Are you looking to ditch commercial detergent and toxic chemicals and use a natural soap instead? This simple powder laundry detergent is for you. It’s made with simple ingredients, takes just 5 minutes, and is the hardest working homemade detergent-fighting stains and odors like a champ.

I’ve been using this powder laundry detergent recipe and DIY liquid detergent for over 11 years, and my laundry always smells and feels fantastic. 

Key Takeaways

• Natural Laundry Soap Recipe – No harsh chemicals in this detergent. You only need 2 bars of natural soap, borax, and washing soda. 
• Save Money – Not only is making your detergent a great way to reduce toxic chemicals, it’s also a great way to save money. 
• Clean Laundry – The natural ingredients clean clothes, eliminate odors, and even remove tough stains. 
• Quick & Easy – This recipe takes about 5 minutes to make. 
• 56 Loads of Laundry – Plenty of detergent for a family.
• 12-Month Shelf Life – Store the detergent in a container for up to a year. 

Before You Get Started: What You’ll Need

Ingredients

• 2 5-oz castile soap bars – Cleans, removes dirt and grime, fights against stains, and freshens. Castile soap is a plant-based, concentrated soap. It’s the best option for making your own laundry detergent. Dr. Bronner’s brand is easy to find in the grocery store (body/beauty aisle) and has over 20 uses. I also use castile soap to make liquid laundry detergent. 
• 3 cups washing soda – Boosts the power and effectiveness of the soap, helping to remove stains and eliminate odors. Also called “soda ash.”
• 2 cups borax – Laundry softener and water conditioner. Boosts the cleaning power of the soap, removes odors, and fights tough stains. 
• 30 drops essential oil of choice (Optional) – For a subtle scent. My favorite essential oils for homemade laundry soap are orange, lemon, eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint. (How to use essential oils for natural cleaning) 

Equipment

• Food Processor – To grate the castile soap bars. Alternatively, use a cheese grater and a large bowl.
• Storage Container – Choose a storage container holding at least 6 cups of dry powder.

How to Make Homemade Laundry Powder Detergent: Recipe Steps

• Step 1 Cut & Grate Soap Bars – Cut the castile soap bars into small slices or chunks using a sharp chef’s knife and cutting board. Place the castile soap pieces in the food processor bowl. Pulse the soap on high until the soap resembles large crumbs (about 1 minute). If you don’t have a food processor, use a cheese grater and a large bowl.
• Step 2 Add Washing Soda & Pulse – Add 3 cups of washing soda to the food processor. Place a towel over the top of the food processor lid and pulse for 1 minute. After pulsing, the ingredients should be well combined. If you don’t have a food processor, stir the washing soda with the grated soap in a large bowl.
• Step 3 Pour Into Storage Container & Add Borax – Pour the combined washing soda and grated soap into a storage container, stir in 2 cups of borax (or seal the lid on the container after adding the borax and shake the container to combine). 
• Step 4 Add Fragrance – If desired, add your favorite essential oil or a couple of essential oils to create a custom scent blend. Stir to combine (or shake the container with the lid on).

The detergent is now ready to use. Read on to learn how to use the detergent for the freshest, cleanest laundry.

Watch & Follow My Video Tutorial For This Recipe

How to Use DIY Laundry Detergent For Top Loaders, Front Loaders, & HE Machines​

• For Top-Load Washing Machines –  Add ⅛ cup of laundry powder per load directly to the washer basin/drum, then add linens or clothes. Close the lid on the washer and turn on the wash cycle of choice.
• For Front-Loaders and High-Efficiency Washing Machines – Add 1 tablespoon of laundry powder per load to the washer basin/drum, then add linens or clothes. Close the lid on the washer and turn on the wash cycle of choice.
• Adding Fabric Softener – If you want to use fabric softener, add the liquid softener (vinegar is a great option) to the softener compartment of the washing machine. If you’re using a powder softener (like this salt fabric softener), add the powder (and homemade soap) directly to the washer basin/drum, then add fabrics and wash. 

Storage & Shelf Life

• Store the powder for up to 12 months in a sealed container.
• Store at room temperature.

How to Prevent Soap Residue on Clothes

• Avoid The Laundry Soap Dispenser – Add powder laundry detergent directly to the washing machine basin/drum. Do NOT add the powder to the laundry soap dispenser. Adding the clothes directly to the washing machine and then adding the clothes on top will ensure that water reaches the powder and dissolves it without getting caught in the folds of clothing and linens, which can leave a residue on clothing. 
• Try the Laundry Soap Dispenser in Certain Machines- Every washing machine differs. If adding the powder directly to the wash basin/drum isn’t working, try adding the laundry soap to the dispenser. Some machines have a small drawer where you can move from liquid to powder, which is specifically made to help circulate the powder during the wash cycle. 
• Soften Hard Water – Castile soap can leave a residue on dark fabrics if you have hard water, even after trying the tricks above. The borax in the recipe helps to soften water and should eliminate residue issues. The case may be hard water if you still have soap residue issues. You can try using an additional water softener (like white vinegar or a salt solution).

The Best Natural Laundry Detergent Brands: I’ve researched and tried many different laundry soap brands and narrowed down the best 11 brands!

More Natural Products For Clean Laundry

• Stain Remover Spray – Remove tough stains with this simple formula made with castile soap, hydrogen peroxide, and lemon essential oil. 
• Wool Dryer Balls – Soften laundry naturally with these easy-to-make wool dryer balls—a great alternative to dryer sheets. Add a few drops of essential oils to boost the scent in the dryer. 
• Liquid Laundry Detergent – Combine castile soap, borax, washing soda, and water to make my popular liquid laundry soap. 
• Powder Laundry Detergent – Make a powder variation of my popular liquid laundry soap using this simple recipe.
• Laundry Softener – Use vinegar to make this simple liquid laundry detergent.  

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DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent Recipe

Clean clothes, eliminate odors, and fight stains with my homemade laundry powder. I've been using this powder laundry detergent recipe and DIY liquid detergent for over 11 years, and my laundry always smells and feels fantastic. 

Course Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword diy powder laundry detergent, homemade powder laundry detergent, natural powder laundry detergent

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 56 loads of laundry

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $9

Equipment

• 1 food processor or use a cheese grater and large bowl
• 1 storage container with lid that holds at least 6 cups of dry powder

Ingredients

• 2-5 oz lavender castile soap bars any scent variety or unscented
• 3 cups washing soda also called "soda ash"
• 2 cups borax see notes below for a borax-free recipe
• 30 drops essential oil optional for scent, such as: lavender, peppermint, orange, or lemon

Instructions

• Cut & Grate Soap Bars – Cut the castile soap bars into small slices or chunks using a sharp chef's knife and cutting board. Place the castile soap pieces in the food processor bowl. Pulse the soap on high until the soap resembles large crumbs (about 1 minute). If you don't have a food processor, use a cheese grater and a large bowl.
• Add Washing Soda & Pulse – Add 3 cups of washing soda to the food processor. Place a towel over the top of the food processor lid and pulse for 1 minute. After pulsing, the ingredients should be well combined. If you don't have a food processor, stir the washing soda with the grated soap in a large bowl.
• Pour Into Storage Container & Add Borax – Pour the combined washing soda and grated soap into a storage container, stir in 2 cups of borax (or seal the lid on the container after adding the borax and shake the container to combine). 
• Add Fragrance – If desired, add your favorite essential oil or a couple of essential oils to create a custom scent blend. Stir to combine (or shake the container with the lid on).
• The recipe is now ready to use.

Storage:

• Store in a container with a lid for up to 12 months at room temperature.

How to Use:

• For Top-Load Washing Machines –  Add ⅛ cup of laundry powder per load directly to the washer basin/drum, then add linens or clothes. Close the lid on the washer and turn on the wash cycle of choice. For Front-Loaders and High-
• Efficiency Washing Machines – Add 1 tablespoon of laundry powder per load to the washer basin/drum, then add linens or clothes. Close the lid on the washer and turn on the wash cycle of choice.
• Pre-Treat Tough Stains – Before washing garments with tough stains, pre-treat the item with my stain remover spray. Then wash with this detergent.

Video

Notes

• For a borax-free laundry powder, make this laundry detergent recipe. 
• For more homemade laundry recipes, check out my guide: How to Go Natural in the Laundry Room. 

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Key Takeaways

• Simple Ingredients – The 2 key ingredients you’ll need are kosher salt, sea salt, or Epsom salt and essential oil.
• Natural – Most commercial laundry boosters (like Mrs. Meyers) are made with artificial fragrances and toxic chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin (source). This laundry booster recipe is 100% natural.
• Great Smell – Use your favorite essential oils to make a simple homemade recipe smell amazing.
• DIY Fabric Softener – This recipe adds a fresh scent to laundry and softens laundry (thanks to the salt). 
• Quick & Easy to Make– This simple DIY recipe takes less than 5 minutes. 
• Shelf Life – Store the natural scent booster for up to 12 months. 

