecklistWeeklyCleaningChecklist(blank)Monthly(Rotating)CleaningChecklistMonthly(Rotating)CleaningChecklist(blank)HouseholdCleaningChecklistDeClutterBeforeYouCleanChecklistTheOne-DayCleanTheWeekendCleanTheOne-WeekDeepClean

http://www.cleanmama.net/product/checklists


The31-DayCleaningPlanTheDeep-CleaningChecklist

CHAPTER2

BUILDYOURCLEANINGKIT

Beforeyoustartmixingrecipes,it’sagoodideatocollectsomebasicequipmentandingredientsyou’llusefrequently.You’relikelytoownmostoftheseitemsalready—youmightevenfindyouhavemuchmorethanyouneed.Whenyousimplifyyourcleaningroutineanduseorganiccleaners,youmightfindthatyoucandiscardsomeofthe“cleaningclutter”you’veamassedovertheyears.

ToolsYouprobablyownavarietyofcleaningtoolsthatyouuseinvariouspartsofyourhouse.Here’salistofstandarditemsyou’llwanttohaveonhandtocompleteanypartofyournewcleaningroutine.Trybuildingsmallcaddiesoftoolsthatyoucanleaveintheappropriateroom—forexample,putabathroomcleaningcaddyfilledwiththeappropriatetoolsandcleanersunderthebathroomsink(equippedwithalocktokeepkidsandpetsaway!).Thatway,yourtoolsarerightwhereyouneedthem.

MicrofiberClothsMicrofibercleaningclothsareapolyesterandnylonblendofcloththatcanbe

foundinavarietyoftexturesandweavestocleandifferentsurfaces.Iusemicrofibercleaningclothsforcleaningjustabouteverysurfaceinmyhome.Theyaremyfavoritecleaningtoolbecausetheydon’tleavelintorstreaksonsurfaces,andtheycanbewashedatleast300times,makingthemextremelyeconomical.Youcanalsobuymicrofiberclothsthatarespeciallydesignedforcleaningwindows,stainlesssteel,andmirrors.Aninsidertip:Mostofmymicrofiberclothsarefromtheautomotivesection

ofmyfavoritebig-boxstore.Thesearealittlelargerinsizeandtheyarelessexpensiveinthissectionthanthecleaningsection!

ScrubBrushesDesignateseparatescrubbrushesforspecificjobstoavoidcross-

contamination.Forexample,useagroutbrushforthebathroomandascrubbrushforthekitchensink.Youcanevenuseatoothbrushtoscrubsmallspaces—justmakesureyouonlyuseitforcleaning,ofcourse.

SprayBottlesSixteen-ouncespraybottleswillworkgreatformostoftherecipesinthis

book.Buybottlesthatyoulikethelookof—theydon’thavetobeboringclearplasticmodels!Ifyoulikeyourequipment,you’llbemorelikelytouseit.Amazon.comhasagreatselectionofspraybottles,andIfrequentthecleaningsupplyaisleatthelocalsupermarketsandgrabcoolspraybottleswhenIseethem.

ContainerswithLidsCanningjarsorcleanedandreusedjellyandsaucejarsmakeattractivestorage

containers—simplyaddacutelabelandyouwon’tmissyourflashypackagingfromthestore.Keepalittlestashofdifferent-sizecontainersonhandforstoringyourcleaningconcoctions.

IceCubeTraysIcecubetraysmakegreatformsforcleaningandfresheningtablets.Insteadof

measuringoutscoopsofdishwashersoap,Icanjustgrabacutetabletfrommybluecanningjaronthecounterandtossitinthedishwasher.

SqueegeeIfyouhaven’tusedasqueegeeinyourcleaningadventures,youneedto

purchaseone.Asqueegeetrulychangedmywindow-washinglife!Youcansimplysprayyoursolutiononthewindowandsqueegeeitoff.Oryoucangetasqueegeewithaspongeattachedtouseonespeciallydirtywindows.Simplydipthespongeintoabucketcontainingwindowcleaner,scrubthewindow,andsqueegeeawaythedirt.You’llneedacoupleofextratowelsaroundyourworkspacetoavoiddripsandspills,butit’sworthit.

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SpongesYouprobablyhavetheseonhand,ofcourse!Regularspongeshavenoodoror

cleaner,sothey’regreatforusingwiththeproductsinthisbook.Forcertainjobs,Ilovemelaminesponges—youmighthaveheardofapopularbrandname,MagicEraser.Iusuallytrytocleanastainsimplywiththespongeandwaterfirst,andifthatdoesn’tgetthemarkordirtoff,IdipthespongeinalittlesoapywaterorsquirtalittleLemonandPeppermintAll-PurposeCleaneronthespongeorsurfacemixedwithalittlewarmwater.Neverusethesespongesonsurfaceslikehigh-glosspaintoronanytypeofcountertop;ifyouareunsure,testinaninconspicuousplacefirst.

DustingWandsLookforadustingwandwithawashabledusterforthemosteconomical

choice.Adusterwithanextendablepolewillreachcornersandtallceilings.

BroomAbroomanddustpanmayseemold-fashioned,butforlittlecleanupsand

spills,abroomisjustthething.

MopLookforamopthatfitsyourneeds.Youmightlikeaspongemop,atwistable

mop,or—mypreference—arefillablemopwithmicrofiberpadsthatcanbewashedinthewashingmachine.

BucketsEveryhouseneedsabucket(ortwoorthree).Ikeeponeforthetoiletplunger,

oneforsoapymixtures,andoneforcleaningrags.

VacuumCleanerwithAttachmentsBuythebestvacuumcleanerwithattachmentsthatyoucanafford.Tome,that

moneyiswellspent.Makesureithasadecentwarrantyandtakegoodcareofitbyemptyingandcleaningthecanisterorreplacingthebagoften.

ToiletBrushToiletbrushesarenecessaryfortoiletcleaning.Findonethatworksandkeep

itinadiscreetplace.

FunnelAfunnelcomesinveryhandyforrecipeswhereyou’llmixasolution,then

pouritintoabottletouseandstore.

ToolContainersorCaddiesCorralyourcleanersandtoolsinatoolcontainerorcaddythatfitsneatlyina

closetandholdswhatyouwantittohold.Thatway,yourtoolsarerightwhereyouneedthem,savingyoutimeandenergywhenit’stimetocleanthatarea.You’llprobablyfindthatyouwantafewcaddiesinkeyspotsinyourhome.

LABELIT!Addingalabeltoyourcleaningproductswillensurethatanyproductsavedisusedproperly.Usealabelmaker,sendlabelsthroughtheprinter,orjustplaceapieceoftapeonthecontainerandwriteyournecessaryinformationonthetapewithapermanentmarker.Useacutelabelforgiftsorjusttoboostthedesignfactorofyourhomemadecleaningproducts.Makesurethatyouincludethenameoftheproduct,theingredients,andause-bydate.Ifit’saproductthatyou

findyourselfmixingupregularly,youcanevenwritetherecipeonthebottle,soyoucanquicklymixitupthenexttimeyouneedit.

GatherBasicIngredientsManynaturalcleanersusethesamebaseingredients.Youwillfindthatyoualreadyhavealotoftheseingredientsinyourhome.Ifnot,youcanfindborax,Arm&HammerSuperWashingSoda,andcastilesoapatyourlocalbig-boxstoreinthelaundryandnaturalbeautysections.Ifyouprefertoorderfromthecomfortofyourhome,alltheitemscanbefoundeasilyonwww.amazon.comaswell.Storeallingredientsinacool,dryplace.Justpurchasewhatyouneedatfirst,

thendecidewhichcleanersyouwanttokeeponhandbasedonyourparticularcleaningneeds.

DistilledWhiteVinegarVinegaristhepowerhouseinthecleaningcabinet.Ithasgerm-killing

properties,cutsgrease,andgetsridofstains.It’snotmyfavoritesmell(Idon’tlikemyhousetosmelllikeapickle),butIhavelotsofwaystodisguisethevinegarodorinmyrecipes.

Water—DistilledandTapYou’llusebothdistilledandtapwaterintherecipes.Distilledwaterhasgone

throughadistillationprocessthatessentiallyremovescontaminantsandminerals.Thismakesitagreatcandidateforusingincleaningproductsbecauseyouaren’tintroducinganymineralsorbacteriaintothemix,whichwouldcutdownontheshelflifeoftheproducts.Ifyoudon’twanttobuydistilledwater,youcanboilandcooltapwaterwithsimilarresults.

BakingSoda

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Bakingsodaworksgreatforabsorbingodorsandasamildabrasivecleaner.Lookforbakingsodainyourgrocerystore’sbakingaisle,orpickupabigbagatyourfavoritewarehousestore.

SuperWashingSodaSuperWashingSodaisascentlesspowdersoldundertheArm&Hammer

brandname.Itissimplysodiumcarbonateandwater—basicallyanamped-upversionofbakingsoda.SuperWashingSodaisadetergentboosterandodorandstainremover,andcanbeusedinmanyorganiccleaningrecipeswithgreatresults.Ifyoucan’tfinditatyoursupermarket,youcanorderitonAmazon.com.

BoraxAvailableinjustabouteverysupermarket,boraxisanaturallyoccurring

mineralfoundwheresaltwaterlakesandseawaterhaveevaporated.Thereissomecontroversyastoitssafetyifinhaledoringested,sotakeextracarewhenusingthisingredient.Keepitoutofthereachofchildrenandpets,thoroughlyrinseallsurfacesyouuseiton,and(aswithallpowderyingredients)avoidinhalingitwhenmixingitinarecipe.Thatextracareiswellworthitbecauseoftheresultsitgives!

CastileSoap—barandliquidIloveDr.Bronner’scastilesoaps.Theyarecertifiedorganicandcanbefound

atmostsupermarketsandonAmazon.com.Betteryet,theyareavailableinawidevarietyofscentsaswellasunscented.Castilesoapisavegetable-basedsoap,makingitespeciallygentle,butthecombinationofvegetableoilslikecoconutandolivemakeitextremelyeffectiveincleaningandgreasecutting.

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EssentialOilsEssentialoilsarethenaturaloilsfromplants.(Don’tconfusethesewith

fragranceoils,whicharenotthesame.)Super-concentrated,theseoilsareknownfortheirscent,andsomehaveantibacterialandantifungalpropertiesaswellasamazingcleaningabilities(seethenextsectionformoreinformation).Makesurethatanyessentialoilsyoupurchasearepure,food-grade,andsoldinbrownorblueglassvialsorbottles.You’llwantatleastoneortwoessentialoilstoaddtoyournaturalcleaningproducts.IfIcouldchooseonlytwooils,I’dpicklemonandteatree(alsofoundasMelaleuca).Lemonhasafreshscentandteatreehasstrongdisinfectingproperties.Takecarehandlingtheoilsandneverletchildrenhandlethem,astheyareextremelypotentandconcentratedandcancauseskinirritation.

LemonsandLemonJuiceSomepeoplethinkyoucancleanyourwholehousewithlemonsandvinegar.I

thinkthereareafewotheringredientsthatshouldcometothecleaningparty,butlemonsaredefinitelyamust.Lemonsandlemonjuicehaveantibacterialpropertiesandaregreatcleaningagents—andyoucan’tbeattheirfreshscent!

Salts—EpsomandKosherEpsomsaltsarenotsalt,butacompoundofmagnesiumandsulfate.Epsom

saltscanbeingestedforailments,usedinbathwatertoeasemusclesoreness,andusedtosoftenwater.Epsomsaltsworkwelltoformcleaningtabletsandhavesomesofteningpropertiesinnaturaldishsoap.Koshersaltisagreatabrasivecleaner.Addalittlelemonjuiceandyouhaveanaturalantibacterialscrub.

Oils—Almond,Olive,VitaminE,Mineral,and

CoconutSomepopularoilstouseinorganiccleaningproductsarealmond,olive,

vitaminE,mineral,andcoconut.Youdon’tneedtokeepalloftheseoilsonhand,butit’snicetohaveafew.You’llseethatmostoftheseoilsareusedinwoodcareandinsoapstohelpconditiontheskin.

HydrogenPeroxideSoldinthepharmacysectionforusuallyunderadollarabottle,hydrogen

peroxideisanall-naturalsanitizeranddisinfectant.It’ssosafethatyoucandisinfecttoothbrusheswithit.Itisunscentedandneedstobekeptinadarkcontainer(justkeepitinthebrowncontaineritissoldin).Itsscentlessandgaslesspropertiesarewhatmakehydrogenperoxideagreatdisinfectant.Ifyouhaveacuttingboardthatyoujustcutuprawchickenon,washitwithsoapandwaterandsprayhydrogenperoxideonittoensureanysalmonellahasbeenobliterated.Youcanalsofollowtheperoxidespraywithasprayofwhitevinegarforsuper-germymesses(butnevermixthetwotogetherinonebottle).

Alcohol—RubbingAlcoholandVodkaRubbingalcohol(orisopropylalcohol)isfoundinthepharmacysectionfor

underadollarabottle.Itissoldasanantiseptic,andthoseantisepticqualitiesarewhatgiverubbingalcoholitsgerm-killingproperties.YoumightbesurprisedtoseethatIusevodkainanumberofrecipesinthisbook.Vodkahasahighalcoholcontentthatallowsittokillgerms,mold,andmildew.Igenerallyprefervodkatorubbingalcoholbecausethescentislessnoticeableanditproducessimilarresults.

PureAloeVeraGel

Aloeveraisasucculentplantwhoseleavesproduceagel-likesubstancecommonlyusedincosmeticsandbodycareproductsforitssoothingqualities.Makesurethatyouchoosethepurealoeveragelandnotthegreenstuff.Youcanusetheleftovergelforburnrelief,andIloveitinthehandsanitizerrecipe.

CreamofTartarFoundinthebakingaisle,thisingredientisgreatforwhitening.

OxygenBleachPowderThereisahomemaderecipeforoxygenbleachpasteinthisbook,butyoucan

alsosafelyusestore-boughtoxygenbleachpowderinyourhome.Oxygenbleachpowderremovesstainsandwhitenswithoutbleach.Thehomemadevarietyofoxygenbleachpastehasaveryshortshelflife,soyoumayfindthestore-boughtpowdertobemoreconducivetoyourneeds.

CleaningwithEssentialOilsEssentialoilsactuallyhavecleaninganddisinfectingpowerinadditiontosmellinggreat.Followingaretheessentialoilsthatyou’llfindusedinmyrecipes.Therearemanyhealthbenefitstousingessentialoils—butforthepurposesofthisbook,hereareeachoil’scleaninganddisinfectingqualities.Youcanbuyessentialoilsatyourlocalhealthfoodstoreoratavarietyofstoresonline.Makesureyouarepurchasingpureessentialoils,notfragranceoils.SomeofmyfavoritebrandsincludeBeeyoutiful,doTERRA,andMountainRoseHerbs.ESSENTIALOIL USES

Citronella insectrepellent

Clove airfreshener

Eucalyptus anti-infective,deodorant

Grapefruit airfreshener,antiseptic

Lavender antifungal,antiseptic,anti-infective

Lemon antifungal,antiseptic,anti-infective,antiviral

Lime airfreshener

Orange airfreshener

Peppermint antibacterial,antifungal,antiseptic,antiviral

Rosemary antibacterial,antifungal,anti-infective,antimicrobial,antiseptic

Teatree antibacterial,antifungal,antimicrobial,antiseptic,antiviral

MixingGuidelinesNowthatyouhaveyourtoolsassembledandyourbasicingredientsonhand,it’stimetostartmakingsomerecipes!Hereareafewtipsandtricksthatapplytoalltherecipes:

■Takecaretomaketherecipesasdirected.Keepingredientsandfinishedproductsoutofthereachofpetsandchildren.

■Youcanmaketheserecipesrightinyourkitchensink,butifyouhaveamudroomorlaundryroomsink,thosewillworktoo.Ifyouareworkinginthekitchen,makesureyoudon’thaveanyfoodoutwhilemixinguppowdersoranythingthatcouldtraveltoyourfood.

■Youcanusethesamemeasuringcups,spoons,andscoopsthatyouuseforcookingandbakingtomaketheserecipes.Everythingisnontoxic—asimplerunthroughthedishwasherisallthat’snecessaryforaquickcleanupofthemeasuringandmixingtools.Isn’tthatgreat?

■Ifyouhaveanyleftovers,turnthefaucetwateroncoldandpourdownthedrain.Noneoftheseingredientswillhaveanyilleffectsonyourdrainsorsepticsystem.

CHAPTER3

RECIPESFORTHEKITCHEN

Feellikeyouspendthebulkofyourtimeinthekitchen?Youprobablydo!Asaresult,youprobablyhavealotofcleaningquestions:HowdoIkeepthekitchenclean,especiallywhiletryingtogetdinneronthetableinahurry?What’sthebestwaytosanitizethecuttingboardafterslicingrawpoultry?HowcanIquicklycleanmyrefrigeratorandnotwasteanytimedoingit?Thekitchenposesbothpotentialhealthhazardsandendlesscleaningtasks.Figuringoutthebestwaytocleaneverythingfromthecupboardstothefloorswhilekeepingyourfamilysafefromfoodborneillnessesseemstricky.Withtherecipesinthischapter,youknowthatyourcountersandothersurfacesarenotonlycleanbutsafelysanitizedusingorganicandnaturalproducts.Yourkitchenwillbecleanfromtoptobottomandyou’llknowexactlyhowtopronounceeachandeveryingredientyouused.

CitrusLiquidHandSoap8OUNCES

Store-boughtantibacterialsoapisproventogetridofgerms,butitalsogetsridofthe“goodgerms”thatourbodiesneedtobuildupimmunities.Thisfresh-smellingblendwilleliminategarlicandonionodorsfromyourhandsandgetyourhandsperfectlycleanandridofgermswithouttheuseofchemicalsliketriclosan.

1cupliquidcastilesoap10dropslemonessentialoil10dropsorangeessentialoil1teaspoonvitaminEoil

Variations:UNSCENTED—Useunscentedcastilesoapanddon’taddanyessentialoils.

PEPPERMINTANDLAVENDER—Substitute10dropspeppermintand10dropslavenderessentialoilsforthelemonandorange.

LEMONANDROSEMARY—Substitute10dropsrosemaryessentialoilfortheorange.

ToMake:Combineingredientsinadecorativesoappump,seal,andshakethoroughlytocombine.

ToUse:Useapumpofsoap,rubhandstogether,andwashoffwithwarmwater.

ToStore:Makethiscitrusyhandsoaponesoappumpatatime.

HELPFULHINT

Reciteanurseryrhymeorsing“HappyBirthday”forafull30secondswhilewashingtoeffectivelywashallthegermsfromyourhands.

CitrusFoamingHandSoap116-OUNCEDISPENSEROR28-OUNCEDISPENSERS

Foaming-soapdispensersareagreatwaytomakeyourliquidsoaplastlonger.Youonlyneed1or2tablespoonsofliquidsoapforthewholesoapdispenser!Thisisagreatwaytostretchoutyoursoapwhenyouhavelotsoffamilymemberswashingtheirhandsconstantly.

2cupswater,boiledandcooled(ordistilled,ifyouwon’tuseallthesoapinaweekortwo)1–2tablespoonscastilesoap10–20dropslemonororangeessentialoil

Variations:UNSCENTED—Useunscentedcastilesoapanddon’taddanyessentialoil.

PEPPERMINTANDLAVENDER—Substitute10dropspeppermintand10dropslavenderessentialoilsforthelemonororange.

EXTRAMOISTURIZING—Add1teaspoonvitaminEoil.

ToMake:Pouringredientsintopumpdispenser.Startwith10dropsofessentialoilandaddmore,toyourpreference.Shaketocombine.

ToUse:Dispense1or2pumpsonyourhandsandscrubaway.

ToStore:Withdistilledwater:Storeinpumpforseveralmonths.Withundistilledwater:Storeinpumpfor2weeks.

TIME-SAVINGTIP

MixtheCitrusLiquidHandSoap(seerecipeearlierinthischapter)firstandthenfillyourfoaming-soapdispenserswith2tablespoonsoftheliquidsoapand2cupsofwater.Shaketocombine.

LemonandCloveLiquidDishSoap8OUNCES

Lemonandcloveismyfavoritescentcombinationandit’sespeciallywonderfulinthekitchenwithasinkfullofdishes.It’sevenbetterwhenthedishesareclean,streak-free,andputaway,butthat’sanotherstory.

8ouncescitruscastilesoaporunscentedcastilesoap10–15dropslemonessentialoil5dropscloveessentialoil

Variations:GREASEFIGHTING—Addasplashofwhitevinegartothewarmdishwater.

CITRUS—Substituteorange,lime,orgrapefruitessentialoilfortheclove.

ToMake:Pourcastilesoapandessentialoilsinstoragecontainerandshakewelltocombine.

ToUse:Add1or2squirtstoyourdishwaterandscrubup!

ToStore:Storeindefinitelyonyourcounterorunderyoursink.

TIME-SAVINGTIPAddessentialoilsdirectlytothecastilesoapcontainer.Labelanduseoften!

LemonDishwasherDetergent—PowderABOUT24LOADS—1heapingtablespoonperload

It’sespeciallyimportanttoavoidusingtoxicchemicalsonthingsweeatanddrinkfrom.Restassuredthatwiththisrecipe,allyou’llgetissparklycleandishes.Thefreshscentisamazinganditmixesupinasnap.

1cupArm&HammerSuperWashingSoda1cupbakingsoda1cupborax20dropslemonessentialoil

Variations:FORHARDWATER—Add ⁄ cupEpsomsalts.

UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoil.

LEMONANDPEPPERMINT—Use10dropslemonand10dropspeppermintessentialoils.

CITRUS—Use10dropslemonand10dropsorangeessentialoils.

ToMake:Combineingredientsinalargemixingbowl.

