Greetings Everyone! I hope you all are having a great week! Thanks for joining me for Part 2 of our series to gain some more natural cleaning tips using lemon!

From mirrors to windows to sliding doors, glass is everywhere in our houses, and if you have small children or pets, these glass objects can never seem to stay smudge free. Store-bought glass cleaners work well enough but they are full of harsh chemicals and dyes that can be dangerous to your family, especially if you need to use them often. These chemicals can also damage other, non glass surfaces in your house. However, there is a natural alternative that you can make using lemon juice. Simply add 3 tablespoons lemon juice and 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol to a spray bottle. Fill the bottle the rest of the way with water and shake well to mix.

As metal objects get older, they tend to rust. This is unsightly and unsafe, especially when the rust is on kitchen appliances. Rust is notoriously difficult to remove, and commercial rust cleaners are full of dangerous chemicals. Scraping the rust off can cause the rust to go into the air, which can be breathed in accidentally. Luckily, all you really need to remove it is a lemon and some coarse salt. Rub a liberal amount of salt over the rusted area. Squeeze or spray lemon juice over the whole area, and allow to sit for about 3 hours. Then, scrub the area with lemon rinds to remove the rust.

I don’t know about you, but cleaning toilets in our home is one of my least favorite chores. But it is the most necessary, as toilet bowls are some of the germiest places in our homes. Several months ago, I moved away from using commercial toilet cleaners as I learned they can cause burns if spilled on skin and the fumes can be very dangerous if inhaled. Here is an alternative solution I use: Sprinkle 1/4 cup of powdered Borax into the toilet bowl then either squeeze the juice from 1/2 of a lemon or several drops of lemon essential oil. I let the solution sit for about 10 minutes. Then I scrub the toilet bowl with a brush then flush after cleaning!

This one is one of my favorite uses for lemon. Make your own carpet deodorizer by combining 2 cups of baking soda with 20 drops of lemon essential oil. Sprinkle the mixture over the whole carpet and allow to sit for about 15 minutes, longer for dirtier carpets. Then, simply vacuum up the powder and enjoy your fresh new carpet. Store in a shaker jar for easy use. TIP: For my basement carpets where our cats our, I will mix rosemary essential oil along with the lemon for an even fresher scent!

Last tip for tonight! To clean your microwave, place half a lemon, cut side up, in a bowl. Fill the bowl with water and place in the microwave. Microwave on high for 5 minutes. Wipe off any grime and stains inside the microwave. If the stains remain stubborn, microwave the bowl for another 5 minutes. Note: I add several drops of orange essential oil to the water before microwaving as an extra deodorizer!

Happy natural cleaning! Have a wonderful rest of your week! I look forward to having you back for Part 3!

“Kindness…it costs nothing, but means everything.”

Hello everyone and welcome to the weekend! Thank you for being here. Tonight’s post will be Part 1 of some great cleaning solutions using the “Lively Lemon”

Lemon is considered to be the most effective antimicrobial remedies of all essential oils. Next to eucalyptus oil, it is my most favorite oil. The scent is uplifting and cleans the air. Lemons are one of nature’s most versatile fruits, with uses ranging from preserving food to acting as a natural weed killer. Because of the acidic nature of lemons, they can be used to clean, deodorize, or disinfect just about anything. You can bleach your hair, clean your oven, fight a cold, and exfoliate your skin, all with this one ingredient. If you want to avoid toxic cleaning products, expensive skin and hair care regimens, and keep yourself feeling fit and healthy, pick up a few lemons next time you go grocery shopping and put them to work.

One of my go-to uses for lemon oil is the following recipe. I make this in an 8-ounce glass mason jar and use it to deodorize my garbage disposal, kitchen sink drain, and dishwasher. In the glass jar, mix together 3/4 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup table salt, 1/2 teaspoon of Dawn dish soap (the blue variety), and 10 drops of lemon essential oil. Mix thoroughly and put a lid on the jar and store under your kitchen sink. I use 1 tablespoon in my garbage disposal and let it sink for 10 minutes and then rinse with hot water. I will fill the dishwasher container with this solution and run my regular wash cycle.

Our bedroom has full length glass mirror doors which get smudged OFTEN. I do not like using Windex on them to clean them because I do not like using ammonia-based cleaners especially since these doors are in our bedroom. Instead, I take a clean spray bottle and mix 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol and several drops of lemon juice in the bottle and fill the rest of the bottle with warm water. I shake well to mix and spray the glass and clean with a microfiber cloth.

Make an all purpose cleaner! The acidity of lemons makes them a great option for all kinds of cleaning. While different jobs might need slightly different concentrations or ingredients, you can make a powerful all purpose cleaner for daily use with just lemons, white vinegar and water. (I love this one for kitchen counters and bathrooms.) In a glass jar or a clear plastic spray bottle, mix 2 cups of white vinegar, 2 cups of water, and the juice and rinds of 1/2 lemon. Leave the mixture to sit for about 2 weeks in a cool spot out of direct sunlight and then transfer to a spray bottle. TIP: For best results, wait for a few seconds after spraying your cleaner onto a surface before wiping it away, to give it time to work.

