Natural Cleaning Tips and Recipes

Can All Natural Thieve's Oil Fight the Flu?

2009-10-03T15:55:00.000-07:00

There are still plenty of people out there that believe you can't get something clean and sanitized without using a toxic chemical. Not so! At Lavender Thyme Cleaning we get proven results every day using all natural professional cleaning products and essential oils.

The Thieve's Oil Blend is rumored to date back to the Middle Ages. This essential oil blend includes cinnamon bark, clove, lemon, rosemary and eucalyptus.

With the flu season upon us, especially the H1N1 virus (formerly known as the "Swine Flu"), there is scientific proof that Cinnamon Bark essential oil had the highest antimicrobial activity, prticularly against antibiotic-resistant strains. The problem with using toxic chemicals for cleaning, alcohol based hand sanitizers and antibacterial soap, is that not only are you killing off the bad germs but the good ones as well thus creating more resistant strains.

Lavender Thyme Cleaning keeps up on all the latest research and studies involving natural cleaning and sanitization. We are now using the Thieve's Oil Blend in our cleaning products and air freshners to help our client's maintain an even healthier home environment.

Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent

2009-10-03T05:38:00.000-07:00

Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent

1 cup grated Fels Naptha Soap
1/2 cup Washing Soda (not baking soda)
1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax

Mix and store in air tight container or bag. For light or small loads use 1 tablespoon. For normal loads use 2 tablespoons. For heavy loads use 3 tablespoons. Cost per load: .15.

To make a large batch: mix 6 cups grated Fels Naptha with 3 cups Washing Soda and 3 cups 20 Mule Team Borax.

Note: the above recipes will not make suds in your washer so don't be alarmed. Fels Naptha is a pure soap and typically makes little or no suds in water. This makes it perfect for use in the new HE washers and traditional machines. You may notice the need to greatly reduce or eliminate the need for fabric softners.

This recipe was taken from Soaps Gone Buy. I have been using it for years with exceptional results. I mix a few drops of Tea Tree oil in with the mixture for it's disinfecting properties.

Washing Soda is found in the laundry aisle of your grocery store. It is made by Arm & Hammer. Do not confuse it with Baking Soda; the packaging is very similar. If your local grocer does not carry it, ask if they will start.
http://howtokillmoldnaturally.blogspot.com/2009/09/homemade-powdered-laundry-detergent.html

Natural Remedies for Mold and Mildew

2009-10-03T05:36:00.000-07:00

Mold can be dangerous to your health, even if you aren't allergic. Many people react to mold by getting tired and even depressed. Try to stay on top of moisture and mold as soon as either arises. Dry out anything that is damp, such as basements (use a dehumidifier) and carpets. Fix leaks in plumbing and roofs. Wipe up spills. Make sure water doesn't escape from shower curtains.

There are 3 natural ingredients that kill mold: Tea tree oil (an essential oil found in most health food stores), grapefruit seed extract and vinegar. Vinegar is by far the cheapest. Tea tree oil is expensive, but it is a broad spectrum fungicide and seems to kill all the mold families it contacts. It has a very strong smell, but that dissipates in a few days. Grapefruit seed extract is also expensive, but has no smell.

This spray is the most effective for mold and mildew.

Tea Tree Essential Oil
2 teaspoons tea tree oil
2 cups water

Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse. Makes about 2 cups and lasts indefinitely.

Grapefruit Seed Extract
20 drops grapefruit seed extract
2 cups water

Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse. Makes about 2 cups and lasts indefinitely.

Vinegar Spray
Straight vinegar reportedly kills 82% of mold. Pour some white distilled vinegar straight into a spray bottle, spray on the moldy area and let set without rinsing. The smell will dissipate in a few hours.

Do NOT use Chlorine bleach to kill mold or disinfect moldy areas. It is not an effective or long lasting killer of mold and mold spores. Bleach is good only for changing the color of the mold and watering the roots of the mold.

To read the rest of this article go to: http://www.moldacrossamerica.org/notobleach.htm

Disinfecting Sponges and Scrubbing Pads

2008-11-12T16:32:00.000-08:00

Did you know that there are more germs in your kitchen than there are in the bathroom! Gross!
Even the cleanest looking kitchen can be crawling with "nasties" like E. coli and salmonella. It's easy to spread these pathogens without even knowing it. Because sponges and dishcloths contain the two essential elements to sustain microbial life--water and nutrients--they're ideal habitats for viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms. These pathogens are then unwittingly spread by using the same sponges and dishcloths to wipe down counters, stove tops, tabletops and other surfaces.

