Pure 4 You

Relax, Refresh, Rejuvenate

Why Go Green?

Many chemicals in the cleaning products used each day can harm you and your children. Indoor air carries a higher risk for personal exposure to toxic chemicals than outside air. Many of the chemicals in household cleaners and pesticides are not adequately tested, regulated or controlled. An estimated 2-5 million exposures to household poisons occur every year, and a significant number of them involve household cleaners.

Many household products contain neuro-toxic petroleum-based solvents. These can cause headaches, lack of concentration, irritability, even change your hormones and so much more. Also many people have many different products for cleaning different parts of the house.

Here you can make products for your house from products you may have in the house already. All you need are basic products such as lemon, vinegar, bar soda and essential oils.

Below I have made an easy guide to keeping your house clean the healthiest and cheapest way.

I have given you the basic ingredients and then some recipes. May seem a lot to start with, but when you get used to it, it'll be second nature!

Basic Ingredients

Essential oils

Essential oils are great for adding fragrance and disinfecting properties. Essential oils should be handled with care, they are strong volatile oils and can be hazardous to you and your family. Store them away from pets and children. Pregnant women, diabetics and people with other medical conditions should always consult with a doctor about using essential oils.

Eucalyptus Essential oil

Great for cutting grease, (e.g., rings around bathtubs, mirrors)
Will cut soap scum
It is antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral and beneficial to the immune system

Lavender Essential oil

It has a great antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral and boosts the immune system
Nearly everyone can use it with no allergic reaction

Lemon Essential oil

It is antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and has cleansing properties
It works well on odours and it is also claimed to have whitening properties (although lemon juice is probably better in this respect)
Traditionally, lemon oil has been used for furniture because it is so lubricating and

antiseptic.

Jasmine Essential oil

This works great as a cleaner and whitener
It will kill mould and mildew

Thyme

This is anti-fungal, antiviral, antibacterial and boost immune system
Good disinfectant

Baking soda

It is used in baking, but also can be used as an all-purpose, nontoxic cleaner. It is effective at removing stains

mild scouring tool for pots, pans and sinks
neutralized acid
soften hard water and fabrics
extinguish grease fires
deodorizer around the house, including the fridge, carpets, upholstery, vinyl and down drains
clean and polish aluminium, chrome, jewellery, plastic, porcelain, silver, stainless steel and tin

Beeswax

Pleasantly scented natural product. It is highly flammable, so it is important to follow certain procedures and precautions whenever melting it down for use in a polish recipe. Avoid overheating, always place the container or small saucepan of wax, inside a larger pan of water. NEVER place a pan of wax directly on a hot plate or gas ring!!!! Beeswax melts 63c to 65c. It does not boil, if it overheats its ignites!! DO NOT use water to extinguish the flames, use sand, a large damp cloth or a fire extinguisher. Beeswax should only be melted in stainless steel or tin plated containers.

Give furniture a great shine
A protective coat and helps wood develop a patina
Lubricant for draws and windows

Borax

Borax is a naturally occurring mineral, soluble in water
It's an alternative to bleach
It can deodorize
Inhibit the growth of mildew and mould
Boost the cleaning power of soap or detergent
Remove stains
Can be used with attractants such as sugar to kill cockroaches.
Cleans, softens water and disinfects
Freshness to clothes

Citrus Solvent

Cleans paint brushes, oil and grease and some stains

Cream of tartar

Mild acid often used in baking
Can be used for removing stains in your kitchen or bath

Lemon juice

It’s a deodorant and can be used to clean glass, remove stains from aluminium and porcelain
It cuts through grease and removes perspiration and other stains from clothing and it is a mild lightener or bleach if used with sunlight
Lemon juice can be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits. Lemon is a great substance to clean and shine brass and copper
Can be used to mix with vinegar and or baking soda to make cleaning pastes

Lime juice

Powerful natural acidic cleaner which is good for removing mineral build-up and grease
Limes can be used in much the same way as lemons in nontoxic cleaning

Mineral oil

Mineral derived from seeds, is an ingredient in several furniture polish and floor wax recipes

Olive oil

Olive oil is great for moisturizing and conditioning leather furniture and as a furniture polish

Orange oil

Conditions wood furniture, and along with other citrus oils in grease removal
A hand-cleansing agent
It is an efficient cleaning agent which is much less toxic than petroleum distillates, it also smells great

Salt (sodium chloride)

