All-Purpose Disinfectant Cleaner with Tea Tree & Thyme Oil

Tea tree oil is known to have antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic qualities.  It can be used medicinally to treat acne, eczema, Athlete's foot, head lice, congestion, nail fungus, cuts and burns, dandruff, sinus infections, yeast infections, and more!  I still keep discovering new ways that it can be used!  It can also be used for cleaning and controlling pests in the home.

Red thyme oil is known for it's antifungal, antibacterial and anticrobial properties.  Thyme oil is also known as an air disinfectant - killing airborne bacteria.  Thyme oil is commonly used to treat infections of many kinds including viral infections and throat infections."  Click here to read more about the benefits of using thyme oil.

Ingredients:

• 2 c hot water
• 1/4 c freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tbsp Borax
• 1 tsp tea tree oil 
• 2 tbsp white vinegar 
• 5 drops red thyme oil
• Optional:  1/4 tsp to 1/2 tsp orange essential oil (Used for scent because red thyme oil has a very strong herbal smell)

Directions:

Combine all of the ingredients in a spray bottle.  Screw on the spray top and shake vigorously.  

Simply spray and wipe clean.

CAUTION:  Tea tree oil is toxic if ingested orally and should never be used internally, so please use with caution.  In rare cases, direct contact of tea tree oil with your skin may cause an allergic reaction.  Click here for more information regarding possible problems or complications. 

Homemade Carpet Powder - Deodorizer and Freshener

Do you have children?  How about pets?  If you answered yes, chances are they have either rolled around on your carpet, put things in their mouth that were on it and done a whole host of other things that we don't see or think about.  I, for one, am not in favor of sprinkling powdered chemicals all over my floor, so I opt to make my own.  Making your own carpet deodorizer/freshener is not only simple but it will save you a ton of money.

Ingredients:

• 1 c baking soda
• Optional:  1 tsp essential oils

Directions:

Add the baking soda in an air-tight container.  Stir the essential oil into the baking soda with a fork to loosen any clumps.  

Sprinkle the mixture liberally over your carpet.  Allow it to set for 20 minutes before vacuuming it up.

Homemade Dish Soap

Never sure what to do with your tiny soap bits?  Did you know you can use your bar soap to make liquid dish soap?  It's quick and easy and a little bit goes a long way with this eco-friendly soap.  Oh, and it cuts through grease, too!  If the consistency of your dish soap turns out "gloopy" (like a stretchy, thick consistency), you've done a good job!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 qt water
• 1 c grated castile soap or 1 c soap bits.
• 1 tbsp vegetable glycerin
• Essential oils

Directions:

Heat the water and castile soap over low heat in a medium pan until the soap is dissolved.  

Stir in the glycerin and essential oils.  

Allow to cool to room temperature.  Whisk the gelled mixture.  Store in an empty dish soap bottle or in an air-tight container.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Making your own laundry detergent may take a little extra time and effort but it is worth the money you'll save because it costs only pennies per load.  It's also nice knowing exactly what is in the detergent that will be washing the clothes that my family will wear.  Because it is a low-suds cleaner, this is HE compatible as well!  This recipe will yield a gloppy gel that will need to be shaken or stirred before each use.  For fabric softener, add 1/2 c vinegar to your rinse cycle along with an optional few drops of essential oil to soften your clothes.

Ingredients:

• 2 c water 
• 1 c grated castile soap
• 1 c borax 
• 1 c washing soda 
• Essential oil

Directions

Bring the water to a boil in a medium pan.  Dissolve the grated castile soap in the water.  Remove from heat and pour into a 5-gallon bucket.  

Stir the borax and washing soda into the soapy water, until dissolved.  

Add an additional 2 gallons of water to the bucket and stir.  Cover and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.  Once cooled, stir in essential oil, about 15 to 20 drops (I used orange essential oil).  

You can store this covered in the bucket or in empty laundry detergent bottles.  

Stir the mixture when ready to use for laundry (the mixture gels).  Use 1/4 c per load.  

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent and Rinse Aid

Borax is a naturally occurring alkaline mineral that has no toxic fumes and is safe for the environment.  It cleans, disinfects, deodorizes and softens water.  Baking soda deodorizes and causes dirt and grease to dissolve.  Vinegar kills bacteria, mold and germs and will make your dishes sparkle!

Remember, the smell of vinegar will disappear once it evaporates but you can always add a few drops of essential oil to remove the initial vinegar smell.

Detergent Ingredients:

• 1 part borax
• 1 part baking soda 
• Optional:  Essential oils

Rinse Aid Ingredients:

• Vinegar

Directions:

Borax can be a skin irritant, so be sure to wear rubber gloves when working with this mixture.  Combine equal parts borax and baking soda.  Store in an airtight container and label for future use.  

Add 1 tbsp of the mixture to the main wash compartment of your dishwasher.  

Add vinegar to the rinse aid compartment.  

Wash normal cycle with heated dry feature turned on.  

Orange Peel Candle

There are surprisingly a lot of different uses for an orange peel.  In my food blog, Cooking Creation, I give a recipe for candied orange peel.  You can eat the orange peel, you can zest the orange peel, you can bake cupcake batter in the orange peel but did you know that you can use it as an all-natural candle holder, too?  When lit, the orange peel gives off a romantic, beautiful glow and a subtle citrus aroma.  It is easy to assemble and brings an elegant feel to the room.

Ingredients:

• 1 orange
• Pith of the orange (The thin, white, thread-like material attached to the inside of the peel that also attaches to the edible fruit flesh)
• Olive oil 
• Optional:  Essential oil - 100% pure orange

Directions:

Place the pith in the center of the orange peel, pressing down gently.  Pour olive oil inside the peel.  Add 3 drops of the optional essential oil.  

Light the pith.  You need to hold the match to the pith for at least 15 seconds before it will light.  

Sit back and watch it glow!  You will be surprised how long just a little olive oil will go!

All-Purpose Cleaner

I will never buy an all-purpose cleaner from the store again!  It works wonderfully from the counter top to the floor.  It is very cost effective and smells heavenly.  Essential oil is only optional as the smell of vinegar vanishes once it evaporates.  I personally do not like the smell of the vinegar, so I added drops of 100% orange essential oil to get rid of initial vinegar smell.

Ingredients:

• 1 part water
• 1 part vinegar   
• Optional:  Essential oil

Directions:

Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle.  If mopping the floor, add the mixture to a bucket.

Simply spray and wipe clean or mop away.  If you are using essential oil, shake the spray bottle before using as the oil separates from the water.  

Get to cleaning!

Window/Glass Cleaner

Isopropyl is widely used for cleaning surgeons' hands and instruments.  As an antiseptic, it is good against vegetative bacteria and fair against fungi and viruses.  Also, because it evaporates quickly, it will leave you with streak-free, sparkling windows, mirrors and even glass top stoves.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c water
• 1/2 c isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
• 1 1/2 tsp white vinegar 

Directions:

Mix the water, isopropyl alcohol and white vinegar together in a spray bottle.  

Spray and wipe with a clean cloth.