Knowledge Kit: Cleaning Products

When looking to make your own household cleaning products there are some key products that you should become familiar with. They will become your first port of call when looking for a cleaning solution. So here are my bakers dozen of cleaning products for you to start with.

Soap Nuts

Did you know that soap grows on trees? Yep, there is this amazing tree known as the Chinese Soapberry that has a fruit, known as Soap Nuts, that contains saponin, a natural form of soap. This berry can be used in it's raw form as a replacement to laundry powder and can be used to make a base for shampoo, conditioner, hand wash and cleaning products.

Salt

Salt is most commonly known for its use on red wine when spilt on soft coverings. The reason for this is its fantastic ability to absorb liquids, including from wet stains. It is also a fantastic abrasive, disinfectant and drying agent making it an appropriate cleaner for those stobborn areas that you want to keep hygenicly clean like grout in wet areas and around metal fittings and fixtures. It is also appropriate to use in the disinfecting of wooden kitchen utensils like wooden spoons and chopping boards.

Lemons - and other citrus & Vinegar - white

Lemons, other citrus and white vinegar, being acidic, will neutralise grease, oil and other alkaline substances and is another powerful cleaning agent. They have the ability to bleach away yellowing on linen, soften hard water, dissolve gummy build up and tarnish as well as remove dirt from timber surfaces. Used warm or in conjunction with other products, vinegar, can be used to clean all manner of impossible problems such as cement in clothing and paint from glass surfaces. Lemon also has a great power in bleaching stains out of white clothing when used in conjunction with light exposure (photo-sensitive treatment). Like bi-carb, vinegar, is best bought in a cost effective size - usually a two litre bottle in the supermarket.

Bicarbonate of Soda

Bi-carbonate of soda (bi-carb) is made from soda ash and is one of the most widely used products in my home. It is the 'all-purpose cleaner' that every home needs as it is capable of cleaning and deodorising in most situations. Bi-carb can be used for surface cleaning, stain removal and clearing drains as it is non-abrasive as well as neutralising odours from the air. As it has a pH of around 8.1 (neutral is 7), it is slightly alkaline, making it suitable for neutralising acidic-based odours in water and useful in whitening linen. It is certainly worth looking for a size that is good value for money - most likely found in a hardware store or bulk stockist.

Essential Oils

There are a huge range of oils that can be used to assist in cleaning. Essential oils can bring a range of qualities; like disinfecting, deodorising and virus killing properties; which are beneficial when used in conjunction with other cleaning products. Those that are most commonly recognised are eucalyptus, tea tree and citrus oils which are commonly promoted on commercial products.

Borax

Borax is a form of mineral salt that is very caustic. It is a powerful stain remover but must be used with caution including the use of gloves. If you are pregnant or have children or pets around your home then it is strongly recommended that you find an alternative to this product.

Cream of Tartar

Available in the same area of the store as bi-carb, cream of tartar is often used in cooking, is a mild acid and is great for stain removal jobs on clothing. It is particularly effective at this when used with lemon juice.

Epsom Salts

Epsom salts are a fantastic alternative to the nasty fabric softener which clogs up your machine as well as a detergent booster.

Glycerine

Glycerine is one of the contributors to stain removal from clothing and can be used as a pre-treatment before washing by dabbing it onto the stain to loosen it up. It is colourless and odourless.

Liquid Soap (sulphate free of course!)

Usually a sugar-based surfactant in combination with either palm or coconut oils, a liquid soap without sulphates is totally biodegradable and mild and can be used for washing anything from delicates to those tough wash jobs.

Oil - olive, vegetable, linseed

Oil is the primary ingredient of timber polishes and olive, vegetable and linseed oils are fantastic for dry timber which will quickly absorb the oil and develop a beautiful sheen.

Soda Water

A cheap bottle of soda water is always handy to have in the back of the cleaning closet for use on emergency spills. Poured or sprinkled onto most spills, the bubbling action will bring the stain to the surface so you can mop it up along with any excess liquid with dry towelling.

Washing Soda

Washing soda, also known as sodium carbonate, is a chemical relative to bi-carb but is more alkaline with a pH of about 11. It is often used as an ingredient in washing liquids and powders and can be used for in most washing loads. It is fantastic at cutting through grease and petroleum-based products as well as removing wax and lipstick. It is also a good odour neutraliser like bi-carb. However, it can also be substituted for with borax and bi-carb but should not be used on fibreglass, aluminium or waxed floors (unless your intention is to remove the wax).