Eleanor Ozich from Petite Kitchen shares her best kept secrets for keeping the home clean in a healthy way.
“I first started making my own natural products for our home about 5 years ago, when I became obsessed with creating a healthier, less toxic living environment for our family. I’ve fallen in love with whipping up new sprays, cleaners and other various earth-friendly goods to keep our house smelling and looking beautiful, and it’s a journey that continues to surprise and delight.
In this blog post, you’ll find some of my favourite DIY methods, that are ridiculously easy and cheap to make yourself at home. As always, I’d love to hear what you think, so do get in touch if you try them out! Eleanor x”
dishwashing powder
1 1⁄2 cups baking soda
1⁄2 cup citric acid
1/3 cup fine sea salt
10 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops On Guard essential oil
Combine all ingredients in a large glass jar, screw on the lid, and tip upside down to mix well. Use 1 tbsp per load as needed. For an extra clean load, add white vinegar to the rinse compartment, and wash as needed.
all purpose spray
2 tsp liquid castile soap
10 drops On Guard essential oil
10 drops lemon essential oil
Put all ingredients in a 500ml glass spray bottle, and top with filtered water. Shake gently to combine and use as needed.
room mist / air freshener
1 tbsp witch hazel
10 drops peppermint essential oil
10 drops wild orange
5 drops lemon essential oil
Put all ingredients in a 100ml glass spray bottle, and top with filtered water. Shake gently to combine and use as needed.
laundry powder
A bar of natural soap, grated
3⁄4 cup borax or washing soda
1⁄2 cup baking soda
10 drops of lavender essential oil
10 drops wild orange essential oil
Place all ingredients into the bowl of a food processor, and process until you have a fine powder. Transfer to a glass jar. Use 2-3 tablespoons per load of washing.
lemon window cleaner
1 tsp liquid castile soap
20 drops lemon essential oil
1 tbsp white vinegar
Place all ingredients into a 500ml glass spray bottle, and top with filtered water. Shake gently to combine before each use
fabric softener
Add 2/3 cup white vinegar to the beginning of your cycle along with your washing powder, to soften clothes and keep colours lovely and vibrant.
toilet bowl cleaner
1⁄2 cup baking soda
1⁄2 cup white vinegar
5 drops tea tree essential oil
Pour the baking soda in to the toilet bowl, and add the white vinegar. Allow to fizz, and leave for 10 minutes or so to do it’s magic. Scrub well, and then flush.
paste cleaner / aka jiff
1⁄2 cup baking soda
3-4 tbsp liquid castile soap
5 drops tea tree essential oil
5 drops lemon essential oil
Stir together the ingredients until a creamy paste is formed. Dip a cloth in to the mixture and scrub your bath, tiles or oven, then rinse with water.
wood polish
5 drops arborvitae or lavender essential oil
1 tsp liquid castile soap
1⁄4 cup filtered water
1/4 cup olive oil
Combine ingredients in a bowl, and stir to combine. Dip a cloth in to the solution, and wipe over wooden surfaces to polish and nourish.
stain remover
Add 2 drops lemon essential oil directly to stain, and allow to stand for an hour or so before popping in the washing machine.
