Natural, Safe Tile Floor Cleaner- Only 3 Ingredients!

Just keep cleaning

Just keep cleaning

Just keep cleaning cleaning cleaning

What do we do we clean, clean, clean….

Sometimes, I feel like cleaning is my life. It's never done!! And with all the harsh chemicals it's so important to find something safe for my family. I mean, seriously, who want any nonylphenol ethoxylate on their toesies!

Psh! Chemicals. Ruin everything.

Anyways, months ago I went on a mission to find a GREAT natural tile floor cleaner. I honestly didn't think it would be that hard, but I should have known better! Whenever I think something will be easy-- it's not. Oh, life! You're so funny!! she said sarcastically, rolling her eyes (Yes, I am perfectly aware that I wrote in 3rd person)

I don't know how many different recipes I used but they all kept leaving a film on my tiles! It was driving me nuts. I knew that there had to be something better... and then I found it! Yay!

What You Need

• 1.5 gallons hot/warm water
• 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide
• 1/2 cup white vinegar (but you can add 1/4 c more for dirtier jobs)
• 5-10 drops Essential Oil(s) 
• Like Purification, Lemon, Lavender, Peppermint, Thieves 
• Optional for tough jobs: Add a splash of a green cleaner.

I've been eyeballing the measurements for a bit and it works just fine, so don't get too wrapped up on the exacts here!

Mix the ingredients into the hot to warm water. Stir to combine. 

Ready. Set. Mop!

DIY 2-Ingredient Carpet Cleaner with Odor Remover

In life there are some things you simply don't want to wake up to:

1. Freddy Krueger
2. Alien abduction, especially from the Alien Queen. 
3. Vomit

Unfortunately, I experienced one of those things this morning, and no, it wasn't alien abduction, but based on the fact that I'm writing about carpet cleaners I bet you knew that. I'm sure that stories about Freddy Krueger would provide you with a much more riveting story line than what really happened: vomit! Lots and lots of vomit. {sad face}

My dog, Hercules, barfed all over my bedroom carpet. To make matters worse, during the "event" I tried dragging him into the bathroom which caused him to leave a trail of puke all across the carpet. Once we were in the bathroom, he (of course) miss the tile and vomit on my white bathroom rug, my scale, my favorite pair of jeans and he barely missed the cat. {sigh}

It was horrible. It was everywhere.

The point of that horrible story is to tell you that I decided that this is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate how awesome my mom's Emergency Carpet Cleaner works! She has a kitty who peed on the guest bed and this got the smell out. Amazing, right?

 If you have children-- don't worry! It can also work for their bodily functions, too. {wink}

I think that picture speaks for itself, right? I took it after a single application of the DIY Carpet Cleaner.

What You Need

• 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
• White Vinegar
• Spray Bottle

Simply mix the ingredients into the spray bottle at a 50:50 ratio. You don't need a lot-- just enough to make the carpet damp. 

After you clean up what you can, squirt the mixture directly onto the "contaminated" area. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes and then use a scrub brush to really work it into the carpet. Let it sit for about 30 minutes and then assess the situation to see if you need to reapply.

If you think that the stain hasn't lifted enough, repeat. If you are happy with the results, then use your vacuum to clean up any remaining residue. 

You'll get the best results on fresh accidents and the vinegar really helps to dissolve the smell. Of course, your carpet will smell like vinegar until it dries, but I'll take that smell over the stench of vomit any day! 

My poor pup isn't feeling much better though! Doesn't he looks so sad?!

He FINALLY starting eating some food this afternoon so I hope he holds it down! Poor Hercules!

If you'd like to join my Natural Living Support Group on Facebook please fill out this form!

Simple DIY Carpet Freshener and Deodorizer with Essential Oils

I am obsessed about smell. It's bad. I used to have plug-ins in almost every outlet of my house, but then I found out that they really aren't healthy. Like at all. So, of course, I stopped using them, but now I'm worried about what people smell if they aren't bombarded by wonderful scents of cinnamon and fresh baked cookies.

If we are going to be honest then I should just say that I think I'm paranoid. I really believe that other people will smell something horrible that I simply have just have gotten used to. It's like oohhh... your house smells like vanilla and dog. What a wonderful combination!

Anyways, this has causes my house to be the headquarters of all my experiments. I've tried a million things from refilling old plug-ins with essential oils to using diffusers. Don't get me wrong-- I love all of that stuff, but neutralize odors is something they can't really do so well.

Hello ah-ha moment!!

I  have often use odor neutralizing carpet deodorizers to help stop the smell of pets on my carpets and that's when I had a thought: Hmmm.. what about putting baking soda on the rugs? It absorbs odors in the fridge so why wouldn't it work on the carpets?!!

And the Essential Oil blend Purification is amazing because not only does it purify and neutralize odors, but it also has oils that keeps bugs away! BONUS! It has lemongrass, rosemary, tea tree, myrtle, citronella, and lavandin. It's lovely. :)

Now I want to roll around on my carpets. Seriously, it smells so good! 

What You Need

• 1 1/2 - 2 cups of Baking Soda
• 20-30 drops of Essential Oils (I recommend this brand)
• Optional: 1/2 cup of fine salt
• Jar with holes on top

Mix the ingredients in the jar, cover the holes and shake to mix the ingredients. Sprinkle it on the carpets and let it sit for at least 15- 30 minutes to absorb the odors then vacuum it up! 

It's that simple! The strong scent fades after a couple of hours, but the freshness stays and a mild scent lingers. I hope you like it as much as I do!  :)

Make a Jar

If you don't have a jar, then you can easily make one with a mason jar or re-purpose an old parmesan cheese container. I used card stock with a mason jar, but you could probably use a paper bag or a magazine cover if you don't have card stock. 

You simple remove the lid insert of the mason jar and use it to draw the outline of the size you need your cut out to be.

Then use a hole punch to add the necessary escape route for your carpet freshener

Essential Oils

If you don't want to use the essential oil blend Purification, then here are some other ideas for your scent:

• Orange and Jasmine
• Mint and Orange
• Lavender and Frankincense
• Grapefruit and Mint
• Peppermint and Tea Tree
• Lavender and Rose

If you want to learn more about essential oils please join my Facebook Group by filling out this form. You don't need any prior knowledge about essential oils to join or you could be an expert-- everyone is welcome! The goal is to learn, ask questions, discusses topics and find out how the oils are working for each other. 

I hope you like this easy idea!! I'd love to hear about your favorite essential oil combination for this recipe!