Natural Vinegar Disinfectant Spray with a Twist

I get a newsletter from Learning Herbs and couldn't be happier with all the great things they share.  This week I received a wonderful recipe I'd like to share as well as access to a free webinar with Rosemary Gladstars.

If you are interested in natural health and healing or just want to learn more about herbs, you have to check out the site.  What Learning Herbs.com has to offer:

• free ebooks
• free webinars
• free ecourses
• a cooperative board game to teach children about herbs (my kids love this game)
• medicinal kits with all you need to create your first salve and tincture. 

I got so excited about sharing this wonderful resource with you I forgot to share the recipe I received in this month's newsletter.  You will not be disappointed.

How to Make a Lavender Thyme Disinfectant:

1.  Fill a quart jar with 1 cup dried thyme leaves and 1 cup lavender flowers.

2.  Fill the remaining portion of the jar with white vinegar and seal tightly.

3.  Allow mixture to sit for at least 24 hours.

4.  Strain vinegar from jar.  Try to get as much of the herbs separated from the vinegar as possible.

5.  Place vinegar into a spray bottle.  Use to clean an surface you would normally clean with a disinfectant.

*NOTE*  You can add a few drops of essential oil to the vinegar and shake.  I like orange and lavender together, but you can experiment to find a duo that works best for you.

Learning Herbs.com suggest getting herbs in bulk from Mountain Rose Herbs.

Homemade Beeswax Finish

I have been wondering if it was possible to make your own beeswax finish and I found my answer.

Yes,
    Yes,
         Yes!

Below are the modified directions I plan to follow when I get the chance.

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce of beeswax cut into tiny pieces
• 4 ounces of oil (olive, coconut, or jojoba)
• 4 or more drops of orange or lemon essential oil
• tin can
• stock pot
• water
• recycled glass jars with lids

Directions:

1. Fill the stock pot with just enough water to heat the tin can.  Turn on heat and allow water to almost come to a boil.
2. Place tin can in water.  Add piece of beeswax.  Stir until melted.
3. Add oil to tin can.  Stir consistently until oil and wax are blended.
4. Add 4 or more drops of essential oil to mixture and blend well.
5. Pour mixture into a clean, glass jar and allow to cool.  Once mixture has cooled secure lid tightly.

*You can use this finish to seal homemade toys, wooden spoons and bowls, polish furniture, etc.  The ingredient list sounds like it might make a good body moisturizer as well.  Worth a try, I think.*

SOURCE: Plain & Joyful Living

Clean That Laundry

Since I just reposted a recipe from Nature Mom on how to make a super cheap laundry detergent, I thought I would post some additional items related to laundry.

You can purchase a Detergent Making Kit with all the needed ingredients to make the detergent from my previous post.  You can't get much easier than having all the ingredients delivered to your door.

Fels Naptha can be used as a pretreatment on stains such as ring around the collar and sweat.  It can be used to treat lawns, black spots on roses and to deter aphids in gardens.  Fels Naptha is a natural way to take care of your plants and garden.

Washing soda has so many uses in regards to cleaning.  I think you should look check out the information on Soaps Gone Buy to see for yourself.

If you have any really great laundry detergent recipes, I'd love to hear from you.

How do you make the unending task of laundry more enjoyable? 

How do you keeo up with laundry and reduce the piles?

Cheap! Cheap! Homemade Laundry Detergent

My favorite green blog, Nature Mom, posted this wonderful recipe on her blog yesterday.  I wanted to try it out, so I am reposting for you.

• 1 bar of Fels-Naptha soap
• 1 cup of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda {not baking soda}
• ½ cup of Borax
• Essential oils {whatever scent you like}
• 5-gallon bucket

First you’ll need to grate the bar of soap and add it to a saucepan with 4 cups of water. Stir continually over medium-high heat until all the soap is melted. Second fill one 5-gallon bucket up half way with hot water then add your melted soap, washing soda, and borax to it. Stir well!  Finally fill that bucket the rest of the way up with water. Stir, cover, and let it sit overnight to thicken.

