Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner

Hi Everyone!
I just wanted to share the super easy recipe I use to make my all-purpose cleaner. I use this stuff on kitchen counters and appliances, I clean my toilet, bathtub, and vanity with it in the bathroom--it even works on painted surfaces like walls!

All the ingredients should be easy to find, if not all ready in your home.

I got the recipe from a pretty neat book I have called Homemade: how to make hundreds of everyday products fast, fresh, and more naturally by Reader's Digest.

This recipe is for a 32oz. spray bottle. I used a 16oz. so I simply halved everything.

* 3 1/2 cups hot water
* 1/2 cup vinegar (white or apple cider)
* 1 teaspoon borax (found on laundry detergent aisle)
* 1 teaspoon washing soda (also on laundry aisle)
* 1 teaspoon liquid castile soap (I get mine from Whole Foods, but any health store should have it and some grocery stores carry it as well)


Add hot water first, then vinegar, borax, castile soap, and washing soda (get ready because the washing soda foams up--not sure how to prevent that. Anyone know??). Shake well before using, then get to cleaning!

I really love making my own cleaners. It's nice to know exactly what goes into it, plus there are no harsh chemicals and fumes to deal with!


Let me just take a minute to also mention how much Chris and I use liquid castile soap. We buy Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Soap - Almond Scented. We use it for body wash, face wash, shampoo, and even shaving cream. This stuff is awesome. I've even heard of people who use it to clean their teeth! It's inexpensive, especially considering how long a bottle will last and how many ways we use it. A little goes a very long way! It's made from all-natural ingredients (you will recognize everything on the ingredients list).

Just as a general rule of thumb, if you can't pronounce it and have never heard of it, it probably shouldn't go on your body. What goes on your skin is absorbed INTO your body. That's why it's so important to KNOW WHAT IS IN YOUR PRODUCTS!

Do you make any of your own cleaning products (household or body care)?? If so, please share!

New city, new start

As I'm sure most everyone reading this knows, Chris and I have just relocated from the Mississippi coast to St. Louis, MO. We've been here just over a week and are adjusting quite well, I'd say.

There are so many differences (mostly positive) between here and there. Saint Louis is a much more walking friendly city. MUCH MORE. We are within walking distance to pretty much anything we could need, whereas before we each commuted 30 miles one way for work and our grocery store was about 30 miles away. We were spending roughly $400 a month on gas and now we estimate it will be more like $80. I'd say that's a pretty positive change! Not to mention how much better walking is for our health as well as the planet's. Win/win.

One of the things we are learning to adjust to is having no central A/C. We assumed since we had been used to ridiculously hot summer temperatures our whole lives in Mississippi, we would be sitting pretty in St. Louis' (only slightly) cooler temps. What we didn't take into consideration was that although Mississippi can be brutally hot, we were very used to our house being a comfortable 72 degrees. In our new place, we have 3 window units (which we try not to run much to save energy). Just LOOKING at a blanket makes me sweat a little more! However, it won't be long before the temperature cools off and our place will be pleasant and comfortable.

Speaking of our new place, it is a 120+ year old building with lots of character. We live on the second level, above some pretty fantastic neighbors. We are still working on getting everything unpacked and have a lot of ideas and projects for the place, so expect lots of posts with updates on the progress we make!

I plan to use this blog mostly as a way to keep my family and friends up-to-date, but I also want to post about things I'm doing (or want to do) in my journey toward a more natural/green/simple life. This will include stuff about our vegan diet, health in general, household products that I use/make myself, and also things like natural parenting, homeschooling/unschooling, natural childbirth, breastfeeding, etc. etc. And no, family, I'm not pregnant. These are just things Chris and I like to research and decide on before the fact to be prepared to be the best parents possible to our future children.

I hope you enjoy it. And I hope I can actually stick to updating it :)