natural house cleaning with tea tree oil

 

When I was a foot-loose twenty-something I spent a lot of time in NYC doing trade shows for Marissa B. That meant walking everywhere and I'll never forget the myriad of smells I would experience as I navigated the city. One smell in particular would completely delight and capture me - the fresh, green, slightly astringent smell that wafted out of the day spas that dotted just about any given city block. It sounds a bit odd to articulate, but, man that herbal fragrance was totally intoxicating to me and I always wondered what the heck it was. Finally, crossing language barriers and my fear of looking like an idiot, I walked into one of these spas and asked the woman if she could pin-point the scent. Was it a perfume, a treatment oil...a cleaning product?! My efforts produced a bewildered shopkeeper and a slightly embarrassed self. It wasn't until one day, sick of the sneeze-inducing smell of Mr. Clean, that I decided I'd go grandma-old-school and use vinegar and water to mop my floor. To add an extra zing of cleaning power I dropped 1/4 teaspoon of tea tree oil and some peppermint essential oil into the mix. It was magic. I still don't know how that combination creates that "spa scent," but it does and it makes my house smell serene... taking me right back to strolling down a mid-August New York City street.

So, today I'd like to talk about tea tree oil. A friend of mine recently asked what I do with the stuff and I realized there was no short answer. What don't I use tea tree oil for? Definitely not for anything involving food since it's toxic when taken internally, so don't ever do that! 

First, a brief history: Tea tree oil, or melaleuca oil, is an essential oil derived from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia, a shrub native to Australia. It is widely accepted as an antifungal and antiseptic and is used to treat eczema, skin abrasions, dandruff, yeast infections... basically tea tree oil is mother nature's Tinactin. 

I love using tea tree oil in my cleaning products. I love that it has natural disinfecting properties without the harsh lung-irritating effects that bleach has (not to mention that bleach is to blame for too many be-speckled black yoga pants). Here is a list of all the things I make with tea tree oil. Mopping the floor is actually something I look forward to, knowing that my house will smell like a spa when I'm finished. You may not agree that the scent is as enrapturing as I've talked it up to be, but I hope you will agree that is much healthier for you than commercial cleaning products!

All Purpose Cleaner (for everything BUT granite and marble):

1/2 cup Citrus infused white vinegar (basicaly, anytime you eat an orange/grapefruit/lime/lemon put the peels in a jar of white vinegar. In a week you'll have upped the cleaning power of your vinegar).
1/2 teaspoon liquid castile soap
1 teaspoon baking soda
10-15 drops of tea tree oil
2 cups water

Pour all into a spray bottle, wait for the vinegar and baking soda to stop fizzing, put the spray top on, give a gentle shake and you're ready to rock. The reason you don't want to use this on granite or marble, is because the acidity of the vinegar is stripping. This formula works great on everything else, though!


Granite and Marble Cleaner

1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap
5-10 drops of tea tree oil
1 2/3 cups water

Pour all into a spray bottle, give a gentle shake and spray away! Clean you natural stone tiles with this too.


Natural Floor Cleaner (for ALL floors: wood, tile, linoleum, etc)

4 cups white vinegar (you could also use the citrus infused vinegar)
1 gallon of warm water
2-5 drops liquid castile soap
10-15 drops tea tree oil
5 drops peppermint essential oil

Mix all together in your mopping bucket of choice and enjoy a healthy (maybe even spa-like) cleaning experience. 

