Monday 25 May 2015

simple cleaning

for the past little while I've been slowly cutting down on the purchasing of cleaning products. underneath the kitchen sink which was once full of bottles and cans (with their warning labels and expensive price tags) now instead sits dishwashing liquid, a jar of bicarb-soda, a bottle or two of vinegar, along with a some essential oils.
these staples see me through most cleaning now.

Tile and wooden floor cleaner
to a bucket of hot water add
a squirt of dishwashing liquid
1 cup vinegar
1/4 cup bicarb soda
mop floor as usual

Foaming bath and toilet cleaner
Heat 1 cup of vinegar in a 1L microwave safe jug in the microwave for 2-3 minutes until piping hot.
Stir in 1/3 cup dishwashing liquid.
Add 2 tablespoons bicarb soda and stir quickly (be sure to be close by the bath/toilet as the mixture foams up and may overflow the jug).
Pour to coat the surface of the bath/toilet bowl. Leave for a minimum of 1 hour. A little scrub may be required then rinse with clean water.

Fabric freshener
Choose a large container/jar you wish to use to hold the fabric freshener.
To a jug add the required amount of vinegar to fill the container. to this add 1-2 tablespoons bi-carb soda. You will need to do this slowly as it will foam up.
Once the bi-carb is dissolved add a couple of drops of the essential oil of your choice (i like eucalyptus, lemon myrtle or peppermint) then decant into your chosen container or jar.
Add a good half cup to the fabric softener dispenser in your washing machine and wash as usual.


do you have any simple, green cleaning recipes, tips or tricks?

6 comments:

  1. Good stuff Zara...this just makes so much sense. I am afraid I am not up to this stage in my cleaning career. However, I have cut down my cleaning to one or two basic products, rather than having a whole cupboard full of different chemicals.

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  2. Oh well done. I use vinegar mixed with dishwashing liquid to clean the glass in my shower and it works as well as any other cleaner I have ever used! I would like to do more of this in the future.

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  3. So important to be mindful of cleaning and using natural products for your health and the environment. I got in to natural cleaning 20 years ago when I turned vegetarian and I was poor 20 something. The usual suspects vinegar, bicarb and lemon juice for the toilet. Vinegar and hot water for the basins when they get mucky from the kids but others I use enjo cleaning cloths. The only problem I have is with old shower tiles are really hard to clean mould off. Not my favourite cleaning job. I love your wooden clothes rack.

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  4. I use vinegar and baking powder to clear bathroom/kitchen drains about once a month. But that's pretty much it! Everything else is supermarket bought chemical stuff. It would be great to start using more natural cleaning ingredients that's for sure.

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  5. Buying cleaning products are okay, although it can be detrimental if you have a low budget. That’s why I think it’s great that you’ve come up with a cheaper, yet effective, alternative for cleaning. Thanks for sharing them with us, Zara. All the best!


    Anne Marsh @ ABE Cleaning Services

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  6. Those DIY cleaners are all wonderful. I'm sure they are effective and efficient to use. Not to metnion that they can be easily made, as most ingredients can be found in our own kitchens. Thanks for sharing that, Zara! Kudos and all the best to you!

    Courtney Morris @ Onyx Cleaning

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