In the past few years, our family has made an attempt to cut out processed foods, and the amount of chemicals that we use in our home. We have not made a complete switch (we still buy convenience items, more than I would like to admit.)

One switch we made that has stuck, is making our own skincare and cleaning products. I have found that handmade cleaning products clean just as well as store bought and in some cases, even better. I have also found that when I use the handmade products, I don’t sneeze when I clean the house as often as I used to.

You can make your own cleaning products too! All it takes are a few ingredients that you probably already have in your house. By adding essential oils to the mix, you can make up different formulas that are good for specialized tasks. For instance, sweet orange essential oil is great as a degreaser, lavender essential oil is good to use for an antiviral cleaner and Lemon oil makes a great disinfectant.

Here is a recipe for my favorite all purpose cleaner that not only cleans well, but uplifts your mood with the heavenly aroma.

2 Cups Boiling Water
2 TBS Borax
2 TBS Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Squirt Dishwashing Liquid
1 teaspoon Lavender Essential Oil (make sure it is a true essential oil and not a fragrance oil) You can buy it at health food stores.

Mix above ingredients together well. It is important that you use boiling water so that the borax will melt and it won’t clog up your squirt bottle. After mixture has cooled, add to a small squirt bottle.

Use on counter tops, bathtubs, toilet seats, door knobs, refrigerators or anything else that needs to be cleaned.

That’s the news from the homestead, see you next week!