Revitalise Your Home for Spring with these DIY Household Cleaning Recipes

As the days grow longer and temperatures begin to rise, spring is the perfect time to breathe new life into your home. One of the most satisfying ways to welcome in this season of renewal is by giving your home a thorough cleaning. But instead of reaching for commercial cleaners filled with chemicals, why not try some eco-friendly and budget-friendly DIY household cleaning recipes? Not only will you save money, but you'll also contribute to a healthier environment. Here’s some easy-to-make DIY cleaning recipes that will leave your home sparkling and ready for spring. Head in to The Pantry to stock up your cleaning kit with basic eco-friendly ingredients.

1. All-Purpose Cleaner

Mix equal parts of distilled white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. This natural solution can clean almost any surface, from bench tops to glass windows. You can also add a few drops of essential oils like lemon or lavender for a fresh scent.

2. Citrus Garbage Disposal Cleaner

Don't let a smelly garbage disposal ruin your springtime air. Freeze citrus peels (lemon, lime, or orange) in ice cube trays with vinegar. Pop one of these cubes down your disposal and run it for a clean, fresh scent and disposal blades that shine.

3. Homemade Window Cleaner

Mix two cups of water with a quarter cup of white vinegar and a few drops of dish soap. Spray the solution onto your windows and wipe with a microfiber cloth for a streak-free shine that will let the spring sunlight flood into your home.

4. Baking Soda Scrub

For tough stains and grime, create a paste using baking soda and water. Apply it to surfaces like sinks, tubs, and grout lines, then scrub with a brush. Baking soda's abrasive nature will leave your surfaces looking like new. Check out our blog post, 10 Ways To Use Baking Soda, for more tips with this wonder ingredient.

5. Fabric Refresher

Combine water and a few drops of your favourite essential oil in a spray bottle. Spritz this mixture on your curtains, upholstery, and linens to give them a pleasant spring scent.

Spring cleaning doesn't have to be a chore filled with harsh chemicals and expensive cleaning products. With these DIY household cleaning recipes, you can make your home sparkle and shine while promoting a healthier, more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. So, roll up your sleeves, put on your favorite cleaning playlist, and welcome the freshness of spring into your home the natural way. Happy cleaning!

Fresh Beginnings: Celebrate Spring At The Pantry

Spring has officially sprung, and it's time to shake off that winter chill Southland! We’re excited to welcome the change of seasons and invite you into The Pantry to get whatever you need to spring into spring. From spring cleaning ingredients to a pantry reset and a delicious fruit smoothie from our cafe, we have you covered this spring.

Spring Produce

Now is the perfect time to reset your Pantry with fresh local produce and pantry staples. Our grocery store is like a treasure trove of local goodies, the occasional seasonal fruit haul and pantry basics like flour, rice, herbs and spices to get your fresh spring kitchen humming.

Cafe Vibes

After you've scored your springtime haul in our grocery store, stop at our cafe for some R&R. Our baristas can of course whip you up your favourite hot drink, but how about a delicious fresh smoothie to amp up the spring theme? Pair it with something yummy form our cabinet and your lunch or morning tea is sorted.

Eco-Friendly Shopping

Spring is all about fresh starts, and that includes our commitment to the planet. We're all about making eco-friendly shopping easy and sustainable at The Pantry. BYO containers to restock your pantry or borrow one of our spares on hand.

Spring Cleaning Made Easy

Ready to tackle spring cleaning? We've got your back! Stock up on bulk cleaning ingredients at The Pantry. From eco-friendly detergents to sparkling cleaners, we've got everything you need to make your home shine.

So, what are you waiting for? Let's give spring the warm welcome it deserves at The Pantry - your local bulk grocer and cafe at 133 Grace Street, Invercargill.

