Squeaky Clean and Thrifty.
In this blog I am going to include some hints for thrifty cleaning and some recipes for thrifty, environmentally friendly cleaning potions.
An important room in the home to keep clean is the bathroom. I keep a cloth at the bathroom hand basin and wipe around taps and basin each day. This keeps any build up of grime or mould at bay. Glass shower doors and tiles should be wiped down regularly for the same reason. Keep a small scourer on the floor in the shower recess and regularly rub it under foot over the shower floor. The following all purpose cleaner can be used on kitchen counter surfaces, toilets, sinks, tubs, floors and walls.
All Purpose Cleaner:
Ingredients: 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1&1/2 cups water, 1 teaspoon Borax, 10 drops lemon essential oil, 5 drops each of tea-tree, lime, lemongrass and white fir essential oils.
Method: Use a metal funnel to combine all ingredients into a dark glass bottle. Screw on a spray nozzle top. Shake thoroughly, spray directly onto surface. Use a cloth to scrub area and wipe clean.
Toilet Drops:
Ingredients: Essential oil drops: lemongrass X30, peppermint X 25, geranium X10, basil X 5.
Method: Combine in a dark glass 5 ml vial and pop an orifice reducer in the mouth of the bottle. Pop 3 drops into the toilet bowl before using and 3 drops after flushing.
Recipes from Essential Oils for Beauty, Wellness and the Home by Alicia Atkinson, 2015.
ISBN 978-1-63450-495-9
Toilet Cleaner:
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of cloudy ammonia, 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide, 2 litres of water.
Method: Pour slowly in and around the bowl, leave for 30 minutes, then scrub and flush.
And if you want to go really basic in the bathroom, bicarbonate of soda will clean tiles, bath, shower recess and toilet. While a solution of vinegar and water will clean mirrors, glass and disinfect the toilet.
Recipes from 1001 Greener Household Hints by John Schluter, 2002. ISBN 1865154563
Bicarbonate of soda has a myriad of uses in the home from sprinkling it over the carpet before vacuuming, to de-odourising matresses, shoes and pet beds, to cleaning microwaves, dishwashers and refrigerators. It can be used in the laundry to remove stains and odours and in the bath to soothe and relax tired bodies. It can be used as an exfoliator and as an ingredient in homemade deodorants and toothpastes. 500grams of McKenzie’s Bi Carb will cost $2.40 and Homebrand Bi Carb even less. It is worth keeping in the cupboard!
A little dish of bicarbonate of soda in the fridge will absorb odours, a container of charcoal popped in the back of the fridge will achieve the same result and so will a cut onion. Cut onion will absorb bacteria and odours regardless of where it is placed so if you can stand the smell it is a very cheap way to cleanse a room. Also cut onion placed under the soles of feet at night and a pair of old socks pulled over the top to hold the onion in place will draw out fever and toxins from the body.
Apart from keeping our living spaces clean and smelling sweet, basic, environmentally friendly cleaning practices are good for our health and well being. Next post we will look at the thrift of good health.
Way leads onto Way 