The Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth

We are swiftly approaching the

"cleaning marathon weeks"

so here are some helpful hints to make

the job pleasant smelling

and easier & cheaper

From Whole Truth Holistic Health Solutions

Alternatives to Commercial Cleaners:

Baking Soda – cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours.

Lemon – one of the strongest food-acids, effective against most household bacteria.

Borax – (sodium borate) cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, cleans wallpaper, painted walls and floors.

White Vinegar – cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up.

Washing Soda – or SAL Soda is sodium carbonate decahydrate, a mineral. Washing soda cuts grease, removes stains, softens water, cleans wall, tiles, sinks and tubs. Use care, as washing soda can irritate mucous membranes. Do not use on aluminum.

Isopropyl Alcohol – is an excellent disinfectant.

Cornstarch – can be used to clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets and rugs.

Olive oil – Use to lubricate and polish wood furniture (three parts olive oil to one part vinegar; or two parts olive oil to one part lemon juice).

Potatoes – Halved potatoes can remove rust from baking pans or tinware – follow with a salt scrub or dip the potato in salt before scrubbing.

Tea tree oil – Can be added to vinegar/water solutions for its antibacterial properties. Use it to kill mold and mildew, and on kitchen and bathroom surfaces instead of chemical products. Add 50 drops to a bucket of water to clean counter tops and tile floors.

Recipes:

For Laundry:

1 cup baking soda in the wash 1 cup vinegar in the rinse cycle to help soften

If an extra kick is needed for whites or rugs add 1/2 cup borax

Drain De-clogger:

1/4 cup baking soda 1/2 cup vinegar

Pour baking soda into drain. Follow with vinegar. Close drain tightly until fizzing stops. Flush with pot of boiling water.

Ant Traps:

1/3 C Molasses or Honey 6 T Sugar 6 T active Dry Yeast Mix together. Outside put the paste in a container near the colony. Inside put the mixture on a piece of cardboard in the areas ants come into the house.

Furniture Polish

1 T lemon juice 2 T olive oil 2-3 drops lavender oil or an essential oil you like

put in a bottle and shake. Apply with a soft cloth and wipe dry.

Lemon Mint Window Wash For the shiniest windows ever!

Juice from one fresh Lemon 2 Cups water or Club Soda 1/2 teaspoon Peppermint essential oil 1 teaspoon Cornstarch

Mix all ingredients and pour into a plastic spray bottle. Shake before using. Try using sheets of black and white newspaper, it shines without streaking. An old home remedy.

Citrus mint window spray

1/2 cup fresh lemon peel 1/2 cup fresh orange peel 1 cup fresh mint leaves 1 cup white vinegar

combine peels and mint in a jar/bottle, pour vinegar over and cap. let steep for 2 weeks shaking bottle every 2-3 days.

decant and strain into spray bottle. the liquid should have leached out the fragrance and color of the botanicals making a pleasant sent.

Sink & Shower Tile Scrub:

3 tablespoons of coarse sea salt 4 tablespoons of baking soda 5 drops of grapefruit essential oil 4 drops of lemon essential oil Enough water (preferably distilled) to make a paste-like consistency