Cleaning Tips

Food-blackened pan or baking tray
Spread paste of bicarb and vinegar over surface.
Leave overnight or at least one hour.
Scub surface and rinse. Repeat if necessary.
Remember: underside too.

Stained mattress
Mix bicarb, vinegar and squirt of liquid soap into a spray bottle.
Spray, press with a clean, dry cloth and let dry.

Wet marks on wooden furniture
Mayonnaise - squirt, spread on and wipe off.

Sink stains - Cola & toothpaste
Mix Coca Cola and Toothpaste into a squirt bottle.

Squirt on.
Leave 5-15 minutes.
Wipe off.

Toilet cleaner
Squirt 1 litre Coca Cola (in a 2l bottle) around the inside of the toilet bowl.
Leave 10 minutes,
Flush.

Microwave oven
Lemon or Tangerine with 3/4 cup of water in a bowl.
On HIGH for 3 minutes.
Wait 5 minutes.
Wipe all surfaces. Use softened lemon for badly baked on bits or discard.

Hair brushes
Plastic and metal base brushes - rinse in a pinch of bicarb and squirt of Castile soap in water
Wooden base brushes - rinse in water with a few drops of tea tree or eucalyptus oil

Lay bristle-down on cloth to dry.
Note - Castile soap is made from natural vegetable products NOT animal fats or chemicals, eg olive, coconut or hemp oil.

Sink stains - Grapefruit
Grapefruit cut in half and sprinkled in coarse salt.
Rub over surfaces.
Rinse off.

Tarnished cutlery
Grapefruit cut in half and sprinkled with coarse salt.
Rub.
Rinse.

Glassware
Grapefruit cut in half and sprinkled with coarse salt.
Rub.
Rinse.

Missing earring
Attach a square of pantyhose to the nozzle end with a rubber band to catch precious items from inside or under couches or car seats.

Carpet deodoriser
Mix in a blender until powder:
Cornflour
Bicarb, 1/2 cup of each
1 teaspoon borax
Bay leaves, 3
Cloves, heaped teaspoon

Store in a sprinkle jar.
Sprinkle on carpet; vacuum after 2 hours.

Window cleaner - Cornflour
Cornflour - 1 tablespoon
Vinegar - 1/2 cup
Rubbing alcohol 100% - 1/2 cup
Warm water - 2 cups
(or 1 cup vodka and 1/1/2 cups warm water)

Mix in a spray bottle.
Spray windows.
Wipe off - in an S or ZIGZAG motion

Smelly vacuum cleaner
Vacuum up 1 teaspoon of cinnamon

Room deodoriser
Add 2/3 vodka* to 1/3 boiled, cooled water and 20 drops of essential oil, eg lavender oil, into a spray bottle.
*or 1/3 rubbing alcohol 100% to 2/3 water
Shake slightly before use.

Red wine stain
Sprinkle on salt - to absorb freshly spilt wine DO NOT RUB
Leave an hour then vacuum up
Pour white wine, or club soda or vodka* on stain.
Dab dry with a clean cloth.
Wash as usual.
* any clear, sugarless spirit will do

Clogged drain - Cola
Gradually pour 2l Coca Cola down the drain.

[Reuse the bottle as an inside terrarium, for pest control or for gradual release pot watering.]

Scuff marks on wall
Rub with a clean tennis ball.

Clogged drain - Bicarb & Vinegar
Bicarb then vinegar then rinse with hot water.

Indentations in carpet or rugs
Damp a cloth and wring it out.
Iron on a fabric safe setting to bring up pile.
Leave to dry before walking on it or replacing furniture.

Sink stains - Toothpaste
Spread toothpaste.
Leave for 15 minutes.
Wipe.

Crayon marks on the wall
Heat with a hair dryer.

Wipe clean.

Dust Pan
Spray water on the dust pan base to catch dust.

NOT TOO MUCH.
NOT the brush.

Wooden floor wash - Tea bag
Add 10+ tea bags into wash water.

Floor wash
Mix in a bucket:

Bicarb
Vinegar
Grated soap, combined
Warm water, 1:1

Iron cleaner
Spray Sprite on base.
Rub over salt spread on a cutting board.
Wipe clean with a wet cloth.
NO HEAT!!

Mirror and glass cleaner - Sprite
Spray with Sprite.
Wipe clean.