Before You Get Started: What You’ll Need

Ingredients

• 4-5 cups coarse salt – Sea salt, kosher, or Epsom salt are the best type of salt. The salt works as a carrier to carry the essential oil (the scent) to your laundry and also softens laundry (particularly important if you have hard water). I buy a 3lb box of coarse salt from Costco or the grocery store for about $3-4.
• 1-2 teaspoons of your favorite essential oil (100-200 drops) – This is the most crucial ingredient for making your scent booster. Choose your favorite essential oil or combine 2-3 essential oils to create a beautiful blend. I love lavender essential oil, peppermint, sweet orange, lemon, or lemongrass for laundry.

Equipment

• Large Bowl – For mixing the salt and essential oil(s). 
• Large Spoon – Also used for mixing the salt and essential oil(s). A large wooden cooking spoon or fork (for whisking) works well. 
• Large Storage Container – Something to store the laundry booster. Think about something that will allow you to easily pour the scented salt into the washing machine or a jar that will enable you to scoop the mixture from the jar. 

How to Make a Laundry Scent Booster: Recipe Steps

• Step 1 Add Salt & Essential Oil – Pour the salt into a large bowl. Then, add the essential oil. 
• Step 2 Combine – Using a spoon, mix the salt and essential oil with a spoon or whisk. 
• Step 3 Spoon into a Storage Container – Spoon the mixture into a container with a lid (like a wide glass jar). For best results, I let the mixture rest for 24 hours, allowing the essential oil to infuse the salt. After 24 hours, the scent booster is ready for your laundry routine. 
• Pro Tip for Combining the Essential Oil & Salt – If mixing the salt and oil in a bowl is difficult, pour the ingredients into a large plastic bag. Seal the bag and use your fingers (from the outside) to massage the ingredients and combine. 

How much should I use for the best smelling laundry?

• 1/2 Cup Per Load – Add 1/2 cup of scented salt per load. Add directly to the washing machine with clothes, sheets, towels, etc. For HE machines, you may want to try 1/4 cup.
• Adjust to Your Preference – This will vary on your water, so test different amounts to see what works best for you. 
• Add Directly to Washer – The salt should be added to the washer at the same time as the laundry soap. Add the salt directly to the washer basin with the clothes.

FAQs

• How much of the softener/scent do I need the add per load? I recommend 1/2 cup of salt per load. For HE machines, you may want to try 1/4 cup.
• Can I add baking soda? Yes, you can add baking soda to this recipe. Instead of using 4-5 cups of salt, use 3 cups of salt + 1 cup of baking soda. Baking soda neutralizes odors, so this is an excellent formulation for stinky clothes (like workout clothes, sports uniforms, etc.)
• Is any kind of salt okay? Yes, any kind of large granule course salt.
• Can I make a homemade scent booster without salt? Yes, you can. Use all baking soda mixed with the essential oil. However, I’ve found that using all baking soda may leave a white film on clothes. So I recommend something other than this combination for dark-colored garments. 
• Is it safe to use salt in the washing machine? Yes, I haven’t had any issues with using salt in my washing machine. If you’re concerned, reduce the amount used.
• Do you use this salt fabric softener/scent booster with vinegar or is it one or the other? No, choose one. Both this recipe and vinegar act as a fabric softener, so I recommend sticking to one option: either salt or vinegar.
• Does the scented salt go in the rinse water? I add the scent booster salts with the clothes/towels before turning on the wash.
• Do you know how it will work in a HE front loader? Yes, it will. For a front loader start off with 1/4 cup of salt per load. Add the scent booster directly to the washer, along with the clothes, before turning on the cycle.

More Natural Products For Clean Laundry

Here are my favorite homemade products to use in the laundry room.

• Stain Remover Spray – Remove tough stains with this simple formula made with castile soap, hydrogen peroxide, and lemon essential oil. 
• Wool Dryer Balls – Soften laundry naturally with these easy-to-make wool dryer balls—a great alternative to dryer sheets. Add a few drops of essential oils to boost the scent in the dryer. 
• Liquid Laundry Detergent – Combine castile soap, borax, washing soda, and water to make my popular liquid laundry soap. 
• Powder Laundry Detergent – Make a powder variation of my popular liquid laundry soap using this simple recipe.
• Laundry Softener – Use vinegar to make this simple liquid laundry detergent.  

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DIY Natural Laundry Scent Booster & Softener

Want a natural way to make your laundry smell amazing? My favorite homemade laundry scent booster recipe comes together in under 5 minutes and is made with just 2 natural ingredients. Add a scoop to a load of laundry alongside your favorite eco-friendly detergents or my homemade laundry detergent. 

Course Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword DIY laundry scent booster, homemade laundry softener, Laundry Softener, Natural Laundry Scent Booster, natural scent booster for laundry

Prep Time 2 minutes minutes

Total Time 2 minutes minutes

Servings 5 cups

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $6 ($1.30 per load)

Equipment

• 1 large bowl for combining the ingredients
• 1 large spoon or fork for combining the ingredients
• 1 large storage container that holds 5 cups of dry goods for storing the scent booster

Ingredients

• 5 cups coarse sea salt sea salt, kosher, or Epsom salt are the best type of salt.
• 1-2 teaspoons favorite essential oil or blend a couple of oils together for a custom scent (100-200 drops)

Instructions

• Pour the salt into a large bowl. Then, add the essential oil.
• Using a spoon, mix the salt and essential oil with a spoon or whisk.
• Spoon the mixture into a container with a lid (like a wide glass jar). For best results, I let the mixture rest for 24 hours, allowing the essential oil to infuse the salt. After 24 hours, the scent booster is ready for your laundry routine.

How to Use:

• Add 1/2 cup of scented salt per load. Add directly to the washing machine with clothes, sheets, towels, etc. For HE machines, you may want to try 1/4 cup.

Storage:

• Store for up to 12 months.

Notes

Essential Oil Note: Due to the cost of essential oils, I use a cheaper yet still reputable brand like NOW for laundry purposes. NOW sells some oils, like lavender, in bulk bottles. The essential oil may also be skipped, if desired.

Best Essential Oil Options: 

• Individual Oils- I love lavender essential oil, peppermint, sweet orange, lemon, or lemongrass for laundry.
• Make Your Own Oil Blend – I love to combine Orange & Lemon, Eucalyptus & Lemon, Peppermint & Orange, or Rosemary & Peppermint. Use 50-100 drops of each oil. 

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Want to make beautiful, natural candles to burn in your home or gift to family and friends but don’t want to spend hours on a DIY project? Here’s how to make the most beautiful homemade candles using simple ingredients in just 20 minutes (with both scented and unscented options)!

In this blog, I’m outlining the exact steps you’ll need to successfully make beautiful jar candles at home. If you’d like to make taper candles, follow this guide.

Before You Get Started: What You’ll Need

This recipe is a great starting point. Use the recipe (just wax and wicks) and customize with your favorite scents (I love to combine rosemary and lavender essential oils) or go all natural with no added scents. 

Candle Ingredients 

• 4 cups of wax: either soy wax flakes or beeswax pellets
• 2 wicks: Wicks with a metal base are the easiest to work with. I have no experience with wooden wicks.
• (OPTIONAL) 1 teaspoon dried herbs, 60 drops essential oils, or fragrance oils: For naturally-scented candles. Fragrance oils have a stronger, longer-lasting scent, but most fragrance oils are not natural. Essential oils have a very subtle scent. And dried herbs, like dried lavender or dried rosemary, may be used for decoration.

How to Make Homemade Candles: Step-by-Step Guide

Once you have your ingredients and tools, you’ll need about 20 minutes to make the candles.

You’ll find a printable version of the ingredients and instructions at the end of this article. Here’s my step-by-step guide with photos to guide you…

• Step 1:  Add water to the saucepan/pot, about 1/2 way full. Place your heat-safe bowl, tall glass measuring cup, or candle pourer either in the water or sitting on top of the water-filled pot (either way is safe). This is called the double boiler method, which keeps the wax out of direct contact with the heat source and avoids burning the wax. 
• Step 2: Add the soy flakes or beeswax pellets to the bowl. Then turn the heat to medium-high, bringing the water in the pot/saucepan to a lively simmer.
• Step 3: Allow the wax to completely melt. This takes about 15 minutes (more or less). Soy wax melts much faster, beeswax pellets take a bit longer. 
• Step 4: Once melted, place the candle jars on a towel (to protect your countertop) and dip the metal part of each candle wick in the hot wax.
• Step 5: Place the metal base of the wick at the bottom of each jar. Use a clothespin or mechanical pencil (the clip portion works well) to secure the wick, placing the pin or pencil on top of the jar to keep the wick upright. 
• Step 6: Pour the melted wax into the jars.
• Step 7: For a scented candle, add drops of natural essential oils, candle fragrance oil (according to the package), or any dried herbs (like dried lavender or dried rosemary). The wax will instantly begin to harden as it comes in contact with the jar. Let the wax cool and solidify. This takes about 20 minutes, or longer.

Give this candle recipe a try and tell me what you think and how you decide to customize your candles!

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Homemade Candles Recipe

Here's the easiest way to make your own homemade candles, step by step.  All you need is a jars, wax (soy or beeswax), wicks (which you can easily find in any craft store or online), a pot, (optional) pure essential oils for scent, and a stove-top (or make homemade candles in slow-cooker). 

