Breathe Easy All Purpose Cleaner

I was looking through my recipe files and found this one for a great breathe easy all purpose cleaner.  This a recipe that I got from a book by Sandy Maine.  I did make changes to the recipe and show those.  It works great and smells so good.  It actually makes me want to clean and that's something to say!  The recipe uses essential oils of sweet orange, peppermint and tea tree.  I have also substituted lavender essential oil for the sweet orange.  The benefits of the essential oils are the aromatherapy, sweet orange will cut grease, peppermint and tea tree disinfect.  An added plus is that these will actually keep bugs away - bugs don't like sweet orange or lavender.

If you decide to use this recipe on a regular basis I would recommend ordering your essential oils from a supplier.  You can get them in a natural foods store but they are horribly expensive.  Wholesale Supplies Plus is one of my favorite suppliers.  There is a $30 minimum order but shipping is included in the pricing.

I store the cleaner in a gallon milk jug.  It will separate after standing and sometimes will get thick.  I just shake and will add a little water to the jug if necessary.

Enjoy!

Disinfecting Soft Soap (Herbal Homekeeping by Sandy Maine)

5 cups grated castile soap (I made my own but you could use a natural castile from the store like Kirks)
1/2 cup baking soda
1 tsp borax
6 cups hot water
1 tsp eucalyptus essential oil (I used 1 tbsp sweet orange, 1/2 tbsp peppermint, 1 tsp tea tree -- I like the scent stronger)

Put grated soap into a 3 quart stainless saucepan and add hot water. Simmer for 15 minutes on low heat. Remove from heat and add baking soda, borax, and essential oils. (NOTE: Here's the adjustments that I made to this recipe): Use a larger pot than 3 quart because when you add the baking soda and borax it will foam a lot (ask me how I know this -- had cleaner all over the stove). In fact, in my notes I wrote to let the soap and water cool for 10 minutes before adding baking soda and borax. I also am waiting to add essential oils until the mixture cools below 140 degrees, otherwise the essential oils will just evaporate from the heat.

Store in a labeled plastic jug or squirt bottle. Shake before using (mixture will separate after it sits). I use about 1/4 to 1/2 cup per gallon of water when cleaning counters, floors, fixtures, refrigerator, etc.