Household and Cleaning Recipes

[Guest guest]

>

> Household and Cleaning Recipes

>

> I thought about sending this or not, then decided because we were all health

> concious, I would offer you some " recipes " for homemade products that we all

> use everyday or occasionally. My feelings will not be hurt if you want to

> hit delete! LOL Marilyn

> Apple Pie Spice Potpourri

>

> A delightful potpourri with real apple slices and spices, to make

> your house smell wonderful!

>

> 1 small apple - made into dried apple slices (see below)

> 1 cup carnation petals, pink and red, dried

> Cinnamon stick, broken into small pieces

> 2 teaspoons nutmeg

> 1 1/ 2 tablespoons whole cloves

> 1 tablespoon grated orange peel

> 3 drops vanilla fragrance oil (at your craft store)

>

> Preheat your oven to 150 degrees. Slice the unpeeled apple in very

> thin slices and lay in a single layer on a baking sheet sprayed

> lightly with vegetable oil spray and bake for 30 minutes. You can

> sprinkle a little cinnamon on top to make these cinnamon dried

> apples. Let the dried apple cool for about ten minutes before adding

> to the other ingredients.

>

> In a lidded glass jar (a Mason jar is perfect) combine all of the

> ingredients of the potpourri mixture, and gently combine with a

> wooden spoon. Cover tightly. This mixture will keep for months. To

> use, place about a tablespoon into 2 cups of boiling water. Turn

> down

> the heat and let the mixture simmer gently to release all of the

> wonderful apple pie scent!

>

>

>

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> Beeswax Wood Polish

> 60 g Beeswax granules

> 300 ml Pure turpentine

> 25 g Pure soap or soap flakes

> 150 ml Boiling water

> 6 dr Essential oil of lavender

>

> 1. Melt the waxes with the turpentine in a double boiler (warning

> low

> flash point)

> 2. Grate the soap into a bowl and pour on the boiling water and stir

> briskly to dissolve it.

> 3. Let the soapy water cool slightly and then pour it into the

> melted

> wax stirring well as it makes an emulsion.

> 4. Put in a small jar or container with a tight fitting lid.

>

>

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> Carpet Freshener Recipes

> 1. Simply sprinkle on plain old baking soda, allow some time for it

> to neutralize odors, and then vacuum it up. Not only is it

> effective,

> but it's simple and inexpensive too.

>

> 2. " I too find Carpet Fresh expensive so in a plastic bag place

> about

> 400g Baking Soda and add a few drops of Essential Oil in a fragrance

> you like. Mix it about with your hands to blend the oil and break up

> any lumps and when well mixed place in the Carpet Fresh container

> and

> sprinkle the carpets with it before vacuuming. " (submitted by Dawn)

>

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> Cinnamon Cut-Outs

> Use these anytime to hang on a door (in the bathroom would be

> great!)

> to scent the air with real cinnamon. (Thanks to the member who sent

> this in.)

> 1 cup cinnamon

> 4 tablespoons glue

> 3/4 cup water

> Mix all together and roll into a ball. Set for 2 hrs in

> refrigerator.

> Roll between two pieces of wax paper (about 1/4 thick) and use your

> cookie cutters to make cinnamon cut-outs. Use straw poked through

> top

> of ornament to make a hole to hang. Dry for 12 hrs one side flip

> over

> and dry 12 more hrs.

>

>

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> Coffee Maker Cleaner

> Fill reservoir with 1 pint (473mL) white vinegar and enough extra

> water to fill the reservoir. Turn on Coffee Maker. Let it brew 1 cup

> of water/vinegar solution, then turn off coffee maker. Let it stand

> for 1/2 hour, then turn coffee maker back on. When finished brewing,

> rinse pot, then fill reservoir with water and let it brew the hot

> water. I ususally do this twice. Better than commercial coffee maker

> cleaners.

>

>

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> Copper Cleaner

> 1. Rub the copper with Worcestershire Sauce, let set for a minute

> and

> rinse off!

> 2. You can also try rubbing with catsup/ketchup.

>

>

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> Easy Floor Cleaner

>

> Mix 1 cup white vinegar with 2 gallons hot water. For greasy floors,

> add 1/4 cup washing soda and 1 tablespoon vegetable-oil-based soap

> to

> the above mixture.

>

>

>

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> Easy Shower Cleaner

> Dilute floral scented store brand bleach 1 part to 9 parts water and

> put in a spray bottle to use as a quick mist after showering every

> couple of days, I also mist the curtain liner. (Be sure to mark the

> bottle carefully so everyone knows what it is! Keep out of reach of

> kids.)

