27.7.11

Sensational Soft Scrub....Homemade



I think it's amazing that cleaning products can be made at home; not only are they less expensive in the long run, you also know what's going in them so they're healthier for your family and wonderfully green to boot!

My most recent love is this homemade soft scrub. I'm telling you it works AMAZINGLY and smells wonderful. Antibacterial due to the tea tree and lavender essential oils and whitening because of the baking soda - no need for ajax or comet with bleach ever again.

Here's what you'll need:

2 cups baking soda
1/2 cup Dr. Bronner's liquid castile soap (I used peppermint)
10 drops tea tree oil
15 drops lavender essential oil
2 tbsp water
2 tbsp distilled white vinegar

In a large bowl, mix together the soda, castile soap, oils and water



The consistency will be like glossy cream cheese frosting. Once combined, add the vinegar. It will bubble up as it reacts with the soda - not to worry. Just make sure you don't add it until after you've mixed up the other ingredients or you'll get sludge and you want frosting.






Once everything is all mixed together, pour the scrub into a container. I used a wide-mouth mason jar and it's easy for me to get my hand through the opening. I just scoop it out and put on my sponge as needed. Another possibility is to use an empty squeeze bottle as your container. And if it gets a bit dry, just add a little water and shake it up.



It's silly...how excited I am about this stuff but I just think it's incredible. It's worked great on everything I've used it on so far: sinks, tubs, stove tops, toilets....I'm tellin' you! It's now a staple for me when I clean along with the all-purpose spray you see next to it in the picture below.



For that you'll need:

1/4 cup lemon juice (pulp and seeds strained out)
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
1 cup water
tea tree oil (optional)
lavender essential oil (optional)
1 tsp castile soap (optional)

While the oils and soap are optional here, I like to add them because it cuts the smell of the vinegar and adds antibacterial properties. Works great on counters, cabinets floors, trash cans; basically, wherever you'd use a store bought product.

Use these for yourself or give them as a hostess or housewarming gift with some natural sponges or cotton cleaning towels. Cute labels can be found here and more recipes here. My next endeavor? Liquid laundry soap and felted dryer balls!

Pin It



16 comments:

  1. I love this soft scrub for cleaning bathtubs, it works like VIM but not as bad for you and the environment!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I can't wait to try those! I do not like the store bought. And I just happen to have everything I need:)

    ReplyDelete
  3. With all the yummy oils and stuff I was ready to put it on my skin. This is great I've been using baking soda and white vinegar a lot more anyway so this is just another plus.

    Jeanna @ dramaqueenseams.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I need to try this. I have been wanting to try making my own cleaners, and your ingredients just make sense, you know? I'm sure I'll have great luck.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am going to try it!
    Thanks for sharing, I really need this :)

    Dropping by from Funky Junk Blog.
    Your newest follower :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Featuring YOU over on my blog today. Love this. Come by & grab a button. :)

    Ginger

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've looked all over for this Dr. Bonner's castile soap and can't find it anywhere. Could I just use Dawn?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. you can find dr. bronner's at whole foods, trader joe's and even target. tj's has the best price but is limited to carrying only the peppermint.

      Delete
    2. I have seen it at Target. For some reason Target tends to put the "natural" stuff in a different aisle from the usual store-bought cleaning items. You may have to ask, but it's there! :)

      Delete
  8. These are great little recipes. I would recommend trying Thieves Essential Oil instead of the Lavender and Tea Tree though. Much better at killing all those things we cannot see! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Seriously? "Homemade" soft scrub made from Dr. Bronner's? This must be a joke.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. no joke, rita :-) it really works wonderfully. hope you give it a try...

      Delete
    2. Also, there are a lot of home uses for baking soda...I was surprised by what I found online.

      Delete
  11. I can't wait to try those! I do not like the store bought. And I just happen to have everything I need
    foto payudara

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts with Thumbnails