Archive for January 26, 2006
Nature’s Fresh – Part II
Continuing on with more uses for Nature’s Fresh. I have a problem with using chemical based products in my home…and it boils down to the simple fact that they are not safe! The idea of using toxic chemicals to clean my house just scares me and I have had allergic reactions to many of these products. So I have found safe products that do the job without harming my health and the health of my family. If you feel the same way and would like to reduce the number of products you’re using to clean your home keep reading.
The two main products I use include Nature’s Fresh and Sunshine Concentrate (more on this product in another post) from Nature’s Sunshine. These two products are extremely effective, multi-purpose and they are non-toxic!
Here are some great ideas and recipes on how to use Nature’s Fresh:
General Cleaning
- Cleans walls, will remove food stains, cigarette smoke and dirt. For spots spray on directly, for large jobs mix 1/4 cup with one gallon of water and a capful of Sunshine Concentrate to create an effective general cleaning solution.
- It’s also great for cleaning counter tops, cabinets and floors in the kitchen and bathroom. For these jobs it can be sprayed on directly, or diluted in water (about 1/8 cup per gallon). Add about 15-20 drops of disinfecting essential oil such as thyme or tea tree and you have an all-natural disinfectant spray for kitchen and bathroom cleaning.
- Nature’s Fresh can also be sprayed on towels and wash cloths to keep them smelling fresh.
- When diluted with an equal amount of water, Nature’s Fresh makes an excellent glass cleaner.
- Spray it anywhere mold and mildew accumulate. It is even more effective when essential oils have been added to it. It will remove the mildew and sets up a protective barrier that lasts around a month.
Clothes and Laundry
- Spray Nature’s Fresh directly on stains to help remove them and onto shoes to help with foot odors. To remove odors, spray Nature’s Fresh directly on clothes and allow them to air out for a short period of time. This will work for body odor, cigarette smoke, and other smells.
- You can also you Nature’s Fresh in your laundry to remove stains, boost the strength of your detergent, and eliminate bacteria. Put 1/4 to 1/2 cup in with each load and let it set for a few minutes before beginning the cycle. NSP’s Sunshine Concentrate is also excellent for using as a detergent.
Air Freshener
- Nature’s Fresh makes a wonderful air freshener. It won’t just mask odors but will actually break them down and eliminate them. Spray it directly on the affected areas to help remove dirt, pet accidents and odors, cooking odors, etc. Many people have reported that it works much better than Fabreeze TM and is completely non-toxic.
- To create a pleasant smelling air freshener spray, simply add about 15-20 drops of one of your favorite essential oils (lemon, pink grapefruit, lavender, etc.) to a bottle of Nature’s Fresh.
Dishes
- Another great use for Nature’s Fresh is that it can be added to the dishwasher in place of a spot remover. It helps remove stains and odors from plastic storage container when sprayed onto the container and allowed to sit for a few minutes before washing.
Carpet Cleaning
- Use Nature’s Fresh to clean stains, spots and odors from your carpet. Simply spray it directly on the affected area and blot with a towel. It can also be used in carpet cleaning machines. Mix 1/4 cup of Nature’s Fresh with three gallons of water and use it in the carpet cleaning machine along with the detergent.
- Sunshine Concentrate and a few drops of essential oils also can be used as an alternative to the chemical carpet shampoos. Be sure to use cold water and let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes to activate the enzymes.
Other Uses
- Traveling: Mix up a combination of Nature’s Fresh and a few drops of tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, or Guardian oil in a 2 or 4 oz. spray bottle and carry it with you when you travel. Spray it around your hotel room to get rid of odors and chemicals. Spray it on toilet seats before using public restrooms. Use it in the car to give automobiles a clean, fresh smell.
- Clogged Drains: The enzymes in Nature’s Fresh can break down material that is clogging drains. Pour a bottle of Nature’s Fresh down the drain, let it sit overnight and run hot water through it the next morning. Enzymes are excellent for septic tanks as well.
- Body Odor: Use Nature’s Fresh in place of chemical underarm deodorants. It eliminates odor for about 3-4 hours but will last even longer when essential oils have been added. To help eliminate odors from the inside out, take chlorophyll capsules or liquid internally, too.
- Pets: Nature’s Fresh is great for pets. Spray it right on your dog to eliminate odor. It will even remove the smell of skunk if your pet gets sprayed. Spray it on the cat litter box and give the cat some chlorophyll to eliminate odors.
- Plants: Mix Nature’s Fresh with water to water your plants. It appears to help plants hydrate faster and grow better. It can also be mixed with water and sprayed directly on plants to freshen them, or put in the water for cut flowers.
- Mouthwash: Use a little to swish around your mouth to get rid of bad breath. It will also help your teeth and gums and some people even brush their teeth with it.
*The enzymes in Nature’s Fresh are stable as long as the product is not exposed to heat. (Enzymes become inactive or are destroyed at temperatures above 120 degrees.) For this reason, Nature’s Fresh should be stored at a temperature less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.*
*Look for Nature’s Fresh – Part III coming soon.