ToUse:Place1heapingtablespoonperloadinthedishdetergentcompartmentandrunasusual.

ToStore:Pourintoaglasscontainerwithalid.(Iloveantiquecoloredcanningjarsfordishpowderstorage.Theylookstylishandkeepthemixturedry.)

HELPFULHINT

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Ifyouhavehardwater,youknowthatyouhavevariousissueswhenitcomestospotsonyourglasswareanddishes.TheEpsomsaltswillnontoxicallysoftenthewaterandwillhelptoeliminatespotsonyourglassware.Ifyouhavealreadyinstalledawatersoftenerinyourhomeoryoudon’tneedawatersoftener,youmaystillgetspotsonglasswareifyouaren’tusingarinsingagentinyourdishwasher.Youcanaddwhitevinegartoyourrinsedispensertoactasarinseaid,andyoucantrytheEpsomsaltsinyourdishwasherdetergentrecipe.Startwith ⁄ cupofvinegarinsteadofthefull ⁄ cupandincreaseifneeded.FeelfreetoaddtheEpsomsaltsinyourdetergentreciperightalongwiththevinegarrinse.Experimenttofindtheperfectratioforyourwater.

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LemonDishwasherDetergent—LiquidABOUT20LOADS—1tablespoonperload

Preferliquiddishwasherdetergenttopowdered?Trythissimplerecipe.You’lllovethefreshlemonscentthatfillsyourkitchenwhilethisisworkingitsmagicinyourdishwasher.

1cupcastilesoap⁄ cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooledslightly1teaspoonlemonjuice5dropslemonessentialoil

ToMake:Mixingredientsinabowlandpourintoacontainerthathasalidorspoutforeasypouringintoyourdishwasher’sdetergentcompartment.

ToUse:Use1tablespoonperloadandrunasusual.

ToStore:Storeatroomtemperatureforupto3weeks.

HELPFULHINTAdddistilledwhitevinegartotherinsecompartmentofyourdishwashertoremovehardwaterspotsfromyourglassesanddishware.

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LemonDishwasherDetergent—Tablets32TABLETS

Cleaningproductsintabletformareverypopular.Ifthisisyourpreference,you’lllovethiscleaningsolutionforitssimpleingredients,greatscent,andhowwellitworkstogetdishescompletelycleanandresidue-free.

2cupsbakingsoda2cupsborax⁄ cupwhitevinegar20dropslemonessentialoilicecubetrays

Variations:FORHARDWATER—Add ⁄ cupEpsomsalts.

UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoil.

LEMONANDPEPPERMINT—Use10dropslemonand10dropspeppermintessentialoils.

CITRUS—Use10dropslemonand10dropsorangeessentialoils.

ToMake:Combinethedryingredientsinalargemixingbowl.Slowlyaddthewhitevinegarandstirtocombine.Thevinegarwillcreateafizzingaction.Oncethemixtureisthoroughlycombined,measureroundedtablespoonsintoseveralicecubetraysandpressdowntoformthetablets.Donotfillthetraystothetop,justusearoundedtablespoonineachcompartment.Allowtodryoutandhardenovernightorinthesun.Oncethetabletshavehardened,carefullyturnthetray

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overontoacleansurface.Thetabletsshouldfalloutwithoutanytwistingorbanging,whichcouldbreakthemintopieces.

ToUse:Place1tabletinthedishdetergentcompartmentandrunasusual.

ToStore:Storeinanairtightglassorplasticcontainerforupto2months.

KID-FRIENDLYTIPThisisafunrecipeforlittleonestohelpwithoncethepowdersaremeasuredandinthebowl.Mykidslovetoaddthevinegartoseethefizzingandtheyhavefunpushingthedetergentintotheicecubetrayswithatablespoon.

OvenCleaner—Spray8OUNCES

Ifyourovenneedsalittlecleaning,thisistheperfectcleaningsolution.Itmixesupinahurryanddoesagreatjobremovingstuck-onfoodandgrease.

1cupwarmwater3tablespoonsbakingsoda1tablespooncastilesoap

Variations:LEMON—Add10dropslemonessentialoil.

LEMONANDCLOVE—Add5dropslemonand5dropscloveessentialoils.

LEMONANDROSEMARY—Add5dropslemonand5dropsrosemaryessentialoils.

ToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.

ToUse:Sprayliberallyinyouroven.Letsitforupto15minutesandwipecleanwithaspongeorcloth.Rinseasneededandallowtoair-dry.

ToStore:Ifyouhaveanyleftovers,youcanstorethissolutionforupto2weeks.Shaketocombine,astheingredientswillsettle.

TIME-SAVINGTIPIfyouhaveextracleaningsolution,spraydownyourstovetopandcleanthatareawhileyou’rethere!

OvenCleaner—Paste1CLEANOVEN

Spillsthatgounattendedinthebottomofanovenaredifficulttoremove.Withthispowerfulpaste,you’llbeabletowipethegrimeawayinahurry.

⁄ cupwater⁄ –1cupbakingsoda1tablespooncastileordishsoap

Variation:LEMON—Add1or2squeezesoffreshlemonjuicetoharnessthecleaningpoweroflemonandtoaddafreshscent.

ToMake:Combineingredientsinabowltoformapaste.

ToUse:Applywithasponge,coatingtheoven.Letsitfor15to30minutes.Usingacleansponge,rinsethoroughlywithwarmwater.Repeattherinsingwithaspongeandwarmwateruntiltheoveniscompletelyclean.

ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary.

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OvenCleaner—Overnight1CLEANOVEN

Ifit’sbeenalongtimesinceyoucleanedyouroven,orifyourmother-in-lawisvisiting,thisistheovencleanerforyou.

1cupwater⁄ –1cupbakingsoda2tablespoonscastileordishsoap

ToMake:Combineingredientsinabowltoformapaste.

ToUse:Turnovenonto250°F;letitcometotemperatureandturnoff.Quicklyapplythesolutionwithasponge,coatingtheoven.Closethedoorandletitworkovernight.Thenextday,spraythoroughlywithwarmwater.Usingacleansponge,rinsethoroughlywithwarmwater.Repeattherinsingwithaspongeandwarmwateruntiltheoveniscompletelyclean.


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FilterCleaner(StoveandHood)1OR2CLEANFILTERS

Didyouknowthatthere’sprobablyawashablefilterhidinginyourrangeorhood?Ifyouhaven’tcleanedyourfilterbefore,it’stimetostart!Ifyouhavecleanedyourfilterorregularlycleanit,you’llappreciatethiseasymethod.

⁄ cupwater⁄ cupdistilledwhitevinegar1teapotofboilingwater

ToMake:Mix ⁄ cupwaterandvinegarinspraybottle.

ToUse:Placefilterinsinkandsprayvinegarandwatermixtureon.Letsitforatleast15minutestodissolvegreaseandgrime.Pourboilingwateroverfilter(s)andrepeatifnecessary.


TIME-SAVINGTIPCleanallyourwashablefilters(youmightalsofindfiltersonyourovenvent,stovetop,airconditioners,etc.)atthesametime.Addthistasktoyourcleaningchecklisttobesureyourememberthem.Dependingonhowmuchcookingyoudo,it’sbestdonemonthlyorquarterly.

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LemonMicrowaveOvenCleaner—Spray1CLEANMICROWAVE

Everyonehasaccidentallyhadsomethingspillorexplodeinthemicrowave.Whatamess!Thisspraywillhavetheentirethingsparklingagaininnotime.

⁄ cupwater⁄ cupdistilledwhitevinegar⁄ cuplemonjuice


ToUse:Sprayliberallyoninteriorofmicrowave.Letsitfor15minutestodissolveanydirtandgrease.Wipecleanwithaspongeormicrofibercloth.Repeatifnecessary,rinse,anddry.

ToStore:Storeinspraybottleforupto1week.

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LemonMicrowaveOvenCleaner—Steam1CLEANMICROWAVE

Usingsteamtocleanmessesandgreaseofftheinteriorofamicrowaveissimplebutextremelyeffective.Thebestperkisthesmellfromthejuiceofthefreshlemonwhilethemicrowavecleansitself.

4cupswater1lemon

ToMake:Placewaterinamicrowaveablebowl.Cutthelemoninhalfandjuiceit.Addthejuiceandthelemonhalvestothebowl.Runthemicrowaveuntilthewaterboils(3–5minutes).Whendone,letthemixturesitandsteaminthemicrowavefor15–30minutes.

ToUse:Removethebowlandwipemicrowavecleanwithaclean,dampclothorsponge.Wipedry.


TIME-SAVINGTIPThiscleaningtaskismostlyhands-offandcaneasilybedonewhileyou’reworkingonotherthingsinthekitchen.

CabinetCleaner1KITCHENFULOFCLEANCABINETS

Cabinetsdon’talwaysshowtheirdirt,butbelieveme,it’sthere!Onceyourcabinetsareclean,you’llseewhatadifferencealittlescrubbingcando.Thissimplerecipewillcutgreaseandfingerprintsanditoffersalittlearomatherapytoboot.Useitonyourcabinetanddrawerfrontsandinsides.Thissolutionworkswithanyfinishedcabinets—wood,laminate,orveneer.Makesureyousqueezeanyexcessliquidfromyourclothtokeepunnecessarywateroffyourcabinets.

8cupswarmwater2teaspoonscastilesoap3dropslemonessentialoil

Variation:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoil.

ToMake:Mixingredientsinasmallbucket.

ToUse:Startatthetopleftsideofyourcabinetsandscrubyourwaydownandtotherightwithaspongeormicrofibercloth.


HELPFULHINTUseamicrofiberclothoncabinetsanddrawers—themicrofiberwillgrablittlecrumbseasilyandwipethefingerprintsandsmudgesaway

withease.

LemonandPeppermintAll-PurposeCleanerABOUT3CUPS

Generally,homemadecleanersarenotmeanttobemixedupinlargequantitiesbecausetheydon’thavestabilizers,orartificialingredientsintendedtoextendtheshelflifeoftheingredients.It’sagoodideatotestanyhomemadecleanerinaninconspicuousspottomakesurethatit’ssafeonthesurfaceyouareintendingtouseiton.Awarning:Don’tuseanyvinegarproductsongraniteormarble.Theacidinthevinegarwilleatawayatyourgraniteandmarble.

⁄ cupwhitevinegarjuiceof1lemon2cupswater10dropspeppermintessentialoil

Variations:LEMONANDCLOVE—Substitutecloveessentialoilforthepeppermint.

LEMONANDROSEMARY—Substituterosemaryessentialoilforthepeppermint.


ToUse:Spraycounters,sinks,tables,appliances,andanyotherkitchenitemwiththisall-purposecleaner.Thiscleanerisapowerhouse,cuttingthroughdirt,grime,andgrease,anditwillcleanjustabouteverysurfaceinyourkitchen.Thelemonandvinegaralsohavegerm-killingpropertiesthatyou’lllove!

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ToStore:Thisrecipehasfreshlemonjuiceinit—useitwithinafewdaysofmakingitand/orstoreintherefrigeratorforupto1week.

LemonandPeppermintAll-PurposeCleaningConcentrate32OUNCES

Createyourowncleaningconcentratebyaddingessentialoilstovinegar.

32-ouncebottleofwhitevinegar30dropslemonessentialoil10dropspeppermintessentialoil

ToMake:Addessentialoilstothe32-ouncebottleofvinegar,seal,andshaketocombine.

ToUse:Pour ⁄ cupofthevinegarmixtureintoaspraybottle.Add2cupsofwaterandthejuiceofalemon.Spraycounters,sinks,tables,appliances,andanyotherkitchenitemwiththisall-purposecleaner.

ToStore:Storeinacool,darkplaceforupto2months.

HELPFULHINTPurchasea32-ouncebottleofwhitevinegar.Labelitwithyourconcoctionandyou’vegotaready-madestoragecontainer!

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TeaTreeandOrangeDisinfectingCleaner2 ⁄ CUPS

Disinfectionisn’tnecessaryallthetime,butit’sgoodtohaveanall-naturalcleaningsolutionforthosetimesthatyouneedtodisinfect,likewhenyou’vejustcutuparawchicken.Enterthisrecipe—noharmfulfumes,justall-naturaldisinfectionfromthegerm-killingpowerhousesvinegarandteatree.TheSuperWashingSodaaddsalittleextracleaningkick.Theboiledwaterkillsgermsinthewater,givingthecleaneralongershelflife,andusinghotwaterhelpsdissolvetheingredients.

⁄ cupwhitevinegar1teaspoonArm&HammerSuperWashingSoda20dropsteatreeessentialoil10dropsorangeessentialoil2cupsboiledandslightlycooledwater


ToUse:Spraysurfaces,letsitfor10minutes,andwipecleanwithacleaningclothorpapertowel.

ToStore:Storeinspraybottleforupto2weeks.

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TeaTreeandOrangeDisinfectingCleaningConcentrate32OUNCES

Makingyourowncleaningconcentrateissimple—justaddtoaspraybottlewithwaterandyou’rereadytocleananddisinfect!

32-ouncebottleofwhitevinegar50dropsteatreeessentialoil30dropsorangeessentialoil

Variation:EXTRACLEANINGPOWER—Add1teaspoonSuperWashingSodatoyourwaterandconcentrate.

ToMake:Addessentialoilstothevinegar,seal,andshaketocombine.

ToUse:Pour ⁄ cupofthevinegarmixtureintoaspraybottle.Add2cupsofwaterandshaketocombine.Spraycounters,sinks,tables,appliances,andanyotherkitchenitemwiththisdisinfectingcleaner.Spraysurfacesandletsitfor10minutes,thenwipecleanwithacleaningcloth,sponge,orpapertowel.

ToStore:Storeinacool,darkplaceforupto2months.

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LemonandCloveNightlySinkScrub2CUPS

Thisisoneofmyfavoritehomemadecleaningsolutions.Ikeepmineinavintagebluecanningjarundermykitchensinkanduseitnightlywithadishwasher-safescrubbrush.Oncethedishesaredoneandthecountersarewipeddown,Iscrubthesink.Iputoutacleanhandtowelandmykitcheniscleanandreadyforanotherday.

2cupsbakingsoda10dropslemonessentialoil10dropscloveessentialoil1squirtofLemonandCloveDishSoap(seerecipeearlierinthischapter)

Variations:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoils.

CITRUS—Add10dropsorangeorgrapefruitessentialoil.

ToMake:Addbakingsodatoajarorcontainerandscentwithessentialoils.Stirtocombine.

ToUse:Wetkitchensink.Sprinklealittlebitofthebakingsodamixtureinsink—upto ⁄ cup.Addasquirtofdishsoaptothemixtureandscrubwithscrubbrush.Rinseandair-dryordrywithaclothorpapertowel.

ToStore:Storeinacool,darkplaceindefinitely.

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FruitandVeggieWash12OUNCES

It’simportanttowashanypesticidesandgermsoffyourproduce.Thissolutionremovesallthoseresiduesandhasgerm-killingpropertiestoboot.

⁄ cupapplecidervinegar⁄ cuplemonjuice⁄ cupwater


ToUse:Sprayliberallyonfruitsandvegetables,thenrinseincoldwaterandprepareasusual.

ToStore:Storeintherefrigeratorforupto1month.

GIFT-GIVINGTIPMixupaspraybottleofthisveggiewash,addacutelabel,andpackageitwithapeckoflocalapplesforafriend.

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StickerandGooRemoverABOUT1TABLESPOON

Haveastuck-onlabelorsticker?Trythispaste.Itmixesupinasnapandwillremovejustaboutanystickerorgooonhardsurfaces.

1tablespoonbakingsoda1tablespoonalmondorvegetableoil

Variations:LEMON—Add1or2dropsoflemonessentialoilifyou’dlikealittlescentwithyourgooremoval.

LARGERBATCH—Use ⁄ cupbakingsodaand ⁄ cupoil.Combineandstoreinaglasscontainerinacool,darkplace.

ToMake:Combinebakingsodaandoilinsmallglassorplasticcontainer.

ToUse:Applyasmallamounttospot.Letsitforaminuteortwotosoak.Rubwithapapertowelorcleaningclothtoremove.Repeatifnecessary.Ifthere’salittleoilyresidueremaining,applyrubbingalcoholtoacottonballandwipetoremoveanyresidue.

ToStore:Storeinasealedcontainerforupto1month.

GIFT-GIVINGTIPMixupadoublebatchofthispasteandputhalfinacutejarwithalabelandgivetoafriendthatismovingorhasjustmoved.Thisall-naturalcleaningsolutionwillbeperfectforallthestickersthatneedtoberemovedwhenmovingintoanewhome!

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StainlessSteelCleanerASMUCHASNEEDED

Cleaningstainlesssteelhasleftmeinaconundrum.Therearesomanycommercialcleanersoutthere,butnoneofthemworkonallmyappliances,andwhowantstobuymultiplestainlesssteelcleaners?Thissimplesolutionmaysurpriseyou,butallyouneedisalittlevinegarandmicrofibertocleanyourstainlesssteel.Don’tbelieveme?Giveitatry—it’samazing!

distilledwhitevinegar

ToMake:Pourorsprayalittlevinegardirectlyonamicrofibercleaningcloth—notonyourstainlesssteel.Ifpossible,useaclothdesignedforstainlesssteelorwindowsandmirrors.

ToUse:Applytoyourappliancesgoingwiththegrainofyourstainlesssteelandfromtoptobottom.Buffasneeded.

ToStore:Keepyourvinegarandcleaningclothhandytoquicklywipefingerprintsandsmudgesonyourapplianceswhenneeded.

TIME-SAVINGTIPStuckonholdduringaphonecall?That’sagreattimetoaccomplishsmallcleaningtaskslikethisone!

StainlessSteelPolishASMUCHASNEEDED

Ifyourstainlesssteelneedsalittleshineafteryou’vecleanedit,youneedalittleoil.Theoilwillprotectthestainlesssteelandpreventsmudges.Polishingstainlesssteelisn’tanecessitybutitdoesmakeadifference.Trythiseasytechniqueafteryou’vecleanedyourappliances.

almondoil

ToMake:Pourasmallamountofthealmondoilonyourcloth.

ToUse:Usingyourclothwiththealmondoil,buffyourstainlesssteelinthedirectionofthegrainandfromtoptobottom.Useaseparateclothtobuffoffanyexcess.

ToStore:Keepyouralmondoilinyourkitchensoit’shandyforpolishing.

RefrigeratorCleaner1CLEANANDDEODORIZEDREFRIGERATOR

Acleanrefrigeratorisnicetolookat,butkeepingitcleancanalsosaveyoumoney,sinceyou’llbeaccessingforgottenfoodthat’sstashedintheback.Thiscleaningprocessismosteasilydonewhenyouhaveanalmostemptyrefrigerator.

2gallonswarmwater2tablespoonscastilesoapordishsoap2tablespoonsbakingsoda

ToMake:Mix1gallonwarmwater,1tablespooncastilesoapordishsoap,and1tablespoonbakingsodainalargecontainerorbucketuntildissolved.Then,fillyoursinkwithwater(about1gallon)andadd1tablespooncastilesoapordishsoapand1tablespoonbakingsodatowashthedrawersandshelves.

ToUse:Emptyrefrigeratoroffoodcontents(placeitemsinacoolerwithiceifyouanticipatethistakingmorethan15minutes).Placeshelvesanddrawersinsinktosoak.Usingamicrofiberclothorcleanwashcloth,wipedownyourrefrigeratorfromtoptobottom,rinsingandwringingoutyourcleaningclothasneeded.Oncerefrigeratorhasbeenthoroughlywipedclean,drywithacleandishtowelandheadtoyoursink.Wash,rinse,anddryshelvesanddrawers.Returntheshelvesanddrawersbacktoyourrefrigeratoralongwiththefood.Placeaboxofbakingsodainyourrefrigeratortoabsorbanylingeringodors.


TIME-SAVINGTIPDoaquickrefrigeratorcleanoutwhenyoumakeyourweeklygrocerylist.Wipeupanyspills,tossoldfood,andmakeroomforfreshgroceries.Doingthisweeklykeepstherefrigeratorclean(oratleastcleaner)fromweektoweek.

FreezerCleaner1CLEANANDDEODORIZEDFREEZER

Cleaningyourfreezercanbedifficultbecauseaddingwatertoafreezerjustcreatesice.Thissimplerecipeandsolutionwillhelpyoucleanyourfreezerquicklyandgetyoubacktomoreimportantthings.

2cupswarmwater⁄ cupbakingsoda

ToMake:Mixingredientsinabowluntildissolved.

ToUse:Emptyfreezerofitscontents(placeitemsinacoolerwithiceifyouanticipatethistakingmorethan15minutes).Dipacleanclothinthesolutionandwringoutexcessliquid.Startingatthetopofthefreezer,wipeclean.SoakandcleanshelvesanddrawerswiththeRefrigeratorCleanerrecipe(thischapter),ifdesired.Returntheshelvesanddrawersbacktoyourfreezeralongwiththefood.Placeaboxofbakingsodainyourfreezertoabsorbanylingeringodors.


TIME-SAVINGTIPCombinecleaningyourrefrigeratorandfreezertosavetime.Makesureyouhavecoolersreadyandplentyofclothsandtowelstocleananddryallthecomponents.

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LaminateCountertopDeepCleaner1KITCHENFULOFCLEANCOUNTERTOPS

Foreverydaycleaningofyourlaminatecountertops,usetheLemonandPeppermintAll-PurposeCleanerspray(seerecipeearlierinthischapter).Ifyourlaminateislookingalittlelackluster,givethisrecipeatry.It’sperfectforthetimeswhenyoureallywanttocleanyourcountertopsthoroughly.

32ouncesverywarmwater3tablespoonscastilesoap2dropslemonessentialoil

Variation:UNSCENTED—Useunscentedcastilesoapanddon’taddanyessentialoil.

