Environmentally Friendly Cleaning With Products You May Already Have!

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CLEANING PRODUCTS

Rather than buying commercial cleaners, why not try some simple ingredients that most people have at home, or are easily obtainable.  Apart from environmental concerns, allergy sufferers- both those with skin sensitivities and breathing/asthma difficulties- are much less likely to have adverse reactions to these things, however, with any of the stronger natural products, it is still advisable to wear gloves.

Suggested Earth-wise Cleaners: 

Bicarbonate of Soda - Otherwise known as bicarb, carb soda or baking soda, this is a marvellous medium for absorbing odours from fridges, drawers etc. One of the great things about it is that it is a powder, not liquid, so it can be used in even delicate water sensitive items, such as cardboard boxes. Composed of sodium bicarbonate, and mildly alkaline, it is a mild abrasive and therefore is excellent for mild scrubbing. It is low in toxicity and forms a "detergent" which reacts with grease and oil. 

Salt - Salt acts as a scourer and a disinfectant. Excellent for saucepans etc.

Borax - Borax, an alkaline mineral salt, is a wonder cleaner! It dissolves grease, removes stains, disinfects, deodorises and inhibits mould. You can use it as a water or fabric softener. It can be toxic if eaten, so watch animals and children. This toxicity dissipates quickly in the environment however.

Soap Flakes - You should be able to buy pure soap flakes, or you can grate a bar of pure laundry soap to make your own. Store in an air tight container. Pure soap is biodegradable, low toxicity and unlike detergent, does not contribute to algal blooms in rivers.

White Vinegar - Will remove tarnish, bathroom scum and clean toilets, including removing hard water stains. 

Lemon Juice - Lemon juice smells wonderful and is good for deodorising, removing stains and inhibiting mould. Also, as a matter of interest, lemon juice works wonders if squirted into a dog's mouth in a dog fight! Best to avoid the eyes unless unavoidable, although it is a fairly mild acid so will probably only sting and not do any permanent damage. If you do get any in the eyes, rinse out of eyes immediately after the fight is stopped- make sure dogs are fully separated and unable to get near each other again first, or the fight may start again without warning, with you in the middle!
 

Eucalyptus and Tea-Tree Oils - Naturally scented disinfectants- add to hot water. Also, used neat, they are good for removing sticky goo off surfaces, but be careful with some plastics or plasticised surfaces! 

Washing Soda - Consisting of sodium carbonate (moderate alkaline) washing soda is useful in the kitchen for cutting through grease. Also removes stains and softens water.

SEE: More Environmentally Friendly pages.

Cleaning Floors The Environmentally Friendly Way - We Show You How

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CLEANING: FLOORS

Are you among the many people who are becoming concerned that the chemicals we use everyday can damage our health, and the environment? Then no doubt you are interested in finding natural, greener cleaning products to use instead.

Natural cleaners are safer, usually cheaper, equally effective as harsh chemicals, and best of all, you know exactly what you have used. 

Homemade green cleaners usually use only the main cleaning agents and perhaps a natural fragrance, while commercial cleaners often also contain additives such as fragrances and bulking agents, and who knows what else!

If you, or family members, are allergy sufferers- both those with skin sensitivities and breathing/asthma difficulties- you are much less likely to have adverse reactions to environmentally friendly cleaners. However, with any of the stronger natural products, it is still advisable to wear gloves. If you are hyper sensitive, you might also consider wearing eye and breathing protection.


Natural environmental cleaners are more quickly, and fully, biodegradable, are lower in toxicity, and therefore much less harmful to our waterways and wildlife. "Grey water" containing green cleaners is also suitable for re-use on gardens, as a water saving measure, and can even be stored and treated in special tanks for use in toilets or even washing machines.

If you don't have time, or the wish, to make your own cleaners, then try to look out for Environmental Choice logos when choosing commercial products.

Below are some earth-wise floor cleaning ideas:

CARPETS

• Always clean as soon after the spill as possible. Blot, scoop and scrape up what you can.

