Tired of using toxic cleaning products or natural cleaners that don’t quite get the job done? Here’s how to make the best DIY toilet bowl cleaner to leave toilets fresh and spotless.

In this blog, I’m outlining the exact steps to make the best homemade liquid toilet bowl cleaner and how to use it.

Key Takeaways

• To make this liquid toilet cleaner, you’ll need simple ingredients and no harsh chemicals: castile soap, baking soda, and water. 
• Use this cleaner instead of store-bought toilet bowl cleaner. Yep, goodbye harsh chemicals. 
• Use this recipe to clean toilets (removing dirt and grime), remove hard water and most other toilet bowl stains, and dissolve odors.
• You can store this cleaner for up to 1 month. So make a bottle today and use it each week to naturally clean your toilets.

Before You Get Started: What You’ll Need

This easy recipe is a result of a lot of trial and error, and lessons in chemistry, such as: vinegar and baking soda cancel each other out (a chemical reaction to avoid when making natural recipes).

Ingredients

• 1 cup distilled water – The safest option to use when making your own cleaning products. Distilled water removes containments, which may cause bacteria to grow quickly in DIY cleaners. You’ll find this water option at most grocery stores. If you plan to use this cleaner quickly (within a few days), filtered water is fine. 
• 1/2 cup baking soda also known as: sodium bicarbonate – This is the key ingredient for lifting stains and deodorizing the toilet. Also used in over 19 different cleaning hacks.
• 1/2 cup liquid castile soap – An ancient, concentrated vegetable-based soap. I use castile soap for everything from homemade laundry detergent to hand soap and face wash. This is the key ingredient for removing dirt and germs from the toilet bowl. For a tougher option, use Sal Suds, castile soap’s big brother. How to clean your home with castile soap.
• (optional) 15-30 drops of your favorite essential oil, such as: lavender essential oil or grapefruit, tea tree oil, lemon, or orange – Many essential oils are known for their natural cleaning power (antibacterial and antiseptic), and their lovely natural scent. The essential oils also add an amazing fresh scent to the toilet bowl. How to use essential oils for cleaning.

Equipment

• 1 squirt bottle – such an empty and clean dish soap bottle, ketchup bottle, or purchase a squirt bottle from the store) for storing the toilet bowl cleaner.
• 1 small funnel (optional) – for pouring the ingredients into the squirt bottle.

How to Make & Use DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Add Ingredients a Squirt Bottle

• Using a small funnel (optional, but very helpful), add the liquid ingredients to the squirt bottle: water and castile soap.
• Finally, add the baking soda. 

Step 2: Shake to Combine 

• Place the top on the bottle (make sure the squirt top is closed). Shake the bottle vigorously until the ingredients are well combined. 
• Store the cleaner in your cleaning caddy.
• Use to clean toilet bowls as needed. 

Step 3: Clean the Toilet

• Squirt the cleaner inside the toilet bowl, hitting the sides of the bowl with the solution. 
• Use a toilet brush to scrub the toilet bowl. 
• Flush the toilet. The toilet should now be clean, stain-free, and deodorized. 

If you’d like to disinfect the toilet bowl as well: After cleaning the toilet bowl with this solution, spray hydrogen peroxide or vinegar into the toilet bowl (to do this, attach a spray nozzle on a bottle of hydrogen peroxide or add 100% white vinegar to a spray bottle). Allow the hydrogen peroxide or vinegar to rest for a few minutes inside the toilet bowl, then scrub again and flush. 

Disinfecting vs. Cleaning 

Disinfecting is an activity that’s (generally) done after cleaning (usually done with soap/water to remove dirt, dust, etc.). “Disinfecting…refers to killing a high percentage of the germs on a surface or rendering them incapable of reproducing.” (source)

In the case of the toilet, and natural cleaning, first use the homemade toilet bowl cleaner, scrub, and flush. Then use vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to disinfect (optional). This is a good idea for deep cleanings if the toilet is particularly dirty, sickness has occurred in the home, etc. 

What to Avoid Doing

• Don’t add vinegar to this recipe. I know many people like to use vinegar for cleaning (including myself), but you should never mix baking soda and castile soap with vinegar (here’s why). You CAN use vinegar in the toilet bowl AFTER cleaning it with this cleaner to disinfect it.
• Don’t add hydrogen peroxide to this recipe. You CAN use hydrogen peroxide as a spray to disinfect the toilet bowl AFTER cleaning with this recipe. But, adding hydrogen peroxide directly to the recipe will result in an explosion of the bottle.
•  For safety reasons, don’t use tap water to make this recipe. It’s always best to use distilled water for long-term storage (a few days or weeks).
• Skip the essential oil if have cats or small children in your home. While they provide a lovely scent, they can be dangerous for some animals and children. Do your research first.

Top Favorite Cleaners for the Bathroom

• Bathroom Cleaner Spray: An all purpose cleaner for all surfaces, including the bathroom toilet seat. 
• Tub & Sink Scrub: For tiles, sinks, and tub/shower surfaces. 
• Glass/Mirror Cleaner: For shower doors and bathroom mirrors. 
• Liquid Laundry Soap: Wash your bathroom towels in this simple detergent.

Learn how to make natural cleaners for your home

JOIN NATURAL CLEANING MADE EASY

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DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner Recipe

After much experimenting, I’m excited to share a DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner that fights odors and leaves even the dirtiest toilet bowls sparkling clean.

Course DIY

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword DIY toilet bowl cleaner, homemade toilet bowl cleaner, natural toilet bowl cleaner, Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 16 oz

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $3

Equipment

• 1 squirt bottle (such an empty and clean dish soap bottle, ketchup bottle, or purchase a squirt bottle from the store) for storing the toilet bowl cleaner 
• 1 small funnel (optional) for pouring the ingredients into the bottle

Ingredients

• 1 cup distilled water best for safety purposes
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup liquid castile soap (any scent or unscented)
• 15-30 drops favorite essential oil of choice such as: lavender, grapefruit, tea tree, lemon, or orange (optional)

Instructions

• Using a small funnel (optional, but very helpful), add the liquid ingredients to the squirt bottle: water and castile soap. Finally, add the baking soda. 
• Place the top on the bottle (make sure the squirt top is closed). Shake the bottle vigorously until the ingredients are well combined. Store the cleaner in your cleaning caddy. Use to clean toilet bowls as needed. 
• Store the cleaner in your cleaning caddy, just as you would a commercial toilet bowl cleaner. Store for up to 1 month.

How to Use:

• Squirt the cleaner inside the toilet bowl, hitting the sides of the bowl with the solution. Use a toilet brush to scrub the toilet bowl. Flush the toilet. The toilet should now be clean, stain-free, and deodorized. 
• (Optional) If you'd like to disinfect the toilet bowl as well, here's a great way to do that: After cleaning the toilet bowl with this solution, spray hydrogen peroxide or vinegar into the toilet bowl (to do this, attach a spray nozzle on a bottle of hydrogen peroxide or add 100% white vinegar to a spray bottle). Allow the hydrogen peroxide or vinegar to rest for a few minutes inside the toilet bowl, then scrub again and flush. 

Notes

Disinfecting vs. Cleaning 

Disinfecting is an activity that’s (generally) done after cleaning (usually done with soap/water to remove dirt, dust, etc.). “Disinfecting…refers to killing a high percentage of the germs on a surface or rendering them incapable of reproducing.” (source)

In the case of the toilet, and natural cleaning, first use the homemade toilet bowl cleaner, scrub, and flush. Then use vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to disinfect (optional). This is a good idea for deep cleanings if the toilet is particularly dirty, sickness has occurred in the home, etc. 

Powder Toilet Bowl Cleaner Variation: If you’d prefer a powder toilet bowl cleaner, follow this simple recipe. 

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The post DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner (Just 3 Ingredients!) appeared first on Live Simply.

Tired of spending money on expensive stain removers or using natural options that don’t work? Easily remove tough stains with this DIY homemade stain remover.

In this blog, I’ll show you how to make this easy stain remover recipe and remove stains naturally. 

In this blog, I’m outlining the exact steps you’ll need to successfully remove stains.

Before You Get Started: What You’ll Need

First, gather the ingredients you’ll need. You’ll find these ingredients at most grocery stores or on Amazon.

