Showing posts with label homemaking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label homemaking. Show all posts

Monday, January 3, 2011

so fresh & so clean

I once made linen water.  A looooong time ago.  It was awesome.  It felt like cheating the system.  Making something instead of forking over cash for it?  Sign me up.  Since then, I've tried making lots of different household goods and cleaners.  Today, our supplies were running low...and by running low, I mean have dried up since our move from Seattle...so, I decided to whip up a fresh batch of cleaning products.
 
I've fiddled with different recipes from different books and websites.  Below, you'll find the versions of linen water, all purpose cleaner, room spray, and floor cleaner that I use.

All Purpose Cleaner
The players: 
--1 empty 32 oz. spray bottle
--3/4 C Distilled White Vinegar
--1 C Hydrogen Peroxide
--1 1/2 tsp. Castille Soap
--30 drops Melaluca Essential Oil
--35 drops Essential Oil of choice (my favorites are purify and lemon)

The How-To:
--Place all ingredients into the spray bottle
--Add water until contents reach top of bottle
--Shake well and clean to your heart's content

Linen Water
The Players:
--1 1/4 C Water
--2 Tbsp Vodka
--20 drops Lavender Essential Oil
The How-To:
--Pour ingredients into a spay bottle
--Spritz on sheets and towels before ironing

Room Spray
The Players:
--1/4 C water
--1/4 C vodka
--25 drops essential oil (besides using blends that smell nice together, I also like to use aromatherapy blends such as rosemary and lemon which helps fight metal fatigue, or peppermint and lavender which zaps headaches.  Today I just went for rich, wintery smells--clove, orange, and cinnamon)

The How-To:
--Combine all ingredients into a spray bottle
--Shake before each use
--Spritz your little heart out

Floor Cleaner 
The Players:
--1 C white vinegar
--1/4 C baking soda
--10 drops essential oil (I usually go for Melaluca, or Peppermint)

The How-To:
--Fill your moping bucket with hot water
--Add ingredients while filling bucket
--Stir with your mop to dissolve baking soda, mixing evenly
--Mop like you've never mopped before

I especially like using safe, natural cleaners because I don't have to worry about the chemicals that little puppy/cat paws pick up on the floor.  

Essential oils are awesome.
I've loved getting into the habit of reaching for essential oils in everyday life.  My dad used them a lot while I was growing up, and I recently got my grubby paws on a couple of his old books.  I've been pouring through them and studying up on my oil facts.  I'm looking forward to sharing more about the ways I use them.