Spring Clean #1

It's that time of year again... the old spring clean! I both loathe and look forward to spring cleaning time. On one hand, it's a darn dirty job, but on the other I know that once it's done the house is shiny clean! I set myself one room per week (sometimes two, if they are tiny rooms), which takes up my entire spring. So far, I have finished our kitchen and one of our lounge rooms. I looooove to see all of my Tupperware all sorted, stacked, and organised!!

Not long before Violet was born (it's amazing how fast time flies.. it's been over three months already!), I decided to minimize the amount of chemicals in our home. The first, and easiest, step to do this was to change our general house cleaners. Now, all I need for general day to day use is two sprays that I have made, along with gumption (I don't know if I'll ever be able to give that baby up), and bleach.

The first spray is made up of 1 tablespoon of Bicarbonate Soda, 5 drops Lemongrass Oil, 3 drops Tea Tree Oil, and then filled with water. I shake this thoroughly before each use. This is a great cleaner, I use it for a multitude of purposes, including floor scrubbing, on furniture to stop the dogs from peeing, oven cleaner, rust, mold, and anything really, really sticky. This mix of oils is a bit of a bug repellent too, however the Bicarbonate soda can leave a residue behind, so I use my other spray afterwards quite frequently. Oh, and don't use it on your coloured home walls as it can cause fading.

My second homemade spray is made up of 1 cup white vinegar, 1 shot vodka (rubbing alcohol is preferable, I just like to use up my clear spirits that I don't want to drink anymore), 4 drops orange oil, and then fill with water. This is my "quick clean" spray, used for benches, tables and even streak free windows! A bonus of the orange oil is that it is a natural deodorizer, so if you accidentally spill milk in your car - this will remove that stenchy odour that seems to always linger for days (I seem to always spill milk if I have it in our car).

What cleaning products have you made for cheap at home that you have found work as well, if not better, than the chemical versions found in shops?

Love and care,

Chantal

In The Kitchen... Ginger Beer

I recently decided to start saving money, and my health, by making as many things at home as I possible can instead of purchasing them. This is no easy task, as I have always been completely useless in the kitchen. In fact, DH has always had to do any of the cooking in our household... and I appreciate it immensely! But now that we have little miss in the house, I thought it was time I step up to the plate and contribute in the kitchen. From now on, any meals, baking, beverages, or just anything in general, that I find easy to do - I shall share with you!!

I have started with a simple to make, refreshing and one of my all-time favourite beverages, Ginger Beer. It is simply superb on a hot summer day. This recipe will make a 1L – 1.25L bottle of Ginger Beer (depends on the bottle you use). Also, I encourage you to play around with it as we all different taste buds!!

Ingredients / You Will Need:

-  1 cup finely grated or chopped ginger

-  2 lemons juiced

-  1 cup hot water

-  1 teaspoon brewer’s yeast

-  ½ cup raw sugar

-  1 plastic bottle

-  Jug room temp water

-  Glass bottle / jug

-  Cheesecloth

Process:

1.       Pour the sugar in bottle, along with the hot water to dissolve.

2.       Add grated ginger, and lemon juice to bottle.

3.       Shake vigorously, and then leave to sit for approximately 1 hour.

4.       Add brewer’s yeast, and then fill the bottle with room temp water – ensuring to leave enough space at the top (I generally stop when the top starts to get small again)

5.       Shake bottle to mix up ingredients.

6.       Leave to sit for 24 – 48 hours. The longer you leave it the more intense the flavouring will be.

7.       Pour contents into your desired bottle/jug, using your cheesecloth to sift as you pour.

8.       Pop this bottle/jug in the fridge to cool.

9.       Serve with ice.

10.   Enjoy your refreshing hard work!!

Kind regards,

Chantal xx