Citrus Cleaner Concentrate

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Citrus Cleaner Concentrate

Save citrus peels (lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange, etc) in a bag in the freezer. When you have a bunch of them, chop very fine in a food processor.

Place chopped peels in a large stainless steel or enamel stockpot and add twice as much water to it (if you have 3 cups chopped peels use 6 cups water).  Cover and bring to boil on high heat; reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off, cover and let sit overnight.

The next day line a strainer with wet cheesecloth and pour contents of your pot in. Work in batches if you have alot. Let it drip for a few hours then pick up the cheesecloth and twist the cloth and squeeze out any remaining juice so you get the most from it.

Pour strained cleaner into an airtight jar and store in the fridge. (be sure to mark the jars that it is citrus cleaner concentrate and not for eating!) This should last for many months

To Use: Add 3 tbsp citrus cleaner concentrate to a gallon of water and use as a mild de-greaser and all purpose cleaner.

If you have made a whole boatload of cleaner at one time you may process it in a waterbath to make it shelf-stable for storage.

Waterbath Directions:
Wash and rinse either pint or quart canning jars. Keep them soaking in hot water along with the flat lids. Set water bath canner filled with water on stove and begin warming. A tall stockpot with a rack or folded tea towel in the bottom can be used if you do not have a water bath canner

Return strained juice to a pan, heat to almost boiling. Ladle into hot pint or quart canning jars leaving 1/4' headspace. Wipe rim of jar with a paper towel and put flat lid on. Screw ring on finger-tight and place in canner on rack.

The water should be 2 inches above the tops of the jars. Bring water to a boil and process for 10 minutes. Do not start timing until water has come to a boil in canner. Remove jars carefully and place on a towel out of drafts. Let cool for 24 hours. You will probably hear the lids make a ping sound. 

The next day remove rings and check to see if all the jars sealed. (press finger in middle of lid and it should not flex at all) The cleaner concentrate can now be stored on a shelf or in a cupboard with the rings off.

If the mixture looks like it has separated this is ok, just give them a shake before opening and using them. Once you open a jar, store in fridge.

Random Quote: He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature. - Socrates

Healing Herbal Salve

Healing Herbal Salve

2 cups olive oil
1/2 ounce (about two tbsp) dried comfrey leaves
1/2 ounce (about two tbsp) dried lavender flowers
1/2 ounce (about two tbsp) dried calendula flowers
1/2 cup beeswax (or 1/4 cup candelilla wax for vegan)

* You can order quality organic dried herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs

Put the olive oil and the herbs in a glass jar set in a pan of water (or crockpot). Gently simmer for 45 minutes (little bubbles around the edges of the oil are okay; but bubbling throughout the mixture means it's too hot).

Pour the mixture through a cheesecloth lined strainer to remove the herbs; discard the herbs and set the oil aside. Melt the beeswax in the top of the double boiler or in a microwave. When the beeswax is melted, add the strained oil and stir until completely blended.

Pour the mixture into small jars or salve tins. When it is cool, label and date it.

The salve should last about a year.

Random Quote - "Nothing is too small to know, and nothing is too big to attempt." - William Van Horne

Laundry Soap Research and Recipe

Ok I know, I know there are already about a million posts on the internet about making your own homemade laundry soap...so why the good gravy do I need to add yet another to the mix?

Well, I've learned a few things while researching and thought I would share that information with you all as well as what recipe I find works best for me.

First the research findings