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Good_soap1

The dirt on soap, part 1

The history of soap is long and fascinating. Soap has been made and used for thousands of years in various forms and by various people and much has been written about them all. However, it was really only from the 1800s onwards, as people began to understand the link between cleanliness and health, that the […]

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copper_pots

Spotless turns FIVE – and how to clean copper effortlessly

It was five years ago today that Spotless was born, and as I thought about that today it made me happy to think that I am building a legacy of tried and tested tips, encouragement, reflections and useful information that I hope and believe will help make the world a better place than it otherwise […]

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wooden_chest_after

Wood & leather part 2: Clean and shine your leather and wood

The recipe I’m going to talk about today is very, super simple and can be used quite regularly. It is mainly to clean both wood and leather, and it also nourishes both materials and give them a lovely feeling and sheen. It is completely safe and edible and can even be used as a salad […]

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Wood & leather part 1: Why to avoid commercial wood and leather cleaners and polishes

Commercial polish and cleaners  for use on leather and wood are things you really want to avoid. They consist mainly of hydrocarbons distilled from crude petroleum oil, such as naphtha, as well as synthetic waxes, solvents, artificial fragrances, preservatives, surfactants, and propellants if they are in an aerosol form. Is this cocktail of hazardous ingredients and likely carcinogens really something we […]

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beeswax_clean4

Beeswax DIY 3 – cleaning up

If you intend to use beeswax often, it is worth having a separate set of utensils designated for the purpose. This means you won’t have to be a perfectionist when it comes to getting every last speck of wax off your favourite pot, jug or spoon. That said, I don’t have a separate set myself, […]

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melting_beeswax

Beeswax DIY 2 – how to melt it

Although beeswax needs to be melted in order to be mixed, it has a relatively low melting point of 62-64 degrees centigrade. This means that while double boiling is required, it’s a standard home kitchen affair. Also, you won’t need to heat the other oils in your mixture to a temperature that will damage them. […]

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mixture_with_beeswax

Beeswax DIY 1 – is it worth the effort?

Beeswax is an amazingly useful substance that of course comes directly from nature, thanks to the bees, is relatively inexpensive, and is as astoundingly versatile as it is bursting with benefits. All of which makes it a perfect candidate for being a star here at spotless. However two things have made me hesitant about letting […]

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Citrus_polish_shaken

Citrus cleaner, part two: Household cleaning uses

If anything deserves the title “all-purpose cleaner”, it is citrus vinegar. You can use your citrus cleaner for any of the cleaning jobs that ordinary vinegar can be used for, and it will perform them even more efficiently. In other words means, it has many uses. Look through our household cleaning and personal care pages […]

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Orange_peel

Citrus cleaner, part one: How to make it

As anyone who has looked around this website will know, I use a lot of vinegar in my household cleaning, and also in personal care, and you may too if you’re implementing the spotless approach in your home. I often mention infusing the vinegar with citrus peels to boost its cleaning powers and improve its […]

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Lavender, part four – dried Lavender

Lavender, part four – dried Lavender

To dry Lavender, make bunches of a dozen or so flower stalks and tie them together with string or an elastic band. Hang the bunches upside down in a dark and airy place. Depending on the weather, the Lavender will dry in about a week or so. Once dried you can store the flowers in […]

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