• Proceed with caution, if at all concerned about colour fastness. An out of the way spot of carpet can be used for testing first, if desired. It may pay to test in advance before a spill occurs, so that you can be ready with the right, safe removing medium right away.

• Soda water can be used to remove odours and mess, such as little pet accidents, spills or vomit. The bubbles help the stain to rise and makes it easier to remove.

• Bicarbonate of soda, either on a damp rag, or sprinkled on and left for 30 minutes before vacuuming, will help absorb odours.

• Bicarbonate of soda or cornflour (for heavy grease stains) used as above will help remove greasy stains.

• To remove wax, scrape off as much as you can.

• Then cover with a paper towel or blotting paper. Hold a hot iron above the paper, while pressing the paper down to blot the wax. You may need to repeat this several times.

• For red wine stain, act quickly. Mop up liquid with cloth. Saturate the spill with white wine. Leave to soak for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water on a clean cloth.

• To remove scuffs use a pencil eraser or eucalyptus oil.

• For rust stains on lino, rub with half a lemon sprinkled with salt.

• Wash an oil finished wood floor with 1 part methylated spirits to 10 parts hot water.

• Buff with dry cloth.

• To remove sticky spills, sprinkle with flour and wipe with a damp cloth.

• Add 2 cups of vinegar to a bucket of warm water to mop tiled floors.

Carpet Cleaning Foam
2 cups pure soap flakes
1/2 cup methylated spirits
25ml eucalyptus oil
1/4 cup washing soda
Combine ingredients and whisk or shake in a jar until dissolved and mixed.
This mixture should be quite thick, but if it becomes to hard to shake to mix completely, you can add a little hot water. Keep in a sealed container.
When needed, mix 3 tablespoons of the mixture with 1 litre of very hot water

and whisk until foamy.
Rub onto the stain and leave to soak for 10-15 minutes.
After the soak, using a sponge dipped in white vinegar, wipe area well.

This neutralises the alkalinity of the foam.

Blot up moisture with a clean absorbent rag.

HARD FLOORS

Bicarb Scouring Paste
8 tablespoons bicarb
2 tablespoon water
Mix into a stiff paste.
Use for scrubbing marks on tiled floors etc.
Rinse or buff off after scrubbing.

Floor Cleaner
**Do not use on wood floors**
6 litres of hot water
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup washing soda
2 tablespoons liquid soap
Combine well in a bucket and mop floor.
Then mop with clean plain water.

SEE: More Environmentally Friendly pages.

Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Tips (Recipes!) For Your Bathroom

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CLEANING IN THE BATHROOM

Here are some useful ideas for giving your bathroom a "green clean".

• Mould on grout can be removed by using Bicarb Scouring Paste (see below) on an old toothbrush. This can also be used on mouldy shower curtains. Alternatively, a paste made from lemon juice, vinegar and borax can be used.

• Soap scum can be removed from a shower screen by using a mixture of 2 parts salt and 1 part vinegar, and rubbing with a rough cloth or scourer.  Then, rub over with a few drops of almond oil to deter recurring build-up.

• To remove hard water or rust stains, mix 1 teaspoon of salt with 1/2 cup of white vinegar, and rub vigorously.

• 1/2 cup of vinegar and 2 litres of water makes an excellent window or mirror cleaner. Doesn't tend to streak like plain water.

• To help stop bathroom mirrors from fogging, wipe over with glycerine, then buff dry with a soft cloth.

• Instead of chemical air fresheners, burn off toilet odours with a scented candle or aromatherapy oil burner.  (Be aware of fire safety!)

• Alternatively, bowls of pot pourri or fragrant flowers can act as natural air fresheners.

• To remove stubborn bowl rings/stains, soak overnight with a paste of borax and lemon juice.  In the morning, scrub and flush before use.

• Bicarb on a toothbrush is good for cleaning nooks and crannies, such as a round taps.  Toothpaste is also great for this!