Remove permanent marker from wood
Rubbing alcohol

Remove sticker x 3Ways
1 - Oil
2 - Rubbing alcohol
3 - WD40

Paint on hands
Preload hands with hand cream.

Wax on carpet or fabric
Iron over paper, including brown paper bag

Smelly gym shoes - Toothpaste
Clean inside with toothpaste.

Wash with usual setting.

Toothbrush sterilizer
Soak heads in Hydrogen Peroxide.

Scale buildup inside kettle x 2Ways
1 - Boil water and a slice of lemon. Discard lemon. Rinse
2 - Boil bicarb, vinegar and water. Rinse well.

Gym shoes - Toothpaste
Scrub with toothpaste.

Note - use an old toothbrush!!

Coffee/tea cup stains
Bicarb
Scrub with a wet sponge or cloth.
Rinse.

Rusty tools
Soak in Coca Cola for at least 24 hours.
Rinse and thoroughly dry.

Bubble gum
Ice block then peel off.

Pen marks on fabric
WD40.

Note - use fine straw attachment to direct WD40 to the mark.

Wooden cutting board
Rub with half a lemon and coarse salt.

Rinse.

Rub in olive or coconut oil.
(Note - rub with the grain.)

Let soak for 1 hour before next use.

Tile grout - Peroxide
1/2 cup bicarb
1/2 Hydogen Peroxide
1 teaspoon liquid soap

Rub in.
Rub off.
Rinse.

Oven cleaner - Peroxide
Bicarb
Hydogen Peroxide
Spread 50:50 paste on door.
Leave to harden.
Scape off.
Wipe clean with damp sponge or cloth.

Wood scratches
Rub with a raw walnut

Leather cleaner
Olive oil
Vinegar, mixed 50:50
Essential oil, 10+ drops

Rub on.
Soft cloth wipe off.

Power tool scrubber
Dish cleaning brush - head only
Bolt
Spanner
Washer
Machine screw, fitted together

Attach to drill.
Use to scrub indoor tiles.
NOTE - Use a wooden brush head to make an outdoor power drill scrubber

Toilet pods
1 cup bicarb
1/4 cup citric acid, mixed
10 drops essential oil and up to 1 tablespoon cooking oil, added gradually.

Mix until consistency of damp sand then press into small ice block molds.
Let dry at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
Store in a sealed jar.

Bath cleaner
Mix liquid soap and vinegar into a spray bottle.

Spray and leave for 30 minutes.
Wipe clean.

Scorched Pan
1 tablespoon cream of tartar
1 cup water

Simmer.
Scrub.
Reapply more cream of tartar and scrub with warm water.
Don't forget the underside.

Plates discolored or scratched
Rub in dry cream of tartar.

Add vinegar to make a paste.

Rub in using a coarse scourer
( eg yellow and green).

Rinse.

Sofa cleaner
2 cups water
Slosh of vinegar
Slosh of vodka
Spoon of bicarb
Spoon of fabric softener

Mix in a spray bottle.
Spray on.
Rub in.
Wipe off with a dry cloth.

Extractor fan filter
Boiling water in big saucepan

2/3 cup bicarb
Soak half.
Flip to soak other half

Carpet cleaner - Soda water
Blot up any liquid and remove solids.

Vinegar
Soda water
Dish soap, mix 1/2 cup of each
Juice of a lemon

Mix in a spray bottle.
Spray on stain.
Scrub to make foam.
Wipe excess away,
Leave to dry.

Tile grout -Bicarb & vinegar
Bicarb
Vinegar
Lemon juice
Water

Mix into paste.
Apply with scouring brush.
Rinse.

Shower head clogged
Submerge the shower head in a plastic bag (eg zip lock and rubber band ) of vinegar.
Leave for 30 minutes.
Run a warm shower on full to rinse.

Car oil stains on paving or concrete
Douse in Coca Cola.
Rinse with water.

Window cleaner - Orange peel
Soak orange peel in vinegar in an air-tight container for 2 weeks.
Dilute 1:1 with water into a spray bottle.
Spray on mirrors or glass.
Wipe off with a microfibre cloth.
NOTE: Use an S or zigzag motion.

Rusty bottomed aerosols
Paint edge of base with clear nail polish before storing in wet areas like bathroom, laundry or kitchen cupboards.

Mattress regular clean
Vacuum.
Sprinkle Bicarb - at least a cup.
Note: Use a sieve.
Leave for 24 hours.
Vacuum again.

