CasaSugar

Casa Quickie: Mix Up Your Own Shower Spray For Pennies

CasaSugar — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:00:36 -0700

Are you trying to save money in your household budget? Then consider skipping the store-bought shower spray and making your own.

One of the simplest recipes for whipping up your own shower spray is this one: simply add one part rubbing alcohol to four parts water in a spray bottle, then spray this mixture onto your shower walls and curtain every day after you shower. No need to rinse, as it'll rinse off next time you take a shower.

Want some other homemade recipes for shower spray? See them when you read more.

I'm a huge fan of tea tree oil, which has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Add three cups of water, three tablespoons of dishwashing soap, and about 30 drops of tea tree oil to a spray bottle, and shake to mix.
Use one cup of white vinegar and one cup of water, as well as half a lemon's juice and a tablespoon of dishwashing soap for this shower spray. Shake the mixture together in a spray bottle.

12 Recipes For Eco-Friendly Cleaning Solutions

CasaSugar — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 06:15:19 -0700

Have you started your Spring cleaning yet? If not, you can get inspired with my Spring Cleaning Checklist, which you can download and print out. The PDF lists cleaning and organizing duties room by room, to keep things simple. Since I couldn't fit all of my cleaning tips onto one list, I'll have to give you my homemade recipes for eco-friendly cleaning solutions here. From the floors to the windows, you can clean your whole home with solutions you can make yourself, for the fraction of the price you'd spend on those toxic, store-bought cleaning products. To see my recipes, check out this slideshow!
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View Slideshow ›

Ask Casa: Shelf-Life of Homemade Cleaning Products

CasaSugar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 08:00:45 -0800

Hi Casa!
I have a question about homemade cleaning products that I've been trying to find an answer to. I would love to mix up bottles of all-natural cleaning supplies but I'm not quite sure how long they last. Can I use them indefinitely? Do I have to make them fresh every time? Something in the middle?
Thanks,
KateDavis

To hear my response to KateDavis, read more.

Hi KateDavis,
That's a good question! Shelf-life varies from product to product. Most solutions, like my all-purpose surface cleaner, will last indefinitely. If you use herbs in any of your cleaning products, they'll lose their potency within a few weeks. Essential oils, on the other hand, won't go bad. For acidic cleaners, if you use lemon juice, the product will only last a few days, and you should be sure to store it in the fridge. If you use vinegar, though, it'll last indefinitely. Be sure to keep all of your homemade cleaning solutions in a labeled spray bottle. Also, be sure to check out some of my recipes for more cleaning solutions.

If you'd like to see expiration dates for specific cleaning solutions, check out this website.

Hope that helps!
Happy cleaning,
Casa

Recipe For Clean: Silver Polish

CasaSugar — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:00:01 -0700

When getting our homes so fresh and so clean, don't overlook your silverware. If you've assembled your home cleaning kit you'll have most of the ingredients for this Recipe For Clean. Use it to make your silverware shine like the top of the Chrysler building.

Supplies:

3-in. square of aluminum foil
1 tbsp. of salt
1 tbsp. of baking soda
1 cup of warm water

To learn the steps of this recipe, read more.
Here's how:

Dissolve the salt and baking soda in the warm water.
Then, submerge the foil and your silverware in the solution.
Let it sit for one hour.
Rinse the silver under the faucet, and then wipe it dry with a cloth.

Or . . .

Rub any tarnished spots on your silverware with a non-gel toothpaste (white paste kind) with a soft cloth, and rinse.
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Recipe For Clean: Bleach Alternative

CasaSugar — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 05:15:03 -0700

Have you assembled your home cleaning kit yet? If you have, you're in luck, because I have a great Recipe For Clean for an eco-friendly bleach alternative. Use it to get spots and stains out of your laundry, so they look so fresh and so clean.

Supplies

1/2 cup borax
2 gallons of hot water

Hydrogen Peroxide (3 percent)

To find out the steps for this DIY, just read more.