Happy cleaning and here’s to a great start to your weekend! I hope you have enjoyed this lemony post. Part 2 will be later this week!

“Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.”

How did I get here? I like to call myself an accidental naturalist! It has been a step by step journey that has led me to my passion…helping others find natural wellness. When my kids were diagnosed with some health issues and were being prescribed medications, and pills and treatments with 5-syllable names and ingredients, my heart told me to find a different way. I camped out at the library, starting reading other natural health blogs, bought my own books, and read and studied and read and studied some more. I turned my kitchen into a mini apothecary of sorts making balms, and lotions, and salves and soaps. After seeing how they have helped my kids, my family and friends asked for them. Now, two years later, I now have a degree as a Natural Health Consultant and desire to be a guide and mentor for others. My goal is to build a community and exchange ideas and knowledge! My motto “Let’s walk on this natural health journey together!”

I do the reading and research so you don’t have to! These are some of my go-to reference guides for recipes, blends, tips and more.

The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood

Essential Oils Pocket Reference Guide Seventh Edition

Essential Wellness by Nancy J. Hajeski

Happy Thursday everyone! Tomorrow is Friday already! Has the past week flown by as fast for you as it did for me? Welcome back to my blog. Tonight’s blog focuses on some great tips using baking soda! It is incredibly effective, inexpensive, and a versatile agent for cleaning and wellness.

A great way we use baking soda in our home is as a cat litter deodorizer. Cover the bottom of your cat’s litter box with baking soda before filling it with cat litter as usual to act as a natural deodorizer. Once the litter box is filled, sprinkle extra baking soda on top as a safe deodorizing boost!

DIY All Purpose Floor Cleaner. If you want a safe, natural floor cleaner for vinyl or tile floors, combine 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda, 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap and 2 gallons of warm water.

Because we have two cats and a dog, we are very conscious of how we clean the couches, mattresses and upholstery on our furniture in a manner that is pet-safe. Once a week, we sprinkle baking soda on mattresses and fabric surfaces and let it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum thoroughly. We use this on our pets’ beds as well!

Calm insect bites and stings. Make a paste of baking soda and water and apply to your skin. Apply the paste up to three times a day. This is an effective method to combat itchy bites as well as painful bee and wasp stings.

Clean your makeup brushes. Soak your brushes in a solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1 cup of water. This will remove any oils, buildup, and residue on your brushes. TIP: We use this process on hairbrushes and combs as well and I soak our toothbrushes in a solution of baking soda and warm water for 30 minutes once a week!!!

Citrus-Honey Mask. Take 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon of honey. Mix ingredients until smooth. Apply to face and gently spread on the skin, do not rub. Rinse after 15 minutes.

Soap Scum Scrub. Take 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of table salt, Warm water, and hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. Mix the salt and baking soda together in a small bowl. Spray the surface well with warm water. Sprinkle liberally with the baking soda mix. For vertical surfaces, add the water to the baking soda and salt to make a paste and rub the paste on the area. Spray to saturate with hydrogen peroxide. Let sit for 15 minutes. Scrub well using a soft brush or sponge. Use a toothbrush to get into tricky areas, such as shower doors and around drains. Rinse well.

Tea Tree Toilet Cleaning Powder and Gel. Powder: Take 1 cup of baking soda and 10 drops of tea tree essential oil. Vinegar. Mix the baking soda and the tea tree oil until well mixed. To Use: Turn the water off to the toilet at the base. Flush to empty the toilet bowl of water. Sprinkle liberally in the toilet bowl. Spray the baking soda mixture with vinegar to fully activate and saturate it. Let sit for 15 minutes. Scrub well with a toilet brush. Turn the water back on and flush.

Happy natural cleaning. Continue to stay safe and well. Enjoy the rest of your week and the weekend and I will see everyone back for a second post for great uses for baking soda!

“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” Henry Ford

VINEGAR cleaning tips and recipes – Part 2! Vinegar has become a staple in my home as a natural cleaning alternative because it is so budget friendly, a little bit goes a long way, and it has many versatile uses. Another of my favorite ways to use vinegar as a cleaning product is for sanitizing my dishwasher. I take baking soda and sprinkle the soda liberally in the bottom of the dishwasher. Then I take a plastic 1 cup measuring container and fill it with vinegar and place it in the top tray of the dishwasher and run on a regular cycle. It deodorizes and cleans any scum especially on the bottom of the appliance. I love it!

Basic Office Dust & Germ Buster: Use this solution to clean the outer surfaces of office equipment including the keyboard, monitor, printer and fax machine. **Avoid the glass. Combine 2 cups of distilled water, 1 cup of white vinegar, 1 teaspoon of grapefruit seed extract and 10 drops of sweet orange essential oil in a plastic spray bottle and shake well. Spray directly onto a dry cloth and wipe surfaces clean.

