Naturally, I Like to Clean

HOMEMADE LAUNDRY DETERGENT

I’d quote the source but this recipe is available in dozens of places on the internet if you go looking. I don’t know the origination of it.

1/3 bar Fels Naptha Laundry Soap, grated
6 cups water
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax

Heat 6 cups water and soap in a large pan until dissolved. Stir in washing soda and Borax. Mix and heat until dissolved. Boil 15 minutes. Remove from heat. (It will have the consistency of honey.*) In a 3 or 5 gallon bucket, add 1 quart of hot water, then add the soap mixture. Mix. Add enough cold water to make a 2 gallon mixture. Mix until well blended. Let sit 24 hours. The soap will gel.

Use 1/2 cup for each load. Store in covered containers. (I use old ice cream buckets with lids.) I also add 1/8 cup baking soda to my load to soften the water for better cleaning. And for a clean rinse and fresh scent, I add 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup water to my fabric softener dispenser and then top that with a few drops of lavendar essential oil.

Makes 2 gallons. (Cost is approximately 40 cents per gallon; 32 loads per gallon)

Notes: If you are using a wooden spoon, I would suggest you dedicate it to making cleaning products. Not necessary if your spoon is metal, nylon or plastic. I also have never used a pan with non-stick coating for cooking this up. I use a stainless pan. I don’t know if it would harm a non-stick finish.

If the detergent doesn't gel or reach honey consistency it will still work.

Stir before each use as this soap does separate. Detergent can be stored in a liquid detergent bottle. Just shake it up each time you use it.

This detergent will not suds up in the washer, but it is still getting your clothes clean.


PINE DISINFECTANT

From The Naturally Clean Home (Karen Siegel-Maier)

2 cups water
2 tsp borax
8 drops pine essential oil
4 drops cedar essential oil

Combine all ingredients in a plastic spray bottle. Shake before each use. Spray on surfaces and wipe clean with a damp cloth or sponge.


SOAP SCUM REMOVER

From www.debtproofliving.com; Mary Hunt’s e-newsletter

General Bathroom Cleaner:
Original blue Dawn Dishwashing Liquid has some kind of miraculous quality about it that makes it "melt" through stubborn soap scum and hideous build-up on showers and tubs, no matter whether porcelain, acrylic or fiberglass. Use it straight up.

Heavy-Duty Tub and Shower Cleaner:
Take a spray bottle and fill it halfway with white vinegar. Heat in the microwave. Fill the rest of the way with blue Dawn. Apply sprayer and shake to mix well. Spray on your tub and shower walls. Allow to sit for a few minutes and rinse away. It will totally melt all the gunk, slime, sludge and other stuff that builds up including a bathtub ring. So amazing.

My notes: I have used ultra-concentrated Dawn at ½ the volume for original Dawn. I don’t use a microwave but vinegar heats up just as easily in a saucepan on the stovetop.


GENTLE WINDOW CLEANER

From Natural Cleaning for Your Home (Casey Kellar)

½ cup isopropyl alcohol
½ cup vinegar
2 tsp liquid soap blend (or liquid castile soap, such as Dr. Bronner’s)
6 cups warm water

Mix the ingredients together in a large plastic jug and shake well. To use the cleaner, pour some into a plastic spray bottle. Clean windows and mirrors with a soft cloth or newspapers. Shake well prior to each use and store in a cool, dark place.

My notes: It’s only gentle on you, not the grime. And the newspapers work great - don’t ever waste another paper towel.


"SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER"

½ tsp baking soda (you can use up to 1 tsp, according to your personal preference)
1 Tbsp vinegar
water
2 squeeze type containers (ie. Honey bottles, ketchup or mustard picnic bottles, Wilton drizzle bottle)

I use two recycled honey bottles with the squeeze tops. Place the ½ tsp baking soda in one with about ½ cup of warm water. Place the vinegar in about 1 cup warm water in the second container. Wet hair in the shower and apply the baking soda water. Direct the solution to your scalp and massage it in as you apply it. When you’ve worked that in begin drizzling your hair with the vinegar solution. Work it through your hair until your hair is saturated. If you have more hair than me, you may need to use more water in your solution. Then rinse your hair thoroughly. You will be able to comb it easily as the vinegar also works as a detangler.

Note: I don’t dry, curl, straighten, crimp or otherwise torment my hair. I also do not color my hair. This process leaves my hair shiny, manageable and soft. I cannot speak to what results you will achieve if you heat or chemically treat your hair.

After using these products, you couldn't give me their commercial versions.