Pledge, the best definition that will fit what I am about to commit to do,(according to Webster): a binding promise or agreement to do...
I am committing to not cleaning with ammonia again!
The main reason for this is, I have a male cat, and I had to deal with him spraying (near an area I cleaned with ammonia, and water), and I would rather give up cleaning with ammonia in the hopes of deterring the cat from spraying.
Ammonia is safe to clean with, but when breathing it in it can cause one to coughm nose to get sore, and lungs to feel sore. This is another reason for giving up ammonia based cleaner. I at first diluted my ammonia based products, but now feel the need to give them up (yes they still clean as well diluted=saving money).
Ammonia is good for sanitizing, and giving one notion that something is clean through the smell of ammonia in the air.
So now that I pledge to give ammonia up, what is to replace it?
Well....Vinegar!
Vinegar sanitizes just as well as ammonia, and cleans just as well too! The smell also is not harsh on the lungs, and once the vinegar dries, one's house does not smell like "pickles" anymore.
So that is my Go Green task of the month!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Homemade Capret Cleaner
I came across a website on how to remove pet stains from your carpet....well they were doing it all by hand, and that I did not want to do, because I did not know where the exactness of the stain/smell was, and did not want to buy a black light like they recommended to find it. So what I did was cleaned with the shampooer, and modified the recipe.
If one is having issues with pet accidents/odors...NEVER CLEAN WITH AMMONIA, especially if you have a cat. The smell of the ammonia=the smell of animal's urine. With that being stated....one should use a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water. The vinegar neutralizes the scent, to prevent future accidents (and I am hoping so if we decide to keep the cause of the odor that once was). I personally stuck this in the shampooer, and neutralized my whole front room....phew it smelled like pickles (but when vinegar drys, it does not smell). Then I dried with with the heating feature on the shampooer. Next I shampooed the carpet with the homemade cleaner that anyone can use.
I mixed Tide Stain Release (you can buy it in a plastic container with just the powder...I mixed with hot water till disolved), Baking Soda, and one of my essential oils. Now the house smells better, and I am relaxed from the essential oil.
Some variations to the carpet cleaner could be:
-Use liquid detergent
-Use powder detergent mixed with hot water
-A little dishwashing soap
-Shampoo (like Sauve)
-Oxy itself, or another brand
Essential Oils are limitless, just find one you like. I personally used lavender.
And if one does not have a shampooer, find someone to borrow from....The one I use is Brian's sisters....Thank you Liz it has been a life saver!
If one is having issues with pet accidents/odors...NEVER CLEAN WITH AMMONIA, especially if you have a cat. The smell of the ammonia=the smell of animal's urine. With that being stated....one should use a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water. The vinegar neutralizes the scent, to prevent future accidents (and I am hoping so if we decide to keep the cause of the odor that once was). I personally stuck this in the shampooer, and neutralized my whole front room....phew it smelled like pickles (but when vinegar drys, it does not smell). Then I dried with with the heating feature on the shampooer. Next I shampooed the carpet with the homemade cleaner that anyone can use.
I mixed Tide Stain Release (you can buy it in a plastic container with just the powder...I mixed with hot water till disolved), Baking Soda, and one of my essential oils. Now the house smells better, and I am relaxed from the essential oil.
Some variations to the carpet cleaner could be:
-Use liquid detergent
-Use powder detergent mixed with hot water
-A little dishwashing soap
-Shampoo (like Sauve)
-Oxy itself, or another brand
Essential Oils are limitless, just find one you like. I personally used lavender.
And if one does not have a shampooer, find someone to borrow from....The one I use is Brian's sisters....Thank you Liz it has been a life saver!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Natural Cleaners: Part 1
I asked what to do next, and natural cleaners was the answer.
Most of what I know about natural cleaners I have learned through researching the internet, learning from the little old lady I used to help, and Some I have learn through trial, and error.
Today I just want to share the e-mail I got today that is very interesting!
It is from realsimple.com
"Use white bread to: Dust an oil painting. Gently dab a slice of white bread over the surface to pick up dirt and grime."
"Use ketchup to: Remove tarnish from copper and brass cookware. Squeeze ketchup onto a cloth and rub it on pots and pans. They should go back to their coppery color in minutes. Rinse with warm water and dry with a towel."