• To remove grease and scale from around plug holes, rub with half a lemon.
•  Clean toilets by sprinkling dampened bowl with borax, then spraying with vinegar.  Let soak, preferably for an hour or so, then scrub with toilet brush.

Bicarb Scouring Paste
8 tablespoons bicarb
2 tablespoon water
Mix into a stiff paste.
Use for scrubbing tile grout or bathroom surfaces etc.
Rinse or buff off after scrubbing.

Bicarb Household Spray Cleaner
2 teaspoon bicarb
2 teaspoon pure soap flakes
large dash of vinegar or squeeze of lemon
2 cups warm water
Mix until all is dissolved.
Put into a spray bottle and use as a cleaning spray.
Wipe bath, basin, tiles etc with a sponge or cloth.

Mould Inhibiting Spray
2 teaspoons of borax
1 cup of white vinegar
Mix and put into a spray bottle.
Spray on shower tiles etc.
Leave for 30 minutes, then wipe off. 

Fragrant Disinfectant

50 drops of essential oil eg. lavender, lemon, rose

4 tablespoons methylated spirits

1 litre distilled water

Combine methylated spirits and oil in a clean bottle.

Leave for 24 hours.

Add water and put in spray bottle.

Shake bottle before each use.

Spray on bathroom (or other) surfaces,

such as toilet, basin, shower recess

for wonderfully fragrant disinfected areas.

If you don't have time, or the desire, to make your own cleaners, then look out for products with Environmental Choice logos when choosing commercial cleaners.

SEE: More Environmentally Friendly pages.

Cleaning Your Kitchen The Environmentally Friendly Way - We Show You How

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CLEANING IN THE KITCHEN

Keeping a kitchen clean and hygienic, needn't rely on harsh commercial cleaners which can damage our health, and seriously impact on the environment.

Here are some useful ideas for "going green" in the kitchen.

• To refresh your fridge, rub over with a little vanilla essence (pure or mixed with water) and leave a dish of bicarbonate of soda on a shelf at all times to absorb odours.

• To clean and deodorise your microwave, place the juice and cut up skin of a lemon to a bowl of water.  Microwave on high for approx. 5 minutes.  Wipe clean.

• Wipe kitchen surfaces with eucalyptus oil on a damp cloth, to disinfect.

• To clean your oven, wipe out while still warm with a damp cloth sprinkled liberally with carb soda.  If this doesn't remove all grime, make a paste of vinegar and carb soda, apply to oven with a cloth, then leave for an hour.  Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

• To remove hard water or rust stains from sinks, mix 1 teaspoon of salt with 1/2 cup of white vinegar, and rub vigorously.

• 1/2 cup of vinegar and 2 litres of water makes an excellent window cleaner, and doesn't tend to streak like plain water or detergents.

• Bicarb on a toothbrush is good for cleaning nooks and crannies, such as a round taps or sink plug holes.  Toothpaste is also great for this!

• To remove grease and scale from around sink plug holes, rub with half a lemon.

• For burnt on food in a saucepan or baking tray, sprinkle with washing soda and then add boiling water.  Leave for 30-40 minutes.  Then, wash as usual.  Oven racks can be soaked overnight in a solution of 1 cup of washing soda for each litre of hot water.  You may need to use a large plastic tub or your laundry trough to allow racks to be completely submerged.

• Soak kitchen sponges and cloths overnight in a solution of boiling water, a large dash of vinegar and a few drops of eucalyptus or tea-tree oil.  Rinse before use.

Bicarb Scouring Paste
8 tablespoons bicarb
2 tablespoon water
Mix into a stiff paste.
Use for scrubbing stove tops and kitchen surfaces etc.
Rinse or buff off after scrubbing.

Bicarb Household Spray Cleaner
2 teaspoon bicarb
2 teaspoon pure soap flakes
large dash of vinegar or squeeze of lemon
2 cups warm water
Mix until all is dissolved.
Put into a spray bottle and use as a cleaning spray.
Wipe with a sponge or cloth.