Reusable dust mops
Mix water to vinegar 2:1 with 10+ drops essential oil.
Soak microfibre socks.
Lightly squeeze out socks and store in a lidded glass container.
Slip damp dust sock over your mop head or broom to sweep.
Shake excess dirt and hair into bin.
Wash socks and reuse.

Carpet cleaner - Vinegar & dish soap
Mix 2:1 vinegar and dish soap into a spray bottle..
Spray on carpet stain.
Blot with clean cloth.
Pour on water.
Blot with new cloth.
Let dry.

White sponge cleaner
1 tablespoon Bicarb
1 teaspoon Borax
1/2 cup hot water

Soak white sponge & use on most surfaces.
Note - TEST small patch FIRST

Dusting spray- clean and condition wood
Water, approx 2 cups
2 teaspoons Olive oil
1/4 cup Vinegar
10-20 drops Lemon essential oil

Mix in a spray bottle.
Shake before use.
Microfibre cloths work best.
Laundry deodoriser

Add half to a cup of vinegar into the detergent drawer of straight into the laundry bowl.
Amount depends on diet level and smelliness of the washing.

Oven cleaner - Bicarb, salt & vinegar
Make a paste of Bicarb, Salt and Vinegar.

Spread on inside of oven.
Wait at least 30 minutes, but ideally overnight.
Wash off with plenty of warm water, eg use a bowl.
Note: Remove oven racks and side bars and rest them for at least 30 minutes (if not overnight) after slathering them with more paste. Wash in the kitchen or laundry sink with hot, soapy water.

Fridge cleaner
1 cup hot water
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dish soap
20 drops lemon essential oil

Mixed in a spray bottle before use
Reheat before use, or only mix as much as you will need, eg 1/2

Wooden floor cleaner - Vinegar
1/2 cup vinegar
2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon dish soap

Shake in a spray bottle.
Apply to floors, section by section, before using a flat head mop
If desired, Pre-mop with water on a mop head to remove dust and Finish with a dry microfibre cloth over the mop head, if you wish

Non-wood floor cleaner - rubbing alcohol - FAST DRY NO STREAKS
1/3 cup rubbing alcohol (100%), or 2/3 cup vodka but reduce the water to 1/3 cup
2/3 cups water
1/2 cup vinegar
10 drops of a favourite essential oil, eg cloves or cinnamon

Shake in a spray bottle.
Apply to floors, section by section, before using a flat head mop
If desired, Pre-mop with water on a mop head to remove dust and Finish with a dry microfibre cloth over the mop head, if you wish

Gym shoes - Bicarb & Laundry liquid
Bicarb
Laundry liquid, eg eucalyptus, equal parts

Mix and apply with an old, cleaning toothbrush

Smelly shoe powder
1/4 cup Bicarb
1/4 cup Baking powder
1/2 cup Cornflour
5-10 drops antibacterial essential oil (eg sage, tea tree or eucalyptus)

Mix in a sealed container or zip-lock bag.
Sprinkle a pinch in each shoe and shake to disperse across the sole.
Reapply throughout the day, if you wish, especially if you are not wearing socks.

NOTE LABEL the bag!!

Shower spray - APPLY DAILY
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup water
20 drops tea tree essential oil

Mix in a spray bottle and strut the shower glass and tiles, and/or bath tub AFTER EVERY USE to prevent soap scum buildup.

Counter cleaner
2 cups water
1 teaspoon dish soap
20 drops of a favourite essential oil

Multi-purpose cleaner
3 cups warm water
1 tablespoon bicarb
1 tablespoon borax
1 teaspoon glycerin (or dish soap)
20 drops essential oil, eg combination of cinnamon and tangerine

Glass cleaner - alcohol
1 3/4 cups warm water
1 cup vinegar
1/4 cup 100% rubbing alcohol (or 1/2 cup vodka - but reduce water to 1 1/2 cup)
1 teaspoon cornflour
20 drops essentail oil, eg lemon and lime

Mix well in a spray bottle

Disinfectant spray
1 3/4 cups water
1 cup peroxide
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 drops dish drops or glycerin

20 drops antibacterial essential oil, eg lavender and tea tree 15/5
NOTE be careful around fabrics - can bleach the colour out