Oatmeal
"Use it to: Scrub very dirty hands. Make a thick paste of oatmeal and water; rinse well."
Oatmeal can also be used to help dry skin.
Rice
"Use it to: Clean the inside of a vase or a thin-necked bottle. Fill three quarters of the vessel with warm water and add a tablespoon of uncooked rice. Cup your hand over the opening, shake vigor-ously, and rinse."
Tea
"Use it to: Scour rusty garden tools. Brew a few pots of strong black tea. When cool, pour into a bucket. Soak the tools for a few hours. Wipe each one with a cloth. (Wear rubber gloves or your hands will be stained.)"
Tea bags can also help with pink eye
Glycerin
"Use it to: Remove dried wax drippings from candlesticks. Peel off as much wax as possible, then moisten a cotton ball with glycerin and rub until clean."
Club Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
"Use club soda to: Shine up a scuffed stainless-steel sink. Buff with a cloth dampened with club soda, then wipe dry with another clean cloth."
"Use hydrogen peroxide to: Disinfect a keyboard. Dip a cotton swab in hydrogen peroxide to get into those nooks and crannies."
Hydrogen peroxide can also be used in place of bleach
Cornstarch
"Use it to: Clean grease spills on carpets. Pour cornstarch onto spots and let sit for 15 to 30 minutes before vacuuming."
I am going to try this one on an old stain from my BB aromatherapy sugar scrub....hopefully it works on set grease (oil) stains
Rubbing Alcohol
"Use it to: Erase permanent-marker stains from finished wood floors or solid-surface countertops. Pour rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball and apply."
Elbow grease, and a little salt may be required.
Hopefully this is interesting to you too!
Most of what I know about natural cleaners I have learned through researching the internet, learning from the little old lady I used to help, and Some I have learn through trial, and error.
Today I just want to share the e-mail I got today that is very interesting!
It is from realsimple.com
"Use white bread to: Dust an oil painting. Gently dab a slice of white bread over the surface to pick up dirt and grime."
"Use ketchup to: Remove tarnish from copper and brass cookware. Squeeze ketchup onto a cloth and rub it on pots and pans. They should go back to their coppery color in minutes. Rinse with warm water and dry with a towel."
Oatmeal
"Use it to: Scrub very dirty hands. Make a thick paste of oatmeal and water; rinse well."
Oatmeal can also be used to help dry skin.
Rice
"Use it to: Clean the inside of a vase or a thin-necked bottle. Fill three quarters of the vessel with warm water and add a tablespoon of uncooked rice. Cup your hand over the opening, shake vigor-ously, and rinse."
Tea
"Use it to: Scour rusty garden tools. Brew a few pots of strong black tea. When cool, pour into a bucket. Soak the tools for a few hours. Wipe each one with a cloth. (Wear rubber gloves or your hands will be stained.)"
Tea bags can also help with pink eye
Glycerin
"Use it to: Remove dried wax drippings from candlesticks. Peel off as much wax as possible, then moisten a cotton ball with glycerin and rub until clean."
Club Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
"Use club soda to: Shine up a scuffed stainless-steel sink. Buff with a cloth dampened with club soda, then wipe dry with another clean cloth."
"Use hydrogen peroxide to: Disinfect a keyboard. Dip a cotton swab in hydrogen peroxide to get into those nooks and crannies."
Hydrogen peroxide can also be used in place of bleach
Cornstarch
"Use it to: Clean grease spills on carpets. Pour cornstarch onto spots and let sit for 15 to 30 minutes before vacuuming."
I am going to try this one on an old stain from my BB aromatherapy sugar scrub....hopefully it works on set grease (oil) stains
Rubbing Alcohol
"Use it to: Erase permanent-marker stains from finished wood floors or solid-surface countertops. Pour rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball and apply."
Elbow grease, and a little salt may be required.
Hopefully this is interesting to you too!
Monday, February 15, 2010
More Laundry Tips
This is the last blog on laundry, so it will be a tad longer, and may repeat some of the previous tips.
Hang Drying Inside: A big help to the environment, and your wallet!
If you want to hang dry clothes, here are some places you can do it. Sturdy curtain rods, buy a rack to go above your washer, and hang off of it, find a garment rack, use your closet if it is big and open, sturdy shower rods, find a place to hang a line in your house, etc. I recommend investing in plastic hangers! I was lucky and found tons for free!
