Natural Cleaners....the ONLY way to go

There are times I would walk into my recently dis-infected bathroom and almost choke on the smell of bleachy, super perfumey cleansers. A couple years ago I started looking into ways to clean for a healthier, more cost friendly home. A lot of store-bought cleaners are harsh, and when used on high traffic and high "touch" areas can pose health hazards. Imagine this: you wipe your cupboard with your all purpose cleaner. Sure...it has disinfected it...no more germs on that surface...BUT now when you place any food objects on that surface, you're now transferring the harsh chemicals onto your food!

Here are some very basic ways to clean your home and not worry about the ingredients affecting your family.

Oven Cleaner

~ 1/2 cup salt
~ 1 1/2 cups baking soda
~ 1/2 cup water #

Mix the ingredients until it forms a smooth paste. Plug the holes in the oven with aluminum foil. Spread the paste. Leave overnight.
In the morning, mix:

~ 1/4 cup water
~ 1/4 cup vinegar

Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle. Spray the oven with this mixture. Wipe away. Rinse with clean water. Note: the mixture needs to be rinsed well or it will leave a white residue.

Glass Cleaner

Glass Cleaner #1
Pour plain club soda (not the low-sodium kind) into a spray bottle. Spray it on glass or mirror. Use a microfiber cloth and wipe until it's clean.

Glass Cleaner #2
Pour 1/4 vinegar 3/4 water mixture into a spray bottle. Spray it on glass or mirror. Use a microfiber cloth and wipe until it's clean.

Toilet Cleaner

~ 3 cups white vinegar
~ 10 drops tea tree essential oil

Pour the ingredients slowly into the toilet bowl. Leave it for 15 minutes then scrub.

Bathtub and Shower Cleaner

~ 1 part vinegar
~ 1 part water

Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. Spray the shower wall and tub. Let it sit for at least 1/2 hour. Rinse it off. If you need extra cleaning power, use liquid detergent and a plastic sponge. Avoid soap, which can leave a residue.

Rust Remover

Mix a bit of cream of tartar with water until the consistency is like toothpaste. Put a little on the stains and use a sponge to wash off.

Grapefruit Extract - Natural Disinfectant

This stuff can be the single greatest addition to everyday soaps and detergents. Only a few drops are needed to strengthen any cleanser’s ability and truly make a household free from problems caused by many types of bacteria. It's known for its anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic properties, as well as for its ability to fight fungal and viral infections.

Toothbrushes: soak brush for 15 minutes in a ½ cup of water with 10 drops GSE to eliminate any bacteria.

Laundry: 15-20 drops added during the rinse cycle of a load of laundry gets rid of mold, odor and any residual grime not removed by soap alone.

Diaper rash: dilute 5 drops in 4 ounces of water and use as a wash in between diaper changes to eliminate rash. It is important to dilute appropriately so not to hurt a baby’s delicate skin.

Yeast Infection: women can take it orally or apply it externally as a wash. Instead of soap, grapefruit extract in combination with tea tree oil washes that area so that a woman’s pH balance is not disturbed. Place 4 drops of tea tree oil and 3 drops of grapefruit extract on a wash cloth. Soak cloth liberally with water. Apply to area as a safe cleanser.

Fruit/Veggie Wash: Contamination is a real concern with more and more fruits and vegetables being imported daily.
Add 10 drops grapefruit seed extract in 2-cups water and spray. This mix can also be used to extend the shelf life of all vegetables and fruits by 3-4 times, especially berries.

All Purpose Cleaner

Pour 2 cups of water, 2 cups of vinegar, 1/8 cup baking soda with 18 drops of tea tree oil (or other essential oil...tea tree oil also has natural antibacterial properties, though stronger than grapefruit extract). Pour into spray bottle and spray on surfaces...wipe off.