Dish washing Detergent

1 cup soap flakes
1 cup washing soda
1 cup vinegar or lemon juice
1/2 cup water
few drops of essential oil of your choosing

Bring water and soap flakes to the boil, reduce heat

and stir until dissolved and smooth.
Remove from heat and stir in washing soda, until fully blended.
Add the vinegar and essential oil.
Use 1-2 teaspoons in a sink of hot water.
Store remainder in a sealed bottle.

Fragrant Disinfectant

50 drops of essential oil eg. lavender, lemon, rose

4 tablespoons methylated spirits

1 litre distilled water

Combine methylated spirits and oil in a clean bottle.

Leave for 24 hours.

Add water and put in spray bottle.

Shake bottle before each use.

Spray on sink or other surfaces,

for wonderfully fragrant disinfected areas.

SEE: More Environmentally Friendly pages.

If you don't have time, or the desire, to make your own cleaners, then look out for products with Environmental Choice logos when choosing commercial cleaners.

Worm Farms - Huge Benefits From Little Critters!

WORM FARMS

Having a worm farm helps reduce the waste sent to landfill, where it can contaminate ground water and produce greenhouse gases. The advantage for us is that it also creates wonderful fertiliser which can be used on the garden.

Worm farming is an excellent way to use up kitchen scraps, garden waste and other scrap materials such as paper and cardboard. Worm farms are relatively inexpensive and, as long as you follow the basic guidelines, easy to operate.

Worm farms, and worms, can easily and quickly be ordered online and posted to you! 

Worms on holiday!

Compost worms are a different variety to common garden worms. Garden worms live at a much deeper level and are unsuitable for worm farms. The common types of compost worms are Tiger Worms, Indian Blues and Red Wrigglers. These worms all look very similar, but it isn't necessary to know which you have if purchasing more worms, as they have similar requirements and will happily coexist.

Compost worms are very hungry little critters and will consume about half of their body weight in scraps every single day! As worms have no teeth, scraps should ideally be chopped up into small pieces. Do not overfeed worms, or the excess food will rot and cause problems in your worm farm environment and attract pests. Allow approximately 1 kg of food scraps per square metre per day, for a well populated worm farm.

The liquid which drains from the bottom of the worm farm can also be diluted and used as a fertiliser. You will achieve really great results with this wonderful natural fertiliser! Be careful to always leave a decent quantity of castings in the worm farm, as the worms require it as a bedding material for breeding.

Worms thrive in a cool, dark, moist environment. Do not handle worms excessively or expose them to prolonged light, or allow them to dehydrate. When setting up your worm farm, spray with a light mist of water. After this, the food scraps should provide adequate moisture. I suggest you do not let the worm farm become too wet, as your worms can drown! Also, protect the worm farm from rain entering it, or spray from sprinklers.

When conditions are right in your worm farm, your worms will double in number every 2 or 3 months. If your worm population becomes too large for your worm farm, you can either start another farm or transfer some of your worms into your compost heap.

As compost worms live in the leafy surface layers, make sure there is a plentiful organic layer present at all times, to give your worms adequate protection from light and drying out.

In the right circumstances compost worms can live happily in compost bins, but it is essential that the temperature in the bin is not too high. Therefore, this practise is probably safer to avoid for the inexperienced, unless you are confident yours is appropriate.


Scraps your worms will enjoy:

• Having pizza? Why not share it with your worms and let them have the box! Soak and shred cardboard, newspaper etc for your worms.

• What about a lovely cup of brewed coffee? Worms love coffee grounds! Make sure they are cool first.

• Worms love their “7 a Day”- give them plenty of fruit and veggie scraps and peelings.

• Rake up your leaves, and other garden waste. Check first if you are concerned a particular plant could be toxic.

• Hair and animal fur.

• Egg Shells.

• Animal droppings can be added, if you wish, however never use droppings from an animal which has recently been wormed (or those on heartworm treatments) as these chemicals will also kill compost worms.