Now some odd and ends:
Adding Washing soda to laundry helps remove stains! I bought some Tide Stain release, and wish I would have researched! Washing Soda is different from Baking Soda!
Baking Soda: the sky is the limits! I found a good website on uses of baking soda! It helps with stains in many ways, can remove gum from washer, etc. Just use the link below!
http://housekeeping.about.com/od/laundry/qt/bksd_washmachin.htm
Shampoo also, the sky is the limit! It helps with yellow spots, blood spots, grease stains, etc!
Stain remover: Pre-treat with dish soap, My mom swears Palmolive is the best, but I am a Ajax person, and it works just as good.
If one does not prefer bleach, peroxide works as well. I personally do not use bleach at all, because I buy tide with bleach (now when I make my own, I probably will have to start).
To treat a stain on a white shirt, use lemon juice and put in the sun.
Wash with cold water. It saves on the water heater, and your energy bill! If your detergent is a good brand, it will still clean the clothes!
Do not under or over load your washer, it helps with washing, and energy. Over the years I have learned the perfect size load. Just load to middle level. My washer does not have a load size option due to the energy efficient mod on it!
Wash during the non-peak hours. I do laundry when my dachshund Leo wakes up at 1-5 in the morning! I used to dread getting up, but now I know if I get up I can start laundry, and save! But if one is not up at these hours, try doing a load before bed (most loads do not get musty or mildew over night, just do not forget about it in the morning), or doing a load early morning when you wake up!
Re-use dryer sheet till they have no smell!
Have children play outside in clothes that are from the day before (as long as they are not dirty from this purpose, or are nice clothes). I personally have clothes for Madalynn just for playing (outfits she has ruined), and she knows she has to switch outfits, but it saves on the good clothes, and she plays outside most of the time!
Clean your dryer lint trap out after every use, and check your vent frequently! Cleaning these two, helps with air flow, performance, and longevity of the dryer!
What to do with clothing that get's stains, and you just cannot remove them!
Another way to save on children's clothes, is PJ's. My daughter has never really been able to wear PJ sets due to her tall skinny structure! So what I do with clothes she gets too stained up (and she is very good at this...paint, marker, etc), I turn them into PJ's...no one really sees these clothes! Also when knit/cotton lounge pants get too short, they go to the PJ drawer. I seriously get another 1-3 years wear out of these pants! It helps having a skinny child though! I also use my stained clothes for PJ's!
If you plan on re-selling baby/children's clothes, never dry them in the dryer! It helps them stay nicer, and prevents stains from being permanently set!
If you have feather down coats/ comforters...and dry in the dryer...use a tennis ball.
Finally always have a system for laundry, break the process up, and keep up on it!
These are many of my tips that I can remember, some have become subconscious!
Hang Drying Inside: A big help to the environment, and your wallet!
If you want to hang dry clothes, here are some places you can do it. Sturdy curtain rods, buy a rack to go above your washer, and hang off of it, find a garment rack, use your closet if it is big and open, sturdy shower rods, find a place to hang a line in your house, etc. I recommend investing in plastic hangers! I was lucky and found tons for free!
Now some odd and ends:
Adding Washing soda to laundry helps remove stains! I bought some Tide Stain release, and wish I would have researched! Washing Soda is different from Baking Soda!
Baking Soda: the sky is the limits! I found a good website on uses of baking soda! It helps with stains in many ways, can remove gum from washer, etc. Just use the link below!
http://housekeeping.about.com/od/laundry/qt/bksd_washmachin.htm
Shampoo also, the sky is the limit! It helps with yellow spots, blood spots, grease stains, etc!
Stain remover: Pre-treat with dish soap, My mom swears Palmolive is the best, but I am a Ajax person, and it works just as good.
If one does not prefer bleach, peroxide works as well. I personally do not use bleach at all, because I buy tide with bleach (now when I make my own, I probably will have to start).
To treat a stain on a white shirt, use lemon juice and put in the sun.
Wash with cold water. It saves on the water heater, and your energy bill! If your detergent is a good brand, it will still clean the clothes!
Do not under or over load your washer, it helps with washing, and energy. Over the years I have learned the perfect size load. Just load to middle level. My washer does not have a load size option due to the energy efficient mod on it!
