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Soap has been around since before recorded history. Rome's famous aqueducts dispelled of waste and pumped fresh water into public baths. During the days of Feudalism, anyone too poor to pay taxes to their Lord were out of luck when it came to water supplies and other sundries. The poor have always been at the bottom of the personal hygiene ladder, no matter what century.
In the late 1800's things began to change for the average person. Products a resources that were once only available to the wealthy became accessible. While there were some dark times at the height of the industrial revolution, eventually, people from developed nations benefited from in-home plumbing and the mass production of cleaning products.
Unfortunately, as time wore on, these same product manufacturers went overboard with their technology. They began to create concoctions that contained harmful ingredients - all for the sake of modernization and the chance to print "New!" on their packaging. Simple mixtures that worked perfectly fine gave way to 'scientifically advanced' ingredient lists that pollute our air, our water supply and our bodies. The dependable formulas that our grandmothers relied upon were chided as 'old fashioned' and therefore, no good. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Why go to the store to buy another over-priced bottle of glass cleaner? Why allow some huge corporation to manufacture another hundred thousand plastic bottles when you can re-use dispensers you already own? Why fill your home with chemicals that you can't pronounce, much less live with? Stop the endless circle of acquisition, use, disposal and re-acquisition. Make your own cleaning formulas. Use ingredients that are cheap, readily available and safe. You will discover that DIY cleaning products work just as well as any store-bought formula. You'll save money. You'll save gas. You'll save the environment. All you need are some very basic ingredients:
- White Vinegar
- Glycerin
- Witch Hazel
- Castile Soap
- Essential Oils
- Spring Water
Vinegar is a natural odor killer. To create a lovely air freshener with no propellants or nasty toxins, mix one part white vinegar with three parts spring water in a fine spray bottle. Add 10-20 drops of your favorite essential oils to create a lingering fragrance. Rosemary and Lavender is a very common combination of scents. Spray in the air and within ten minutes, you'll have a fresh-smelling room. Make sure to avoid spraying directly on upholstery, furniture, drapes and carpet.
Witch Hazel has long been known as a gentle, soothing liquid to treat bruises and sunburn. It is also a wonderful facial astringent. However, if you have troubled skin, you need something a little stronger. Take a squirt bottle and fill it with Witch Hazel. Leave enough room for 7-10 drops of Tea Tree essential oil. Always shake before using. After you've washed your face, squeeze some of your new astringent on a cotton ball or soft cloth and dab all over your face, as well as any other ares that are susceptible to breakouts, such as your back. Tea Tree oil is a natural antiseptic. Your concoction can also be used to treat minor skin abrasions and cuts.
Natural Dishwashing Liquid
Pure Castile soap has many uses. The most famous brand is Dr. Bronner's This wonder product comes in bar form but you'll want to get the concentrated liquid. Take an old dishwashing liquid bottle and rinse it our thoroughly. Add 3-5 tablespoons of castile soap and fill the rest with warm water - leaving room for 1-2 Tablespoons of both Glycerin and Vinegar. Swish together slowly so as not to create foam in the bottle. If you don't like Dr. Bronner's basic Peppermint formula, the company offers other scents such as Rose, Eucalyptus and Citrus. For a disinfecting dishwashing liquid, try the Tea Tree version and add a few more drops of your own.
Environmentally Friendly Laundry Additive
This one is crazy simple. Just buy a box of Twenty Mule-Team Borax. Add a half a cup into the wash along with your detergent. Your clothes will be cleaner. Your whites will be whiter. Any icky smalls will be washed away. Borax can also be used as a pre-soak. Add a tablespoon for each gallon of water and let the clothes soak for 30 minutes. Borax also makes a superior ant killer but that's for another article.
Glass and Surface Cleaner
Once again, Vinegar comes to the rescue. Combine one part White Vinegar with three parts spring water in a spray bottle. Clean windows, mirrors, metal surfaces and tile counter tops. Most glass and surface cleaners contain ammonia, which is a noxious, poisonous substance. Vinegar does the same job without the danger. For a mild disinfecting cleaner, add a spare few drops of any camphor-like essential oil such a peppermint, eucalyptus or tea tree.
These are but a few of the hundreds of recipes you can follow to create your very own natural cleaning products. We haven't even mentioned ingredients like lemon juice, salt or baking soda. As you begin to blend your mixtures, you'll get addicted and come up with exclusive formulations that fit your needs perfectly. After a while you'll wonder why you ever wasted your money on the costly manufactured stuff. Pretty soon, your home will be sparkling clean and eminently healthier. Stop buying store brands. Collect your ingredients, gather your bottles, get back to the old ways and Do It Yourself! 
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