I had posted before about how to be more eco-friendly with cleaners, well now that G is here i'm trying even harder to stay away from harsh chemicals. especially on the floor now that he is crawling/cruising.
We purchase a steam mop
and have loved how it works.
I try to do a deep floor clean once a month and yes i'm still using bleach in the kitchen only because our shitzu is a nevous peer or has a bladder the size of a pea. Potty training with her has not worked and regardless of how many times a day we take her out, she'll still manages to pee in the kitchen. so we gave up and got one of these.
yeah she used it once and then would just use it as bed and still pee on the floor. so we have resorted to laying down doggie pads but really those things can get expensive so newspaper has been the substitute which means i mop every day 2-3 x a day. its exhausting !
I use the sweeper
and a combo of their antibacterial stuff and vinegar. then once a mnth i use bleach to mop mop again with hot water and then one last time with the steam mop. oy!
Anyway here are some things i have been using
*Multi Surface cleaner/disinfectant
In an old spray bottle fill up about 1/4 way with vinegar, put in about 5 drops of soap, a few drops of Tea Tree Oil, and fill the rest of the way with water.
*Window Cleaner, Streak Free
Spray on wipe off with crumpled newspaper, buff to a shine
1 1/2 c. vinegar
2 c. Water
1 T. Cornstarch
*Scratch Free Scouring Powder
1 c. Borax
1 c. Baking soda
Fragrance oil of choice.
Mix.and you can put it in a canning jar and punch holes in the lid to use it like a can of comet.
If I need to get burnt on food out of a pot and that mix doesn't work I add a little salt and that scrubs anything out.
*Drain Cleaner-
I sometimes get slow drains. Draino is bad for your pipes, horrible for the septic system (and the environment if your on city sewer) and the fumes are horrible. I put some baking soda down the drain, about a cup or so, then chase it with white vinegar. Let it sit and work a few min. Then follow it up with some boiling water. Works great.
Laundry-
These are my two favorite recipes both are from the Duggars website.
Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value
4 Cups - hot tap water
1 soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)
-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)
*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - i found it in stop and shop. Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!
Powdered Laundry Detergent - Top load machine
ilike this one better because its powdered and lasts forever.
1 soap bar (ivory works best especially for sensitive skin)
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax
1 cup oxyclean
-Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered. Mix all ingredients. For light load, use 1 Tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 Tablespoons. Yields: 3 Cups detergent. (Approx. 40 loads)
TIPS FOR LAUNDRY SOAP: You can use Ivory, Sunlight, Kirk's Hardwater Castile or Zote bars, you can use fels naphsa but its hard to find and can fade darks. Don't use heavily perfumed soaps.
for a fabric softener- I just use plain old white Vinegar, works for CD as well
I try to hang most of my laundry to dry, The sun is free, and does wonders for whites!
Mopping
For mopping we bought a Bissell Steam Mop. It works great and mops with no chemicals. I love it! You can just use plain vinegar in mop water as well,
There are so many good things about homemade cleaners. They are cheap, work well, great for the environment, and easier on us. I can get a gallon of Vinegar at shoprite for $2, and huge boxes of baking soda for $1.50. I only use a few drops of oils and you don't even need those. Hope this helps someone!