The next morning you’ll need to take a used, clean laundry detergent dispenser and fill it half full of your soap and then fill it the rest of the way with water. Now if you want it scented, you’ll want to put 10-15 drops of an essential oil in for every 2 gallons.

Viola! There you have it. Homemade, all-natural laundry detergent. Remember to shake it before each use because it will gel. This recipe yields approximately 10-gallons of detergent. For a top-load machine use 5/8 cup per load {approx. 180 loads}, and for a front-load machine use ¼ cup per load {approx. 640 loads}. So, you get all of this detergent and it only costs about $2.00 to make it! I don’t know of anything cheaper than that!

*Posted directly from Nature Mom.*

Aprons: An Old Fashion Tradition

The question of the day:  Are aprons an important part of the modern woman's kitchen or not?

I say... YES!  It is important to not only look great in the kitchen, but to feel great too.  Wearing a fabulous apron and keeping your clothing clean at the same time can do just that.

I recently received a Sassy Cook'n Apron from CSN Stores.  The Purple Peepers design was too cute with its pom-pom trimming along the bottom edge.  The whimsical trim gives the apron a young, edgy feel that I love.

Besides the fun design, this particular apron has many other positives.  It is long enough to conceal my clothes (I tend to make huge messes.) and cute enough to wear around company.  The belt is long enough to wrap around back and to in the front  keeping the apron snug and secure. 

I would definitely get another Sassy Cook' N Apron for myself and/or as a gift for a new wife or mother. 

Fun and Functional.

Now, on to some interesting facts I found about aprons.

Here's a brief rundown of the "Age of Aprons".

Origin:
The English word "apron" came from "naperon," the old French word for napkin or small tablecloth.

Twelfth century:
Guess who wore aprons first? Men, as hygienic, protective wear.

Fourteenth century: Dark-colored aprons started to be worn tied at the waist.

Sixteenth and seventeenth centuries:
Colors denoted the trade of the wearer. English barbers wore a checked pattern; butchers and porters, green; and masons, white.



Seventeenth century:
Romantic notions began to blossom. Your beau is thinking of you if the apron becomes untied and drops off.

Eighteenth century:The pinafore apron was "pinned" to clothing.

Nineteenth century: Cooks began turning the apron only once before washing. Any more, and the stains aren't hidden.

1900-1920:
Long aprons cover and protect clothing.

1920:
Straight-line aprons are the style.

1930:
Beautiful prints with bright sashes, along with crocheted aprons, make an appearance.

1940:
Printed half-aprons tied around the waist, and aprons made of handkerchiefs, are popular. Picture credit to The Apron Queen.

1950:
Full-skirted plastic aprons, and ones with cross-stitch designs, gain U.S. popularity.

1960:
Half-aprons with attached hand towels are sure-fire hits, along with aprons sewn with plastic hoops or valance material. Picture from Fabrics.net

1970 to present:
Barbecue, anyone? Grilling is a popular design or theme for modern-day aprons.


For Fairview's Judy Vetrovec, the history of aprons is as important as their beauty and practicality.

Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.

Article courtesy of c2007 ANG Newspapers.

Thoughts for 2010

I have two goals for the new year:

1. recycle my household trash and take to the recycling center.

2.  reorganize my household to begin more green, simple living.

I think this is a big step to take, but one I find necessary in the search for what I feel is a healthier way to live.  To do this however, I am going to have to make a plan.

My Plan... Rough Draft

• Set a monthly goal in which to implement.
• Enlist the family in helping me achieve the goal. 
• Try not to change anything too quickly or get upset if things do not work as planned.

Month to Month Plan

January... Organize & clean my school stuff out of the garage and house.  Take what I can to school and toss try to toss the rest... I think I just took the deepest breath of my life.  Throwing out stuff I use for school is very difficult, but I need to make it a priority if I want to simplify. 

Buy & label recycling bins.  Print pictures and tape to bins, so we know what goes in each bin.

