Week 26 July 4th
We realize everyone in the United States is distracted today, Happy Independence Day! For those of you not in the U.S.A. we want to keep posts dependable, and we know many of you look forward to our weekly posts and tips.
This week let’s save more money by making our own. There are so many homemade products that work well and have been forgotten. Let’s make not only food from scratch but in addition other household supplies.
Important safety tip: Never combine ammonia-based cleaners with chlorine bleach or products containing bleach, such as powdered dishwasher detergent. The fumes they'll create are extremely dangerous. Before doing any mixing, read the product labels first. Always label any bottles of DIY cleaners with all the ingredients inside. If a child or animal gets into it, it’s important to know what the mixture contains when contacting poison control.
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General Cleaning Solution
1/4-1/2 cup of white vinegar
Tablespoons of baking soda
Several drops of tea tree or eucalyptus essential oil
Spray bottle
Enough water to fill the bottle
Pour ¼ to a ½ cup white vinegar into a spray bottle, add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Add a few drops of your chosen essential oil and fill the bottle to the top with water. Use to disinfect surfaces.
Disinfectant
1 cup water
1 cup rubbing alcohol
Add mixture to a spray bottle and use to disinfect surfaces. To increase antibacterial properties, add 20 to 30 drops of a powerful essential oil like lavender or tea tree, both have antiviral and antibacterial properties.
Rosemary-Lemon All-Purpose Cleaning Spray
2 sprigs rosemary
Peels of 2 lemons
2 cups water
2 cups white vinegar
In a one-quart jar, combine rosemary, lemon peels, water and vinegar. Allow to rest 10-14 days in a cool location to allow oils to infuse. Strain lemon peels and rosemary and transfer liquid to a spray bottle for use. If desired, lemon peels and rosemary may be placed directly inside the spray bottle. The scent will intensify over time.
Baking soda and a sponge
To shine and remove spots from stainless steel, make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply with a damp cloth or sponge and rub gently in the direction of the metal’s grain. Rinse and buff dry.
For stains on a wall, counter or sink wet sponge, pour baking soda on sponge or damp cloth rub gently on spot. Use as you would a magic eraser.
Glass Cleaner
2 cups water
1/2 cup white or cider vinegar
1/4 cup rubbing alcohol 70% concentration
1 to 2 drops of orange essential oil for smell (optional)
Leave your windows and mirrors sparkling. Combine ingredients and pour into a spray bottle. Spray on window and wipe with paper towel or newspaper. Avoid cleaning windows on a hot, sunny day or in direct sunlight, the solution will dry too quickly and leave streaks. For mirrors, spray the solution on a paper towel or soft cloth first before wiping.
Heavy-Duty Scrub
1/2 lemon
1/2 cup borax powder
Rust stains on porcelain or enamel sinks and tubs are no match for this heavy-duty cleaner. Dip the lemon into borax and scrub surface, rinse. (This is not safe for marble or granite.) You can find borax, a laundry booster, in the detergent aisle.
Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent
2 cups Fels Naptha Soap finely grated
1 cup Washing Soda
1 cup Borax
Mix well and store in an airtight plastic container. Use 2 tablespoons per full load.
Cost is less than ten dollars.
Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap 1 bar Fels Naptha 1 1/2 cups washing soda (different from baking soda) 1 1/2 cups borax powder Grate the soap and place it in a large pot. Cover with water and heat until the soap melts. Add 1 gallon of hot water to a five gallon bucket. Add washing soda and the borax and stir until dissolved. Add soap mixture and stir. Add enough hot water to fill the bucket. Stir well. Let the soap sit for about 24 hours or until it gels. Pour into plastic bottles filling bottles 3/4 full. Add water to fill the container full, cap and shake well. Use ½ cup per load to begin with and increase amount if you need more.
*I prefer the liquid soap as it is easier to use in cold water should the power be out during an emergency. I use this soap every day and it works just as well as any commercial detergent I have used. This makes a lot of detergent, share with a friend. Cost is less than ten dollars for 6 gallons of detergent.