Upgrade Your Cooking: Essential Dried Herbs and Spices for Tasty Meals

In an environment where budget’s are stretched, dried herbs and spices are an easy way to give every day meals a flavour boost. They have the power to transform ordinary dishes into extraordinary ones with just a pinch or a sprinkle. If you're wondering which dried herbs and spices are essential in your pantry - apart from the obvious salt and pepper - here are our top 5 picks…

1. Italian Herbs: This blend typically includes oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, and sometimes marjoram. It's perfect for infusing Italian flair into your pasta sauces, pizzas, and roasted vegetables. It's also a great addition to homemade bread.

2. Cumin: With its warm, nutty flavor, dried cumin is a staple in many global cuisines. It's essential for spice rubs, chili, and curries.

3. Coriander: Ground coriander adds a citrusy, slightly sweet, and nutty flavor to your dishes. It's indispensable in curries, soups, and even homemade spice blends.

4. Paprika: Whether it's sweet, smoked, or hot, paprika adds vibrant color and depth of flavor to dishes like paella, stews, and deviled eggs.

5. Onion and Garlic Powders: These pantry heroes provide the essence of onions and garlic without the need for chopping. They're fantastic for adding depth and richness to sauces, marinades, and rubs.

With these five essential dried herbs and spices in your pantry, you'll have the foundation to create delicious and flavorful meals that will leave your taste buds dancing with delight.

Remember, the quality of your dried herbs and spices matters. Proper storage in airtight containers away from heat and light will also ensure they maintain their potency. Shop local at The Pantry for these and many more herbs and spices.

Recipe: Hearty Winter Vegetable Soup

We all know the nights (and days) get chilly here in Invercargill so we’ve got just the thing to warm you from the inside out.

This delicious, filling Winter Vegetable Soup from The Heart Foundation will do just that. Drop in to The Pantry and our friendly staff will help you find what you need.

Ingredients

• 2 TBS oil

• 1 onion, diced

• 1 stalk celery, diced

• 1 carrot, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, crushed

• 2 TBS pearl barley

• 1/2 Cup red lentils

• 2 tsp ground cumin

• 2 tsp ground coriander

• 2 tsp ground paprika

• 1/2 tsp chilli powder (optional)

• 1 tsp vegetable stock

• 1 can crushed tomatoes

• 4 Cups water

• 1 tsp white vinegar

You can find the full recipe here: Winter Lentil, Barley & Vegetable Soup

Five Tips For Plastic Free July

Plastic Free July is a great time to make some simple swaps in your home and we’ve got 5 great tips to get you started…

1.Invest in containers for your pantry

The easiest place to start is your pantry and you don’t have to do it all at once. Pick a few of your pantry staples, things you use all the time like oats, cereal, sugar, flours, etc. Then either hunt out some second hand gems or head to the shops to grab a pack of new containers. Bring them into The Pantry, fill them up and you’ll be good to go.

2. grab some reusable produce bags

The next phase of the single-use plastic ban will come into effect on 1 July 2023, with plastic produce bags amongst the newly banned items. So what are you going to put your apples and capsicum in at the supermarket next week? There are heaps of reusable produce bags from organic cotton to nylon like New Zealand made MUBs.

3. MAKE DIY CLEANING PRODUCTS

Stop buying cleaning products in plastic bottles. Invest in some reusable plastic bottles with spray attachment and shop at The Pantry for ingredients to make your own cleaners. For a basic multi-purpose spray mix 1 Litre of water and 1 teaspoon of baking soda, shake well then add 2 Tablespoons of liquid soap and shake again. Find more diy cleaning recipes here.

4. Keep cups for your daily brew

Keep Cups have been around for years now and are a great way to be plastic free every day of the year. There’s many cafes around Invercargill that happily accept reusable coffee cups and The Pantry Cafe is one of them.

5. Shop local

When you shop local you have more opportunities to use reusable containers. Ask your local butcher if you can bring your own containers so you can avoid the meat trays from the big supermarkets. Or take your reusable cotton bag to your local bakery for your daily bread. And of course shop for all of your essentials at The Pantry, you can bring your own container or borrow one of the few we keep on hand.

Bokashi: The Ultimate Compost Bin

What Is a Bokashi Compost Bin?

