Pic lavender, rosemary or geranium to make your own clean, green and beautifully scented home cleaners.
By Kath Gannaway
SPRING cleaning can really get up your nose! But concocting your own cleaners will not only make for a more environmentally friendly job, you will save dollars on expensive cleaners as well.
Scented furniture polish
115 grams of beeswax
570 ml of turpentine
15 grams of grated soap (Pure Velvet soap is good)
350 ml of aromatic infusion
Dissolve the grated beeswax in the turpentine slowly and carefully over hot water – never over direct heat. You may need to refresh the hot water to help the wax to melt. Place aside to cool.
Make a strong infusion* of the lavender or rosemary and boil it up with the grated soap. Once the soap has melted, leave to cool.
Combine the two mixtures and stir until you have a smooth cream.
If the mixture is not aromatic enough for your liking, add a few extra drops of the essential oil of your choice.
(Infusion: To make this particular infusion pour boiling water over the herb leaves or flowers and steep them for 20 to 30 minutes to release the natural oils. Two teaspoons of dried herbs, or five or six teaspoons of fresh, crushed herbs to one cup of boiling water usually gives a good result. Strain through a fine sieve or muslin cloth.)
Dust suppressant
SPRAY crushed leaves of a favourite variety of sweet-scented geranium or mint very lightly with water, crush and sprinkle over polished floor boards before sweeping. The leaves attract the dust and dirt and the extra moisture will stop dust from rising.
Spent rose petals also work well and can be enhanced with a few drops of essential rose oil for a more aromatic result.
This works best if you can leave the leaves or petals on the floor for 10 or 15 minutes before sweeping up.
It’s worth planting two or three bushes of lemon-scented or rose geranium growing for this purpose, and to use in a herb posy as a natural room deodoriser for the bathroom.
They are easy to grow from a cutting and need very little water.
Moths away
LACE or silk sachets filled with rosemary leaves and flowers will keep moths out of your wardrobe and linen cupboards. The leaves and flowers of sage or lavender can also be used to deter moths.
If you don’t have time for making sachets, simply tie together a few sprigs of your chosen herb and hang in the cupboard.
Blanket wash
SCRAPS of scented bath soap can be recycled to freshen up woollen blankets and prepare woollen garments for summer storage.
Put soap scraps in a container to dry out. Once you have about a handful, place in a jar of warm water and leave for a week until they are of a slimy consistency.
Pour into a food processor or vitamiser with two cups of warm water and add a capful off eucalyptus oil. Pour into a container and fill with water to dilute.
Use a good two cups to a machine load for soft and sweet-smelling woollens.
Carpet revitaliser
THIS is a quick and easy carpet revitaliser which won’t get up your nose.
Place three parts of oatmeal, two parts of cornflour and one part each of baking soda and salt in a container and mix well.
Sprinkle over carpet and rub or brush into the pile.
Leave for three hours then vacuum.
NOTE: This is not spot and stain remover, more a handy pick-me-up.
Window cleaner
A FEW drops of glycerine added to left-over tea will bring a shine to your windows (and your purse). Mix in a glass jar and shake well before using. Apply with a lint-free cloth.
Metal magic
RUB brass with half a lemon dipped in salt for a great shine. To shine copper, mix four tablespoons of brown vinegar and two tablespoons of cooking salt. Rub on with a soft cloth, wash off in hot water and polish with a fresh, lint-free cloth.
(NOTE: When preparing home concoctions it is vital that everything is clearly labelled and dated. Never store cleaners or remedies in food containers that still have a label on them.)
