For sparkling glassware and to remove stubborn stains, add a little salt to a damp microfibre cloth for extra abrasive power and rub gently in a circular motion. Although the salt is abrasive, it is gentle enough not to scratch the delicate glass. Rinse with warm water and dry to a high shine with a glass cloth.
For spotless glasses whilst using the dishwasher, place 1 cup of white vinegar into the rinse aid well while running, this is also effective on stainless steel cutlery.
They may not be cute and cuddly but frogs are an important part of Australia’s creeks, rivers and wetlands. If frogs start disappearing from the landscape, it is a sure sign that it’s time to take better care of their watery homes. A frog’s skin is permeable, which means that water and other gases can pass through it. Pollutants are potentially harmful, and sometimes lethal.
Did you know that insect repellents; flea and tick sprays, powders, and pet collars; cockroach sprays and baits; rat and mice poisons; some kitchen, laundry and bath disinfectants and sanitisers; mould and mildew killers; some lawn and garden products (such as weed killers); and some swimming pool chemicals are classified as pesticides?
We cannot rely on the sewerage system to take care of the household items we put down the drain. Everything we do may directly affect our waterways and the frogs that live in them. Keep in mind: non-chemical methods of cleaning or pest control can be as effective as a chemical alternative.
To clean gold jewellery place ½ cup unfiltered apple cider vinegar into a bowl and submerge authentic gold jewellery into the solution for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove and buff with a soft jewellery cloth. Or make a paste by mixing 2 teaspoons of salt, 2 teaspoons of cornflour and white vinegar together in a bowl, use just enough vinegar to form a thick paste. Dip a clean, dry microfibre cloth into the mixture and rub it all over the surface of the item you need to clean. Let the paste work for an hour and rinse with warm water; buff dry and see your metals sparkle. This paste is highly effective on gold, silver, steel and pewter.
Note: Do not use this cleaning method on jewellery containing gems, enamel or precious stones.
Olive trees are one of the oldest known cultivated species in the world, with a life span of between 300 and 400 years. The trees belong to the Oleaceae family, along with Ash, Jasmine and Lilacs.
The olive’s precise origins remain a mystery but are believed to have originated in the Mediterranean Basin and Asia Minor. Early cultivation is thought to have begun over 6000 years ago in Syria, Palestine and Crete.
The ancient Greeks considered the olive tree to be a gift from their goddess Athena, utilising the oil of the fruit in religious ceremonies. So sacred was the tree to the Greeks that it was prohibited to cut down an olive tree under any circumstances, with offenders facing a penalty of death.
The fruit of the olive and its oils are extremely abundant in the Mediterranean and other countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Iran, where they make up an integral and particularly important part of everyday life.
The oil was originally used as lamp fuel and it was not until 1600BC that the culinary benefits were eventually discovered by the Greeks. Word soon spread and before long, the Italians, Spanish and French were all cultivating the fruit and producing oils for culinary use.
Throughout history, the virtues of the ancient olive tree have been many. It has been the foundation of great wealth, greed and power, anointed the noblest kings and queens, crowned our elite sportsmen and women and is said to be both magical and medicinal, earning its title “Liquid Gold” – by Homer, the Immortal Greek Poet.
Today, our appreciation for olives and their miraculous oil has grown such that worldwide production of olive oil is around 3 million metric tons per year. We are aware of the olive’s health benefits from diet (the Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil, is believed to increase longevity and decrease the risk of heart disease and other serious illnesses) to skin care (the Romans swore by the oil for its hydrating and softening properties and would use it after bathing to moisturise their faces and bodies). What we may be less aware of is that olive oil is a useful and effective addition to our home cleaning kits.
Oils have many surprising household benefits beyond the kitchen. They produce fabulous wood and furniture polishes, as they possess the power to hydrate and revive thirsty, dried-out wooden furniture and surfaces, and dislodge dust and dirt, while reducing and diminishing unsightly scratches. They are also extremely effective at making stainless steel appliances sparkle.
Highly toxic fire retardants and scotch guards known as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are considered contaminants and are prolifically overused, existing in a multitude of consumables throughout our homes and environment. Two such pollutants are Polybrominated-diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Both synthetic chemicals are widely utilised in a variety of household white goods and appliances from fridges, televisions, remote controls, mobile phones, upholstered furniture, bedding, carpets, curtains, babies’ cots, high chairs, prams to nursing pillows, rendering them difficult to burn or stain.