ToMake:Mixingredientsincontainer—aplasticstoragecontainerorbucketworkswell.

ToUse:Clearallcountertopsofsmallappliancesanddécor.Usingacleaningclothormicrofibercloth,dipinsolutionandwipefromthebackofthecounterstothefront,workingyourwayaroundthekitchen,wipingthoroughly.Rinseclothoftenandrepeatprocesswithclearwatertorinse.


HELPFULHINT

Neveruseanabrasivecleaneronyourlaminatecountertops,becausetheyscratcheasily.

MarbleCleaner16OUNCES

Youshouldneverusevinegaronmarbleorgranite,sowhatcanyoucleanitwith?Soapandwater,ofcourse!Here’sasuper-simplerecipeyou’lllovetouseonyourmarblecountertops.

16ouncesdistilledorboiledandcooledwater1teaspooncastilesoap


ToUse:Sprayonmarblecountertops,wipewithadampmicrofiberclothorsponge.Dryifnecessary.

ToStore:Storeinspraybottlefor1to2months.

HELPFULHINTCleanyourmarbleinsmall,3’sectionstopreventanystandingwaterorspraycleanersittingonyourcountertops.

GraniteCleanerABOUT8OUNCES

Graniteneedsextraloveandattentionwhenitcomestocleaning.Youcancleanwithwarmwateranddishsoap,butifyou’dlikeapH-neutralspraythat’ssafetouseonyoursealedgranite,here’syourrecipe.

3tablespoonsrubbingalcohol2cupswater⁄ teaspooncastilesoapordishsoap


ToUse:Sprayongraniteandwipecleanwithamicrofibercloth.

ToStore:Storeinspraybottleforupto1month.Mayseparate;justshakebeforeusing.

MONEY-SAVINGTIPThissolutioncostspenniesperuse,whichismuchlessexpensivethancommercialgranitecleaners,anditisall-naturalandsafetousearoundyourfamily.You’lllovehowthealcoholspeedsthedryingprocessandkeepsyourcountersstreak-free.Neverletwaterstandonyourgranitecountertops,asitwillstain.Sprayandwipeimmediately.

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Hood/RangeCleaner(Oil-Based)1CLEANANDOIL-REPELLENTHOODANDRANGE

Oilsplattersinthekitchenarecommon,butwhat’sthebestwaytocleanthemoffastovehoodandovenrange?Withoil!

vegetableoil,almondoil,ormineraloil

ToMake:Applyoildirectlytoamicrofibercleaningcloth.

ToUse:Wipeoiledclothinthedirectionofthegrain,fromtoptobottomandlefttoright.


TIME-SAVINGTIPIfyourstoveknobsneedalittleshiningup,givethemaswipewhileyou’reatit.Wipetheoilonandrubitoffforalittlenaturaloilrepellent.

CitrusStoveCleaner1CLEANSTOVE

Thestoveisthepowerhouseinthekitchen,soittendstoneedfrequentcleaning.Trythisstrongandnontoxicstovecleanerthenexttimeapotboilsover.Thissimplesolutioncanalsobeusedonaflatelectricstovetop.

8ounceshotwater2tablespoonscastilesoap2tablespoonsbakingsoda5dropslemonessentialoil2dropsorangeessentialoil

Variation:UNSCENTED—Useunscentedcastilesoapanddon’taddanyessentialoils.


ToUse:Sprayliberallyonstovetocover.Letstandfor15to30minutes.Sprayagainandwipeclean.Rinseanyresidueanddrywithaclean,dryclothorpapertowels.Microfiberclothswillgiveyouastreak-freeshineifyouhaveaflatstovetop.

ToStore:Storeinspraybottleforupto1week.

KitchenDisinfectingPasteABOUT ⁄ CUP

Ickystuffinyoursink,oronyourlaminatecountertoporkitchenworkspace?Trythisdisinfectingpastetokillthegermsandgiveyoursinkagoodscrubatthesametime.

⁄ cupbakingsoda⁄ cupdistilledwhitevinegar10dropsteatreeessentialoil

ToMake:Stirbakingsodaandvinegarsoitformsapaste.Addessentialoilandstirtocombine—therewillbealittlefizzing;thisisnormal.

ToUse:Applytoareathatneedsdisinfecting,scrub,andrinsewithwater.Youmayneedtorepeattocompletelyeliminatestubbornresidue.


TIME-SAVINGTIPIfyouaredisinfectingyoursink,mixinsinkinlieuofmakingapaste.Scrubandrinseasdirected.

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KitchenDisinfectingSpray16OUNCES

Thisspraycanbestoredunderyourkitchensinkanduseddailyfordisinfection.Thetrickistoletthespraysitfor10minutestothoroughlydisinfectcounters,sinks,andcuttingboards.Becarefulnottosprayonanyfabrics,asthehydrogenperoxidehasbleachingproperties.Itissafeforalltypesofcountertops,though.

16-ouncecontainerofhydrogenperoxide—usethe3percentsolutionthatyoufindinadrugstorespraytop

ToMake:Findaspraytopthatwillfit.Mostareuniversal,soyoucanwashandreuseastore-boughtcleaner’sspraytopforthispurpose.Ifthetubeistoolongbutthetopfits,trimthetubewithapairofscissors.Placespraytoponbottleofhydrogenperoxide.

ToUse:Rinseanyfoodparticlesawayifyouaredisinfectingacuttingboardorothersurface.Spraysurfacethoroughlywiththehydrogenperoxide.Letstandfor10minutesandwipeorrinseclean.Forevenstrongersanitation,addcastilesoaptoaspongeandusethattowashandwipeupthesolution.Rinsethoroughlyandwashasusual.

ToStore:Hydrogenperoxidemustbestoredinadarkcontainertokeepitsdisinfectingproperties,sokeepitinitsoriginalcontainer.

SmallApplianceCleaner1KITCHENFULLOFCLEANSMALLAPPLIANCES

Smallappliancesdon’tgetthecleaningattentiontheydeserve!You’retoobusyusingthetoaster,coffeemaker,andblendertocleanthem,afterall.Givethemalittlecleaninglovewiththisoh-so-simpletechnique.

⁄ cupwhitevinegar5dropsessentialoil

ToMake:Pourwhitevinegarinasmallbowlandadd5dropsofyourfavoriteessentialoil.Lemonisgreatforthisrecipe!

ToUse:Pouralittlevinegarandessentialoilmixtureontoadampcleaningcloth.Wipeyoursmallappliancesfromtoptobottom.(Youshouldn’tevenneedtorinseandrepeat.)Thevinegarwilldissolveanywaterspots,grease,andstains.

ToStore:Storeinanairtightcontainerforupto2months.

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LemonDisposalFreshener161-OUNCECUBES

Runningyourgarbagedisposalwithanicecubeortwohelpssharpenthebladesabit.Ifyouusevinegaricecubeswithlemonpeel,youhaveagreatfreshener.

16ounceswhitevinegarthepeelof1lemon,coarselygratedicecubetray(s)

ToMake:Pour16ouncesofwhitevinegarintoaglassmeasuringcup(thiswillkeepspillstoaminimum).Pourvinegarintotheicecubetraysandplacelemonpeelinthewhitevinegarineachcubespot.Freeze.

ToUse:Runcoldwaterinyoursinkandturnonyourdisposal.Carefullydrop1or2cubesindisposalandallowtorun.Turnoffdisposalandrepeatifnecessary.

ToStore:Placetrayinthefreezerovernight.Turnvinegarcubesoutintoalargezip-topbagandstoreinthefreezertousewhenneeded.

HELPFULHINTIfyouhaveanextralemonortwo,gratethepeelandplaceinthefreezerforrecipeslikethisone.

LemonDisposalCleaner1CLEANANDFRESHDISPOSAL

Isyourdisposalsufferingfromstuck-onfoods?Thisweeklycleanerwillnotonlymakeyourkitchensmellgreat,it’llmakeyourdisposalcleanandodor-free.

⁄ cuplemonjuice⁄ cupbakingsoda

ToMake:Mixlemonjuiceandbakingsodatogethertomakeapastyliquid.

ToUse:Pourmixturedowndisposal.Letsitfor5minutes.Runcoldwaterandturnonthedisposalandrunforaminuteorso.


MONEY-SAVINGTIPLookforlargebottlesoflemonjuiceatyourfavoritewarehouseclub.You’llhavelemonjuiceonhandforall-naturalrecipesandyou’llsavemoneybybuyinginbulk.

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LemonDisposalTablets12TABLETS

Preferahandytabletforyourdisposalcleaningandfreshening?Inadditiontofresheningyourdisposal,thissimplerecipewillgiveyourdisposalbladesalittleworkout.

1cupbakingsoda2–3tablespoonslemonjuice10dropslemonessentialoilicecubetray

ToMake:Combinebakingsodaandlemonjuice.Stirtocombine—alittlefizzingisnormal(andfun).Mixtureshouldbedrybutpackable.Stirinessentialoil.Placebythetablespoonintothecompartmentsofanicecubetray.Allowtodryoutandhardenovernightorinthesun.Oncethetabletshavehardened,carefullyturnthetrayoverontoacleansurface.Thetabletsshouldfalloutwithoutanytwistingorbanging,whichcouldbreakthemintopieces.

ToUse:Runcoldwaterinyoursinkanddropatabletinthedisposal.Turnoffthewaterandletthetabletsitinthedisposalforabout5minutestosoftenabit.Rundisposalasusual.

ToStore:Storeinanairtightglassorplasticcontainerforupto1month.

NaturalDrainUnclogger1UNCLOGGEDDRAIN

Cloggedorslowdraingotyoudown?Startyourteakettle!Ifyou’reuncloggingadisposal,addlemonpeeltofreshenandsharpenthebladesabit.

⁄ – ⁄ cupbakingsoda⁄ – ⁄ cupdistilledwhitevinegar3dropslemonororangeessentialoil3–4thinlyslicedcurlicuesfromalemonpeel(ifyouareuncloggingadisposal)1kettlefulofboilingwater

Variation:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoilandlemonpeel.

ToMake:Put3dropsessentialoildirectlydownthedraintoaddanicescent.Addthelemoncurlicuesandsprinklebakingsodadowndrainandfinishbypouringindistilledwhitevinegar.Allowtositfor5–15minutes.

ToUse:Pourhotwaterdownthedrainoncethesolutionhasdoneitsmagic.Thenruncoldwatertoseeifdrainhasbeencleared.Repeatifnecessary.


TIME-SAVINGTIPWhileyou’rewaitingforthedraintoclear,cleantherestofyourkitchencounters.Onceyou’vecleanedthem,thedrainshouldbeunclogged.

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KnifeBlockCleaner1CLEANKNIFEBLOCK

Thisrecipeisforthosedayswhenyou’reincleaningmodeandscrubbingeverythinginsight.Workquicklytopreventanywarpingofyourknifeblock.

warmwater1teaspooncastilesoap

ToMake:Fillyoursinkwithwarmwaterand1teaspoonofcastilesoaporLemonandCloveLiquidDishSoap(seerecipesearlierinthischapter).

ToUse:Diptheknifeblockinthesoapysolutionandscrubtheholeswithabottlebrush.Rinsethoroughlyandallowtoair-dry,preferablyoutsideinthesun.


KeurigCleaner1CLEANKEURIG

Ifthatfirstcupofcoffeeisanecessaryday-starterforyouandtheKeurigmachineisyourcoffeebrewerofchoice,youneedthisrecipe.Youmaynotevenhaverealizedthatitneedstobecleanedtorunproperlyandtolast!Don’tworry,theprocessissimpleandyouprobablyhavealltheingredientsonhand.

whitevinegarcastileordishsoapwater

ToMake:Wetaclothwiththevinegar.Fillthekitchensinkwithwarmwaterandafewdropsofcastileordishsoap.

ToUse:TocleanthedriptrayandK-cupholder:RemovethedriptrayandK-cupholder.Ifyourmodelhasareservoir,removethataswell.Placetheseinyoursinktosoak.

Tocleanexteriorofmachine:Ifyouhavewaterspotsontheexteriorofthemachine,wipewithalittlewhitevinegaronyourcleaningcloth.Useacleaning-designatedtoothbrushtoscrubanysmallpiecesandremoveanymineraldeposits.Rinseanddrythepartsandreassembleyourmachine.

TocleantheinsideofyourKeurig:Eitherfillthereservoirabouthalfwayfullwithvinegaror,ifyoudon’thaveareservoir,placeabout10ouncesofvinegarintothewaterchamber.Runthemachineasyounormallywould,butleaveouttheK-cup.Repeatonceortwicedependingonhowmuchmineralbuildupisin

yourmachine.Run2or3cycleswithcoldwateroruntilthereisn’tanyvinegarsmell.

ToStore:Nostorageisnecessary,butyoumaywanttokeepatoothbrushandvinegarinyourkitchenforlittlecleaningtaskslikethis.

CoffeepotCleaner1CLEANCOFFEEPOT

Ifwashingyourcoffeepotdoesn’tusuallymaketherotationinyourcleaningschedule,here’sasimplemethodtocleanyoursinahurry.Thebenefit?Yourcoffeewilltastebetterandbrewmorequickly.How’sthatformotivation?

waterwhitevinegar

ToMake:Fillcoffeepotwithequalpartscoldwaterandvinegar.

ToUse:Poursolutioninthewaterdispenserandruncoffeemakerasusual.Emptysolutioninsink.Runyourcoffeepotasusualwith2–3cyclesofcoldwateroruntilvinegarsmellisgoneandwaterrunsclear.

ToStore:Nostorageisnecessary,butvinegarandappliancesaregreatfriends—keepsomevinegarhandy!

HELPFULHINTVinegarisagreatwaterspotremover.Whileyou’rewaitingforthecoffeetocycle,pouralittlevinegaronacleaningclothandwipeawaywaterspotsonthecoffeemachineitself.

IceMachineCleanerCLEANICE!

Cleaningyourrefrigerator’sicemakerisprobablynotevenonyourradar.Itshouldbe—it’sahidingspotforbacteria.Nottoworry,acleanicemachineisaneasyprocess!

16ounceswarmwatercastileordishsoap

ToMake:Combinewarmwaterand1or2dropsofsoapinabowl.

ToUse:Locatetheicemachineinyourfreezerandcarefullyremovetheicebinanddumptheiceinyourkitchensink.(Ifyoucannotdeterminehowtoremovetheicecontainer,consultyourowner’smanual.)Thoroughlywashanddry.Wipedownentireinterioroficemakerwithwaterandsoapmixture.Rewipewithacleanwetclothanddry.Puticecontainerbackandgetreadytoenjoycleanice!


TIME-SAVINGTIPAddthiseasysteptoyourrefrigeratorandfreezercleaningscheduleandyou’llneverforgettocleantheicemachineagain.

PlasticStorageContainerCleanerCLEANPLASTICSTORAGECONTAINERS

Ifyouuseplastictostoreleftovers,you’veprobablyexperiencedatomatostainorgreasyfoodresiduethatremainslongyou’ve“cleaned”thecontainer.Thissolutionisforthoseoccasionswhenastainremainsafternormalwashing.

bakingsoda1tablespoonhydrogenperoxidewarmwaterliquidcastilesoap

ToMake:Thoroughlyrinsetheplasticcontainer(s)inwarmwater.Addhydrogenperoxidetothebottomofyourcontainer.Placethecoverbackonthecontainerandswirlthehydrogenperoxideupthesidesofthecontainerifthestainextendsupthesides.

ToUse:Letcontainersitwithhydrogenperoxideforaboutanhour.Beforedumpingthehydrogenperoxide,checktoseeifthestainisgone.Ifitisn’tgone,sprinklealittlebakingsodaontopofthehydrogenperoxideandscrub.Washthoroughlywithwarmwaterandcastilesoaporinyourdishwasher.Dryandadmireyourlike-newplasticstoragecontainer.


TeakettleMineralDepositCleaner1CLEANTEAKETTLE

Ifyou’reateadrinkerandhavehardwater,youmostlikelyhavemineraldepositsinyourteakettle.Thesedepositsaren’tharmful,butit’seasytoremovethem.

1cupwater1cupdistilledwhitevinegar

ToMake:Pourwaterandvinegarinteakettle.Placethetopontheteakettleandputthekettleonthestoveandbringtoafullboil.

ToUse:Allowthewaterandvinegarmixturetositinthecoveredteakettleforatleastanhourorovernight.Pourdownthedrainandwashinteriorwithdishsoap.Repeatifnecessary.Wipedry.


Chemical-FreeSilverCleaner1SETOFSPARKLINGCLEANSILVER

Thesecrettocleansilver?Aluminumfoil!It’shardtobelievethatthisactuallyworks,butitdoesaprettyamazingjob.Thebestpart?Therearenoharmfulchemicalscomingincontactwithyouoryourfamily.

bakingsoda—enoughtocoverthesilver,generallyabout ⁄ – ⁄ cupaluminumpanaluminumfoil1kettlefulofboilingwater

ToMake:Lineanaluminumpan(thedisposableonesworkgreat)withaluminumfoil.Placeyoursilverinthepan.

ToUse:Placethepaninasafeplacelikeyourkitchensinkorutilitysink.Sprinklebakingsodaoverallyoursilver.Slowlypourboilingwateroverthesilver.Watchthetarnishdisappear.Oncethesilverisclean—about15minutes—washinsoapywaterandbuffwithasoftmicrofiberorcleaningcloth.


HELPFULHINTMakesurethatyoukeepaneyeonthetarnishremovalprocessandhandlethesilvercarefully,asitwillbeextremelyhot.

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DisinfectingWoodCuttingBoardCleaner1–2DISINFECTEDCUTTINGBOARDS

Cuttingboardsaregreattoolsinthekitchen,buttheyneedalittlecaretodisinfectthembetweenuses.Thissimplereciperemovesanyfoodresidue,andyoucanrestassuredthatyourcuttingboardsarecleanandreadyfortheirnextcookingadventure.

1lemon1–2tablespoonssalt

ToMake:Cutalemoninhalfandsprinklesaltonthecuthalf.

ToUse:Rubthelemonhalfandsaltdirectlyonthecuttingboardtokillgerms.Rinseandwashasusual.


TIME-SAVINGTIPForacrylicandplasticcuttingboards,justuseaLemonDishwasherDetergentTablet(seerecipeearlierinthischapter)andtosstheminthedishwasher.Easypeasy!

LemonandPeppermintGarbageCanFresheningTablets16TABLETS

Place1or2oftheseodor-absorbingtabletsinthebottomofyourgarbagecantoabsorbandeliminateodors.

2cupsbakingsoda1cupEpsomsaltsorKoshersalt⁄ cupwater10dropslemonessentialoil5dropspeppermintessentialoilIcecubetray(s)

Variation:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoils.

ToMake:Combinethedryingredientsinalargemixingbowl.Slowlyaddthewaterandstirtocombine.Oncethemixtureisthoroughlycombined,measureroundedtablespoonsintotheicecubetraysandpressdowntoformthetablets.Donotfillthetraystothetop,justusearoundedtablespoonineachcompartment.Allowtodryoutandhardenovernightorinthesun.Oncethetabletshavehardened,carefullyturnthetrayoverontoacleansurface.Thetabletsshouldfalloutwithoutanytwistingorbanging,whichcouldbreakthemintopieces.

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ToUse:Place1or2tabletsinthebottomofagarbagecantofreshen.Replacewhenyounolongersmellthelemonandpeppermint.

ToStore:Storeinanairtightglassorplasticcontainerfor3months.

CHAPTER4

RECIPESFORBATHROOMS

Cleaningbathroomscanbedaunting,andit’sachorethatdefinitelydoesn’trankhighonanyone’slistoffunthingstodo.IthoroughlycleanallofthebathroomsinmyhomeonMondays,sheerlytogetitoverwith!Toxiccleaningproductsmakethesituationevenworse.Usingyourownconcoctionsmightchangeyourmindaboutcleaningyourbathroom.Youmightnotrankitatthetopofyourlist,butatleastyouwon’thavetowearamasktogetridofsoapscuminyourshower!Ihaveformulatedsomeamazingall-naturalandorganicbathroomcleaningproductsthatyoucanuseoneverythingfromdingygrout,soap-scummedtile,stickysurfaces,toothpaste-splatteredmirrors,andstainedtoilets.

LavenderandLemonBathroomDisinfectingSpray2 ⁄ CUPS

Disinfectioninthebathroomisagoodidea—sendwhitevinegarandvodka,germ-killersextraordinaire,todothejob!You’llkeeptheharmfulfumesawayandkillickygermsatthesametime.

⁄ cupwhitevinegar⁄ cupvodka10dropslavenderessentialoil10dropslemonessentialoil1 ⁄ cupsboiledandslightlycooledwaterToMake:Addingredientstoaspraybottleandshaketocombine.(Useboiledwatertodissolvetheingredientsproperlyandkillgermsinthewater,givingthecleaneralongershelflife.)ToUse:Spraysurfaces,letsitfor10minutes,andwipecleanwithacleaningclothorpapertowel.

ToStore:Storefor1–2monthsinacool,darkplace.

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PeppermintDailyShowerCleanerSpray12OUNCES

You’vecleanedyoursoapscumfromyourbathtubandshowerandyouneverwanttodoitagain.Howaboutadailyshowercleanerspraytokeepthesoapscumatbay?

⁄ cupvodka1cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled10dropspeppermintessentialoil

Variations:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoil.

VINEGAR—Novodka?Justsubstitutedistilledwhitevinegarforsimilarresults.


ToUse:Sprayshowerand/ortubdailyafterallbathinghasoccurred.Noneedtorinse;justsprayandwalkaway.

ToStore:Storeinyourshowerfor1–2months.