• 1/4 cup vegetable glycerin: helps to lift stains easily; however, if you don’t have any glycerin you can skip this ingredient.
• 1/4 cup water: Use distilled water if storing this product longer than a few days.
• 1/4 cup liquid castile soap: a natural, highly-concentrated soap with many uses. A natural dish detergent or Dawn dish soap may be used instead.
• 1 TB hydrogen peroxide: Regular 3% strength found in the grocery store.
• 40 drops of lemon essential oil: Since fresh lemon juice would spoil quickly, use lemon essential oil. Instead, you may use 1-2 juiced lemons if the spray is used within a couple of days. Learn more about using essential oils.

Equipment You’ll Need

• 1 dark amber spray bottle: Due to the hydrogen peroxide, which can’t be exposed to light when stored, use a dark spray bottle. If you’re making a small batch of this recipe and plan to use it immediately, it’s OK to use a clear spray bottle (or make your own glass spray bottle)

How to Make DIY Stain Remover: Step By Step Guide

You’ll also find a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post, so you can print and save the recipe.

1. Step 1 Combine All Ingredients: In a spray bottle, add all the ingredients: glycerin, water, soap, hydrogen peroxide, and lemon essential oil. Place the lid on the bottle and shake to combine.
2. Step 2 Use Immeadiately or Store For Later: The spray may be used immeadiately. It may also be stored for later use, at room temperature, in a dark location (like a dark cupboard under the sink or in the laundry room).

Step By Step Recipe Video Guide

How to Use This Spray & Remove Stains

• First, blot a liquid stain with paper towels or a cloth.
• Gently shake the DIY laundry stain remover spray. Spray or pour the solution on the stain (preferably a fresh stain).
• Let the stain remover rest for 5 minutes.
• Scrub the soaked stain with a scrub brush, old toothbrush, or cloth until the stain has been lifted. Repeat again, if needed, until the stain lifts.
• Rinse the garment in hot water with soap or in the washing machine using your favorite laundry soap.
• For a stubborn stain, after using the spray, place the garment in the washing machine with ½ cup washing soda and ½ cup hydrogen peroxide, along with whatever laundry soap you normally use in your laundry routine.

What kind of stains can you remove with this spray?

Here are just a few of the stains and surfaces I’ve personally used this easy homemade stain remover on.

• Carpets: Please test this spray first in a small area to ensure the hydrogen peroxide doesn’t discolor your carpet.
• Couches: Dustin once spilled red wine on my prized white couch. This stain remover was my first defense, then I used my homemade bleach alternative to finish the job.
• Clothes: Remove any food, pen marks, blood stains, or grass stains with this solution.
• Pet Stains: Remove Fido’s waste from the surface, spray with the solution, allow time to rest, then wipe the area with fresh water and a cloth.
• Pen and Marker Stains: If you have kids, you know what I’m talking about!
• Food Stains: Chocolate stains, coffee stains, red wine stains, ketchup stains, mustard stains–this solution lifts and dissolves them all.
• Baby Stains
• Fresh Grease Stains: I also like using this grease removal method.

What to Avoid Doing

• Only apply the stain remover to special garments or fabrics after testing first. Anytime you use a cleaning product, always spot-test in an inconspicuous area.
• Don’t store the spray in a clear bottle, which exposes the formula to direct sunlight due to the fragility of the hydrogen peroxide.

FAQs

• Can you use this stain remover on colored fabrics? From my experience, this solution is safe on colors. Always test a small area before applying the solution to a larger fabric surface.
•  Can you use dish soap instead of castile soap? Yes, you can! You can use any dish detergent, including Dawn Dish Soap or a natural dish soap.
•  Can I use a plastic spray bottle instead of glass? Yes, you can. Make sure the bottle doesn’t let light through (such as a clear bottle) due to the hydrogen peroxide.

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Natural Homemade Stain Remover Recipe

Easily remove tough stains with this DIY homemade stain remover. Save money and avoid harsh chemicals. No more stressing about stubborn stains, this homemade spray is a miracle worker.

Course DIY, Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword DIY stain remover, homemade stain remover, Stain Remover Spray

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 8 ounces

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $3 per bottle

Equipment

• 1 16-ounce dark spray bottle or 8-ounce spray bottle

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup vegetable glycerin a natural solvent that lifts stains
• 1/4 cup distilled water or tap water if using within a couple of days
• 1/4 cup liquid castile soap unscented or any variety
• 1 TB hydrogen peroxide 3% strength
• 40 drops lemon essential oil or fresh lemon juice (from 1-2 lemons) if using within 1-2 days

Instructions

• In a dark spray bottle (due to the hydrogen peroxide which can't be exposed to light during storage), add all the ingredients.
• Place the lid on the bottle. Gently shake the bottle to combine the ingredients. Shake before each use.
• How to Use (Lift and Remove Stains):
• First, blot a liquid stain with paper towels or a cloth.
• Gently shake the bottle. Spray or pour the solution on the stain (preferably a fresh stain).
• Let the stain remover rest for 5 minutes.
• Scrub the soaked stain with a scrub brush, old toothbrush, or cloth until the stain has been lifted. Repeat again, if needed, until the stain lifts.
• Rinse the garment in hot water with soap or in the washing machine using your favorite laundry soap.
• For a stubborn stain, after using the spray, place the garment in the washing machine with ½ cup washing soda and ½ cup hydrogen peroxide, along with whatever laundry soap you normally use in your laundry routine.

Video

Notes

Colored Garments and Surfaces: From my experience, this solution is safe on colors. Always test a small area before applying this solution to a larger fabric surface.

For stains on tub and sink surfaces, including rust stains, make and use this homemade scrub cleaner with baking soda, liquid castile soap, and hydrogen peroxide.

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The post DIY Homemade Stain Remover Recipe For Clothes appeared first on Live Simply.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is cheap and has many cleaning uses. When used in the bathroom, baking soda acts as a deodorizer, to lift stains and smells trapped on surfaces.

Keep a box of baking soda in your cleaning caddy for sprinkling on surfaces or to make cleaning products (just never mix baking soda with vinegar).

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Top 6 Natural Bathroom Cleaner Recipes

How to make the top 6 natural bathroom cleaner recipes for every surface: countertops, tubs and sinks, glass, toilet, and floor.

Course DIY

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword natural bathroom cleaner

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 cleaner per recipe

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $2 per cleaner

Equipment

• 1 16-ounce spray bottle to make spray cleaners
• 1 12-ounce storage jar with lid to make toilet bowl powder or scrub cleaner
• 1 mop and bucket to make floor cleaner

Ingredients

Vinegar All-Purpose Spray

• 1 cup white distilled vinegar
• 1 cup distilled water

All-in-One Bathroom Cleaner

• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 2 cups warm distilled water
• 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap

Toilet Bowl Powder

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup borax
• 1/2 cup coarse salt

Glass and Mirror Cleaner

• 1/2 cup rubbing/isopropyl alcohol or use vinegar instead
• 1/3 cup white distilled vinegar
• distilled water

Floor Cleaner

• 2 gallons warm water
• 1 cup white distilled vinegar OR 2 tablespoons castile soap OR 4 drops Sal Suds

Scrub Cleaner

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup liquid castile soap
• 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide

Instructions

Vinegar All-Purpose Spray

• In a 16-ounce spray bottle, add 1 cup vinegar and 1 cup water. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, if desired. Use this spray on all surfaces in the bathroom: tile, countertops, shower, tub, and sinks. Spray and wipe clean.
• Never use vinegar on granite, marble, or other stone surfaces. If you add a few drops of Sal Suds, use the spray to conquer soap scum.
  

All-in-One Bathroom Cleaner

• In a 16-ounce spray bottle, add 1 tablespoon baking soda and 2 cups warm water. Shake to combine. Add 2 tablespoons castile soap.
• Spray on just about any bathroom surface (except glass and mirrors). Wipe with a damp sponge or cloth, rinsing and repeating until clean.
  

Toilet Bowl Powder

• In a jar, combine 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup borax, and 1/2 cup coarse salt in a jar. Add a few drops of essential oil, if desired. Shake to combine.
• Shake into the toilet bowl, scrub, then flush. Spray the toilet bowl with undiluted vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to disinfect. Store with an air-tight lid.
  

Glass and Mirror Cleaner

• In a 16-ounce spray bottle, combine 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol (or vinegar), 1/3 cup vinegar, and top the bottle off with water. Spray on glass and mirror surfaces, then wipe clean.
  

Floor Cleaner

• Add 2 gallons warm water to a bucket, followed by either 1 cup vinegar, 2 tablespoons castile soap, or 4 drops Sal Suds. Mop the floor with the solution. For the castile soap mixture, you'll need to go back over the floor with fresh, clean water to avoid a white residue.
  