Course DIY

Cuisine American

Keyword DIY candles, Homemade Candles, how to make candles

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 2 candles

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $4-5 each candle

Equipment

• 1 small cooking pot/saucepan
• 1 wax melting cup such as: a medium-size glass bowl or metal bowl, tall glass measuring cup, or candle pourer
• 2 8-ounce jars such as: glass mason jars, jam jars, tin cans, tea cups, etc. Or use 4 4-ounce jars for smaller candles.
• 2 clothespins or mechanical pencils
• 2 small washcloths OPTIONAL, but helpful for insulating the jars to keep the wax from cracking while it cools
• 1 skewer or chopstick OPTIONAL, if adding fragrance to stir and combine the fragrance and wax

Ingredients

• 4 cups soy wax flakes or beeswax pellets
• 2 candle wicks with a metal base
• 60 drops essential oil of choice OPTIONAL, or fragrance oil (use the amount directed on package)
• 1/2-1 teaspoon dried herbs OPTIONAL, like dried lavender, rosemary, or crushed roses

Instructions

• Add water to the saucepan/pot, about 1/2 way full. Place your heat-safe bowl, tall glass measuring cup, or candle pourer either in the water or sitting on top of the water-filled pot (either way is safe). This is called the double boiler method, which keeps the wax out of direct contact with the heat source and avoids burning the wax. 
• Add the soy flakes or beeswax pellets to the bowl. Then turn the heat to medium-high, bringing the water in the saucepan to a lively simmer.
  
• Allow the wax to completely melt. This takes about 15 minutes (more or less). Soy wax melts much faster, beeswax pellets take a bit longer to melt. 
• Once the wax has melted, turn off the heat and dip the metal ends of the wicks in the hot wax. Place the wick ends in the center of each candle jar, pressing the metal ends down with a skewer or chop-stick until set at the base of the jar. The wax acts like glue, securing the metal end at the bottom of the candle jar.
• Gently straighten the wick and secure it at the mouth of the jar with a clothespin or the clip on a mechanical pencil (resting the pencil or clothespin on the top of the jar).
  
• Gently pour the wax into each jar. Place a towel (or parchment paper) underneath the jars to protect your countertop.
  
• To make scented candles, add the essential oil or candle fragrance oil to the wax. If desired, add a teaspoon of dried herbs. For fragrance oil, follow the instructions on the bottle for amount recommended. Using the skewer or chopstick, gently stir the candle to combine the fragrance and wax.
• Wrap the jars in the washcloths to prevent the wax from cooling too fast and shrinking or cracking. This step isn't mandatory, but helps if you're concerned about cracks which are purely cosmetic and can be fixed if they occur by adding more melted wax overtop to fill the crack.
• The candles will take about 30 minutes to fully set. But I recommend letting the candles rest for 24 hours. This rest time allows the candles time to cure before burning, giving you the best results!
• Once set, remove the clothespins and washcloths, and trim the top of the wicks to 1 inch. The candles are now ready to use and enjoy!
  

Notes

Wax Amount: 4 cups of soy wax flakes will make 2- 8 ounce candles. This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. Simply add the 4 cups of soy flakes to your double-boiler. As the 4 cups begins to liquify, add more soy flakes as desired. 

Melting Pot: Purchase a medium-size glass mixing bowl, metal mixing bowl, tall glass measuring cup, or candle pourer. You’ll never be able to use this pot for anything other than candle making, as the wax will adhere to the pot and be difficult to scrape off and remove. 

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Are you looking for a simple, effective, natural all-purpose cleaner to clean your home? If so, this recipe is for you! All you need is 2 ingredients and 2 minutes.

I’ll show you how to make the best all purpose cleaner recipes using vinegar or castile soap! Made with simple ingredients that are cheap and easy to find. With fantastic cleaning power, these natural cleaners will clean your whole house, from living room surfaces to the bathroom sink and tub to door handles.

Key Takeaways

• Two Ways – Below, you’ll find two recipes for all-purpose surface spray!
• Essential Oils – If you prefer a scented spray, add your favorite essential oil to the spray, like lemon or peppermint essential oil.
• Multi-Purpose Cleaning – Use this spray to clean almost any surface in your home. I’ll give you all the details below.
• Storage – Store this recipe for up to 1 month.

Before You Get Started: What You’ll Need

• To make these recipes, you’ll need either liquid castile soap OR white vinegar and distilled water. You’ll find all of these ingredients in the grocery store.
• You’ll also need a 16-ounce spray bottle. Glass or plastic both work.

How to Make DIY All Purpose Cleaner: Step-By Step Guide

These recipes are wonderful natural cleaning solutions and are far cheaper than any store-bought cleaners. Here are the two best ways to make an all purpose cleaner without harmful chemicals…

Recipe 1: Vinegar All-Purpose Spray

• 1 16-ounce glass spray bottle
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar or homemade orange peel vinegar (vinegar infused with orange or lemon peels)
• 1 cup distilled water (water with impurities removed; found at any grocery store)
• Optional: 1 teaspoon Sal Suds (a detergent-based soap that may be mixed with vinegar and is tough on dirt, grease, and soap scum)
• Optional: 15-30 drops of your favorite essential oil

Instructions

• Add the vinegar, water, and Sal Suds or essential oil (if using) to the spray bottle.
• Place the spray nozzle on the bottle and gently shake the bottle to combine the ingredients. You’ll want to do this each time you use the cleaner.
• Spray the surface directly, then use a cloth to wipe and clean the surface.

Want to add an essential oil? The best options

Essential oils are NOT required ingredients to make effective homemade cleaners, but they can add a lovely scent and beneficial properties.

You’re welcome to add an essential to either all purpose cleaner recipe. Here are a few of my favorites.  

• Tea Tree Oil: Known for its antibacterial properties, tea tree essential oil is commonly used to make natural cleaning products. 
• Peppermint: Adds a fresh, vibrant, minty scent. 
• Lavender: Adds a calming scent. 
• Orange or Lemon: A fresh, citrusy scent. 
• Germ Fighter Blend: This is a blend of individual essential oils. Each brand has its own name for this blend, some call it Thieves Oil, while others call it Germ Fighter. Usually a blend of lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, clove, and rosemary essential oils. 

What is an essential oil?

Essential oils are 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.

Learn more about essential oils…

What to Avoid Doing

• Vinegar on Stone – Don’t use a vinegar-based cleaner on granite or marble. The acid can wear away at the stone. Instead, use the castile soap cleaner.
• Mix Vinegar & Castile Soap – I know, it’s a popular combo on Pinterest. But the two ingredients should never be combined in one bottle to make a cleaner. The result will be an oily mess. Read more about why this happens.
• Add More Castile Soap Than Recommended – More is not always better. When making the castile soap surface spray, stick with 2 tablespoons of soap. Castile soap is highly concentrated so a tiny amount goes a long way. Adding more will only result in a white residue left on surfaces.
• Essential Oils – Always be cautious when adding essential oils to DIY cleaners, particularly when young children or pets are in the home. Some essentials oils may be toxic or harmful to pets and young kids. There are many lists online that breakdown safe and unsafe oils to use in these situations. 

How to Use Homemade All Purpose Spray

Use either of these natural cleaning recipes just like any commercial cleaner.

• First, spray the surface directly with cleaner of choice. 
• Next, use a cloth or paper towel to wipe the surface clean (or a toilet brush for the toilet).
• If you’re using the castile soap cleaner, go back over the surface with a damp cloth, rinse and repeat.

What surfaces can I clean?

Before using a cleaner on household surfaces, always spot test first before liberally spraying any hard surface. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use an all purpose cleaner.

• kitchen surfaces: sink, cooktop, oven, counter tops, (do not use vinegar-based cleaners on marble or granite), inside the fridge, tile and grout 
• bathroom surfaces: sink, tubs, counter tops (do not use vinegar-based cleaners on marble or granite), tile and grout 
• kitchen table and chairs 
• toilets
• dusting surfaces (I recommend using a microfiber cloth)
• dirty toys
• door knobs
• lightswitches
• stainless steel surfaces
• interior car surfaces
• glass and mirrors (only the vinegar cleaner; the castile soap cleaner will leave streaks OR make your own glass cleaner with rubbing alcohol and vinegar)

FAQs

• Can I leave out the essential oil from the Castile soap recipe? Yes, you can skip the essential oil in either recipe. You’ll still make a fantastic cleaner without it!
•  Can I use filtered water instead of distilled water? When making homemade products, filtered water may be used for temporary solutions, but for longer-term storage, use distilled water (found in any grocery store) or boiled water (boil for 15 minutes, then cool) to limit the possibility of bacterial growth.
•  Are plastic spray bottles okay to use as well as glass? Yes, you can use either plastic or glass spray bottles.
•  Have you ever used the all-purpose surface cleaner with castile soap on wooden surfaces such as the kitchen table? Yes! I use this cleaner on many of the wood surfaces in our home without issue. Always spot-test a small area before applying any cleaner on a surface.
•  Could I use alcohol or Vodka instead of distilled water? That way, it would last longer & have more germ-killing power. Yes, you could make this substitute.
•  How do I prevent the castile soap cleaner from leaving a white residue on surfaces? This issue can occur when castile soap is mixed with hard water. Using distilled water to make the recipe should help. But if this problem is still happening, wipe the surface with a wet cloth, rinse, and repeat until the white residue is gone.

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DIY Homemade All-Purpose Surface Cleaner: Two Ways

The two best ways to make an all purpose surface cleaner. Use the spray of your choice to clean your whole house, from the kitchen and bathroom to living room. There's no job these homemade recipes can't tackle!

