Liquid Homemade Laundry Detergent
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Borax
- 1/2 cup washing soda
- 1/2 cup liquid castile soap
- 4 cups hot water
- 20 drops essential oil (optional, for scent)
Instructions:
- In a large container or bucket, combine the borax and washing soda.
- Add the liquid castile soap and hot water. Stir until the mixture is well combined.
- Allow the detergent to cool, then add the essential oil (if using) and mix well.
- Store in a container with a lid or a squeeze bottle.
- Use approximately 1/4 cup per load of laundry.
DIY Septic-Safe Bath and Tile Cleaner
Ingredients:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup liquid castile soap
- 10 drops of tea tree essential oil
- 10 drops of lemon essential oil
- Spray bottle
- Distilled water
Steps:
- In a bowl, mix together 1 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of liquid castile soap. Stir until it forms a paste.
- Add 10 drops each of tea tree and lemon essential oils to the paste. Mix it well. These essential oils have natural disinfectant properties and provide a fresh scent.
- Transfer the mixture to a spray bottle.
- Top off the spray bottle with distilled water and shake well. Your DIY septic-safe bath and tile cleaner is ready for use.
- To use, simply spray onto your bath or tile, leave for 5 minutes, and then scrub gently with a brush. Rinish with warm water afterwards.
Remember to shake the cleaner before each use, as the ingredients can separate over time.
FAQs
Why should I use a septic-safe cleaner?
Septic systems, especially those in small towns, rely on a delicate balance of bacteria and enzymes to break down waste. Conventional cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals that can kill these beneficial microbes, disrupting the balance and leading to septic system problems. By using septic-safe products, you’re ensuring that your septic system remains functional and environmentally friendly.
Why use baking soda and castile soap in this cleaner?
Baking soda is a natural abrasive that helps scrub away stains and build-up without scratching your surfaces. Castile soap is a gentle, plant-based soap that’s biodegradable and safe for septic systems. It helps to lift and remove dirt. Both ingredients are readily available, inexpensive, and gentle on the environment, making them great for DIY cleaning recipes.
DIY Septic-Safe Cleaner for Showerheads
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of white vinegar
- 1/2 cup of baking soda
- 1 gallon-sized Ziploc bag
- Elastic band or zip tie
- 10 drops of lemon essential oil (optional)
Steps:
- Inside the Ziploc bag, mix together 1 cup of white vinegar and 1/2 cup of baking soda. Be prepared for a bit of fizz as the vinegar and baking soda react with each other!
- Optional: Add 10 drops of lemon essential oil to the mixture for a fresh, clean scent.
- Attach the bag to your showerhead so that the head is fully immersed in the mixture. Secure it with an elastic band or zip tie.
- Leave the bag in place for at least 1-2 hours. For extremely grimy showerheads, you can leave it overnight.
- After the soaking period, remove the bag and scrub the showerhead gently with a soft cloth or toothbrush to remove any remaining buildup.
- Rinely thoroughly with warm water.
FAQs
Why vinegar and baking soda for a septic-safe cleaner?
The combination of vinegar and baking soda creates a powerful cleaning solution. Vinegar is a natural descaler that can break down mineral deposits, while baking soda adds gentle abrasion to scrub away grime. Importantly, these ingredients are non-toxic and won’t harm the bacteria in your septic system.
Can I use this cleaner on any type of showerhead?
This DIY septic-safe cleaner is safe for most showerheads, including stainless steel, chrome, and plastic. However, it’s always a good idea to do a spot test on an inconspicuous area first, especially for brass, gold, or nickel-coated showerheads. These may not react well to acidic cleaners.
Powdered Homemeade Laundry Detergent
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Borax
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1 bar unscented castile soap
Instructions:
- Grate the bar of castile soap using a cheese grater or food processor.
- In a large bowl or container, mix the grated soap, borax, and washing soda.
- Store in an airtight container.
- Use 1-2 tablespoons per load of laundry, depending on load size and soil level.
DIY Septic-Safe Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of baking soda
- 1/4 cup of citric acid
- 1/4 cup of cornstarch
- 10 drops of lavender essential oil
- 10 drops of peppermint essential oil
- Spray bottle with water
- Silicone ice cube tray or mold
Steps:
- In a bowl, combine 1 cup of baking soda, 1/4 cup of citric acid, and 1/4 cup of cornstarch. Mix these dry ingredients until they’re well combined.
- Add 10 drops each of lavender and peppermint essential oils. These oils offer natural antibacterial properties and a pleasant fragrance.
- Spray the mixture lightly with water while stirring, just enough to dampen it. Be careful not to add too much water at once, as this will trigger the fizzing reaction.
- Once the mixture can hold its shape when squeezed, press it into a silicone ice cube tray or mold. Allow it to dry for 24 hours.
- To use, simply drop a cleaning cube into the toilet bowl and let it fizz. After it stops fizzing, scrub the bowl with a toilet brush and flush.
FAQs
Why is this toilet bowl cleaner septic safe?
This DIY cleaner utilizes baking soda and citric acid, which clean and deodorize without harming your septic system. The essential oils add antibacterial properties and a pleasant scent, without the harsh chemicals found in many commercial cleaners. These ingredients won’t disrupt the bacteria balance within your septic system.
How often should I use this cleaner?
You can use this DIY toilet cleaner as often as you would a store-bought product, depending on your cleaning habits. Regular cleaning can help prevent tough stains and mineral deposits from forming. Always make sure to scrub with a brush after dropping a cleaning cube in to ensure a thorough clean.
Baking Soda and Vinegar Homemade Laundry Detergent
Ingredients:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/3 cup coarse salt
- 1 cup white vinegar
Instructions:
- In a large bowl or container, mix the baking soda and coarse salt.
- For each load of laundry, add 1-2 tablespoons of the baking soda mixture directly into the washer drum.
- Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment.
- Wash laundry as usual.
Oxygen Bleach and Washing Soda Detergent
Ingredients:
- 2 cups washing soda
- 1 cup oxygen bleach (non-chlorine bleach)
Instructions:
- In a large bowl or container, mix the washing soda and oxygen bleach.
- Store in an airtight container.
- Use 1-2 tablespoons per load of laundry, depending on load size and soil level.
Coconut Oil Soap Laundry Detergent
Ingredients:
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1 cup borax
- 1 bar coconut oil-based soap (unscented)
Instructions:
- Grate the bar of coconut oil soap using a cheese grater or food processor.
- Mix the grated soap, washing soda, and borax in a large bowl or container.
- Store in an airtight container.
- Use 1-2 tablespoons per load of laundry, depending on load size and soil level.
Note: Always check the ingredients of any Homemade laundry detergent recipe to ensure that they are safe for your specific septic system. These recipes should generally be safe, but it’s important to verify with your septic system manufacturer or a professional if you are unsure.