HELPFULHINTKeepashowersqueegeeinyourshowertohelpkeepthesoapscumaway—spraydailyshowercleanerandsqueegeefromtoptobottom.

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SoapScumSponges1SPONGE

Makeyourownsoapscumspongeswithmelaminespongespurchasedinbulk.TheeasiestplacetofindthemisonAmazon.com.Youcanpurchasethemelamineprecutinvarioussizes,butyoucanalsocutthemtoasmallersizeforyourcleaningproject.Justaddalittlewaterandthemelaminematerialistransformedintoacleaningpowerhousereadyforjustaboutanycleaningendeavor.Whiletheusesareendless,thesesimplemelaminespongesareamazingatremovingsoapscumandavarietyofresidueswhenactivatedwithalittlewater.Usingessentialoilswilladdalittlescenttoyourcleaningprojectandwillalsohelptoremoveanyresidue.

melaminesponge1–2dropsofyourfavoriteessentialoil

ToMake:Trimdownmelaminefoamtothedesiredsizewithapairofscissorsorarazorblade.

ToUse:Addalittlewatertoyoursponge,wringoutexcesswater.Addyourfavoriteessentialoilandstartscrubbing.Thespongesaredisposableandwilleventuallydisintegrateafterabout1–2uses.

ToStore:Storeindefinitely.

http://Amazon.com

SoapScumRemover1SCUM-FREESHOWER

Soapscum—isthereanywaytoavoidit?Notreally,butyoucanreduceit:Usingcastilesoapasyourshowergelwillcutdownonsoapresidue.Ifyouwanttogetridofsoapscumquickly,twoingredientscanbanishitinahurry:boraxandwater.Getreadytowashyoursoapscumaway!

⁄ – ⁄ cupborax2cupshotwater


ToUse:Spraythoroughlyandletsitforupto15minutes.Wipewithasoapscum–removingsponge(melamine).Rinseandwipedry.

ToStore:Ifyouhaveanymixtureleftover,findanothertuborshowertoclean.Thisismeanttobeusedupinonecleaningsession.

HELPFULHINTIfyouhaveanextralemonortwo,usethemforsoapscumremoval.Simplycutinhalfandrubthefruitsideofthelemonoverthescummyareas.Rinseandrepeatifnecessaryuntilsoapscumisgone.

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LemonandCloveLiquidHandSoap8OUNCES

Amoisturizinghandsoapisgreatforthebathroom—thisrecipewillfillthespacewithawarm,freshscentandgetyourhandssqueakyclean.

1cupliquidcastilesoap10dropslemonessentialoil10dropscloveessentialoil1teaspoonvitaminEoil


PEPPERMINTANDLAVENDER—Substitute10dropspeppermintand10dropslavenderessentialoilsforthelemonandclove.

LEMON—Use20dropslemonessentialoilandnoclove.

ToMake:Combineingredientsinasoappump,seal,andshakethoroughlytocombine.

ToUse:Useapumpofsoap,rubhandstogether,andrinsewithwarmwater.

ToStore:Storeinpumpforseveralmonths(ifitlaststhatlong!).

LemonandCloveFoamingHandSoap116-OUNCEDISPENSEROR28-OUNCEDISPENSERS

Foaming-soapdispensersareagreatwaytomakeyourliquidsoaplastlonger.Youonlyneed1–2tablespoonsofliquidsoapforthewholesoapdispenser,whichisverycost-effectivewhenyouhavealotoffamilymemberswashingtheirhandsfrequently.

2cupswater,boiledandcooled(ordistilledwater,ifyouwon’tusethesoapinaweekortwo)1–2tablespoonscastilesoap10dropslemonessentialoil10dropscloveessentialoil


PEPPERMINTANDLAVENDER—Substitute10dropspeppermintand10dropslavenderessentialoilsforthelemonandclove.

EXTRAMOISTURIZING—Add1teaspoonvitaminEoiltothemixture.

ToMake:Pouringredientsintopumpdispenserandshaketocombine.

ToUse:Dispense1or2pumpsonyourhands,rub,andscrubawaygerms.

ToStore:Withdistilledwater:Storeinpumpforseveralmonths.Withundistilledwater:Storeinpumpfor2weeks.

TIME-SAVINGTIP

FirstmaketheLemonandCloveLiquidHandSoap(seepreviousrecipe)andthenfillupyour8-ouncefoaming-soapdispenserwith2tablespoonsoftheliquidsoapand2cupsofwater.

LavenderandLemonDisinfectingCleaningWipes24WIPES

Lovetheconvenienceofawipebutwanttoknowwhat’sinthem?Here’sagreatrecipe—that’sright,youcanevenmakeyourownwipes!Thewhitevinegarandvodkahelpwipeawaythosegerms.

12thickanddurablepapertowels(suchasBountyDuraTowels)⁄ cupwhitevinegar⁄ cupvodka5dropslavenderessentialoil5dropslemonessentialoil1cupboiledandslightlycooledwater


ToMake:Tearoffaboutadozenpapertowels,cuttheminhalf,andstackintoaneatpile.Rollupthestackandstuffthemina2-cup,wide-mouthmasonjar.Mixtheingredientsinalargemeasuringcupandpouroverthepapertowelsinthemasonjar.Putthelidonandshakeandswirltheliquidaroundtomakesurethatitisabsorbedintothepapertowels.(Alargezip-topbagorbabywipecontaineralsoworksforstoringthesewipesifyoudon’thaveamasonjar—thebagwillsavespaceaswell.)ToUse:Carefullyremoveawipeortwo,anduseasyouwouldanycleaningwipe.

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ToStore:Storeinasealed,airtightcontainerforupto1week.

TIME-SAVINGTIPKeepcleaningwipesonhandforaquickdailywipe-downofcountersandsurfaces.Alittlebiteverydaywillmakeyourweeklycleaningmucheasier!

PeppermintWindowandMirrorCleaner16OUNCES

Everyonenoticesadirtywindow.Usethissimpleconcoctiontoleaveapeppermintscentbehindasyoucleanyourwindowsandmirrors.

2cupswater,distilledorboiledandcooled2tablespoonsdistilledwhitevinegar2tablespoonsrubbingalcohol5dropspeppermintessentialoil


ToUse:Spraywindowsandmirrors,wipe,andadmire.

ToStore:Storeinacoolplacefor1–2months.

HELPFULHINTUseamicrofiberclothspecificallydesignedforwindowsandmirrors.Thefiberswillgliderightalongtheshinysurfaceandgiveyoucleanandstreak-freemirrorsandwindowsinasnap!

LemonGroutCleaner1TUBORSHOWERAREA’SWORTHOFCLEANGROUT

Grimygroutgotyoudown?Trythistwo-ingredientsolutiontogetridofit.Thecreamoftartarandlemoncombinationwillhelpremoveanygroutstainsandworksespeciallywelloncoloredgrout.

2teaspoonscreamoftartarlemonjuice

ToMake:Combinecreamoftartarandlemonjuicetomakeathinpaste.

ToUse:Applytogroutandscrubwithasmallcleaningbrush.Rinseandwipedry.


LemonWhiteningGroutCleaner1SHOWERSTALL’SWORTHOFCLEANGROUT

Thisrecipewillbreathenewlifeintoyourdiscoloredwhiteorlight-coloredgrout!

⁄ – ⁄ cupbakingsodahydrogenperoxidejuicefromhalfalemon

ToMake:Inasmallcontainerorbowl,mixbakingsodaandhydrogenperoxidetoformathickpaste(fizzingisnormal).Stirinthelemonjuicetothinthepasteortoyourdesiredconsistency.

ToUse:Testinaninconspicuousplacefirsttomakesurethatthesolutionwhitensthewayyouarehopingitwill.Wetyoursmallcleaningbrushwithwaterandapplythegroutcleanertoyourgrout.Scrub,rinse,andmoveon!


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LemonandPeppermintTileCleanerABOUT16OUNCES

Ifyourbathroomhasalotoftile,thiswillbecomeyourgo-tobathroomcleaner.Itshinestile,removeswaterspots,andreallycleans!

⁄ cupwater1tablespoonbakingsoda⁄ cupwhitevinegar1cupwarmwater5dropslemonessentialoil3dropspeppermintessentialoil



ToUse:Spraythoroughlyontiles.Allowtositfor5–15minutes,scrubifnecessary,rinse,anddrywithacleanclothorair-dry.

ToStore:Storeinspraybottleforupto2weeks.

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ShowerheadCleaner1CLEANSHOWERHEAD

Mineralsandsoapscumdepositthemselvesontheshowerhead,andovertimethisbuildupminimizesthewaterpressureandeffectivenessofyourshowerhead.Whitevinegarcansingle-handedlytakecareofthiscleaningtask—justaddalittletimeandaplasticbagandyourshowerheadwillbelikenew.

aboutacupofdistilledwhitevinegar1rubberband

ToMake:Pouracupofvinegarintotheplasticbagandliftittotheshowerhead.Submergethesprayholesinthevinegar.Addmorevinegarifnecessarytosubmerge,andsecurethebagtotheshowerheadwiththerubberband.

ToUse:Keepthebagontheshowerheadforatleast3hoursorovernight.Thenremovethebag,rinse,andenjoytheincreasedwaterpressureresultingfromthisminoreffort.


DisinfectingToiletBowlCleaner1CLEANANDDISINFECTEDTOILET

Cleaningatoiletiseveryone’sleastfavoritecleaningtask,butthissimplerecipemakesiteasy.

⁄ cupbakingsoda⁄ cupwhitevinegar10dropsteatreeessentialoil

ToMake:Combineingredientsintoilet—therewillbealittlefizzing.

ToUse:Letbakingsoda,vinegar,andessentialoilsitfor5–15minutes.Scrubwithatoiletbrushandflush.

ToStore:Thisisaone-timeuseproduct;nostoragenecessary.

TIME-SAVINGTIPStartwithonebathroomandgoontothenext.Onceyouhavefinishedcombiningtheingredientsinyourtoilets,gobacktoyourfirstoneandscrub.Thenmoveontoeachtoiletuntilcompleted.YoucanalsowipedowntheexteriorofthetoiletbowlwithyourLavenderandLemonBathroomDisinfectingSpray(seerecipeearlierinthischapter)orotherdisinfectingspraywhileyouwait.

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LemonandPeppermintToiletCleaningTreatment16TABLETS

Thisisahands-offcleaningtreatment—thebestkind!Placeatabletinthetoiletbowl,letitfizzandflushitawayorletitfizzandgiveitalittlescrub—youdecide.Bestthing?Itsmellswonderful.Iusethemforaquickbathroomcleanupbetweenregularbathroomcleanings.Youcanpickupthecitricacidatthecanningsectionofyourgrocerystore,orlookonline.

2cupsbakingsoda⁄ cupcitricacid2tablespoonshydrogenperoxide10dropslemonessentialoil10dropspeppermintessentialoilicecubetray(s)

Variations:LEMONANDCLOVE—Substitutecloveessentialoilforthepeppermint.

CITRUS—Substituteorange,grapefruit,orlimeessentialoilforthepeppermint.

ToMake:Combineingredientsinabowlandstir—fizzingisnormal.Scoopalittlelessthanatablespoonofthemixtureintoeachicecubetraycompartment.Allowtodryoutandhardenovernightorinthesun.Oncethetabletshavehardened,carefullyturnthetrayoverontoacleansurface.Thetabletsshouldfalloutwithoutanytwistingorbanging,whichcouldbreakthemintopieces.

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ToUse:Place1tabletinthetoilet.Letfizzandsitfor15minutesandflushorgivealittlescrubwithatoiletbrushandflush.

ToStore:Storeinanairtightglassorplasticcontainerforupto2months.

VinylShowerCurtainCleaner1CLEANSHOWERCURTAIN

Vinylshowercurtainscanbesoapscumandmildewmagnets.Didyouknowthatyoucanwashtheminyourwashingmachine?

1cupwhitevinegar

ToMake:Placewhitevinegarinyourdetergentdispenserordirectlyinthewasherforatop-loadmachine.

ToUse:Load1or2showercurtainlinersinandrunthroughanormalcycleusingwarmwater.Linedryorhangrightbackupintheshower—donotputinthedryer.

ToStore:Keepvinegarinyourlaundryroom—therearesomanygreatwaystousethisnaturalproduct!

TIME-SAVINGTIPWashaloadofragswiththeshowercurtainliners—you’llhavecleanragsandacleanshowercurtain.

WhirlpoolTubCleaner1CLEANTUB

Gettingawhirlpooltubcleancanbeachallenge.Withallthenooksandcrannies,it’salittlemoredifficulttocleanthanstandardtubs.Here’saneasymethodthatusesvinegar,dishwasherdetergent,andthepowerofthewhirlpooljetstogetitcleaninahurry.Thedishwasherdetergentloosensdirt,soapscum,andmineraldeposits,whilethewhitevinegardisinfects.

⁄ cupdishwasherpowder⁄ cupdistilledwhitevinegar

ToMake:Fillwhirlpooltubwithhotwater,toabout3"abovethejets.Addthedishwasherpowder,andvinegartothewater.

ToUse:Onceyou’veaddedthedetergentandvinegartothewater,turnonthejetstofullcapacityandrunfor15minutes.Emptyandagainfillwithcoldwaterto3"abovethejets.Runthejetsforanother15minutestoremoveanyresidue.Wipeawayanyresiduewithamicrofibercloth.Ifanygunkremainsinthejetsoronthehandles,useasoftclothortoothbrushwithalittlewhitevinegartogentlywipeaway.Rinseandwipedry.


HELPFULHINTThismethodofcleaningawhirlpooltubisintendedtobecompletedseasonally.YoucanwipeyourwhirlpooltuboutweeklyorbiweeklywiththeLavenderandLemonBathroomDisinfectingSpray(seerecipe

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earlierinthischapter).Thenafewtimesayearusethismethodtogiveyourwhirlpooltubadeepcleaning.

RustRemoverASMUCHASNEEDED

Rustcanhangoutinthebathroomaroundyourfaucetsandfixtures—usethisoh-so-simpletechniquetogetridofitwithminimalscrubbing.


ToMake:Saturatepapertowelsorcleaningclothswithvinegar.

ToUse:Drapewetclothsoverruststainsandleavefor15minutes.Thenrubareawiththeclothandwatchyourrustdisappear.Fortougherstains,usealittleLemonandCloveScrubbingSauce(seerecipelaterinthischapter)afterthe15-minutesoak.


TIME-SAVINGTIPApplythevinegarclothstoyourfixturesandfaucetswhileyouaretakingashowerorcleaningtherestofyourbathroom.Givethem15minutesandyou’veremovedanyrustyremnantswithoutscrubbingorusingchemicals.

PeppermintandTeaTreeMoldandMildewPreventer16OUNCES

Moldandmildewarecommonvisitorstobathrooms.Forgetallthosestore-boughtoptions—thisspraywillsmellmuchbetteranddothesamegreatjob!

2cupswater,distilledorboiledandcooled30dropsteatreeessentialoil10dropspeppermintessentialoil


ToUse:Spraydirectlyonareasthattendtogrowmoldormildew.Norinsingisrequired.Repeatdailyorweeklyasneeded.

ToStore:Storeinspraybottleforupto1month.

HELPFULHINTIfmoldandmildewareconstantproblemsforyou,checktoseewhetheryouhaveproperventilation.Leavelarge-scalemoldandmildewremovaltotheexperts.

PeppermintandTeaTreeMoldandMildewRemover16OUNCES

Havealittlemoldandmildewinyourbathroom?Usethisnaturalsolutioninsteadofbleachtogetridofit.

1cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled⁄ cuphydrogenperoxide10dropsteatreeessentialoil10dropspeppermintessentialoil


ToMake:Addingredientstoa16-ouncedark-coloredspraybottleandswirl(donotshake)tocombine.

ToUse:Spraydirectlyonsurfacesthathavemoldormildew.Letsitfor1–2hoursandrinse.

ToStore:Storeforupto1monthinadarkcontainer.(Thehydrogenperoxideislightsensitiveandwillnotworkaswellifexposedtolight.Youcanaddaspraytoptothehydrogenperoxidecontainerifnecessary.)

HELPFULHINTVinegarcanalsoremovemoldandmildew.Pourintoaspraybottle,andsprayonsurfaceandletitsit.Norinsingisnecessary.

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VentCleanerCLEANVENTSALLAROUNDTHEHOUSE

Thereissomethingabouttheventsinbathroomsthatattractsalittlemoredirtanddustthatsticks.Here’sasimplewaytogetridofwhatavacuumcleanerattachmentleavesbehind.


Variation:SCENTED—Addadropofyourfavoriteessentialoiltothevinegartocutthesmell.

ToMake:Pouralittlevinegarinasmallbowlorcontainer.

ToUse:Dipyourclothinthewhitevinegar,wringoutanyexcess,andwipevents.Ifyouhaveaventthat’suphigh,putasockwithadabofvinegaronabroomhandleandcarefullywipe.

ToStore:Keepwhitevinegarinyourbathroomforcleaning—you’llbegladit’shandy!

TIME-SAVINGTIPUseanold(butclean)socktocleanyourvents.Fititrightoveryourhandanddipinthevinegarandcleanaway!Youcanalsousethistechniqueonotherdifficult-to-cleanareaslikewindowblinds,ceilingfans,andwindowsills.

LemonandCloveScrubbingSauceSCRUBBINGPOWERFOR1BATHROOM

Thissolutionisgreatforbothfixturesandtile.

⁄ cupbakingsoda⁄ cupdistilledwhitevinegar5dropslemonessentialoil5dropscloveessentialoil

Variation:DISINFECTING—Substitute10dropsteatreeessentialoilforthelemonandclove.

ToMake:Mixingredientsinasmallbowltomakeapastelikeconsistency.Addmoreorlessvinegardependingonyourdesiredconsistency.

ToUse:Applypastetofixturesandanyotherareathatneedsalittleextrascrubbing.


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NaturalDrainCleaner1UNCLOGGEDDRAIN

Cloggedorslowdraincausingamess?Startyourteakettle!

⁄ – ⁄ cupbakingsoda ⁄ – ⁄ cupdistilledwhitevinegar3dropslemonessentialoil1kettlefulofboilingwater


ToMake:Put3dropsessentialoildirectlydownthedraintoaddanicescent.Sprinklebakingsodadowndrainandfinishbypouringindistilledwhitevinegar.Allowtositfor5–15minutes.

ToUse:Pourhotwaterdownthedrainoncethesolutionhasdoneitsmagic.Thenruncoldwatertoseeifdrainhasbeencleared.Repeatifnecessary.


TIME-SAVINGTIPKeepyoureyeonthedrainandcleanthebathroomatthesametime.Onceyou’vecleanedyourbathroom,thedrainshouldbeunclogged.

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Chapter5

RECIPESFORLAUNDRY

Staringdownapileoflaundryisdaunting—especiallyifyou’vegotstainstodealwith.Grease,food,grass…howcanyougeteverythingclean?Withorganicproducts,ofcourse!Fromtherecipesinthischapter,chooseasoapandsoftenerthatfityourlaundrylifestyle,andaddastainremovertodealwithtoughmesses.Ifyouuseawrinklereleaser,tryahomemadeversionandyou’llbeironinglessandenjoyingcrisp,cleanclothesinstead.You’llneverhavetoluggiant,heavybottlesoflaundrydetergenthomefromthestoreagain!

LemonandClovePowderedLaundrySoap—SmallBatchABOUT96LOADS—1tablespoonperloadforHEmachinesand2tablespoonsforregularmachines

Thissoaponlytakesafewminutestomake,butityieldsawholecanisterfullofgreat-smellingnaturaldetergentthatcanlastformonths.It’snatural,itfullydissolves,andit’ssafeinmyhighefficiency(HE)washer.Irarelypretreatstainsbecausethisformulagetseverythingout.Grabyourpilesoflaundryandafewsimpleingredientsandyou’llbeonalaundryfrenzyinnotime.

15-ouncebarcastilesoap(suchasDr.Bronner’sCitrusOrange)2cupsborax2cupsArm&HammerSuperWashingSoda1cupbakingsoda20dropslemonessentialoil10dropscloveessentialoil


PEPPERMINTANDEUCALYPTUS—Useeucalyptuscastilesoap,and20dropspeppermintand10dropseucalyptusessentialoils.

LAVENDERANDORANGE–Uselavendercastilesoap,and20dropslavenderand10dropsorangeessentialoils.

ToMake:Gratesoapfinely(itwillyieldabout1 ⁄ cupsofgratedsoap).Mixallingredientsinacleangarbagebagtominimizemessandtomakesurethatthedetergentiscompletelycombined.

ToUse:Put1tablespoonofsoapforHEmachinesand2tablespoonsforregularmachinesintoyourwasherinthedispenserormachine.Addabout1tablespoonofHomemadeOxygenBleachPaste(seerecipelaterinthischapter)oroxygenbleachpowdertoanyloadthatneedsalittleextrastainfightingorwhitening.

ToStore:Storeinanairtightcontainer,about1-gallonsize,forupto3months.

TIME-SAVINGTIPDon’thavetimetogratebyhand?Cutthecastilesoapin2or3chunksandgrateinyourfoodprocessorinstead.

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LemonandClovePowderedLaundrySoap—BigBatchABOUT288LOADS—1tablespoonperloadforHEmachinesand2tablespoonsforregularmachines

35-ouncebarscastilesoap(suchasDr.Bronner’sCitrusOrange)6cupsborax6cupsArm&HammerSuperWashingSoda3cupsbakingsoda60dropslemonessentialoil30dropscloveessentialoil


PEPPERMINTANDEUCALYPTUS—Useeucalyptuscastilesoap,and60dropspeppermintand30dropseucalyptusessentialoils.

LAVENDERANDORANGE—Uselavendercastilesoap,and60dropslavenderand30dropsorangeessentialoils.

