NATURAL LIVING RECIPES
HOMEMADE CITRUS VINEGAR - GET A LARGE JAM JAR. PACK FULL OF USED CITRUS PEELS (ORANGE, LEMON OR GRAPEFRUIT) ADD WHITE VINEGAR TO COVER. LEAVE IN A DARK COOL PLACE FOR 2 WEEKS OR MORE. SHAKING OCCASIONALLY. STRAIN, DISCARD THE PEELS AND LEAVE THE CITRUS VINEGAR IN A LIDDED JAR READY FOR USE.
HOMEMADE CITRUS CLEANER - PLACE APPROXIMATELY 1 PART VINEGAR IN AN EMPTY SPRAY BOTTLE AND ADD 4 PARTS (1:4) OF BOILED OR DISTILLED WATER FOR 500ML BOTTLE ADD 10 DROPS EACH OF LAVENDER, TEA TREE, ROSEMARY SIMILAR ESSENTIAL OIL. NB. BOILED OR DISTILLED WATER WILL BE MORE PURE AND LESS LIKELY TO GO MOULDY.
CIF (NATURAL ALTERNATIVE) - BICARBONATE OF SODA (ALUMINIUM FREE PREFERRED) ESSENTIAL OILS TEA TREE, LEMON & PINE (OR SIMILAR) APPROXIMATELY 10 DROPS OF ESSENTIAL OIL PER 1 TBSP. PLACE IN A SHAKER BOTTLE/JAR WITH HOLES IN THE TOP AND SHAKE TO MIX.
How to...
Cleaning without chemicals is easy. Just get the 6 cleaning items above and you are good to get going.
The householder spray cleaner can be used all around the home from the kitchen to the toilet. (I like to use the steam cleaner on toilets once a week).
Make sure you use a permanent marker to label your e-cloths for eg. T for toilet, K for kitchen, D for duster. E-cloths can be washed in your machine at 90 degrees (although 60 degrees is recommended) so any germs will be gone after that.
Windows can be cleaned by damping down half the e-cloth, wipe with the wet half to clean and then use the dry half to make sparkle and streak free. You can use the spray cleaner but this way will save you money and product.
The Cif alternative can be used as a 'shake n vac' for your carpets, an abrasive cleaner shaken into your toilet to remove stains and odours (with the aid of a toilet brush) and in sink to remove stubborn stains.