Cleaning Love

This page is dedicated to my journey toward cleaner living.  Whether it be clean eating or clean...well... cleaning, this is were I will be posting my ideas and homemade products. 

The Best all purpose cleaner!

I love this cleaner! I use it on everything. Especially glass!The rubbing alcohol delivers a streak free shine that is like magic. I use this on sinks, toilets, counter-tops, laminate flooring, the tub, the shower, mirrors, and windows.  I have not and will not try it on wood because of the acid in the vinegar but it works great on everything else!

1 cup of Water

1 cup of distilled white vinegar

1 cup of rubbing alcohol

2-3 drops of Dawn dish detergent

(I add 10 drops of lavender or lime essential oil to mask the vinegar smell)

Combine into a spray bottle and get to cleaning.  I always give it a tiny shake if it has been sitting for a while to make sure the ingredients are mixed well.

Grout Cleaning Mop Water 

We have light tile and light grout in our home and I LOVE it...except when the grout gets dingy.  Which is a lot since we have two large dogs.  This is a mopping concoction that I have been using and man does it do a great job getting the grout clean.  After two to three uses our grout was looking gorgeous and the best part is it is cheap and environmentally friendly!

Fill a large bucket (or I just use the sink) with steaming hot water then add a cup of vinegar and a cup of baking soda...watch it fizz :-) then add 2-3 drops of dawn dish washing detergent and about 10 drops of lavender essential oil. I slowly stir with the mop and I am ready to clean!  After I finish, I wipe any pooled liquid off of the grout to make sure any dirty mop water isn't left behind to re-stain the grout.

5 Ways to Freshen your Home Naturally

1. Vanilla Freshener:Place a few drops of pure vanilla extract on a cotton ball in a shallow saucer. Replace when scent has dissipated.

2. Neutralize Cooking Smells: Put a few slices or peels of lemon or orange into a pot with 3 cups of water.  Add in cinnamon, clove or anise and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or more. 

3. In the winter months add a drop or two of essential oil on to each log that you add to the fire!  I love this one! Or you can add a spring of fresh rosemary, sage or lavender to the fire to scent a room. (I am definitely try this next time we start up the fire pit!)

4. Add a couple drops of essential oil to your air filter each time you replace.

5. Freshly cut herbs make natural fragrant bouquets. Lavender, lemon balm, rosemary, sage, thyme, mint and cilantro are all great choices and will last up to a week in a vase! Below is a photo of fresh cut herbs I have put in a beautiful mason jar and displayed on a shelf Andy made for me. Our living room smells of sweet basil, rosemary and lemon balm! :-)