Course DIY, Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword DIY all purpose cleaner, diy surface cleaner, homemade all purpose cleaner, Homemade All-Purpose Surface Cleaner, homemade cleaning solution

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 16-ounce bottle (per recipe)

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $2

Equipment

• 1 16-ounce glass spray bottle

Ingredients

Castile Soap All Purpose Surface Cleaner

• 2 cups distilled water
• 2 TB liquid castile soap (scented or unscented) OR 1 teaspoon Sal Suds
• 15-30 drops essential oil of choice (optional) lavender, peppermint, orange, or lemon, etc.

Vinegar All Purpose Surface Cleaner

• 1 cup distilled water
• 1 cup white distilled vinegar
• 15-30 drops essential oil of choice (optional) lavender, peppermint, orange, or lemon, etc.
• 1 teaspoon Sal Suds (optional) for cleaning grease, picking up dirt on surface

Instructions

Castile Soap All Purpose Surface Cleaner

• Pour the water into a 16-ounce spray bottle (use a funnel, if needed). Add the castile soap and essential oil. Gently shake the solution to combine. Store at room temperature for up to 4 weeks.

Vinegar All Purpose Surface Cleaner

• Pour all the ingredients (vinegar, water, and if using Sal Suds or essential oil) into a 16-ounce spray bottle (use a funnel, if needed). Shake the solution to combine. Store at room temperature for up to 4 weeks.
• How to Use
• Gently shake the spray bottle before spraying the cleaner on the desired surface. Spray the cleaner and wipe off the surface with a damp cloth (this is important when using the castile soap cleaner since it can leave a soapy residue if left to dry)! Do NOT use the vinegar cleaner on marble or granite.

Video

Notes

Castile Soap Residue: Castile soap can leave a white residue on surfaces if not wiped down with a damp cloth. Also, hard water can cause a residue on surfaces when the soap interacts with the water. If this happens, just wipe the surface with a clean, damp cloth. Rinse and repeat.

Lemon Juice Note: In the video, I add lemon juice (1/2 lemon, juiced) to the vinegar cleaner. If you plan to store the cleaner for a few weeks, I don’t recommend this addition. If you’d like to add lemon juice, you’re welcome to do so. Do not add lemon juice to the castile soap recipe as the acid will not mix with the soap.

 

If you love making homemade products, you’ll also love these recipes: glass and mirror cleaner, tub and sink scrub, floor cleaner with vinegar, stain remover, and homemade laundry detergent. 

 

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The post How to Make DIY Homemade All-Purpose Surface Cleaners  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.

Looking to make an inexpensive, homemade bathroom cleaner spray without toxic chemicals? This blog is for you! No more buying multiple products to clean the bathroom. Here’s how to make the best bathroom cleaner with just 3 ingredients and 2 minutes!

Simply whisk together baking soda, castile soap, and water for a simple and effective DIY cleaning spray that can be used on all bathroom surfaces.

In this blog, I’m outlining the exact steps to make the best all-purpose bathroom cleaner.

Key Takeaways

• All-Purpose Cleaner – This cleaning spray is an all-in-one product, because it literally does it all! It’s one of the best homemade bathroom cleaners for this reason.
• Simple Ingredients – All you need is a few natural ingredients: castile soap, baking soda, water, and (optional) essential oils.
• Shelf Life – If you use distilled water (found in any grocery store), this recipe will last for up to 1 month.

Before You Get Started: Ingredients & Tools

• 2 tablespoons Liquid Castile Soap
• 1 tablespoon Baking Soda
• 2 cups Warm Water – Distilled water is the best option for safety reasons, which you’ll find at any grocery store.
• 30 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil (Optional for extra cleaning power)
• 20 drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil (Optional, or use your favorite essential oil for scent)
• 16-ounce Spray Bottle

How to Make Homemade Bathroom Cleaner: Step By Step Guide

Making this recipe is super easy. It only takes 2-5 minutes. As soon as you make the spray, it’s ready to be used.

• Step 1 Add Warm Water and Baking Soda – Pour the warm water (heat the water in the microwave or on the stove-top until warm) into the spray bottle, followed by the baking soda. Shake the bottle to combine the ingredients.
• Step 2 Add Castile Soap and Essential Oils & Shake – Add 2 tablespoons of castile soap and essential oils, gently shaking the bottle to combine the ingredients.

How to Store

• 1 Month – Since this product contains water, natural ingredients, and no preservatives, it’s best to store this product for only a few weeks (up to 1 month if using distilled water).
• Use Your Senses – If the cleaner ever smells off, has black spots or fuzzy growth, toss the cleaner and make a new batch. I’ve never had this happen, but it’s worth mentioning just for safety reasons.

What to Avoid Doing

• Vinegar & Baking Soda – Never add vinegar to this recipe. Vinegar and baking soda cancel each other and will result in an ineffective product. Learn more about this reaction.
• Use Tap Water – Tap water may contain pathogens that quickly grow in a water-based solution. Distilled water is always the safety option for homemade cleaner. Learn about homemade cleaners and safety.
• Use Hard Water – When hard water (from the tap) and castile mix together, the end result is a film left on surfaces. While this isn’t harmful or permanent, it is annoying. To avoid this, use distilled water.
• Use Room Temperature Water – The baking soda needs to be mixed with warm water to properly dissolve. Warm the water in the microwave or stove-top before adding to the mixture. If you’re concerned about the glass spray bottle breaking (or if using a plastic spray bottle), dissolve the water and baking soda in a separate bowl, then add to the spray bottle of choice once it cools.

How to Prevent Common Recipe Problems

• Hard Water & Castile Soap – Some folks find castile soap leaves behind a cloudy surface film, like a white residue. This issue is caused by the castile soap interacting with hard water, and the surface may need to be wiped down a few times with a damp washcloth. Another way to avoid this issue is to use distilled water. Or, switch over to an All-Purpose Spray with Vinegar.
• Baking Soda Clogging The Spray Bottle – Use warm enough water to dissolve the baking soda. This solution should prevent the spray bottle nozzle from clogging. I’ve had great success with these bottles over the years.
• Separation & Settling – This recipe is a natural product, so expect some settling and separation. Shake the bottle between uses.

FAQs

• I had problems with the baking soda clogging up my sprayers and ruining them. Any suggestions? Try dissolving the baking soda with really hot water first, then adding the solution to the spray bottle. This should prevent such an issue. Another option is to use less baking soda.
• Could I use different dish detergent than castile soap for bathroom cleaning? Yes, you can use any natural dish soap or your favorite dish soap instead of the castile soap.
• Could you please write a recipe for natural daily shower spray? My favorite option is vinegar mixed with about 30-60 drops of tea tree essential oil for the mold. Combine the two ingredients in a spray bottle. This recipe is found in my Natural Cleaning Course.
• Would it be alright to substitute grapefruit essential oil instead of the orange in the bathroom cleaner recipe? Yes, you can use any essential oil. If you have pets or children at home, do you research on the safest options (many essential oils can’t be used around cats or small children).

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All-In-One Homemade Bathroom Cleaner Recipe

You can easily make an inexpensive, homemade bathroom cleaner spray, without toxic chemicals, that is super powerful. No more buying multiple products to clean the bathroom; instead, you can whisk together baking soda, castile soap, and water for a simple, effective, multi-use DIY cleaning spray that can be used on the bathroom vanity, fixtures, tubs, sinks, tile, and around toilets.

Course DIY

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword Bathroom Cleaner, Bathroom Cleaner Spray, Homemade Bathroom Cleaner

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 16 ounce spray bottle

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $2

Equipment

• 1 16-ounce spray bottle

Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water distilled water is best
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons castile soap
• 30 drops tea tree essential oil (optional)
• 20 drops sweet orange essential oil (optional, or your favorite essential oil for scent)

Instructions

• Warm the water in the microwave or on the stove-top.
• Pour the warm water into the bottle, followed by the baking soda. If you're concerned about the glass spray bottle breaking (or if using a plastic spray bottle), dissolve the water and baking soda in a separate bowl, then add to the spray bottle of choice once it cools.
• Shake the bottle to combine the ingredients. Add the castile soap and essential oils, gently shaking the bottle to combine.

How to Use:

• Use this spray to clean the tub, tile, toilet, sink, and even floor (particularly around the toilet.) Spray the surface, allow the cleaner to sit for a minute, then wipe with a damp cloth. Rinse the cloth as needed.

Notes

Baking Soda: If you’re concerned about the baking soda clogging the spray nozzle, reduce the amount to 1/4-1/2 tablespoon.

Storage: Since this product contains water, natural ingredients, and no preservatives, it’s best to store this cleaner for up to 1 month and use distilled water. If the cleaner ever smells off, has black spots or fuzzy growth, toss the cleaner and make a new batch. I’ve never had this happen, but it’s worth mentioning just for safety reasons. Learn  how to make natural cleaners in Natural Cleaning Made Easy.

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The post Best All-In-One Homemade Bathroom Cleaner appeared first on Live Simply.

Live Simply is all about keeping things simple, so I don’t want to give you the wrong idea. You don’t need to make and use 8 different cleaners in your kitchen. I use an all-purpose spray to clean most of the surfaces in my home, from my kitchen counters to dusty shelves and bathrooms.

