Forum Thermomix
Thermomix Recipes for TM5 and TM31 => Non Food Recipes => Topic started by: Brumington on September 10, 2012, 10:46:03 am
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I'm aiming at becoming more 'natural' with my cleaning gear and after reading lots I have made my own spray and wipe which I think is absolutely amazing (even thou I do say so myself! ;) ). It cuts through grease, cleans everything with ease, leaves the house smelling nice and doesn't leave a residue. It takes some forward planning but is well worth the effort. I am unable to credit any websites here as it resulted from lots of reading and I can't for the life of me remember which ones gave me the ideas. I do know that the mix ratio and ingredients came from Stay At Home Mum but the additional idea....who knows? If this is anything like an idea from another forum member I apologise in advance.
OK.....
Get yourself a clean jar. I used an old Mocconna coffee jar. Whenever you use a citrus fruit, instead of throwing the skin away, put the waste in the jar and cover with white vinegar. Keep adding until the jar is full and leave it to 'mature'. I think at least a couple of weeks (but this will not be a problem once you've made the first batch cause your next lot will be maturing while you use the first lot).
In a spray bottle mix a 'splash' of eucalyptus oil, half a cup of your citrus vinegar mix (mine was really orange in colour) and fill the rest up with water.
Give it a good shake and go to town!
I really love this. Today it has cleaned my walls, skirting, bathrooms, toilets, greasy hand prints on my cupboards, my SS hob (wow!) and is great at removing children's mess on a glass dining table (i know, what on earth were we thinking?!). It is so good that after breakfast I sprayed and cleaned up the mess but then for lunch and dinner I just had to wipe with a wet cloth and it came up really clean again. The bonus is my house smells beautiful too!
Hope somebody tries this out and loves it as much as me. This and JD's glass cleaner are the only things I think I really need in the cleaning cupboard (OK, and maybe a bit of Gumption for the Thermy!).
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Sounds good brumington, might give this a go once my miracle spray runs out.
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I thought I should add a photo to show why I love this so much. I'm actually ashamed that I allowed my hob to get this filthy but in my defence it is the stuff you can't see under the gas rings!
The 'before' shot is taken with some spray and wipe on it. I left it for a couple of mins and it literally came off with next to no scrubbing.
"http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8448/7969973686_a323d329e9.jpg"
Hope the link works.
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Brumington your stove looks fantastic! I have been using vinegar water and eucalyptus oil for about 6 years now and love it - i think i got the idea from Shannon Lush initially. But I've never thought of infusing the vinegar with citrus peel - great idea.
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Wow Brumington, this sounds fantastic. I will have to get started on this. Clever lady!
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Me, too!! :D
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Great photo Brumington, stove top looks brand new. Such a cheap, easy solution to make too. Thanks for that, it should smell fantastic.
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Wow wow wow, gonna make some of this for sure
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i have started mine cleaner a few days ago
can use just the peel to make marmalade
if you have pressure cooker give this ago it sound quick and easy
save citrus peel for a few weeks in the fridge. Throw it all in the pressure cooker with enough water to cover. Cook for about 10 mins. Mash it all up with a potato masher, add egual weight of sugar and boil till it sets on a saucer. Makes brilliant marmalade.
i will find the link and add it
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I started some of this a couple of days ago. I used limes not lemons so will have to see how it goes.
Marie
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Hi Marie, I have chopped up some lemons and started this too, I love the miracle spray and this can only improve it, I don't have a pressure cooker so will boil it up in the TMX do you think that would work.
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AB
the original copy and paste
If you have a pressure cooker....save citrus peel for a few weeks in the fridge. Throw it all in the pressure cooker with enough water to cover. Cook for about 10 mins. Mash it all up with a potato masher, add egual weight of sugar and boil till smakk amount sets on a saucer. Makes brilliant marmalade! Can be done without a pressure cooker but takes a lot longer to become soft enough for mashing
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I didn't cook it at all. Just let the citrus skin sit in the vinegar and let the oils seep out over time. It doesn't matter what citrus you use. Whatever you've used in your cooking. I had lemon, orange and mandarin skin in mine. My second batch is maturing in the cupboard and will be ready as soon as the first lot runs out. It's only really the first batch that you have to patiently wait for!
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sorry :-))
i think there has been a misunderstanding
i was trying to say you can marmalade with just the peel
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Getting our wires crossed here, I thought you cooked the spray and wipe solution. Oh well sorted now thanks girls.
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Gotta try this one. I love the idea that's it's all natural ingredients.
Can you clean the oven with this too?
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Got mine going ;)
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Gotta try this one. I love the idea that's it's all natural ingredients.
Can you clean the oven with this too?
I did the oven door and it works really well. I'm hoping to pull the door apart and do it properly when I get the chance. I haven't actually done the body of the oven yet. I think it'll work really well though. Perhaps give it time to work a bit of magic! You might have inspired me to clean my oven tomorrow. If I get the chance i will and then I'll report back.........
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I've got mine going. Unfortunately we had some lemons sitting on the bench for intended use and fruit flies have moved in. Damn have had to throw them out cold turkey as to peel them would have dispersed them. I have some peelings in vinegar and will ask our neighbour to save a couple so I think we will have enough to have a good brew happening. Love it! Nearly at the end of Miracle Spray so a timely comparison.
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Oven door before.......
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8301/7984223293_347490d6b2.jpg
Oven door after......
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8169/7984231548_a557e8fc58.jpg
;D
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love it Brumington
how long did u leave it on b4 cleaning wiping it off
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A couple of minutes at most. I then cleaned with a Brillo pad. It took more effort than the hob but still not a great deal of elbow grease. I'm absolutely loving this stuff.
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Wow that's a big difference much cleaner
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Thanks for testing it out on the oven Brumington. It looks great.
