Homemade Cleaning Recipes & Tips

HOW TO REMOVE LIMESCALE FROM TAPS & BATHROOM FITTINGS

Limescale is the hard, off-white, chalky deposit found in kettles, irons, and hot-water boilers. It can also build up as a similar deposit in bathrooms, on taps, shower heads and other surfaces where “hard water” has evaporated. Limescale can look unsightly and be difficult to remove, but with a little patience and a few pantry staples you can achieve remarkable results!

Firstly, warm half a cup of white vinegar in a pan, do not allow it to boil. Then thoroughly soak a clean microfibre cloth in the warm liquid and carefully wrap the cloth tightly around the problem area. Leave for 4 to 5 hours or preferably overnight, re-apply more vinegar to the cloth when it begins to dry out.

After soaking, remove the cloth, and using an old toothbrush scrub away the limescale.

Finally dip half a lemon into a small bowl of bicarbonate of soda and give the fixtures a final scrub. Rinse off the residue with warm water and buff to a high shine with a glass microfibre cloth.

You may need to repeat the treatment on heavy built up areas.

“AN ANT ON THE MOVE DOES MORE THAN A DOZING OX”!

Ants are critical to our environment yet they soon become pests when they begin to invade your space and over take your home. Nobody, wants to be overrun by these little critters and more often than not are quick to reach for poisonous chemicals and pesticides to eradicate the problem rapidly.
Pest control is one aspect of daily living in which people invite some of the most appalling chemicals into their homes. Unfortunately many individuals are still unaware that these toxic formulas can be “Potentially harmful!” to there health. After all if a product is toxic in design and manufactured specifically to kill and maim, won’t it be harmful to anyone and everything else it comes into contact with ???
This is one of the main reasons that I made it my mission to obliterate our growing ant situation utilising purely safe, non-toxic, natural ingredients.

Since moving house in November, several armies of ants have repeatedly invaded our home. Now as you are all aware by now, I do not believe in the use of chemicals and pesticides and am a great believer that there is always a natural solution to combat every problem, rather than relying on hazardous toxins. So after putting up with the ever growing army of busy workers for long enough, it soon became clear that enough was enough and I had to come up with a solution to make these pesky critters decide to turn around and start marching in the other direction once and for all !!

After trialling numerous methods, recipes and formulas, I can now happily confirm that these natural, non-invasive, non-toxic solutions actually do work in eliminating these tiny predators.

Listed below are the methods I found the most effective:

Peppermint Essential Oil

This oil not only smells great but is extremely effective at deterring ants, as it disrupts their scent trail. Simply place a few drops on a cotton wool ball and wipe on skirting boards, window cills and other entry points. You can also leave a peppermint-infused cotton ball in cabinets, drawers, wardrobes and other areas as needed. Repeat every few days until the ants are just a fading memory! Peppermint oil can also be incorporated into a home made spray, see “Ant Attack” recipe below.

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree is an excellent all rounder to keep in your kitchen cabinet. I use it frequently to sanitise and disinfect my whole home and it is a favourite ingredient in my homemade cleaners.
To use simply follow the same method as the Peppermint oil.
Tea tree oil can also be incorporated into a home made spray, see recipe “Ant Attack” recipe below.

Clove Essential Oil

In addition to disrupting ants scent trails, clove oil actually kills ants on contact thanks to eugenol, a component contained within the oil. This component works as a fast acting contact insecticide, that is extremely effective on a wide variety of household pests such as cockroaches, ants, dust mites, flies, wasps, spiders, crickets, and fleas.
Eugenol has little or no residual activity, which means it’s effectiveness fades quickly, although the scent of the oil tends to linger. Products based on eugenol are considered minimum risk pesticides with very low risk of damage to the environment or user.
Clove oil is most effective when mixed with another oil. It is especially strong, so I recommend using it in small amounts.

Below is an extremely effective recipe that I have had excellent results with:

ANT ATTACK SPRAY

Ingredients:
1/4 cup filtered water
1/4 cup vodka (Used to help suspend the oil in the water. If you don’t have any available you can just use water and shake often)
15 drops peppermint essential oil
15 drops tea tree essential oil
3 drops clove essential oil

Method
Place all ingredients into a glass spray bottle with the help of a small funnel if required, to avoid spillage.
Shake bottle well to combine and then spray around skirting boards, window cills, door thresholds, and any other areas where ants have been spotted. If you’re spraying on a food surface, omit the tea tree oil and add 15 drops of peppermint oil. Repeat every few days until ants are completely gone.
If you do not have any essential oils here is a second recipe that I have found especially effective, using only simple, everyday kitchen staples:

VINEGAR & LEMON SPRAY

Like essential oils, the smell of vinegar and lemon repels ants and also masks their scent trails.

