Sunday, June 13, 2010

No fail easy low cost stain remover

Forget buying those expensive stain removers in the laundry isle. They don't always work and they can be full of strong chemicals. If you are looking to remove stains such as blood, set coffee or even the dreadful grease stains, I have the easiest recipe for you. I bet you have all the ingredients in your home already!
All you need is an empty bottle, water and dish soap. Fill the bottle with 1/4 dish soap and add 3/4 water and shake. You can even apply the dish soap directly on the stain and throw it straight into the wash. Works every time! Any dish soap brand will do, however, using environmentally safe products are always the best choice.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Essential oils


Essential oils, are just that...Essential! I never use the synthetic type oils. To make your own room spray, all you need is a spray bottle, water, an emollient such as vegetable glycerin sold at health food stores. If you do not use an emollient, the oil will sit on top of the water, it will not be combined. Then lastly, your oil of choice. you can use a single oil or combine your oils to create different effects. This is also great for diffusers. Lavender is great, as it reduces stress levels. A drop of Peppermint oil can be added to a cup of hot water for indigestion. The uses are endless.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Cleaning Dried Flowers

Frequently use a blow dryer on a low setting to blow the dust off. If that's not enough, place the flowers in a bag with salt and cornmeal. Shake gently. Remove the flowers and use the blow dryer to remove any excess material. Apply some hairspray to protect them.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Products with Carcinogens

According to The Safe Shopper's Bible, below is a list of common household products that contain known irritants, carcinogens and/or neurotoxins. Carcinogens are chemicals that cause cancer. Neurotoxins are chemicals that adversely affect the nervous system reducing emotional well being, mental alertness, coordination and other functions associated with intelligence.

Lysol Disinfectant (all scents)
Renuzit Air Deodorizer
Bon Ami Foam Cleaner
Citra-Solv
Fantastik All-Purpose Cleaner
Formula 409
Pine-Sol Multi-Action Spray
Pledge Household Cleaner
Simple Green
Spic & Span Cleaner
Scotts Liquid Gold
Lemon Pledge
Tilex Soap Scum Remover
Glass Plus
Ajax Cleaner
Gillette Foamy Skin Conditioning
Speed Stick Deodorant
Soft Soap
Secret DeodorantS.O.S. Ammonia Glass Cleaner
Dawn Sureshot
S.O.S. Vinegar Cleaner
Joy Dishwashing Liquid
Windex Glass Cleaner
Shout Aerosol & Stick
Sunlight Dishwashing Liquid
Spray & Wash Stain Remover
Kleen King Alum.& Copper Clnr
KR2 Spot Lifter
Behold Furniture Wax
Depend-o Blue Toilet Cleaner
Endust
3M Aerosol Spot Remover
Formby's Lemon & Almond Spray
Most Home & Garden Pesticides
Old English Furniture Spray
Dove Soap BarsRight Guard Deodorant
Ponds Dry Skin Bar
Palmolive Skin Bar
Lady Speed Stick
Lever 2000
Irish Spring Deodorant
Lifebouy Soap
Jergens Liquid Soap
English Leather Deodorant
Ban Roll-on
Caress Body Bar
Camay
Ultra Brite Toothpaste
Cepacol Mouthwash
Crest Tartar Control
Listerine Original & Cool Mint
Arm & Hammer Toothpaste
Colgate Toothpaste
Scope Mouthwash

Old Fashion Borax

20 Mule Team Borax, sold since 1890, is a good disinfectant and mold killer and a very cheap household cleaner. It can be used as a polish for stainless steel, as a toilet bowl cleaner, as a fabric whitener and softener, and as a stain remover for blood, chocolate, and grease. Some people use borax to kill fleas by sprinkling it on their carpet, then vacuuming it up.

Borax is also an effective ant killer when mixed with sugar.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Microfiber Cloths

Whether you are cleaning mirrors, bathtubs, walls or the dishes. Scotch Brite 3m Microfiber cloth does the job the and does it well! Over the years I have tried many different cloths and have been disappointed. I recently tried a popular orange cloth advertised diligently on tv. It was the worst one to date so far. The Scotch brite cloths don't leave lint behind, which makes cleaning mirrors excellent. They rinse out nicely, they wash out well and dry quickly. They also last a very long time. Costco sells them for a great value. Give it a try, you'll love them.