Do-It-Yourself: Home Cleaners
Do-It-Yourself:
Home Cleaning Remedies
How-To & Photos by Jenn Bakos
Laundry Detergent
As a modern homesteader, it is both rewarding and sometimes fun to make your own home cleaning products, not to mention it’s usually cheaper! Knowing what ingredients are used often gives us peace of mind. This recipe is simple and uses non harmful ingredients that are okay for you and the environment! Bonus points for hanging out your laundry to dry after! (Energy saver!)
Ingredients
- ½ cup salt
- 1 cup Washing Soda
- 4 cups hot water
- 1 ¼ cup pure Castile soap (we used Dr.Bronner’s)
- Essential Oils (optional) - we used lavender and mint
- 1 ½ Gallon Container (Something with a spout makes it easier but you can use whatever. Glass preferred as some essential oils can dissolve plastic.
- More water – fill up the rest of the container with water
Method
Put the salt and washing soda into the container. Pour in the hot water and mix until mostly dissolved. Pour in your castile soap and add in your essential oils if you choose. (As much as you like). Fill up the rest of the container with warm water. Mix well until everything seems to be dissolved.
All-Purpose Cleaner
This simple recipe can be used on almost anything. The acid in vinegar kills germs as well as inhibits mold from growing. It’s another cost effective and safe way to clean your home without harsh chemicals.
Ingredients
- 32 oz. bottle of white vinegar (the glass bottle)
- 2 cups distilled water
- 20 drops of essential oil (lavender, orange, or lemon are great!)
- An old, clean, spray bottle with a nozzle
Method
Pour 2 cups of vinegar from vinegar bottle into a jar for storage or into another bottle if you’re making more than one spray. Add 2 cups of water back into the vinegar bottle. Add your drops of essential oil and shake to mix. Replace the lid with the spray nozzle and you’re ready to use! Store in a place away from sunlight.
