DIY

ALL PURPOSE CLEANER

2 cups hot water
1 tsp. biodegradable liquid soap
1 tsp. white vinegar or lemon juice (to cut grease)

Fill spray bottle with hot water. Add soap and vinegar or lemon juice. Shake bottle gently to dissolve ingredients.

SHOWER CLEANER

2 cups hot water
3 tbsp. white vinegar

Fill spray bottle with both ingredients and shake for 30 seconds. Keep bottle in your shower and mist shower wall and door/curtain after each use. Helps prevent mold and mildew from developing.

GLASS CLEANER

1 cup water
1/8 cup white vinegar

Fill spray bottle with both ingredients and shake for 30 seconds. Use on all types of glass surfaces including mirrors.

TUB & TILE CLEANER

1/2 cup baking soda
Enough biodegradable liquid soap to make a frosting-like consistency
5-10 drops fragrant essential oil

Place baking soda in a bowl and slowly pour in liquid soap, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches the consistency of frosting. Add drops of essential oil (optional). Scoop the mixture onto a sponge, wash surface and rinse.

TOILET CLEANER

1/4 cup baking soda
1 cup vinegar

Sprinkle baking soda into toilet basin followed by the vinegar. Allow mixture to sit for several minutes. Scrub with brush and rinse with water. A mixture of borax (2 parts) and lemon juice (1 part) will also work.

One tip: Try to use empty and clean spray bottles (previously filled with other ingredients) that you may have around the house to encourage the reuse of these items.

NATURAL GARLIC PESTICIDES

Use garlic as a spray, drench or in mixed cropping.

Garlic bulbs
Spray bottle
Garlic press or mortar and pestle
Potash-based soap
Glass jar with lid
Fine cloth

- Obtain 5 medium-sized garlic bulbs.
- Extract the cloves and remove the outer skin.
- Use a garlic press or mortar and pestle to crush the cloves into small pieces.
- Mix garlic pieces with 1/2 liter of water allowing the mixture to soak for about 5 hours.
- Add in some dishwashing soap. It is best to use a potash-based soap.
- Using a fine cloth, strain the mixture. Place in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid.
- When ready to use you can dilute the mixture in 4 liters of water. Use immediately after preparation, the mixture loses potency over time.

SOAP NUTS

Warm or Hot Water Wash:

Soap nuts are the fruit that are grown from a specific, small tree!
Put 4 or 5 soap nut shells in cotton or muslin drawstring bag and tie bag securely.
Toss in washing machine before you add your clothes
Remove from washer at end of the wash to dry (leave soap nuts in bag).
Re-use 3 to 5 times. The soap nuts are no longer effective when they become thin, mushy and very light tan or gray.

Cold Water Wash:

Simply make a cup of soap nut ‘tea’ by soaking 4 or 5 bagged soap nuts in a cup of very hot water for approximately 3 minutes.
Pour both the soap nuts liquid and bag in wash.
Remove from washer at end of the wash to dry (leave soap nuts in bag).
Re-use 3 to 5 times. Soap nuts are no longer effective when they thin, turn soft, mushy and very light tan or gray.