I'm adding more recipes each day, as nap time allows! Check back often!
Cleaning Supplies
First, there are some products that work really great all by themselves. ***note: to be on the safe side, don't ever mix bleach with any other cleaner, unless you want a potentially hazardous situation.*** Here are a few things I always keep in my cleaning cabinet:
- vinegar
- baking soda
- Borax
- washing soda
- lemon juice
- salt
All Purpose Cleaner 1
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons Borax
1/2 teaspoon liquid dishsoap (not dishwasher detergent)
2 cups hot water
Combine in a sprayer, and mix well. Shake each time you use it. This is really good at cutting grease.
All Purpose Cleaner 2
1 quart rubbing alcohol
1 Tablespoon dishsoap (not dishwasher detergent)
1 Tablespoon Ammonia
Water
Combine all in a gallon container (I use an old store bought water bottle). Fill to top with water, put into a sprayer.
Soft Scrub Type Cleaner
Pour some baking soda, say, half a cup or so, into a bowl. Mix with dishsoap until the consistency of store bought scrubs. Use with a wet rag.
Floor Cleaner
1 Cup Vinegar
1 Gallon Hot water
Windows
1/2 teaspoon liquid dishsoap
3 Tablespoons vinegar
2 Cups water
Mix all into a spray bottle and use like normal
Wood Oil
Olive Oil
Old Rag
Pour a small amount of olive oil onto an old rag, rub around just like you wood (sorry, had to) store bought wood oil.
Carpet Deoderizer
Baking Soda
Sprinkle baking soda on carpet, and allow to stand for about 5-10 minutes. Vacuum up.
Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent Recipe
Fels Naptha Soap, Ivory or Zote (finely grated-don't use the same grater you use for food!!)
Washing Soda
cup Borax
Store bought powdered detergent
Mix with a 1:1 ratio of each. Store in an old detergent box, and use just 2 Tablespoons per load.
Homemade Gel Laundry Detergent
1 quart Water (boiling)
2 cups Bar soap (grated)
2 cups Borax
2 cups Washing Soda
Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water and stir until soap is melted. You can keep on low heat until soap is melted. Pour the soap water into a large, clean pail and add the Borax and Washing Soda. Stir well until all is dissolved. Add 2 gallons of water, stir until well mixed. Cover pail and use 1/4 cup for each load of laundry. Stir the soap each time you use it (will gel).
Homemade Fabric Softener 1
1 Bottle of store bought softener of your choice
Water
Sponge
Pour softener into a LARGE container. Mix with 2 containers full of water, drop sponge in, and cover well. To use, squeeze the sponge out gently, and toss in the dryer with the clothes.
Homemade Fabric Softener 2
Pour vinegar into the rinse cycle.
Phew. That was hard.
Facial Care and Skin Care
I've tried every one of these, and use most of them on a regular basis, so I can vouch for their effectiveness! Trust me on the olive oil front....really, I use it and I know it sounds weird, but it works.
Facial Cleanser 1
Olive Oil
Castor Oil
Mix with a 4:1 ratio, then rub onto face with a cotton ball. Let set for a couple minutes, to loosen dirt and grime. Wet a washcloth in hot water, and wipe off. You will likely not need a moisturizer, but if you do, follow with the tiniest amount of olive oil and rub into skin. I really didn't think this would work, since I have oily skin, but it has actually helped balance the oils on my face. And my skin looks better than ever.
Facial Cleanser 2
1/4 Cup whole milk
1 Tablesppon Sugar
Mix into a paste and smooth on face. Wipe gently with a wet rag, and follow with EVOO as moisturizer.
Facial Scrub
Olive Oil
Castor Oil
Sugar
No, I don't know measurements, I totally go by feel. So dump a little sugar into the oil mixture above until its as scrubby as you want it. Then rub it on and wipe it off!
Moisturizing Face Treatment
1 Avacado
1 Banana
Olive Oil
Mush the banana and avacado up real good together. Smear 'em on, and leave them on your face for about 20 minutes. Rinse them off, and follow with a small amount of olive oil as moisturizer.
