We continue this week with recipes to clean, polish and freshen your clothing with simple ingredients that are economical and easy to obtain. Make sure that you check instructions for your surfaces and clothes before using any of these recipes.
Basic Liquid Detergent
2 ¼ cups liquid castile soap (We will have it for sale next week)
¼ cup white distilled vinegar
1 TBS glycerin
¾ cup water
10-15 drops essential oil of your choice.
Combine in eco container or squirt bottle. Shake once or twice before adding to the wash. Add ¼ cup per load. If extra dirty or large, use ½ cup.
Laundry Soap Powder
1 cup washing soda
1 cup baking soda
1 cup soap flakes or finely grated pure soap bar
Combine and store in heavy ECO container. Use ½ cup for an average laundry load.
Baby Laundry
2 TBS liquid castile soap
¼ cup washing soda
1 cup baking soda
¼ cup borax
¼ cup white vinegar
Mix and add to washing machine. Launder as usual.
PreSoak for Stains
1 cup vinegar
½ cup salt
3 drops Tea Tree essential oil as desired
Place clothes in washer and add enough warm water to cover them. Combine all ingredients and add to washer water. Soak for an hour and then wash.
Underarm Sweat Stain Remover
¼ cup vinegar
1 tablespoon baking soda
4 drops lemon essential oil
Combine all ingredients and rub into armpit stains with a soft cloth or old toothbrush. Launder as usual.
Simple Fabric Softener
6 cups vinegar
1 cup water
1 cup baking soda
15 drops lemon essential oil
Combine in heavy ECO container. Add one cup to rinse cycle.
ALWAYS TEST WOOD CLEANING FORMULAS ON AN INCONSPICUOUS AREA OF YOUR FURNITURE BEFORE TREATING ENTIRE PIECE.
Wood Cleaner/Grime Buster
½ cup lemon juice
1 tsp liquid castile soap
4 drops bergamot or orange essential oil
Combine all ingredients in a small ECO spray bottle. Apple to wood and wipe clean with damp cloth. Wipe again with a dry cloth.
More recipes next week! If you take a couple of hours one day a month, you can make all cleaning items for 3 months. The dollars you save will amaze you!
Polly