>

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> Essential Oil Room Air Freshener Spray Recipe

> Make your own essential oil air freshening sprays with this fun and

> easy recipe! You can bottle this and give it as gifts, or just enjoy

> using it in your own house every day!

>

> Ingredients:

>

> 1 cup distilled water

> 8 - 10 drops essential oil of your choice

> spray bottle, with a fine mist setting

> label

>

> Pour the cup of distilled water into the spray bottle. Add the drops

> of essential oils and shake very well. Cap the bottle, and allow to

> sit for a few hours before using. Shake the bottle before each use

> to

> evenly distribute the scented oil throughout the water. Use the

> label

> to describe what sort of air freshener each bottle is. And be sure

> to

> use the fine mist setting on your bottle, so the spray will be

> distributed nicely in the air.

>

> Here are some interesting ideas for wonderful air freshener sprays,

> but you can go ahead and create your own favorite blends using

> scents

> that you love the most! To use the following recipe, just add the

> recommended amounts of essential oil to the spray bottle with the

> distilled water, and follow the instructions as above. Please note

> that essential oils can vary in potency - for this reason, you can

> add or reduce the amounts of essential oil recommended in each

> recipe, if you find that the essential oil you've bought is either

> stronger or weaker than expected.

>

> DEODORIZING ROOM SPRAY This one is great for the bathroom!

> 6 drops bergamot essential oil

> 1 drop eucalyptus essential oil

> 2 drops lemon essential oil

>

> Add to the distilled water in the spray bottle, shake well and spray

> as a fine mist.

>

> PET DEODORIZING ROOM SPRAY

> If you have pets like I do, this spray is great for around the

> litter

> box, or just for freshening up the entire house!

>

> 6 drops cedarwood

> 3 drops tea tree oil

>

> Add to the distilled water in the spray bottle, shake well and spray

> as a fine mist.

>

> APPLE PIE SPICE ROOM AIR FRESHENER

> 6 drops Cinnamon essential oil

> 3 drops clove essential oil

>

> Add to distilled water in the spray bottle, shake well and spray as

> a

> fine mist. I love this one sprayed in the kitchen!

>

> ORANGE SPICE ROOM AIR FRESHENER

> 5 drops orange essential oil

> 2 drops cinnamon essential oil

>

> Add to distilled water in the spray bottle, shake well and spray as

> a

> fine mist. Lovely spicy orange scent!

>

> Now, here are three blends made to change your mood for the better!

> It's been proven that with the effects of aromatherapy, just the way

> things smell can altar your mood.

>

> MOOD LIFTER AIR FRESHENER SPRAY

>

> 4 drops chamomile essential oil

> 3 drops orange essential oil

> 2 drops ylang ylang essential oil

>

> Follow directions as with other recipes above. This recipe will make

> you feel more light hearted, and less depressed.

>

> STRESS RELIEVER AIR FRESHENER SPRAY

> 4 drops lavender essential oil

> 3 drops rose essential oil

> 2 drops clary sage essential oil, optional

>

> Follow directions as with other recipes above. This air freshener

> will help relieve stress, and it smells really wonderful!

>

> SLEEPY-HOUR RELAXATION AIR FRESHENER SPRAY

> 4 drops lavender essential oil

> 3 drops chamomile essential oil

>

> Both of these essential oils have wonderful, sedative effects. Spray

> a little in your bedroom a half hour before going to bed, to enjoy

> the soothing effects of these natural sedatives. Or spray a little

> on

> your pillow or bedclothes to enjoy a whole night of wonderful,

> restorative sleep.

>

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> Hard Water Fabric Gel Soap

> 2 cups pure soap flakes

> 1 1/2 cups Borax

> 6 cups warm water

> 1/2 cup glycerin

> 2 t essential oil either lavender, lemon or eucalyptus

>

> In med pan, stir soap flakes, borax, &water. Heat slowly, stir til

> mix is clear. Add glycerin, set aside to cool. When cool, add

> essential oil, stir well. Pour in mason jar or other container,

> cover

> til needed.

>

> To use, add 1 cup Gel per load of clothes, making sure soap is

> dissolved well before adding clothes to water. This gel works best

> w/warm water, or dissolve it in qt warm water before adding it to

> the

> wash.