Tub and Sink Scrub

• Combine in a jar, 1 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup castile soap, 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide, and a few drops of cleaning essential oil (optional).
• Use a scrub brush to apply the paste to the surface, then scrub, rinse with a damp sponge, rinsing and repeating. Store with plenty of room in the jar for the mixture to expand, out of sunlight, with an air-tight lid.
  

Video

Notes

• Distilled Water: The recipes above call for using distilled water vs. tap (filtered) water. Distilled water is always the safest option when making homemade cleaners.
• Storage: Use homemade cleaners within about 3 weeks of making.

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The post How to Make The Best Non-Toxic Natural Bathroom Cleaners appeared first on Live Simply.

The Best Natural Ingredient For Cleaning Tubs and Sinks

Baking soda is the BEST natural ingredient to use for cleaning tub and sink surfaces as it not only degreases surfaces but it will also freshen and brighten.

Sprinkling baking soda on the surface of a tub or sink and then wiping the area with a wet cloth or brush can work really well for surfaces with mild build up. But for surfaces that need some extra scrubbing power, I like to combine baking soda with castile soap or Sal Suds and hydrogen peroxide to create a powerful cleaning paste. This combo adds an extra “punch” to the baking soda, lifting dirt, oils, and other build up that can occur.

(Check out 13 natural cleaning hacks using baking soda for more ways to use this underrated ingredient.)

Ingredients Needed to Make a Homemade Tub and Sink Cleaner

To make a homemade tub and sink cleaner, you’ll need 3 ingredients (with an extra optional ingredient)…

1 cup Baking Soda

Baking soda freshens, deodorizes, and removes dirt and grease from the surface of a tub or sink. I like to buy a bulk size bag of baking soda for cleaning–this option can be found at Target, Walmart, and on Amazon.

1/4 cup Castile Soap or Sal Suds

Liquid castile soap is a plant based concentrated soap used to make multiple cleaning products from all purpose cleaner to stain remover. Sal Suds is the heavy duty big brother to castile soap and is fantastic at cutting grease and tackling super dirty surfaces. Both do a great job at lifting dirt, but if you’re tackling a super dirty or greasy sink or tub, Sal Suds may be the best option. Sal Suds may also be used to make a variety of cleaners, from all purpose cleaner to dish soap.

1 Tablespoon Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is known for its antiviral and antibacterial properties, making it the perfect cleaning ingredient for a tub or sink. Hydrogen peroxide takes a bit of time to work so it’s best to let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing. Hydrogen peroxide needs to be stored in a dark bottle, where light can’t reach the hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide also shouldn’t be exposed to the air for prolonged periods. If you plan to make this scrub in advance, skip this ingredient or use a dark container or anything where light can’t seep through.

Optional: Essential Oil

Product marketers have done a fantastic job at convincing us that clean is associated with a particular scent. If our homes smell a certain way, they must be clean. This simply isn’t true! Most of the scents used in cleaning products are simply there to trigger a “good feeling” and sell a product. Those scents don’t add anything to a home except a bunch of undisclosed ingredients (and some ingredients may cause health issues). If you want to add a scent to this homemade cleaner, because you love a particular scent in your home, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Personally, I love grapefruit, lemon, or lemongrass. But know that this scent is completely optional; it’s not required for cleaning purposes.

How to Make Homemade Tub and Sink Cleaner

Making this homemade cleaner takes less than 5 minutes. Here’s how to make it…

• Add the baking soda to a bowl or directly to your storage container, followed by the castile soap or Sal Suds and hydrogen peroxide.
• Whisk the ingredients until they form a thick paste.
• If you want to add a “clean scent” to the paste, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil and stir. Lemongrass, lemon, or grapefruit are lovely for the kitchen or bathroom.
• The cleaner is ready to use immeadiately after combining the ingredients or you can place a lid on the jar and seal until you’re ready to use. If you’re using hydrogen peroxide, use an amber jar or something that won’t allow light to seep through the jar.

How to Clean a Tub and Sink

To clean a tub and/or sink, scoop some of the paste from the jar and apply to the surface area. Use a cleaning cloth or scrub brush to evenly distribute the paste across the surface. Let the paste rest on the tub or sink surface for a few minutes, then use a damp cloth or scrub brush to scrub the surface. After scrubbing the surface, remove the paste with fresh clean water. This cleaner should be safe for all surfaces; however, it’s always best to spot test in a small area before using any cleaning product.

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Homemade Tub and Sink Cleaner

An easy-to-make homemade tub and sink cleaner, made with 3 ingredients: baking soda, castile soap (or Sal Suds), and hydrogen peroxide. A homemade knock off alternative for Soft Scrub or Scrubbing Bubbles.

Course DIY

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword homemade sink cleaner, homemade tub cleaner

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 10 ounces

Author Kristin Marr

Equipment

• storage jar
• mixing spoon

Ingredients

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup liquid castile soap or Sal Suds for extra tough jobs--lots of dirt or grease build up
• 1 TB hydrogen peroxide 3% strength--this is what you'll find in drug stores, grocery stores, etc.
• essential oil of choice optional, if you'd like a "clean scent" such as: grapefruit, lemon, eucalyptus, or lemongrass

Instructions

• In a medium-size bowl, add the baking soda, castile soap or Sal Suds, and hydrogen peroxide. Stir until the ingredients resemble a thick paste. If you want a thinner paste, add more soap or water (distilled water if storing the cleaner, tap water is fine if this is a one-time, immediate use product).
• Use the paste immeadiately after combining or store for later.

Storage:

• If storing the cleaner for future cleaning needs, spoon the paste into a jar (such as a wide-mouth mason jar or Weck jar) and seal the jar. This cleaner will harden when exposed to air for a prolonged period of time. Use an amber jar or something that won't allow light to seep through if using hydrogen peroxide in the paste and storing for later use. It's also important to leave room at the top of the jar for expansion. The cleaner will expand within the first 24 hours. Store for up to 1 month.

To Use:

• To clean a tub or sink, scoop some of the paste from the jar and apply to the surface area. Use a cloth or scrub brush to evenly distribute the paste across the surface. Let the paste rest on the surface for a few minutes, then use a damp cloth or scrub brush to scrub the surface. After scrubbing the surface, remove the paste with water. This cleaner should be safe for all surfaces; however, it's always best to spot test in a small area before using any cleaning product.

This recipe was originally shared on Live Simply in 2015. It’s become a very popular reader favorite. Check out more reviews for this recipe, here: DIY Homemade Scrub Cleaner: Like Soft Scrub.

The post Easy Homemade Sink and Tub Cleaner appeared first on Live Simply.

If I had to pick the one item in my kitchen that’s used more than anything else it would definitely be my favorite wood cutting board. That rectangular board has been with me for a couple of years now, faithfully taking the daily chopping, banging, and stains (think: beets for juice!) like a pro. And while it may seem obvious to many people, after we made our lifestyle change, I didn’t know how to clean my cutting board.

Let me rephrase that.

After we made the switch to real food and then natural cleaners, I didn’t know how to clean my cutting board, naturally.

Growing up, my parents used plastic cutting mats, which were constantly being sprayed with a store-bought cleaning solution or bleach. I clearly remember the harsh bleach odor filling our kitchen at least once a week. When I started to think about cleaning with natural ingredients, I had to research how exactly to get my cutting board clean without using harsh spray cleaners and bleach. Friend, as it turns out, cleaning a cutting board naturally is an incredibly simple task.

On my natural cleaning journey, I’ve also learned that there are different ways to “clean” a cutting board, or mat, depending on how it’s used: actual cleaning, deodorizing, and disinfecting. Today is all about practical tips and application (really, when is it not all about practical around here ;)). We’re going to talk about how I care for my hard-working cutting board(s) and mat with simple, natural ingredients. No bleach allowed!

How to Clean a Cutting Board

What You’ll Need: Castile soap (any scent variety), Sal Suds, or a natural dish soap + Hot water

To a clean a cutting board, I simply use a small amount of castile soap or Sal Suds (dime-size, if it’s coming straight from the bottle), or a squirt of my homemade dish soap, a dishtowel or sponge, and hot water. That’s it! According to the USDA, clean a cutting board “with hot, soapy water after each use; then rinse with clear water and air dry or pat dry with clean paper towels.” I personally like to use a reusable, clean dish towel to dry my board. If I have a sink full of hot soapy water, then I’ll just use that water, as long as the water is clean. The key to cleaning the board is hot water and (natural) soap, so how exactly you go about using these ingredients is totally up to you. I clean my cutting board after each use.

