Got Evergreens? After the holidays, the decorations come down and there are lines of trees at the curb ready for pick up, or at least that is what our neighborhood looks like about two weeks after the holiday hustle and bustle calms and the New Year passes. Well, I have a solution for you - make your own household cleaner with your post-holiday decor! And honestly, any time of the year.
For a few years now, I have tried to my hand at making our own household products from detergent and dish soap to toothpaste and deodorant. I have tested a few different recipes over the years and nailed down recipes that my family and I enjoy. And now, I plan to share each of those recipes with you!
Disclaimer: Now, just so that we are on the same page, I am not a registered cleaning expert nor have I taken classes to study foraging or medicinal properties of plants, but I have done a lot of research and all of my information is sourced from books that I have at home. Please see my source list at the bottom of this post.
Up first: Spruce, Pine, or Fir and Vinegar Household Cleaner from Post-Holiday Decor!
HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SPRUCE, PINE, and FIRS?
Spruce - The needles sprout off the branch singularly and if you pick them off the branch, the needle rolls easily between your fingers. The needles are more square, but still roll.
Pine - If the needles are gathered together in groups of two, three or five and sprout off the branch in those groupings, it is a pine tree variant.
Fir - The needles sprout off the branch singularly and if you pick them off the branch, the needle DOES NOT roll easily between your fingers and is more flat than a spruce tree needle. The needle is flat and usually has a white line underneath the needle.
BENEFITS OF THE INGREDIENTS:
Spruce - This conifer is antifungal, antimicrobial, and antiseptic, which makes for a great cleaning ingredient. If you have ever heard of pine needle tea, well spruce is great too as it is extremely high in vitamin C, contains vitamin A and E, and a good source of minerals such as magnesium and potassium. It has also traditionally been used for coughs and colds because it soothes sore throats.
Pine - This conifer is also anti-fungal and antimicrobial. As an essential oil, it can remove harmful bacteria, molds and yeast. It also has anti-inflammatory properties which offers relief in sinus and lung congestion.
Fir - This conifer is antibacterial and antimicrobial. It repeals against odors. It can fight off infections and soothe sore throats. It also has a very nice, natural scent that is a bit more mild than spruce and pine.
Distilled White Vinegar - The acidic nature of vinegar is so powerful it can dissolve mineral deposit, dirt, grease, and grime. It’s also strong enough to kill bacteria.
Citrus Peels - The peels have antibacterial properties, which can kill germs. It is also a natural deodorizer due to the acids and can help reduce smells in the kitchen and bathroom. They also have antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties.
Cinnamon - And like all of the above, cinnamon has natural antibacterial properties which kills bacteria on surfaces and is antimicrobial. Like citrus, cinnamon neutralizes odors.
Now, fresh is best, but in a pinch an older Christmas tree will do just fine. I have tried both and I prefer a fresh cut of needles and branches because the scent is much richer and takes less time to infuse into the vinegar. But again, less waste and finding creative uses for your old post-holiday decor is a win-win in my mind! Also, you can add some essential oil into your infused vinegar for a stronger scent and boost the cleaning power.
THE RECIPE:
Place your mason jar and lid in a pot of boiling water to disinfect. Or, in the oven, if you used that method before. Completely dry the mason jar before using.
Gather branches from a Spruce, Pine or Fir tree. Or, a mix! Cut away as much of the the thick branch that you can and leave the branches with the most needles.
Stuff your mason jar with the needles. I like to layer the branches with the cinnamon sticks and citrus rinds and alternate as I fill the jar.
Once the jar is packed, cover the ingredients with white distilled vinegar to the top of the jar. Cover.
Place the jar in a dark place for up to 6 weeks. If you are a little weary about keeping it out, you can place in the fridge but this lengthens the amount of time by double. Also, if you used an older tree from your post-holiday decor, you may need to check the scent and leave for a couple of more weeks. I like to leave it in a cupboard.
After six weeks, strain the infused vinegar from the needles and pour into a glass spray bottle. I recommend using an amber glass bottle if the spray will stay where light can penetrate the glass. I had old glass spray bottles from a past essential oil cleaning subscription, so I still use those bottles and keep them in a cabinet.
I have four spray bottles and keep them around the house for use. I have two for glass and countertops, which is a diluted mix and two for the bathroom and kitchen, which is not diluted. See details below.
WHAT TO CLEAN:
Glass - I use a one part water to 2 parts vinegar
Countertops - I use a one part water to 2 parts vinegar
Faucets - I use the undiluted pine vinegar
Showers and Tubs - Spray the undiluted pine vinegar and let sit for several minutes before wiping and washing away. You can add some baking soda for some extra power to scrub away the grime.
Toilets - Pour undiluted vinegar in the bowl and let sit while you clean the house, brush and flush away. For this, I like to use the spray of pine vinegar after I pour white distilled vinegar in the bowl to sit.
AVOID:
Do not use this spray on marble, limestone, grout, or varnished surfaces and hardwood flooring because the acid will break down the material and ruin the surface.
Do not mix with bleach or sodium percarbonate as this creates a toxic reaction that is no bueno.
Do not mix with castle soap - this negates the cleaning properties.
I hope you find this post both inspirational and educational. Let me know if have embarked on your own homemade cleaning and household product journey, or if you are new and any concerns you have. I'd love to know both and answer any questions that you may have about making your own products.
All my light. All my love.
Namaste,
Jordan
My Gear: I am not affiliated with any of the below, I just have an interest in sharing my knowledge and what has helped me in my healing journey.
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