Ingredients
1/4 cup white or apple cider vinegar
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup of filtered water

Method Place all of the ingredients into a glass spray bottle, use a small funnel if required to stop any spillage.
Shake the bottle well to combine, then spray around skirting boards, window cills, door thresholds, all entry points and just about anywhere you’ve spotted the pesky little critters. Repeat daily until ants are completely gone.
These recipes are all safe and natural, so please be patient, I can assure you they do work, they simply take a little longer than conventional chemicals.

 

HOMEMADE ORANGE & CINAMMON POTPOURRI BOWLS

Today, I am excitedly preparing for Christmas! Yes you heard me correctly! Believe it or not there are  only 6 weeks to go!!

I adore this magical time of year, and everything about it. The tree, the cake, twinkling fairy lights, mulled wine, family, friends and the comforting pleasure of being surrounded by loved ones, oh, and not forgetting the presents of course!!

This year I am getting in the festive mood by decking the house out with my favourite non toxic, homemade potpourri bowls.

These joyful bowls are chemical free, safe, energising and a totally uplifting way to brighten and freshen your home. They look as cute as a button and smell light and spicy with the aroma’s of orange, cinnamon and pine, (christmas personified), perfect for this time of year, In fact for any time of year!

So pop on your favourite christmas carols and get creative. Feel free to add your choice of spices and peels, even a few pine cones for extra festive glamour.  This recipe can be adapted to your personal preference, just ensure that you follow the instructions and don’t forget to add the salt.

 

INGREDIENTS

1 cup rock salt
1 cup dried Peppermint leaves
1 cup dried Orange peel
1/2 cup whole Cloves
1/2 cup Cinnamon bark, crumbled into small pieces
10 drops Sweet Orange essential oil
5 drops Pine essential oil
2 drops cinnamon essential oil

METHOD

Combine all of the ingredients in a large jar with a lid.
Close the lid tightly on the jar and store in a cool, dry, dark place for at least 3 days to a week, this will enable the oils to penetrate the salt, fruit and spices.
Once the potpourri is ready carefully pour into your favourite glass bowls or decorated jars and place them all around your home, take a deep breath, relax and get into the festive spirit!
To refresh the potpourri simply mix the listed oils in a small bottle and pour over the bowls, this will freshen them instantly. Enjoy x

“LIFE IS LIKE A ROLL OF TOILET PAPER. THE CLOSER YOU GET TO THE END, THE FASTER IT GOES”!

So this is for you Kimba.

www.kimbalikes.com  @kimbalikes

BATHROOM & TOILET CLEANER & SANITISER

An effective recipe that packs a powerful punch: the antifungal properties of the rosemary and the antiseptic and antibacterial properties of the tea tree oil render this solution extremely successful at killing germs and bacteria from any surface with ease. It also smells wonderful too. Leaving behind a freshly sanatised loo, with not one nasty toxic chemical in site.

 

INGREDIENTS:

HOMEMADE LEMON LAUNDRY POWDER:

According to statistics 9.5 million Australians or 76% of grocery shoppers purchase laundry powders in an average year. Yet what do we know about this household product that we so frequently rely on to keep our clothes clean and smelling as fresh as a summers day?

The truth is, that your laundry powder is not whiter than white! In fact it is down right toxic. 

Conventional laundry-care products often contain chemicals with negative health effects ranging from skin and throat irritation to carcinogenicity.  Even more disturbing is that very few of these chemicals have been thoroughly tested, particularly in combination with other chemicals, and some chemicals that have been proven to be harmful are still being widely employed.

Researchers from the University of Washington studied top-selling laundry products and found that they emitted dozens of different chemicals. All of them gave off at least one identified as toxic or hazardous under federal laws!

Because laundry-care product manufacturers are not required by law to list all laundry detergent ingredients on packaging, it can be difficult for consumers to make an informed choice. Nevertheless it is still possible to gain useful information from laundry product labels if you know what you are looking for..