We all have different preferences and cleaning needs, so an all-purpose spray may not work for your every cleaning need, particularly when it comes to tricky areas of the kitchen like the oven or a greasy sink. There are also other areas of kitchen cleaning to think about, like dishes and the floor. Today’s list is intended to cover every surface and cleaning need in the kitchen. Customize this list based on your own needs.

8 Homemade Cleaners For The Kitchen

Below, you’ll find what I consider to be the best of the best homemade kitchen cleaning products. Here are the cleaners we’re going to talk about and how to use them…

1. All Purpose Vinegar Cleaner: All surfaces (except marble, granite, and stone surfaces).
2. Stainless Steel and and Glass Cleaner: All stainless and glass surfaces in the kitchen and throughout the home.
3. Kitchen Sink Scrub Paste: Dirty, greasy sinks. May also be used in the bathroom on tile, tubs, and sinks.
4. Kitchen Sink Scouring Powder: An easy sprinkle-on powder for dirty, greasy sinks. This is great for a quick-fix clean that can also be used on bathroom tubs and sinks and in the toilet.
5. Dirty Oven Scrub: For all my overachiever friends who love to clean their oven. I see you and have mad respect for you.
6. DIY Dish Soap: When you need to hand wash dishes, plus suggestions for store-bought dishwasher options.
7. Granite Cleaner: For granite countertops.
8. Mop Solution for Kitchen Floors: Clean hard kitchen floors and all hard floors in the home with 2 homemade floor cleaner options.

Okay, so there’s the rundown of products. Now let’s talk about how to make each of these homemade kitchen cleaners…

1. All Purpose Cleaner 

This is the one product that literally does it all: counters, appliances, inside the fridge, the oven and stove-top, cabinets, and open shelving. If you don’t have a stone countertop (such as marble or granite), vinegar is my preference. If you have a speciality countertop, castile soap may be a better option.

• For an all purpose vinegar cleaner, combine 1 cup distilled water, 1 cup white vinegar or homemade orange vinegar, 15-20 drops essential oil of choice (if desired). Add all the ingredients to a glass spray bottle.
• For an all purpose cleaner without vinegar, add 2 cups distilled water to a glass spray bottle, followed by 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap or 1 teaspoon Sal Suds and 15-20 drops essential oil of choice (if desired).
• If you prefer the store-bought route, check out this post with my top non-toxic all purpose cleaner suggestions.

2. Stainless Steel and Glass Cleaner

If you make vinegar all purpose cleaner, use it to clean and polish glass surfaces (such as kitchen windows) and most stainless steel surfaces. If you’re using an all purpose cleaner made with castile soap or Sal Suds, you’ll need to use something else as the soap can leave behind a cloudy film on glass and stainless.

• Make a glass and stainless steel cleaner by combining 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol and 1/3 cup white vinegar in a 16-ounce spray bottle, then top off the bottle with distilled water. If you’d prefer to not use rubbing alcohol, skip it and use 1/2 cup of vinegar instead. Spray on a glass surface and wipe with a microfiber cloth.

3. Kitchen Sink Scrub Paste

My kitchen sink is constantly in use between dishes and dirty hands. A homemade scrub not only strips away build up from dirt and grease, but also shines, deodorizes, and freshens the surface. This scrub also works wonderfully in tubs and bathroom sinks.

• Make a sink scrub cleaner by combining 1 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup liquid castile soap or Sal Suds, and 1 tablespoon 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. 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.

4. Kitchen Sink Scouring Powder

If you don’t want to make a scrub (above), but need something to clean a greasy or dirty sink, this powder is the easiest solution. Simply sprinkle baking soda over the kitchen sink surface, then use a wet cloth or scrub brush to scrub away the dirt and grease. So easy! Check out this Instagram video to see this trick in action.

5. Dirty Oven Scrub 

Confession: I can’t remember the last time I cleaned my oven. If you want to clean your oven, you can either use the sink scrub recipe or make an oven cleaner.

• Make an oven cleaner by combining 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/3 cup water, and 1 tablespoon liquid castile soap or Sal Suds in a bowl. Use a sponge to apply the scrub to the interior of the oven. Let the scrub rest for at least 30 minutes, longer for a dirty oven. Dip a sponge in a bowl of warm water, wipe the oven, then repeat. Change the water frequently. A scrub brush may be needed for tough grease stains. Once the scrub is completely rinsed from the oven, spray vinegar (or an all-purpose vinegar cleaner) in the oven. Wipe the oven with a damp cloth. Without the vinegar spray the baking soda may leave behind a chalk-like powder (safe, but annoying).

6. DIY Dish Soap 

I’ve made both dish soap and dishwasher soap, but I’ve found that I much prefer to go the store-bought route with my dishwasher soap and just stick to homemade dish soap. I’m not sure I’d actually call this dish soap “homemade” since there’s no soap-making involved. Instead, I use Sal Suds (which is super tough on dirt and grease, castile soap’s big brother) in its diluted form with a bit of vinegar to make dishes sparkle and shine. If you prefer to go store-bought with dish soap and dishwasher soap, here are my favorite brands.

• Make a DIY dish soap by combining 1/2 cup distilled water, 1/2 cup Sal Suds, and 1 tablespoon white vinegar in a soap dispenser. Shake the bottle to combine the ingredients and use on a dish cloth, sponge, or directly in water.

7. Granite Cleaner 

If you prefer to make a cleaner just for granite countertops (since vinegar is a no-no on stone surfaces), you can make your own with just a few ingredients.

• Make granite cleaner by combining 1/3 cup rubbing alcohol and 5 drops tea tree essential oil (optional) in a 16-ounce spray bottle. Then top off with distilled water and 1/2 teaspoon liquid castile soap. Shake the bottle before each use.

8. Mop Solution for Kitchen Floors

Finally, the kitchen floor…the place where all the dirt and crumbs end up. There are two ways to make a mop solution for hard floors in the kitchen (and both solutions can be used throughout the home), either with vinegar or with castile soap. I’ll share both recipes below…

• Make a vinegar floor cleaner, combine 2 gallons hot water, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 5 drops essential oil (optional) in a bucket. Use a mop or cloth to clean kitchen floors. 
• Make a castile soap floor cleaner, combine 2 gallons hot water, 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap, 5 drops essential oil (optional) in a bucket. Use a mop or cloth to clean kitchen floors.

Natural Cleaning Kitchen Tips

Here are 3 other areas to clean in your kitchen and natural solutions for these areas.

How to Naturally Clean Cutting Boards 

Skip the bleach and use this natural method instead. Learn how to naturally clean cutting boards…

How to Naturally Clean the Dishwasher

If you’re like me, you probably don’t think about cleaning your dishwasher often. But it’s important to give this area a clean every so often. Learn how to naturally clean the dishwasher…

How to Naturally Clean Your Fridge & Keep Odors Away

The fridge can harbor all sorts of bacterial growth and odors. Here’s how to clean your fridge and keep odors away.

The post The 8 Best Homemade Cleaners For The Kitchen appeared first on Live Simply.

Why Make an All Purpose Cleaner With Vinegar

Vinegar is an excellent natural cleaner. Most household vinegars (used in the kitchen) contain 4-6% acetic acid, which is what makes vinegar such a great cleaning ingredient. Vinegar has been shown to have antibacterial properties. To quote Dr. Alan Taege, an infectious disease expert at the Cleveland Clinic, in a recent interview with Women’s Health Magazine, “Vinegar does have disinfectant activity. Vinegar is acetic acid, which has the ability to destroy bacteria and viruses.”

Beyond its cleaning effectiveness and long-time traditional use, vinegar is super affordable. Besides baking soda, it’s probably the most affordable ingredient you can use when making homemade cleaning products.

What kind of vinegar is best to use for cleaning?

White vinegar is considered to be the most acidic vinegar out there and the strongest option for making a household cleaner. So when it comes to picking out a vinegar for cleaning purposes, I recommend going with distilled white vinegar. There’s no need to go organic when it comes to purchasing a vinegar for cleaning, just go with the most economical option you can find. I prefer buying a large bulk bottle of vinegar as vinegar is the most-used cleaning ingredient in my home.

But I Can’t Stand the Smell of Vinegar…

Or maybe someone you live with can’t stand the smell. If this is you, here are two ways to make and use an all purpose cleaner without having your house smell like a vinaigrette salad dressing.

• Transform white vinegar into a fragrant citrus vinegar. This is easy to do and only requires a handful of leftover citrus peels (orange peels, lemon peels, grapefruit peels, lime peels–your choice), fresh herbs, warm spices, and white vinegar. This infusion turns the vinegar into a deliciously-scented homemade orange peel vinegar (or take out the oranges and sub in whatever citrus you have on hand). Use this vinegar instead of white vinegar in homemade cleaning recipes like today’s all purpose vinegar cleaner. Find the recipe for orange peel vinegar here.
• Skip the vinegar and use castile soap instead. This homemade all-purpose cleaner is made with castile soap and water. It’s a great alternative to an all purpose cleaner made with vinegar.

How to Make an All Purpose Cleaner with Vinegar

To make all purpose cleaner with vinegar, you’ll need to combine 2 ingredients, with a third optional ingredient in a 16-ounce spray bottle. Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe.