Cleaning Caution: If you’re cleaning a wood cutting board, do not submerge the board in water (in a sink full of water), or put it in the dishwasher. This will eventually ruin the board and cause it to crack. If you’re using a silicone mat, submerging the mat in water and placing it in the dishwasher is just fine.

What’s castile soap? Castile soap is a concentrated vegetable-based soap made of ingredients you can actually pronounce. This soap is gentle on the skin and effective in the fight against dirt, grease, and unwanted germs. Dr. Bronner’s is a very a popular brand of castile soap. Castile soap can be used to clean just about anything and everything: your face, your laundry, your cutting board, and even your stinky dog!

How to Deodorize a Cutting Board

What You’ll Need: 1/3 cup coarse salt (or a mixture of salt and baking soda, if you’re not using a lemon) + 1/2 a lemon

Deodorizing is the process of removing or, at least, concealing an unpleasant odor. To deodorize my cutting board, I use two simple ingredients: salt and half a lemon. Baking soda would also work really well for deodorizing a cutting board, but since I love using a lemon, baking soda isn’t a good option (base + acid = no bueno).

To deodorize a cutting board, I simply massage 1/3 cup of coarse salt on my cutting board, and then let it sit for about 10 minutes (up to a few hours). After the resting time, I massage the salt with 1/2 a lemon, squeezing the lemon to release the juice. Finally, I rinse the board with a clean cloth and hot water. If you don’t want to use a lemon, you can try mixing baking soda and coarse salt together to equal 1/3 a cup. I deodorize my cutting board about once a month, just to keep it smelling fresh.

How to Disinfect a Cutting Board

What You’ll Need: 100% white vinegar + 100% (3%) hydrogen peroxide. Do not combine the two sprays into one solution!

This disinfecting method was developed in the ‘90s by Susan Sumner a food scientist at Virginia Polytechnic Institute.

Disinfecting is an activity that’s (generally) done after cleaning and, in my cleaning opinion, needs to be done much less often. “Disinfecting…refers to killing a high percentage of the germs on a surface or rendering them incapable of reproducing.” (source)

To disinfect a cutting board, first clean the board by combining hot water and liquid castile soap. Rinse the surface with water and dry it with a clean cloth. Now it’s time to disinfect. Spray the vinegar or hydrogen peroxide on the surface; the order doesn’t matter. Let the disinfectant rest for five minutes, then wipe the surface with a cloth. Spray the second disinfectant on the surface, let it rest for five minutes, then wipe the surface with a clean cloth. I usually rinse the board after disinfecting, just for good measure.

That’s it! Whether you need to clean, deodorize, or disinfect your cutting board, you can do it all naturally. Simple, right?!

Do you have a favorite method for cleaning, deodorizing, and/or disinfecting your cutting boards?

The post How to Naturally Clean, Deodorize, and Disinfect a Cutting Board appeared first on Live Simply.

My kitchen sink is by far the hardest working “thing” (anyone have a better word?) in our home. Well, except for our air conditioning system, #Floridian. Our sink is the dumping ground for plates, pots and pans, silverware, the coffee pot, leftover scraps on plates and pans, and so much more. Our sink is one happening spot.

Last summer, we remodeled our entire kitchen. Before we even started designing the kitchen and thinking about cabinets and appliances, my focus was on the sink. I’ve spent way too much time on Pinterest over the last couple of years dreaming about the loveliness of a farm-style, apron sink.  Before the walls even came down, we went to IKEA and purchased the farm sink of my dreams, which turned out to be very affordable. With our kitchen remodel complete, and my dream sink now installed, caring for our sink has been a major priority.

Since our kitchen sink is the hangout spot for our dirty dishes, it’s easy for our sink to quickly transform from clean to dirty and greasy. I love knowing that I have four different natural, homemade recipe options to help keep our sink clean and sparkly. Think of these four natural recipes like the cleaning section of the grocery store: there are multiple options to get the job done.

Before I share each recipe, it’s important to note that these recipes may be used to clean any sink in a home, not just the kitchen sink. If your sinks are delicate, like a marble sink, I recommend asking a specialist about specific care instructions.

How to Naturally Clean Your Sink

Sink Scouring Powder

This powder is a combination of baking soda, borax, coarse salt, and a few drops of essential oil. The simple ingredients create a powerful powder that I sprinkle in our sinks when they need a deep cleaning. After sprinkling the powder in the sink, I let it rest for at least five minutes, and then use a scrub brush to scrub away the dirt. Finally, I rinse the sink with warm water.

This is my go-to powder when my kitchen sink needs a deep cleaning (during my bi-monthly cleaning), and the cleaner I use in our bathroom sinks (another bi-monthly cleaning task). I also use this powder to clean our toilets. Since this powder has a very long shelf-life, a mason jar of Sink Scouring Powder is always ready to go in my cleaning caddy.

What You’ll Need

• ½ cup baking soda
• ½ cup borax
• ½ cup kosher or sea salt
• 15 drops grapefruit essential oil (or your favorite cleaning essential oil, like lemon or tea tree)
• 1 lid with holes, such as: a mason jar drink top, or a Parmesan cheese topper. Only use this lid when the powder is needed. The top used to store the powder shouldn’t expose the powder to the air.

Find the full recipe instructions, here.

Simple Lemon Surface Scrub

This scrub lives up to its simple name since it’s made with only two kitchen ingredients: a lemon and coarse salt. That’s it! I use this scrub when I need to quickly clean our kitchen sink, but don’t want to get out an actual cleaning product. We always have lemons in our kitchen, so I cut one in half, sprinkle salt over the lemon flesh, and then scrub our sink with the lemon and salt (gently squeezing the lemon as I scrub). I apply more salt to the lemon as needed. The lemon and salt combo loosens dirt and grease, and eliminates odors.

What You’ll Need

• 1/3 cup kosher or sea salt
• 1 lemon, halved

If you have my book, DIY Natural Cleaning Challenge, you’ll find this recipe on page 94.

Scrub Cleaner

My mom’s favorite cleaner, when I was a child, was Soft Scrub. She used Soft Scrub to clean everything from the bathroom tiles and tub to her kitchen sink. This scrub cleaner is my homemade alternative for Soft Scrub.

I personally don’t use this scrub very often for cleaning our sinks, because my sinks don’t get dirty enough to need this powerful cleaner. If you need something with not only cleaning power but also whitening power, this is your cleaner! This scrub is also a great product to use in a dirty bathtub or shower.

What You’ll Need

• 1 cup baking soda
• ¼ cup liquid castile soap or Sal Suds
• 1 TB hydrogen peroxide
• 1 large jar with a lid

Find the full recipe instructions, here.

All-Purpose Spray

Finally, if my sinks just need a quick wipe down, with more than just water and a dish towel, I’ll reach for a bottle of all-purpose spray. There are two options when it comes to making an all-purpose spray: vinegar or castile soap. The spray I reach for and use depends on what’s currently sitting in my cleaning caddy (a water-based cleaner has a short shelf-life). Both are incredibly effective at quickly cleaning a sink.

What You’ll Need

• 2 cups water
• 2 TB – ¼ cup liquid castile soap
• 15 drops cleaning essential oil
• 1 spray bottle

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup white vinegar
• ½ lemon, juiced (optional)
• 15 drops cleaning essential oil
• 1 spray bottle

Find the full recipe instructions, here.

Do you have a favorite natural method/recipe for cleaning your sinks?

The post How to Naturally Clean Your Sink: 4 Homemade Recipes appeared first on Live Simply.

If you’re enjoying breakfast or lunch right now, I recommend waiting to read this post until after you finish your meal. Today we’re going to get really personal and to talk about the toilet. Not only are we going to talk about the humble toilet, we’re also going to visit my bathroom and look at pictures of my toilet bowl. Our online friendship is about to go to a whole new level! From drinking lattes to cleaning toilets…oh yeah!

Cleaning Versus Disinfecting

To begin our toilet talk, let’s talk about cleaning versus disinfecting, since these are actually two different cleaning actions performed with very different cleaning products.