>

>

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> Hard Water Laundry Detergent

> 1 cup soap flakes

> 1 cup washing soda

> 1 cup borax

>

> Mix ingredients and store in a lidded, labeled canister in the

> laundry room. To use: Measure out 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup and wash your

> clothing in warm or cold water. Use cold water for the rinse cycle.

>

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> Homemade Pre-treating Stain Remover

> 2 TBS Ammonia

> 3/4 Cup Dawn Dish Soap

> 2 Cups warm Water

>

> Mix well. Store in a spray bottle. Let sit 15 minutes on stains;

> then

> wash.

>

>

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> How to DE-FOG Windows and Mirrors

> To prevent windows or mirrors from steaming: Clean the glass

> ccasionally with a cloth moistened with glycerin. Wipe it so only a

> trace of the glycerin is left on the surface. Use on the inside of a

> window.

>

> Another way...

> Clean your bathroom mirror and then apply a mixture of water with a

> tiny bit of dish soap in it and then wipe dry. Now you won't have to

> keep wiping down your mirror when getting ready to keep the fog

> away.

> Should last till you clean it next... if not you might not have put

> enough soap in. Works on windows in the winter as well. Especially

> for when you are doing dishes, go to look outside and try wiping the

> window with your soaking wet hands making matters worse.

>

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> Kettle DE-Scaler

> Boil one part vinegar with two parts water in kettle for 15 minutes.

> Rinse THOROUGHLY (unless you REALLY want to wake up in the

> morning...), then boil full kettle of water for 15 minutes.

>

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> Laundry Stain Remover

> 1/2 Cup vinegar

> 1/2 cup ammonia (sudsy or plain)

> 1/4 cup wisk

> 1/2 cup water

>

> Mix it together in a squirt or spray bottle and use as you would

> regular stain remover.

>

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> Lemon Air Freshener

> 1 cup Water

> 1/4 cup Fresh Lemon Balm Or Verbena -- chopped

> 2 T Lemon Peel -- Grated

> 2 T Fresh Lemon Juice

> 1 t Baking Soda

>

> Bring water to boil in a large saucepan. Add lemon balm, lemon peel,

> lemon juice, and baking soda and stir until baking soda dissolves

> thoroughly. The mixture will foam up after you add the baking soda

> so

> be sure your saucepan is large enough. Let cool and fill a spray

> bottle. Makes about one cup.

>

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> Lemon Microwave Cleaner

> Add 4 tablespoons of lemon juice to 1 cup water in a microwave-safe,

> 4-cup bowl. Boil 5 minutes in the microwave, allowing the steam to

> condense on the inside walls of the oven. Then wipe clean.

>

>

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> Marble Cleaner

> 1/2 C. white vinegar

> 1/4 C. baking soda

> 1 C. ammonia

> 1 gal. hot water

>

> Mix well in a bucket. Wear rubber gloves, and work in well-

> ventilated

> area. Use a sponge to wash marble. Rinse with clear water, then dry.

>

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> Multi-Purpose Household Cleaner Recipe

> 1 cup household ammonia

> 1/2 cup white vinegar

> 1/4 cup baking soda

> 1 gallon warm water

>

> Mix thoroughly. Store some in clean spray bottles to clean your

> counters, cupboard doors, walls, doorknobs, etc. and use the rest to

> mop your floors. This mixture has great grease fighting action!

>

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> Natural Toilet Cleaning Paste

> For toilets, make a paste of 1/3 cup lemon juice and 2/3 cups borax,

> spread on stains, let sit two hours, then brush off. For regular

> toilet cleaning, brush toilet with baking soda.

>

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> Odor Absorbing Spray

> Why waste money on commercial products when you can make your own

> air

> deodorizer? Use a regular pump spray mister with 4 cups of water in

> it, add 4 teaspoons of baking soda and spray the odours away.

>

>

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> Pine Potpourri

> What a great recipe for anyone who lives near pine trees! Put those

> pine needles to use with this beautifully scented potpourri.

>

> 1/2 cup bayberry leaves

> 1/2 cup snipped balsam needles

> 1/2 cup miniature pine cones

> 1/2 cup rose hips

> 2 tsp orrisroot

> 2 drops pine fragrance oil

>

> Mix the bayberry, balsam, pine cones and rose hips in a large bowl.

> Add the orrisroot and fixative and stir gently. Simmer in a

> potpourri

> warmer, or display in pretty crystal dishes around the house.