1. Vinegar

I recommend using distilled white vinegar or a homemade orange peel vinegar. You’ll need 1 cup of vinegar to make this all purpose cleaner. If I want a stronger cleaning spray, I go with full strength vinegar. If I’m just looking to wipe down some counters and dust, I usually go with the suggested 1:1 ratio of water to vinegar. The beauty of making your own cleaning products is that you are in complete control of the strength of your product.

2. Water

If you’re going to use this cleaner within a few days, filtered water from your fridge or sink will be just fine. But if you’re planning to store this cleaner for a few weeks, distilled water is the safest choice. The distilled water process removes potential contaminants that could cause bacteria growth.

3. Essential Oil (Optional)

If you’d like to add a scent to this all purpose cleaner (aside from using an orange peel vinegar, if desired), or want to add extra antibacterial properties to the cleaner, adding an essential oil or a combo of essential oils is a nice option. Essential oils are concentrated oils derived from plants. Above, I’ve included a chart of some of my favorite essential oils to use for cleaning. I personally like lemon, grapefruit, or a germ fighter blend. You don’t need to add an essential oil to this cleaner to make it effective, this is simply an added bonus ingredient if you choose to use it. Keep in mind, it’s very difficult to determine how much of an essential oil is needed to make something like this DIY all purpose cleaner an antibacterial, antiviral, etc. spray. After all, this is a homemade spray and not something we’re testing in a lab.

4. Spray Bottle

I highly recommend investing in a couple of glass spray bottles if you’re going to make your own all purpose cleaners. Glass spray bottles will cost about $20 for a set of two. I’ve had my bottles for years and reuse them over and over again when making all-purpose spray.

How to Use This All Purpose Cleaner

There are so many ways to use this cleaner. Let’s take a look…

• sinks and tubs
• kitchen counters and tables (DO NOT use on granite or stone surfaces. This all purpose cleaner is a better option.)
• dusting surfaces (I recommend using a microfiber cloth)
• dirty toys
• door knobs
• lightswitches
• stainless steel surfaces
• bathroom counters
• toilet surfaces and even in the toilet bowl

Spray the surface directly with all purpose cleaner, then use a cloth to wipe the surface clean (or a toilet brush for the toilet). I don’t recommend using the cleaner on glass or mirror surfaces as it will leave behind a residue.

Print

DIY All Purpose Cleaner with Vinegar

How to make an easy all purpose cleaner with vinegar. Use this homemade cleaner to clean multiple surfaces in your home: kitchen surfaces, bathrooms, tubs and sinks, and more.

Course Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword homemade vinegar all purpose cleaner

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 16 ounces

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 16 ounce glass spray bottle
• 1 cup white vinegar (between 4-6% acidity) or homemade citrus vinegar
• 1 cup distilled water
• 15-20 drops essential oil (optional) I personally like lemon, grapefruit, or a germ fighter blend.

Instructions

• Add the vinegar, water, and essential oil (if using) to the spray bottle.
• Place the spray nozzle on the bottle and gently shake the bottle to combine the ingredients. You'll want to do this each time you use the cleaner.
• Spray a cloth or the surface directly, then use a cloth to clean the surface. (Check out my 11 natural cleaning caddy essentials here.)

Notes

Where to use this cleaner...

• sinks and tubs
• kitchen counters and tables (DO NOT use on granite or stone surfaces, use this cleaner instead)
• dusting surfaces (I recommend using a microfiber cloth with this cleaner)
• dirty toys
• door knobs
• lightswitches
• stainless steel surfaces
• bathroom counters
• toilet surfaces and even in the toilet bowl (use a toilet brush after spraying)
• interior car surfaces

More DIY Cleaning Recipes with Vinegar

• Glass and Mirror Cleaner
• Orange Peel Vinegar Cleaner
• How to Naturally Clean Your Dishwasher
• Vinegar Floor Cleaner (for Hard Floors)

The post DIY All Purpose Cleaner with Vinegar appeared first on Live Simply.

Why Make an All-Purpose Cleaner Without Vinegar?

Most household vinegars (used in the kitchen) contain 4-6% acetic acid, which is what makes vinegar such a great cleaning ingredient. It’s one of the major stars in my natural cleaning caddy.

Vinegar has been shown to have antibacterial properties. To quote Dr. Alan Taege, an infectious disease expert at the Cleveland Clinic, in a recent interview with Women’s Health Magazine, “Vinegar does have disinfectant activity. Vinegar is acetic acid, which has the ability to destroy bacteria and viruses.” But, I totally get not using vinegar to clean your home. If you’re in this boat, you may fall under one of two categories…

• You can’t stand the smell of vinegar. I get it. Having your house smell like a bottle of fresh vinaigrette salad dressing (sans the oil and spices) isn’t for everyone. Personally, I’ve learned to deal with the initial odor as it quickly vanishes, but I totally understand the odor issue.
• You need to clean a sensitive surface and can’t use vinegar. Vinegar can be too harsh for some surfaces, like natural stone, granite, and marble surfaces. The acidic nature of vinegar can be corrosive and damage these surfaces over time.

In these cases, you’ll need to reach for something other than the vinegar bottle. And today I’ll show you how to do this when making an all-purpose cleaner.

What can you use instead of vinegar for cleaning?

Castile soap or Sal Suds are my top two choices when needing to make an all purpose cleaner without vinegar. Let’s take a look at both of these powerhouse ingredients, then you can decide which one you want to use.

Option 1: Castile Soap

Castile soap is a plant-based soap made from vegetable oils (olive, coconut, palm) and plant oils. Here’s the exact definition and ingredient list from Dr. Bronner’s  (a popular castile soap brand).

“Castile soap is a concentrated vegetable-based soap with easy to recognize ingredients: Water, Organic Coconut Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Organic Palm Kernel Oil, Organic Olive Oil, Lavandin Extract, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Lavender Extract, Citric Acid, Tocopherol.” 

Castile soap isn’t a new fad. It’s been around since the 11th century and was first made in the Aleppo of the Levant region (modern day Syria). The Crusaders learned about this soap which was, eventually, duplicated in Europe without success. That is, until a region in Spain (called Castile) was able to get the recipe right and successfully made what we know today as “castile soap.” The soap became popular with Spanish royalty and eventually by the 1500’s made its way to England. Castile soap is versatile (you can use it to make multiple DIY cleaners and body products), inexpensive, and non-toxic. Today, there are many different castile soap brands. Dr. Bronner’s is my favorite and the easiest to find. Check out this post to learn more about castile soap and make 7 castile soap cleaning recipes.

Option 2: 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, unlike castile soap, can be combined with vinegar since it’s a detergent with a different chemical composition than castile soap.

I use Sal Suds for tough cleaning tasks, like washing dishes, mopping the floor (it’s amazing how much dirt two kids and two dogs can track into a house), and removing stubborn grease stains from garments. Sal Suds is my backup tough guy when castile soap just can’t get the job done. Sal Suds is not a body-care product, so it doesn’t receive quite the same attention as its versatile cousin, castile soap.

Ingredients Needed to Make DIY All Purpose Cleaner Without Vinegar

We’re going to keep today’s recipe super simple. There’s no need to complicate this DIY cleaner. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need.

1. Castile Soap or Sal Suds

We talked about both of these options above so I won’t spend much time talking about them here. Keep in mind, both ingredients are used for cleaning surfaces, but are not antibacterial. As Lisa Bronner writes on her blog, “Surfactants, such as Castile Soap and Sal Suds, remove germs and bacteria, as well as dirt and grease. Again, they don’t kill. They remove all manner of dirt and germs and grease and other ickies off of any surface.”

2. Water

If you’re going to use this cleaner within a few days, filtered water from your fridge or sink will be just fine. But if you’re planning to store this cleaner for a few weeks, distilled water is the safest choice. The distilled water process removes potential contaminants that could cause bacteria growth in this homemade cleaner.

3. Essential Oil (Optional)

If you’d like to add a scent to this all purpose cleaner (outside of using a scented castile soap), or want to add antibacterial properties to the cleaner, adding an essential oil or a combo of essential oils is a nice option. Essential oils are basically concentrated oils derived from plants. Above, I’ve included a chart of some of my favorite essential oils to use for cleaning. I personally like lemon, grapefruit, or a germ fighter blend. You don’t need to add an essential oil to this cleaner to make it effective, this is simply an added bonus ingredient if you choose to use it. Keep in mind, it’s very difficult to determine how much of an essential oil is needed to make something like this DIY all purpose cleaner an antibacterial, antiviral, etc. spray. After all, this is a homemade spray and not something we’re testing in a lab.

4. Spray Bottle

I highly recommend investing in a couple of glass spray bottles if you’re going to make your own all-purpose cleaners. Glass spray bottles will cost about $20 for a set of two. I’ve had my bottles for years and reuse them over and over again when making all-purpose spray.

How to Use All Purpose Cleaner

There are so many ways to use this cleaner. Let’s take a look…

• sinks and tubs
• kitchen counters and tables
• dusting surfaces (I recommend using a microfiber cloth)
• dirty toys
• door knobs
• lightswitches
• stainless steel surfaces
• bathroom counters

Spray the surface directly with all purpose cleaner, then use a damp cloth to wipe the surface clean. I don’t recommend using the cleaner on glass or mirror surfaces as it will leave behind a residue. If you need something for cleaning mirrors and windows, I recommend this DIY cleaner.

