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 […]

Spotless turns FIVE – and how to clean copper effortlessly
by Anne on October 10, 2015 in Change, Household cleaning
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 […]

Wood & leather part 2: Clean and shine your leather and wood
by Anne on December 12, 2014 in Household cleaning
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 […]
Wood & leather part 1: Why to avoid commercial wood and leather cleaners and polishes
by Anne on December 9, 2014 in Change, Health, Household cleaning
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 […]

Beeswax DIY 3 – cleaning up
by Anne on November 9, 2014 in Household cleaning, Personal care
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, […]

Beeswax DIY 2 – how to melt it
by Anne on November 7, 2014 in Household cleaning, Personal care
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. […]

Beeswax DIY 1 – is it worth the effort?
by Anne on November 6, 2014 in Household cleaning, Personal care
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 […]

Citrus cleaner, part two: Household cleaning uses
by Anne on December 14, 2011 in Household cleaning, Pets
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 […]

Citrus cleaner, part one: How to make it
by Anne on December 6, 2011 in Household cleaning, Personal care
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 […]

Lavender, part four – dried Lavender
by Anne on November 18, 2011 in Health, Household cleaning
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 […]