>

>

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> Pre-Wash Spray

> 1/2 C. household ammonia

> 1/4 C. baking soda

> 1/2 C. white vinegar

> 1/2 gal. water

>

> After mixing this solution, put part of it in a smaller spray bottle

> to keep handy by the washing machine when doing laundry. Spray

> liberally onto clothes where needed.

>

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> Simple De-Icer

> For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: get warm water and put

> Dawn dishwashing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They

> won't

> refreeze.

>

>

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> Simple Homemade Fabric Softener Sheets

> Spray a mixture of half water, half fabric softener onto a regular

> clean face cloth and toss it in with your laundry in the washing

> machine.

>

>

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> Simple Humidifier Freshener

> Eliminate odors in your humidifier Pour 3-4 teaspoons of lemon juice

> into the water.

>

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> Super Drain Cleaner Recipe

> 1 cup baking soda

> 1 cup table salt

> 1/4 cup cream of tartar

> 1 cup boiling water

> Cold Water.

>

> Mix baking soda, table salt, and cream of tartar. Stir each time

> before using. Keep in a clean, covered jar.

>

> When ready to use, pour 1/4 cup of mixture into drain. Immediately

> add the 1 cup boiling water. Wait ten seconds, then flush with cold

> water for at least 20 seconds.

>

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> Tile and Grout Cleaner

> 1/2 cup baking soda

> 1/3 cup household ammonia

> 1/4 cup white vinegar

> 7 cups warm water

>

> Combine in a gallon container.. do yourself a favor .. and put the

> water in FIRST!

>

> Shake.. and don't get it near anything with BLEACH! To use: fill a

> spray bottle, spray onto tile/grout- wipe with a damp cloth or

> sponge, or use a scrub brush.

>

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> Upholstery Stain Remover

> To remove pencil, crayon or ink marks from upholstery, use dry

> baking

> soda. Use a hairbrush or similar brush to rub baking soda and remove

> the marks.

>

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> Vanilla Room Spray Recipe

> 4 oz. clean spray bottle with a fine mist setting

> 1 1/2 ounces of distilled water

> 1 1/2 ounces of vanilla extract

>

> Directions: Fill the spray bottle with 1.5 ounces of vanilla extract

> and 1.5 ounces of distilled water. (Even though a 4 oz. bottle is

> suggested, leave about 1 oz. unfilled so you can shake the bottle

> well between uses.) Shake the bottle prior to each use, and let it

> sit for about a day before making a conclusion that the aroma is too

> weak; the aroma can change after the air freshener has had time to

> sit. Mist lightly in the room. Be especially careful not to allow

> the

> air freshener mist fall onto furniture or into open beverages.

>

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> Vinegar Shower Cleaner

>

> 1 cup white vinegar

> 3 cups water

>

> Add to a large spray bottle and shake well before each use. Use to

> clean your bathroom - allowing the mixture to sit longer on more

> stubborn stains. The acidity in the vinegar will help remove grout

> and grime.

>

>

> Waterproof Glue Recipe

>

> 2 Packets unflavoured gelatin -- (1/2 ounce)

> 2 tablespoons cold water

> 3 tablespoons skim milk

> several drops oil of cloves (optional)

>

> 1. In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over cold water. Set aside to

> soften.

> 2. Heat milk to boiling point and pour into softened gelatin. Stir

> until gelatin is dissolved.

> 3. Add oil of cloves as preservative if glue is to be kept for more

> than a day.

>

> Makes about 1/3 cup

>

> Store glue in a screw-capped jar. It will gel as it cools, but this

> will not affect its adhesiveness. Set jar in a pan of hot water to

> soften glue for reuse.

>

>

> Weekly Drain Cleaner Recipe

>

> 1 cup baking soda

> 1 cup vinegar

> very hot water

>

> Pour the baking soda into the clogged drain followed by the vinegar.

> As this foams, flush with very hot water. Done on a weekly basis,

> this keeps the drain free of hair and clogging grease. Great for

> kitchen sinks and bathrooms.

>

>

> Window and Surface Cleaner

> Thanks to for this formula!

>

> 1 cup ammmonia

> 1 teaspoon Dawn dish liguid

> 1 pint (2 cups) alcohol

>

> Place ingredients in a one-gallon jug and fill the remainder of jug

> with tap water. To use pour some into spray bottle and use on widows

> and other surfaces.

>

>

> Wood and Wall Cleaning Solution

>

> 1 gallon warm water

> 1 cup ammonia

> 1/2 cup vinegar

> 1/4 cup baking soda

>

> Combine and use to clean walls and woodwork.

>

>

>

>

>