These days there are so many chemicals out on the market that we don’t really know what kind of damage they can do to our bodies most importantly, as well as our clothes, furniture and so on. One of the biggest causes of health problems is allergic reactions to these chemicals. It’s time to get back to nature and here is a little help to get started. Recipes were gathered from various resources on the internet and personal collection.

Shopping List for Natural Cleaning Supplies:

  • Baking Soda, Bicarbonate of Soda, Sodium Bicarbonate
  • Beeswax - Turns formulas into pastes for shining and waxing.
  • Bon Ami Cleaning Powder - contains only soap and ground feldspar and is safe for your home.
  • Borax, Sodium Bromate - Loosens dirt and stains while removing odors.
  • Cedar Chips
  • Chalk
  • Clay Powder - Very mild abrasive. Good to use with essential oils for powdered cleaning formulas.
  • Club Soda
  • Containers, various sizes made out of glass and/or plastic.
  • Cotton and hemp cleaning cloths.
  • Cotton mops with wooden handles.
  • Essential Oils: (These are some of the most commonly used.)
    • ~ Eucalyptus Oil - Disinfects.
    • ~ Lavender Oil - Disinfects. Calming.
    • ~ Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit Oils - Degreasers
    • ~ Lime Oil - Degreaser, and general cleaner.
    • ~ Pine Oil - Disinfects, degreaser.
    • ~ Tea Tree Oils - Disinfects. Effective against bacteria.
    • ~ White Cedar Oil - Disinfects. Uplifting scent.
  • Kitty Litter
  • Lanolin - Natural oil extracted from wool that restores the the natural sheen of some fibers. It also can act as a water repellant.
  • Lemon, Lime, or Grapefruit Juice - Antibacterial, acidic, and smell great.
  • Natural sponges.
  • Olive & Carnauba Oils - Wood cleaners.
  • Pineapple
  • Potato
  • Pumice - Ground volcanic rock. Abrasive.
  • Pure Unscented Bulk Castile Soap
  • Spray Bottle
  • Whisk broom with natural bristles.
  • White Vinegar - Choose one that is made from grains, like Heinz vinegar. Many others are made from non-renewable petroleum alcohols.
  • Wooden broom handle with grass bottom.
  • Yeast

Additional items will be needed for the health and beauty recipes.

Remedy for indigestion: One half cup of cold water, a Tbs of Apple Cider Vinegar, and a half tsp of baking soda. Combine the water and vinegar and then slowly add in the baking soda. If you are not careful it can foam over so watch it. You can blow on it in order to reduce the foam. You will be amazed at how quickly this works. No more need to buy tons of antacids.

Soft hand soak and scrub for your Dominant: Microwave or oven-warm a small bowl of olive oil. Have them relax and soak their hands. Add some granulated sugar and scrub away the extra layer of dry skin

For Dry Skin: Avocado & Honey Face Mask : You will need: 2 tablespoons of avocado 2 tablespoons honey 1 egg yolk To form this anti aging skin care face mask, put all the ingredients in a blender, or mash by hand in a bowl. Use your fingers to spread the mask over your face and neck and leave it on for at least 30 minutes, preferably longer, before removing.

For Dry Skin: Honey and Egg Mask You will need: 1 tablespoon honey 1 egg yolk 1/2 teaspoon almond oil 1 tablespoon yogurt Put all ingredients into a large bowl and stir until it becomes sticky and thick. Apply the mask to your face for 5 minutes and wash face thoroughly with a mild facial soap. Honey stimulates and smoothes, egg and almond oil penetrate and moisturize, and yogurt refines and tightens pores.

For Tired Skin: Almond Yogurt Honey Mask : You will need: 6oz plain yogurt ¼oz finely-crushed almonds 2tsp honey 2tsp wheat germ oil Mix all the ingredients into a smooth paste. Apply and massage the mixture into skin. Keep the mask on for 20 minutes.

For Normal Skin: Apple Honey Mask You will need: 1 Apple, cored & quartered 2 Tablespoons Honey Drop the apple pieces into a food processor and chop. Add honey and refrigerate for 10 minutes. Pat the mixture onto your face with a light tapping motion, tapping until the honey feels tacky. Leave it on for 30 minutes and then rinse.

For Oily Skin: Honey-Papaya Mask You will need: 1/3-cup cocoa 3 teaspoons of heavy cream 1/3-cup ripe papaya 1/4-cup honey and three teaspoons of oatmeal powder Mix and apply on your face. After 10 minutes, wash your face with warm water. This helps heal skin blemishes, nourishes, draws out impurities, balances your skin pH, and will leave your skin radiant and soft.

Here are some natural recipes that you can use for cleaning:

Silver Polish: For every quart of boiling water, you add 1Tbs of baking soda and 1Tbs of iodized salt, keep the water at a rolling boil and then add a piece of aluminum foil big enough to cover the pot. This will go into the water and then you will place the silver you wish to get the tarnish off of on top of the tin foil. Let the ingredients do their work for a minute or two. You should see foaming, if not you will need to add a little more baking soda. After that, safely take out the silver and begin rubbing the silver with a soft cloth in small circles in order to get the residue from the salt and soda off of the silver. It is just that easy. Granted, some silver is more stubborn than others, so it may take a little more elbow grease, but this is also non toxic which is much better than the chemicals used in common cleaners.

Furniture Polish: Mix 1 cup lemon juice with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp water; lightly apply to furniture using a soft cloth. Let sit for a couple of minutes, then buff.

Tile and Grout Paste: 1 cup water and 3 cups baking soda mixed into a paste works great for cleaning tile and grout. Use a toothbrush to scrub the paste into grout.

No Streak Glass Cleaner: Combine 1/4 cup undiluted white vinegar, 1 tbsp cornstarch, and 1 quart warm water. Divide into spray bottles. For a lint-free shine, wipe dry with a sheet of crumpled newspaper or a coffee filter.

Scratches in Wood floors or furniture: Hide wood scratches by rubbing them with the meat of a walnut.

Oil stains on clothes: Get some white chalk and rub it into the stain. The chalk will absorb the oil and come right out.

Cleaning and Polishing Stainless Steel: Baking soda and water for cleaning and mineral oil for shining.