ToMake:Gratesoapfinely(itwillyieldabout4 ⁄ cupsofgratedsoap).Mixallingredientsinacleangarbagebagtominimizemessandtomakesurethatthedetergentiscompletelycombined.

ToUse:Put1tablespoonofsoapforHEmachinesand2tablespoonsforregularmachinesintoyourwasherinthedispenserormachine.Addabout1tablespoonofHomemadeOxygenBleachPaste(seerecipelaterinthischapter)oroxygenbleachpowdertoanyloadthatneedsalittleextrastainfightingorwhitening.

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ToStore:Storeinalarge,airtightcontainer—atleast3gallons,preferably5gallons—forupto3months.

LemonandLavenderLiquidLaundrySoap—SmallBatchABOUT20–40LOADS,DEPENDINGONHOWMUCHSOAPYOUUSE

Lovetheconvenienceofaliquidlaundrydetergentbuthatethepricetag?Thisrecipewillcostyouabout$1foran86-ouncebottle—that’sabout3centsaload!

⁄ 5-ouncebarcastilesoap(citrusorlavenderscented)2cupswater,plus64ounceshotwater⁄ cupborax⁄ cupArm&HammerSuperWashingSoda10dropslemonessentialoil10dropslavenderessentialoil

Variations:PEPPERMINTANDEUCALYPTUS—Useeucalyptuscastilesoap,and10dropspeppermintand10dropseucalyptusessentialoils.


ToMake:Gratesoapfinely.Placesoap,2cupswater,borax,andsodainasaucepanandheatonlowtomeltthesoapanddissolvethepowders.Addessentialoilsandstirtocombine.Pour64ouncesofhotwaterinto11-gallonor2half-galloncontainers(thisshouldfillthecontainer(s)abouthalfway).Fillthe

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restofthecontainer(s)withmeltedsoapmixture.Closetightlyandshaketocombine.Letdetergentstandovernightbeforeusing.

ToUse:Add ⁄ – ⁄ cupoftheliquiddetergenttoanormalload.Everywasherisdifferent—reducetheamountifthere’stoomuchsudsing,andincreasetheamountifyourclothesneedalittlemoresoap.

ToStore:Storeinoriginalcontainersorotherairtightcontainersforupto4months.

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LemonandLavenderLiquidLaundrySoap—BigBatchABOUT128LOADS

Ifyoudoalotoflaundry,skipthesmallbatchrecipeandusethisbigbatch.It’sevenmorecost-effective,andifyouhaveaplacetostorethejugs,you’llbegladyoumadeextra.

15-ouncebarcastilesoap(citrusorlavenderscented)8cupswater,plus2gallonshotwater1cupborax1cupArm&HammerSuperWashingSoda40dropslemonessentialoil40dropslavenderessentialoil

Variations:PEPPERMINTANDEUCALYPTUS—Useeucalyptuscastilesoap,and40dropspeppermintand40dropseucalyptusessentialoils.


ToMake:Gratesoapfinely.Placesoap,8cupswater,borax,andsodainalargestockpotandheatonlowtomeltthesoapanddissolvethepowders.Addessentialoilsandstirtocombine.Pouranadditional2gallonsofhotwaterinto41-gallonor8half-galloncontainers(thisshouldfillthecontainersabouthalfway).Filltherestofthecontainerswithmeltedsoapmixture.Closetightlyandshaketocombine.Letdetergentstandovernightbeforeusing.

ToUse:Addabout ⁄ cupoftheliquiddetergenttoanormalload.Everywasherisdifferent—reducetheamountifthere’stoomuchsudsing,andincreasetheamountifyourclothesneedalittlemoresoap.

ToStore:Storeinoriginalcontainersorotherairtightcontainersforupto4months.

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LemonandCloveFabricSoftener—LiquidABOUT32LOADS

Iffabricsoftenerisanecessityonyourlaundryday,you’lllovethisformula.Notonlywillyourlaundrybesoftened,butitwillsmellgood,too.

1gallondistilledwhitevinegar2cupsbakingsoda20dropslemonessentialoil20dropscloveessentialoil


CONDITIONER—Ifyouwanttomakeyourhomemadefabricsoftenerlookalittlemorelikestore-bought,add2–3cupsofhairconditionertothisformula.Thiswillchangetheamountofsoftenerproduced,butperloadmeasurementsarethesame.

LEMONANDLAVENDER—Substitute20dropslavenderessentialoilfortheclove.

ToMake:Pourvinegarinalargebowlorcontainerformixing.Addbakingsodaandessentialoilsandstirtocombine.Pourbackinvinegarcontainerforstorage,oruseadifferentcontainerifdesired.

ToUse:Add ⁄ – ⁄ cupperload.

ToStore:Storeinairtightcontainerforupto3months.

HELPFULHINT

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Preferadryersheetinsteadofaliquid?Spraythissofteneronasmallcottonclothandtossitinwithyourlaundry,orsaturateasheetwiththesoftenerandletitdrythoroughly.Addthesheettoyourlaundryuntilthesmellandeffectsdissipate,thenuseanewone.

FabricSoftener—VinegarABOUT64LOADS

Didyouknowthatyoucanusevinegarintherinsecycletosoftenfabrics?Addsomeessentialoilandyou’vegotagreat(andcheap)fabricsoftener.

16-ouncebottleofwhitevinegar50dropsessentialoilsofyourchoice

Variations:UNSCENTED—Omitessentialoils.

LEMONANDCLOVE—Use30dropslemonand20dropscloveessentialoils.

ToMake:Addessentialoilstowhitevinegarbottle.Coverandshaketocombine.

ToUse:Add ⁄ cupofthesoftenerperload.Dependingonyourmachine,addinthesoftenerdispenser,intherinsecycle,orinasoftenerball.


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WrinkleReleaserABOUT8OUNCES

Ifyou’reanavidwrinkle-releaseruser,you’lllovethisnaturalrecipe.Nochemicals,justalittlewrinkle-releasingaction.Thevodkahelpstospeedthedryingprocessofthewrinklereleaser.Sprayonyourclothes,givethemalittletug,andbeamazed!

1cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled1teaspoonfabricsoftener,suchasLemonandCloveFabricSoftener(seerecipeearlierinthischapter)1teaspoonvodka


ToUse:Hangclothingtobewrinkle-releasedonahanger.(Alwaystestdelicatefabricfirst.)Usingaverylightmist,evenlyspraywithwrinklereleaserfromtoptobottom.Tugandsmoothandallowtoair-dry.

ToStore:Storeinspraybottleforupto3months.

Design-a-ScentDryerSheet1REUSABLESHEET

Lovethelingeringscentsofdryersheets?Trythiseasyandnaturalsolution.Createyourownsignaturescent,ortryoneofthesuggestedcombinations.

6"×6"cottonorwoolsquare(recycledT-shirts,sweaters,orsockswillwork)2–4dropsessentialoils

Variations:LEMONANDCLOVE—Use2dropslemonand2dropscloveessentialoils.

LEMONANDLAVENDER—Use2dropslemonand2dropslavenderessentialoils.

ToMake:Placecottonsquareinaglassorplasticcontainer.Dispenseessentialoilsonfabricsquare.Allowessentialoilstodrythoroughly.

ToUse:Placedryersheetontopofwetclothesindryeranddryasusual.

ToStore:Storeinjarorcontainerinlaundryroominbetweendryeruses.Whensheethaslostitsscent,addmoreoilasabove.

HELPFULHINTDon’tusemorethan4dropsofessentialoilonthedryersheetanddon’tstoreyouressentialoilbottlesnearyourdryer—oilisflammable.

HEWashingMachineCleaner1CLEANHEWASHINGMACHINE

Despiteallthebenefitsofhighefficiency(HE)machines,HEwashingmachineownershaveonecommoncomplaint:bad-smellinglaundry.Onesimplecleaningtaskwilleliminatetheproblemandkeepyourwasheringreatconditionaswell.HEwashersuselesswaterandlessenergy,buttheycancreatemildew,mold,anddetergentresiduebuildup.Somewashershaveaseparatecleaningcycleasanoption,sousethatifyoursfallsintothatcategory.Ifnot,allyouneedissomechlorine-freebleach,vinegar,andalittletime.

⁄ cupchlorine-freebleachvinegar

ToMake:Choosethehottestwatersettingonyourmachineandtheextrarinseoptionifyourmachinehasthat.Addchlorine-freebleachtothebleachdispenser.

ToUse:Runwashcycleandthenrepeatwithoutthechlorine-freebleach.Cleanthedispenserswithaclothdampenedwithwhitevinegar.Drythoroughlybeforereinserting.Don’tforgettherubberseal—wipeitdownwithaclothdampenedinwhitevinegaranddrythoroughly.Finishbywipingdowntheentireexteriorofyourwashingmachine.


HELPFULHINT

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Repeatthisprocessmonthlyandyou’lleliminatethestinkylaundryandkeepyourHEwashingmachineintip-topshape.Alwayskeepthewashingmachinedooropenwhenit’snotinusetokeepthemildewaway.

RegularWashingMachineCleaner1CLEANANDMILDEW-FREEWASHINGMACHINE

Cleaningawashingmachinemayseemlikeanoxymoron,butmakeitpartofyourcleaningroutine.Makingsurethatthemachineiscleanwillensurethatyourclothesandtowelsdon’thaveanylingeringodorsandthatyouhaveremovedanyextradetergentthat’sstuckinnooksandcrannies.

4cupsdistilledwhitevinegar

ToMake:Fillwashingmachinewiththehottestwater,choosethelongestcycleandlargestloadsetting,andaddthevinegar.Openthelidorpausethecycletoallowthevinegartositandworkitsmagicforatleastanhour.

ToUse:Whilethevinegarisworking,dipacleaningclothinthevinegarsolutionandwipedowntheexteriorofthewashingmachine.Removeanycompartmentsthatyouareabletoandcleanthoseaswell.Onceanhourhaspassed,letthewashingmachinecompletethecycle.Wipeanyremainingmissedareasoncethemachinehasrunitscycle.Leavethedoor/lidopentolettheinteriordrythoroughly.Ifanyodorsremain,runanothercyclewithoutthevinegar.


PretreatGoo4OUNCES

Ifyoulikeyourpretreatertobeinaliquid-ygelform,you’lllovethisrecipe.Mixituprightalongwithyourliquidlaundrydetergenttosavetime.Iliketouseitonfoodstainsonmykids’clothing.Itstayswhereit’sappliedandgetsallthosemysterystainsrightout.

1tablespoonborax⁄ cupliquidlaundrydetergent(suchasLemonandLavenderLiquidLaundrySoap—seerecipeearlierinthischapter)

ToMake:Mixdetergentandboraxandpourintosmallsquirtbottle—arecycledgluebottleworksgreat!Shaketomakesurethattheboraxisdissolved.

ToUse:Squirtdirectlyonstain,rubintostain,andletsitforatleast15minutes.Launderasusual.

ToStore:Storeinsquirtbottleforupto1month.

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PillowCleaner3–4CLEANPILLOWS

Didyouknowthatyoucanwashyourpillows?Mostsyntheticanddownpillowsaresafetolaunder,butjusttobesafe,double-checkthetagsonyoursbeforegivingitatry.Washingyourpillowsafewtimesayearwillensureyoualwayshaveclean,freshpillowsonyourbeds.

detergent,suchasLemonandClovePowderedLaundrySoap(seerecipeearlierinthischapter)1–2tablespoonsHomemadeOxygenBleachPaste(seerecipelaterinthischapter)

ToMake:Placepillowsinyourwashingmachine.Takecarenottooverfillyourmachine—mostmachinescanhandle2pillows,butifyouhavealarge-capacitywasheryoucanprobablyfit3or4.

ToUse:Adddetergentandwhitenertoyourwashingmachine.Choosethehottestsettingandwashasanormalload.Beforeremovingpillows,checktoseeiftheyareholdingextrawater.Iftheyare,youmayneedtorunasecondspincycle.Dryinyourdryeronhigh,rotatingonceortwicetoensurethattheydrythoroughlyandevenly.


HELPFULHINTPutapillowprotectoronyourpillows—thiswillkeeptheskinoilsandsweatoffyourpillowsandthedustmitesaway,inturnkeepingthe

pillowscleanerforlonger.

LemonNaturalWhitener1LOADOFWHITES

Thisisagreatbleachalternativeforclothdiapers,antiquelinens,andotherwashabledelicates.Trythisonawarmandsunnydaywhenyoucandrytheclothesoutsideonaclothesline,andyou’llreapthebenefitsoflemonsandsuncombined.

thejuiceof1lemon,about ⁄ – ⁄ cup1gallonhotwater

ToMake:Squeezethejuiceofalemoninagallonofhotwater.

ToUse:Combine1gallonhotwaterandthejuiceofonelemoninabucket,laundrytub,orwashingmachine.Letyourclothessoakfor1–2hours.Runthroughtherinsecycleandsetoutinthesuntodry.Thesunwillworkwiththelemontonaturallywhitenthewhites.Washafterwardsasusual.


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WhiteningGel3TABLESPOONS

Thisrecipeismosteffectiveonwhiteclothingwithorganicstainslikejuice,berries,andwine,butyoucantryitonanywhiteclothingwithanykindofstainandwatchthestaindisappearbeforeyoureyes.

2tablespoonshydrogenperoxide1tablespoonArm&HammerSuperWashingSoda

ToMake:MixhydrogenperoxideandSuperWashingSodainasmallbowl.Microwaveonhighfor10–20secondstodissolvethewashingsoda.Thesolutionwillfizzup,sokeepaneyeonit.Stirtocombineandhelpdissolve.

ToUse:Applydirectlytostain.Letsitforatleast15minutesandlaunderasusual.

ToStore:Thisisaone-time-useproduct;nostoragenecessary(hydrogenperoxidewillloseitseffectivenesswithinafewhours).

TIME-SAVINGTIPKeeptrackofwhichclotheshavestainsbyputtingastainbasketinyourlaundryroom.Pretreatandsoak,orsavethemupandtreatthemallatonce.

No-BleachLaundryWhitenerandBrightener1LOAD

Ifyou’rereachingforthebleach,insteadturntothisonenaturalingredient—hydrogenperoxide!It’sknownforitsbleachingpropertiesandit’ssafetouseinthelaundryroom.

2ouncesor ⁄ cuphydrogenperoxide

ToMake:AddthistothebleachcompartmentonyourHEwashingmachine,ordirectlytothewaterifyouhavearegularmachine.

ToUse:Launderasusual.Treathydrogenperoxidelikebleach—donotuseitanywherenearyourbrightsorcolors.

ToStore:Keepabottleofhydrogenperoxideinyourlaundryroomifyouhavelotsofwhitestowhiten.

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StainSpray—General8OUNCES

Here’sagreattwo-ingredientsprayforfreshorset-instains—keepasmallbottleinyourlaundryroomforpretreating.

8ounceswater,distilledorboiledandslightlycooled2tablespoonsborax

ToMake:Addboraxtoaspraybottleandpourwarmwateroverborax.Shakethoroughlytocombine.

ToUse:Spraydirectlyonstain.Launderasusual.

ToStore:Storeforupto1month.

MONEY-SAVINGTIPKeepapieceofwhitechalkboardchalkinyourlaundryroomtopretreatanylittlegreasestains—thechalkabsorbsthegrease.

TeaTreeStainStick1STICK,ABOUT3OUNCES

Ifyoupreferyourstainremovalinstickform,usethisrecipe.Teatreeisamildsolventandwillhelptodissolveset-instains.

⁄ 5-ouncebarcastilesoap3teaspoonswater4dropsteatreeessentialoil

ToMake:Gratesoap;placeinmicrowave-safebowlandadd3teaspoonsofwater.Meltonlowheatinmicrowavein30-secondintervalsforaboutaminuteandahalf.Stirandcheckevery30seconds.(Dependingonyourmicrowave,thismaytakelonger,butitwillmelt.)Onceithasmelted,letcoolfor5minutesandstirinessentialoil.Pourinacleancontainerwithapush-upbottom—likeanoldcleaned-outstainstickcontainerordeodorantcontainer.Allowtocooltoasolidstatebeforeusing.

ToUse:Spreadalittlestainstickonanystainsandlaunderasusual.

ToStore:Storeinacoolplacetoavoidsofteningforupto6months.

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HomemadeOxygenBleachPaste1LOADOFLAUNDRY

Thisinexpensivealternativetothestore-boughtversionworksjustaswell!

1tablespoonhydrogenperoxide1tablespoonwashingsoda

ToMake:Mixperoxideandwashingsodatogetherinasmallbowl.Theconsistencyshouldbeadrypaste,andnotpowdery.

ToUse:Addalittlewatertothebowlbeforeputtingthebleachinthedetergentdispenserordirectlyintothewashingmachinewater.

ToStore:Aftertheingredientsaremixedtheylosetheireffectivenessinafewhours,souseitrightaway.Storeperoxideandsodaseparatelyinyourlaundryroom.

TIME-SAVINGTIPDoingmultipleloadsonlaundryday?Mix ⁄ cupofperoxideand ⁄ cupofwashingsodainasmallcontainerandadd2tablespoonsperload.

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PetStainRemover4OUNCES

Weallloveourpets,butsometimesthosepetstainscanbetoughtoremove.Thisrecipeworksondogbeds,blankets,andotherlaunderablepetproducts.Thevinegarcleansandsanitizeswhilethebakingsodaneutralizesodors.

⁄ cupdistilledwhitevinegar⁄ cupbakingsoda⁄ cuplaundrydetergent(eitherliquidorpowder)

ToMake:Mixingredientstogetherinabowlorcontainer(fizzingisnormal).

ToUse:Pretreatanyobviousstains.Poursolutiondirectlyindetergentdispenser(forHEmachines)orinyourwashingmachine(forregularmachines).Launderonhot,andusethesoakoptiononyourmachineifyouhaveit.Dryasusual.


HELPFULHINTOnceyouhavelaunderedyourpetstainsaway,cleanyourwashingmachinetogetridofanypethair,dander,andotherpet-relatedgerms.UsetheHEWashingMachineCleanerorRegularWashingMachineCleanerrecipegivenearlierinthischapter.

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CHAPTER6

RECIPESFORBEDROOMSANDLIVINGSPACES

Keepingthemost-usedspacesinyourhomeneatandtidycreatesawelcomingenvironmentandallowsyoutotrulyrelax.Ifyou’realwayslookingatpilesandmesseswhileyou’retryingtorelaxafteradayofwork,declutteringwillhelp,butsowillsomegreatnaturalandorganiccleaningrecipes.Freshscents,truecleanliness,andsafeandeasy-to-makeformulaswillhaveyouhappytobecleaningagain.Ifyouloveairfresheners,youcancreateyourownversionswithessentialoils.Really!Inthischapter,you’llfindwaystocleanuplife’slittleandbigmesseswithease.

LavenderMattressFreshener1FRESHMATTRESSANDAGOODNIGHT’SSLEEP

Needtofreshenyourmattressandwanttogetagoodnight’ssleeptoboot?Freshenyourmattresswiththissuper-easyrecipe.

1cupbakingsoda3–4dropslavenderessentialoil


ToMake:Combinethebakingsodaandessentialoil.

ToUse:Sprinkleonmattress.Allowtositandabsorbanyodorsforatleast30minutes.Usethehoseattachmentonyourvacuumcleanertovacuumupthepowder.

ToStore:Youcanstoreanyextraindefinitelyorplaceinyourbedroomclosettoabsorbanyodorsuntilthenexttimeyouneedtofreshenyourmattress.

TIME-SAVINGTIPUseacleaned-outsprinkle-topcontainertoevenlydistributethefreshener.

PeppermintandLavenderLinenRefresher12OUNCES

Thislinenrefresherisperfectforhidingsmellsonpillows,bedding,andclothing—anditisalsoalittlearomatherapyinabottle!Sprayonyourpillowbeforebedforarestfulnight’ssleep.

1cupwater⁄ cupvodka10dropslavenderessentialoil5dropspeppermintessentialoil

Variation:LAVENDERANDLEMON—Substitutelemonessentialoilforthepeppermint.

ToMake:Combineingredientsandpourintoa16-ouncecontainerwithaspraytop.

ToUse:Sprayabout8"awayfromanylinenthatneedsalittlefreshening.

ToStore:Storeinspraybottleinacoolplaceforupto2months.

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CitrusWoodCleanerandPolishABOUT1CUP

Thisispracticallyanaromatherapysessioninacleaner.Theessentialoilsarethepowerhouseinthisconcoction,andtheyhelptocleanandpolishanywoodfurniturebacktoabeautifulshine.You’lllovehowfreshandcitrusythiscleanerandpolishis!

⁄ cupolive,almond,orfractionatedcoconutoil ⁄ cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled10dropsorangeessentialoil30dropslemonessentialoil

ToMake:Addwaterandoiltoaliddedcontainerorspraybottle.Shaketocombineandaddessentialoils.Shakethoroughlybeforeusing,asthisisoilandwaterandwillnaturallyseparate.

ToUse:Shakethoroughly.Pourorsprayalittlebitofthiscleaneronamicrofiberclothandstartdusting.Whenyourclothgetsdusty,giveitashakeoutsideandaddalittlemorecleanertoyourcloth.Continuecleaningandpolishing.

ToStore:Storeinacool,darkplaceforupto2weeks.

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LemonWoodPolish1HOUSEFULOFCLEANWOOD

IusethisconcoctionseasonallywhenIwanttooilmyfurniturefromtoptobottomtoconditionitandkeepitlookinggreat.IfindthatthisisjustalittlemorethanIneedtooilallthefurnitureinmyhouse.Thelemonpeelsprovidenaturalessentialoil.