Watch How to Make This Cleaner

Print

DIY All Purpose Cleaner Without Vinegar

This DIY all purpose cleaner is made without vinegar. You'll need just a couple of ingredients: castile soap or Sal Suds and water. You may also add an essential oil, if desired. This homemade cleaner removes bacteria and germs, along with grease and dirt from surfaces (removes, not kills -->this is a cleaning spray, not a disinfectant spray).

Course DIY

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword DIY all purpose cleaner without vinegar

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 16 ounces

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 16 ounce glass spray bottle
• 2 cups distilled water filtered water is fine if you plan to use the cleaner within a few days
• 2 TB liquid castile soap unscented or scented, OR 1 teaspoon of Sal Suds
• 15-20 drops essential oil (optional) I personally like lemon, grapefruit, or a germ fighter blend.

Instructions

• Add the water to the spray bottle, followed by the castile soap (or Sal Suds), and (if using) essential oil of choice.
• Place the spray nozzle on the bottle and gently shake the bottle to combine the ingredients. You'll want to do this each time you use the cleaner, particularly if it's been sitting and the ingredients have settled or separated.
• Spray a cloth or the surface directly, then use a damp cloth to clean the surface. ALWAYS perform a spot test first in a tiny area before spraying this cleaner on a surface, particularly sensitive surfaces. This applies to all cleaning products.

Video

Notes

Where to use this cleaner...

• sinks and tubs
• kitchen counters and tables
• dusting surfaces (I recommend using a microfiber cloth with this cleaner)
• dirty toys
• door knobs
• lightswitches
• stainless steel surfaces
• bathroom counters
• interior car surfaces

More DIY Cleaning Recipes Without Vinegar

• Toilet Bowl Cleaner
• DIY Hand Soap
• Homemade Laundry Soap Powder
• Soft Scrub Like Cleaner
• Bathroom Cleaner

The post DIY All Purpose Cleaner Without Vinegar appeared first on Live Simply.

You may be thinking, “Wait, making homemade candles definitely sounds crafty.” Let me assure you, making your candles is incredibly easy to do. I’m here to show you how to make homemade candles the easy, mess-free, no-crafty-gene-required way.

Why Make Your Own Candles?

That’s the big question. Why not just buy candles? You certainly can do that, but I’m here to teach you how to make homemade candles. So let’s talk about the why.

There are a few reasons why you may want to make your own…

Reason 1: Reduce the Toxic Load From Conventional Candles 

Most conventional candles are made with paraffin, which is a petroleum based product that can give off toxic fumes. Homemade candles are made with either soy or beeswax (we’ll talk about this later).

Along with the paraffin, the other concern is fragrance. I’ve shared about the dangers of fragrance in the past. Most candles are scented which means that many different chemicals may be used to create that “one” scent and make it strong and long-lasting.

As the Environmental Working Group shares, “…fragrance formulas are considered to be among the top 5 known allergens, and can trigger asthma attacks. The same kinds of chemicals are often used for fragrances in cleaning products, scented candles, and air fresheners.”

I’m not here to preach perfection. I get lash extensions and paint my fingernails with nail polish that isn’t “clean.” I’m also very aware and intentional about reducing our overall toxic chemical load.

In our home, we use vinegar and castile soap to clean (because what we spray in our homes is inhaled), my skincare routine and makeup routine are made up of non-toxic products (because what goes on our skin is absorbed into the body), and we eat seasonal and local food (as much as possible, because how our food is grown and raised has an impact on our health).

Making candles (or buying them from sources that don’t use paraffin wax and use essential oils for the scent) is one way for us to lower the overall toxic load in our home.

Reason 2: They’re Super Easy to Make 

Making your own candles is incredibly easy. Easier than you may think. You can make quite a few candles at one time and since they don’t spoil or expire, you can store them away and pull out a new candle as needed throughout the year. So yes, there’s a time investment up front, but in the end you can make multiple candles in just over an hour.

Reason 3: Save Money by Making Your Own Candles 

If you’ve looked at non-toxic candle options on the market, whether we’re talking about soy or beeswax candles, you probably know that they are expensive.

Homemade candles are affordable. Yes, there’s an investment in the wax, the wicks, and the jars (you can use any heat-safe glass jars so you may have some already in your pantry). But once you have these ingredients, you can make multiple candles for the same price you might otherwise pay for just one from the store.

Supplies Needed to Make Your Own Candles

In order to make your own candles, you’ll need a few supplies. Now, as I mentioned above, there is an initial investment in purchasing these supplies, but once you have them, you can make multiple candles. All of the supplies can easily be found on Amazon (I’ve included links below) or at a craft store.

Beeswax or Soy

Paraffin is the most popular wax used to make candles, but since it’s derived from petroleum and can release toxic fumes we’re going to avoid this option.

I recommend using either soy wax or beeswax. Soy wax (a white wax) is made from soybean oil. Beeswax (a yellow or white wax) is a product made by honeybees. The color of beeswax depends on the type of honey produced by the bees and the pollen. The color has nothing to do with the purity of the beeswax. Making candles is the same process, no matter which wax you prefer to use. So the tutorial below is applicable to both beeswax and soy. One thing to note, beeswax can be more expensive, so if you’re wanting to keep the cost to a minimum, soy is the more affordable option.

Jars or Containers 

You can use a variety of jars or containers as long as the jars can withstand heat. I recommend mason jars, particularly the 4-ounce size. The best place to buy Mason jars is at Target, Walmart, or a grocery store. They are quite expensive on Amazon.

Wicks

For wicks, I recommend two options: hemp or cotton. Since we’re making a non-toxic candle, it’s important to avoid wicks made with lead. Whatever option you choose, make sure the wick includes a metal base as this makes it easier to position the wicks in the melted wax.

Fragrance

If you want to add a scent to your candles, there are two options: fragrance oils or essential oils.

For the cleanest, non-toxic option, I recommend going with an essential oil or a blend of essential oils. Essential oils aren’t as powerful as fragrance oils since they don’t have any chemicals added to make the scent stronger and longer lasting. Fragrance oils are the strongest option. I can’t tell what goes into making fragrance oils, so if you go with this option you may want to call the company first and ask for a disclosure of ingredients.

Slow-Cooker

I’ve experimented with various methods for making candles and the best way to make homemade candles is the slow-cooker method.

How to Make Your Own Candles

There are multiple ways to go about making homemade candles.

Method 1: Stove-Top Candles

First, melt the wax in a pitcher or bowl. To do this, set the bowl over a double boiler pot (a pot filled with a couple of inches of water) and set the pitcher or bowl over top. The pitcher or bowl will not cleanup well, as wax is impossible to remove once you’re done, so this pitcher or bowl will forever be your wax-melting container. Once the wax is melted, position a wick in each jar. Pour the melted wax into the jars until full. Add the essential oil and allow the wax to fully cool until it hardens. If you want to use this method, click here for the tutorial.

Method 2: Beeswax Sheets for Taper Candles

This is the easiest method for making homemade candles. Purchase beeswax sheets (which usually includes wicks). Cut the wicks to fit the sheets and roll-up the sheets. So easy! This is a great project for kids. If you want to use this method, click here for the tutorial.

Method 3: Slow-Cooker Candles

With the slow-cooker method, you don’t get the mess that you get when you melt wax in a bowl or pitcher. To make slow-cooker candles, pour wax into jars. Place the filled jars in the slow-cooker base. Turn the slow-cooker on high and add boiling water to the slow-cooker until it comes half-way up the exterior of the jars. Allow the jars to “cook” for 30-45 minutes, covered. After 30-45 minutes, the wax should begin melting. Add more wax. Place the lid on the slow-cooker and “cook” the jars for another hour or until fully melted (soy melts quickly, beeswax takes longer). Remove the jars from the slow-cooker and place a wick in the melted wax. Allow the jars to fully cool until the wax hardens. This is the method I’ll show you in the tutorial, below.

Whatever method you choose, I think you’ll find making candles to be therapeutic and also an incredibly beautiful way to make gifts, or to enjoy in your own home.

Print

Homemade Candles

How to make homemade candles in a slow-cooker. The easy, mess-free way to make homemade candles. Make as many candles as will fit in your slow-cooker.