Easy Glass Cleaner. Combine 1 cup of distilled water, 1 cup of white vinegar, and 10 drops of lemon essential oil in a small plastic spray bottle and shake a few times to blend. Spray a small amount on a dry cloth and wipe surfaces until dry. Shake spray bottle before each use.

To remove tarnish from copper, brass, and pewter cutlery, make a paste with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 white vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon flour. Apply the mixture to the metal and let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse with water and polish with a soft, dry cloth.

Do you need to clear a clogged showerhead? Mineral buildups in your showerhead occur over time, especially if your area has hard water. I have found that this buildup adversely affects water pressure and my shower quality. To dissolve this buildup a tip I do using vinegar is to fill a small plastic bag or Ziploc baggie with vinegar and position the bag so the showerhead sits in the vinegar. Use a rubberband to hold the bag in place and let it sit overnight. Once you have removed the bag, run hot water from the shower to remove any leftover buildup or vinegar.

Have a great week and Happy natural cleaning! Next up: BAKING SODA

HAPPY NEW YEAR and Welcome to 2023! WOW! where did the year go? Welcome to a new series on making your home more natural this year and doing a wellness revamp on your special sanctuary – your home! If it is one of your resolutions this year to ditch the chemically-based cleaners and strive for all natural cleaning, I hope you will follow this blog for tips, recipes, and lists to help you reach this goal.

It is one of the things people desire – a home that is safe, clean, but free of toxic chemicals. There are time-tested natural cleaners that are safe, effective and inexpensive. VINEGAR – is an age old product that can be used as a disinfectant, deodorizer, and surface cleaner. BAKING SODA – a fabulous deodorizer that is a base for many kitchen and bath scrubs and can be used on tile, porcelain and metal surfaces safely to remove grease and grime. SALTS – these are great scouring agents that can be used to clean drains, remove water rings and degrease pots and pans.

Let’s focus today on VINEGAR. To make a window cleaner that is free from harsh chemicals such as ammonia, mix in a spray bottle an equal mixture of distilled water and vinegar. Spray windows or apply with a sponge and wipe clean with a lint-free cloth.

To make a wonderful furniture polish, combine 1/4 cup vinegar with 1 cup of olive oil and either a few drops of lemon or orange essential oil for a deodorizing effect.

I have two favorite uses for vinegar: If you have food buildup in your microwave, combine 1/4 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of water in a bowl. Place the bowl in the microwave and turn on the microwave and run until steam forms on the inside. Turn off the microwave and wait for the bowl to cool. Remove the bowl and wipe down the inside of oven and residue should come off.

I make a great floor cleaner by combining 1/2 cup white vinegar with a half gallon of warm water. I use this on our bathroom linoleum, basement tile, and wooden kitchen floors. I love adding lemon essential oil to the solution when I am spring cleaning. I tested a small amount in a corner spot on each surface before using to be sure!

Sparkling Glasses. Add 1 1/2 to 2 cups white vinegar to the bottom of your dishwasher for sparklingly clean glassware and dishes. Run your dishwasher on its regular cycle with your usual detergent.

Have a wonderful start to your new year! Join me next weekend for Part Two of this Series!

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

My journey for natural health began two years ago when my kids were diagnosed with some health issues and I was concerned with the reactions they had to some of the medications and treatments that were prescribed. I believed there had to be a better way. I started reading, learning, and researching all natural, chemical free alternatives. I am amazed at what is available for treating minor conditions, taking care of your skin, and cleaning your home. I now have a degree as a Natural Health Consultant, and it has become my passion to take what I have learned and do the continuing research so you do not have to! I know so many who want options but don’t know where to begin. Let me help! Let’s journey on this road to natural health together!

A couple of years ago I started scouring through recipes trying to find delicious and refreshing alternatives to soda and sugary drinks. This Hibiscus Lemonade is at the top of my favorites list. INGREDIENTS: 1/4 cup of Dried Hibiscus Flowers (I use Kate Naturals Organic Hibiscus Flowers on Amazon), 1 cinnamon stick, 4 cups of cold water, 1/2 cup of Simple Syrup, 1 lemon. Place the Hibiscus flowers and cinnamon stick in a large bowl or jar. Add the water. Cover and refrigerate overnight (8-12 hours). After refrigerating overnight, strain out all of the flowers. Then add the simple syrup and the juice from the whole lemon. Stir thoroughly and serve over ice. Can be stored in the fridge up to one week! ENJOY!

Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.

— Oscar Wilde.

Welcome back to my LemonandRosemary.blog! I am excited to return to the world of blogging after a short hiatus and relocation to the beautiful Evergreen state of Washington and continuing to share all natural cleaning tips and products, healthy food and drink recipes and self care tips! Thanks for stopping by!