DIY All Natural Cleaning Supplies

My home
Written By Hannah Bullivant
Make your own all natural DIY cleaning supplies, 3 simple recipes.

My home made Cleaning Recipes:

I have been making these recipes since before my daughter was born (8+ years!) They are cheaper because I buy the ingredients in bulk from Summer Naturals, free from unnatural chemicals and easy to make. They also smell great as I  scent them with essential oils.

Washing Powder:

  • 3 cups vegetable soap flakes, (some people grate bars of soap but buying the soap flakes is much cheaper and easier) Update- Summer Naturals dont currently have soap flakes, so I have been buying from Yorkshire Soap Flakes.

  • 2 cups of borax

  • 2 cups of soda crystals

  • 2 cups of bicarbonate of soda

  • 30 ish drops of lemon essential oil which has antibacterial properties and smells lovely (just drop it on the surface of the powder then mix thoroughly) I’ve also used tea tree, peppermint and grapefruit oil in the past too.

Mix together with a spoon then funnel into your container.

This makes 1000ml . We add a heaped table spoon, to each wash, and will last ages, approx 30 washes. Bulk quantities of powders etc are available from Summer naturals. 

This is a great activity to do with kids. Frankie made this whole batch herself with me simply directing the quantities. Make sure they don't handle the Borax through, it can be quite harsh on skin. Frankie uses a table spoon to scoop the powders into the cup measures. 

Floor cleaner concentrate:

Put the following In a 1 litre bottle:

  • 1/2 cup borax

  • 2 cups vinegar

  • 1/2 cup of Summer Naturals own brand liquid Castille soap.

  • 10-20 drops of Essential oil of choice

Then I top it up with hot water to help it dissolve. A kebab skewer can be useful to mix it if the powder has settled to the bottom. I give it a good shake then glug approx half a cup in the bottom of a bucket then fill with very hot water.

Surface spray:

Mix the following in a spray bottle. 

  • 1 cup water

  • 1/2 cup Vodka (the cheapest stuff available)

  • 1/2 cup White vinegar

  • 1/3 cup liquid castille soap

  • 15 ish drops Teatree or Lemon oil (has antiseptic qualities)

The photography is by Kristy Noble.

Happy cleaning (?!?!?!)

Make your own all natural DIY cleaning supplies, 3 simple recipes.
Featured
Traditional Pale Blue Rental Bathroom Makeover
Traditional Pale Blue Rental Bathroom Makeover

When we first viewed our rental nearly 2 years ago, we were super keen to move in because it was a lovely old Victorian terrace with original features and 3 bedrooms. However, it was quite tired and dated inside which meant it was under market value. We snapped it up and our landlady agreed to replace the bathroom and kitchen over the next couple of years. The first job was the bathroom….

It is a single skin extension built to connect the original house and the old out-house. Because it wasn’t well insulated, it was very damp and mouldy and the walls needed wiping down once a week for most of the year to prevent black mould from growing. Here it is…

15 tips to survive a live-in renovation
15 tips to survive a live-in renovation

This post is for you if you are embarking on a renovation and will be living at the house for some or all of the project. It’s inspired both by clients and friends who are doing major renovation work whilst living in the building site. I'll also be keeping all of this advice in my own back pocket for when we eventually do our renovation too.

How to create a sense of Home wherever you are
How to create a sense of Home wherever you are

This blog post is all about how to create a sense of home when things feel very uprooted. I run an interiors agony aunt column on Instagram where I take questions from followers and answer them in a video. I received a question from somebody who is separating from their husband, but they’re both living in the house so they’re spending half the week staying with friends and family. This person was concerned about staying grounded and how to have a sense of safety and security in that situation.

Magical Autumn styling ideas for your home.
Magical Autumn styling ideas for your home.

I’m back after a summer break! And I’m happy to be back in time for my favourite season: Autumn; my birthday season, a time of harvest and plenty, getting organised for the season ahead, and yes; even the prospect of the cold and dark….I know that makes me sound a bit strange, but think of the cosiness!

Summer Styling Tips: The Joys of Holidaying at Home
Summer Styling Tips: The Joys of Holidaying at Home

It feels like real summer is finally here, even if the UK weather is somewhat lacking. The school summer holidays are stretched out before me, emails are increasingly met with out of office auto replies, and the roads are noticeably quiet.

It’s a lovely time to refresh and brighten up your home. Today I’m sharing some tips on how to bring summer into your home, including seasonal styling ideas and sustainable summer decor.

I also talk about how to holiday at home. Have you tried it?! It can be surprisingly fun and relaxing!

A Designers Take on Framing and Hanging Art
A Designers Take on Framing and Hanging Art

Let’s talk about framing and hanging art!

If you missed part one of my two-part series on art in the home, you can check out the first installment here where I talk about how to choose pieces of art and share tons of affordable art ideas.

And for the second part, let’s dive into framing and hanging your art, how to do a gallery wall really well and lots of other practical tips!

Where to start with framing

Good framing can make literally anything into a piece of art, but poor framing can turn a beautiful piece of art into something that looks

12 Affordable Art Ideas For Your Home
12 Affordable Art Ideas For Your Home

I studied English and Art History at university and absolutely loved it. I could easily get lost in art books, museums and galleries all day! I just love the story behind art pieces, the socxietal commentary it provides, the artist who made the art, what it says about who bought it, and the way that it elevates a room.

So today, in part one of this two part series on art, I'm going to be covering how to choose art and affordable art ideas.

A Clutter Pep Talk
A Clutter Pep Talk

I can’t seem to tackle my clutter

Today's post is coming to you off the back of some messages that I've had this week from students, and listeners who are really struggling to sort their clutter out.

So this is for those of you who have been meaning to or trying to sort your clutter, but are just struggling to get it done.

Weird and wonderful ways to use colour
Weird and wonderful ways to use colour
How to find inspiration, and manage inspiration overload
How to find inspiration, and manage inspiration overload

Feeling in a bit of a creative rut with your interior inspiration? We’ve all been there!

Someone recently asked me where to find inspiration, and also how to manage inspiration. And I knew exactly what they meant- because we are swamped with inspiration, aren't we?

Hannah Bullivant

Interior designer & stylist. Soulful styling. Nurturing Spaces. 

https://www.hannahbullivant.com
Previous

Recent work and new portfolio!
Next

Early Spring table inspiration…