Today I want to talk about natural cleaning methods and some recipes you can make yourself cheaply and without any harsh chemicals! It’s hard to feel like your home is really “clean” when all you’ve done is spread some chemicals about, and are now breathing them in (and so are your pets/ children/ loved ones).
One of the most simple, all-purpose cleaners is basic white vinegar. You can use it to wipe down surfaces and counter-tops, sticky spills, the inside of your microwave, floors, sinks, showers, to freshen the rubbish bin, and even as a gentle fabric softener. Some people the smell of vinegar to be a bit off-putting, so the addition of some herbs will balance that out by adding freshness while also adding more anti-bacterial and anti-fungal power!
The best herbs to add to cleaning products are…
- Citrus peels to give your product a bright, fresh scent. The peels naturally absorb unwanted odours.
- Rosemary, lavender and sage are all anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. Neem is also anti-bacterial and anti-fungal and also acts as a bug repellent. Its really up to you the variety and combination of herbs.
You can also add essential oils of your preference if you prefer an even stronger scent.
Recipe…
4 cups white vinegar
A few handfuls of citrus peels
1/2 cup dried herbs of your choosing (I used rosemary and thyme, but get creative! Try rose petals or any other of your favourite herbs)
Add the herbal material to a glass jar with a tight lid, then pour the vinegar over top. Give it a bit of a stir and make sure that all of the herbs are completely covered by the vinegar.
Put in a dark place and let it infuse for 2-3 weeks, then strain out the vinegar into a spray bottle.
For almost all cleaning, just spray and wipe. To use this as a fabric softener, add about 1/4 cup diluted in water into the rinse cycle at the end of the wash.
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I’d love to hear if you have any other favourite herbs that you add to cleaning vinegar! Let me know in the comments!
-Maggie xo
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