In my humble cleaning opinion, most of us just need to clean regularly, not disinfect. Cleaning consists of regular home maintenance: dusting, wiping surfaces, using soap to wash our hands, washing and sweeping the floor with hot water and possibly soap, vacuuming, spraying and wiping mirrors and glass, etc. These cleaning tasks are usually performed with water and a natural soap or detergent, like castile soap or Sal Suds, which keep a home from harboring unwanted dust and dirt. Regular cleaning maintenance encourages that “put together” look so many of us desire (a subjective term when you have young children…the struggle is real).

Disinfecting is an activity that’s (generally) done after cleaning and, in my cleaning opinion, needs to be done much less often in the average home. “Disinfecting…refers to killing a high percentage of the germs on a surface or rendering them incapable of reproducing.” (source)

Disinfecting takes care of more than just dirt, grease, or dust. Disinfecting knocks-out the bad germs that can make us ill. I don’t believe disinfecting every surface on a regular basis is essential in the modern-day home. Now when the stomach virus comes knocking, or I cut raw meat on my favorite cutting board, I’m all about using a homemade disinfectant spray.

All that being said, there is one area of the home that I personally believe should be regularly disinfected (and this is where we get all personal with toilet talk and pictures, brace yourself): the hard-working toilet bowl!

How to Clean and Disinfect a Toilet Bowl, Naturally

I have two favorite recipes for cleaning the toilet bowls in my home: a liquid cleaner and a powder cleaner. Both cleaners clean the toilet bowl very well. My choice between which cleaner to make and use is usually just a matter of which ingredients I have on hand, and if I want a long-term storage powder or a short-term storage liquid cleaner. Right now, I’m using the powder cleaner. PS: I’m going to share this recipe, which is from the DIY Natural Cleaning Challenge, below.

Cleaning the toilet bowl with one of my homemade cleaners is as simple as mixing the powder or liquid ingredients, squirting or sprinkling the cleaner on the sides of the toilet bowl, and then letting the cleaner rest in the toilet for a few minutes. Easy peasy! Just think, a homemade cleaner that’s just as easy to use as a store-bought cleaner, but without the mystery ingredients.

Once the cleaner rests for a few minutes, it’s time to scrub! You’re going to need a handy toilet bowl brush to complete this next step. Scrub the cleaner against the toilet bowl sides. Then, flush the toilet. The toilet bowl is now clean (AKA: the dirt and well, you know what else has been removed).

Now it’s time to disinfect. When it comes to naturally disinfecting surfaces, two ingredients work very well: hydrogen peroxide and/or vinegar. In the kitchen, these two disinfectants are a powerhouse when used back to back to disinfect a surface (you should NEVER combine the two ingredients into one cleaner). When it comes to toilet bowl disinfecting, I only use one ingredient: hydrogen peroxide or vinegar. Simply attach a spray nozzle on the hydrogen peroxide bottle or vinegar bottle (if your vinegar bottle is bulk-size, just pour the vinegar into the toilet bowl or pour the vinegar into a separate spray bottle). Then, spray or pour the disinfectant on the sides of the toilet bowl. Let the disinfectant rest for 30 minutes so it can work against germs, then flush!

If you want use vinegar to disinfect your toilet bowl, but hate the smell of vinegar, use the citrus-infused vinegar we made last week (just don’t dilute the vinegar concentrate before pouring or spraying it in the toilet bowl).

Now your toilet bowl is naturally clean and disinfected!

Print

Powder Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Cleaning the toilet bowl with one of my homemade cleaners is as simple as mixing the powder or liquid ingredients, squirting or sprinkling the cleaner on the sides of the toilet bowl, and then letting the cleaner rest in the toilet for a few minutes. Easy peasy

Course Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword Powder Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 1/2 cups powder

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup borax
• 1/2 cup coarse sea salt or kosher, You can find an inexpensive 3lb box at most grocery stores. Don’t waste money and use expensive mineral-rich salt like Himalayan salt, in this recipe.
• 15 drops grapefruit essential oil or favorite cleaning essential oil
• 1 lid with holes such as: a mason jar drink top, or a Parmesan cheese topper. Only use this lid when the powder is needed. The top used to store the powder shouldn’t expose the powder to the air.

Instructions

• Combine the ingredients in a storage container.
• Clean the toilet bowl: Sprinkle the sides of the toilet bowl. Let the powder rest for 15 minutes, then scrub the toilet with a toilet bowl brush, and flush.
• Disinfect the toilet bowl: Spray hydrogen peroxide or vinegar on the sides of the toilet bowl, let the spray rest for 30 minutes, then flush.

Video

Notes

Recipe shared from DIY Natural Cleaning Challenge.

The post How to Clean and Disinfect a Toilet Bowl, Naturally appeared first on Live Simply.

While homemade cleaning products are family-friendly and safe to use in a home, there are a few precautions that need to be taken when combining ingredients and using a homemade cleaner. Just because ingredients are natural doesn’t mean they can or should be used on every surface in your home, or can be mixed with other homemade cleaners or ingredients. Let’s take a look at a few of the precautions I recommend taking when making homemade cleaners:

1. Water Safety: Distilled (sold in stores) or boiled and cooled water is best to use for long-term products. This process removes contaminants. Tap water should be boiled for 15 minutes. Clean tap water is okay for short-term use products.

2. Use Your Senses: If you ever notice a slime or an unusual odor in a bottle filled with homemade cleaner (or any product, whether homemade or store-bought) toss the cleaner and make a new batch.

3. Label Products: Always label a product that you plan to store for later with the product name and date. A simple label can be made with tape or writing with a permanent marker on glass spray bottles and containers.

4. Use Clean Tools: Always use clean spray bottles, containers, and/or mixing tools when making homemade cleaners. Bacteria is usually introduced into homemade products when the handling materials haven’t been properly cleaned.

5. Always Spot Test: With any cleaner that’s applied to a special surface, always spot test. This applies to both store-bought cleaners and homemade solutions. For cleaners that are used on special surfaces, like floors, wood, or counter-tops, I recommend first spot testing in a small, inconspicuous area.

6. Avoid Mixing Certain Natural Ingredients: Even though the ingredients used to make homemade cleaning products are safe, there are a few ingredients that shouldn’t be mixed together due to chemical reactions. Since there are many recipes all over Pinterest and the internet, many of which contain ingredients that don’t “play” well together, it’s important to understand the basic chemistry (without boring chemistry language, sorry science lovers) of why some ingredients shouldn’t be combined when making homemade products.

Natural Cleaning Ingredients to Avoid Combining

Let’s take a detailed look at four natural ingredients with combination issues. Each ingredient can be safely combined with other ingredients; there are just three notorious combos, using four different products (baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and castile soap) which should be avoided due to chemical reactions.

You may notice that in each ingredient combination (below) one major ingredient plays the role of the trouble-maker: vinegar! Vinegar is like the family member or friend who doesn’t get along with everyone, and always creates drama with specific people. We don’t know anyone like that, right?! Just an example, my friend.

Vinegar gets along with many natural ingredients, but when it comes to hydrogen peroxide, castile soap, and baking soda, she just doesn’t want to play nice. And when we ask her to play nice, she always makes a scene and creates drama (AKA: a chemical reaction). What a drama queen!

Combination 1: Vinegar + Baking Soda

This combo is common in recipes on the web and even some cleaning books. When combined, vinegar (an acid) and baking soda (a base) fizz (the reaction) and cancel each other out, which is an awesome science experiment for the kiddos. This fizz is caused by a chemical reaction, resulting in basically salty water which neutralizes the cleaning power of both ingredients. Now, salt is used in some of my favorite cleaning recipes, so I’m not saying salt is bad. If you want salt water come visit my family in Florida, just don’t mix vinegar and baking soda with the hope of making an awesome cleaner.

Baking soda and vinegar can help unclog a drain, but my guess is that their effectiveness is more about the chemical reaction that occurs when the ingredients are poured down the drain.

Alternative:

Baking soda and vinegar are wonderful cleaning or disinfecting ingredients, so they may be used back to back when cleaning, just don’t combine them into one cleaner.

Combination 2: Vinegar + Castile Soap

This is another very popular recipe combination. Just like vinegar and baking soda, vinegar and castile soap aren’t hazardous when combined, but the result will be an oily and expensive waste of ingredients.

When combined, vinegar (an acid) and castile soap (a base) cancel each other and create unsaponified soap. This reaction reduces the soap back to its original oils. If you try mixing the two ingredients you’ll immediately notice the castile soap curdles and feels very oily.

Alternative:

Sal Suds, unlike castile soap, can be combined with vinegar since it’s a detergent with a different chemical composition than castile soap.