Lemonpeelsfrom1lemon⁄ cuplemonjuice⁄ cupalmond,olive,orfractionatedcoconutoilToMake:Useavegetablepeelertopeelthinstripsofalemonrind.Mixlemonjuice,oil,andpeelsinanairtight,liddedcontainer.Shaketocombine.Letrestovernighttoreleasetheessentialoilofthefreshlemonpeels.

ToUse:Pourasmallamountofthepolishonacleandustingclothandpolish.Iloveusingmicrofiberfordustingandpolishingbecauseitcollectsandkeepslintanddustinitsfibers.

ToStore:Useimmediatelyorstoreforupto1weekintherefrigerator.Letmixturecomeuptoroomtemperaturebeforeusing.

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CitrusWoodCleaner1HOUSEFULOFCLEANWOOD

Havesomefurniturethatneedsalittlecleaning?Scorebigatthefleamarket?Thisformulaisgreatforcleaningdirtyanddustyfurnitureandthealmondoilwillgiveyourfurniturealittleshine,too.

⁄ cupwhitevinegar2tablespoonsalmondoil5dropslemonessentialoil5dropscitrusessentialoil

ToMake:Mixingredientsinasmallbowlorjar.

ToUse:Dipamicrofibercleaningclothinthesolutionandwipefurniture.Buffinacircularmotiontoremoveanyresidualoil.


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CitrusMicrofiberWoodCleaningCloths4CLOTHS

Ifyou’relookingtoinfusealittleall-naturalessentialoilintoyourwoodcleaning,thisisagreatsolution.Thecitrusscentleavesyourroomsmellingfreshandclean,andtheconcentrationoflemonrindandessentialoileliminatesthevinegarsmell.

4microfibercloths1cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled⁄ cupwhitevinegar2teaspoonsalmondoilrindof1lemonrindof1orange10dropslemonessentialoil

ToMake:Combineliquidsinajar,thenplacecleanmicrofiberclothsandlemonandorangerindsinthecontainer.Swirlliquidaroundinthecontainerandpouroffexcess,squeezingclothstogetexcessliquidoutofcontainer.Clothsshouldbebarelydamp.

ToUse:Wringoutexcessliquid(thereshouldn’tbemuch)andwipedownwoodfurnitureasneeded.

ToStore:Keepclothsinsealed,airtightcontainerfor1–2weeks.

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TIME-SAVINGTIPUseavegetablepeelertoquicklyremovetherindoffyourcitrusfruits(lemonandorangeworkgreat!)andleavethewhitepithbehind.

DisposableCitrusFurnitureWipes—Wood24WIPES

Wanttheconvenienceofawipeforyourwoodfurniture?Here’sagreatrecipe.

12thickanddurablepapertowels(suchasBountyDuraTowels)⁄ cupwhitevinegar1tablespoonalmondoil5dropslemonessentialoil5dropscitrusessentialoil1cupwater(boiledandcooled,ordistilledifstoringforlongerthanacoupleofdays)Variation:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoils.

ToMake:Tearoffaboutadozenpapertowels,cuttheminhalf,andstackintoaneatpile.Rollupthepapertowelsandstuffthemina2-cup,wide-mouthmasonjar.Mixtheingredientsinalargemeasuringcupandpouroverthepapertowelsinthemasonjar.Putthelidonandshakeandswirltheliquidaroundtomakesurethatitisabsorbedintothepapertowels.(Alargezip-topbagorbabywipecontaineralsoworksforstoringthesewipesifyoudon’thaveamasonjar—thebagwillsavespaceaswell.)ToUse:Carefullyremoveawipeortwo,wipefurniture,andbuffanyoilwithamicrofibercleaningcloth.


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NaturalScratchRemoverABOUT2TEASPOONS

Haveafewminutes?Mixupthissimplescratchremoverandbuffawaythosescratchesonyourwoodfurniture.Thelemonjuiceandvinegarcombinetohelpremoveshallowscratchesorminimizethelookofdeeperscratches.

1teaspoonlemonjuice1teaspoondistilledwhitevinegar

ToMake:Mixlemonjuiceandvinegartogetherinasmallbowl.

ToUse:Dipclothinsolutionandrubintoscratchesuntiltheydisappear.Buffawayanyresiduewithadrycloth.


LeatherWipes24WIPES

Ifyouprefertheconvenienceofawipeforcleaning,trythissolutiononyourleatherfurniture.Alwaystestyourcleanersonaninconspicuousareafirsttomakesurethereisn’tanydiscoloring.

12thickanddurablepapertowels(suchasBountyDuraTowels)3tablespoonsalmondoil⁄ cupvinegar⁄ cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooledToMake:Tearoffaboutadozenpapertowels,cuttheminhalf,andstackintoaneatpile.Rollupthepapertowelsandstuffthemina2-cup,wide-mouthmasonjar.Mixtheingredientsinalargemeasuringcupandpouroverthepapertowelsinthemasonjar.Putthelidonandshakeandswirltheliquidaroundtomakesurethatitisabsorbedintothepapertowels.Pouroffexcess,asthiswipeworksbetteralittleonthedryside.(Alargezip-topbagorbabywipecontaineralsoworksforstoringthesewipesifyoudon’thaveamasonjar—thebagwillsavespaceaswell.)ToUse:Carefullyremoveawipeortwo,wringoutanyexcesscleanerinyoursink,anduseasyouwouldanycleaningwipe.


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PeppermintGlassandMirrorWipes24WIPES

Sometimesyoudon’twanttobotherwithaspraybottle—inthatcase,usethesewipes!

12thickanddurablepapertowels(suchasBountyDuraTowels)1cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled1tablespoondistilledwhitevinegar2tablespoonsrubbingalcohol5dropspeppermintessentialoil


ToMake:Tearoffaboutadozenpapertowels,cuttheminhalf,andstackintoaneatpile.Rollupthepapertowelsandstuffthemina2-cup,wide-mouthmasonjar.Mixtheingredientsinalargemeasuringcupandpouroverthepapertowelsinthemasonjar.Putthelidonandshakeandswirltheliquidaroundtomakesurethatitisabsorbedintothepapertowels.Pouroffexcess,asthiswipeworksbetteralittleonthedryside.(Alargezip-topbagorbabywipecontaineralsoworksforstoringthesewipesifyoudon’thaveamasonjar—thebagwillsavespaceaswell.)ToUse:Carefullyremoveawipeortwo,wringoutanyexcesscleanerinyoursink,anduseasyouwouldanycleaningwipe.


LemonandPeppermintAll-PurposeCleaningWipes24WIPES

Wipeobsessed?You’lllovethisgreatall-purposecleaningwipe.Ithasafreshcitrusyscentthat’ssuretobrightenanycleaningtask.

12thickanddurablepapertowels(suchasBountyDuraTowels)⁄ cupwhitevinegar5dropslemonessentialoil5dropspeppermintessentialoil2cupswater(boiledandcooled,ordistilledifstoringforlongerthanacoupleofdays)Variation:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoils.

ToMake:Tearoffaboutadozenpapertowels,cuttheminhalf,andstackintoaneatpile.Rollupthepapertowelsandstuffthemina2-cup,wide-mouthmasonjar.Mixtheingredientsinalargemeasuringcupandpouroverthepapertowelsinthemasonjar.Putthelidonandshakeandswirltheliquidaroundtomakesurethatitisabsorbedintothepapertowels.(Alargezip-topbagorbabywipecontaineralsoworksforstoringthesewipesifyoudon’thaveamasonjar—thebagwillsavespaceaswell.)ToUse:Carefullyremoveawipeortwo,wringoutanyexcesscleanerinyoursink,anduseasyouwouldanycleaningwipe.


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PeppermintandTeaTreeAntibacterialWipes24WIPES

Wantthereassuranceofknowingthatyou’vedisinfectedwithacleaningwipe?Here’sagreatrecipeyou’llmakeagainandagain.Thevinegarandvodkahavenaturalgerm-killingproperties.

12thickanddurablepapertowels(suchasBountyDuraTowels)⁄ cupwhitevinegar⁄ cupvodka5dropspeppermintessentialoil5dropsteatreeessentialoil1cupboiledandslightlycooledwater


ToMake:Tearoffaboutadozenpapertowels,cuttheminhalf,andstackintoaneatpile.Rollupthepapertowelsandstuffthemina2-cup,wide-mouthmasonjar.Mixtheingredientsinalargemeasuringcupandpouroverthepapertowelsinthemasonjar.Putthelidonandshakeandswirltheliquidaroundtomakesurethatitisabsorbedintothepapertowels.(Alargezip-topbagorbabywipecontaineralsoworksforstoringthesewipesifyoudon’thaveamasonjar—thebagwillsavespaceaswell.)ToUse:Carefullyremoveawipeortwo,anduseasyouwouldanycleaningwipe.Wipesurfacethoroughlyandallowittoremain

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wetfor5–10minutes—thisisnecessaryfortheantibacterialpropertiestokickin.Usefreelyonhardsurfaceswheregermkillingisnecessary—remotes,lightswitches,andcountersaregreatplacestostart.


LavenderandLemonPetFootWipes12WIPES

Petsinthehousecanwreakhavoconyourcleaningregime—keepthesewipesnearthedoortowipeoffmuddypawsrightwhenSpotwalksin.Thelavenderandlemonessentialoilsarecalming,odor-reducing,andsafeforpets.Keepessentialoilbottlesoutofthe“reach”ofyourfurryfriends,though.

12small,cottonwashcloths1 ⁄ cupswater,distilledorboiledandcooled2teaspoons–1tablespooncastilesoap2dropslavenderessentialoil2dropslemonessentialoil


ToMake:Placewashclothsinalargeglassorplasticcontainerwithalid.Mixtheingredientsinalargemeasuringcupandpourovertheclothsinthecontainer.Putthelidonandshakeandswirltheliquidaroundtomakesurethatitisabsorbedintothecloths.Pouroutexcess.Alargezip-topbag,masonjar,orbabywipecontaineralsoworksforstoringthesefootwipes.

ToUse:Removeclothandsqueezeoutanyexcessliquid.Wipepawsandlaunderwashcloth.

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LemonandCloveAirFreshenerSpray12OUNCES

Keepthissprayhandyforanytimearoomneedsalittlefresheningup.You’lllovethelemonandclovecombination—it’stheperfectblendoffreshandcozy.

1cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled⁄ cupvodka5–10dropslemonessentialoil—startwith5dropsandgiveitaspray.Addmoreessentialoiltoyourlikingifneeded.5–10dropscloveessentialoil—startwith5dropsandgiveitaspray.Addmoreessentialoiltoyourlikingifneeded.


ToUse:Spray2or3spraysinanyroomthatneedsalittlefreshening.

ToStore:Storeinspraybottleinacoolplaceforupto2months.

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CinnamonandSpiceAirFreshenerSimmer1SIMMER

Lovethesmellofbakingbutdon’twanttobake?Trythisspicysimmer!It’sperfectifyou’rehavingcompanyover,orifyou’rehavinganopenhousetotrytosellyourhome.

4cupswaterpeelfrom1lemon3cinnamonsticks1wholenutmeg10–12wholeclovesor5dropscloveessentialoildashofvanillaextract

Variation:ROSEMARYANDLEMON—Preferasavorysmell?Addrosemaryleavesinsteadofthespices.

ToMake:Combineingredientsinalargesaucepan.

ToUse:Letsimmeronlowfor1–2hours.Makesureyoukeepaneyeonthepan.Discardwhensimmerhascompleted.


TIME-SAVINGTIP

Ifyouknowyou’llusethisrecipemultipletimesinthenextmonthorso,youcancombinethespicesinajarandstorethatportionoftherecipe.Whenyou’rereadytosimmer,justcombinewater,lemonpeel,andvanillaextractwithaportionofspicesandproceedwithyoursimmer.

MicrofiberFurnitureCleaningKit1CLEANSOFAORCHAIR

Microfiberisappealingbecauseofitsdurabilityandhowitseemstobeimpervioustowearandtear.Butifyouownmicrofiberupholstery,youknowthatitdoesattractdirtandfingerprints.Cleaningmicrofiberrequires3ingredientsandjustafewsteps.

4–8ouncesrubbingalcoholwhiteorlight-coloredspongewithascrubbingsurfacebristledcleaningbrushwithwhitebristles

ToMake:Pourrubbingalcoholinaspraybottle.

ToUse:Removecushionsfromthefurniture.Usingahoseattachment,vacuumallcrumbsanddirtfromthesofaorchair.Makesureyouvacuumthearms,front,andbackofthesofaorchairaswell.Thencleanonesmallsectionatatime.Spraythealcoholonthesurfaceand,usingthetexturedsideofthesponge,scrubthesurface.Repeatthisprocessuntiltheentirepieceoffurnitureisclean.Lettheentirepieceoffurnituredrythoroughly.Thelaststepistofluffupthefibersbylightlyscrubbingwiththescrubbingbrush.Useacircularmotionsoyoudon’tseeanybrushstrokes.Continuedoingthisuntilyourfurnitureisuniformlybrushedandyourfurniturewilllookgoodasnew!


LemonandCloveFurnitureFresheningSpray8OUNCES

Ifyourfurniturehasalittleodor,giveitalittlesprayofthis—thevodkawillkillgermsandtheessentialoilswilleliminatethescent.

⁄ cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled ⁄ cupvodka5dropslemonessentialoil—startwith5dropsandgiveitaspray.Addmoreessentialoiltoyourlikingifneeded.5dropscloveessentialoil—startwith5dropsandgiveitaspray.Addmoreessentialoiltoyourlikingifneeded.


ToUse:Spray2or3spraysonanyfurniturethatneedsalittleodorremoval.Alwaysspot-testyourfurnitureinaninconspicuousplacetomakesurethatthespraydoesn’tleavearesidueorcausediscoloration.

ToStore:Storeinacoolplaceforupto2months.

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LeatherCleanerABOUT8OUNCES

Leathermaynotalwaysshowitsdirtyside,butrestassured,thedirtisinthere!Onceyouseehowmuchdirtyoucanliftoff,you’llbeinclinedtocleanitmoreoften.

1teaspooncastilesoap1cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled

ToMake:Combineingredientsandplaceinabottlewithacap.

ToUse:Shakethoroughlyandpourontoacottoncleaningcloth.Wipecleaninsmallsectionsanddryimmediately.

ToStore:Storeforupto1month.

LeatherScratchRemoverAFEWDROPS

Ilovethelookofleatherfurniture,butI’mnotfondoftheveryvisiblescratchesthatsometimesappear.Whetherthey’refromapet’sclawsoratoytruck,thosescratcheswillbegoneinasnapwiththissuper-simpleremedy.

Oliveoralmondoil

ToMake:Pour1or2dropsoftheoilonyourcloth.

ToUse:Ruboilintoleatheruntilscratchdisappears.Wipeoffanyexcesswithadrycloth.

ToStore:Storeoilsinacool,darkplace.

UpholsteredFabricCleaner2OUNCES

Thisrecipeisforthosetimeswhenyoujustwashedthepillowsonyoursofaandsomeonespillsalittledropofchocolatemilkonone.Itdoesn’tneedtobefullylaundered,butyoudon’twantthestainsittingthere.

2teaspoonscastilesoap⁄ cupwarmwater

ToMake:Mixwarmwaterandcastilesoapinasmallcuporcontainer.

ToUse:Dipcottoncloth(preferablywhite)inthewaterandcastilesoapmixture.Dabawaythestain.Oncethestainisremoved,dabwithaclean,dryclothtoabsorbanyliquid.Addalittlewatertowipeawayanyresidualsoap.


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ElectronicsWipes6WIPES

Ifyouwanttomakeyourownelectronicscleaningwipes,trythisrecipe.It’llmakecleaningyourscreens,computermouse,andkeypadsabreeze.Usingdistilledwaterensuresthatnomineraldepositsenduponyourscreens.

6smallcleaningcloths—microfiberworksgreat⁄ cuprubbingalcohol⁄ cupdistilledwater

ToMake:Mixsolutionincontainer.Addwipesandpouroutsolution.Squeezeclothstogetridofmostoftheexcesssolution.

ToUse:Takeoutacloth,andsqueezeoutanyexcesssolution.(Clothshouldbebarelydamp.)Wipescreens,fromtoptobottomandlefttoright.

ToStore:Storeinairtightcontainerfor1month.

TIME-SAVINGTIPWhenonescreenisdirty,youmightaswelltakethetimetowipeallscreenswhileyou’vegotawipeout—thisformulaworksoncomputerscreens,televisionscreens,mice,keyboards,remotes,andotherelectronicdevices.

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ElectronicsCleaningSolution8OUNCES

Withthiseasy(andcheap!)solution,you’llhavecleanscreensthroughoutyourhomeandofficeandneverhavetobuyapre-madeelectronicscleaneragain.Thedistilledwaterensuresthatnomineraldepositsenduponyourscreens.

⁄ cuprubbingalcohol⁄ cupdistilledwater


ToUse:Spraydirectlyonmicrofibercloth—donotsprayonscreens.Wipefromtoptobottomandlefttoright.

ToStore:Storeinspraybottlefor2monthsorlonger.

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EssentialOilAirFreshener4OUNCES,FORUSEIN1OR2CONTAINERS

Artificialfragrancesandperfumescanbeharmfultobreatheandcanincreasesensitivitiesinpeoplewithallergiesandasthma.Ifyoulikeanairfreshenerandwantasafealternative,you’lllovethisrecipe.

⁄ cupalmondoil⁄ cupvodka10dropsorangeessentialoil5dropslemonessentialoil5dropscloveessentialoilreeds—lookfor12"reeddiffuserreplacementsticksonAmazon.comsmallglasscontainerwithanarrowneck—likeashortvaseorsmalldecanterVariations:LEMONANDCLOVE—Use10dropslemonand10dropscloveessentialoils.

LAVENDERANDMINT—Use10dropslavenderand10dropspeppermintessentialoils.

ToMake:Mixoilandvodkatogethertocombine.Addessentialoils—youcanreducetheamountorchangethescentsbasedonyourtaste.

ToUse:Pourairfresheneringlasscontainer,addreeds,andsetasidetofreshenair.Keepoutofreachofchildrenandpets.

ToStore:Keeponcounterorshelfuntilscentnolongerremains—upto2months.

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http://Amazon.com

HELPFULHINTPlaceadropofessentialoilonalightbulbandturnthelightbulbon.Thewarmthfromthebulbwillactivateasecret,subtlescent.

CHAPTER7

RECIPESFORFLOORS

Whenyou’vegotunexpectedcompanycomingover—whatdoyoucleanfirst?Irunforthebathroomsandcheckthefloors.Cleanfloorswillmakeyourwholehousefeelcleaner,butitcanbedifficulttofigureoutthebestcleaningsolutionfordifferentfloortypes.Whetheryouhavevinyl,carpet,orhardwood,youcancleanitsafely,effectively,andorganically.Andyoucanresteasyknowingthatyou’realsosavingmoney.How’sthatforacleansweep?

CitrusCarpetFreshener2CUPS

Thisisoneofmyfavoritehomemadecleaningsolutions.Itkeepsmycarpetssmellingfreshnomatterhowbusymyhousegets!

2cupsbakingsoda10dropslemonessentialoil10dropsorangeorgrapefruitessentialoil

Variations:UNSCENTED—Omitessentialoils.

LEMONANDCLOVE—Substitute10dropsclovefortheorangeorgrapefruitessentialoil.

ToMake:Addbakingsodatoaglassjarorcontainerandscentwithessentialoils.Stirtocombine.

ToUse:Sprinkleoncarpetorrug.Letsitfor15minutesandvacuumthoroughly.

ToStore:Keepinacool,darkplaceindefinitely.

MONEY-SAVINGTIPThishomemadecarpetfreshenercostspenniestomake(muchcheaperthancommercialversions!),mixesupinaminute,andkeepsindefinitely.

OdorAbsorberASMUCHASNEEDED

Ifyouhaveanodorinyourcarpetandyoucan’tgetridofit,youdon’twanttomaskitwithanotherscent.Justgrabthatboxofbakingsoda—it’stheultimatenaturalodorabsorber.

bakingsoda

ToMake:Nomixingrequired,justsprinkle!

ToUse:Simplysprinklebakingsodaonthecarpetorrugandletitsitforatleast24hours.Coverthespotsoapetorsmallchilddoesn’tdisturbthebakingsoda.Vacuumupresidueandrepeatifnecessary.

ToStore:Keepbakingsodaonhandforallofyourodor-absorbingneeds.Keepsindefinitely.

MONEY-SAVINGTIPBakingsoda’sbakingqualitieshaveashelflife,butyoucanstillusethebakingsodaforcleaningandneutralizingodors.Insteadoftossingan“expired”boxofbakingsoda,repurposeitforyourcarpetcare.

PeppermintLaminateFloorCleanerABOUT16OUNCES

Streaksaboundwhenyouusecommercialfloorcleaners.Thisconcoctionwillnotonlycleanyourfloors,itwillleavethemstreak-freeandsmellinggreat.

5ounceswater5ouncesdistilledwhitevinegar5ouncesrubbingalcohol10dropspeppermintessentialoil

ToMake:Mixliquidandpourinacontainerwithaspraytop,orpourmixtureinarefillablespraymopcontainer.

ToUse:Dampenamicrofibermopapplicatororpadwithwater;spraysolutiononfloorandwipeclean.Applyinonedirectionandrinsemicrofiberfloorpadfrequentlytoavoidstreaks.


CitrusTileFloorCleanerABOUT1GALLON

Tilecangetgrungyinahurry.Here’sagreatrecipethatwillcutthegrimeandleaveyourfloorsclean—norinsingrequired.

⁄ cupborax1gallonhotwater5dropslemonessentialoil5dropsorangeessentialoil


EXTRACLEANING—Ifyourfloorsareextradirty,add1or2dropsofcastileordishsoaptothesolution.Rinsingshouldstillnotbenecessary.

ToMake:Mixborax,water,andessentialoilinyourmoppingbucket.Stirtodissolve.

