Do you have any recipes for homemade cleaning supplies?

Debbie - commented on Aug 22, 2012

That's funny, because I used to use Downey fabric softener on my hair when I was a teen.

Andrea - commented on Aug 9, 2012

You can substitute any essential oil if you prefer a different fragrance, or you can omit it for an unscented product.

Vicki - commented on Aug 9, 2012

Can wait to try it out!!!! I love Mule Borax 20...I always forget the word order...! I'll let you know!!! thank you so much!

Penny - commented on Aug 23, 2012

I have made and used this before. Love it and the clothes are so clean and smell wonderful. Orange or citrus essential oils are great too.

Dana - commented on Aug 23, 2012

It's a good body exfoliater also

Vicki - commented on Aug 9, 2012

do you use Apple Cider Vinegar b/c it smells better? cheaper? more effective? I have both at home...I read it also takes off stickers and gummy things...where Windex won't...:)

Pamela - commented on Aug 9, 2012

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Pamela - commented on Aug 9, 2012

I use apple cider vinegar because that's the way my Mom taught me! It is also a natural antibacterial.

Patty - commented on Aug 9, 2012

I like the idea of scenting the bleach solution. Any suggestions? I love the smell of a product that the Good Home Company puts out, but refuse to pay the huge price for their cleaner. I would, however buy their scented spray if I could use it in a cleaner like that. I indulge and buy their laundry scent. I'm not a coffee drinker, so I rationalize that some people pay $25 a month or so for Starbucks... I make my laundry smell good!! lol

Vicki - commented on Aug 11, 2012

Hi Patty: I have never tried to scent it...but I should experiment and get back to you...I believe I could try successfully with the following: 1) lemon juice 2) lime juice 3)rosemary sprig 4) peppermint extract 4) patchouli? lol 5) lavender sprigs....I'll let you know..and please me know if you try something..I LIKE the smell of bleach, but really with the dilution, it's quite effective, for me and the kids and the smell is very mild. here's talkin' back at 'cha soon!

Debbie - commented on Aug 22, 2012

Vicki, I bet you are a swimmer, or at least have enjoyed swimming in chlorinated pools. My daughters who swam still like the smell of chlorine:)

Andrea - commented on Aug 9, 2012

Vinegar is a good all-purpose cleaner. It kills germs and when used with salt or hydrogen peroxide can even kill e coli. Chlorine bleach is poisonous and must be used in a well-ventilated area. It is recommended to use bleach sparingly. The production process for chlorine bleach is pretty nasty; it releases cancer-causing dioxin as well as brain-damaging mercury into the air surrounding chlorine plants. If you have kids in the house, you need to take precautions: According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, chlorine bleach poisoned 14,400 children under age 6 in 2007 (the last year for which data is available).

Pam - commented on Aug 22, 2012

Wow, thanks for the info Andrea! Can you tell me how to mix up the vinegar, peroxide and salt to use as a cleaner? What are the measurements?

Sheryll - commented on Aug 22, 2012

Vinegar is a acid, yes it is a good disinfectant when combined with peroxide ...but spray it in the air...not on surfaces. Vinegar will etch surfaces and cause damage. Wood workers use it to bleach wood, it clouds the Finish and will eat away at irtysh until it get through the wood, tile or just add the surface and it will cause damage. No it isn't the new or old wonder cleaner.

Dana - commented on Aug 23, 2012

I am going to have to disagree with you on the vinegar. My wood floors are over a hundred years old, that is all that has been used on them except a little wax about every 10 years...They are just as shiny and in tip top shape as the day my grandfather put them in... Sorry you are a "slave" to the chemicals....kinda like a doctor being a "slave" to the pharmacies, and their drugs. Natural is much better for you and the environment. Why would I consult the manufactors? All they are doing is padding the chemical making factories pockets, and vice versa

Sheryll - commented on Aug 23, 2012

When you are cleaning a floor you are cleaning the finish. If that finish is damaged it will damage the floor it was protecting. Vinegar is a mild acid. It will damage any floor finish. Floors are all different. Some are made in layers. On some floors when you damage the layers you can't fix it. For instance engineered wood floors. If the finishis damage on it your stuck. Wood floors vinegar will eventually start clouding the finish which is usually polyethylene. It will start clouding. You won't see it at once. But after it clouds it will etch through the finish and damage the wood. It might start in. One little spot. But that is all it takes. Use vinegar on tile especially the new tile like travistine tile the one with little holes in It, it will start not only damaging the finish it will weaken the tile and it will also weaken grout. Vinegar issued by wood workers to bleach out wood...what does that tell you And how is reading directions a slave to manufactors? Manufactors will give you directions on how to clean your floors or how to clean your surface without damage. Most is simple as cleaning tile with dish soap. And rinsing. And what is greener then that? If you have a brand new surface I am going to tell you yes they want you to use their product and they also might make you purchase it. My new leather couch I had to purchase the cleaner..or they wouldn't give me a warrenty on it. It is a choice. Spending thousands of dollars on floors, surfaces why in the world would you want to cause damage? They track it. Not everyone manufactor does this I told you only so people are educated buyers. You can also use the Internet to google your floors and surfaces. They have the correct way to clean your floors and surfaces. They also tell you what. Not to use. Some of the new steel on bathrooms if you use vinegar on these it will etch it, it will etch facets and discolor them. Will it get hard water off? Absoulty but in doing so you had better be careful. Because I have seen it etch it and discolor it. You don't have to be a slave to anything. But before using these recipes some are great some are horrible find out what to do to clean and protect your product. I have been in the cleaning business for over 20 yrs. my staff and I only clean high end homes and businesses. I clean green and I also clean with chemicals. But when I or any of my staff do so iris because we know exactly what we are doing and why we are doing it. Because I know exactly from the manufactor not the sales man not the store tell me the best way to clean it. If they don't have the directions I call them direct. Because this is my job. This is why I am successful. I am educating you. Sometimes the very simplest thing is using dish soap to clean. Or how about using cheap shampoo to clean your tub? Or shower? Or how about cold corn Water and corn starch to clean mirrors or windows? What is more green than that? Educate. Before you mix these recipes up check or google the manufactors usually aren't your enemy they will give you simple solutions to clean.

Sheryll - commented on Aug 23, 2012

If you read my comment above when I first posted I gave you a alternative to clean floors instead of telling you to buy their products. If your floors are hundred years old are they probably sealed with wax instead of polyerthene if they have never been refinished. Maybe that is why it hasn't reached the wood yet. That is why you should know exactly what you are cleaning and why. If you have new wood floors vinegar will damage them in a record time. Or old ones with polyurethane. if you even leave water on the new wood it turns them white st the joints...add vinegar to that and it seeks into the joint.