Bottle and Mix:
A SMALL NI BUSINESS WITH A BIG HEART
I’m Francika, the founder and heart behind Bottle and Mix, a small UK business nestled in the stunning landscapes of Northern Ireland. My little venture started with a simple idea: to create something meaningful and fun for people like you and me, while also being kind to the planet we all share.
For over 20 years, I have been working as an award-winning graphic designer, collaborating with clients from across the globe. From Germany to Italy, Australia to the UK, my personal journey has shaped the way I see the world – with curiosity, care, and an open heart.
When I’m not designing, I’m a mum, someone who knows the challenges of living with eczema and allergies, and a person who, like so many of us, has become more mindful about consuming and what we bring into our homes and lives.
LIVING WITH ALLERGIES AND ECZEMA – WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS, MAKE A CLEANING SOLUTION.
My contact eczema, according to Western medicine, was blamed on “unknown substances,” though perfumes—found in loads of products and often made up of a mysterious cocktail of 200 chemicals (discover more on how to avoid perfumes) – were the main culprits. Avoiding these triggers turned into a frustrating (and pricey) mission until I started exploring DIY cleaning solutions.
You can whip up a quick and easy DIY multi-purpose cleaner in just 2 minutes using fresh lemons or Citric Acid – the natural magic found in citrus fruits!
Bottle and Mix was born from a personal need – a desire for natural, transparent, effective, and fun cleaning products that don’t cost the earth, literally or figuratively.
I’ve felt so much anger and frustration with industries selling us products that aren’t good for us. When I turned to medicine for help with my outbreaks, I was given steroids with frightening side effects. My parents, both from rural Croatia, relied on homemade remedies. My dad was a real DIY whiz – he’d make everything from sausages and cheese to his own natural pesticides, pickles, and herbal cures. My grandma? She’d whip up lard soap in the backyard, alongside brushes and baskets, while my grandpa was busy making Rakija (a fruit spirit). If you’re from the Balkans, you’ll know how every knee injury was magically cured with a splash of rakija– it’s questionable now, but it worked back then! It was a simple, resourceful way of life, closely tied to nature and the fruits of the earth.
I’ve managed to get my outbreaks under control with herbal medicine, acupuncture, and cutting back on the substances I come into contact with.
My grandfather distilling Rakija in the backyard.
In many ways, my journey has been about reconnecting with my roots. When designing my products, I loved the charm of a vintage-inspired look – rediscovering what once worked and celebrating the beauty of simplicity.
WHY THE INDUSTRY WANTS TO KEEP YOU IN THE DARK
The less you know, the more you depend on somebody who tells you what to do and what to buy. The Natural Ingredients that I’m selling here are either too expensive for the industry to use, like Essential Oils (although you will find them in some pricey products), traditional classics like Castile Soap, or straightforward substances that are widely used in the industry. They are often hidden behind fancy, confusing names.
Here’s a brilliant example of the irony: brands will warn you off DIY solutions like using Citric Acid, only to sell you a pricey product where the main ingredient is – you’ve guessed it – Citric Acid. Take those 2 x 40g sachets of kettle descaler in a big, shiny box. There’s only one ingredient in there: Citric Acid. And here’s the fun bit – Citric Acid is incredibly versatile and has loads of uses for cleaning.
The secret is knowledge. Once you learn what these ingredients are and how to use them, you’ll need fewer products, save a ton of money, and feel so much more confident. You’ll start trusting yourself instead of the big brands, and honestly, that’s the last thing they want you to do.
WHY MAKE IT A BRAND?
I wanted to cut out the unnecessary toxins, simplify my home, and embrace a healthier way of living, not just for myself, but for my family and for the future. BOTTLE AND MIX started as a small, personal project and has grown into a brand that reflects my values – authenticity, simplicity, care, and the belief that small, thoughtful changes can have a big impact.
That said, I do miss the little dopamine hit you get from buying something nice and shiny for yourself. That’s where my background in design comes in. I wanted to make it fun and rewarding to use things that are genuinely good for you. I’ve poured my heart into researching science-backed ways to clean naturally, uncovering the best tips and practices. I’ve transformed it all into fun, bite-sized nuggets that are easy on the eyes, kind to your wallet, and designed to help you trust yourself over the industry. My goal? To inspire change and help you feel empowered.
WHAT BOTTLE AND MIX IS ALL ABOUT
Bottle and Mix is a system, designed to make DIY cleaning easy. It’s packed with everything you need for chemical-free cleaning – think, wool dryer balls for softening clothes, microfibre cloths, magic sponges, eco-friendly brushes, and reusable cleaning tools. You’ll also get all the natural ingredients and spray bottles, perfect for mixing natural cleaning solutions, storage jars and handy labels to keep everything organised and much more. Plus, you’ll have all the info you need to stay safe and feel confident about what you’re doing.
But here at Bottle and Mix, it’s not just about making DIY cleaning easy; it’s about inspiring a shift. A shift towards simplicity and mindfulness. A shift towards trusting yourself and what you use every day. And a shift towards taking better care of ourselves and the environment. Whether you’re curious about Natural Cleaning, searching for easy DIY Cleaning Recipes, gathering Natural Cleaning Ingredients, exploring tips and inspiration on our Blog or already on your journey towards a more mindful lifestyle, I’m here to help make it easier, approachable, and enjoyable.
Thank you for being part of this journey with me.
Francika