ToUse:Mopfloorsasusual.Rinsingisnotusuallynecessary.


HELPFULHINTIfyourfloorsareextradirty,haveabucketofcleanwateralongsideyourcleaningsolution.Rinseintheplainwaterbucketinsteadofthecleaningbucket—thiswillensurecleanwaterisonyourfloorsanditshouldeliminatestreaking.

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LemonandMintVinylFloorCleaner—SprayABOUT16OUNCES

Vinylfloorsdirtyandsticky?Thisspraydriesquickly,killsgerms,andwillbrightenupthosevinylfloorspronto!

5ounceswater,distilledorboiledandcooled5ouncesdistilledwhitevinegar5ouncesrubbingalcohol3dropslemonessentialoil2dropspeppermintessentialoil


LEMONANDCLOVE—Substitutecloveessentialoilforthepeppermint.


ToUse:Sprayonvinylfloorandmopwithawetmoporwetmicrofiberpaddedmop;continueuntilfloorisclean.

ToStore:Storeinacool,darkplaceforupto1month.

TIME-SAVINGTIPKeepthisspraybottlehandytospot-cleanyourvinylfloorsinbetweenyourweeklyfloorwashing.

CarpetDisinfectantandCleanerASMUCHASNEEDED

Ifyouhaveaparticularickycarpetspot(stomachbuggoingaroundthehouse?)thatneedstobedisinfected,trythissolution.Iprefervodkabecausethere’svirtuallynosmellanditseemstoabsorbanyodorsalittlebetter.

vodkaorrubbingalcohol

ToMake:Pourvodkaorrubbingalcoholonthestainorspot.

ToUse:Blotstainorspill(neverrubastain,itwillonlysetit)withcleanwhiteclothsorpapertowels.Repeatasnecessary.

ToStore:Vodkaandalcoholwilllastindefinitely.

CarpetSpotRemover(UnknownSpot)IhavecarpetstainremovalonmyrotatingcleaninglistbecauseIdon’talwayscatchstainsrightaway.Igothroughmyhouseandcheckforanystainsandapplythissimplesolutiontoridmyhomeofanyunknownstains.

enoughdistilledwhitevinegartocoverstainbakingsoda

ToMake:Coverthestainwiththewhitevinegar.Sprinklebakingsodaontopofthevinegar.Thestainwillbubbleupfromthecarpet.

ToUse:Letthebakingsodasitonthecarpetuntilitisdry.Thiscantakeadayortwo,soyoumaywanttocoverthespotwithatowel,container,orbowltokeepitcontained.Vacuumuptheresidue.


CarpetStainRemoverABOUT2CUPS

Ifyoucatchacarpetstainearly,youcangenerallygetthestainremoved,andwithoutnastychemicals.Takecaretoblotandnotrubthestain,asrubbingwillruinthecarpetfibers.

4cupswarmwater,divided⁄ teaspoonclearcastilesoapordishsoapVariation:PETODORNEUTRALIZER—Onceyouhavesuccessfullycleanedthespot,sprinkletheareawithbakingsodatoneutralizeanyodorsleftbehind.Apetismorelikelytoreturntoits“spot”(andleaveyouanotherstain)ifthereisanyscentleftbehind.Coverthespotsoapetorsmallchilddoesn’tdisturbthebakingsoda.Letsitanddryovernightandvacuumuptheresidue.

ToMake:Mixasolutionof2cupswarmwaterand ⁄ teaspooncleardishwashingsoap.Haveanadditionalcontainerwith2cupsofplainwarmwaterhandyforrinsing.

ToUse:Soakacleanragorpapertowelinthemixture,wringout,andgentlyblotthestainwithit.Afteryouhaveblottedwiththesoapsolution,useacleanragsoakedinwarmwatertoremovetheresidue.Alternatethesoapsolutionwiththefreshwateruntilthestainisgone.


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CarpetCleanerforMachines1GALLON,ORENOUGHTOFILL1CARPET-CLEANINGMACHINE

Thisrecipewasrecommendedtomebyacarpet-cleaningprofessional.It’seasytomixanduse,anddoesn’tsudsuporleaveanyresiduebehind.Refertoyourcarpet-cleaningmachine’sdetergentcapacityfortheexactliquidamounts.Mostcarpetcleanerscanholdaboutagallontoagallonandahalfofliquid.

4cupshotwater4cupsdistilledwhitevinegar10–15dropslemonessentialoil(tominimizethevinegarscent)


ToMake:Pourliquidsintoliquiddispenser.

ToUse:Runcarpetcleanerasusual.Anyvinegarscentwilldissipateassoonasthecarpetsaredry.


MONEY-SAVINGTIPCleaningyourowncarpetscansaveyouhundredsofdollars,andusingvinegarandwaterasyourcleaningsolutionwillsaveyouevenmoremoney.Youcanrentacarpetcleanerbytheday,oryoumay

choosetopurchaseone,onceyouseehoweasyitistomakeyourowneffectivecleanersforyourmachine.

CitrusandMintHardwoodFloorCleaner—BucketABOUT1GALLON

Hardwoodfloorsarebeautiful—butthey’reespeciallybreathtakingwhentheyareclean.Thisrecipesmellsamazingandthefloorslookevenbetter!Makesurethatyouuseabarelydampspongeorclothwhenyouarewashingyourfloors—standingwatercandamagehardwoods.

1gallonwarmwater⁄ cupdistilledwhitevinegar3dropslemonororangeessentialoil2dropspeppermintessentialoil

Variation:LEMONANDCLOVE—Use3dropslemonessentialoilandsubstitute2dropscloveforthepeppermint.

ToMake:Mixwater,vinegar,andoilsinalargebucketorcontainer.

ToUse:Mopwithadrymopandbucketorbyhandwithmicrofibercloths.Rinseoftenandchangesolutionasneededduringcleaning.


HELPFULHINTVinegardoeshaveapHandisconsideredamildacid,soyouwanttomakesurethatyouarefollowingtheratioof1partvinegar:32partswaterwhenmakingahardwoodfloorcleaningsolution.

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LemonandCloveHardwoodFloorCleaner—SprayMopABOUT16OUNCES

Ifyoulovetheeaseandconvenienceofarefillablespraymop,you’llfallheadoverheelsforthisrecipe.

16ounceswarmwater,distilledorboiledandcooled3teaspoonsdistilledwhitevinegar1droplemonessentialoil1dropcloveessentialoil

Variation:CITRUSANDMINT—Use1dropoflemonororangeessentialoiland1dropofpeppermintinsteadoftheclove.

ToMake:Pouringredientsinspraymopdispenser.

ToUse:Dampenmoppadwithwarmwater.Spraysolutiononfloor,thenmopitup,takingcaretowipesolutionimmediatelyaftersprayingonfloor.

ToStore:Storeinthedispenserforupto1month.

MONEY-SAVINGTIPLookforarefillablespraymopwithwashablemicrofiberpads.Thepadscanbewashedatleast300times—talkaboutamoneysaver!

pH-NeutralHardwoodFloorCleaner1PH-NEUTRALLYCLEANEDFLOOR

Ifyou’reconcernedaboutusingvinegaronyourhardwoodfloors,takethepH-neutralapproachandjustusewarmwater.Amicrofiberclothandwarmwaterwillcleanmost“everyday”dirtonyourwoodfloors.Addalittleessentialoiltomakethejobmoreenjoyable.

warmwater2dropsessentialoil

ToMake:Useabucketandspraymopormicrofiberdustingmop.

ToUse:Fillabucketwithwarmwaterandadd2dropsofyourfavoriteessentialoil(lemonisgreatforthispurpose).Sprayordipandmop.Takecaretonotallowanywatertostandonyourhardwoodfloor,asthiscanquicklydamageyourhardwoods.


FloorWipes—Dry4REUSABLEWIPES

Disposablefloorsweepersaregreatfortrappingdust,fur,hair,anddirt.Ifyouwanttotrytomakeyourown,looknofurtherthantheautomotiveaisleforyourmicrofibercloths.You’llfindabigpackofmicrofiberclothsthatyoucanrepurposeforjustaboutanycleaningtaskaroundthehome.Ilovethemforfloorwipesbecausetheytendtobealittlelargerthanthestandardsizesotheyworkreallywelloveryourfloormophead.

1packageofmicrofibercleaningcloths—atleast12"×16"

Variation:SCENTED—Putadropofessentialoilonthewipebeforeplacingonthesweeperforinstantscentedfloorwipes.Lavender,lemon,orange?Anyscentthatgetsyouinthefloor-sweepingmood.

ToMake:Fitmicrofiberclothsoverfloorsweeper—pinchfabricintoplace.

ToUse:Onceclothissecuredinfloorsweeper,simplypushoveryourfloor,pickingupanydirt.Launderusedragswiththerestofyourcleaningrags.


HELPFULHINTFliptheclothoverandusetheothersidebeforelaundering.Firstshakeanydirtordustoutinthegarbageoroutsideifnecessary.

FloorWipes—Wet4REUSABLEWIPES

Lovetheconvenienceoffloorwipes,butnotthecost?Thesereusablewipeswillhaveyousingingtheirpraises.They’llkeepforaweek,sotrytogaugehowmanyyou’llneed—youneverknow,itmightbean8-floor-wipekindofweek…

1packageofmicrofibercleaningcloths—atleast12"×16"16ounceswater,distilledorboiledandcooled3teaspoonsdistilledwhitevinegar2dropsessentialoil,suchaslemon,orange,orteatree

ToMake:Mixwater,vinegarandessentialoiltogether.Placeclothsinlargecontainerwithalid.A2-cupwide-mouthcanningjarwillworkwithupto6or7cleaningcloths.Pourliquidovercloths.Placelidoncontainer;swirlandmixtomakesureliquidhasbeenabsorbedintocloths.Leavingaboutacupbehind,pourexcessliquidoutofcontainer.

ToUse:Placemicrofiberclothoverfloorsweeper—pinchfabricintoplace.Wipefloorswithcloth.Replaceasneeded.Oneclothshouldbeenoughforasmallroom.Launderasusual.

ToStore:Storeincontainerforupto1week.

BaseboardandDoorCleaner1HOUSEFULOFCLEANBASEBOARDSANDDOORS

Ihavewhitepainteddoorsandtriminmyhome,socutelittlehandprintsshowupquickly.Thisismygo-tocleaningsolutionforbaseboardsanddoorsinmyhome.

⁄ cupborax1gallonwarmwater

ToMake:Dissolveboraxinwarmwater;stirtocombine.

ToUse:Dipmicrofiberclothorspongeinsolution.Wringoutanyexcesswater,andwipebaseboardsand/ordoorstoclean.Norinsingisnecessary.


HELPFULHINTKeepoldbathtowelsnearbytoplaceunderbucketandtocatchanydrips.Washdoorsfromtoptobottomandlefttoright.

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CHAPTER8

RECIPESFORTHENURSERYANDPLAYROOM

Ifyouhaveyoungchildren,you’lllovethesenaturalandsaferecipes.Isn’titamazingthatassoonasbabystartscrawlingandputtinganythingthatfitsintohisorhermouth,everythingseemssomuchdirtier?Tryyourhandatthesesimplesolutionsforyourlittleones’playspacesandtoys.Thebestpartisthattheyaresosimpletomake.That’skeyforbusyparents—I’mguessingthatyoudon’thaveaspareminutetobeconcoctingcleaningrecipes.You’llfindthattheserecipesareeasytomake,haveasimplescentornoscent,anduselotsofvegetable-basedsoapandwaterforacleanbabyandahappymama.

CitrusandTeaTreeFabricSanitizerSpray12OUNCES

Sometimesyoujustneedtogivethatfabricaspraytomakesureit’sreallyclean.Usethisformulaonfabricsthataren’tmachinewashableorthatyoudon’thavetimerightnowtolaunder.Didbabyspituponachairoronyourfabricchanging-tablecover?Giveitalittlespritzuntilyoucanreallywashit.

8ounceswater,distilledorboiledandcooled4ouncesvodkaorrubbingalcohol2dropsorangeessentialoil4dropsteatreeessentialoil


ToUse:Sprayverylightlyonfabricthatneedstobesanitizedorfreshenedabit.Allowtothoroughlydrybeforeusingfabric.

ToStore:Storeforupto2months.

CitrusDiaperPailFresheners16TABLETS

Ifyouhaveadiaperpail,youneedthesefresheners.Putafewoftheminasmallcanningjarwithacutelabel,wrapupsomediapers,andgivetoanewmom!

1cupbakingsoda⁄ cupEpsomsaltsabout ⁄ cupwater10dropsessentialoil—anycombinationoflemon,lime,orange,orgrapefruitisgreatinthisrecipeicecubetray(s)

ToMake:CombinesodaandEpsomsaltsandaddessentialoils.Slowlystirinwatertomakeadrypaste.Spoonaboutatablespoonineachcompartmentofanicecubetray,packingdowntightlyandabout ⁄ full.Thiscombinationwillexpandalittle.Allowtodryoutandcompletelyhardenovernightorinthesun.Oncethetabletshavehardened,carefullyturnthetrayoverontoacleansurface.Thetabletsshouldfalloutwithoutanytwistingorbanging,whichcouldbreakthemintopieces.

ToUse:Place1or2freshenersinyourdiaperpailorgarbagecan.Eachfreshenerwillfreshenforatleast2weeks.

ToStore:Storeinanairtightcontainerforupto3months.

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HandSanitizerSpray2OUNCES

Preferaliquidsprayforyourhandsanitizingneeds?Ditchthemall-brandchemicalversionandtrythis.Keepitinyourpurseforaquickspritz.ThewitchhazelisanaturalastringentbutthevitaminEwillhelpmoisturize.

2ounceswitchhazel1teaspoonvitaminEoil5dropsteatreeessentialoil2dropslemonessentialoil

Variation:LAVENDER—Substitutelavenderessentialoilforthelemon.

ToMake:Dispenseingredientsdirectlyintoasmallcontainerwithaspraytopandshaketocombine.

ToUse:Squirtonhands,rubthoroughly,andallowtoair-dry.

ToStore:Keepoutofthereachofsmallchildren,butstorewhereyou’lluseitmost—purse,nursery,orcar.Willkeepfor2months.

HandSanitizerGel2OUNCES

Thisismykids’favoritehandsanitizerrecipe.Itcleans,leaveshandssoft,andissafeforthekidstousethemselves.

1 ⁄ ouncespurealoevera(notthegreenstuff)3teaspoonsrubbingalcohol1teaspoonvitaminEoil5dropspeppermintessentialoil

Variations:UNSCENTED—Omittheessentialoil.

CITRUS—Substitutelemonororangeessentialoilforthepeppermint.

ToMake:Dispenseingredientsdirectlyintoasmallcontainerwithalid.Shakeliberallytomixallingredientsthoroughly.Ifyouwantyourgeltobeslightlythinnerinconsistency,addanadditionalteaspoonofrubbingalcohol.

ToUse:Squirtonhands,rubthoroughly,andallowtoair-dry.

ToStore:Keepoutofthereachofsmallchildren,butstorewhereyou’lluseitmost—purse,nursery,orcar.Willkeepfor2months.

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LemonRoom-FresheningSpray12OUNCES

Keepthissprayhandyforanytimearoomneedsalittlespritzofsomethingtofreshenitupafterthekidshavemadeitsmelly!

1cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled⁄ cupvodka10–20dropslemonessentialoil—putin10dropsandgiveitaspray.Addmoreessentialoiltoyourlikingifneeded.

Variation:LAVENDERANDMINT—Substitute5dropslavenderand5dropspeppermintessentialoilforthelemon—adjusttoyourliking.


ToUse:Spray2or3spraysinanyroomthatneedsfreshening.

ToStore:Storeinacoolplaceforupto2months.

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ToyCleaner—Soak1PLAYROOMFULOFCLEANTOYS

Ifyou’vehadaboutofsicknessrunthroughyourhouseorjustwanttogivethetoysalittlebath,thisisaneasywaytodoit.

1tablespoonliquidcastilesoap,citrusorunscentedsinkwithwarmwater

ToMake:Fillsinkwithwaterandcastilesoap.Haveaclean,drytowelreadytosettoystoair-dry.

ToUse:Wash,rinse,anddrytoys.Letthemair-dryonthecounter,orsetoutinthesuntogetalittlefreesunsanitizing.


KID-FRIENDLYTIPMykidslovetostandonachairatthesinkandgivetheirplastictoysabath.Fillthesinkandletthemscrubandrinsetheirowntoys.It’sacleaningwininmybook.

ToyCleaner—Spray8OUNCES

Ifyou’dlikeatoycleanerinsprayform,here’sagreatnaturalsolution.Keepthebottleoutofreachofchildren,butit’ssafetousearoundthem.

4ounceswater,distilledorboiledandcooled4ounceswhitevinegar2dropslemonessentialoil

ToMake:Mixingredientsinspraybottleandshaketocombine.

ToUse:Sprayontoys.Rinseiftoyswillbeinchild’smouthorifdesired.Air-dry.

ToStore:Storeinspraybottleforupto2months.

KID-FRIENDLYTIPYoucanalsousestraighthydrogenperoxide(3percent)tosanitizekids’toysandsurfaces.Placeaspraytoponahydrogenperoxidebottleandsprayanyoffendingtoys.Lethydrogenperoxidedryandrinseinwarmwater.Allowtoair-dry.

BathtubToyCleaner1SETOFCLEANBATHTUBTOYS

Bathtubtoyscanbeabreedinggroundforbacteriaandmold.Lookfortoysthatdon’thaveholesinthebottomtokeepthebacteriaandmoldtoaminimum.Mykidslovemeasuringcups,bowls,andcolanders.Giveyourbathtoysabathinthedishwashermonthlytoridthemofmoldandbacteria.

1LemonDishwasherDetergentTablet(seeChapter3)

ToMake:Placebathtubtoysonthetoprackofdishwasherandrunacleaningcyclewiththetablet.

ToUse:Washtoysandallowtoair-dryonthecounteroroutsideinthesun.


BabyStainSprayRemover8OUNCES

Babiesspitupalot,butstainsdon’talwayscomeoutinthefirstlaundering—especiallyifyouaretooexhaustedtoremembertopretreat.Thissimplespraywillhelpgetthosestainsoutonceandforall.

8ounceswater,distilledorboiledandslightlycooled2tablespoonsborax2tablespoonsLemonandLavenderLiquidLaundrySoap(seeChapter5)

ToMake:Addboraxandlaundrydetergenttoaspraybottleandpourwarmwaterovertheborax.Shakethoroughlytocombine.

ToUse:Spraydirectlyonstainandtossinthewasher.

ToStore:Storeinspraybottleforupto1month.

ClothDiaperSoak1LOADOFCLEANDIAPERS

Ifyouuseclothdiapers,youneedadiapersoakinyourlaundryroom.Here’sasuper-simplesoakthatyoucandoforafewhoursorovernight.Theboraxactsasalaundryboosteranddeodorizerinthisrecipe.

⁄ –1cupborax⁄ cupLemonandLavenderLiquidLaundrySoap(seeChapter5)

ToMake:Fillwashingmachinewithdirtydiapers,hotwater,laundrydetergent,andborax.IfyouhaveanHEmachine,puttheboraxinwithyourdetergent.

ToUse:Washandsetthemachinetosoakforafewhoursorovernight.Launderasusual.


1 2

1 2

BleachAlternative1LOADOFWHITELAUNDRY

Bleachcanbeirritatingtobabies’skin(andadults’too),buttherearetimeswhenawhitenerisneeded.Here’sagreatformulatoaddinwithyourdetergent.

2ouncesor ⁄ cuphydrogenperoxide

ToMake:AddthistothebleachcompartmentonyourHEwashingmachine,ordirectlytothewaterifyouhavearegularmachine.

ToUse:Launderasusual.Makesurethatyouaretreatinghydrogenperoxidelikebleachandnotusingitanywherenearyourbrightsorcolors.

ToStore:Keepabottleofhydrogenperoxideinyourlaundryroomifyouhavelotsofwhitestowhiten.

1 4

Kids’CleaningWipes24WIPES

It’sagreatideatogetkidsinvolvedincleaningupafterthemselves,buthandingatoxicwipetothemjustdoesn’tseemright.Akids’cleaningwipethatworksandissafeforthemtouse?That’swhatIneed!

12thickanddurablepapertowels(suchasBountyDuraTowels)2cupswater(boiledandcooledordistilledifstoringforlongerthanacoupleofdays)1tablespooncastilesoap

ToMake:Tearoffaboutadozenpapertowels,cuttheminhalf,andstackintoaneatpile.Rollupthepapertowelsandstuffthemina2-cup,wide-mouthmasonjar.Mixtheingredientsinalargemeasuringcupandpouroverthepapertowelsinthemasonjar.Putthelidonandshakeandswirltheliquidaroundtomakesurethatitisabsorbedintothepapertowels.(Alargezip-topbagorbabywipecontaineralsoworksforstoringthesewipesifyoudon’thaveamasonjar—thebagwillsavespaceaswell.)

ToUse:Pouroffallexcessliquidinthecontainerbeforeusingtoensurealesswetwipe.Lethelpfulkidsusethesetowipedowndoors,windowsills,baseboards,tables,counters,andotherareasthatneedalittlecleaningswipe.


LemonandMintHandandFaceWipes24WIPES

Ifyou’veeverthoughtaboutthechemicalsyouareputtingonyour(oryourkids’)handsandfacewhenyouuseacommercialhandorfacewipe,itmightbetimetoswitchtoanaturalversion.You’lllovetherefreshingscentoflemonandmint—andthenontoxicingredients!