Things you should avoid feeding your worms:

• Citrus, pineapples, onions, shallots, garlic. These contain oils which repel the worms, and may lead to them climbing out of the worm farm to escape the smell!

• Sawdust from treated wood, or other chemically contaminated material.

• Meat and dairy foods- although worms will eat meat etc, it quickly goes off and smells, and also attracts pests such as maggots, rats, mice, wasps etc.

• Human faeces- this is dangerous because of possible contamination and spread of disease.

Worm castings (worm droppings made of the remains of organic material which has passed through the worm) make great nutrient-rich, pH neutral garden fertiliser, which is natural, organic and will not burn plant leaves. 

A handful mixed in a bucket of water can be given to plants once a week or so.

So, why not give some worms a loving home?! You’ll be glad you did.

Check out worm farm retailers, to “adopt your worms” and buy their worm farm home.

Rainwater Tank Tips, Types & Rebates

Rainwater Tanks - Saving Water and Money

On the driest continent on earth it makes sense to save every drop of water possible, especially in light of recent water use restrictions. 


It just makes no sense to waste a perfectly good source of high quality water. A rain water tank can be a wonderful help for your household in dry and drought conditions... or indeed at any time. Clean, fresh drinking water, or supplemental water for your garden or other household needs.

If you are building a new house, in a lot of areas it is now compulsory for domestic rain water tanks to be installed. Rural rainwater tanks are, of course, almost essential for any country property. 

Rain water tanks are the optimal way in Australian conditions to harvest rain water and store it for meaningful use.

Rain water tanks can be bought in a large variety of pre-made styles and sizes, or some companies offer made to order tanks.




Slimline rainwater tanks 

These have the advantage of being available in a variety of sleek shape contours and sizes, so that they can fit into small cramped spaces. Perfect if you have little or no backyard, or if a slimline tank would just be the best option for the space you wish to install it.


Modular rain water tank

With similar advantage to slimline models, these come in different sizes, with varying numbers of modules to suit any size space or rainwater needs.


Water Wall 

Narrow, tall wall like rain water tank constructions. Useful for long spaces, with not much depth.


Inground Rainwater Tanks

Installed under ground these tanks are ideal for limited space. They can be placed underneath a driveway or pathway, still allowing for traffic-able use of this area. These tanks can be small, just for short term use, or can also be quite large, if you wish, enabling you to use them as rain water storage tanks.


Rain Water Bladders 

New flexible rainwater storage systems that can be placed under decks or floors making it much more discrete than traditional water tanks. Yard space is also not taken up by this system. 

The bladders are made from puncture resistant PVC material. They can store large amounts of water out of sight under your house or deck, as they are able to capture rainfall from most of the roofed area of your house, rather than just one or two collection points like a traditional rain tank. 

You may install as many bladders as you wish, or have room for. For ease of installation they can also be rolled or folded to fit through small access points.

Rainwater tanks can be made of several different materials:

Poly/Plastic rain water tanks
Light and strong, with a wide variety of sizes and shapes.

Fibreglass rainwater tanks
Also light and reinforced for strength. Many shapes and sizes available.

Concrete rain water tanks
Concrete tanks come in two types - either delivered complete, or poured on site.

Galvanized Steel rain water tanks
These days, most metal tanks are lined with a special liner material. These polyethylene linings prevent corrosion and ensure water quality.


Other points to consider are rain water tank pumps, to pump the water to your house, or other areas, the technicalities of plumbing your rainwater tank both on the collection and use sides, and rain water tank filters to ensure your water is free of debris and impurities. 

You should also ensure that leaf gutter guards are fitted to your gutters, and potential mosquito larvae infestation of your rain water tank is considered.

Recycled Grey Water Tanks 

There are even tanks which can hold and make use of shower and dish washing water etc. Revolutionary greywater treatment systems can enable you to treat your greywater and store it for as long as you like and then recycle it in the garden, use it to flush toilets and even re-use the water in the washing machine.


In most areas rainwater tank cost can be offset by government rainwater tank rebates, so check with your state government.