There you have it - my favorite three cleaning solutions that have tea tree oil in common. I haven't even gotten into the healing properties of topical applications for tea tree oil... that's a whole other post. In the meantime I hope you enjoy safer cleaning by trying some of these natural recipes - there's just no need to use a product that has disclaimers right on the package! Here's some further reading on the matter:  
the harsh reality of household cleaners 
10 household cleaners to avoid at all costs
why clean healthy

I only recommend products that I wholeheartedly believe to be valuable or that I use myself. - See more at: http://www.rubiesandradishes.com/2013/09/12/diy-all-purpose-cleaner/#sthash.jX9yaQn5.dpuf

affiliate disclosure: links to products in some of my posts will lead you to amazon.com links where you can purchase the items being discussed. I receive an affiliate kick-back from any purchases made through the links. I love sharing my experiences and what I hope to be helpful tips. I appreciate your support - it's how I offset the costs of running my blog! Please know that I only endorse products I use myself or wholeheartedly believe in!

I only recommend products that I wholeheartedly believe to be valuable or that I use myself. - See more at: http://www.rubiesandradishes.com/2013/09/12/diy-all-purpose-cleaner/#sthash.jX9yaQn5.dpuf

I only recommend products that I wholeheartedly believe to be valuable or that I use myself. - See more at: http://www.rubiesandradishes.com/2013/09/12/diy-all-purpose-cleaner/#sthash.jX9yaQn5.dpuf

valentine's day, you say?

It's a good thing I was late dropping off Violet to preschool today because I would not have overheard another mom asking the teacher about how many valentines to bring in on Thursday. Valentines! On Thursday? I had a small panic attack as I didn't even think about such reverie. Admittedly, I've been preoccupied. I sheepishly inquired of the same teacher "how many did you say?"

Turns out I'm not that daunted by the need to craft a dozen or so cards seeing as how there is a wealth of ideas out there {thank you, Pinterest}. Here are the few I'm debating over making. Personally, I like the non-candy idea of the goldfish crackers.

Here is a round up of some creative and straightforward valentines ideas for kids and their schoolmates. Oh, and this gorgeous diy valentine topiary that reuses all that beautiful card stock you have laying around! p.s. you will need this hydrangea punch

 Bunny Valentine Cards via smallforbig 

 Goldfish Valentine via tammymitchellphotography 

Caped Crusader via spoonful

Fish Bowl Valentine via i heart naptime

Valentine's Day Topiary via house by hoff

birthday postcard project

This past March Hero Hubby celebrated a milestone birthday. I couldn't arrange a big bash as I had hoped to, so I thought an elaborate birthday card would be a great way to gather birthday wishes from friends and family near and far. I created a bunch of postcards and sent them to friends and family with instructions to write birthday notes and mail back to the birthday boy. Here's the note I included:

Dear Friends and Family, I’ve put together a little birthday project for Paul to usher him into his 40th year! It’s a fun project that everyone can participate in. Basically, I’ve printed up a series of postcards that spell out “Happy 40th Birthday to Paul!” Each postcard represents one letter of the birthday wish and each family and friend is receiving one postcard. Please write a note to Paul and pop it in the mail so he can complete his birthday card. Thanks! Love, Marissa

Then, I strung up a bunch of clothes pins and numbered them. As cards came in the mail, Hero Hubby clipped up the corresponding cards and the full message took shape. It was great fun seeing him reading all the heart-felt notes and pictures everyone sent. Well, it's taken me this long to get my act together and finally post the results. Thanks to everyone who made his day extra bright and special! I'm going to post this project as a free printable in a separate post, but in the meantime post a comment if you would like me to send you the file for download right away!

Ombre two ways

It's been quite the busy week around here on the marsh and I'm just d-i-y-ing (was that a successful play on words?) to get crafty this weekend. I would love to make that pretty ombre hanging chandelier for the girls' room. I actually have a bunch of color swatches leftover from a project I made last month (I'll post that one soon). Anything ombre is irresistible to me right now - those meringue parfaits are no exception! Also, couldn't help but daydream about wearing these flats with this dress. Sigh.

love is around the corner

Hopefully love is already with you! I've been think a lot lately about Valentine's Day (just four days away!) and how this day is a nice puffed-up opportunity to express your love to everyone in your life, not just your main squeeze. I've made a list of all the fun DIY Valentine crafts I've been seeing on blogs lately and thought I'd share my discoveries.