Wash during the non-peak hours. I do laundry when my dachshund Leo wakes up at 1-5 in the morning! I used to dread getting up, but now I know if I get up I can start laundry, and save! But if one is not up at these hours, try doing a load before bed (most loads do not get musty or mildew over night, just do not forget about it in the morning), or doing a load early morning when you wake up!
Re-use dryer sheet till they have no smell!
Have children play outside in clothes that are from the day before (as long as they are not dirty from this purpose, or are nice clothes). I personally have clothes for Madalynn just for playing (outfits she has ruined), and she knows she has to switch outfits, but it saves on the good clothes, and she plays outside most of the time!
Clean your dryer lint trap out after every use, and check your vent frequently! Cleaning these two, helps with air flow, performance, and longevity of the dryer!
What to do with clothing that get's stains, and you just cannot remove them!
Another way to save on children's clothes, is PJ's. My daughter has never really been able to wear PJ sets due to her tall skinny structure! So what I do with clothes she gets too stained up (and she is very good at this...paint, marker, etc), I turn them into PJ's...no one really sees these clothes! Also when knit/cotton lounge pants get too short, they go to the PJ drawer. I seriously get another 1-3 years wear out of these pants! It helps having a skinny child though! I also use my stained clothes for PJ's!
If you plan on re-selling baby/children's clothes, never dry them in the dryer! It helps them stay nicer, and prevents stains from being permanently set!
If you have feather down coats/ comforters...and dry in the dryer...use a tennis ball.
Finally always have a system for laundry, break the process up, and keep up on it!
These are many of my tips that I can remember, some have become subconscious!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Laundry Tips on Clothing
Clothing items: I re-wear my hoodies, jeans, and shirts till they are dirty. I freshen up with homemade fabric freshener spray...This has saved on laundry so much! Never ever on unders, or socks, besides bras. Also speaking of unders, one should never dry underwear, boxers, and bra's....it wears the elastic! If you only chose one thing to hang dry, do these! Doing so will keep you from always having to buy because the elastic went out!
Towels: I used to be so strict about only using once and done! But when I realized I was washing at least 25 towels, 30/+ washcloths, and 3-7 hand towels a week....I thought about the impact this had on the washer, water bill, detergent, fabric softener (because I use extra with my towels), electricity, and dryer (because one cannot air dry this many towels effectively), and the environment. I came to the conclusion....I was wasting. My view now is...one takes a shower to get cleaned, when they get done, they reach for a clean towel, so when they dry the towel should only need an air-drying! My towel loads have been cut down so much, I can wash them with another load when I get some...GASP...I never use to wash towels with another load! So now I have less towels to wash, which equals many factors(all money saving); less detergent, softener, water, electricity, wear on washer, no longer using the dryer, environment happy, and my towels last longer! I also will use my towels that are sitting in the dirty pile to clean up water messes, or to give my pups crates a daily cleaning!
Children's clothes: My daughter (6 y/o) takes baths daily (I am not that cheap), so when she puts her PJ's on, she is clean, and they are too. So we get 2 wears out of PJ's. Also jeans, if they are spotless she wears again, and some shirts. I am very picky with my daughters clothes, so I do not make her re-wear many items. I feel a child should not have to feel like they are skimping or being skimpy, but should learn the basics at a young age as how to save! My daughter sees it as a learning experience and sometimes wants to try to re-wear and item that is perfectly clean, but I feel the need to wash!
These tips on clothes will save your clothes, wallet, and the environment!
More tips to come on laundry!
Towels: I used to be so strict about only using once and done! But when I realized I was washing at least 25 towels, 30/+ washcloths, and 3-7 hand towels a week....I thought about the impact this had on the washer, water bill, detergent, fabric softener (because I use extra with my towels), electricity, and dryer (because one cannot air dry this many towels effectively), and the environment. I came to the conclusion....I was wasting. My view now is...one takes a shower to get cleaned, when they get done, they reach for a clean towel, so when they dry the towel should only need an air-drying! My towel loads have been cut down so much, I can wash them with another load when I get some...GASP...I never use to wash towels with another load! So now I have less towels to wash, which equals many factors(all money saving); less detergent, softener, water, electricity, wear on washer, no longer using the dryer, environment happy, and my towels last longer! I also will use my towels that are sitting in the dirty pile to clean up water messes, or to give my pups crates a daily cleaning!