Unfortunately, there was very little safety testing performed on these chemicals and there is now mounting evidence to prove these unscrupulous pollutants pose a significant health risk to both people and wildlife. The major problem with POP’s and PFO’s, unlike other toxins in our homes, is that they are not water soluble and are extremely resistant to environmental breakdown. Therefore, they cannot be flushed out of our bodies, enabling pollutants to slowly build-up in our systems and the environment, binding to proteins and fatty tissues, which in turn, over time, may lead to potential health implications such as reproductive, immune disorders and cancer.
Research has proved these harmful chemicals to be extremely damaging to babies and young developing children—even in small doses. POPs have been discovered in high levels in indoor dust, foods such as salmon and beef, water and more alarmingly, human breast milk, which is then transferred directly to babies and toddlers. Heightened concerns relating to these chemicals have forced certain companies to respond by using less-toxic alternatives in the production of fire retardants and scotch guards; nevertheless, be aware that products, primarily foam products manufactured before 2005, are especially high risk. Because PBDEs disperse particles that hang around in the air before settling on objects and surfaces throughout your home, be vigilant with your dusting and vacuuming routine, and employ a damp microfibre cloth to dust, so as not to stir the fragments back into the air. To further reduce your risk of exposure, ensure your home is always well-ventilated , buy bedding and furnishings made from natural, organic fibres that have not been coated with fire retardants or stain guards. This applies especially to babies’ and children’s mattresses.
Source ethical, untreated eco-friendly materials, fabrics and furniture produced from natural fibres whenever possible. Never allow young children to put mobile phones or TV remote controls in their mouths and limit daily exposure to electrical items. If you are exposed to PBDEs at work, always shower and take a change of clothing to put on before returning home each day, to avoid transporting the particles on your work wear. Store items well away from other clothing and wash them separately to prevent contamination.
We all want our homes and environments to smell sweet and fresh, yet the use of artificial air fresheners, plug-ins, potpourri and scented candles is not the way forward; they are loaded with toxic ingredients and emit volatile organic compounds known as VOC’s into the air, which in turn are inhaled into our lungs and respiratory systems. VOC’s are highly toxic and responsible for headaches, dizziness, mood swings, fatigue, drowsiness, sore throats and impaired memory loss.
Constant long-term exposure to volatile compounds is thought to provoke hormonal imbalances, brain damage and certain cancers. To maintain a wonderfully fresh and fragrant home, set about creating one or more of my delicious room fragrances from fresh citrus fruits and herbs, or one of the beautiful essential oil recipes, which will fill your home with pure, uplifting, intoxicating, natural aromas.
It is somewhat fascinating that in this advanced, modern world we live in today, we are still producing a product discovered by accident, over 10,000 years ago. Vin-aigre, as the French named it, meaning sour wine, is exactly how vinegar first originated: A cask of wine was discovered well past its best and over a prolonged period of time had transformed itself into the wonderful new commodity we now recognise as vinegar.
For thousands of years, vinegar has been utilised around the globe, by a multitude of people, in a host of different ways. The first written history of vinegar dates back to China in 1200 BC. Around 5000 BC, the Babylonians fermented the fruit of date palms to brew wine and vinegar, flavoured with herbs and spices, which in turn were employed for preserving and pickling food.The Ancient Romans would distil numerous varieties of vinegar from wine, dates, figs and assorted fruits. The vinegars were then transformed into dips.
During biblical times, vinegar was added not only to dips but to certain foods to flavour them. Additionally, it became popular as a medicinal energising pick-me-up.In the bible, vinegar is mentioned as often as wine, the New Testament tells of how a vinegar soaked sponge was held to the scorched, dry lips of Jesus to ease his thirst on the cross.
In Ancient Greece, Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, prescribed apple cider vinegar and honey for a variety of ailments, including sore throats, coughs and colds.Throughout history, soldiers from around the world have been diluting vinegar with water and drinking it as a strengthening and energising tonic. The Japanese Samurais swore by its benefits, believing it enhanced strength and power. They would drink it regularly to boost their performance. Similarly, the Roman soldiers believed it to increase stamina and endurance, naming the magical brew Posca. The addition of vinegar to drinking water of course had the added benefit of killing germs and bacteria that might have been present in the water.
