Cheap Vodka - not just for college drinking games!

Skol!

Boy, I feel like I'm at a Vikings game again. Or am underage. 

Today is Monday and for me that means bathroom cleaning day. I've taken to following a cleaning schedule since we moved into the new house. It's worked out really well thus far. Each daily task only takes about 30 minutes or so. When I've got a little extra time, I try to check off one of the monthly or quarterly to-dos. I'll post about that at some point, but for now, Skol!

I've been slowly but surely getting rid of all purchase, chemical cleaners in our house and switching over to DIY organic cleaners. With the girls I just didn't want things around that they could accidently swallow or were just really not good for our bodies. With news about kids eating laundry pods because they looked like candy, I wanted to take a totally different approach and feel like I'd made our home a little more kiddo friendly. Also, when cleaners are classified by OSHA as "hazardous" causing skin corrosion or irritation and serious eye damage/eye irritation, well I want to think that there are better, non-corrosive, non-irritation options. 

Now, a quick note. Do cleaners come with instructions for safe use? Of course they do. Do any major companies expect you to go squirting a bathroom cleaner in your eye? Nope. Do we keep our cleaners up high and away from the kids? You bet. Yet, according to the CDC,
                        
                        "every day, over 300 children in the United States ages 0 to 19 are treated in an emergency department, and two children die, as a result of being poisoned. It’s not just chemicals in your home marked with clear warning labels that can be dangerous to children. Chemicals in and around the home can poison people or pets and can cause long-term health effects. Every 13 seconds, a poison control center in the United States answers a call about a possible poisoning. More than 90% of these exposures occur in the home".

So, that's a little scary to think about, huh? The Environmental Working Group is a fantastic resource for finding out more about your current cleaning products and safer alternatives. They rate and review most over-the-counter brands and products. Their website states that "products with artificial fragrances can trigger allergies, and products can contain low levels of formaldehyde (a carcinogen) without disclosure, among others, which can lead to birth defects in pregnant women using the cleaners". Who needs that?!?!

Okay, enough soap box. The point is, I decided to do my best to go green and organic and get rid of the chemicals as much as possible in the house. So, here we are, back at bathroom cleaning day and in need of cheap vodka. 

See, vodka is not just great for lemonade.  The alcohol in vodka helps kill mildew, mold, germs and avert rusting.It also has antiseptic properties due to the alcohol. So basically, it disinfects, which is what we want to do in a bathroom when we clean, right? Apparently, it also aids in reducing stress and has anesthetic properties, but really, I think we all intuitively knew that...or learned it early on! For more interesting, fun vodka facts click here. 

Today I present my favorite bathroom DIY cleaner recipes using vodka. I buy the cheap stuff (like Skol) because why waste good vodka on your shower? 

When you clean with essential oils, and just use them in general, you'll want to purchase glass or stainless steel spray bottles. Some essential oils, especially citrus, can leach petrochemicals from plastic. Some great options are available on Amazon.

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image courtesy of amazon.com

​Disinfecting spray

      My big aha moment with cleaning? You gotta let it sit. This is important people! Even brand name cleaners need time to disinfect. You can't just spray it on and wipe it right off. I tend to spray down each bathroom, then go back to where I started to wipe everything down. I like using microfiber cloths (wash and reuse!), but paper towel works just as well. 

1 part vodka
1 part white vinegar
1 1/2 parts distilled or boiled and cooled water
Essential oil if you like to scent it (10-20 drps)
​** part can be 1/2 cup or cup depending on your container **

1. Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake to combine. 
2. Spray your surfaces (counter tops, bathtub, shower, toilet, etc) and let it sit.
3. Wipe down all your surfaces. Do your toilet last and you can use the same the microfiber cloth! 
4. Shelf life for this should be 1-2 months

Essential oils

• If you are using essential oils in your cleaners, especially citrus, you'll want to useglass or stainless steel spray bottles. This is because citrus oils are solvents and will eat away at plastics that aren't HDPE. 
• Check out who you are buying from. Some oils are really synthetics in a nice bottle. To learn more about the brand I use and love, contact me here.
• Scent to your liking. My drops are just guidelines. Blend to find a scent you like!
• Great options for cleaning:
  • ​Antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial and antiseptic: 
    • Melaleuca (Tea Tree), Lemon, Peppermint, Rosemary, Lemongrass, Lavender
  • Air fresheners: 
    • Lemon, Grapefruit, Wild Orange, Lime

Daily shower spray

          This I like because it makes me feel like the shower is clean all the time, and it smells great. Plus, it can keep soap scum from forming. Bonus! If you are a morning person, try using peppermint, grapefruit, or any citrus oil. It's a great wake up. Prefer a night time shower? Try something more grounding like Balance, cedar, or lavender. 

1 part vodka 
2 parts distilled or boiled and cooled water
Essential oil for scent (5-10 drops)

1. Combine all ingredients in your spray bottle, preferably one you keep in the shower for easy access when you're done. 
2. Squeegee the water off any glass, then spray away! No need to wipe or rinse. How easy is that?

Other ways to clean with vodka? You betcha! Check these out here. 

**There are lots of cheap vodkas out there, I just happened to choose Skol because it was the cheapest at my local liquor store and I buy the biggest bottle available :) **