Owner of Innovative Media & Design, and designer of Great (Lakes Bay) Moms, there is no denying that creative juices flow through her body. Kate is our resident idea maker, and eternal optimist. Having three kids of her own, 2-year-old Jack, and 1-year-old twins, Olivia & Adriana, Kate knows all about the joys (and challenges) of motherhood.
You’re ready to begin, there are a handful of items I recommend having on hand.
Baking Soda – cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours.
Soap – unscented soap in liquid form, flakes, powders or bars is biodegradable and will clean just about anything. Avoid using soaps which contain petroleum distillates.
Lemon – one of the strongest food-acids, effective against most household bacteria.
Borax – (sodium borate) cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, cleans wallpaper, painted walls and floors.
White Vinegar – cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up.
Washing Soda – or SAL Soda is sodium carbonate decahydrate, a mineral. Washing soda cuts grease, removes stains, softens water, cleans wall, tiles, sinks and tubs. Use care, as washing soda can irritate mucous membranes. Do not use on aluminum.
Isopropyl Alcohol – is an excellent disinfectant. (It has been suggested to replace this with ethanol or 100 proof alcohol in solution with water. There is some indication that isopropyl alcohol buildup contributes to illness in the body. See http://drclark.ch/g)
Cornstarch – can be used to clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets and rugs.
Citrus Solvent – cleans paint brushes, oil and grease, some stains. (Citrus solvent may cause skin, lung or eye irritations for people with multiple chemical sensitivities.)
Castile Soap
Essential Oils, Lavender & Tea Tree
Spray Bottles: you can find these at the Dollar Store, or larger ones at most major grocery stores.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Blue Dawn Dishsoap
Old Toothbrush
Washcloth
Cleaning Gloves (optional)
Ok, now that you have all of your items… lets begin!!
All-Purpose Cleaner
Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store and keep. Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc. Now if you don’t want to always make this… Thieves Cleaner is awesome, and you only use a capful at a time, not to mention.. your house smells amazing. http://www.youngliving.com/natural-cleaner/Thieves-Cleaner. You can purchase this at Migun Wellness on Washington in Bay City, but they have limited hours they are open so call ahead.
Bath, Sink, Tile Cleaner
NOTE: Ideally, mix this one in a SQUIRT bottle, not a SPRAY bottle. It’s pretty thick and almost a paste.
– 2/3 Cup baking soda
– 1/2 Cup castile soap
– 2 Tablespoons vinegar
– 1/2 Cup water
– A few drops of Tea Tree oil
Laundry Detergent
Ingredients Needed:
1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda
1 bar of soap
Steps to make Homemade Laundry Detergent:
1. Grate bar of soap into a bowl
2. Pour in one cup of borax
3. Pour in one cup of washing soda
4. Mix for a couple of minutes until all the grated soap breaks up and the mixture looks like regular dry laundry detergent
And instead of buying fabric softener? Use vinegar. So cheap and it acts as a fabric softener AND a static cling reducer!
Last mothers day the kids helped make these for their grandmas.
Homemade Air Freshener:
Baking soda naturally absorbs odors, so why not take advantage of that to create simple, inexpensive air fresheners?
Here’s how:
Use a hammer and and a nail to poke holes in the lid of a small canning jar. (The heart is a nice touch, but clearly not necessary)
Fill the jar about 1/4 full with baking soda
Add 6-8 drops of lavender essential oil or whatever oil you choose.
Put lid on and place in any spot that could use some freshening. Every once in a while, give the jar a gentle shake to boost it’s air freshening power.
You’ll want to refresh these every month or so… because they do stop working eventually just like the store brought air fresheners!
Coming Up in Week 3:
Homemade Floor Cleaner
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
A few helpful tips for frightening situations…