Cleaning products

With the 3 DIY multipurpose options proposed below (from Moral Fibres), and a box of clay based creams, you are equipped for kitchen worktops / hob cleaner / bathroom sink / windows / electronic equipment, and more. You can also simply use microfibre cloths and mop, with no other product than water (really! check them out).

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Multipurpose DIY Sprays

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​Castile Soap	You need: 500 ml spray bottle 500 ml cooled boiled water (to kill potential germs) 2 teaspoons liquid castile soap 10 drops pine essential oil 10 drops cedarwood essential oil How to make: Mix the liquid Castile soap with essential oils, then cooled boiled water. How to use: Shake gently before each use. Can be used all around the house - but to clean wooden surfaces, spray the mix onto a cloth and then wipe the surface. From: Moral Fibres
Vinegar	You need: 500 ml spray bottle 250 ml cooled boiled water 250 ml white vinegar. For extra washing power, add 1 tablespoon of washing up liquid/liquid castile soap. You can also add essential oils for fragrance. How to make: just mix all ingredients together. How to use: Use on most floors, worktops (not marble, granite, see warnings above) and bathroom.
Cictric Acid	You need: 500 ml hot water (boil first, and then allow to cool for 10 minutes) 2 tablespoons citric acid (Kitchen Shoppe on Lavender Hill, or other homeware shops, online) 500 ml spray bottle. Optional: a few drops of your favourite essential oils. How to make: Pour hot water into a jug. Stirring well, dissolve the citric acid in the hot water. Add 20 drops of essential oil if required, or 10 of two different oils. Decant the mixture into your spray bottle and off you go! How to use: Citric acid is a great all-round cleaner. It kills bacteria, mould, and mildew, and is brilliant for general disinfecting and cleaning, removing soap scum, hard water stains, calcium deposits, lime, and rust.

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Specific cleaners

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Carpet	DIY carpet cleaner: You need: 2 cups cornmeal + 2 cups borax substitute + Optional: a few drops of essential oil How to make: Mix together in a large glass jar. How to use: sprinkle over the carpet. Leave for one hour. Vacuum clean From Moral Fibres
​Descaler (tap, sink)	Use the DIY multipurpose product made of white vinegar. To descale inside the appliances, use white vinegar. But check online the dosage according to your appliance.
​Disinfectant & Degreaser	​Clay based creams are amazing products to degrease, remove stubborn stains on surfaces. Several options are available in the UK, including Ecogurus, Ecoegg. You can also use the DIY multipurpose spray made with white vinegar (see above), reducing the amount of white vinegar (150ml), increasing the amount of water (350 ml) and adding two teaspoons of Borax substitute – and adding a few drops of tea tree essential oil. More here with Apartment Therapy
Drain cleaner	Don’t wait for the drains to be blocked. Pour hot water regularly in your kitchen sink to dissolve soap and grease. Once in a while - usually once a year is enough, during winter, do a big clean: Pour 2l of hot water down the sink Close your sink Fill it with 10l of hot water Dissolve half a cup of crystal sodas (or baking soda if that is the only thing you have) in this hot water Then open the sink and let the soda water drop slowly down your drain.
Electronics	Use a microfibre cloth (dry or damp depending on what you are cleaning) A cotton cloth slightly damped with drops of white vinegar.
Floor	Use the DIY multipurpose product. Or use a microfibre mop, with just water.
Toilet	For regular cleaning, use the toilet cleaner available in bulk at the Source. Once a month or more frequently if the bowl is getting stained, sprinkle 125 gr of citric acid over the toilet bowl. Let it sit overnight. Scrub in the morning.
Window & Mirror	A cloth, with the DIY multipurpose spray made of white vinegar. Crumpled newspaper dipped in white vinegar and warm water A window specific microfibre cloth with water