Natural Household Remedies

Citrus is great against grease, and makes the kitchen smell fresh too:

Ingredients:

• 1 gallon of hot water
• 2 tbsp liquid castile soap
• 15 drops sweet orange essential oil
• 8 drops lemon essential oil (or 1/4 cup of lemon juice)

Mix ingredients and mop or scrub your kitchen floor as usual.  No rinsing necessary.

Works great for stove tops and refrigerators if s[prayed generously on the appliance and wiped off with a damp sponge or cloth, and then wiped dry with another cloth.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp liquid castile soap
• 1/8 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 cups water
• 6 drops citrus seed extract
• 4 drops lemon, lime, orange or eucalyptus essential oil
• 1 tsp borax

Combine all ingredients in a plastic spray bottle.  Shake well before every use.

Ingredients:

• water
• vinegar
• 3-4 drops citrus essential oil

A simple mixture of equal parts of vinegar and water is the best thing for cleaning faucets.

Buildup of grime around the base can be treated with a 3-4 drops of a citrus essential oil dropped directly on the grime, then scrubbed away with an old toothbrush.

Here is a recipe for a basic sink cleaner that can be used for stainless steel and porcelain sinks alike.  If you store the vinegar separately, the baking soda-essential oil mixture can be made in larger quantities in advance and stored.  Use large plastic jars  with shaker tops - spice or herb jars do the job well.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 3 drops lavender, rosemary, lemon, lime or orange essential oil

Combine all ingredients.  Rinse the sink well with hot water, then pour cleanser int he sink and wipe with sponge or cloth.  Rinse well again with hot water.

If you find baking soda residue in your sink, rinse with vinegar once before the final hot water rinse.