1 Fabric softener
What you’ll need
- White vinegar
- Lavender essential oil
- Medium glass jar with lid
Here’s how to make it
Measure and pour 2 cups of white vinegar in jar. Add 10 drops of lavender oil. Mix together with a spoon or stirrer. Place lid on jar.
How you use it
Measure 2 teaspoons of solution and use in place of your regular softener.
Money-saving tip for you
Costing about 20c for 100ml, use this fabric-softening solution instead of storebought products to save you loads… on your loads!
2 Lavender rags
What you’ll need
- Lavender essential oil
- Cotton cloths/rags (clean and dry)
- Large glass jar with lid
Here’s how to make them
Place one rag in jar, then add a few drops of lavender oil. Add the next rag and add a few more drops of oil. Continue until jar is full. Place lid on jar.
How you use them
Use cloths as lightly scented cleaning rags – they’re perfect for dusting hard surfaces and they leave a heavenly scent in the air. Wash, dry and put back in jar with oil to reuse.
Money-saving tip for you
To make rags, recycle worn-out shirts or bed sheets. Just wash, let dry and cut the fabric to a manageable cloth size.
3 Furniture polish
What you’ll need
- Fresh lemons (3–4)
- Olive oil
- Medium glass jar with lid or spray bottle
Here’s how to make it
Squeeze lemons. Add 1/4 cup lemon juice to 1/2 cup olive oil in jar or bottle. Shake well to combine.
How you use it
Use a clean, lint-free cloth to rub a small amount of polish onto timber furniture. Rub in the same direction as the timber grain. Wipe away the excess polish with a separate cloth. Make fresh for each use, as mixture can go rancid.
Money-saving tip for you
Opt for cheaper olive oil – it’s just as good!
4 All-purpose spray
What you’ll need
- Assorted citrus peels
- White vinegar
- Medium glass jar with lid
- Spray bottle
Here’s how to make it
Half fill your jar with assorted citrus peels. Fill the jar with vinegar. Place lid on the jar. Leave in a cool, dark place for two weeks. Using a fine mesh sieve, strain the citrus cleaner and then decant liquid into a spray bottle.
How you use it
Spray cleaner on surfaces and wipe with a cloth. Avoid using on porous surfaces, such as marble.
Money-saving tip for you
Save citrus peels instead of throwing them away.
5 Stain scrub
What you’ll need
- Bicarb soda or salt
- Filtered or distilled water
- Small bowl
- Fresh lemon (optional)
Here’s how to make it
For a thick paste, add 3 tablespoons bicarb soda or salt and a splash of water to a small bowl. If using salt, add a squeeze of lemon. Mix with a spoon until combined. For a smoother paste, add more water.
How you use it
Apply to stains, such as on oven dishes or the kitchen sink. Work paste into stain with a cloth. Set aside for an hour or so. Wash as normal. Repeat if necessary.
Money-saving tip for you
Use in place of storebought paste cleaners.