February...Tackle the family office.  This is also my scrapbooking area.  I will need to purge everything that is not in use at least once a week (unless it is scrapbooking stuff).  I will probably need to buy several bins for the shelves on my scrapbooking table.  Hopefully, I can find some containers in my school stuff or at garage sales.

Organize my book shelve and possibly purchase an additional one from IKEA.

Get rid of anything that does not have a place.  If it is in a box on the floor since we moved in when JJ was an infant, it probably will not be used EVER!

Start recycling our household trash. Take any containers that are full or almost full to the recycling center on Saturdays.

March... Clean out my closet & bedroom. Gather items to be taken to Goodwill and take whatever has been collected on Saturday of that week. I need to be ruthless. I am going to try to part with stuff that I always hope one day to fit into, but haven't in over 5 years. I think it is time. If I actually get skinny, then I will deserve NEW clothes.

Begin the search for a dresser. Once dresser has been found begin to save up for the purchase.

Go to thrift and consignment stores for storage bins to help organize my closet junk necessities for easier access.

Make a planting calendar and plan.  Get the soil ready for planting.

Consider purchasing a rain bucket to collect water for the flower beds and garden. If we decide to purchase, set it up before the month's end. if we wait, it will not get done.

April...  Little J's room... Make sure that the paint is finally finished.  Put up wall stickers if they are not already on the walls. 

Go through all boxes in closet and take all items that cannot be used in the next month's time to Goodwill.
Box up items/toys that are keepsakes and store in the garage with a label on the box.

Go through toy box and shelving and purge toys that are broken, not played with, or make an unnecessary mess.  Donate toys to Goodwill.

Gather containers to sort toys/other items in the shelves.

Consider purchasing JJ a twin sized bed that has built in drawers.  Get rid of dresser regardless of purchase or not.

May...  T Man's room... help T sort and organize all of his clothes.  Donate all clothes that are too small to Goodwill.  Make sure that there are enough hangers to hang all of T Man's shirts in the closet. 
Get a days of the week clothes organizer for both of the boys to hang in their closets.  Have boys begin to use the organizer to lay out all outfits for the week.  Each night shoes should be found and placed in the next day's slot.

I think we will see how it goes up to this point and then I will revise my plan as needed.  I do think this is a great starting point though.  Now, if I can only stick to the plan, I might achieve my goals.

Project Organization Update

Organizing and simplifying sounds easy, right?  I must say... IT IS NOT.  I think I might be a closet hoarder.  Not really, but I just hate to part with certain things even though I cannot find a "home" for that thing.

I think I might have to make a new rule that states...  uh, hummm...  If an object or item does not have a home, the said item must leave my home as well.

There... I said it. 

Does saying it make it true?  Am I now bound by my own revelation that somethings are just meant to GO?

I think to live up the expectations I have set for myself I have to be.

Enough said.  Let's move on.


Completed Projects:

• Cleaned out the toy box... only the toy box, but I had 4 bags of toys that I took to Goodwill.
• Cleaned my scrapbooking table and bookcase in the office.
• Purchased recycle bins, laundry sorter, days of the week clothes sorter for each of the boys' rooms, and a new trash can for my office desk.

Started Projects:

• I have begun cleaning my office desk.  I am acquiring space in my husband's hanging file drawer for myself.  I am creating a hanging file for each of the main areas that warrant clutter on my desk: kids, magazine clippings, recipe printouts, & school.  I will instantly file papers in the files instead of leaving things on my desk.  I think I will go through one file a week and purge unnecessary items to keep the files from becoming a permanent garbage bin.
• I have started looking into purchasing seeds.  I need to decide what will be planted and begin working on getting the soil ready in the garden bed.

Projects on the Horizon:

• my school stuff in the garage and the house... If this can get tackled I will finally feel an accomplishment on the organization & simplification front.

I hope that by watching the transformations I am trying to make in my house you to will be able to conquer a little clutter daily to get the house and home you most desire.

