Category Archives: Cleaning

Natural cleaning, soapberries, vinegar, homemade cleaners & more.

Why I Grow My Own Luffa Sponges (and why you should too!)

by Texas Homesteader ~ 

Did you know you can easily grow your own luffa (or loofah) sponge in your garden? They’re easy to grow, eco friendly and fully compostable. And so many uses too! Use them in the shower, in the kitchen, in an exfoliating soap and more!

You can grow your own luffa sponge in your garden. They're easy to grow, eco friendly and fully compostable. #TexasHomesteader

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Homemade Dog Shampoo – Regular & Dry Skin Formulas

by Texas Homesteader ~ 
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I’m sharing two simple homemade dog shampoo recipes. There’s a dry-skin formula that contains oats, water and baking soda to help protect dry skin. The regular dog shampoo recipe contains just baby shampoo, water & vinegar.

Our needs for dog shampoo are slight. We only have one small dog. But she’s a cutie, let me tell ya!

Meet Bailey, our beloved mini-Schnauzer.

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Different Ways I Use Soapberries For A Natural Clean

by Texas Homesteader~

I was thrilled to find a soapberry tree growing in our NE Texas property. I found it far back in a remote pasture. The berries on the tree had already turned yellow in those cool autumn days.

As a matter of fact, it was the yellow orbs that attracted my attention to the three. So I took photos of the tree, leaves, bark and the berries and sent them to my extension agent for proper identification.

She reported back that the tree was a Western Soapberry Tree (or Sapindus saponaria ssp. drummondii) 

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Soap Grows On Trees! Using Soapberries For A Natural Shampoo

by Texas Homesteader ~ 

The Western Soapberry Tree (or Sapindus saponaria ssp. drummondii) is native in North America. I make my own all natural zero-waste shampoo with the berries I harvest. It’s all I’ve used for nearly 10 years now.

Using Soapberries for a natural shampoo is easy on your hair and easy on your budget. It's true - soap really DOES grow on trees! #TexasHomesteader

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Pet Stains? How To Easily Make Your Own Carpet Cleaner Solution

 by Texas Homesteader ~ 

If you have pets, chances are at some time you’ll deal with pet stains on the carpet. I’ve found a homemade carpet-cleaning solution that works better than the professional carpet cleaners. 

Pet stains on your carpet? We struggled for years to remove the stain, even using a professional carpet cleaning company. But this homemade stain treatment was what actually worked! #TexasHomesteader

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How To Make An All-Natural Air Freshener For Pennies

by Texas Homesteader ~ 

I easily make my own natural air freshener using only baking soda, essential oil, a repurposed canning jar & some pretty leftover lace. It’s simple to refresh when needed and it’s an inexpensive zero-waste answer to a deodorizing problem.

I don't want artificial air fresheners & scented candles in our home. So I easily made my own air freshener with baking soda, essential oil, a repurposed canning jar & leftover lace. #TexasHomesteader

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