Using common household items to clean with

I use allot of white vinegar, peroxide, baking soda, salt, borax, washing soda, castile soap, fels naptha, Oxy-clean .There are some commercial things out there that work but the truth is I like to stick with simple things. Doug has skin allergies to dyes and perfumes and I have respiratory allergies to perfumes and any strong scents. Ammonia and bleaches trigger asthmatic reactions with me. Since I went with natural cleaning I haven't had a sinus infection I used to have them constantly. Doug used to break out from every laundry detergent I ever tried now I make my own and use white vinegar as fabric softener. With using thing from your own pantry you are using healthier cleaners for you and your environment and its a fraction of the cost of commercial cleaners

Fabric softener

white vinegar removes any residue from the clothes which helps , I was worried about smell at first also but it does rinse out. I have also bought a fabric softener that Doug doesn't react too (Method) and added enough to the gallon of vinegar to give it a sweet smell. When I take them from the washer all I smell is a light scent of the fabric softener. Before when I used fabric softeners (Downy) only my dispenser in the washer was always get gunked up now its clean as a whistle. I tried using lavender oil to scent the vinegar but Doug broke out. But it might be a option for others to use essentials oils

Furniture polish

Wood furniture polish (several recipes)

#1

3/4 c olive oil
1/4 c w. vinegar

mix well. put in squirt bottle if you have one or rub on it and off with rag, does give a nice shine and cleans well I make sure to was the rag with soapy water before adding it to rest of laundry.

#2

1 c. olive oil
1/2 c lemon juice

#

2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp w. vinegar
4 cups warm water

this recipe is used in a spray bottle and used for dusting

bath n kitchen

peroxide or white vinegar can be used to sanitize bathroom and kitchen fixtures or counters. White vinegar will help cut through hard water buildup.

toilet bowl

white vinegar
borax or baking soda even salt rubbed around will clean

baking soda or salt works as a safe abrasive to scrub with

When using white vinegar dont soak chrome for long periods of time ( several hours or days)

laundry detergent

laundry detergent

powdered

1 bar fels naptha or castile soap grated
1 cup borax
1 c washing soda

1 Tbsp for light loads
2 Tbsp for heavy loads
you can use oxy clean

liquid

1 quart water
2 bars soap grated
2 c Borax
2 c washing soda
2 cup oxy clean ( optional)

1. melt grated soap in qt water simmer on low until melted.
2. pour melted soap into 5 gal bucket, add Borax, washing soda and oxy clean. Add 2 gallon water. Stir until all mixed well.
3. cover bucket let sit until next day, it will be very thick stir good and use out of bucket or pour into old laundry containers. Use 1/4 cup per load

cost on average popular commercial brand .26 cents per large load

cost homemade version .05 cents per large load

air freshener

Air freshener

Put water in a spray bottle and add essential oils to get the strength of fragrance you need try 10 drops at a time. I use lavender you can use any oil even tea tree oil if you want to disinfect also.

This is so much healthier than aerosols and works great

Food Wash

food wash

(Mix in large bowl when you mix it will fizz)

1 c. water
1 cup white vinegar
1Tbsp Baking soda
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice

mix together I put in spray bottle. then spray the food let sit 5- 10 minutes or so and rinse and eat

I use this on all fruits and veggies I buy at the store

All purpose

You can also use window recipe for all purpose add tea tree oil to give it extra antiseptic value. Or any essential oil you like to make it smell pretty

or

1 Tbsp Borax
1/2 cup castile soap
1/2 c white vinegar
1 gallon hot tap water
essential oils drop until it smells good.

or

1 tsp Borax
2 tbsp w. vinegar
1/2 tsp washing soda
1/2 tsp castile soap
2 c. very hot water

put in spray bottle

Window Cleaner

Window Cleaner
1 part white vinegar
3 parts water
few drops of dish washing soap
add a little rubbing alcohol

black n white print newspaper works great when cleaning windows

This works for normal window washing and kitchen appliances. If you need extra cleaning power add little more vinegar