Cleaning Your Home Naturally

Soap Nuts Laundry Detergent –

Soap Nuts are a berry shell that contains saponin, a natural detergent. Their shells absorb water and release the saponins which circulate as a natural surfactant in the wash water, freeing dirt, grime, and oils from your clothing.

Soap Nuts grow on the Sapindus Mukorossi (soap nut) tree in the Himalayas.

Just place 4 to 5 soap nuts into a cotton drawstring bag and toss into the washing machine as the water is filling. This bag can be used for four or five loads of wash and then tossed into your compost bin. What could be easier!

Fabric Softener –

Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your normal wash cycle to soften your clothes naturally, and it removes odors as well. If you want to you can add a few drops of Lavender essential oil or any essential oil that you prefer, however Geranium or Rose are really nice for sheets and towels.

This can be added to the rinse cycle, or if you’re a set it and forget it type of girl like me, then just add at the beginning of the cycle.

Oven Cleaner / Kitchen Degreaser –

1/4 cup liquid dish soap (organic/biodegradable)
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 cup distilled white vinegar
1 1/4 water

Shake gently to combine and spray it into your stove, let sit then wipe clean. If you have really stubborn oven stains, turn the stove on to 200 degrees for 15 minutes prior to spraying.

Glass Cleaner –

2 cups of water
2 tbsp of distilled white vinegar
8-9 drops of lemon essential oil
(you can also substitute orange essential oil)

Combine all of the ingredients in a spray bottle, I prefer to use a glass bottle. Then just wipe your windows clean with a nice microfiber cloth for best streak-free results.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner –

1 cup distilled water
1 cup baking soda
1 cup liquid castile soap ( we like Dr. Bronners)
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon grapefruit seed extract
1/2 teaspoon lemon essential oil

In a glass spray bottle, mix all ingredients together slowly, because the vinegar and baking soda will fizz when added together. Spray

Scrub the interior of the bowl with a toilet brush or a stiff-bristled hand scrubber. Flush the toilet one or two times to thoroughly rinse any cleaner residue from the bowl.

Wood Furniture Polish –

To Clean:
1 cup distilled water
2 tbsp distilled white vinegar

To make the wood cleaner, use a soft cloth to wipe down wooden furniture and give it a good cleaning before polishing or restoration.

To Restore:
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/8 cup distilled white vinegar
1/8 cup flax oil

To make the wood restorer, mix together and use a soft cloth to wipe down and restore your wood furniture. Wipe any excess with a soft cloth and remember a little goes a long way.