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Homemade Laundry Softener

I've been inspired lately to create non-toxic, environmentally and wallet friendly versions of some of my everyday house-hold cleaners.  They are inexpensive, work just as well (if not better!) than store bought versions - and I know exactly what goes into them!

This one was fun to make. Cause it smells pretty and will go GREAT with my homemade laundry detergent.  And mine turned out PINK :) Did I mention it smells pretty!??

Homemade Fabric Softener:
1 cup hair conditioner (any kind- but purists could certainly use organic and Frugal types could use White Rain or Suave) I used a little of two because they were near empty bottles
3 cups hot water
1 cup vinegar

Mix hair conditioner with hot water.  Make sure they are really well mixed.  Add vinegar.

I re-used an old laundry soap bottle (completely rinsed out) to put this in.

UPDATE: I have tried this for a couple of loads now and I can say with honesty that this does a good job of softening your clothes.  It smells a bit of vinegar when you first put it into the washer's softener tray but don't let that worry you - the scent does not linger in the clothes.  If you try this - let me know!

Heavy Duty Bathroom (soap scum) Cleaner

I've been inspired lately to create non-toxic, environmentally and wallet friendly versions of some of my everyday house-hold cleaners.  They are inexpensive, work just as well (if not better!) than store bought versions - and I know exactly what goes into them!

Ooooh - this one is easy and SO crazy effective! Eric and I tried this on the guest bath sink and we both agreed we've never seen it so clean since we moved in.  Seriously! I was sceptical about this recipe (because every blogger RAVES about it - but they were right) it's crazy good!

Bathroom cleaner:

1cup dishsoap (I used Palmolive cause that's what was under the sink - the inter-web groupies insist Dawn is best)
2 cups HOT vinegar (this is important)
10(ish) drops essential oils (I used lavender and peppermint)

Heat the vinegar in the microwave until HOT.  Add to dishsoap and stir in essential oils.  (I put mine directly into the spray bottle and shook it up really well)

UPDATE:  This stuff REALLY, REALLY works.  I have two or three small comments about it however.

One - the smell of vinegar is pretty strong initially. Once its rinsed away - just the scent of the soap and essential oils are left - but during the cleaning process this can be a little overwhelming if you are sensitive to scent (as I am).

Two- there is a lot of SOAP in this (duh) so it really bubbles up as you rinse.  I've found that following the rinsing with a dry paper towel or cloth works wonders and really makes things SPARKLE after using this cleanser.

Three - this stuff can be sprayed on (its a gel consistency) and left on for a few minutes to overnight for really built up soap scum and/or grime.  I sprayed around my kitchen taps, went to bed and when I got up was able to wipe years of hardwater residue off with no scrubbing at all.  Magic!

Okay and ONE more comment - I tried this stuff as a laundry pre-treat and it worked pretty well.  I bought a tee shirt a while back and proceeded to drop my water-proof mascara down the front.  grr.  Nothing else has taken the stain completely away - this one has come the closest.  I'm going to try spraying it and leaving it over night. 

If you make this cleaner - I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!

Easy Window Cleaner

I've been inspired lately to create non-toxic, environmentally and wallet friendly versions of some of my everyday house-hold cleaners.  They are inexpensive, work just as well (if not better!) than store bought versions - and I know exactly what goes into them!


Window Cleaner


2 cups Water (pre-boiled)
3 TBS lemon juice
1 TBS vinegar

UPDATE:

Okay here is the buzz on this.  I like this window cleaner - but I don't love it.  Yet.  After having used commercial window cleaner for so long - this one seems to take more effort to use - mostly because it stays wet on the surface for longer. (thus longer wiping time) I've done a bit of research on this one and a lot of sites say to add a TBS of rubbing alcohol.  The alcohol will evaporate quickly causing the spray to dry faster and require less polishing time.

I'll update again if I decide to try that :)

If you make your own cleaners - I'd love to hear about it!

All purpose general Household (kitchen cleaner)

I've been inspired lately to create non-toxic, environmentally and wallet friendly versions of some of my everyday house-hold cleaners.  They are inexpensive, work just as well (if not better!) than store bought versions - and I know exactly what goes into them!

Here is the recipe I used for my all purpose general/kitchen cleaner.  I love this one - because the essential oils smell SO great but they are actually really excellent anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and even anti-fungal agents (do your research to decide which ones will work best for your needs).  I used Lavender, Orange, Lime and Lemongrass. I also used a natural organic dish-soap cause I already had that in the house.

All Purpose Spray Cleaner:

1 1/2 teas baking soda
2 teas liquid dishsoap
3 cups boiled water (cooled)
1cup vinegar
15-25 drops (about 1/2 teas) essential oils

I made this in a med bowl before pouring into a spray bottle.  The vinegar and  baking soda WILL foam up.  Don't panic - just give it a few minutes to cool its jets :)

UPDATE:

I love, love, love this cleaner.  I've used it in both my kitchen and bathroom now.  It smells GREAT and does a really nice job.  It even took up some makeup stains on my bathroom counter that did not come up with my traditional bathroom spray!

I also love the idea that after I've cleaned my toilet I'm not sitting on any leftover chemicals - but on lovely smelling essential oils which are also antiseptic, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial!

Homemade laundry detergent

I've been inspired lately to create non-toxic, environmentally and wallet friendly versions of some of my everyday house-hold cleaners.  They are inexpensive, work just as well (if not better!) than store bought versions - and I know exactly what goes into them!

Here is the recipe I used to make homemade Laundry detergent:
1 4lb box of BORAX
1 3lb box of Washing Soda
1 1lb box of baking soda
3 bar Ivory soap (finely grated) not pictured
1 lb Oxy clean (optional) not pictured
10-25 drops essential oils (about 1/2 teas)

Use a BIG tub or container with a lid.  Grate soap.  I used my food processor to grind this up nice and fine. mix in all dry ingredients. I added lavender, orange and rose essential oils - smells SO good.  Mix very well!!

Use one small scoop (about 2-3 TBS) per load.

UPDATE:  I have a couple of reviews about this soap.  Firstly, this does an excellent job on towels, linens and whites.  Everything came out very bright and fresh. It only takes a small scoop to be very effective and I can tell this will last a long time!

On a slightly less positive note - the essential oils I used to scent this have faded since I made it.  I'm bummed about this - because now the predominant scent is the Ivory soap I used.  Now don't get me wrong - Ivory soap smells just fine. But I wanted this to smell of roses and lavender.  I have read on-line that some ladies scent their with a Scenty bath product and others choose a more scented soap.  I'm sure either of those would work fine - but I wanted to remain true to the simplicity of the original recipe. I suppose I could add more oils - but for now I'm going to leave it as is and decide if I still like it :)

If You try making your own detergent I'd love to hear how it goes!

THESE:

http://ohsheglows.com/2011/03/28/5-ingredient-no-bake-vegan-date-squares/

try them - a new fave in our house for sure!