Bokashi are the ultimate home compost bin and they make it so easy! You can put pretty much anything in these little gems including raw or cooked meat, citrus, fish and chicken… even small bones.

Bokashi use a two bucket system that fit inside each other and are airtight, which means no smells and no annoying flies hanging around your kitchen. The inner bucket has holes to let any liquid drain through. This “liquid gold” can be watered down and used as fertiliser on your house plants OR pour it straight down drains and toilets to control odours.

Why do i need one?

• reduce and reuse your kitchen waste

• reduce overall composting time by up to 50%

• boost soil nutrients in a natural easy way

how to use a bokashi compost bin

When we say this home composting system is easy to use… we mean it! There’s really only two steps:

1. Fill your Bokashi with the usual compostable products like fresh fruit and vegetables, coffee and tea bags BUT also prepared food like biscuits or crackers, cooked and uncooked meat and fish, eggs and bread. Sprinkle it with the “compost zing” to start the fermentation process.

2. Once full, leave it for 2 weeks, empty it into your outside compost or bury straight in the garden to complete the decomposition process.

is there anything i can’t put in?

• Liquids like milk, juice and oils

• Meat bones

• Paper and plastic wrap

• Seafood shells

Where can i get one?

You’re in luck, you can get your hands on a Zing Bokashi Compost Bin Starter kit at The Pantry, right here in Invercargill. The starter kit comes with the two buckets, your first compost zing and a handy guide to get you composting like a pro. Come in store at 133 Grace Street and talk to our friendly team.

10 Ways To Use Baking Soda

Baking soda  is most commonly known as an ingredient in baking. It acts as a rising agent to bake bread by reacting to acidic ingredients and causing carbon dioxide bubbles. But baking soda has hundreds of other uses, including in cooking, cleaning and medicine.

Here are just 10 ways you can use baking soda from The Pantry…

1. Baking soda can help treat heartburn by neutralizing stomach acid. Dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of cold water and drink the mixture slowly. Baking soda is a safe antacid.

2. The recipe for baking soda mouthwash is simple. Add half a teaspoon of baking soda to half a glass of warm water, and then swish as usual.

3. Baking soda can eliminate the smell of sweat by making the odors less acidic. Try patting baking soda onto your armpits and you may notice the difference 

4. A baking soda bath is often recommended to soothe itchy skin. These baths are especially effective at soothing itches from bug bites and bee stings. Or make a simple paste of water and baking soda and apply as a salve onto affected skin.

5. Baking soda can help freshen a smelly fridge by neutralizing bad odors. It interacts with the odor particles to eliminate them, rather than just masking their smell. Fill a cup with baking soda and place it in the back of your fridge to neutralize bad odors.Place an open box in the back of your refrigerator to help neutralize odors. Just be sure to change the box every couple of months.

6. When dissolved in water, an alkali such as baking soda can interact with acids from stains and help remove them. Add half a cup of baking soda to your regular amount of laundry detergent. It also helps soften the water, which means you may need less detergent than usual

7. This is great for tile floors: Use 1/2 cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water to help mop and clean floors.

8. Clean Crayons from Walls: Apply baking soda to a slightly wet cloth and rub lightly. Wipe off with a clean, dry cloth.

9. Fortunately, baking soda can help eliminate garbage odors. These odors are often acidic, so baking soda can interact with odor molecules and neutralize them

10. Keep cut flowers fresh longer by adding a teaspoon of baking soda to the water in the vase.

How much do I need?

1kg of baking soda will last almost a full year and replace a range of cleaning products. Remember to BYO container when you come in, but if you forget, we also stock a range donated by other customers. 

Note:

We often get asked if our baking soda is aluminium free and the answer is yes, because actually all sodium bicarbonate or baking soda is aluminium free. Some baking powders contains aluminium, which is where the confusion arises. 

Top Shop Winners 2022

We won More FM Southland 89.2 Southland’s Top Shop competition! Thank you so much to everyone who voted and championed for us! The crew is buzzing with pride - for the win and from all the well wishes from our regulars and South City community