Combination 3: Vinegar + Hydrogen Peroxide

Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide are both good disinfectants, so why not combine the two for a double POW? Well, the answer is simple: peracetic acid. Peracetic acid is highly corrosive, although its toxicity is low, and can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and may even cause asthma (source). Sounds a lot like bleach, which is the reason why some recipes online combine the ingredients.

Alternative:

Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar can be used back to back to disinfect surfaces (like a cutting board), but shouldn’t be combined into one solution. Personally, I just use a hydrogen peroxide or straight vinegar spray when I need to disinfect a surface. To make a bleaching solution, I use washing soda and hydrogen peroxide (see my recipe).

With these safety precautions in mind, go ye forth and make homemade cleaners!

The post 4 Natural Cleaning Ingredients to Avoid Combining appeared first on Live Simply.

If you plan to make multiple DIY products for your home, it’s important to start building an ingredient toolkit. It may seem like you’ll need a bunch of fancy products and a chemistry degree to formulate homemade cleaners, but that’s simply not the case. Most of the ingredients used to make homemade products are basic ingredients which you may already own and be using in your home.

12 Must-Have Ingredients to Clean Your Entire House, Naturally

Baking Soda:

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a naturally occurring substance. Baking soda is used in homemade recipes to fight against dirt, grease, and odors. I prefer cooking with Bob’s Red Mill brand baking soda, but for cleaning, I stick with the big bag of Arm & Hammer.

Ingredient Caution: Baking soda can be added to many homemade mixtures; however, you should never combine baking soda and vinegar (they cancel each other out).

Recipes to Try: 8 Money-Saving DIY Recipes Using Baking Soda

Super Washing Soda:

Washing soda, also known as sodium carbonate and sold under the Arm & Hammer brand, is highly alkaline which makes it a great cleaner! The high alkaline level allows washing soda to act as a solvent. Washing soda can also be used to fight against hard water, since the washing soda binds to the minerals, which in turn can boost laundry soap’s effectiveness. Washing soda can be found in the laundry section of most grocery stores, or you can make it at home using baking soda and an oven–I’ll show you how in the cleaning book coming out on November 23rd!

Recipes to Try: Homemade Oxi-Clean-Like Powder, Homemade Bleach Alternative, Homemade Laundry Soap, Easy DIY Dish Soap

Vinegar:

Vinegar is 5% acetic acid. This acid fights against bacteria and other yuckies you don’t want living in your home. Vinegar can’t be used on every surface (like marble and granite), but even with its limitations vinegar is an extremely versatile product to keep in your natural cleaning toolkit.

Ingredient Caution: Vinegar can be combined with many amazing cleaning ingredients; however, vinegar should never be combined with castile soap, hydrogen peroxide, or baking soda.

Recipes to Try: Herbal Infused Surface Cleaner, Glass and Stainless Steel Cleaner, Floor Cleaner Wipes, Reusable Surface Cleaner Wipes

Castile Soap:

Castile soap is a concentrated vegetable-based soap made of ingredients you can actually pronounce. This soap is gentle on the skin and effective in the fight against dirt, grease, and unwanted germs. Dr. Bronner’s is a very a popular brand of castile soap.

The world is just a better place with castile soap, really! Castile soap can be used to clean just about anything and everything: your face, your laundry, and even your stinky dog! Pretty amazing stuff.

Ingredient Caution: Castile soap can be combined with many amazing cleaning ingredients; however, castile soap should never be combined with vinegar.

Recipes to Try: 7 Money-Saving Recipes Using Castile Soap, Homemade Stain Remover Spray

Sal Suds:

Sal suds is Dr. Bronner’s tougher version of soap, although its chemical makeup makes it a detergent, not a soap. Sal Suds is formulated to conquer tough cleaning projects: unforgiving grease and stubborn dirt.  Sal Suds is a hot topic in the natural community, so it remains a product that some use and others stay away from. What’s all the fuss about? Sal Suds receives an A on the Environmental Working Group’s website. You can also read more about the big SLS debate on Lisa Bronner’s blog.

Recipes to Try: DIY Scrub Cleaner, Easy DIY Dish Soap

Lemons (Also, Limes and Oranges):  

Fresh citrus, particularly lemons and lemon juice, are amazing natural cleaners. Lemons contain antibacterial properties which aid in fighting unwanted germs and bacteria in the home. Lemons also work to help brighten dull linens in my homemade whitening recipe. Plus, citrus provides an amazing fresh scent to homemade cleaners.  Orange and lime peels can be added to vinegar for a fresh antibacterial cleaner.

Recipes to Try: Herbal Infused Surface Cleaner, Homemade Bleach Alternative, 4-Ingredient Citrus Air Freshener

Essential Oils:

Essential oils are very popular today, but the truth is before the popular oil brands marketed online and bloggers started filling Pinterest with recipes, essential oils were being used by generations before us.

Essential oils are basically concentrated oils derived from plants. For those wanting a more scientific definition, here’s how Retha, a certified aromatherapist from Plant Therapy, defines an essential oil,  “An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. Essential oils are generally extracted by distillation, often by using steam.”

Essential oils not only provide a pretty, natural fragrance to homemade cleaners, but also important disinfecting properties. A few of my favorite essential oils for cleaning, include: lemon, tea tree, peppermint, lavender, and orange.

My favorite trustworthy and affordable essential oil brands for cleaning include: Aura Cacia, NOW, and Plant Therapy. All of these brands can be found online.

Borax:

Out of all the ingredients I use to make homemade cleaners none are more hotly debated than good ol’ borax. Over the years, some people have expressed concerns that Borax isn’t a safe homemade cleaner. I take just the opposite view, especially when you compare super effective Borax to most of the main-stream cleaners on the market.

While I feel safe using Borax in my cleaning recipes, I take care to avoid inhaling this ingredient and keep it away from little hands that may choose to taste-test some of the white powder. The product receives an F according to the EWG for respiration concerns (don’t purposely sniff inside a box of Borax!). I believe this article from Wellness Mama offers valid points to why we shouldn’t throw the Borax out with the box.

The results of using Borax in homemade recipes is quite impressive, so don’t skip this ingredient if a recipe specifically calls for Borax. Trust me, the result just won’t be the same.

Recipes to Try: Homemade Laundry Soap, Easy DIY Dish Soap

Hydrogen Peroxide:

I have very “fond” memories of hydrogen peroxide as a young child. I clearly remember my many playtime booboos and my dad applying the bubbly substance called hydrogen peroxide to the dirty ouchies. As it turns out, I’d grow to love this common ingredient later as an adult. In fact, I keep quite the stock of hydrogen peroxide in my home due its amazing disinfecting properties (hey, clean ouchies and laundry!).

Ingredient Caution: Never combine hydrogen peroxide and vinegar when making homemade cleaning recipes; you will create peracetic acid which can be irritating and corrosive. Hydrogen peroxide also demands a bit of extra storage care since it’s sensitive to light, so it should be kept in a dark container/space (ever wonder why the hydrogen peroxide bottles are brown?).’

Recipes to Try: Homemade Stain Remover Spray, DIY Scrub Cleaner

Alcohol (Vodka and Rubbing Alcohol):

The guy at the liquor store knows me well and it’s not because I’m a lover of exotic alcoholic beverages. I’m still trying to convince him that my large vodka purchases are due to my love for homemade vanilla extract and cleaners.

Vodka’s high alcohol content is perfect for killing germs, and even mildew or mold. You can also use alcohol to help shine chrome and glass. Simply wipe a surface with a cloth that’s been moistened with vodka, and viola–squeaky clean! Vodka may also be used to kill odors and freshen-up fabrics. That’s right, kiss the Febreze good-bye.

Rubbing alcohol, also known as isopropyl alcohol, is considered an anti-septic and sold as such in grocery stores. Rubbing alcohol is used in homemade cleaners to kill germs. I know some people in the natural community avoid rubbing alcohol for cleaning purposes. Vodka may be safely substituted for rubbing alcohol in cleaning recipes.

Recipes to Try: Glass and Stainless Steel Cleaner, Floor Cleaner Wipes, 4-Ingredient Citrus Air Freshener

Kosher or Sea Salt:

Yep, add good ol’ cooking salt to your DIY toolkit. Salt has been well-known for centuries for its cleaning and preserving properties. Salt can be used to soften hard water and clothes, and even used as a natural scent booster. And its abrasive properties can be used to scour dirty surfaces, particularly when paired with a lemon or lemon juice. Costco and many grocery stores sell large boxes of salt for $1-2.

