Homemade HouseCleaning

[shelleibean]

I'm in the process of switching from buying anything commercially made to clean my house/do laundry/unclog drains/ you know, house work related to homemade DIY type solutions. So far I'm pleased w/ my results and of course the money/plastic/chemicals I don't waste or use.  Of course there is a plethora of information available i.e. recipes for cleaning solutions and the like. 
I'm looking for more input- do you make your own household cleaners? If so what is your magic formula? 
Also I have this idea to make my own furniture wax, but I'm not all that sure about how to start experimenting. Ideally it would be a more spreadable beeswax concoction, but how do get there? the more spreadable part I mean. Any ideas?
Also- some DIY freshening (like air freshener but not as gross) ideas would be most appreciated haven't found anything I'm especially pleased with.
 Thanks!

[BelleBeryl]

hello
I do make some of my homecleaning products.
I make rosemary vinegar for window cleaning.
I make wood furniture polish wax using beeswax some carrier oil and essential oils any type citrus or a citrus mix. More wax is stiffer more oil is softer so is a matter of what you want.Use old rag to apply polish.
Vacuum I add cotton wool ball or makeup-pad with few drops mint oil the whole house smells minty and fresh.
Air freshener I spray mist in water diluted essential oils with a spray mist
bottle.
Wood garden furniture and patio area I use fresh lemon/lime leftovers to polish up and remove the green that builds up in cold climate.
Usually I make small amounts of the things I use and make up new as I see
when new is needed.
I do have one regular commercial allround cleaner which I use diluted.
But all in all I like using the homemade cleaners.
Always use handcreams keeps the hands nice.

[Selnith]

we have lots of plants around to help keep the air fresh, i also use bowls of hot water with a few drops of EO in it
to keep the fridge smelling fresh i've been recommended half a lemon packed with sea salt, haven't tried it yet
and for general cleaning purposes, borax, it cleans almost anything (really, i've used it to removed blood stains (martial arts rock) and food colouring (i like to get experimental when i cook) bathroom grime everything)

[melmakespretty]

I've started using white vinegar as rinse aid in the dishwasher and also in the washing machine instead of fabric softener and they both work really well.

[smittenheart]

Belleberyl..rosemar y vinegar sounds DIVINE!!

what a great thread..

I know for us we use vinegar to wipe down the counter tops and  I keep a little of it in a dish if we cooked something with a 'funky' scent..

I have never infused it with anything though..awesome idea..

[Selnith]

oh and vinegar and water for cleaning glass
used with kitchen towel and newspaper for smear free clean and shiny windows and mirrors

[shelleibean]

Thanks so much for the idea y'all! I mostly already do most of these things: i.e I use white vinegar in various dilutions/mixtures for cleaning just about everything- reused some spray bottle and hit up the dollar store for some others.  Last week I used olive oil w/ some orange EO to clean and polish my kitchen cabinets. I've been infusing vinegar with bits of citrus fruits that would otherwise go to waste, using a 1:1 mix of baking soda and borax on a wet sponge to clean our showers.  I've also been using homemade laundry detergent w/ white vinegar in the fabric softener cup instead of commercial products- I really love this as the clothes are clean, soft and fresh smelling while I saved $$$. 

we have lots of plants around to help keep the air fresh, i also use bowls of hot water with a few drops of EO in it
to keep the fridge smelling fresh I've been recommended half a lemon packed with sea salt, haven't tried it yet
and for general cleaning purposes, borax, it cleans almost anything (really, I've used it to removed blood stains (martial arts rock) and food colouring (i like to get experimental when i cook) bathroom grime everything)

Borax is a freakin' miracle product and I can't imagine how I was ever sold on something fancier.  I've heard of the salt filled citrus shell before- haven't tried it yet, but I may soon.  Can you reccommend some plants specifically to clean the air? We have a few- some spider plants, a pothos vine and some others I can't really identify.

Vacuum I add cotton wool ball or makeup-pad with few drops mint oil the whole house smells minty and fresh.

Do you put that inside the vacuum? Like the bag/canister? I like this idea a lot

[Selnith]

sorry i can't name them we just have these things with big slightly variegated green leaves they don't smell like anything in particular but the rooms they're in always smell fresher than those that don't have them

[shelleibean]

sorry i can't name them we just have these things with big slightly variegated green leaves they don't smell like anything in particular but the rooms they're in always smell fresher than those that don't have them

I *think* I know which kind you mean.  BTW, I juiced something like 15 limes the other day for margaritas and remembered to save a few shells.  I stuffed them full of sea salt and put them in a dish. It's been about a day and the room doesn't smell limey but it's not so doggy/dusty smelling.  Like how unscented soap makes things smell clean not like a fragrance. It's nice. I'd like to try it w/ a bigger citrus fruit, like an orange or grapefruit.

[Selnith]

i know what you mean, it just smells clean, that's why i like it for the fridge because i'm not afraid of it contaminating other food stuffs with the scent of lemon