Salt is one of the most versatile ingredients for green cleaning, given its abrasive and bleaching properties
It is also a natural deodorizer and when mixed with vinegar and flour creates an excellent cleaning paste

Steel wool

Steel wool is an abrasive strong enough to remove rust and stubborn food residues and to scour barbeque grills

Toothpaste

Toothpaste is a mild abrasive, and particularly good for cleaning silverware and ornaments, though is not recommended for use on fine jewellery

Washing Soda (sodium carbonate)

Washing soda or SAL soda is a sodium carbonate decahydrate, a mineral
It can be used with soda instead of laundry detergent, and it softens hard water
It can cut stubborn grease, such as, on grills, pans and ovens
It can also be used to clean walls, tiles, sinks and baths. Please use rubber glove when putting hands directly into a washing soda solution. Do not use on aluminium

Vinegar

Disinfectant, cuts grease, removes stains, and an excellent water softener
Can dissolve mineral deposits, grease, remove traces of soap, remove mildew or wax build-up, polish some metals and deodorise
Can clean brick and stone and is an ingredient in some natural carpet cleaning recipes
Vinegar is normally used in a solution with water, but it can be used straight.

Here are a few recipes for most items in the home

Massage Therapy

Air freshener

Mix white vinegar and an essential oil of your choice in a spray bottle.

Lemon and baking soda spray

Dissolve baking soda in 2 cups of hot water and add lemon juice, pour in a spray bottle.

Lavender room spray

Place a few drops in a water filled spray bottle with a few drops of polysorbate 20 . (this will help lift moods)

All-purpose cleaner 1

3 tbsp of vinegar

1/2 tsp washing soda

1/2 tsp vegetable oil based liquid soap

2 cups hot water

Mix in a spray bottle and wipe anything clean.

All-purpose cleaner 2

1/2 tsp washing soda

1/2 tsp borax

1/2 tsp vegetable oil-based soap

2tbsp vinegar

2 cups of hot water

Mix in a spray bottle, shake to dissolve the bits and clean.

General Tea-Tree oil spray

2tsp of tea-tree oil in 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. This a mulit-purpose cleaner. Use on mould, spray on an infected area, but don't rinse. The small of damp and mould will go in a few days, never to return! Can be used as a household antiseptic spray, such as, after someone has been sick!

Liquid natural detergent

This is to make 1 gallon, for the dishwasher, floors, laundry, bathtubs, tiles,toilet bowls, walls.

1 cup of castile Soap

1/3 cup of salt

1 cup of dissolved borax or baking soda

1 cup of vinegar

40 drops of grapefruit seed essential oil

Keep in spray bottle.

For dishwasher - use instead of normal dish washing detergent

For laundry - use instead of laundry detergent.

For floors - add to washer and wash, but not laminated

Bathroom cleaner

1 cup of baking soda/borax or washing soda

Mix together and use as a soft scrub for sinks, bath, toilet and tiles. Clean and rinse.

Toilet bowl cleaner

1 cup of borax

1/2 cup white vinegar

Flush to wet the sides of the bowl, sprinkle the borax around the toilet, then spray with vinegar. Leave for several hours or overnight, then scrub with a toilet brush.

Carpet deodorizers

4 cups of baking soda

20-30 drops of your favourite essential oil

Mix in a glass jar, add a few little cuts to the lid, sprinkle on the carpet a few hours before hoovering.

Herbal carpet freshener

1 cup baking soda

1/2 cup lavender flowers

Crush flowers to release their scent. Mix well with the baking soda and sprinkle on carpet a few hours before hoovering.

Dishwashing liquid

Liquid castile soap

10 drops of lavender essential oil

8 drops of rosemary essential oil

4 drops of eucalyptus essential oil

Fill spray bottle. To use, spray 3tsp to hot running water.

Automatic dishwasher detergent

1/2 cup liquid or castile soap

1/2 cup water

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

3 drops tea tree essential oil

1/4 cup of vinegar

baking soda

Mix together (not the baking soda). Store in a squeeze bottle. Use 1 tbsp in the 1st cycle, sprinkle baking soda over dirty dishes and in the bottom of the dishwasher, to absorb odours and boost cleaning power.

Disinfectant spray

2 cups of water

1/4 cup of vinegar

10 drops of tea tree essential oil

10 drops of lavender essential oil

Use to kill bacteria on worktops.

