Homemade Cleaners

tanmu

Hi, I am interested in ditching expensive checmical cleaners and detergents and making my own from natural ingredients - particularly essential oils. Anyone got any ideas/recipes?

Also, from some research I have done on the net it seems you can use essential oils in the dishwasher - anyone tried this? I live in rented accommodation and wouldn't want to damage the machine!

Yategirl

See if you can get a copy of "clean house clean planet" from your library or amazon... there are loads of recipes in there. Also do a search for vinegar and bicarbonate of soda both on this site and on google.. again... loads of recipes.

I have 2 main recipes that I use for all purpose cleaning (kitchen and bathroom as well as all over the house) and for the toilet from CHCP.. (don't think I should reproduce here but if you would like the recipes pm me) which use vinegar / ess oils / water and bicarb and tbh.. have eliminated the use of most cleaning chemicals in my house now.. they really are good.

Not sure about the dishwasher though.. am sure someone will be along who can help

Pink.

Hi tanmu,

This older thread may help:

Save Zillions On Cleaning Products

Also if you look in the Cleaning Section of the Mega Index thread there are lots of other threads that should give you some ideas.

Pink

MrsTinks

And if you nip to Tesco today I found the spray bottles there reduced to 24p each in the garden section... so grabbed 2 to mix up my cleaning stuff in for home Bargain! Just debating whether that 48p needs to come out of my weekly budget or my "treats" budget now :rotfl:

annaangeluk_2

tine wrote: »

And if you nip to Tesco today I found the spray bottles there reduced to 24p each in the garden section... so grabbed 2 to mix up my cleaning stuff in for home Bargain! Just debating whether that 48p needs to come out of my weekly budget or my "treats" budget now :rotfl:

Treats definitely! I'm addicted to spray bottles with my homemade cleaning "potions!" It's so sad but I love showing off my neatly labelled bottles to anyone that comes into the house!!:o

I'm a changed person since coming on this board!!!

And in response to the original question (see how distracted I am by the mention of a spray bottle!!:rotfl: ) try looking up Kim and Aggie / How clean is your house tv programme, they do lots of things with vinegar and bicarb etc!

MrsTinks

:rotfl: I already had to take vingar out of my treat budget - it wasn't food as it was for cleaning... man 48p... how sad am I debating what budget it needs to come out of... IT'S OFFICIAL! I'VE LOST MY MARBLES!!!! :rotfl:

tanmu

thanks, will peruse those links at leisure......anyone got any ideas for dishwashers? I really hate the chemically smell of the salts and the tablets. What could I use that will clean the dishes and not damage the machine?

Karl.H_2

tanmu wrote: »

Hi, I am interested in ditching expensive checmical cleaners and detergents and making my own from natural ingredients - particularly essential oils. Anyone got any ideas/recipes?

Also, from some research I have done on the net it seems you can use essential oils in the dishwasher - anyone tried this? I live in rented accommodation and wouldn't want to damage the machine!

I think this book will answer most of your questions, as I believe they like natural cleaning products. I watch the programme and they tend to like using natural products a lot.

positivelymummy

i make my own all purpose cleaner using an old spray bottle and this is the method i usually follow;

(i use a jug to make up the first bit)


2 heaped tsp on bicarb of soda
2 TBS of vinigar (it will fizz when added)
top up jug with hot water from the tap (i fill up the jug i think its 1.5 to 2 pints)

then i pour it in the bottle

then add a smidgen (teeny weeny bit) of washing up liquid, just a few drops and then add 10 drops of pure lavender, orange or tea tree oil (all 3 oils are antibacterial and you can mix if you want)

the original recipe said add half a tsp of borax which i got from thesoapkitchen online, but i'm not sure how 'green' it is so i dont bother anymore, it works good and it v. v. cheap! never had no probs with it and been using for about 2 years. i use it in the kitchen and bathroom.

oh and if you want a really cheap version of fabreeze etc mix 1 part fabric conditioner to 10 parts hot water in a spray bottle, use while ironing or every now and again i spray around the room/carpet on radiator.:D

moanymoany

How to Make Your Own Cleaning Solutions

ceridwen

Still experimenting away with homemade cleaners - duly got my white vinegar. However, I was wondering whether its okay to mix up 50/50 solution of malt vinegar (or to be precise "non-brewed condiment") and water for shower cubicle cleaning purposes.

Malt vinegar is so much cheaper than white vinegar - and "non-brewed condiment" even more so. Hence I'm hoping that this is just as effective.

It makes the shower smell like a chippie for an hour or so afterwards - but that doesnt bother me unduly, as it doesnt last long.