Home-made Cleaning Products

I thought I would share you some recipes for some eco-friendly household cleaning products.
Buying products from a supermarket can be expensive and the fumes which are let off are not good for the environment; but by using these cleaning products you will save money and also do your bit for the environment. These home-made products will do just the same job as the ones your buy from the supermarket but will save you money. A word of caution before I begin.

Although ingredients for these cleaners are baby and environmentally friendly for the most part, always use care in mixing up your own cleansers. These 'recipes' are meant to be used by adults.
Use new empty containers (spray bottles etc) to store your solutions in. Make sure you wash out the container well.
Always label what's in the container with a permanent marker. Include the ingredients, in case of emergency. HINT: Write the recipe for the mix right on the bottle with a permanent marker, for easier mixing the next time.

Homemade glass cleaner recipe
2 cups of water
3 tablespoons of white (clear) or cider vinegar
You can also add a couple drops of essential oil, if you want it to smell nicer.
You can soften the water with a little baking soda, which will react with the vinegar to make a stronger cleaning solution.
Mix these ingredients well in a spray bottle. Spray on paper towel or a cloth first and then wipe glass/mirror. HINT: Newspaper reduces the smears!

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All-purpose cleaner and deodorizer recipe
4 tablespoons baking soda
1 cup of warm water

Pour this on a clean sponge and wipe. It's really good for inside the refrigerator, your appliances and your kitchen counters.
TO CLEAN A TOILET with the same basic 'recipe':
Sprinkle around the edges inside the toilet bowl with about 5 tablespoons of baking soda. Carefully and lightly pour a cup of white vinegar, (watch the reaction, but don't get your face too close) Go "whoo hoo!" then scrub your toilet with a toilet brush.

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Homemade oven cleaner recipe
Just baking soda and water
Sprinkle the bottom of your oven with 1/3 cup baking soda then spray over it with water. Leave it alone overnight or at least for several hours to let it work in. After letting it sit, you can scrape off the spills with a spatula. Rinse the oven well with water.

I hope these recipes help you with your everyday cleaning and help you save money.

Cooking, cleaning and chocolate!

Today was pritty much a stay at home day. Boring!!
I had planned to cook a lovely dinner for me and Jack. It was to be Turkey, roast vegtables and a potato gratin. I cleaned the house up; hoovered and dusted round but was there any point when you have a one year old toddler who is into everything??!! No! He just came and got everything I put away back out!! Little monkey. The Pop'n'Gro nappies went into the wash; and I chilled on the sofa. I must have dropped off after putting Jack to bed and to my horror when I woke up it was 5.30pm. I would never have time took cook my potato gratin as it takes over an hour and a half to cook!!
The turkey had been on slow cook all morning and I had prepared the roasted vegtables. I didn't know what to do!
I googled how to make one and thought if I boiled the potatos in the milk, cream and butter; it shouldn't take long in the oven; only about 20 minutes. So I boiled up half a pint of milk and chucked in a few lumps of Anchor butter, then added the potatoes. Boiled until soft, but not to soft; poured everything into a glass dish, sprinkled some cheese over the top and put in a very hot oven. Once it was ready I took it out and served it up; it tasted good, yummy but not as good as my Nan's. Think I may have to pinch her recipe!!



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My recipe for Quick and Easy potato gratin.

Amounts feed four quite generously

Pre-Heat oven to 200.C/400.F/Gas6

Four good sized potatoes
200 mls milk
200 mls cream
1 clove of smushed garlic
Black Pepper ( a good grinding)
Handful of grated parmesan

Place the cream, milk old bay seasoning, black pepper and garlic in a fairly large saucepan and bring to the boil.
Remove from the heat and put the lid on to let the flavours infuse.
Peel and slice the potatoes into approximately 1cm slices.
Pop them into the saucepan with the milk and cream mixture and bring to the boil.
Simmer gently until just cooked.
Pour this mixture into a buttered oven proof dish and bake for about 15-20 minutes until turning golden and bubbling
About five minutes before the end of cooking scatter over the parmesan..
Allow to stand for a few minute before serving.