We don't know about you, but we find Spring cleaning to be incredibly cathartic. By the end of March our homes may feel like caves that we have been huddled in for months. We want to open our windows, beat rugs, scour every surface and let the warmth of the sunshine bathe our doorways once again.
Here are a few recipes for DIY cleaning products:
Acid Cleaner:
If you have hard water, pets, young children, or an ill person in your home, this all-purpose cleaner will be useful. The acid will dissolve mineral build and neutralize and deodorize many body fluid odors.
1/4 cup white distilled vinegar or lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent
3/4 cup warm water
---Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake to blend before use. Spray the problem area generously (three or four spritzes per foot), then wipe with a clean cloth.
Makes 1 cup
Shelf Life: Indefinite with vinegar; a few days with lemon juice (if made with lemon, store in the refrigerator).
Tea Tree Oil Antimildew Antiseptic Spray:
2 teaspoons tea tree oil
1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent
2 cups water
---Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake before using. do not rinse off for a few days to allow the tea tree oil to do its work. The strong odor of the tea tree oil will dissipate after a few days.
Makes 2 cups
Shelf Life: Indefinite
Lemon Oil Duster:
10 drops lemon oil
2 tablespoons lemon juic
a few drops of jojoba oil
Combine the ingredients in a jar. Shake to blend. Dab some on a cloth (about 1/2 teaspoon at a time), and dust.
Makes about 2 tablespoons
Shelf Life: Make only as much as you need at a time (lemon juice can turn rancid)