By the early middle ages, people were ingesting vinegar extensively as a medicine to cure digestive problems, fevers, coughs and colds. It was employed liberally to dress and sterilise wounds and served as an important blood-clotting agent. During the Black Plague, doctors would rub vinegar infused with essential oils and herbs all over their bodies for protection, whist tending to contagious patients.
Throughout the late Middle Ages, soldiers began to recognised vinegar’s value as a cleaning agent: When mixed with an abrasive such as sand, vinegar was found to be effective at cleaning and polishing armour.
By the time of the Renaissance in Europe, vinegar production was a thriving industry and had become the essential ingredient in many old-fashioned remedies and recipes handed down from generation to generation.In 1968, the Vinegar Institute was formed to assist producers to protect their rights, and in 1999, the International Vinegar Museum was opened to inform people of the countless benefits vinegar has to offer, not only as a condiment but also for a multitude of purposes in our daily lives and environments.
This kitchen staple is so versatile and handy around the house. It has a whole array of valuable qualities and is a main ingredient in countless home-made cleaners.
There are numerous vinegars on the market; however, I tend to use white vinegar in my cleaning solutions. It is extremely versatile and I favour it in my recipes more than any other style. It is colourless, mildly acidic and effortlessly dissolves dirt, grease and soap scum.
Shine chrome taps and fixtures with undiluted white vinegar. It is ideal for removing streaks from stainless steel taps and appliances. Apply the vinegar with a clean microfibre cloth and buff dry to a high gloss finish. Undiluted vodka is also an excellent option, rub directly on to chrome fittings and fixtures, allow to dry, and buff with a clean, dry microfibre cloth for a beautiful, polished and germ-free finish.
Note: As with all cleaning products, keep vodka sprays and solutions out of reach of children and animals due to the alcohol content.
Toothpaste is also a quick fix to make chrome taps, door handles and door knobs sparkle. Place a good squeeze of toothpaste onto a clean cloth and rub over the surface of the tap or handle, leave for a minute before buffing to a high shine.
Or for badly stained fittings try making up the Chrome, copper and stainless steel cleaner recipe. The addition of the salt in this recipe lends a slightly abrasive texture, yet the solution remains gentle enough not to scratch.
The Vodka soda glass and surface cleaner is also excellent for effortless everyday cleaning of chrome taps and fixings.
Lemon juice is excellent for eliminating stains and odours from chopping boards; its antibacterial powers kill the build-up of germs and microorganisms, while its bleaching agent naturally lifts stains, leaving the board not only clean but sanitised. Cut a lemon in half and juice; rub the chopping board all over with the cut sides of the juiced lemon. Follow by washing the board with the juice of the lemon and a clean microfibre cloth. Let the solution sit until the stains and odours begin to fade. For tough stains, the lemon may be left on overnight, then rinsed off the following morning with warm water.
Essential oil reed diffusers release a very light, subtle scent and do not compare to the very strong, overpowering scent that’s released by the commercial reed diffusers which use artificially scented oils. One of these diffusers will work well in a small, enclosed room, like a bathroom. Anything larger, and you won’t really notice the scent. You could try placing several of them in a larger room for more scent. You’ll need to flip the reeds every few days to a week to refresh the scent. Once the reeds are completely saturated, you’ll need to replace them with new reeds. You will also need to replace your oil once it starts to lose its scent or if it starts to smell “off” – usually after a month or so.
Ingredients
1/4 cup distilled water
5-6 bamboo sticks (skewers)
30-40 drops Peppermint or your favourite Essential oils
3 Tablespoons vodka or gin
Small jar with small opening
Mix the water, essential oils and alcohol together in a bowl and stir thoroughly. Add the mixture to your jar and insert the sticks. After a few hours, turn the sticks over and insert the dry end into the jar to saturate the other end. Continue to swirl the jar and flip the sticks over about every week or so until the scent has diminished. Then, you can just add some more essential oils to the mix, swirl, and start again! Once the sticks become completely saturated with oil, they lose the ability to diffuse and will need to be replaced.
