Clean, Clean, Clean.

Do you like cleaning? I don't but that's an improvement over hating it which I did before I made my own cleaning products. Commercial cleaning products made me feel ill and I was not too impressed with their effectiveness and their cost. Especially since i didn't want to use anything harsh or bad for the earth if I could avoid it.
I tried many different formulas over 2 years and these are the one I have chosen and used for over a year now. I'm thrilled with them: they don't smell bad, have no fumes that make me fell sick, cost very little to make and best of all they work extremely well.

Laundry Powder:
Grate one bar of soap (any soap will work, it truly doesn't matter in my experience)
Add one cup of Washing Soda ( if you can't find it, ask your store to order it for you)
And one cup of Borax (in the laundry aisle).
Mix well.

I use 1 1/2 tbsp for a big load, if it is a very dirty load I use 2 tbsp. It works better than any laundry detergent I've tried before and honestly I think I've tried most of them.

Glass Cleaner:
Fill a spray bottle with Club Soda. Mmmm, that's about it. Spray, wipe. It works so much better than the stuff from the store, you have to see it to believe it.

All-purpose Cleaner: 
In a 16oz spray bottle put 2 tbsp white distilled vinegar with 1 tsp borax fill most of the bottle with very hot water. Shake until the borax is dissolved. Add 1/4 cup liquid soap and 15 drops of essential oil ( I use Lavender which is a bactericide but tea tree oil is also good by preventing mold and mildew). Shake a bit. Spray and wipe.
This recipe comes from this book:
I love the recipes. Everything I've tried worked out beautifully and it is full of tips.


And you, do you have favorite recipes you use for cleaning?










I know the picture has nothing to do with the post but the flowers remind me of fresh and clean laundry.

                                                                                     Chinese Cabbage Flowers After The Rain.