Children's clothes: My daughter (6 y/o) takes baths daily (I am not that cheap), so when she puts her PJ's on, she is clean, and they are too. So we get 2 wears out of PJ's. Also jeans, if they are spotless she wears again, and some shirts. I am very picky with my daughters clothes, so I do not make her re-wear many items. I feel a child should not have to feel like they are skimping or being skimpy, but should learn the basics at a young age as how to save! My daughter sees it as a learning experience and sometimes wants to try to re-wear and item that is perfectly clean, but I feel the need to wash!
These tips on clothes will save your clothes, wallet, and the environment!
More tips to come on laundry!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Laundry Tips on Fabric Softener, and Freshener
Fabric Softener: Use less than they recommended. Once again all depends on what you feel comfortable with. I also add water when I get to the end of the bottle, you can add water at the beginning too...I am trying to muster myself to this. I down right love the smell of my fabric softener...proving I am not so cheap to get rid of it! I am just like my mom and use a name brand, just need to learn how to water it down like she did!
Fabric Softener Sheets: Cut in ½, 1/3, or 1/4's..depending on how much you use originally. I personally do not use these sheets ANYMORE, because I do not use my dryer. If it is too wrinkly I use the iron, and I do not even have an ironing board! Creativeness saves one tons! The rest of the sheets I have (1 ½ boxes), I will use in my sheet drawer!
Make your own Febreeze Spray to freshen laundry, sheets, etc.: I mix fabric softner in water (1 to 5 ratio). This keeps clothes going longer, and sheets oh so fresh through the week.
Fabric Softener Sheets: Cut in ½, 1/3, or 1/4's..depending on how much you use originally. I personally do not use these sheets ANYMORE, because I do not use my dryer. If it is too wrinkly I use the iron, and I do not even have an ironing board! Creativeness saves one tons! The rest of the sheets I have (1 ½ boxes), I will use in my sheet drawer!
Make your own Febreeze Spray to freshen laundry, sheets, etc.: I mix fabric softner in water (1 to 5 ratio). This keeps clothes going longer, and sheets oh so fresh through the week.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Laundry Tips on Detergent
Most of what I know about laundry today, I can thank my mom!
Washing soda can be used with detergent to help treat hard water.
Growing up, laundry was a fond memory. I remember my mom doing at least 4-8 loads a day. She always used Tide w/ Bleach, watered down fabric softener, and no dryer sheets, hang drying whenever possible, and a secret to get stains out! Her laundry came out perfectly clean, and smelling perfect! My mom taught me a few tricks over the years, and many I still use, a few I learned the hard way, by trying cheaper (it was not in the long run), and others I have weaned away from (separating by every single color). My mom always bought name brand detergents, and softener, and managed to still save! I am amazed at how well my mom did it all!
Now on to Detergent!
Use little detergent, even less with a front loader. All depends on what you feel comfortable with. I have a top loader energy efficient washer, and I use only about 1/8 of a cup with a regular load, and ¼ of a cup with a heavy duty loads. It is actually better for your clothes to use less detergent, it does not cause a build-up, and clothing last longer. Also vinegar in the rinse cycle will remove this build-up, AND NO...will not make your clothes stink!
A guide to buying powdered detergent. Do not go by the price on the label. I did this once, and wasted money on a decent brand, thinking it was a good deal! I bought 4 boxes of Purex powder for under 12 bucks, and it lasted 2 months, and did not clean my clothes well. So I went back to my mom's voice in the back of my head, Tide w/ Bleach. It is more concentrated, and cleans so much better. I spent 15 bucks on a box, 2 months later, I still have 2/3 of a box...what a save Sometimes you can even find coupons on Tide w/ Bleach! Also I can wash all my clothes on tap cold water, and the powder dissolves!
I cannot recommend much on liquid because I am not fond of it...it cost more, and does less. But one thing I do know, you can use less of liquid too!
If you get brave, and I am going to when my Tide w/ Bleach runs out, make your own! I am excited about this adventure! I am still researching the best recipes, so I will post later! I know you can make both powdered, and liquid. When I do get to make mine, I am going to switch to liquid, because it last longer, and I can add essential oils to it better than powdered!
There are many more tips, but for now that is it!
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