Soaps and Cleaning Supplies!

SCOURING BATHROOM CLEANSER

1/2 liquid Castile soap

1 t borax

2 t baking soda

1 3/4 c very warm water

4 drops essential oil of choice, optional

Pour water into stainless steel bowl and add soap.  Stire well, then add the dry ingredients.  Add essential oil if desired.  Stire until well blended.  Store in a squeeze bottle and stir or shake before using.  If you have a stubborn stain on fiberglass or plastic surgace, add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide to the mixture for extra stain-fighting power.

**For the essential oil, I use tea tree oil.  It is anti microbial and gives a nice clean scent.  

GENTLE WINDOW CLEANER

1/2 c witch hazel extract

1/2 c vinegar

2 t liquid castile soap

6 c warm water

4 drops essential oil, optional

Mix all ingredients together in large plastic jug and shake well.  To use, pour some into a plastic spray bottle. Shake well prior to each use and store in a cool, dark place.  Shelf life: 4-6 months.

MULTI PURPOSE SPRAY CLEANSER

1 c liquid castile soap

1/4 t baking soda

1/4 t tea tree extract

2 T witch hazel extract

4 drops essential oil, optional

Mix the ingredients together in a spray bottle and shake gently.  This works well on stove and counter tops and the outside of refrigerators and microwaves.  Shelf life 6 mos.

If you need a stronger cleaner, replace the witch hazel extract with an equal amount of isopropyl alcohol.  

ALL PURPOSE LAUNDRY DETERGENT

1/2 c baking soda

1/2 c powdered castile soap

1/4 c washing soda (sodium carbonate)

1/4 c borax

Mix dry ingredients together and store in tightly closed container.  Use about 1/2 c of this soap toa  load of laundry as you would with any commercial detergent.  Shelf life 12 mos.

AUTOMATIC DISHWASHING SOAP

1/2 c liquid castile soap

1/2 c water

1 t fresh lemon juice

3 drops tea tree extract

1/4 c white vinegar

Combine water and soap.  Sitr and then add lemon juice, tea tree extract and vinegar.  Stir until blended evenly and store in a squeeze bottle.  Use 2 Tablespoons per wash in a standard sized dishwasher.  Note:  Do not substitute convential liquid soap for the castile soap unless it is a "low sudsing" soap.  Regular soap will produce too many suds and overload the dishwasher.