Lavender anti-bacterial spray

Lavender is known for its mood enhancers, but it's also great for killing bacteria and viruses. Put 20 drop of the essential oil in 1 cup of water and a few drops of polysorbate 20, and spray in the air, table tops, door knobs.. anywhere where you would disinfect.

Bleach alternative

1 gallon jug, fill up 1/2 with water, add 1 cup of castile soap, then dilute 1/3 cup of salt, 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar. Shake well, fill the bottle with water.

Floors

General floor cleaner, mix 1/2 cup of vinegar with 1 gallon of hot water, in a bucket. This is safe for any floor, or surface. Add essential oils for lovely smells.

Lavender furniture wax

2oz grated beeswax

1tbspcarnauba wax

11/2 cup mineral spirits

20 drops of lavender essential oil.

Melt the wax, let it cool for 30 seconds, add mineral spirits and oil. Stir well then place in a suitable container.

Lemon oil furniture duster

10 drops of lemon essential oil

2tbsp lemon juice

a few drops of olive oil or jojoba oil.

Dip a soft recycled cloth, in the mixture, wipe over furniture, allow to dry naturally.

Furniture polish (also leather, as it conditions)

3 1/2 cups of olive oil

1/3 cup castile soap

40-60 drops of essential oil (your choice if you want it to smell nice, and which oil to use)

10 drops of grapefruit seed extract

Put in your 1 gallon bottle, 1/2 with water, add all ingredients, fill the rest with water. Shake well, put in a spray bottle, shake before each use. This will last about a year. Also can be use for shining stainless steel, painted surfaces and blinds. Not for antiques or floors.

Wood furniture polish no 1

Please make each time you use.

1 lemon

1 tsp olive oil

1 tsp water.

Extract the lemon juice, add to the oil and water. Apply with a soft cloth, let it sit for 5 minutes, then buff off with another soft cloth.

Wood furniture polish no 2

1/8 cup food grade linseed oil

1/8 cup vinegar

1/4 cup lemon juice.

Mix ingredients, using a soft cloth, rub into wood.

All-purpose Grease Cutter

1/2 tsp washing soda

1/2 tsp vegetable oil-based liquid soap

3 tsp vinegar

2 cups hot water

Mix in spray bottle, spray and scrub and wipe clean

Appliance cleaner no 1

2 cups water

1/4 cup oil-based soap

10 drops rosemary, lavender, or citrus essential oils

Appliance cleaner no 2

1 tsp borax

3 tsp vinegar

2 cups hot water

Mix in a spray bottle, shake and mix til the dissolve borax. Spray on appliances and wipe off with a soft cloth.

Microwave cleaner

1/4 cup baking soda

1 tsp vinegar

5-6 thyme, lemongrass, or lemon essential oil.

Mix all ingredients to make a paste. Apply to the wall and surface of the microwave with a soft cloth. Rinse well and leave in the microwave door open to air-dry for about 25 minutes.

Oven cleaner

2 pints of warm water

2 tsp borax

2 tsp liquid soap

Spray on solution, wait 20 minutes, then clean with rag and rinse with clean water.

Laundry detergent

1 0z liquid castile soap

1 cup of washing soda

1 cup baking soda

1 cup of white vinegar.

Fill washer with water and add each ingredient in the order above. Laundry as usual.

Laundry Dry sheets

1/2 part lavender essential oil

1/2 part benzoin essential oil (absolute resin)

small dropper bottle

1 scrap of cotton cloth (about 4 inches square)

Make base essential oil by mixing the two oils in equal amounts into a small dropper bottle. Shake well. (Label) Put 4-5 drops onto the cloth and place in the dryer.

Fabric softener no 1

2 cups baking soda

2 cups white vinegar

4 cups water

Mix these ingredients and use 1/4 cups per load in the final rinse.

Fabric softener no 2

1 gallon vinegar

20 drops lavender essential oil

Add the lavender essential oil into the vinegar in the container and you've got an instant fabric softener. Shake well before use. For a large load add 1 cup during the cycle rinse, for smaller loads at 1/2 cup.

Mirrors and windows

3/4 fill spray bottle with water, the rest with vinegar and 8 drops of a citrus essential oil. Shake well each time you use. Spray on windows and mirrors, wipe off with newspaper.

Pure 4 You

Relax, Refresh, Rejuvenate

Why Go Green?

Basic Ingredients

Essential oils

Here are a few recipes for most items in the home

Massage Therapy

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