Natural Household Remedies

The inside of your microwave can trap food odors and grease which will spoil the flavor of the food you heat in it.  Here is a recipe for a paste that removes odors and grease easily and your microwave will be smell new.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 5-6 drop essential oil, either lemon, lemongrass or thyme

Make a paste from all ingredients and spread over the interior of the microwave, floor and sides.  Let sit for a little while, then wipe away with a damp sponge or cloth.  Rinse well to remove all residue.  Then leave the microwave door open for about half an hour to air it out.

If your microwave has a glass turntable, remove it an dwash it by hand.

For a very messy stove, or one that has not been cleaned in a while, this formula will help you fix the issue.

First preheat the oven to 250F for 15 minutes, without racks or baking sheets, then shut it off and leave the door open. then add the following ingredients to make a paste.  If any scrubbing is needed, for example for food splatters or baked on grease, use fine steel wool and, if necessary, a bit more salt.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cups salt
• 1/4 cups borax or washing soda
• 16 ounces baking soda (1 box)
• scant 1/4 cups water

Spread the paste carefully over the walls using a cloth or sponge.  Let sit for 20 to 30 minutes.

Then combine the following ingredients in a spray bottle:

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cups white vinegar
• 10 drops thyme essential oil
• 10 drops lemon or lemon grass essential oil

Shake well and spray the oven walls with it.  Wipe clean and rinse well.

Ingredients:

• liquid castile soap
• 15 drops lemon or lemongrass essential oil
• 6 drops lavender essential oil
• 5 drops bergamot essential oil

Take a clean 22 ounce squirt bottle and fill it with castile soap. If you use concentrate, dilute according to directions. Then add the essential oils and shake the bottle before each use. To wash dishes as usual, add 1 to 2 tbsp to the dishwater.