I've started my first batch and might even clean the oven for the new owner when it's time to move out soon.
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This stuff looks amazing. I'll have to get some brewing.
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I just started my first brew of this one - the peel of one huge orange filled the jar I am using so it won't be long and I will have several jars on the go and can give them away to friends.
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I just started my first brew of this one - the peel of one huge orange filled the jar I am using so it won't be long and I will have several jars on the go and can give them away to friends.
Another homemade cleaning product for your cleaner to try Judy. ;)
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You are right CC, if they are happy using them I will happily make them.
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Started today with peel from a clementine, will they do do you think?
Got the vinegar already.
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Hi DJ, first time I've been able to catch up with you for ages. Hope all is falling into place for you and going well. I don't see why clementines wouldn't work, they are citrus, after all.
My jar is about ready to be used so might try it this weekend. Got to admit, though, that I really like the miracle spray so it will be interesting to see how this citrus one goes.
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Thanks cuilidh, I started a budget meals thread, more news there.
We are moved by no jobs yet.
Recovering from a bug as well.
Trying to come on here a little more too, to catch up and feel human again.
X
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I think any citrus will do. My first batch had all sorts in it! Will be interesting to see how you all go.
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I've had my citrus peel marinating for a month. I must buy a spray bottle next week so I can make some up. :)
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Me too, Julie. I was going to do it this weekend, but it will be next weekend now before I can do it.
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I mixed up my first batch of this solution this week but hadn't really done many jobs with it until today.
Just cleaned the glass stove top, the glass spashback, the kitchen sink and the window behind the kitchen sink plus a couple of white painted cupboard doors. Brilliant - used Helene's scrubbies in conjection with the spray then dried off with an old towelling tea towel.
Just loving all these cheap, homemade cleaning products and this one is a change from the Miracle Spray with the smell of Eucalyptus oil. I don't know that one is better than the other with what I've cleaned so far but it's nice to have a different smell in the house at times and I do have a problem using the eucalyptus one at night as the smell seems much stronger and it seems to irritate my nose. Citrus smells are always fresh and lovely though so I can't see me having the same problem if I clean at night with this one.
Thanks Brumington. A winner for sure.
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Good to read a comparison between the two sprays, Judy. I've got to admit, I like the eucalyptus smell of the miracle spray - but the citrus one has some in it as well - does the aroma of the citrus smell more strongly than the eucalyptus? I think it would be good to have two different sprays, if their cleaning properties are much the same as each other you can then use whichever one suits your mood at the time!
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I can hardly smell the eucalyptus oil at all Marina! In fact I even forgot I put a splash in it. I just opened the spray bottle and the eucalyptus oil is quite dominant yet when I use the spray, it isn't which is weird.
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Glad you liked it JD. ;D
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I was just wondering if the eucalyptus oil in this would leave an oily residue on what you were cleaning? Like windows/splashbacks for example??
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Not that I've noticed Karen. I alternate between this and my window cleaning spray which is a splash of cloudy ammonia, a squirt of dishwashing liquid and water. I don't have to do mine very often as I rarely use the stove-top.
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What size spray bottle did uou use? I have made it in a 750ml bottle but wondered whether perhaps you had used a smaller one? It certainly works nicely and smells very nice too.
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Fantastic.. Love it and will definatelt be trying this soon 😀
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Finally got to use this today, after having my lemons soaking in the vinegar for some months in the pantry (been busy with finishing the building and knee replacement) It cleaned the tiles and glass in the toilet and showers really well. Still need to use a bit of elbow grease on the scum on the tiles, but no more than those toxic products, and all looks beautifully shiny and clean. Did get a bit of a headache from the eucalyptus oil, but I had used a 100% product purchased from the distillery on KI that I purchased on a trip sometime ago, so may have used a bit more than a "splash". Will keep on using this and now need to look at the natural washing soap powder and the dishwashing stuff also. Happy cleaning. :-))
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I haven't read all the replies yet, I got excited by this thread!!
When I make lemonade and my kettle is a bit dirty on the inside, I put the lemon leftovers in the kettle, fill with water, boil, let cool, and boil again and all the water residue (mineral stuff, usually reddish here in Perth) disappears!
Rinse the kettle and it's good as new!!!
I'm definitely going to try your trick as I have two lots of lemon leftovers and no dirty kettle!!!
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i did make this last year and i am still looking for it, i have looked everywhere, i hope DH didnt eat it :-))
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After using both this and Miracle Spray for a while now, I've got to say I much, much, much prefer Miracle Spray ... just a personal preference, I guess, but I find it works better (and I love the eucalyptus smell of M.S).
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i did make this last year and i am still looking for it, i have looked everywhere, i hope DH didnt eat it :-))
:D :D
that's so funny!!!!!
I'm wondering if you also use lemons from lemonade, which might have some sugar in them?
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ok me again, :) so just the skins, not the pulp leftover?
For instance I juiced a lemon, and was going to chuck the whole thing in the jar?
I don't want anything rotting on me! :-))
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France i used just the skin/peel none of the pulp
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Thank you fundj&e!! I better go dish that pulp out! and not use my lemonade leftovers! It'll take a lot longer that way *giggle*
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I am still awaiting a response to what size bottle you used?????????????
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i think most spary bottle are 500mls if yours is a 750mls one i would use more of the lemon/ vinegar mix
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I really must make some of this when we get home. Life is just too busy, not to mention that I keep forgetting.
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I am still awaiting a response to what size bottle you used?????????????
So sorry to have missed your question. It was a 500ml bottle.
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Thank you very much for the reply - I used a 750ml bottle and it was not a miracle spray - I will add more of my lemon concentrate to the next one.
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do you leave the peel in the completed mixture, or just the liquid?
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I took the peel out when I made this one ratacactus.