Soak the borax in the hot water for at least five minutes.
Then, use as you would bleach.

or . . .

Spot clean with hydrogen peroxide.
Let dry.
Repeat if necessary.

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Recipe For Clean: Tub and Tile Cleaner

CasaSugar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:00:08 -0700

When getting our homes so fresh and so clean, don't forget your the bathroom! If you've assembled your home cleaning kit you'll have most of the ingredients for this Recipe For Clean. Use it to get your tub and tiles squeaky clean.

Supplies:

1 2/3 cup of water
1/4 cup of liquid soap
1/4 cup of baking soda
2 tablespoons of vinegar
Optional: a few drops of essential oil

To find out the steps for this recipe, just read more.

Here's the steps:

Add the liquid soap to the water and let it dissolve.
Stir in the baking soda.
Add the vinegar.
Store the mixture in a nice olive oil bottle and shake before using.
Be sure to rinse your tub and tiles thoroughly after use to avoid leaving a residue.

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Recipe For Clean: Wood Floor Polish

CasaSugar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:00:31 -0700

When getting our homes so fresh and so clean, don't forget your floors! If you've assembled your home cleaning kit you'll have most of the ingredients for this Recipe For Clean. Use it to get your wooden floors gleaming.

Supplies

1/8 cup paraffin wax
1 quart mineral oil
10 drops essential oil or lemon oil
double boiler
rag

To find out the steps for this DIY, just read more.

Melt paraffin wax in a double boiler.
Add mineral oil and essential oil.
Apply to floor with a rag.
Let dry, then polish.

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Recipe For Clean: Garbage Can Deodorizer

CasaSugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:15:42 -0700

Of course, we want to keep our homes smelling so fresh and so clean, so it's logical to think about taming the beast that is the garbage can. If you've assembled your home cleaning kit you'll have most of the ingredients for this Recipe For Clean. Use it to get your garbage cans smelling Spring clean.

Supplies

1 cup baking soda
1 tsp. tea tree oil
white vinegar
water
favorite herbal scent or essential oils (optional)

To find out the steps for this DIY, just read more.

Mix the baking soda, tea tree oil, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil (optional) together.
Make sure to get out any lumps. You can use the back of a spoon to squish out lumps.
Take out garbage and garbage bag. Line the bottom of your garbage can with the mixture. Let sit for a half hour or more.
Rinse pail with white vinegar and water.
Let the garbage can dry in the sun.

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Recipe For Clean: Make a Rug Deodorizer

CasaSugar — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:15:40 -0700

No matter how you deodorize your home, it's good to have a few more tricks up your sleeve when it comes to getting your digs so fresh and so clean. If you've assembled your home cleaning kit you'll have most of the ingredients for this Recipe For Clean. Use it to get your rugs and carpets smelling Spring clean.

Supplies

1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cornstarch
favorite herbal scent or essential oils

To find out the steps for this DIY, just read more.

Mix these ingredients together.
Sprinkle on your rug or carpet.
Allow to sit for several hours, or preferably overnight.
Vacuum up.

Alternately, you can use fresh, minced lavender flowers instead of essential oils. Baking soda and cornstarch are safe to use on all carpets, even ones that are naturally dyed.

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Recipe For Clean: Furniture Polish

CasaSugar — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 09:00:23 -0700

Have you assembled your home cleaning kit yet? If you have, you're in luck, because I have a great Recipe For Clean for furniture polish. Use it to get your home so fresh and so clean.

Supplies

4 oz. oil (2 1/2 ounces olive oil or jojoba, 1 1/2 ounces coconut oil)
1 oz. beeswax
1 oz. carnauba wax
4 oz. distilled water
double boiler
hand mixer

To find out the steps for this DIY, just read more.

Melt the oils and waxes in a double boiler over medium heat.
Remove from heat, pour in water, and mix with a hand mixer until thick and creamy.
Dab some cream onto a soft cotton rag and rub into the furniture.
Buff and polish until the oils are well worked into the wood.

This polish has a shelf life of six months to a year.

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