I might save this idea for next year when Violet is a little older and won't want to try and stab something with the arrow/pencil (although she still might want to do that next year anyway). I think it's more appropriate for older kids...bookmarking! Thanks, Sweet Muffin Suite.

I really like this idea and might make my own "Scrabble Gram" for Hero Hubby's upcoming birthday (it's a big one). Perhaps I could make each letter in postcard size, send the individual pieces out to our friends and family and ask them to mail each back to him with a birthday wish written on the back? I'm thinking as I type... better perfect this idea and get on it quick (I have less than a month). Thanks, oh, happy day.

This card is so clever! The tutorial is a visual treat, too. Love it! Thanks, minieco.

What better way to jazz up a plain old chocolate bar than with these super cute printable wrappers? This might have to be the sweet surprise I send along with the Valentine cards we are sending to the Grandparents.

The idea of making my own scratch-off cards is very inspiring. Great technique to know about and perfect for creating some fun Valentines. Who knew dishwashing detergent could be so much fun? Thanks, Better Homes and Gardens.

one | two | three | four | five

it's the little things

Wondering what to do with all those Veuve Clicquot corks rolling around post [fill-in your celebration here]? As soon as I saw this post I began digging through our junk drawer for some cast away corks (I can never bring myself to throw those away). Air plants are a quirky addition to any space and can easily be ordered online. They are low maintenance (just mist twice a week and keep in bright filtered light). These little babies would make such cute gifts... perhaps a fun little token to hold the place-cards for your Thanksgiving guests?

diy project no. 006: image transfers

 

I came across this DIY project at DesignSponge  over the weekend and couldn't wait to share it with my readers. This is such a great way to spruce up your dinner table for the impending holidays. Speaking of which, wouldn't some decorated tea towels make perfect little gifts? For images check out joseph cornell box or mellowmint's DeviantArt site (just full of downloadable hi-res goodies)!

materials:
1. photos of food, dishes, figurines, plates, etc. (anything you want, make sure it high resolution)
2. scissors
3. inkjet printer transfer paper
4. inkjet color printer
5. napkins and placemats (mine are from ikea and cost less than a dollar each)
6. iron
7. computer

instructions:
1. if you don’t want to take the photographs of objects yourself, you can find some great images in food magazines, or cookbook images, or just search flickr for yummy food photos. upload your photos to your computer and play around with them to get them to be the size you want. make a couple black and white prints on 8.5 x 11 paper to check that you like the size and detail on your photos. you want your images to be something you can cut all the way around to have a freestanding object. the transfers print in reverse so if that matters to your object, you need to reverse the image on your computer before printing.
2. when you have the images ready at the size you want them to be, print them in color on your transfer paper according to the directions on the package of the transfer paper. if you have the option on your printer, you should choose the highest quality of printing.
3. allow the transfer prints to dry. meanwhile, iron all the wrinkle out of your placemats and napkins on high temperature with no steam. allow these to cool.
4. cut out your shapes with scissors. you want to cut all excess off your shapes and cut right up to the edge of you object.
5. lay the transfer paper down on the fabric and iron it down according to the transfer paper instructions.
6. continue following the transfer instructions for cooling, peeling off the backing, and setting the image.

images via Design Sponge

diy project no. 004: laundry soap

I love doing laundry. So much, in fact, that when I came across a diy laundry soap recipe I just had to try it out. I hadn't realized just how chemical-laden commercial laundry soaps and fabric softeners are until I researched the topic, not to mention their cost is four times higher than the homemade version (this recipe ends up costing about $0.05 per load). Skeptical at first, I soon discovered how easy it is to make my own and, when put to the test, how effective! Which is verrrrry important when you have the kind of laundry we have... toddler + baby + husband = disastrous piles of stained and damaged clothes.

