Springtime is full of fun activities like gardening and crafting. The warmer weather is also ideal for cleaning. While it may be as not as fun as other spring activities, I always feel better when things are cleaned and organized. The following recipes and tips can help make the process a little easier, and maybe even a little enjoyable. =) I’m right in the middle of the book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” and I haven’t even gotten through the first 10% and I’m already inspired to clean, organize and throw things out! =)
Soaping can be a messy process. There are several ways to clean after making cold process soap, including washing the dishes right away. You can also let your tools sit (unattended, on a high shelf so little hands can’t grab them) for 48-72 hours. During that time, the soap saponifies and hardens, allowing you to scrape it out and wash your equipment. Learn more in the Soapy Session Clean Up Guide.
Spring is also a great time to clean soap molds. When cared for properly, soap molds can last for years. Silicone molds should be washed with warm water and dish soap. Wood molds should be cleaned with 99% isopropyl alcohol and a clean paper towel. After they’re clean, you can go the extra mile and shine your wood molds with Simple Citrus Furniture Polish. The combination of beeswax, olive oil and castor oil will make your molds look new, condition it and help keep your mold in top-top shape for years (even decades as some of my older molds can attest to). Read more mold care tips here.
Organizing is another aspect of spring cleaning. While you’re caring for your molds, you may notice there are some you want to give away or sell. There are several factors to consider before parting with your supplies, such as the condition of your supplies, and if you have the time and energy to organize a sale. Get more tips in the Declutter It Up post. I’m personally posting a bunch of my knitting supplies on EBay during my decluttering process and while it’s sad to see them go, I’m excited to have space in my life for more crafty things that I can do with my kiddos.
If you have leftover soap after organizing, you can use it for laundry soap. Handmade laundry soap is made with a variety of ingredients like baking soda and borax. It’s also a great way to use lye heavy soap. Click through the Three DIY Laundry Soap Recipes to learn more.
To fight stains in your kitchen and bathroom, you can use the Crisp Orange Cleaning Spray. The spray is made with hydrogen peroxide, vinegar and 99% isopropyl alcohol to make the surfaces in your house shine. It also has Peppermint Essential Oil, 1st Distill and Orange Valencia Essential Oil to give your home a fresh scent. To keep your bathroom smelling fresh in between cleanings, you can use the Fizzy Toilet Fresheners. They fill your bathroom with a clean mix of Lemon Essential Oil and Peppermint Essential Oil, 2nd Distillation. The sodium bicarbonate and citric acid help combat residue and stains.
Room spray is another way to freshen your house. The Springtime Room Spray is scented with Spring Meadow and Crisp Apple Rose. It will make any room in your house smell like a spring garden.
Top row: Fizzy Toilet Fresheners
Bottom row, left to right: Springtime Room Spray, Crisp Orange Cleaning Spray
One cleaning ingredient we always have on hand is 99% isopropyl alcohol. Alcohol helps clean off soaping equipment, as well as any surfaces you may have spills. It also helps remove leftover scent from molds. Read more in the Sunday Night Spotlight: 99% Isopropyl Alcohol post. Baking soda is another staple. It is a gentle exfoliant, which is great for scrubbing away dirt and grime. Read more about it here.
While spring is almost over, it’s not too late to get all your spring cleaning done before the summer heat. Do you have a handmade cleaning product you love to use? I’d love to hear the recipe!
