First, let us start with something that is readily available and completely free: ivy.
Ivy is a ‘saponin’, meaning it acts as a natural detergent and foaming substance. This beautiful green plant lifts grease, dirt and grime off of clothes, making them clean and odour-free. Some might call it white magic.
1. Laundry Detergent
Simmer the rinsed ivy leaves in water for 15-20 minutes. Leave the mixture for 24 hours with the lid on. Decant the liquid into a jar and you have your very own laundry detergent. Use twice the amount of ivy as you would shop-bought laundry detergents.
Cut up the leaves and put them in a sock. Tie the sock with string. Place in the machine with your clothes.
2. Dishwashing Liquid
Second, vinegar.
This sour-tasting liquid has often overlooked properties: it is antiviral and antibacterial, removing grease, grime and dirt with ease. Contrary to what the conventional cleaning market tells you, you do not need a museum of different products to maintain a clean home. You just need a few ingredients, with vinegar being one of the strongest contenders.
1. Multipurpose Spray
Mix together.
From here, things can begin to get a bit more complicated. But, I truly mean a bit. There are an array of DIY cleaning products out there on the Internet – from window cleaners to disinfectants to fabric softeners. The good thing is that, although targeting different parts of the home, they generally composed of a few simple ingredients:
Combined in different proportions, these ingredients provide almost every cleaning service imaginable! Check out Earth Easy or Madeleine Olivia for more wonderful recipes on DIY cleaning products.