As for fabric softener, you ask? Simple white vinegar with a few drops of lavender essential oil. Yuck, vinegar?! I hear some of you saying... be assured that there was no vinegar odor whatsoever when I pulled the clothes from the dryer - just fresh clean clothes with a very faint hint of lavender. Use one tablespoon of vinegar per load - pour it right into the fabric softener dispenser and fill with water just like you normally would.

I encourage you to try this easy, chemical-free, money saving laundry soap; it's so simple and it works.

diy project no. 003: party animals!

I came across this diy post for candle holders on the sweetest occasion and will be definitely making these for the next birthday party we host.  This is such a great idea, inexpensive to make and they will look amazing on cupcakes!

SUPPLIES
plastic animals
plastic candle holders
drill with 1/8″ drill bit
pliers
gold spray paint (or any color that you like - hot pink, perhaps?)

STEP ONE:
Hold the animal with the pliers and drill a hole straight down, being careful not to pop out the other side. The hole just has to be deep enough for the holder to fit.

STEP TWO:
Spray paint the animals in a few light coats, rotating them to cover all sides. Note: I used gold (w/o primer) and it worked fine for both the nicer plastic animals and the dollar store ones. I wanted a pop of color but some of the animals didn’t take to regular spray paint, be sure to use a plastic spray paint or a primer for plastic and always test one first. You can also spray paint the candle holders to match.

STEP THREE:
Marvel at your craftacularness.

images via the sweetest occasion

diy project no. 002: homemade playdough

Investigative little hands need to be kept busy and play dough is Violet's favorite "toy" right now.  A bit hesitant at first, she now requests the pliable stuff just about every morning (it is much more exciting than yogurt and granola).  The basic recipe I used can be found here.  I added fragrance to give it a little bit of fabulous.  It just so happened that I had violet flower (bof!) fragrance left over from a diy stint with making bath bombs.  So pleased with the results of the dough, I'm thinking these would make great Christmas gifts for the little ones in my life.  I love these containers and am so tempted to get every one of these cake decorating colors to make a rainbow of play doughs.  Glitter?  Perhaps I'll even experiment with adding a side of sparkle.  Have a creative weekend!

cutie pie

The concept of baking mini pies in glass canning jars is a fun, unexpected treat high on novelty factor.  Though I've come across the idea in the past, this recent post at the family kitchen has renewed my interest in finally making these.  I also like the recipe over at squawk fox for another version of tasty tiny tarts.  Whether blueberry, cherry, apple... these little cuties will charm your dinner guests, impress your family and tickle just about anyone to whom you gift these.  Have fun decorating the lids of the jars - cut a square of fabric and tie down with a ribbon, or glue a fancy circle of paper to the top inner lid.  Want to make creative wedding or shower favors that will be talked about well past your event?  Just head on over to creative montage or more and more originals for personalized stickers and tags.  My plan for these pleasingly petite pastries?  Present them to my small gathering in celebration of today's festivities.

ah, the weekend

Baby no. 2 is officially due in one week and I have been exhaustively feathering the nest and psyching Violet up for big-sisterhood.  I think it's time to rest up and enjoy what seems like the last moments of relative sanity before baby makes four.  My first impulse when I think of relaxing?  Paint my toenails a happy color.  I love all three of these colors and their sassy names, neo whimsical, sand tropez, and tart deco... which to pick?  Second on my list of relaxation is to get crafty with this diy project.  I know, I am one of those odd people who is more relaxed with busy hands.  I'll be posting the results!  Third, I will partake in some balancing prenatal yoga.  Despite Violet running underneath my down dogs, I am looking forward to a relaxing back-yard session.  I just need to remember to swipe on enough bug repellent to fend off those delightful marsh mosquitoes that so gleefully nip.  One application lasts about an hour for me, which is just enough time to do some poses, water the garden and peek over my bump at my freshly polished tootsies.

 

 

images via essie, spool sewing and balanced birth