Information on RAINWATER TANK REBATE SCHEMES
across Australia:

QUEENSLAND
Brisbane & All QLD: http://www.nrw.qld.gov.au/water/saverscheme/index.html

Beaudesert Shire: http://www.bsc.qld.gov.au/council_information/Waterwise/Waterrebates.asp

Brisbane City Council: http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:BRISWATER::pc=PC_1460

Gold Coast City Council: http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/t_gcw.asp?PID=3992

Ipswich City Council: http://www.ipswichwater.com.au/environment/rebate/latest_news.php

Logan City Council: http://www.logan.qld.gov.au/LCC/residents/water/051209WaterSavingIncentives.htm

Pine Rivers Shire: http://www.prsc.qld.gov.au/c/prsc?a=da&did=1162798&pid=1128140783

Redcliffe City Council: http://www.redcliffe.qld.gov.au/water4.htm#Redcliffe%20Water%20rebates


NEW SOUTH WALES
Sydney: http://www.sydneywater.com.au/SavingWater/InYourGarden/RainwaterTanks/index.cfm

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Canberra: http://www.thinkwater.act.gov.au/tune-ups_rebates/rainwater_tank_rebate.shtml

VICTORIA
Melbourne & All VIC: http://www.ourwater.vic.gov.au/ourwater/dsenowof.nsf/

Northwest VIC: http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/dpi/nrenfa.nsf/LinkView/

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Adelaide & All SA:http://www.sawater.com.au/SAWater/YourHome/SaveWaterInYourGarden/Rainwater+Tanks.htm

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Perth & All WA:  http://water.wa.gov.au/portal/page/portal/WiseWaterUse/WaterwiseRebates/

Good luck with finding the best rainwater tank solution for your rain harvesting needs.

Your Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Toolbox

Keeping your home clean doesn't have to rely on using harsh, environmentally damaging chemicals.  You can use many safe substances you probably have around your house as cleaners and also recycle items as cleaning tools.

Please Note:  With all of these ingredients, test first on inconspicuous areas.  Also, wear rubber gloves if you have sensitive skin.  If a rash develops, wash well in cold water.  Other than obvious food type ingredients, please don't allow  in your mouth... or eyes.

Salt
The granular formation of salt helps scour.  I use this regularly on my stove top and it works well.  It is also a disinfectant.

Bicarbonate of Soda (aka carb soda, bicarb, baking soda)
Absorbs odours and spills.  Place in an open container in your fridge to absorb fridge smells, sprinkle on your carpet and vacuum, add to cat litter in litter trays.  Mix with vinegar or lemon juice for a nice cleaning 'fizz'!

Borax
Multi benefits such as removing stains and grease, deodorising, disinfecting and inhibiting mould.  Although any toxcicity from borax quickly dissipates in the environment, please be careful and do not allow it in your mouth!

Washing Soda
Good stain remover, degreaser and water softener.

Dishwashing Liquid
This cleans more than dishes!  You can use this alone as a cleaner for all kinds of things, or mix with salt or bicarb.  Mix some with water and put in a spray bottle as your own mild spray on cleaner.  Make sure you find an environmentally friendly dishwashing liquid.

Soap Scraps
Keep the remnants of your environmentally friendly soap and grate it to make soapy cleaning flakes.  Dissolve soap bits in a little hot water to make a thick cleaning cream gel.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste is a mild abrasive cream, plus leaves a pleasant minty scent.

Soda water
Use on carpets.  The bubbles help raise the stain to the surface, where it can more easily be removed.  Also helps eliminate odour.

Potato
Cut a potato in half and dip in carb soda.  Use this to remove rust by rubbing the potato on the rusty area.

Grapefruit
Once again, cut in half.  Sprinkle with salt.  Use to scrub limescale, then rinse.

Bananas
Use the inside of a banana skin to spot clean leather, then wipe with damp rag.

Lavender Oil
Great as an anti-bacterial agent and for deterring mildew... with a lovely scent to boot!