Recipes to Try: Laundry Softener and Scent Booster

Olive Oil:

Olive oil (I use an inexpensive olive oil specifically for cleaning) can be used to condition furniture and dust surfaces. When it comes to skin cleansing, olive oil is a great facial cleanser.

Recipes to Try: Dusting Spray and Furniture Polish (in my cleaning book), How to Clean Your Face Naturally with Oil, Honey and Aloe Facial Cleanser, Homemade Liquid Hand Soap

Water:

When making homemade products, clean tap water may be used for temporary storage; for long-term storage use distilled water or boiled and then cooled water to limit the possibility of bacteria growth.

The post 12 Must-Have Ingredients to Clean Your Entire House, Naturally appeared first on Live Simply.

Okay, guys! It’s time for some laundry talk.

For the past four weeks I’ve talked a lot about laundry, everything from a stain remover to homemade bleach alternative. I promise, I won’t talk about laundry forever. Just one more week of laundry talk? One more?

Awesome, I knew you would say yes!

I recently snooped around the blog pretending to be a reader. During my pretend session, I clicked on the main menu, categories, and the sidebar. My desire is for Live Simply to be a reader-friendly space– posts are easy to find, pictures are big (well, not too big) and beautiful, and the words written communicate encouragement and love. As I clicked around, one major “issue” jumped out at me: The laundry subcategory has been seriously lacking. At the time the only posts available for reading were my homemade laundry soap and Kelly’s dryer balls (a dryer sheet alternative).

I’m all about simplicity, so one laundry soap and dryer ball post was perfectly fine, but I think most of us know the cold truth about laundry–it’s not a simple job. Oh yes, there’s the washing and folding.  But what about the mysterious black stains that magically appear on my favorite white shorts? Or the new white towels (by the way, I’m a huge advocate for white towels!)  that after only three washes feel like you’ve been using them for ten years. Laundry problems, my friend! Problems that need more than just soap and dry balls.

Over the years, I’ve experimented with various homemade laundry solutions. I’ve experienced countless failures. Through those failures I’ve discovered that while laundry may be complicated, the homemade solutions that fix those problems don’t have to be.

After peeking around Live Simply that day, I decided my tried-and-true laundry solutions needed to be shared, so over the last four weeks we’ve sat down to a cup of coffee, our computer screens, ignored the big pile of laundry calling out in the corner, and spent a few minutes each week talking about homemade laundry solutions!

To wrap up this laundry marathon (There are a few more solutions to share, but I’ll switch back to beauty and home for a few weeks.), let’s talk about oxygen bleach.

Oxygen bleach is a laundry booster that can be used directly in the washing machine to help clean soiled clothing and improve the performance of laundry detergents. For years, I used this product in my home until I finally decided to do a little research into the ingredients. After reading the ingredient list and articles online, I realized the expensive oxygen bleach powder I purchased to provide my laundry with a sweet little boost was nothing more than a special ingredient called Sodium Percarbonate. From my research I learned Sodium Percarbonate is made by bonding two ingredients together: hydrogen peroxide and washing soda. Mind-blown! Talk about simplicity!

It was at this moment in my research that I realized the expensive product I was purchasing from the store shelf each month could easily be made at home. I played around with several variations of a homemade Oxi-Clean like product: mixing equal parts hydrogen peroxide and washing soda, reducing the hydrogen peroxide, etc. Each attempt only led to disaster.

As it turns out, washing soda and hydrogen peroxide form some kind of chemical reaction after sitting for 24 hours in a container. The two ingredients form a crystal-like hard substance. It’s actually pretty fascinating, and that’s as far as I get with the technicality of it all. Hard rock-like crystals are no bueno for a mom in need of a homemade laundry boost.

Finally, I figured out my problem. I was over complicating the whole process.

Since that light-bulb moment, I’ve been happily using a homemade laundry boost. I simply keep a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and a glass jar filled with washing soda near the washing machine. When our laundry is on the dirtier side or I’m washing a load of towels, I simply add equal parts of washing soda and hydrogen peroxide to the machine as the water fills up, swish the ingredients in the water with my hand, pour in the laundry soap, and add the clothes! Viola!

Before I share this simple recipe with you, let’s take a look at the two ingredients:

Hydrogen Peroxide: The primary job of this household ingredient is to remove stains and naturally-brighten clothes. This ingredient is also used in my homemade bleach alternative, which also uses washing soda and the power of lemons to whiten dingy garments.

Washing Soda: This is the cousin of baking soda. In fact, you can actually make washing soda from baking soda–I tell you how to do that in my DIY Natural Cleaning Challenge eBook. When it comes to cleaning clothes, washing soda is preferred over baking soda due to washing soda’s higher PH level (PH 11). Washing soda can help soften hard water. It also works as a degreaser and stain remover.

Print

Homemade Oxi-Clean Like Laundry Booster

Oxygen bleach is a laundry booster that can be used directly in the washing machine to help clean soiled clothing and improve the performance of laundry detergents. 

Course DIY, Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword Oxi-Clean Like Laundry Booster

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 load

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup washing soda
• 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide 3%, this is the stuff you find in most grocery stores

Instructions

• Turn on the washing machine, allow the water to fill the basin 1/4-1/2 way full. Add each ingredient to the water (preferably hot water), along with the laundry soap, and swish (use your hand or a wooden spoon).
• Continue filling the washer with water until you reach the desired level.
• Once the ingredients are dissolved, add the clothes. Proceed to wash the clothes according to your washing machine's cycle.

Notes

• For soiled or extra stinky clothes (not ones that require extra whitening or stain removal–this recipe isn’t a complete stain remover), soak the clothes in the solution for 30 minutes -1 hour before adding the laundry soap and running the washer.
• This recipe is used in my house as a regular laundry booster (to aid my laundry soap in getting rid of dirt or odors). For clothes that need extra whitening, I use my homemade bleach alternative.
• For clothes with stains, I use my homemade stain remover, then toss the clothing in the washing machine (along with other clothes, if possible) with this formula. The laundry booster helps lift the stain, if the stain remover needs a bit more of a boost.

More Natural Laundry Recipes

SEE ALL RECIPES

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Natural Laundry Scent Booster (Just 2 Ingredients)

Simple Homemade Fabric Softener (4 Ways)

14 Best Natural and Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents

DIY Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Homemade Stain Remover Recipe For Clothes

The post Homemade Oxi-Clean Like Laundry Booster appeared first on Live Simply.

Recipe Update: This recipe has been updated from the original recipe (which used lemon juice with the ingredients), because I discovered a simpler and easier recipe that doesn’t require a blender and works just as awesome! The modified recipe (fully updated below) even removed a 6 hour-old red wine stain from our white IKEA slipcover couch (the slipcover was removed and soaked in the whitening solution).

If you’re interested in the original recipe (which works great, but when a simpler version is available why not use it instead?): 2 gallons of warm/hot water, 2 lemons (quartered), 1 cup hydrogen peroxide, and 1/2 cup washing soda. Blend the hydrogen peroxide and lemons in the blender (yes, hydrogen is safe to use in a blender since it’s a great disinfectant–just wash it out after making the solution). Pour the lemon mixture and washing soda into the warm/hot water and soak your garment for 30 minutes. The garment will probably look yellow from the lemon juice, but I haven’t had any issues with the lemon juice remaining on garments once washed in the washing machine. Wash the garment in the washing machine with warm/hot water and laundry soap. 

How does it feel to wear white again?

AMAZING, right?!

Who knew the secret to spotless whites (and colors) could be found in three ingredients most of us already own, or can easily obtain: glycerin, castile soap, water, and lemon. If you’re totally lost right now, I highly recommend skipping over to last week’s laundry recipe post featuring an effective and simple stain remover spray. Once you’ve grabbed that recipe you’ll want to come back here for today’s easy peasy recipe. Trust me, your clothes will be forever changed.

Since we are all in a good laundry mood around here thanks to last week’s stain remover spray, we might as well just deepen the laundry love. Let’s talk about laundry again, okay?

For the first few years of our marriage (we are coming up on the big 10 next month!), I was a chlorine bleach fanatic. If the bathroom was dirty, I reached for the bottle of bleach. When the ice cream from last night’s outing decided to visit with my favorite white shorts, the bottle of bleach was put to use. When our linoleum floors went well past a cleaning appointment (with me!), bleach came to the rescue. I think you get the picture: I loved bleach. And truthfully, I’m not really sure how that love was developed since my parents rarely used this strong whitening and disinfecting agent in their home. Maybe it was the cheap price or the POW  job it seemed to perform? Whatever it was, my love was a bit extreme.

