Self-Sufficiency: Natural Household Cleaning. Rachelle Strauss

      There are many books available that teach you how to make your own cleaning products. This book is different in that it keeps things very basic and simple, using natural products that are commonly available. You’ll find a product to suit every cleaning need, with the reassurance of knowing that it has been tried and tested for years!

      Downsizing your product range

      You probably think you need a huge range of products to clean your house: one to clean the floor, one to clean the bathtub, another for the kitchen sink, specialized ones for worktops (counters), formulas for glass, different ones for polishing wooden furniture, and yet more for drains and ovens. But you really don’t need all these different products. I use one simple household ingredient to clean worktops, sinks, the bathtub and hob (stove), and it’s so safe you can eat it!

      Avoiding overwhelm

      Do you remember the last time you bought a cleaning product and the store didn’t stock your usual brand? Did you stand in front of a bewildering array of products and find you were overwhelmed with choice? Did you get your product home, start using it and find it didn’t work in the way you expected? You just knew you should have bought the one with the citrus scent, or the blue label, or the trigger spray. This book will help take away the decision-making process with my tried and tested recipes. It will save you time and expensive mistakes.

      Saving time, space and money

      It’s a competitive world out there! Manufacturers tempt us to buy products with the promise of something new: a new fragrance, new formula, new cleaning power, new packaging, new label… All this choice can lead to confusion, and you may end up buying a product that is not suitable for the job.

      Once you’ve honed down your cleaning supplies, you’ll discover that a few simple and effective ingredients are enough to keep your entire home clean, safe and smelling great. Most of the recipes featured here are far cheaper than shop-bought products because you are not paying for packaging and marketing. By the time you’ve finished reading this book, you’ll have learned how to decipher product labels and you’ll discover just what you’ve been paying for all these years. You’ll never look back!

      A small price to pay for huge rewards!

      Homemade formulas are not as processed as shop-bought ones, so they may separate. If this is the case, don’t worry; it doesn’t mean they’re no good. Just shake or mix them before use. Equally, you might need to scrub a little harder or leave things to work, but you’ll get enviable toned arms in the process and healthier air in your home! Make the most of the situation and make yourself a cup of tea or thumb through your favourite book whilst the products do the work.

      Are you ready to discover ways to clean your home in a healthier, safer and more economical way? Then let’s learn all about green cleaning.

Green cleaning

      What is green cleaning? Green cleaning involves cleaning your home without harming the environment or your health. It is an empowering step to take if you want to be more self-sufficient. Green cleaning means moving away from conventional products containing synthetic chemicals, or petroleum-based cleaning agents, and using safer ingredients instead. Many cupboard ingredients can be used for safe, natural and effective cleaning.

      Prevention is better than cure

      A major aspect of green cleaning is taking preventative measures. If you do not allow dirt, grease and germs to build up, you will not need harsh chemicals to deal with them. These simple but effective tips will save you hours of cleaning:

      • Trap and remove dirt and pollutants before they enter your home with good-quality doormats.

      • Regularly dust and vacuum to minimize particles in the air, which can lead to allergies.

      • Wipe around kitchen and bathroom surfaces on a daily basis so that greasy spots and soap scum do not build up.

      • Dry surfaces properly so that bacteria cannot multiply, reducing the risk of mould and mildew forming.

      • Wash your hands before preparing food to reduce the need for antibacterial products around your home.

      • Keep areas such as door handles, toilet flushes (handles) and light switches clean to give germs less chance to breed.

      Conservation

      Green cleaning takes into account conservation of water and energy too. For instance, only using the washing machine when you have a full load and using as cool a wash as possible will not only help the environment, it will save you money too. Most lightly soiled laundry can be washed at 30°C (86°F) with very good results.

      Why should I green clean?

      There are many reasons to green clean.

       Safer for you

      Many cleaning products contain a bewildering array of synthetic chemicals. Some are safe, others are not. Immediate effects of some of these chemicals include stinging or watery eyes, sneezing fits, a choking sensation, headaches, asthma, skin irritation and nausea.

      Ongoing research shows that long-term exposure to some of these chemicals has been linked to more serious health conditions, such as hormone disruption, various cancers, central nervous system disruption and debilitating ‘modern’ illnesses, such as multiple chemical sensitivity. Scientists now believe that indoor air pollution is two to five times worse than outdoor air pollution, due to the amount of chemicals we use in our homes. That’s shocking isn’t it? Many of us are living in a chemical soup we have brought into our homes, believing that these products are keeping our homes clean and safe!

       Safer for your family

      If you have children or pets, they will benefit from a green, clean environment. Animals and children breathe much faster than adults and have smaller bodies, so the impact of inhaling and ingesting chemicals is much stronger and potentially harmful. In addition, they spend a lot of time playing on the floor and putting things in their mouths that can have chemical residues on them.

       Safer for the environment

      If you make your own cleaning products, you will have less packaging to dispose of. Many shop-bought products come in plastic packaging which cannot be recycled and ends up in the landfill where it stays for hundreds of years. Tiny pieces of plastic have been found on the ocean floor where they can cause devastation to wildlife. Mistaken for food, plastic can become lodged in the stomachs and throats of marine life, resulting in death. Additionally, by making your own products, you’ll know exactly what you are pouring into the water system. Every cleaning product we use eventually ends up in the environment at large.

       Cheaper for you

      You will save lots of money by making your own cleaning products!