I always find it humorous when driving through a Starbucks that some people prefer to put organic milk in their lattes. Ok, so I’m not talking just to you…maybe I was tempted at times too! But, does it really matter what kind of milk you drink if it is saturated in coffee and refined sugar? Well, it’s kind of like buying all organic foods and then “plugging-in” a toxic air “freshener.” We’re often times very concerned about what we put in our mouths but not about what goes into our bodies via our nose. The main chemical found in air-fresheners is called 1,4-dichlorobenzene or 1,4-DCB. It smells like mothballs and is found in many household cleaners. Bleach is another product to avoid, as well as any other cleaner that is labeled toxic. Whenever you smell something, the particles from that substance have to get into your nose in order for your brain to register it as a smell. So, if you smell a toxic chemical, then its already sitting in your nose and being absorbed into your body. Think about that the next time you use a public restroom with one of those automatic air fresheners that smell so good. Here is a list of cleaners that I use in our home. As always, you can email me for more information about this or any other topic!
Bottle 1 – All Purpose
1 cup vinegar
1 cup water
Bottle 2 – Scrub-Tubs and Sinks
Borax powder
For mildew add tea tree oil or lavender oil
Bottle 3 – Glass Cleaner
1 cup alcohol
1 cup water
1 Tb. vinegar
Bottle 4 – Carpet Spot Cleaning
Undiluted alcohol
Bottle 5 – Anything
Concentrace Orange Cleaner
Bottle/Tub 6 – Detergent
16 cups baking soda
12 cups borax
8 cups grated castile or glycerin soap flakes
3 tablespoons lavender, lemon, or grapefruit essential oil
Combine baking soda, borax, and soap flakes, add essential oil, and mix with a wire whisk. Use 1/8 cup of powder per load. This recipe makes enough powder to last a family of four one year.
Bottle 7 – Pre-Wash Stain Spray
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda
2 tablespoons ammonia
3 cups water
Stir together and fill a labeled spray bottle.
Spray on heavily soiled spots just before washing (as usual, test a hidden spot for colorfastness first).
Bottle 8 – Bleach/Brightener Substitute
1 cup hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup lemon or grapefruit juice
12 cups water
Store in a labeled plastic jug.
Add 2 cups per load
Bottle 9 – Grapefruit “Soft Scrub”
1 cup fine-grade pumice
1/2 cup clay powder
2 tablespoons grapefruit essential oil
1/4 cup baking soda
1/ 2 to 1 1/2 cups boiling water (enough to make a thick paste)
Mix all ingredients together and stir. Store in a labeled airtight container.
To use, apply gently with a damp sponge or cloth and scrub. Use a light touch on fiberglass fixtures.
This cleanser is comparable to a soft scrub and can be used for tubs, sinks, tiles, and even hardworking hands that have been stained with grease. The lingering scent is pungent and fresh!
Bottle 10 – Toothpaste
1 cup baking soda
1/3 cup salt
3 teaspoons glycerin
Flavoring for taste (wintergreen or peppermint oil)
Bottle 11 – Dishwasher Soap
Mix equal parts of borax and washing soda, but increase the washing soda if your water is hard.
May add drops of citrus oil.