Orange All Purpose Cleaner

I like to infuse white vinegar with orange peels inside a jar that is stored in the refrigerator. The orange peels scent the vinegar I use for my all purpose cleaner and cuts the vinegar smell really well. I usually just keep adding vinegar to the jar when it gets low and switch out the orange peels periodically too. 

{orange peel infused vinegar}

Non-toxic Alternative: White Vinegar

White vinegar is a staple in our household. We buy it in either 1/2 gallon plastic jugs or 1 liter glass bottles because we have not been able to find it sold in bulk. We use it to clean pretty much everything on a day to day basis in our natural 'all-purpose cleaner' and I keep discovering new uses for it. Here's how we are currently using organic white vinegar.

{All-purpose cleaner in a stainless steal spray bottle}

Cleaning:

- All purpose cleaner (for all household surfaces and spills)

- Natural soft scrub (tile, toilet, sink and shower cleaner)

- Room deodorizer (fill half a ramekin and leave where there's odor)

- Microwave cleaner (fill half a ramekin, microwave for a minute, wipe clean)

- Dishwasher rinse (pour in rinse receptacle)

- Fabric softener (add to rinse receptacle)

- Sink sparkler (fill sink with water and a cup of vinegar, soak, wipe down)

- Goo gone alternative (use straight on sticky spills on carpet and on sticker adhesive)

Cooking:

- Poached eggs (a splash in the water helps whites stay together)

How do you use white vinegar?

Organically Dyed Easter Eggs

About a month ago while browsing PopSugar SmartLiving I stumbled upon a posting about all natural alternatives to traditional Easter egg dyeing.

{Eco Chic: Naturally dye Easter eggs with Leftovers}

After reading the article my wheels started to turn, thinking about what else I could use to dye eggs. I planned on sharing this activity with our 20 month old niece (this was the first Easter she was able to hunt for eggs) it was important for these eggs to be bright, colorful and non-toxic for her to enjoy. 

I had a rough list of ingredients in my head as I headed to the local farmers market in hunt for items that could serve double duty: package-free edibles that could be both conusumed and used for dye. The farmers market in Larkspur had an Easter theme that day which included a kids craft for (you guessed it =) natural egg dyeing with items available at the farmers market! I got so excited when I saw their display that I began asking the ladies running the craft tons of questions. They were sweet, informative and I could tell they were really happy to talk to someone over the age of six. =) The gist of what they told me is just to boil the ingredient of choice with two cups of water for less then an hour. Once the mixture is cool add a splash of white vinegar to set the color. Also, these dyes are weaker then their unsafe counterparts so for brighter colors the eggs should stay in the dye for longer. Farmers market purchases in tow, I headed to the store for a few more 'zero waste' ingredients then home to experiment. 

{Farmers Market Kids Craft}

At home I had fun concocting the dyes and testing out the colors. I hard boiled six eggs and blew out the insides of the remaining so that my sister wasn't stuck with a dozen hard boiled eggs! To add interest through negative designs I tied rubber bands around some and zigzag strips of sticker labels on others. Here are the dyes I tried:

• Red Wine
• Yellow Onion Skins
• Turmeric 
• Purple Cabbage
• Turmeric + Purple Cabbage

The experiments results surprised me a bit. Red Wine, thinking it would make a red or purple egg made an interesting grey marbled egg resembling stone. Yellow onion skins produced a rich golden orange hue. Turmeric made bright yellow. Purple cabbage turned the eggs a beautiful cyan color then the turmeric and cabbage dye made a green.

{The finished product on my sisters spring time table-scape}

On Easter, my husband hid the eggs for our niece to find. It was a precious sight watching her roam around the yard, even though she found just one egg ;)

{Success!}

Non-toxic Alternative: Baking Soda

After reading "Slow Death By Rubber Duck" I was on a mission to eliminate harmful chemicals from our home. The toxic cleaning products we had been using had to go. I did my research and found great homemade alternatives often using baking soda that are chemical free, super inexpensive and easy to make. I bought a good amount of baking soda in bulk on our last trip to Rainbow Grocery. Baking soda is extremely versatile, here are all the ways I'm currently using it.

Cleaning:

- Natural Soft Scrub

- Lemon Dishwashing Detergent

- Sprinkle straight on tile and scrub

Hygiene:

- Toothpaste

- Deodorant

Recipes

Lemon Dishwashing Detergent:
¾ cup baking soda
½ cup salt
2 - 3 tsp dr. bronners soap
1 lemon worth of zest and juice
Mix all dry ingredients eliminating lumps then add the lemon zest, juice and soap. Mix well and use, 1 heaping tbsp per dishload. Make sure there is white vinegar in the rince liquid receptacle. This actually can also be used as a garbage disposal refresher. I got the recipe from SavvySugar tried it and they never set up. I was thinking it would make a great dishwasher detergent, tried it and was blown away with how well it worked!

Toothpaste (updated 9/13):
1 Part Baking Soda
1 Part Coconut Oil
1/4 tsp Stevia Powder
15 - 20 drops of food safe peppermint essential oil
Mix all ingredients in a bowl until it forms a paste then transfer in to a jar.

Homemade Deodorant:
¼ cup baking soda
¼ cup cornstarch or arrowroot
10 drops tea tree oil
1 - 2 tsp coconut oil
Mix all ingredients in a bowl, press in to an empty clean deodorant dispenser.

Zero Waste Recipes: Cleaners

My husband and I have been striving towards a zero waste lifestyle for over a year now. We make much of what we used to buy. This not only cuts down unwanted packaging but also saves us money and eliminates harmful chemicals from our home. 

I have tested and tweaked this collection of recipes and have boiled them down to what works best for us with what's available in bulk in our area. We make and use all of these household items and would never go back to the packaged alternatives, we are hooked! Enjoy the health benefits, sense of accomplishment and ease on your wallet!

Home Recipes:

Homemade Antibacterial Soft Scrub Cleanser:
3/4 cup baking soda (you can add a little more if it seems a little thin after it’s all mixed together.)
1/4 cup castile soap (We use Tea Tree scented Dr. Bronners)
1 Tablespoon water
10-15 drops of tea tree oil
1 Tablespoon vinegar

I store mine in a shampoo bottle I washed out and removed the label from, the squeeze bottle makes cleaning a breeze

Homemade All Purpose Cleaner:
In a clean spray bottle, fill ½ inch with white vinegar
then a few drops of essential oil or dr. bronners for scent
fill the rest of the bottle up with water and shake before use

Homemade Laundry Detergent:
1 part Borax (usually I use 1 cup)
1 part Washing Soda (usually I use 1 cup)
1 Bar of soap grated with a cheese grater
Mix well in a bowl with a wooden spoon
Store in jar, use 1 heaping tbs per load

Hello Blogosphere! This is my first post on the Gennarator Blog. On this blog I plan to share my explorations, creativity, tips and life events. I welcome comments and idea sharing. 

All the best,
Gennarator