Below is a list of harmful laundry chemicals to avoid, many of which are frequently listed on product labels. To protect your health and the environment, choose vegetable-based laundry products, or beter still make your own.

Toxic Chemicals in Laundry Detergents that may be detrimental to our health:

1/ Fragrance: This is one of the main problems, and the main focus of the 2008 study. Manufacturers combine a number of chemicals to produce a fragrance to make us believe our clothes are clean because they smell clean and the worst thing is that they don’t have to list these chemicals on their labels due to trade protection.

2/ Cleaning agents (surfactants): These are included in the formula to help the product clean better. Examples include chemicals like quaternium-15 (known to release formaldehyde, a known carcinogen), diethanolamine (linked with skin and eye irritation and possibly liver problems), nonlphenol ethoxylate or NPE (toxic to nerves, irritating to skin, potential hormone disruptor, toxic to aquatic life), linear alkyl benzene sulfonates or LAS (irritating to skin and eyes and toxic to aquatic life; benzene on its own is a carcinogen), and petroleum distillates (linked to cancer and lung damage).

3/ Stabilizers: These chemicals help stabilize the formula, so that it lasts longer on the shelf. Examples include polyalkylene oxide or ethylene oxide, which are linked with eye and lung irritation, and even dermatitis.

4/ Bleach: May be used separately or included in the detergent itself. It’s known to irritate skin, eyes, and lungs, and when mixed with waste water, it can form toxic organic compounds that have been linked with respiratory issues, liver, and kidney damage.

5/ 1,4-dioxane: This is a chemical by-product of detergent manufacturing. In independent tests, Women’s Voices for the Earth found 89 parts per million (ppm) in Tide Free & Gentle and 63 ppm in regular Tide. They helped increase awareness, and Proctor & Gamble agreed to reformulate to reduce levels to below 25 ppm. Future tests should show whether they made good on that promise.
Brighteners: You’ll find these in detergents advertising their “brightening” powers. Brighter whites! Brighter colors! What’s creating all this brightness? Chemicals that actually remain on the clothes to absorb UV light and help clothes “appear” brighter. We’re talking things like naphthotriazolystilbenes (linked with developmental and reproductive effects), benzoxazolyl, diaminostilbene disulfonate, and more. Since these remain on the clothes, they are likely to come into contact with skin.

6/ Phosphates & EDTA: Manufacturers use these to make detergents more effective in hard water, and to help prevent dirt from settling back on clothes when they are washing. These chemicals have long been associated with environmental damage, particularly in our streams and waterways. They cause algae blooms that damage ecosystems. Many detergents have now eliminated these, but are now using ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) in its place, which does not readily biodegrade, and has been found to be toxic in animal studies.

A pretty scary, list of ingredients I should say, but don’t despair!  Try your hand at this simple homemade laundry powder that really does the trick!

LEMON LAUNDRY POWDER

INGREDIENTS

6 cups washing soda
3 bars Lemon Castile soap or a coconut oil based soap.
Lemon essential oil

METHOD
Cut soap into small chunks and add to a food processor along with the washing soda.
Blend until you have a fine powder. You may want to lay a tea towel over the top of your food processor to prevent a fine mist of powder from escaping into the air. Allow the mixture to settle before opening the container or the powder will float onto your kitchen surfaces!
Carefully pour the powder into a clean container (keep the essential oil next to the jar and add 5 drops with each load)

Add 2-3 tablespoons of laundry powder per load ( If you are washing in cold water, dissolve it in hot water before adding to the wash).

Once washed, hang on the line outside to dry and your washing will smell amazingly clean and fresh without any nasty synthetic toxins.

 

“WITH THE AROMA OF EACH NEW FRAGRANCE COMES A JOURNEY BACK IN TIME”

Unlike conventonal plug in or gel air fresheners, simmering pots are 100% non-toxic and chemical free. Providing a safe solution to a beautifuly, fresh and fragrant home.

Lemon and Rosemary Simmering Pot Air Freshener

Ingredients:

1 Large fresh lemon, sliced
4 sprigs of fresh rosemary
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 cups of filtered water

Instructions:

Simply place all of the ingredients into a pan and simmer on a very low heat on the cooker top. As the water begins to evaporate keep topping up the pan with more water.

