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Thursday, July 14, 2011

All-purpose Cleaner

No, I haven't forgotten about you all!  We have just been busy enjoying the summer weather and trying to find time to do some family things together.  It seems like it gets harder to find family time as our kids get older, between different work schedules, travel,  friends and hobbies, everyone is always going in a different direction.  I have also spent a few days working on my UFO (un-finished objects) sewing box and helping a friend with some sewing.  I finished up a stack of layering tank tops for my daughter and am working on a purse I cut a year and a half ago!  

On to today's post--my favorite all purpose cleaner.  I have been making my own cleaning products for years.  I started making my own cleaners simply because we were on a limited budget and I disliked spending $4 for bathroom cleaner that smelled funny.  A lot of my original recipes came from reading old magazines (even in the 60's women were trying to save money on cleaners) and books and then experimenting till I found something I liked and worked well for me. 


All-Purpose Cleaner

1/2 C. vinegar* (a great disinfectant)
1 tsp. borax (add water softening properties)
1 tsp. liquid soap (use castille or dish detergent)
2 tsp. baking soda (add disinfecting and odor removing)
15 drops Tea Tree essential oil (a great antibacterial-antimicrobial oil) (Or use your favorite essential oil)
warm water
Use a funnel to pour vinegar, borax, liquid soap and baking soda into empty spray bottle.  Beware when you add the baking soda the mixture will foam up a bit. 

Fill bottle with warm water to within 1" of top.

Place  top on bottle and shake gently to mix.  Be sure to label your bottle.

~I use this spray for all my general purpose cleaning in the kitchen and bath.

*I use an orange vinegar--place orange peels  in a jar and cover with white vinegar.  The orange oils in the peels help break down grease, disinfect and add a pleasant smell.  Add additional vinegar as needed.  Replace peels every 3-4 months. 

~This also works with lemon, lime or grapefruit rinds.  Or use your favorite herbs for an herbal vinegar, lavender and thyme work well but make a dark colored vinegar (it doesn't stain).

~I use the orange vinegar straight for cleaning the greasy range hood and to clean our grill.

27 comments:

  1. KellenJuly 14, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    Thank you! :) 

    ReplyDelete
  2. HearthandshomeJuly 14, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    You're welcome!

    ReplyDelete
  3. DeAnna Beth JonesJuly 24, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    LOVE this!  I do the citrus peels in vinegar one, myself... works like a charm.  I wish I could find borax easily, tho.  Can't find it in my town anywhere. 

    ReplyDelete
  4. ErinFebruary 17, 2012 at 4:26 PM

    how long do the peels need to soak in the vinegar before it's potent enough to use?

    ReplyDelete
  5. TerriAugust 10, 2012 at 9:20 PM

    have you checked walmart? I find it by the detergent.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Heathr1j68August 10, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    Awesome!  Thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. SherrineAugust 10, 2012 at 9:24 PM

     I found Borax at my local Walmart.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Debbie YoungAugust 10, 2012 at 9:35 PM

    have you found anything that easily wipes Stainless Steel Appliances clean?

    ReplyDelete
  9. JaneAugust 10, 2012 at 9:54 PM

    I am confused. Are these both all-purpose cleaners. Are they both for kitchen & bath? Could you please tell me what you use each to clean?

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousAugust 11, 2012 at 12:28 AM

    Borax is toxic?

    ReplyDelete
  11. MichelleAugust 11, 2012 at 7:14 AM

    I love using the orange vinegar in my dishwasher.  Great on the dishes and great on the dishwasher.  I have a huge gallon glass jar of the stuff and use a bit in each load. 

    ReplyDelete
  12. JoyAugust 11, 2012 at 7:59 AM

    Your soft scrub recipe posted the other week is just magic - love it!  So going to try this.....minus the peel as I just know I won't get round to replacing :)  May try lavender oil........

    ReplyDelete
  13. BarbaraAugust 11, 2012 at 8:44 AM

    I like this, but I usually just use vinegar or peroxide...I like the orange peel/vinegar idea.  will try it!  Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  14. WendyAugust 11, 2012 at 10:38 AM

    FYI, if you add vinegar to a "castile" soap (most liquid castile soaps aren't even Castile soap, btw) you are converting the soap back into oils, so they will not clean as well. Best to use the vinegar after, or don't use it at all. I don't doubt this recipe works very well, but for most things, plain water, or vinegar water work well. I am a soapmaker and a chemist. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  15. JaniceAugust 11, 2012 at 6:34 PM

    Do you need to rinse after using in the kitchen? Any reason to rinse anywhere you use it?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Jeannine GormanAugust 11, 2012 at 11:42 PM

     Is Dr. Bronners real Castile soap? I wasn't aware liquid was different. Thanks for the info, very enlightening. =]

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousSeptember 28, 2012 at 2:22 PM

    Has anyone used this to mop floors with? Did it work well? Anyone know any homemade "pinesol" floor cleaner?

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousOctober 13, 2012 at 12:28 AM

    Only problem with this is castile soap and vinegar neutralize each other, reducing the soap back to an oil form. Castile is a base and vinegar is an acid. Try using a dash of dawn dish soap instead, leaves less streaks on shiny surfaces.

    ReplyDelete
  19. marieOctober 29, 2012 at 2:37 PM

    thank goodness for Wendy,soapmaker and chemist.

    ReplyDelete
  20. VeronicaOctober 29, 2012 at 3:23 PM

    I want to know how I can use the pickled cities rinds before tossing them out? :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Estelle ButlerOctober 29, 2012 at 3:40 PM

    Debbie. Buy the ULTIMATE CLOTH. It will clean. Windows, mirrors, stainless steel , it is just the greatest. Type in. Ultimate cloth...u won't be without it..1 cloth will last for a really long time...like over a yr or more. ..

    ReplyDelete
  22. MartinezMarch 4, 2013 at 10:08 AM

    Do you need to rinse after using in the kitchen? Any reason to rinse anywhere you use it?

    ReplyDelete
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  26. carolJuly 2, 2013 at 6:56 PM

    You are a treasure--I've been making my laundry soap and household cleaners for nearly a year now. The health of my allergy prone family has vastly improved and I believe what I'm making is as good as the chemical laden products on the shelves. I'm going to try your formula--I never thought to add borax to mine and can't wait to see how it works out. I am also going to mix up some of your mixes. Please keep on writing--

    ReplyDelete
  27. william albertoSeptember 27, 2013 at 4:48 AM

    Yes is bit confusing but you can opt for professional Bond Cleaning Brisbane and End Of Lease Cleaners Brisbane services to attain best cleaning results

    ReplyDelete