Restocking the Cleaning Closet w/Lavender ~ Odds and Ends Series

"Second. Examine the store-closet, and see if there is a proper supply of all articles needed there."

~ Catharine Beecher & Harriet Stowe, The New Housekeeper's Manual, 1873

Welcome to our continuing saga to follow the Victorian Era advice of the Beecher sisters! A portion of the second step on our "Odds and Ends" Monthly Home Maintenance Series has been completed.  We have restocked our cleaning closet with reserves that should last a few months. While I don't have a cleaning closet "per se" (items are located under the kitchen sink and leftover surplus is stored on our pantry shelf ), I like the old fashioned sound of it, don't you?



What did we accomplish?

• We added a few quart jars of all-purpose cleaning solution to our "store-closet". This can be used in a squirt bottle as an all purpose cleaner (with the addition of water) and it can be added to a bucket of warm water to wash floors, clean ceiling fans, etc. 

• We also prepared a few jars of cleaning powder which can be used as a gentle cleanser for scrubbing sinks as well as a carpet deodorizer.

For fun, we have included our recipes and free printable labels to inspire you to stock up on the cleaning supplies for your "cleaning closet"!

Since lavender is abundant right now, we prepared a large batch of cleaning products with it (you could use fresh lavender, dried lavender (make some or buy some) or lavender essential oil for all of these recipes).

Not only is lavender filled with many antibacterial properties, it is also a wonderful cleaning solvent since it contains limonene (the same active ingredient in citrus products). It imparts a lovely fragrance while also being an insecticide. And let's be honest, it adds a romantic touch to homemaking! 

{Note: In the autumn and winter, I like to make Citrus Infused Cleaning Products.}

Here is how we prepare each item:

1. Lavender Cleaning Solution ~ You will find our tutorial here to prepare a solution using lavender flowers (or if using lavender essential oil,  simply add 10 drops of oil to every cup of vinegar). Add a cup of this solution to a hot bucket of water to clean floors and surfaces. For tough cleaning, use pure without diluting.
2. All Purpose Cleaner ~ Place one cup of "lavender cleaning solution" (shared above) with one cup of water to a spray bottle. 
3. Lavender Carpet Deodorizer ~  You will find our tutorial here (or if using lavender essential oil, add 15 drops of oil to 1 - 2 cups of baking soda and stir until combined).
4. Gentle Lavender Cleaning Cleanser ~ Pulse 1/4 cup of dried lavender flowers with 2 cups of baking soda until smooth. You could also mix in 10 drops of lavender essential oil oil to the baking soda if you don't have lavender flowers. For a stronger scrub, add in equal amounts of borax and salt.
5. Room Spray ~ Mix together 1 cup of water, 10 drops of lavender essential oil and place in spray bottle. To preserve the solution better, add 1 tsp. of vodka.
6. Window Cleaner ~ Pour into spray bottle 1 cup of water, 1 cup of vinegar and a few drops of lavender essential oil  Wipe clean with newspaper or a microfiber cloth for best results.

Note: If you have granite countertops, I would advise against using vinegar based cleaning products on them as it can do something called "etching" (which can leave white marks on your counters).

Now it is time to label our lovely lavender products (can you say that five times?). We have also included two blank labels at the bottom of the printable for other cleaning products you may want to prepare. Simply press download or print from the link HERE.

Now that we have completed a portion of step two, here is what we have left on our "Odds and Ends" Monthly Home Maintenance Series (note that some steps were placed together and altered to make for modern day needs):

Complete Steps in Series:

Step #1 ~ What Needs to Be Done in Your Home?
Step #2 ~ Restocking the Cleaning Closet
Step #2, 3, 5, 6 ~ Examining the Store-Closet, Pantry, Cellar and Such
Step #4 ~ Examining the "Table Linens"
Step #4 ~ Examining the "Bed Linens"
Step #7 Examining the Toolbox and/or "Junk Drawer"

Checklist for Preparing Your Own Maintenance:

"Odds and Ends" Monthly Home Maintenance ~ Printable Checklist

Are you ready to begin your monthly home maintenance?

"A housekeeper who will have a regular time for attending to these particulars will find her whole family machinery moving easily and well; but one who does not, will constantly be finding something out of joint, and an unquiet, secret apprehension of duties left undone or forgotten, which no other method will so effectually remove."

~ Catharine Beecher & Harriet Stowe, The New Housekeeper's Manual, 1873

All the fine print. This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making Mondays, Modest Mom Monday's, Monday's Musings, Make Your Home Sing Monday, Good Morning Mondays,  The Scoop, Tuesdays with a Twist, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Homestead Blog Hop,  Wow Us Wednesdays,  Coffee and Conversation, Homemaking Thursdays, Home Sweet Home, Our Simple Homestead, Awesome Life Friday Link Up and Create, Bake, Grow & Gather. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. This post may contain affiliate links (which are merchant links that help to support this site at no additional cost to you if you purchase an item through them). Lavender clip art was found here.

You may also be interested in What to Make and Do with All Your Lovely Lavender {DIY List}.