🧺🧹DIRTY BUSINESS🧽🧼
Research and use precautions with all cleaners, natural spices, herbs, and essential oils, when using for cleaning, as natural remedies, etc., for possible allergic reactions, side effects and warnings. ​
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Applying a little elbow grease.
PRODUCTS I USE:
  • Brillo Steel Wool Soap Pads - I love the pink ones! Are you surprised? 💖 
  • Household Cleaner All Purpose
  • Distilled White Vinegar 
  • Baking Soda
​Laundry Soaps & other stuff:
Fels Naptha
Washing Soda
Zote Laundry Soap Bar 
Mrs. Stewart's Liquid Bluing
20 MULE TEAM Borax 
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I love using cleaning supplies from Mrs. Meyers! My favorite scents are  rose, orange clove and  peony.🌺

​​I also love to use old 100% cotton flour sack/ tea towels.🎀
SIMPLE WAYS TO CLEAN
  • Fill sink, bucket or big bowl with hot water, a squirt of dishwashing liquid, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
  • Use a microfiber cloth to clean all non-wood surfaces. 
  • For finished wood I use a few drops of lemon or sweet orange essential oil on a dust cloth. Be careful cleaning real wood, and even laminated wood.  
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PINEOLENE can be used for many different applications in cleaning, home remedies, and much more. I personally knew the woman from New Augusta, Mississippi that had the original recipe/directions. I wish I had known at the time what a treasure it was, and wrote it down. It can be purchased in some feed stores, farm supply stores, etc. 
The website is no longer available, but here is the address for anyone interested:
PINEOLENE PRODUCTS, L.L.C.
P.O. BOX 670, HURLEY MS 39555
UPDATE: Now back online.  ​Pineolene.com
I am not affiliated with this company, I just know personally, how good it is and I'm thankful it is still around.
More about pine. . .
I’m not above using bleach, ammonia, and other things some people would consider too toxic for use, as long as it is used sparingly, and with proper handling and good ventilation.
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Keep plenty of old washcloths for cleaning.
There are many things I consider very useful, that might seem a bit old fashioned, but they are tried and true. (Always read directions for cleaning products on bottle first); Never mix chemical cleaning products together or with bleach!:
  • Rubbing Alcohol or Witch Hazel - Great for disinfecting, cleaning mirrors, cutting grease, shining up a surface (test small area first).
  • Lemons - Lemons are antibacterial and antiseptic, and a light natural bleach. 
  • Baking Soda - Cleanses, refreshes, mild abrasive that's safe on most surfaces.
  • White Vinegar - Mixed with baking soda,  it can refresh, (and some say unclog) drains. Add a few tablespoons to a drain, pour in a splash of white vinegar, let sit for a few minutes, and pour boiling hot water down the drain to flush it out.
  • Ammonia - Raise the windows before using, and turn on a fan...Use only with proper ventilation. For spots on rugs, add a tablespoon to a small bowl of water, whisk until frothy, with gloves on scoop up the bubbles and rub into the spot going clockwise, use a dry towel and press to absorb the bubbles and stains should be gone. It is very good for surfaces that have grease on them such as the hood over the stove. Use with caution on painted surfaces, as it can remove paint. 
  • Pine Oil - Pine oil is a natural disinfectant, air freshener, can be used to clean most surfaces, including floors, bath fixtures, toilets, and cabinets. Some of the brand name products contain toxins, so I’ve shifted away from those…but I’m talking about the pure stuff. (More about pine and Pineolene in left column)
  • Murphy's Oil Soap - Non-toxic, biodegradable, cleans natural and finished wood surfaces. Use 1/4 cup to a gallon of warm water, stir, place mop in solution and wring out well to mop floors. Rinse if desired. Can also be used to clean wood kitchen cabinets, with a microfiber cloth. I love the scent! Just dip a cloth into clean bucket of water and MOS as mentioned above and use as an all-purpose cleaner on wood surfaces. Of course, follow the directions on the bottle!
  • Many household dry goods, spices, and other things can be used for deodorizing, sanitizing, cleaning. 
¹Bulk
*Medicine Cabinet:

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I'm learning more and more to depend on food, herbs, spices and other natural things for cleaning, deodorizing and sanitizing.
 ~Octagon Soap...Yes, it is still available.
~White toothpaste for cleaning white shoes (mostly patent leather), for black scuff marks on tile or linoleum.*
~There is something to be said for using a little elbow grease as well...Very therapeutic!
~Just so everyone won't think I'm too "old fogey"... I do love using essential oils and natural homemade products as well!! My favorite essential oil is Sweet Orange! I've also found an essential oil blend I love, called "Happiness" that is one of many nice oils from "Nature's Truth." There are tons of resources online for homemade cleaning recipes using EO's. But I'll add a few of my own as time allows!
~Some stains are resistant to even the harsh chemical cleaners as well...Case in point: We have an old claw-foot tub, that I love, it was my daddy's old water trough he used for the cows. Imperfect, no claw feet, has mineral stains. It is well cleaned, disinfected, etc for those who might turn their nose up. . .But nothing" has cut through those stains! We tried lemon juice, baking soda, salt, Brillo pads, bleach, even rust remover (which did leave white streaks, but I only used one small bottle). The dangers listed were just too harsh, so I figured I'd just live with the stains rather than take the risk. And also my husband took an electric sander to it!! Nothing worked!! Short of sandblasting, I guess I'll just have to live with it, as it is too expensive to get it refinished. ($800 28 years ago)
~Another stain that is tough to remove, is mold/mildew. It can happen anywhere, but I'll focus on fabric/clothing...I've read where lemon juice and salt gets rid of it, but I beg to differ! Very rarely will it come out, so be very careful about letting clothes, sheets, or other fabric get damp and staying damp for very long! Especially vintage, antique or items that have sentimental value! Mold and/or mildew will set up. ​I do occasionally use Clorox spray bleach and it works very well, but I use it very sparingly and sometimes dilute it. Just spray on white cloth, surfaces, etc. as it can fade or completely remove coloring. Read directions as well as, use your own judgement ie common sense.
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*Research and use precautions with all recipes, tips, suggestions for cleaners, natural spices, herbs, and essential oils, when using for cleaning, as natural remedies, etc., for possible allergic reactions, side effects and warnings.
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