Granite, marble or time cleaner
2 1/2 cups warm water
1/2 cup 100% rubbing alcohol, or 1 cup vodka and 2 cups warm water
1 teaspoon glycerin
20 drops NON-CITRIS essentail oil, perhaps a relaxing one such as jasmine or lavendar

NOTE - citris can permanently stain granite or marble surfaces

Laundry detergent
1:4 castile soap - palm oil free
bicarb
Optional, 10-20 drops essential oil eg lavender, eucalyptus or citrus

Heat bicarb in an oven tray in the oven at 240 degree celsius for an hour, stir after 30 minutes, then cool
Grate or process the castile soap.
When cool, combine the two ingredients and store in an air-tight container with a scoop, ehe biscuit jar. Add essential oil, if desired.
Add about 1 tablespoon to the detergent dispenser and vinegar into the continioner dispenser.

Ironing aid
1 tablespoon cornflour
1 tablespoon fabric softener
3/4 cup warm water

Mix into a spray bottle. Shake before use.

Gym shoe laces
1/2 cup Sprite/Club soda
1 capful (teaspoon) Hydrogen Peroxide
1 tablespoon Bicarb

Mix in a bowl.
Soak laces
Hang to dry

Drawer or cupboard deodoriser
Bicarb
20 drops essential oil of choice

Mix 1/2 to a cup of bicarb with essential oil or combination and place in the corner or a drawer or cupboard.

NOTE - take some on holidays in a cloth bag with a draw string bag BUT twist and double it to keep the powder inside.

Hand and body cream
1/2 cup Bees wax
2 1/2 cup Olive oil
1/2 cup Coconut oil
1 dessert spoon Vitamin E oil, or Jojoba oil or Avocado oil
1 dessert spoon favourite essential oil or favourite mix

Place in an open air-tight glass jar in a half-ful pan of simmering water. Add Vitamin E or replacement, and essential oils after removing the pan from the heat and cooling slightly.

Seal when completely cool and set.

Body butter
1/3 Coconut oil
1/3 Shea butter
1/3 Cocoa butter
1:3 Sweet almond oil
10-20 drops essential oil, eg lavender or jasmine

Combine in a glass bowl over simmering water.
Cool
Whip
Store in an air-tight jar

Tile and bath cleaner - Make up fresh
Equal parts bicarb and dish drops, mixed in a small bowl.
Add 5-10 drops of essential oil, if you wish.

Wipe on and scrub, if needed.
Rinse off.
Microfibre polish.

Berry stains
1/2 teaspoon dish soap
1/2 cup peroxide

Wash as usual BUT ...wash with cleaning cloths as peroxide may bleach coloured items

Tomato sauce stains
Wipe of sauce
Pour on vinegar (best if an old towel is underneath)
Use an old toothbrush to work in venegar
Wash as usual

Yellow mustard stains
1/2 teaspoon dish soap
1/2 cup warm water
A few drops of vinegar
Pour on stain and allow to soak
Rinse with hot water
Wash as usual

Chocolate stain
1 tablespoon Castile or clear soap
1 1/4 cups of warm water
Dab it on
Wash immediately

Blood stain - protein stain
1/2 teaspoon dish soap
1/2 teaspoon ammonia
1/2 cup water
Spray on stain and tap with wooden handle to open the fibres
Rinse with water to reveal any remaining stain

Follow up:
Pipette drops of Hydrogen Peroxide and Ammonia
Rinse with water
Wash as usual
BUT in a load without precious items as peroxide can bleach coloured fabrics

Red wine - tannin stain
1/4 tea spoon dish soap
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup vinegar

Squirt on solution
Rub and tap with the brush and and brush back
Rinse in water and blot

Followup:
Pipette Hydrogen Peroxide and Ammonia
Neutralise with vinegar (to prevent greying reaction)

Grass stain - tannin and chlorophyll stain
Break down chlorophyl with a solent first:

Remove tannins:

1/4 tea spoon dish soap
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup vinegar

Squirt on solution
Brush with the brush side and tap with the brush back, to open the fibres
Rinse in water and blot

Followup:
Pipette Hydrogen Peroxide and Ammonia
Neutralise with vinegar (to prevent greying reaction)

Ink stains - dry stain or wet stain, could be either??
1. Dry stains need a solvent first, eg dry-cleaning fluid or lighter fluid
Place a towel under the stain as you work

2. If that doesn't work, go wet stain:
Tannin stain removal procedure, see Red wine above

NEVER use Bicarb, Vinegar or both on ...
To avoid making the surface dull or discoloured, don't use Bicarb, vinegar or both together on ...

