Homemade Scouring Powder

I can't stand that yucky mess that builds up around the base of the kitchen sink faucet, so I always like to have scouring powder on hand to get rid of it. Commercially-produced products contain so many chemicals, irritate my skin and have an obnoxious odor. Making my own scouring powder with natural ingredients and a bit of essential oil is a much safer (and better smelling) way to get a sparkling sink.

To store my powder, I used a mason jar topped with the lid from a Parmesan cheese container. I use mason jars for many things, so you may want to go ahead and stock up on some too. Their uses are endless!

What you need:
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup Borax (found in the laundry care section of most stores)
1/2 cup washing soda (also found in the laundry care section)
1/2 cup fine salt (Not iodized. I use fine sea salt.)
20 drops lemon essential oil (optional)

Put it together:
This is simple. Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl, then pour into the mason jar. Add the lid and you're done!

How to use it:
For tough cleaning, pour a bit of the powder onto the area, dampen a sponge or cloth with white vinegar, and scrub away. For regular cleaning, dampen the sponge or cloth with water. Make sure to rinse the area thoroughly when you're done to make sure no residue is left.

If you're dealing with a really grimy mess, sprinkle a bit of white vinegar on the area, sprinkle with the powder, and let sit for 5 minutes. Scrub, then rinse.

NOTE: This powder is pretty heavy duty, and has some massive scouring power. If you're using it on a surface that is easily scratched, leave out the salt. If you're not sure how a surface will react to the powder, try a small amount on an inconspicuous area first.