Be sure to check out my 17 Days of Natural Cleaning Series!
There are so many reasons to use homemade, natural cleaners but my personal reasons are because it is much healthier for us and because it is cost effective. I also like that I control the scent. I like a good smelling home. Smells make me happy. I like to coordinate my smells according to the time of year. I know I’m weird.
My favorite cleaner is my all purpose spray. I use it for all basic clean up. It does disinfect but if I need a bit more assurance that an area is bacteria free then I’ll use a bit of hydrogen peroxide.
I’ve tried many recipes but this is my favorite because:
- there is a little more vinegar in this recipe than I have seen in some others and I like that because that makes it a stronger disinfectant and I can smell the clean. DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE INITIAL VINEGAR SMELL. It goes away after a minute or two and leaves behind whatever scent of essential oils you use. I like smelling the vinegar immediately. It reminds me of when I used to watch my grandma clean and it gives me the immediate satisfaction of knowing that the cleaner is working.
- upon first wiping it leaves a slight white film. This will go away if you let it evaporate but I like it because it prompts me to wipe again ensuring that the area is thoroughly cleaned.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 tsp of liquid castile soap
- 1 tsp Borax
- 1 tsp of washing soda crystals
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 2 cups hot water
- 25-30 drops of essential oil
- 24 oz sprayer (I have found the best ones come from home improvement stores or craft stores)
- label
Mix the castile soap, Borax, washing soda, and vinegar in a large bowl or measuring cup. Slowly add the water and stir. Allow it to cool and then add some essential oils. I am currently using Tea Tree and Eucalyptus. Using a funnel pour it into the spray bottle. Label your bottle.
To use simply spray the area to be cleaned and wipe with a dry cloth. Sit back, relax, and smile because you just benefited your family in a major way!
I like to personalize everything so I created my own labels. I have many of these labels (they coordinate) for other cleaners and such that I make and I will post them in upcoming weeks along with their respective recipes. Simply download your label of choice and insert it into your label making software (Word, Open Office, etc) and print on shipping labels.
Download labels here:
Download Pretty Homemade Label
Great post! I need to make more of my own cleaners. I was wondering how did you go about making your own lables? I’ve been wanting to make them for my herbal remidies but don’t know how.
I’ve never herard of castile soap before, but I will look around and try to find it. I love this idea! We use the homemade laundry soap & dishwashing detergent. I’d love this as well. THANKS!
You can usually find washing soda at Wal-mart on the laundry detergent aisle
Hi Amy – I came across your blog as I was searching for printable labels for my own cleaning supplies! They are so adorable! I used different ingredients so couldn’t use the labels exactly, but they gave me a great template for creating my own. Thanks! (Mentioned you and your blog in my post, FYI!)
Thanks Amy, if I can find all these ingredients I just may try this.
Where can I find washing soda locally? Also, would bar castille soap be substitutable?
Originally the only place I could find the washing soda was at our local Ace Hardware store. I have since seen it at some other home improvement stores. Also, I personally asked my local grocer to order a wholesale box of it for me and they did. It cost me $24 for the whole box but it will last me for years. I never have to track it down again.
Bar castile is fine too as long as you melt it down before you put it in the mixture. I actually do substitute the bar when I don’t have the liquid on hand. The liquid is just easier.
don’t know where you are at, but In Atlanta, we can find Washing Soda at Kroger
Beth, I am in the Baton Rouge area. I WISH we had a Kroger. I am so jealous. I don’t know what is up with the grocers around here. There are so many useful things that they don’t carry. I have to pre-order a few things and buy in bulk to get them. Maybe there isn’t enough demand for it here. Idk…