Home Made Cleaning Products (not TM)

[CreamPuff63]

Not sure that this is in the right section, however its by the same lady who came up with 'Miracle Spray'.


MOO STAIN REMOVING LAUNDRY SOAP

3 bars pure soap, chopped

3 tablespoons eucalyptus oil

1 cup methylated spirits

1 cup boiling water

Stainless steel or enamel bowl

Combine soap, eucalyptus oil, methylated spirits and boiling water in the bowl. Place over a larger saucepan of hot water on a medium heat and stir until the liquid becomes transparent. Pour into a mould such as a clean milk carton. When set, slice into blocks and leave to harden for four weeks. The smell can be quite strong so open windows and put the exhaust fan on while mixing. To use, dampen the stain, rub the soap over and wash as usual. Cost is approx $2 to make.

 

MOO PRE-WASH STAIN REMOVER SPRAY

1 tablespoon eucalyptus oil

500ml cool water

Spray bottle

Mix eucalyptus oil and water and pour into spray bottle. Shake to combine. To use, spray onto stain and give a gentle rub then wash as per usual. Cost is 35c per bottle.

 

FABRIC SOFTENER

2 cups white vinegar

2 cups bicarbonate of soda

4 cups water

Slowly add vinegar to bicarb in a bowl over the kitchen sink (this mix will fizz and bubble), add water, and pour into a plastic bottle. Shake gently. Add ¼ cup of softener per wash. Shake well before each use.

 

FABRIC WHITENER

2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda

½ cup bucket cold water

Add bicarb to the bucket of water. Soak items for 30 minutes. Wash as normal and hang in sun to dry.

 

DIY DISH DROPS

1 tablespoon  grated pure soap

1 tablespoon washing soda

2 cups very hot water

An old empty 600ml dishwashing liquid squirt bottle

Extra water

Place the grated soap and washing soda in a heatproof kitchen jug. Add the hot water and stir carefully until the soap and washing soda have completely dissolved. Allow to cool for a few minutes. Carefully pour the soap mixture into the squirt bottle. Top up with extra water. The mixture will set into a yellowish gel in about 4-6 hours. Once set, put the lid on tight and give it a really good shake to break up the gel. A small squirt into running water is all that is needed per wash. This detergent is not overly bubbly but works really well.  Cost less than 50c to make.


DRAIN CLEANER

1 cup White vinegar

1 cup salt

½ cup Washing soda

Rinse your sinks, basins, bath and/or shower with hot water. Tie a string to the plug – long enough to hang over the side of the sink  - then put the plug in. Fill the sink with very hot water (boiling if you can, depending what your sink is made of) and add salt, vinegar and washing soda. Once the washing soda has dissolved, pull the plug and let it flush out the drains. Doing this on a regular basis will prevent odours and build ups that cause blockages. The salt will help to keep small roots from taking up residence in your pipes and causing major problems in the future. Cost is approx 65c to make.

 

WINDOW CLEANER

½ teaspoon dishwashing detergent

3 tablespoons vinegar

2 cups water

1 drop blue food colouring (optional)

Blend well and store in a spray bottle. Cost is approx 10c for 250ml.

 

SCOURING POWDER

1 cup bicarbonate of soda

1 cup borax

1 cup salt

Blend well and store in a container out of reach of children. Cost is approx $1.89 for 600g.

 

“Saving Money is Easy” by Cath Armstrong. She has a couple of books out as well as her website, and are certainly are good read for money saving tips.

 

[Cornish Cream]

Oh CP thanks for all of these,you're a gem

[Cuilidh]

Thanks for posting these CP. 

Just a note re. Borax - make sure you rinse everything well and wear gloves as it is either toxic or poisonous - I can't remember which, but just a note to take care when using it.

By the way, borax mixed with honey put in an ant's 'walk way' is a good way of getting rid of ants - takes a few days, but works really well.

[dede]

These sound great. Thanks CP, well worth trying, and so much cheaper than the brought stuff

[cookie1]

Thanks for posting these CP. 

Just a note re. Borax - make sure you rinse everything well and wear gloves as it is either toxic or poisonous - I can't remember which, but just a note to take care when using it.

By the way, borax mixed with honey put in an ant's 'walk way' is a good way of getting rid of ants - takes a few days, but works really well.

Marina we use this all the time. I use icing sugar though. We actually have a jar outside with holes in the lid and everytime the ants pop up we sprinkle them.

[dede]

That's good to know to cookie. We have trouble with ants on occasions.

[courton]

What is good for cleaning laminated cupboards and painted doors?

 BTW, I used the washing soda and boiling water to clean silver...did a great job (just place silverware in plastic container with some aluminium foil and pour boiling water and a handful of washing soda) steep for 15 min or so.

[Cuilidh]

Yes, that silver cleaning method is really good, I had forgotten about it, but have used it often in the past - just make sure each silver item is touching the foil.  Another way is to put the silver into one of those foil baking dishes that you may use on a barbecue, etc. and that does the trick as well.

[fundj&e]

have you tried any of them CP

[Cuilidh]

Cookie, do you use just icing sugar for the ants, or mix it with something else?  I'm always concerned when I use borax that some lizards, etc. might eat it and die and I would hate for that to happen (huntsmen excepted, of course!)

[CreamPuff63]

have you tried any of them CP

I have tried the fabric softener. I don't see why the other things wouldn't work as I'm sure she wouldn't put it in her book. I am going to box all my cleaning products up that I have in 2 cupboards under my laundry sink and take them to our beach house for the cleaner to use up. I am then going to put only natural, and home made products there. It will declutter a lot, and they will hopefully do just as good or even better job.

[cookie1]

Marina we use equal quantities of icing sugar and borax. I've never seen any dead lizards or anything but we don't have that many of them round here. It needs to be renewed after it rains.

[Tasty]

Thanks for those recipes CP - must give them a go soon.

[droverjess]

This link has lots of  information regarding natural cleansers .

Very useful


http://www.thesoapkitchen.co.uk/natural_cleaning_products_hints_and_recipes.htm

[Brumington]

While trailing the pages of Pinterest, I came across a great website for all manner of make it yourself products....

www.budget101.com

I haven't tried anything yet but was amazed at all the different ideas.