Natural Cleaning DIYs - Wanderlightly

DIY TIPS & TRICKS

Cleaning

Making some simple swaps in your kitchen can really impact how you operate. Now I’m not going to tell you that your cleaning will be more fun with these but it will be loads more Eco & even a little stylish!

It’s important to use up what you have & as they tire, replace them with more earth-friendly options.

The goal here is to keep our footprint as light as well can & not get crazy buying the fancy new Zero waste thing on the market.

Reduce

Reuse

Recycle

The citrus, rosemary cleaner is a tough soap scum remover free of any nasty chemicals & is so simple to make you will never need expensive cleaners & crazy packaging again!
The citrus imparts a wonderful fresh cleaning vibe without any fragrances or fillers.
Not only do you create a tough cleaner but you are giving those citrus scraps another life before you compost them.
INGREDIENTS
Citrus scraps enough to fill 1/3 of the jar
3 good springs of fresh Rosemary
Vinegar
TOOLS
Square baking paper
Sieve
Clean jar
Funnel
Old spray bottle
METHOD
Place citrus scraps & rosemary springs in jar & top with white vinegar.
Date jar & set aside for 2 weeks.
At the end of the resting period strain off the scraps to be left with the cleaning solution.
Don't forget to compost the citrus scraps!
USE
To use add 1 part solution to 1 part water in an old spray bottle.
NOTE
Test patch surfaces before use & avoid marble, wood or porous surfaces.
Washing clothing often leads to clothing having a shorter lifespan. This wee gem of a spray will help keep clothing fresh & allow you to wear it a little longer before it needs to be washed.
Use it in areas that hold scents like under the arms or as a fine mist over your garment to keep bacteria at bay.
INGREDIENTS
10 parts distilled or boiled water
1 part vodka
A few drops essential oil
TOOLS
Small spray bottle
METHOD
Using a funnel add the vodka to the bottle & a few drops of your essential oil.
Top with water & seal with lid.
Roll the bottle through your hands to mix.
USE
Lightly spray on the garment in areas where scents gather. Hang to dry & air garment to freshener it further.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Tea Tree, Peppermint, Cinnamon, Thyme, lime, lemon, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Peppermint, Geranium
This is one of my favourite cleaning ingredients for washing laundry & removing stains & great for reusable nappies. Sodium Percarbonate is an oxygen bleach that works when activated by heat.
It's magic for brightening clothes & removing all sorts of stains. It decomposes to soda ash (sodium carbonate) & hydrogen peroxide (which decompose to water and oxygen when exposed to soils, sediments, and surface or ground waters) its safe to use for our planet.
It is the active ingredient in many store-bought laundry brighteners, but when used on its own you avoid the extra nasty stuff!
INGREDIENTS
1/4 - 1/2 cup sodium percarbonate
Hot tap water
TOOLS
Cup measure
Wooden spoon
Bucket or tub for soaking
METHOD
Add sodium percarbonate to bucket & pour in hot water, tap hot is fine. Mix until dissolved & add in your items for soaking.
Leave to soak overnight for best results.
Wash items in machine & line dry to reveal the whitening magic!
The paste is a thick cleaning paste similar to gumption, chemico & or ajax, depending on your time zone but it leaves out the other nasties.
Great for using on bathroom tiles & basins, kitchen sinks or anything else that's needs a little more persuasion to come off.
You can add a little water to thin it out if you want to spread it further, but a little goes a long way in general.
INGREDIENTS
4 Tbsp bi carb soda
2 Tbsp castile soap
10 drops eucalyptus oil - lemon, lavender & lemon myrtle are great alternatives
Opt - 1 tsp hydrogen peroxide
TOOLS
Wide mouth jar
Spoon
Tablespoon measure
METHOD
Mix above ingredients to form a paste & add to a repurposed jar or container with a wide mouth.
USE
Perfect for use on basins, showers & sinks -where a little extra help is needed.
NOTES
Always patch test surface first to ensure it is safe to use. Avoid using on surfaces which may scratch with scrubbing.
This laundry powder only requires 3 ingredients & a little elbow grease. so is a perfect quick whip up.
I use this in my front loader without issue but check with your manufacturer if you are concerned.
Finish the wash with the herbal fabric softener to aid in removing any soapy residues from clothing & the machine.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups washing soda
1 bar of castile soap – Dr Bronners is a goodie
1ml (20 drops) eucalyptus oil,
1ml (20 drops) lemon myrtle or tea tree oil
TOOLS
Bowl
Cheese grater
Large jar or container for storage
METHOD
Grate the bar soap into a large bowl.
Add washing soda & essential oils of your choice.
Store in a large repurposed jar, tin or tub.
USE
To prevent soap buildup & ensure granules are well-mixed, dissolve in hot water first. I keep an old jar in the laundry for this purpose.
Add 2 Tbsp to the jar, fill with warm water, shake until dissolved & tip into powder dispenser.
NOTES
Use DIY fabric softener towards the end of the load.

My Kitchen Swap favorites

+ Coconut fiber, metal or copper Scrubbing Pad

+ Wooden dishwashing brush

+ Wooden/natural bristle bottle cleaner

+ Cotton Dishcloth – DIY from old towels, tea towels, knit or crochet one – or buy online

+ Wooden Scrubbing Brush

+ Wooden Loo Brush

+ Cleaning Rags – chop old towels & clothing

+ Old spray bottles – save those spray bottles ready for reuse

+ Natural Rubber gloves

+ Dishwashing Liquid – can be purchased at your local bulk store, BYO jar/bottle to save costs & pop it in an existing squeezy bottle

Baking Soda →

Is a natural deodorizer abrasive, perfect for scrubbing areas that can take a little bit of elbow grease it also brightens. Purchased from the supermarket in Cardboard boxes (McKenzies) or in Bulk from your local bulk store.

← Liquid castile soap

Dr Bronners is great & can be purchased in 8L containers, mine has lasted me nearly 3 years! Stick to an unscented one & add essential oils. Some Bulk stores sell castile soap in bulk as well.

← White Vinegar

Its acidity makes it effective for dissolving oil, grease & soap scrum. Don’t leave for long periods on areas that are porous like tile grout though. Refill your own bottle in some bulk stores. Manly Food co-sells in bulk but failing that opt for the largest bottle you can find in the supermarket.

← Essential Oils

Perfect to lift the mood of any cleaning job as well as disinfecting & deodorising. + Disinfecting oils – Lemon, Tea Tree, Peppermint, Lime + Deodorising oils – Lavender, Eucalyptus oil, Tea Tree, Peppermint

Head to the Journal for more sustainable tips & tricks

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