Eucalyptus & Tea Tree Oils
Removes sticky substances brilliantly.  Natural disinfectants.

Essential Oils
Can be added to various other cleaning agents to add a delightful scent to your room and many also have mild disinfectant properties.

Vanilla
A great safe natural substance for wiping out your fridge.  Put a few drops in warm water and wipe over surface.  No need to rinse.


Old Toothbrushes
Excellent little scrubbing brushes for hard to reach or tight areas.

Orange Bags
Knot up into a suitable scourer size.  Great for scrubbing bathtubs.

Body Cleaning Equipment
You can also use old nail brushes, personal body cleaning sponges, poufs etc as cleaning tools, once it's time to replace them.

Sugar & Spice & All Things Nice- Making Your Own Scented Sugar Scrubs

Sugar scrubs are great non-toxic products to gently exfoliate dead skin cells and give your skin a healthy glow.  They are also really easy to make yourself!

To use, just scoop out a small palm full of sugar scrub into your hand and gently rub on your skin for a few seconds or so, with a circular motion.  Rinse well.  If you like, end your rinsing with a cold rinse, to help close pores.
Caution: don't use on the skin close to your eyes, as the scented oils or gritty sugar could sting.  Also, your eye skin is particularly fragile and tender, so best not to use something which is a little abrasive there.

Sugar Scrub Basics

It's basically super easy!  Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, then scoop into a container with a lid.  The following tips should help make it more foolproof.

Add essential oils or other fragrances, or colourings gradually, drop by drop, until you have the scent and colour you desire.  It's easier to add more than to try to fix a problem of too much!

Suggested oils are olive, coconut, avocado and almond.  If you don't want to combine a coconut scent with other scents, used refined coconut oil... conversely if you want a coconut scent, use unrefined!

You can use a mix of oils, if you like, rather than just one, for their various properties.

When adding oil, don't add quite all of it to begin with.  Check the consistency and see what you think.  Add more if you like.  Some people like a drier scrub, others prefer it softer.  You may not end up needing all you measured out, or you may decide to add even more.  It's up to personal taste.

If you are using coconut oil, which is solid unless you are having quite hot weather, you should melt this first by placing it in a container that will safely float in another container of hot water, without tipping over.  It shouldn't take long to melt, then remove and add to other ingredients and mix right away, before it sets again.

If you add a few drops of Vitamin E it acts as a preservative and helps your sugar scrub last longer... although you may easily use it up before it deteriorates anyway!

Put your jar of sugar scrub in the fridge or freezer to firm up.  You don't have to keep it in the fridge afterwards, however it may prolong its lasting capacity.  Especially if it contains coconut oil, you may wish to remove it from the fridge a while before use, to allow the consistency to soften a little.  If you aren't keeping it in the fridge and it becomes quite soft on in hot weather, just pop it in the fridge or freezer for a while before use.

Try our these great sugar scrub recipes, or experiment with your own!

Sugar & Spice Sugar Scrub

* With this recipe, it is best to mix all the dry ingredients well before adding the oil.

1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp mixed spice
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2/3 cup oil


Honey Vanilla Sugar Scrub

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 cup oil
2 tablespoons honey
¼ teaspoon or more pure vanilla extract



Lemon Sugar Scrub

1 cups white sugar
1/3 cup oil
Zest from 1/2 - 1 lemon
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Few drops of lemon essential oil
1 drop yellow food colouring



Chocolate Sugar Scrub

1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons or more cocoa powder * mix into sugar before adding oil
2/3 cup oil


Mint Sugar Scrub

2 cups white sugar (to get the pale, delicate colours for this, brown sugar is often too dark)
1/2 cup oil
1 tablespoon peppermint extract, or a few drops of peppermint essential oil
1 drop (or more... but start with 1) of green food colouring

To make a Candy Cane Mint scrub, before you add food colouring divide your mixture in half.  Leave half white and colour the other half with red food colouring.
Layer the mixture in the jar with alternate white and red layers.