DIY Cleaning Products

We have (for what seems like forever) been struggling with one of my girls who gets eczema. It seems like we have tried everything - changing her diet, changing bath products, trying every cream there is, and nothing seems to work. It always comes back. I believe that healing her eczema has to come from the inside out, but there are definitely irritants in our everyday life which make it worse and that I want to try and eliminate. 

So I became a little research crazy as I do when I get into something I'm passionate about, and couldn't believe what companies can put in their products - and don't even have to tell us about! They don't have to put the ingredients on the product which to me screams we have something to hide. This scared me a bit, and I have become really interested in natural alternatives now. I don't want to use anything that might harm or irritate my daughters skin, or that might be harmful to my family in any way. I understand it's not for everyone, but for me it gives me peace of mind that I'm doing this one little thing for our health. Especially when my daughter has a flare up, I will do anything if it may have a positive effect on her.

Through all of my research I have found some great recipes for making my own products. The two I am sharing with you today are using the ingredients I found in most recipes and that I found worked the best personally. They are so easy, and real money savers, as well as being natural and you know exactly what is in them - no hidden nasties. Once you stock up on the ingredients you need you can easily whip up more when you run out.
The first two I am sharing with you are a Washing Powder, and an All Purpose Kitchen Spray. Make sure you read my notes after the recipes for some product tips.

All Purpose Kitchen Spray:

800ml Water
1t Baking Soda
Few drops of Liquid Castile Soap (see notes below about my fave)
10 Drops of Essential Oil - lavender or vanilla are nice

Pour all ingredients into a 1L spray bottle. Shake well before each use to disperse the oil.

I just love this spray, I find it works much better than my store bought chemical cleaner, and smells much nicer too! You can use other essential oils if you like.


Washing Powder:

1 cup Washing Soda Ash
1 cup Baking Soda
60ml of Liquid Castile Soap 
6 drops Essential Oil - lavender is nice

Mix the baking soda and washing soda together in a food processor, then drizzle in the liquid soap and essential oil. Process until it is well mixed through and it will look just like store bought washing powder. Store in an air-tight container and use about 2T per wash.


Notes: Washing Soda Ash can be purchased in most health shops. I bought mine on Trade Me (New Zealand buy/sell website), a 2kg bag for just $9.

You can use 1/2 bar (grated) of soap instead of the liquid soap if you like. The brand I used is Dr Bronner's Castile Liquid Soap Baby Mild - as I know it's ok for my girls and has no nasties. You can purchase it here.

You need to use the real deal essential oil (the expensive stuff!) I found a great range at the local health shop for around $12-$15 a bottle. It may pay to avoid the essential oil if anyone in your family has eczema - fragrance can often be an irritant.