Course DIY

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword Homemade Candles

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Cooling Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 50 minutes minutes

Servings 1 candle (make as many as desired–see notes)

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

Special Equipment:

• slow-cooker
• 4 ounce mason jars heat-safe jars

Per 4-Ounce Mason Jar:

• 1 1/2 cups wax soy (180g) or beeswax (120g), divided
• boiling water
• cotton or hemp wicks
• 1 tsp coconut oil melted, optional
• 50 drops essential oil optional

Instructions

• Spoon the wax of choice into the jars. Using the back of a small measuring cup or large spoon, press the wax down into the jar as it gets closer to the top. Add more wax until the jars are full. At this point, you'll probably only need about 1 cup of wax per jar.
• Place the filled jars in the slow-cooker base. Turn the slow-cooker on high. Add boiling water to the slow cooker, until it comes halfway up the exterior of the jars. 
• Allow the jars to “cook” for 30-45 minutes, covered. 
• After 30-45 minutes, the wax should begin melting. Add more wax, pressing the wax down with a small measuring cup or spoon until full. Place the lid on the slow-cooker and "cook" the jars for another hour or until fully melted (soy melts quickly, beeswax takes longer to melt).
• Carefully remove the jars from the slow-cooker using a hot pad holder or a towel. Let the candles rest for 10 minutes.
• For Fragrance: If you'd like to add an essential oil, in a small bowl, stir together 1 tsp of liquid coconut oil and 50 drops of essential oil. Pour the mixture into the candles and stir. If you're using fragrance oil, no coconut oil is needed–follow the instructions from the supplier.
• Place one wick in each jar, holding up the tops of the wicks with clothespins or mechanical pencils or pens using the clip portion. This will keep the wicks from moving in the liquid wax.
• Let the candles rest until cool and solid (about 30 minutes). 
• Once cool and solid, cut the top of the wicks to 1-inch. The candles are ready to use. If any holes appear at the top of the wax (this can happen when the candles cool too quickly), melt more wax in a separate jar and pour into the holes to fill. The holes are just a cosmetic issue.

Notes

The number of candles you can make at one time will depend on the size of your slow-cooker. My slow-cooker fits 5 4-ounce jars. 

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The post How to Make Homemade Candles with Beeswax or Soy appeared first on Live Simply.

Back in 2014, I shared a DIY liquid hand soap recipe. Today, that post has over 290 comments and is internet famous. One of the most asked questions is “How do you make foaming soap out of liquid soap?” Today, I’ll show you just how easy it is to turn a liquid soap into your very own DIY foaming hand soap! 

Why make your own foaming hand soap?

If you want to ditch toxins and use natural products, the first place to start is with the products you use every single day. Make changes to the products touching your skin and circulating in your home the most often. (11 natural cleaning swaps anyone can make…)

One of the top ingredients to avoid in cleaning and skincare products is “fragrance.” This sneaky word isn’t a single ingredient; rather, “fragrance” can be made up of thousands of different chemicals, some of which are of known concern, like phthalates. What makes fragrance so tricky is that companies are not required to disclose the ingredients that make their “fragrance” due to trade secret laws. This is why you’ll only find the word “parfum” or “fragrance” listed on the ingredient list. Fragrance can be found in most store-bought hand soaps.

Another concern, particularly with hand soap is the use of triclosan. According to a release by the FDA, Antibacterial Soap, You Can Skip It, Use Plain Water, “Many liquid soaps labeled antibacterial contain triclosan, an ingredient of concern to many environmental, academic and regulatory groups. Animal studies have shown that triclosan alters the way some hormones work in the body and raises potential concerns for the effects of use in humans. We don’t yet know how triclosan affects humans and more research is needed.”

I’m going to use caution and avoid the use of commercial soaps for hand washing in our home. 

An easy way to ditch toxins, like fragrance and triclosan, is to pick up a bottle of castile soap. What is castile soap? 

Castile soap isn’t a new fad. It’s been around since the 11th century and was first made in the Aleppo of the Levant region (modern day Syria). The Crusaders learned about this soap which was, eventually, duplicated in Europe without success. That is, until a region in Spain (called Castile) was able to get the recipe right and successfully made what we know today as “castile soap.” The soap became popular with Spanish royalty and eventually by the 1500’s made its way to England. 

Castile soap is…

• Super Versatile: Castile soap is super versatile. You can make both cleaning and body products with castile soap. Explore 7 money-saving ways to use castile soap.
• Inexpensive: You can purchase a 32-ounce bottle of castile soap for about $17. Yes, this is more expensive than a bottle of foaming hand soap, but it will last you for months and make multiple refills of foaming hand soap! Castile soap is highly concentrated so a little bit goes a long way and it’s designed to be diluted. 
• Non-Toxic: Castile soap is made with easy to recognize, simple, non-toxic ingredients. This is why you can use it on your skin and home surfaces.

There are many different brands of liquid castile soap available. I personally use Dr. Bronner’s unscented castile soap for making foaming hand soap and liquid hand soap.

How do you make homemade foaming hand soap?

It’s incredibly easy to make your own foaming hand soap. If you’re new to natural cleaners and skincare products, this DIY recipe is a great place to start because it’s so easy to make and only requires 2 simple ingredients. 

Foaming Hand Soap Ingredients

• Foaming hand soap pump container: Reuse a foaming hand soap container or purchase a new reusable foaming hand soap bottle from Amazon or your favorite home store, like this. Look for an 8 ounce, 12 ounce, or 16 ounce bottle. 
• 1 cup liquid castile soap: Any scent variety. I personally use unscented. 
• 1 Tablespoon nourishing carrier oil: Any kind of nourishing skincare oil: olive oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil. This is optional. Castile soap can dry out hands on its own so I like to add a nourishing carrier oil for the moisturizing benefits. Stay away from virgin coconut oil (the stuff used for cooking) since it will clog a soap dispenser. Alternatively, you can use vitamin E oil or vegetable glycerin.
• Few drops of essential oil (optional): Choose your favorite essential oil, like Lavender, tea tree, peppermint, citrus, etc. if you’d like to add a natural scent that also adds beneficial cleaning properties. (Benefits of using essential oils for cleaning.) 
• 1 cup water: Distilled water is best for longevity and safety. Distilled water (or water that’s been boiled for 15 minutes and cooled) removes bacteria, impurities, and contaminants. If you choose to use tap water, you’ll need to use the soap very quickly, within a week or two. For this reason, I recommend going with distilled water as the soap will safely keep for about a month.

Instructions

• Add water to a foaming hand soap pump, followed by the liquid castile soap, carrier oil of choice, and essential oil. 
• Place the lid on the foaming hand soap bottle and shake to combine the ingredients. 
• Pump the soap on your hands and lather. (Yes, this hand soap will lather thanks to the foaming hand soap dispenser!)

How do you make foaming soap out of liquid soap?

If you have a natural hand soap that you just love, but would like to convert that liquid soap to a foaming hand soap, you’ll simply need to purchase a foaming hand soap container. Add the liquid soap to the foaming hand soap dispenser and you now have your own foaming hand wash! If the soap is super thick, you may need to dilute it with water.

What makes foaming soap foam?

If you’ve read my post on how to make hand soap, you’ll notice the ingredients are the same. The only difference between liquid hand soap and foaming hand soap is the bottled used to dispense the soap.

The soap container is what takes a liquid soap to foaming and even increases the lather for a natural hand soap like castile soap. You can also make DIY foaming body wash using liquid castile soap and a foaming soap dispenser container. 

Favorite refillable foaming hand soap bottles:

• Mason Jar Glass Dispenser: If you love the mason jar look and you’re looking for a glass bottle, this is the best option. Try this 16-ounce dispenser with labels or this 16-ounce dispenser.
• Plastic Dispenser: If you have kids using this hand soap in the bathroom or kitchen, a plastic container may work best. Try this 12-ounce dispenser or this 8-ounce dispenser. I’ve seen people drop a couple of Lego pieces at the bottom of the container for a fun “kid touch.” 
• Mason Jar Foaming Dispenser Tops: If you have extra mason jars sitting in your pantry, turn one of those mason jars into a soap dispenser by adding a foaming top like this.

Print

DIY Foaming Hand Soap

Can you make your own DIY foaming hand soap? Yes and you only need a couple of ingredients to do so! Easy, non-toxic, and super effective!

Keyword DIY hand soap, foaming hand soap, homemade hand soap

Servings 16 ounces

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1 cup water distilled water is the best
• 1 cup liquid castile soap any variety of castile soap, scented or unscented
• 1 TB olive oil almond oil, grapeseed oil, vegetable glycerin, or jojoba oil (optional)
• essential oil (optional for scent), just a few drops of your favorite essential oil: lavender, citrus, peppermint, etc.

Special Equipment

• 1 foaming soap dispenser

Instructions

• To a foaming soap dispenser, add the water first (to prevent bubbles) then the liquid castile soap followed by the oil. Shake the ingredients together.
• Shake the soap dispenser before using, then squirt a small amount on your hands as needed, rinsing with water.
• If you use distilled water, the soap will last at least a month. If you use tap water, use quickly within a week or two.

Notes

The idea is equal parts water and castile soap. Adjust the amounts according to the size soap dispenser you're using, reducing the oil as needed. 

What type of soap dispenser should you use? 

A foaming soap dispenser must be used. You can refill an old foaming hand soap dispenser, like a Mrs. Meyers bottle, or buy a new bottle off Amazon or a home store. Either option works, just be sure it's a foaming soap dispenser. My favorite foaming hand soap dispensers:

• Mason Jar Glass Dispenser: If you love the mason jar look and you're looking for a glass bottle, this is the best option. Try this 16-ounce dispenser with labels or this 16-ounce dispenser.
• Plastic Dispenser: If you have kids using this hand soap, a plastic container may work best for you. Try this 12-ounce dispenser or this 8-ounce dispenser.

4 More Ways to Use Liquid Castile Soap

• DIY Foaming Body Wash
• Homemade Honey Face Wash 
• How to Make Homemade All-Purpose Surface Spray
• Homemade Dusting Spray

The post How to Make Your Own Foaming Hand Soap in 2 Easy Steps appeared first on Live Simply.