I see you cringing over there. Trust me, I cringe at the very thought of my intense use and love for bleach. Oh yea, and then the smell? I don’t even want to think about the number of brain cells I probably killed by inhaling so much chlorine bleach. The thought is just depressing, so let’s not go there. The good news is the happy turning point of my bleach saga happens right about now…

From the start of our marriage Dustin was the “healthier” one. When I’d be chowing down on Edy’s ice cream late at night, he would reach for a container of strawberries. While I continued to feed my sugar and coke addiction, Dustin usually reached for water or juice (sure, the juice probably contained just as much sugar). And when it came to bleach, Dustin always made a point to say, “I wish you wouldn’t use that stuff! It hurts my lungs.”

I really hate to admit this next point about myself, but here it goes: I tend to be a pretty stubborn person. Yep, it’s not my most flattering quality, but somewhere deep inside there’s this little voice that wants to do it my way until I’ve been proven wrong about a million times. Like I said, not a great quality, but we’re all about truth around here.

Despite Dustin regularly pointing out the whole “I don’t like bleach” plea, I continued to use it for two reasons: 1/ I was stubborn 2/ I couldn’t find a better alternative. The “bleach alternative” from the store just didn’t cut it.

For the sake of not boring you this morning, let’s just skip ahead to the really good part of this story…

Almost ten years into our marriage, I’m excited to finally share that 2014 was my year for giving up bleach once and for all! Granted, I had cut back on my use of this product many years before, but I still used it on occasion for a tough job and white clothes. As it turns out, a homemade bleach alternative existed right under my nose–a nose that desperately needed a break from bleach!

Three ingredients are used to make my homemade bleach alternative: water, hydrogen peroxide, and washing soda (thanks to a much higher PH level than baking soda). These ingredients are inexpensive and, when combined, create a super effective deodorizing and whitening agent.

Are you ready to tackle some laundry? Awesome!

Let’s do this!

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Homemade Bleach Alternative

Three ingredients are used to make my homemade bleach alternative: water, hydrogen peroxide, and washing soda (thanks to a much higher PH level than baking soda).

Course DIY, Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword Bleach Alternative

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 Load

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $5

Ingredients

• 2 gallon warm water
• 1 cup hydrogen peroxide 3%
• 1/2 cup washing soda

Instructions

• Add the ingredients to a large bucket or sink.
• Whisk the ingredients into the water to dissolve the washing soda. 
• Soak your garment for 30 minutes in the solution. Wash the garment in the washing machine with warm/hot water and laundry soap. 

A Few Helpful Notes:

• This solution is intended to be a one-time use recipe. I make this bleach alternative as needed. You can use the solution multiple times during the day if you’re doing a quick soak (not hours of soaking) for the garments; just remember that hydrogen peroxide is light sensitive so its effectiveness will fade the longer it’s exposed to light. This recipe can be doubled.
• Need a quick stain remover for a small area? Treat stains with my homemade stain remover. Need to treat a larger stain? Recently Dustin spilled red wine all over our white IKEA slipcover couch and didn’t realize it until several hours later (the glass had been pushed behind a throw pillow before spilling). I mixed together this solution and after a couple of hours, the wine completely was gone!
• “Is this solution color-safe?” I don’t use this solution on delicate clothes. If you want to use this solution on colored fabric, I recommend testing a small area first before soaking the entire garment, especially if it’s a favorite shirt or pair of pants! I soak our black and white chevron print kitchen rug in this solution without any issue.

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The post Homemade Bleach Alternative: A 3-Ingredient Whitening Solution appeared first on Live Simply.

Let’s tackle the dirtiest part of the house. You know that room we take one look at and turn around and close the door in a moment of fight or flight. Wait. Is that just me? Let’s just pretend this is a global mom thing.

I’ve confessed before, but it’s worth mentioning just one more time…I don’t like cleaning the bathroom. It’s the one room of the house that strikes pure terror in my obsessive compulsive heart. Maybe it’s the fact that we have a wonderful four year-old boy living under our roof (we shall leave it at that…I think you get the point). Or the fact that our tub seems to throw mildew parties on a weekly basis and leaves all the evidence behind for me to clean up. Ah, yes. The bathroom.

Whatever the cause of my bathroom cleaning reservations may be, the dirty job must be done quite regularly in order to maintain a sense of cleanliness for the good of all.

Before having kids the dirty job could easily be accomplished with a washcloth and some water. I know, probably not the best cleaning method, but the bathroom was rarely used when both Dustin and I worked outside the home. Not to blame the kids (because I love my kids and don’t want them to have adult therapy sessions because of mommy’s bathroom issues), but well…the evidence is clear. The bathroom cleaning job is a bit more necessary during this season of life.

In my quest for a clean(er) bathroom, I created a powerful bathroom cleaner that works against even the most stubborn odors and dirt. That cleaner (which is amazing and you really need to check out!) is the go-to homemade solution for my weekly appointment in the bathroom. There are times when the job gets really dirty! So dirty I need a bit more help than my trusty homemade squirt bottle can provide. It’s in those moments that I turn to soft scrub.

Wait. wait!

Don’t leave.

It’s homemade, I promise.

Soft scrub is an amazing product that works on even the toughest dirt and mildew. Thankfully, making a homemade version of the popular cleaner is as simple as combining three dirt-hating ingredients. Let’s take a look at each ingredient…

Baking Soda: Baking soda is one of the most effective cleaning ingredients available. This inexpensive ingredient can be used to raise my favorite banana bread and clean a toilet. Pretty amazing stuff! When used as a homemade cleaner, baking soda absorbs odors and scrubs away stains due to its abrasive properties. I use Bob’s Red Mill Baking Soda for baking, but go with the cheaper bulk bag of Arm & Hammer for cleaning.

Castile Soap or Sal Suds: One of my favorite multipurpose DIY ingredients. Castile soap is a concentrated vegetable-based soap with easy to recognize ingredients.  I use castile soap for everything from  homemade laundry detergent to hand soap and face wash. While I love castile soap, I often purchase castile soap’s cousin, Sal Suds, for tough cleaning jobs. Sal Suds is tougher on grease and stubborn stains than castile soap. 

Hydrogen Peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide is known for its antiviral and antibacterial properties, making it the perfect cleaning ingredient for a dirty bathroom. Hydrogen peroxide takes a bit of time to work so I let my homemade soft scrub sit for a few minutes before the victorious act of scrubbing away dirt and stains.

With three simple, cost-effective ingredients homemade soft scrub conquers even the most stubborn bathroom odors and grime. Plus, the act of mixing the ingredients takes less time than a trip to the store to purchase a bottle of the alternative, which means with the extra time you can hide out in a clean bathroom with a homemade latte and good book!

Wait. Am I the only mom enjoying quiet time in the bathroom?

Nah, I’m sure it’s a global mom thing.

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DIY Homemade Scrub Cleaner: Like Soft Scrub

Soft scrub is an amazing product that works on even the toughest dirt and mildew. Thankfully, making a homemade version of the popular cleaner is as simple as combining three dirt-hating ingredients.

Course DIY, Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword Scrub Cleaner

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 10 oz

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup castile soap or Sal Suds – see my explanation above
• 1 TB hydrogen peroxide
• 1 large jar with a lid or Mason Jar, the jar pictured is a Weck Jar.

Instructions

• In a medium-size bowl, combine the baking soda, castile soap or Sal Suds, and hydrogen peroxide. Stir until the scrub cleaner looks like thick glue.
• Spoon the scrub cleaner in a large jar with a lid. Seal the jar. This cleaner will harden when exposed to air for a prolonged period of time. The scrub cleaner can be used immediately and kept at room temperature (in a sealed jar) for several months.

Notes

Note: It’s important to leave room at the top of the jar for expansion. The cleaner will expand within the first 24 hours. I leave 2-3 inches at the top of the jar for expansion.

To Use: Apply the amount desired to a cloth or scrub brush and apply to a dirty surface. Allow the scrub cleaner to sit for a couple of minutes. Wipe the surface with a damp cloth.

 

Makes 1 1/4 cups of scrub cleaner

The “where to buy” links provide links to the actual products I use. As always, I recommend shopping around online and at local stores for the best prices and products you love. Find my favorite DIY ingredients and tools, here.

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The post DIY Homemade Scrub Cleaner: Like Soft Scrub appeared first on Live Simply.