- Aluminium
- Antique silver
- Gold plating
- Marble

Fruity Lips, Face & Body Sugar Scrub
1 cup freeze-dried strawberries*
1 cup cane sugar
¾ cup organic virgin coconut oil, at room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Crush strawberries and mix dry ingredients
Mix in oil and essence
Store in an air-tight jar

*Alternatives are fresh berries (But make as a single use or store in the fridge)

Stain remover - Laundry Regular and Super Strength
Regular strength:

20% Bicarb
40% Hydrogen Peroxide - 3%
20% Dish soap

Produces a thick liquid
Super strength:

50% Bicarb
30% Dish soap
20% Hydrogen Peroxide 3%

Produces a thick, syrup like consistency
Apply to stain and rub in.
leave for at least an hour.
Rinse or use the pre-rinse setting on your washing machine
Wash as normal.
NOTE - I would not wash with precious coloured clothes!

Gingerbread Body Scrub
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup coconut oil or other carrier oil
¼ cup almond oil
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon allspice
½ teaspoon ginger
½ teaspoon nutmeg Mix dry ingredients

Mix in oil and essence

Store in an air-tight jar

Body scrub
Sugar
Raspberries
Shea butter

Experiment with quantities until you get a good consistency

HINT: use less raspberries
NOTE Expect Shea butter to be about $35 per kilo

Lip or face scrub - single use
One Strawberry or 3 Raspberries
3 tablespoons Sugar
1 tablespoon Coconut oil, solid
1/2 tablespoon Olive oil
A few drops of lemon juice.

Mash strawberry
Mix in other ingredients
Store in a recycled small screw-topped jar
Use within 24 hours or store in the fridge

Face spot removal, pore closing and sunburn repair
1 washed, peeled and grated potato
2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
1 tablespoon water

Blitz
Freeze in ice cube tray
Rub ice cube over face each day for 10 days
NOTE: Discontinue if your skin has a reaction

Bath salts - Magnesium + Sulphate
1 1/2 cups Epsom salts
1/2 cup sea/river salt, eg Maldon or Himalyan or Murray River
1/4 cup Bicarb
A few drops of food colour
10 drops essential oil, eg lavender
1/2 teaspoon concentrated vanilla essence
Mix and put in an air-tight jar, with a small wooden spoon
Sulphate is important for metabolic processes, and for the function of proteins and insulin. It is especially good for sore muscles.
See the benefits of Magnesium Bath Flakes and add ...
It also provides powerful anti-inflammatory effects, reduces stress, eliminates toxins in the body and relieves muscle aches and pains.

Magnesium Bath Flakes - Magnesium + Chloride
1 1/2 cups Magnesium flakes
1/2 cup sea/river salt, eg Maldon or Himalyan or Murray River
1/4 cup Bicarb
A few drops of food colour
10 drops essential oil, eg lavender
1/2 teaspoon concentrated vanilla essence
Mix and put in an air-tight jar, with a small wooden spoon
Chloride is very important for balancing electrolytes levels in the body, which maintain overall health. Some people's skin reacts to Magnesium Sulphate so Magnesium Chloride is recommended.

The benefits of a magnesium bath include helping to:
Reduce inflammation
Remove toxins and heavy metals at a cellular level
Relieve bodily stress and fatigue
Improve circulation and blood flow
Soothe skin conditions like eczema, acne, psoriasis and dermatitis
Relieve joint pain
Improve skin hydration
Fight infection

Air diffuser
Rattan reeds*
3 parts unscented carrier Oil, eg almond of safflower
1 part essential oil/s of your choice, GO WILD!!
eg lavender + orange + jasmine + fuchsia

Combine oils and half fill a narrow necked bottle with a cork.
Put reeds into oil. * Bamboo skewers will work but not as well.
NOTE: Put the cork stopper in if you go away on holidays.
OR put a few drops of essential oil/s into the toilet roll before use

Scented candles
Light a wide unscented candle
Blow out the flame
Add a few drops of essential oil (or better still a combination) to the melted wax.
Re-light the candle.

Silver jewellery cleaner
Wrap silver jewellery in a foil parcel
Make a salt solution
Soak overnight
Rinse and dry