12thickanddurablepapertowels(suchasBountyDuraTowels)2cupswater(boiledandcooledordistilledifstoringforlongerthanacoupleofdays)1tablespoonwitchhazel1tablespooncitruscastilesoap1tablespoonfractionatedcoconutoiloralmondoil5dropslemonessentialoil2dropspeppermintessentialoil


CITRUS—Addlime,grapefruit,ororangeessentialoilinsteadofthepeppermint.

ToMake:Tearoffaboutadozenpapertowels,cuttheminhalf,andstackintoaneatpile.Rollupthepapertowelsandstuffthemina2-cup,wide-mouthmasonjar.Mixtheingredientsinalargemeasuringcupandpouroverthepapertowelsinthemasonjar.Putthelidonandshakeandswirltheliquidaroundtomake

surethatitisabsorbedintothepapertowels.(Alargezip-topbagalsoworksforstoringthesewipesifyoudon’thaveamasonjar—thebagwillsavespaceaswell.)

ToUse:Justpullawipeupfromthecenter,wipehands,andair-dry.


TIME-SAVINGTIPIlovemakingabatchofwipesforpicnicsandparktrips,butrarelyhavetimethemorningofaneventtowhipupabatch.Instead,Ikeepprecutpapertowelsinalargezip-topbaginthepantry,soIdon’thavetocutthematthelastminute.Ifyouwanttobeevenmoreefficient,youcouldhaveacoupleofmasonjarsinyourpantrywithpapertowelscutandrolledandinsertedinthejars.ThebestthingaboutthesewipesisthatIknowthatmykids’handsarecleanandIalsoknowwhattheycleanedthemwith.IkeepalittlemoreoftheliquidinthejarbecauseIlikethewipestohaveplentyofsolutiononthem.Adjustforyourpersonalpreference.

CHAPTER9

RECIPESFORTHEGARAGE/BASEMENT/GARDEN

Keepingtheoutsidespacescleanandtidycanbedifficulttomanagewithalltheforcesatworkonthem—dirt,mud,leaves,rain,andsoon.Thebasementhasitsshareofproblemswithdampnessandodors.Withtherecipesinthischapter,you’llbeabletocleanyourgrill,patio,orporchandmaintainyourfurnaceanddehumidifierwitheaseandexpertise.Herearemyfavoriterecipesandtechniquestoorganicallykeeptheoutsideofmyhomejustascleanastheinside.

GardenToolCleaningKit1SETOFCLEANGARDENTOOLS

Youshouldcleangardentoolsaftereachuse,butthat’stoughtodowhenyou’reexhaustedafteralongdayofplantingorweeding.Atthebeginningortheendofthegardenseason,trytogiveyourtoolsalittlebath.

5-gallonbucketwarmwater1tablespooncastilesoap5dropsrosemaryessentialoil

ToMake:Combinewaterandsoapinlargebucket.

ToUse:Soaktoolsforafewminutes,scrubwithascrubbrush,anddrythoroughly.Oilanytoolsifnecessary.


HELPFULHINTYoucanstoreyourtoolsinalargegardenpotwithplaysandinit.Add1or2tablespoonsofmineraloilifyou’dlikeandstiritintothesandtohelplubricatethetools.Thiskeepsthemechanismsrunningsmoothlyandkeepstherustaway.

CementPatioandPavers1CLEANPATIO

Mostpatioscanbeeffectivelycleanedwithapressurewasherandwarmwater,butifyoudon’thaveone,orwantalittlemorebrighteningpower,trythisrecipe.

1gallonwarmwater2tablespoonsHomemadeOxygenBleachPaste(seeChapter5)

ToMake:MixwarmwaterandOxygenBleachPasteinlargebucket.Mixtocombine.

ToUse:Moporbrushcementinsectionsandrinsethoroughly.Repeatinareasasnecessary.


Deck—CompositeandWood1SUPER-CLEANDECK

Cleaningyourdeckbeforeorafteraseasonisnecessarytoremoveanymoldormildewthat’sgrown.Trythistwo-ingredientsolutionthenexttimeyourdeckneedsalittlecleaning.

1gallonwarmwater1–2cupsdistilledwhitevinegar—lessforjustasimplecleaningandmoreforadeepcleaning

ToMake:Mixwaterandvinegarinalargebucket.

ToUse:Thoroughlywetdeckwithyourhoseandwaterfirst.Usingasturdymoporbroom,scrubthevinegarwatersolutioninsectionstoclean.Rinsethoroughly.


HELPFULHINTUseaspongeandthissamesolutiontowashspindlesandrailingsonyourdeck.

DeckandPatioFurniture16OUNCES

Ifyouhavedeckfurniture,youprobablyeatoutsideandneedtogiveyouroutsidefurnitureagoodwashingfromtimetotime.Thissimplesoapysolutionworksforjustaboutanydeckfurniture.Justmix,apply,andrinse.Noneedtodrywithatowel,justair-dry.

16ounceswarmwater2tablespoonscastilesoap2dropsorangeessentialoil

Variation:UNSCENTED—Useunscentedcastilesoapanddon’taddanyessentialoil.


ToUse:Wetfurniturewithhose,spraywithsoapysolution,rinse,andair-dry.


PaintbrushCleaner1CUP—enoughtoclean6paintbrushes

We’vealldoneit:Finishedaprojectandwashedoutthepaintbrushestooquicklyonlytocomebackthenextdaytohardandcrustypaintbrushes.Thissuper-easyandnaturalsolutionwillsoftenyourpaintbrushesinahurry.

1cuphotvinegar1tablespooncastilesoap

ToMake:Heatvinegarinamicrowave-safecontainer.Placepaintbrushorpaintbrushes(bristlesonly)invinegarforatleastanhourtoovernighttosoakanddissolvethepaint.

ToUse:Oncepaintbrusheshavesoakedinsolution,rinse,andrepeatifnecessary.Applytablespoonofcastilesoapandwashthoroughly.Dryexcesswaterwithacleanclothorpapertowelandsetinthesunoroutsidetocontinuedrying.


TIME-SAVINGTIPThenexttimeyouhaveapaintingproject,usethiscleaningsolutionthefirsttime,andyou’lleliminatethehard,crunchybrushes.

Heavy-DutyWindowCleaner1HOUSEFULOFCLEANWINDOWS

Ifyou’rebraveenoughtowashtheoutsideofyourwindows,youneedahigh-poweredcleaner.Mixupthissolutionanduseasqueegeeforaprofessionallook.

⁄ gallonor64ounceswarmwater4tablespoonsrubbingalcohol4tablespoonsscentedcastilesoap,suchaspeppermint

Variation:SPRAYBOTTLE—Youcanmixthisupinasmallbatchanduseitinsideaswell.Pour16ouncesofwarmwaterinaspraybottleandadd1tablespoonofcastilesoapand1tablespoonofrubbingalcohol.Shaketocombine.Sprayandwipeorsqueegeeclean.

ToMake:Addwarmwater,alcohol,andcastilesoaptobucket.Stirtocombine.

ToUse:Useasqueegeewithaspongeattachmenttoscrubbugsanddirtaway.Squeegeethesolutionawayandwipeupexcess.Ifwindowsarehigh,youcanalsospraywithwatertorinseandclean.


1 2

Heavy-DutyFloorCleaner1GALLON

Garageandbasementfloorstakeabeating.Trythissimpleandnontoxicsolutiontocutgreaseandgrimeandgetthosesurfacesbacktonormal.

1gallonwarmwater1cupdistilledwhitevinegar⁄ cupborax

Variation:DISINFECTING—Add5to10dropsteatreeessentialoiltothesolutiontoupthegerm-killingbenefits.

ToMake:Mixallingredientsinabucket.

ToUse:Mop,rinse,andallowtoair-dry.


1 4

OutsideToyCleaner1SETOFCLEANOUTSIDETOYS

Ifyoukeepplastictoysoutside,theyprobablygetalittledirtyfromtimetotime.Here’saneasywaytocleanthemnaturally.

1cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled1cupwhitevinegar


ToUse:Spraythoroughlyontoys.Rinsewithhoseandair-dry.

ToStore:Storeforupto2monthsinspraybottle.

HELPFULHINTUseyourhomemademelaminesponges(seetherecipeforSoapScumSpongesinChapter4)togetridofbigandlittlestainsonoutsideplastictoysandfurniture.

HumidifierandDehumidifierCleanerASMUCHASNEEDED

Didyouknowthatyoushouldcleanregularlyusedhumidifiersanddehumidifiersweekly,oratleastmonthly?Thankfully,it’saprettyeasyprocesssoyoucanaddittoyourcleaningtasklist.


Variation:DISINFECTING—Foralittleextragerm-killing,wipehydrogenperoxideontheoutsideandinsideofthehumidifierordehumidifierafteryouhavecleanedit.

ToMake:Thiscleaningprocesswilldependonyourmachine,butforthemostpart,allmachinescanbecleanedwithwhitevinegarandascrubbrush,followedbyathoroughrinse.

ToUse:Unplugandemptymachineofwater.Disassembleanypartsthatcanbedisassembled.Fillbasewithwhitevinegar—aboutacup.Letsitandsoak;coverandshakeabittoevenlydistributethevinegar.Wipeanyexposedpartswithvinegaronacleaningclothorpapertowel.Rinsethoroughly,letdry,andreassemble.


HELPFULHINT

Alwaysusedistilledwaterinyourhumidifiertopreventextraunnecessarymineralbuild-upfromyourwater.

AirFilter—Furnace1CLEANFURNACEFILTER

Didyouknowthatyoushouldreplaceyourfurnacefiltermonthly?Somefiltershavea3-monthlifespan,butreplacingyourfiltersonaregularbasiswillcutdownondustandallergensintheair.It’simportanttoalsokeeptheareaaroundthefurnacecleananddust-free.Nexttimeit’stimetoreplaceyourfilter,bringyourvacuumcleaneralongtoyourfurnace.

vacuum

ToMake:Ifyouhavereplaceablefurnacefilters,jotdownthesizeandgotothestoreandgetwhatyouneed.Buyextrasoyoudon’thavetodothisagainnextmonth.

ToUse:Turnofffurnace.Vacuumaroundareaandremoveoldfurnacefilter.Bringaplasticgarbagebagwithyoutocontaintheickyfilteruponremoval.Vacuumareawhereoldfilterwasandputnewfilterinitsplace.Ifyouhaveawashablefurnacefilter,bringitoutsideandgiveitahosingdown,andletitdryinthesunifpossible.

ToStore:Storeyourfurnacefiltersnearyourfurnacesoyouaren’tsearchingforthemnextmonth.

CarWashingSolution1OR2CLEANCARS

Rememberthedaysofwashingthecarwithabigsoapybucketandgiantsponge?Thosedaysarehereagainwiththiseasysolution.Usemicrofiberclothsforastreak-freeshine!

warmwater1–2tablespoonscastilesoap—unscentedorscented

ToMake:Filllarge(e.g.,5-gallon)bucketwithwarmorhotwaterandcastilesoap.

ToUse:Usehoseandwetyourcar.Dipspongeorclothinwaterandstartscrubbing.Rinseanddrythoroughly.


KID-FRIENDLYTIPGetthewholefamilyinvolvedwithafewextrasponges.Washingyourcarisfunagain!

CarInteriorWipes24WIPES

Usingaspraybottleinthecarcanleadtospotsonwindowsandupholstery.Trythesemintywipestocleantheleather,plastic,andfauxleatherinyourcar.

12thickanddurablepapertowels(suchasBountyDuraTowels)3tablespoonsalmondoil⁄ cupvinegar⁄ cupwater,distilledorboiledandcooled2dropspeppermintessentialoil

ToMake:Tearoffaboutadozenpapertowels,cuttheminhalf,andstackintoaneatpile.Rollupthepapertowelsandstuffthemina2-cup,wide-mouthmasonjar.Mixtheingredientsinalargemeasuringcupandpouroverthepapertowelsinthemasonjar.Putthelidonandshakeandswirltheliquidaroundtomakesurethatitisabsorbedintothepapertowels.Pouroffexcess,asthiswipeworksbetteralittleonthedryside.(Alargezip-topbagorbabywipecontaineralsoworksforstoringthesewipesifyoudon’thaveamasonjar—thebagwillsavespaceaswell.)

ToUse:Carefullyremoveawipeortwo,wringoutanyexcesscleaner,anduseasyouwouldanycleaningwipe.


1 2

3 4

GrillCleaner1CLEANGRILL

Grillsgetgreasyanddirtyquickly,andthatmesscanaffecttheflavorofyourfood.Hereareacoupleofeasywaystocleanthemfromtheinsideout.

1cupwarmwaterdistilledwhitevinegar⁄ – ⁄ cupbakingsoda

ToMake:Mixapasteofbakingsodaandwater.

ToUse:Openupcoolgrillandapplypastetothegrates.Closelidandapplywhitevinegartocleaningclothorpapertowels.Wipetheexteriorofyourgrillwiththevinegar.(Norinsingisnecessary.)Afterexteriorisclean,removegratesandscrubinsinkoroutsidewithabrush.Rinsethoroughlyandreturngratestogrill.Keepgrillopentoallowthegratestodrycompletely.


HELPFULHINTAftereverygrillingsession,keepthegrillonforabittoburnoffandscrapeanyremainingfoodparticles.Thiswillkeepyourgrillcleanerinbetweenmeals.

1 4 1 2

NaturalInsectRepellentABOUT4OUNCES

Youseealotofdebateinthenewsaboutwhethercommercialinsectrepellentsaresafetouse.Here’sasimplerecipethatkeepsinsectsawayandissafetousearoundyourfamily.Theoilslistedinthisrecipeareknownfortheirfly-,tick-,andflea-repellingproperties.

4ounceswitchhazelorvodka2teaspoonsalmondoil10dropsessentialoils—combine3oftheseoils:lemon,lemongrass,citronella,peppermint,lavender,cedar

ToMake:Pouringredientsinsmallspraybottleorcontainer.

ToUse:Sprayonhandsandrubhandstogether.Dabaroundareaswherebugsandfliesarebotheringyou.Becarefultonotspraydirectlyonclothes,astheoilmaystain.

ToStore:Storeforupto2monthsinacoolplace.

APPENDIX

Pleasevisitwww.cleanmama.net/product/checkliststodownloadallthesefreecleaningchecklists!

WeeklyCleaningChecklistWeeklyCleaningChecklist(blank)Monthly(Rotating)CleaningChecklistMonthly(Rotating)CleaningChecklist(blank)HouseholdCleaningChecklistDe-ClutterBeforeYouCleanChecklistThe

One-DayCleanTheWeekendClean

TheOne-WeekDeepCleanThe31-DayCleaningPlanTheDeep-CleaningChecklist


PRETREATINGSTAINREMOVALGUIDE

Thischartisforitemsthatarewashable.Treatstainasrecommendedandtossinthewashingmachine.STAIN TREATMENT

BloodandVomit

BlotwithcoldwaterandtreatwithHomemadeOxygenBleachPaste(seeChapter5)madeintoapasteoraddedtothewashingmachine.

Chocolate WetwithwarmwateranddabwiththeTeaTreeStainStick(seeChapter5).

Fruit Wetareawithwarmwateranddabwithwhitevinegar.Ifstainremains,rinseandaddalittlehydrogenperoxidetothestain.

Grass PretreatwiththeTeaTreeStainStickortheLemonandLavenderLiquidLaundrySoap(seeChapter5forbothrecipes).Washwiththehottestsettingonyourwashingmachine.

Gum Placeanicecubeonthegumorplacethearticleofclothinginthefreezer.Scrapeoffwithacreditcardandwashasusual.

LipGlossandLipstick

DabwithrubbingalcoholandsoakinHomemadeOxygenBleachPaste(seeChapter5).Launderasusual.

OilandGrease

Rubwithapieceofchalkboardchalktoabsorbtheoil(keepastickinyourlaundryroom),and/orpretreatwiththeStainSpray—General(seeChapter5).

PenandInk Rinsewithcoolwater.Ifstainremains,dabwithrubbingalcoholorpretreatwithStainSpray—General(seeChapter5)andwashasusual.

SweatandPerspiration

Usinga2:1ratio,mixalittlepasteofbakingsodaandwhitevinegar.Ifyou’reworkingthroughastackofT-shirts,you’llwanttouseabout ⁄ cupofbakingsodaandabout ⁄ cupofwhitevinegartocoverthosepitstains.Scrubintostainwithascrubbrushortoothbrush.SoakandlaunderonhottestsettingwithHomemadeOxygenBleachPasteandLemonandClovePowderedLaundrySoap(seeChapter5forbothrecipes).

TeaandCoffee

PretreatwithStainSpray—GeneralorTeaTreeStainStick(seeChapter5forbothrecipes),soak,andwashasusual.

TomatoSauce

Dabwithcoolwater.Ifstainremains,rubalittlecastilesoapintothestain.Letsitforafewminutesandwashasusual.

Water-BasedPaint

Simplyrinseusingwarmwaterwhilepaintisstillwet.

1 21 4

Wine Dabwithwaterandsoakupstain.Ifstainremains,dabwithalittlevodkaorrubbingalcoholandwashasusual.

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

BECKYRAPINCHUKisacleaningandhousekeepingexpert,awifetoawonderfulhusbandandmomtothreeadorablechildren,asuccessfulbusinessowner(CleanMamaPrintables),andaformerartteacher.Withanaffinitytohomekeepingandcleaning,herstorybeganyearsagowhenshewasfiguringoutthebestwaykeephermessyartclassroomcleanandorganized.Thetricksshedevelopedeasilytranslatedtokeepingherhomeclean,buttherealCleanMamastartedwhenheroldestwasababy,andallofasuddeneverythingseemedtoposeachemicalorgermthreattohercrawlingbaby.Thatwaswhenshestartedlookingfornaturalandorganicwaystoreallycleanherhomewhileprotectingherfamilyfromtoxins.Afteryearsofsearchingfortheperfectcleaningproductline,shealsofoundthatshecouldmakeherowneffectivecleaningproductswithafeweasy-to-findingredients.That’swherethisbookcomesin—it’stheculminationofBecky’sloveforreal-worldcleaningroutinesandsafe,naturalcleaningproducts.YoucanfindBeckybloggingatherwebsite,Cleanmama.net,wheresheisalwayslookingfornewwaystodothemundanetasksofcleaningandorganizingandbringingalittlemorefunintotheprocess.Herfocusisnaturalcleaning,cleaningroutines,simpleorganizingtips,andhomekeepingandhomemanagement.ShehasbeenfeaturedonOprah.com,HGTVMagazine,BHG.com,HuffingtonPost,Answers.com(housekeepingexpert),andhasalsoprovidedcleaningcontentforScotch-Brite(3M),Peapod/Reckitt,andCafemom.com,tonameafew.

http://Cleanmama.net

http://Oprah.com

http://BHG.com

http://Answers.com

http://Cafemom.com

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Abigthankyoutomyfamilyandfriendsforyourlove,support,andprayers—Iloveyouall!Thankyoutomywonderfulhusband,George,andmythreebabiesforputtingupwiththecrazinessthatcomeswithwritingabookinthemidstofreallife.ThisbookexistsbecauseofGodwhoreallytrulymakesALLthingsgoodinHistime.

METRICCONVERSIONCHARTVOLUMECONVERSIONS

U.S.VolumeMeasure MetricEquivalent

⁄ teaspoon 0.5milliliter

⁄ teaspoon 1milliliter

⁄ teaspoon 2milliliters

1teaspoon 5milliliters

⁄ tablespoon 7milliliters

1tablespoon(3teaspoons) 15milliliters

2tablespoons(1fluidounce) 30milliliters

⁄ cup(4tablespoons) 60milliliters

⁄ cup 90milliliters

⁄ cup(4fluidounces) 125milliliters

⁄ cup 160milliliters

⁄ cup(6fluidounces) 180milliliters

1cup(16tablespoons) 250milliliters

1pint(2cups) 500milliliters

1quart(4cups) 1liter(about)

WEIGHTCONVERSIONS

U.S.WeightMeasure MetricEquivalent

⁄ ounce 15grams

1ounce 30grams

2ounces 60grams

3ounces 85grams

⁄ pound(4ounces) 115grams



1pound(16ounces) 454grams

1 8

1 4

1 2

1 2

1 4

1 3

1 2

2 3

3 4

1 2

1 4

1 2

3 4

Copyright©2014byRebeccaRapinchuk.

Allrightsreserved.Thisbook,orpartsthereof,maynotbereproducedinanyformwithoutpermissionfromthe

publisher;exceptionsaremadeforbriefexcerptsusedinpublishedreviews.

PublishedbyAdamsMedia,adivisionofF+WMedia,Inc.57LittlefieldStreet,Avon,MA02322.U.S.A.

www.adamsmedia.com

ISBN10:1-4405-7251-8ISBN13:978-1-4405-7251-7eISBN10:1-4405-7252-6

eISBN13:978-1-4405-7252-4

LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataRapinchuk,Becky.Theorganicallycleanhome/BeckyRapinchuk,www.cleanmama.net.pagescmIncludesbibliographicalreferencesandindex.ISBN-13:978-1-4405-7251-7(pb:alk.paper)ISBN-10:1-4405-7251-8(pb:alk.paper)ISBN-13:978-1-4405-7252-4(ebook)ISBN-10:1-4405-7252-6(ebook)1.Housecleaning--Environmentalaspects.2.Cleaningcompounds--Environmentalaspects.3.Naturalproducts.4.Formulas,recipes,etc.I.Title.TX324.R372014648’.5--dc23

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CoverdesignbySylviaMcArdle.Coverimage©AdamsMedia.

Interioricons©iStockphoto.com/dutchicon/TheresaTibbetts.

Readersareurgedtotakeallappropriateprecautionsbeforeundertakinganyhow-totask.Alwaysreadandfollowinstructionsandsafetywarningsforalltoolsandmaterials,andcallinaprofessionalifthetaskstretchesyourabilitiestoofar.Althougheveryefforthasbeenmadeto

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