Why I make own homemade scouring powder for our farmhouse sink –
There’s a reason why I make my own homemade scouring powder. When we renovated our home just months before our daughter was born I was ecstatic to have a huge, dreamy white farmhouse sink installed into the kitchen. It rests just below double windows that look out to our woodlands and yard below where our daughter plays now.
Not long after our farmhouse sink was installed, I learned it was pretty difficult to keep it a dreamy white color. My husband’s first thought was to bleach it or use some type of tub cleaner on it. I didn’t agree on the tub cleaner and bleaching wasn’t something I wanted to do every day!
After reading a few of my favorite simple cleaning books, I decided to try a scouring powder. One book recommended just using baking soda but that didn’t work. Another combined baking soda with lemon juice which worked a bit better. But, I wasn’t willing to settle for so-so results.
Following much trial and error, I perfected a homemade scouring powder that not only works incredibly well but is easy to use for a quick clean up in between deep cleanings.
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What is scouring powder used for?
Scouring powder is used to lift stains or hard water deposits from a variety of things. And is designed to be scrubbed into the surface with very little water. Store-bought and homemade scouring powders alike are best used for:
- porcelain sinks and bathtubs
- pots and pans
- stainless steel
- countertops
- ceramic tiles
If you’re wondering what you can use instead of Comet cleaner? This homemade scouring powder is the answer!
Made with easy to find, inexpensive ingredients this lavender scouring powder brightens and lifts stains from our farmhouse sink with ease. It takes just a few short minutes to make and can be easily adapted for ingredients you already have on hand.
Related To: How to Deep Clean A Mattress
Related To: Lemon Homemade Cleaners
Why Lavender?
It should come as no surprise, that I am a huge lavender fan! It’s my favorite herb to grow and dry (find my harvesting and dry tips here). Lavender is a great cleaning staple. I use lavender to make lavender sachets to keep your linens I store smelling fresh for years to come.
And like my lavender fabric refresher spray that is very easy to make, this homemade scouring powder fits right in around here. It only adds to the versatility of lavender. Maybe you heard me say, “You can’t go wrong with lavender!”
All together, it’s another simple lavender cleaner, I put to work regularly.
How do you make scouring powder?
First, let me note you can make this homemade scouring powder in any container. A standard mason jar will do or an empty spice jar will work too. However, I find it practical to use with a shaker jar. It helps control the amount of powder I use and breaks up any clumps that may form due to humidity.
Scouring Powder Ingredients:
½ cup washing soda
½ cup baking soda
1 ½ teaspoons citric acid
½ cup dried lavender flowers
3 drops lavender essential oil
6-ounce shaker jar
How To Make Scouring Powder:
1. In a small glass mixing bowl combine ½ cup washing soda, ½ cup baking soda, and 1 ½ teaspoons citric acid. Mix together using a metal whisk.
2. Next, add ½ cup dried lavender flowers and combine into the mixture.
3. While whisking add 3 drops of lavender essential oil.
4. Scoop the scouring powder into a shaker jar and store the excess in an airtight container.
How to Use Homemade Scouring Powder in Your Farmhouse Sink
Begin by rinsing the surface you are cleaning with water. (If you have a lemon on hand, slice it in half and squeeze the juice from each side of the lemon over your surface after rinsing for an extra brightening boost.)
Once you’ve prepared the surface, sprinkle a small amount of lavender scouring powder onto the entire surface or the areas that have stains. (It’s always a good idea to test spot a small area first.)
Scrub the surface with a scouring sponge or scrub brush. Then fill your kitchen sink, bathtub, or pan with a ratio of half white distilled vinegar and half hot water. Let it stand for 15 to 20 minutes before draining.
Then scrub once more and rinse with hot water. Repeat as necessary.
No Lavender?
No worries, adapt this recipe by exchanging the lavender for lemon rind, rosemary, or orange rind. The same can be said for the essential oil in the recipe.
I know you’ll appreciate how versatile this lavender scouring powder is to use in your farmhouse sink and around the home too. Not to mention, it smells really good!!
Have you tried this homemade scouring powder recipe? I’d love to hear about your results. Tag #farmhousechicliving on Instagram to share your cleaning tips with us. And don’t forget to PIN this recipe now!