Researchers from the University of Florida in Gainesville conducted a novel experiment, the results of which were published in a 2006 issue of the Journal of Environmental Health. The researchers soaked sponges and scrubbing pads in a raw waste water containing a witch's brew of viruses, fecal bacteria, protozoan parasites and bacterial spores, including one especially hard to kill spore: Bacillus cereus. Then they tested the ability of the common microwave oven to destroy these pathogens.

The results were conclusive: Just two minutes of microwaving damp sponges and scrubbing pads at full power was enough to inactivate more than 99 percent of the pathogens. But 4 minutes of microwaving was required to inactivate Bacilus cereus, which is similar to the protozoan cysts and oochsts the cause giardiasis, a common gastrointestinal infection.

"People often put their sponges and scrubbers in the dishwasher, but if they really want to decontaminate them and not just clean them, they should use the microwave," says lead researcher Gabriel Bitton, Ph.D. "The microwave is a very powerful and inexpensive tool for sterilization." He recommends microwaving sponges according to how often you cook, with every other day being a good rule of thumb.

ATTENTION: The sponges must be completely WET when placing in the microwave. Placing a dry sponge or scrubbie in your microwave will cause them to catch fire!!! Two minutes of microwaving is sufficient for most sterilization. Sponges should have no metallic content.

Adapted from 4 Weeks to Maximum Immunity, by the editors of Prevention (Rodale, 2008)

Cleaning the Toilet Naturally

2008-07-13T13:58:00.000-07:00

Supplies for cleaning the toilet:

Toilet bowl brush
Rag or paper towels
Old toothbrush
Scouring Mixture
Vinegar & Water Mixture

Mix equal parts of:
Borax
Baking Soda
Salt
(Optional) 10-20 drops of essential oil (cloves, pine, lemon) and mix well
Put mixture into a shaker bottle (like a clean Parmesan Cheese container).

Mix equal parts of:
Water
Vinegar
(Optional) 7-10 drops tea tree essential oil
Mix this solution in a spray bottle.

1. Pour a bucket of water into the toilet bowl to rid it of excess water.
2. Spray Vinegar and Water solution inside toilet bowl and under rim.
3. Sprinkle your scouring mixture under rim and around the bowl of the toilet.
4. Spray vinegar and water on top of rim and under the seat. Put seat down.
5. Spray top of seat and bottom of lid. Close lid.
6. Spray top of lid, the hinges, small flat area of porcelain, top of tank and handle.
7. Spray around bottom base of toilet.

Now you're ready for the fun part!

1. Take your rag or paper towels and wipe dry the top of the tank, the handle and the tank of the toilet.
2. Use your toothbrush where needed, like around the hinges.
3. Wipe the porcelain, the hinges and the top of the lid dry. Raise the lid.
4. Again, use your toothbrush around the rubber bumpers and hinges.
5. Wipe clean and dry the lid bottom and seat. Raise seat.
6. Use toothbrush where needed.
7. Spray toilet brush with vinegar and water.
8. Scrub inside of bowl and under rim working your way around and down the bowl.
9. Shake excess water off the brush into the bowl.
10. Flush toilet. Check for any spots you might have missed.
11. Wipe clean and dry. Close seat and lid.
12. Use your toothbrush around plastic caps on base of toilet and around where the toilet meets the floor.
13. Wipe and dry the outside base of the toilet down to the floor.
14. While you are already down on the floor, wipe the floor behind and around the toilet.

Natural All Purpose Cleaner

2008-06-19T11:24:00.000-07:00

Natural All Purpose Cleaner:

16 oz. bottle

Spring Fresh Blend:

2 Tbsp. natural dish soap (find one that has coconut as one of the ingredients; it gives surfaces a shine)
6 drops eucalyptus
6 drops lavender
2-3 drops peppermint
6 drops rosemary
2-3 drops tea tree oil
Distilled water (tap water will cause streaking)

Tea Tree: a natural antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral
Rosemary: antiviral
Peppermint: antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral
Lavender: antiviral, antifungal
Eucalyptus: antiseptic, antiviral

Learn more at our website www.lavenderthymecleaning.com