I use this method once or twice a week to keep the kitchen smelling and feeling super fresh and clean. The liquid can also be cooled and decanted into a glass spray bottle and spritzed around the house as a handy room freshener.

You can get as creative as you like with these simmering pots and add anything your heart desires!! Another favourite of mine is fresh orange slices, cinnamon sticks and star anise..Christmas in a pan !!!

So get simmering and share with us your creative combinations !!

ANTIBACTERIAL FOAMING LIQUID HAND SOAP

Are you aware of the mounting research into the dangers of everyday antibacterial sanitisers and liquid hand soaps ?? If not please read on!

Triclosan, is one of the most prevalent antibacterial compounds found in products, and is the focus of a campaign undertaken by a coalition of health and environmental groups, led by Beyond Pesticides and Food & Water Watch, aimed at removing triclosan from the market.

Over the last few years, as a direct result of pressure from consumer groups and the media regarding the need for triclosan in consumer products and the mounting scientific evidence documenting adverse health effects, including impacts to the thyroid hormone, major manufacturers have quietly reformulated their products without triclosan.

Studies have increasingly linked triclosan (and its chemical cousin triclocarban), to a range of adverse health and environmental effects from skin irritation, endocrine disruption, bacterial and compounded antibiotic resistance, to the contamination of water and its negative impact on fragile aquatic ecosystems.

When introduced to the market in 1972, triclosan was confined to hospital and health care settings. Since then triclosan exploded onto the market place in hundreds of consumer products ranging from antibacterial soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, cosmetics, fabrics, toys, and other household and personal care products. Triclosan’s success on the consumer market has been aided by the false public perception that antibacterial products are best to protect and safeguard against potential harmful bacteria. However, an article in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, entitled “Consumer Antibacterial Soaps: Effective or Just Risky?” (2007), concludes that antibacterial soaps show no health benefits over plain soaps. In 2010, FDA stated that, “Existing data raised valid concerns about the [health] effects of repetitive daily human exposure to [triclosan]” and announced plans to address the use of triclosan in cosmetics and other products.

Rest assured: The good news is that there is an easy, cost effective, chemical free solution for foaming soap, that I will share with you all below, so you can begin “Cleaning Up Your Act” safely and naturally !! Because you and your family are worth it!

Ingredients

1 part liquid castile soap
3 parts filtered water
5 drops of either of the following organic essential oils: Cinnamon, Basil, Rosemary, Peppermint, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Thyme, Oregano, Bergamot or Lemongrass oil. (These oils are all excellent, natural antibacterials)

Instructions

Mix the Castile soap and water together and then add your chosen oil or mix of oils and stir well, before pouring into a clean, recycled, foaming soap dispenser.
Voila, easy as that!!!

BACK TO BASICS – HOMEMADE CLEANER!

I am frequently asked by clients and friends, “How do you find the time to make your own cleaning products”? To which I have to smile, as I begin to explain just how quickly these safe, natural wonders are to whip up in no time at all.  In fact it’s much quicker than nipping to the shop to buy those nasty toxic based formulas, plus I have full piece of mind that the solutions I am spraying around my home and my clients homes are 100% toxin free.

Producing your own cleaning products is not only safe, quick, easy and cost effective, it is extremely satisfying. This wonderfully intoxicating citrus cleaner is a marvelous all-rounder, that is exceptionally versatile and can be employed all around the house. Wonderful for cleaning babies high chairs and kitchen surfaces, not only with great ease, but with a clear conscience!

I tend to make this cleaner in bulk as it needs plenty of time to ferment and can be left quite happily to sit for months.

Simply, utilise whatever citrus peelings you have available, lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange etc.

INGREDIENTS

Citrus peelings

White vinegar

METHOD:

Add citrus peels to a large air tight jar and pour over white vinegar, ensure that the peelings are totally covered before screwing on the lid.

Leave the solution to stand for at least 2 weeks before filtering into a glass spray bottle.

Use all around the house as a multi purpose cleaner.

Totally safe and effective, plus it smells incredible too. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

“SALT OF THE EARTH” – 13 NON TOXIC CLEANING SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR HOME:

Salt is one of the most common, readily available and versatile minerals in the world today and according to the Salt Institute it can be utilised in over 14,000 different ways! Now that is a claim to fame !
Besides it’s exhaustible possibilities in the kitchen, salt (sodium chloride) has been used extensively since medieval times by ensuing generations to tackle numerous tasks around the home. Before the modern days of the easy fix from toxic chemical solutions, salt was used for cleaning, sanitising and beautifying.
There are a number of forms of salt, unrefined such as sea salt and himalayan salt, refined table salt, and iodised salt. The unrefined salts are the best for consuming but for cleaning purposes you can use any of the above.
Salt works as an effective yet gentle scouring agent and and can be used on its own or combined with other ingredients, such as vinegar, lemon, oil and baking soda to further boost it’s cleaning and deodorising properties. So lets get to work around the house and concentrate on just a few of the endless possibilities we have just using “Simply Salt”. Oh and maybe a little fresh lemon juice here and there!

1/ Cast Iron, Ceramic & Stainless Steel Pots & Pans

Salt acts as a mild abrasive without damaging the cooking surface. To remove difficult burnt-on food from pots and pans, add 3 to 4 tablespoons of salt immediately to the area and rub with a damp microfibre cloth. Then let it soak in a little hot water for 5 to 10 minutes before washing away with soapy water. Rinse and dry before rubbing with a light coating of oil, to stop food from sticking to your pots and pans as easily in the future.
Note: This method is not suitable for non-stick surfaces.

2/ Remove Spillage & Grease From Stove Tops & Ovens

Salt is particularly effective at absorbing grease and oil spills, so as soon as you spot your pans boiling over on the stove and casseroles bubbling over in the oven, carefully sprinkle the area with salt immediately; this will absorb the liquid and help to lift it from the surface. Leave the salt to work its magic and once the surface has fully cooled, scrape the dried mixture off with a spatula before wiping clean with a damp microfibre cloth, to remove any leftover salt and spillage.
Note: If you have a gas cooker, be careful to remove all of the salt as salt residues can cause your gas burners to flare up with a yellowish flame when you next ignite them.

3/ Remove Soap Scum & Grease From Kitchen Sinks

Place the plug in the sink and pour ½ cup of salt into the sink. With a clean, damp microfibre cloth, rub the salt around the inside and up the sides of the sink. Pour in a kettle of boiling water and scrub the sink with the salt solution using a long-handled brush. Unplug the sink and let the hot salty water run away. Repeat every two to three weeks to stop scum and grease from building up.

4/ Clean Sink drains

To prevent grease and unpleasant odours in sink drains, pour a handful of salt down the kitchen sink plug hole and flush with hot water. Do this weekly to keep drains clear and deodorised.

5/ Washing Up

Salt can be used in place of washing up liquid to wash the dishes. Simply sprinkle a handful of salt into hot water and wash as usual. Rinse the dishes well in warm water.

6/ Glassware

To remove stubborn stains such as red wine from your glassware, 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.

7/ Clean & Brighten Wooden Chopping Boards

Just sprinkle wooden boards with a coarse salt such as sea salt and rub with a damp microfibre cloth, leave for 5 minutes then rinse with warm water. The salt will lift tough stains and odours.

8/ Drying Clothes In Winter

Use a handful of salt in the final laundry rinse to prevent clothes from freezing if you use an outdoor clothes line in the winter.

9/ Clean The Iron Base Plate

Sprinkle a little salt on a piece of paper and run the hot iron over it to remove rough, sticky spots, repeat as necessary.

10/ Clean & Freshen Artificial Flowers

To breathe life back into artificial flowers, place the flowers in a paper bag with ¼ to ½ cup of salt, depending on the size and quantity, and vigorously shake the bag. The salt will dislodge any accumulated dust, dirt and stale odours, leaving your flowers as good as new.

11/ Clean Refrigerators

Use a mixture of salt and soda water to wipe out and deodorise the inside of your refrigerator.

12/ Shine Copper & Brass

To restore the glisten to tarnished copper and brass, squeeze the juice from half a lemon or lime and fill the half with a teaspoon of salt. Rub the salted lemon or lime all over the brass/copper, leave for a minute, then rinse thoroughly with warm water and buff to a shine.

13/ Remove Water Marks & Rings

To make unsightly water marks caused by beverage glasses and hot dishes, disappear, mix 1 teaspoon of salt with a few drops of water to form a paste. With a soft microfibre cloth, gently rub the paste onto the ring or mark using a circular motion and wipe away any residue with a clean, damp cloth.
For ring marks on wooden surfaces or furniture, use olive oil with the salt instead of water.