Organizing Made Easy

Need tips to organize and simplify?  I know I do.  So I searched through stacks of old magazines and found tons of ideas that I thought might come in handy.  Here are my top favorites...

Simple Ways to Organize Your House & Household:
Most ideas I found in Woman's Day magazine.

• assign each member of the house a color:  When purchasing towels, backpacks, etc.  buy the appropriate color for each family member.  This will let you know exactly who has left out what, so that it can get cleaned up quickly.
• place a small decorative basket near the door that is used most often: Use the basket as a place to place keys, cell phones, etc. when you enter the house.  This will save time as you will not here the all to familiar... "Honey, where did I put my keys?"
• make casting away old items easy:  Place several baskets in a closet.  As you have old clothes, toys, etc that need to be given away simply toss them into the corresponding bin and you are done!  When a bin is full take it to the local Goodwill as a donation.
• manage laundry in minutes: well, okay... let's be honest... not minutes, but definitely not hours:  Place rolling cart of drawers in the laundry room.  Label each drawer with a different family member's name.  Fold laundry and place it directly into the appropriate draw.  When a drawer is full, that person, must take the drawer upstairs and put away the contents.  The next morning just grab the drawer and bring it back to its "home".  Oh, I almost forgot.  Don't do laundry all on one day.  Do at least one load of laundry daily to keep this very unfriendly chore in check.
• scheduling and homework help:  Create a binder that has tabs for each member of the family as well as a master calendar, important telephone numbers, etc.  Keep class list, important assignments, restaurant menus, etc. organized and right at your finger tips.  Be sure to find a place that this binder will stay at all times.  if not, it won't get used and it will end up only another piece of clutter.
• shelve those books:  Line the wall of the living room with shelves about 18 inches below the ceiling.  This is the perfect place to shelve books that you want to reread, but need to stash away. 
• keep dirty clothes at bay:  Place a small hamper in or directly outside each bathroom door.  As soon as clothes are removed, they should be tossed in the hamper.  When the hamper is filled, take the hamper to the laundry room for washing.
• create a lost and found:  Place a small basket in a downstairs closet or pantry for found items.  Before bed, take out the basket and have each family member take what belongs to them and put it away.
• catch all: Somethings just do not have a place.  Batteries, safety pins, and other random items can all be stored in a plastic shoe box type container or in a designated kitchen drawer.  If you chose a box with a lid, make sure you find a location to store the box and remember to always put it back after use.

Websites to Peruse:

• desktop google
• get sorted
• project girl
• home sanctuary
• tip junkie

Zen Cleaning

If you are looking into going green or using less harmful chemicals in your home, this is the book for you. Clean: the humble art of zen-cleaning is written by Micheal deJong.

Moving to New York to become an artist was a little bit harder for deJong than he had hoped. To put a little extra cash in the bank, he began cleaning houses on the side. After several years though, he realised the impact the commercial cleaners were having on his health.

In search of more healthful and effective cleaners, he made some realisations. You could still clean well (if not better) using some cheap alternatives to the commercial cleaners he had used in the past.

If you are ready for the switch, invest in the following 5 products:baking soda, borax, lemon, salt, and vinegar.

DeJong has a recipe for making a cleanser for anything from cleaning your toilet to whitening yellowed cotton or linen fabrics. Get ready. Get set. Go green and clean

Caked on Grim... No More

I seem to be using a roasting pan more and more these days.  The problem... the oily residue that just won't budge.

I found a natural way to clean the pan that will hopefully work.

Directions...
(This should in theory work on all pots and pans.)

• Sprinkle pan with baking soda and use a spray bottle to apply vinegar to the surface as well. 
• Cut a lemon in half an use it as your scrub brush.  The bubbling action of the vinegar and baking soda should do the trick.
• I will rewash the pan with soap when finished, but you shouldn't have to. I just have a thing for really hot soap and water.

Note:  If needed, make a baking soda and water paste to apply to the lemon as you scrub.

Homemade Cleaning Supplies

Window/Glass Cleaner
½ tsp liquid soap
3 tbs vinegar
2 cups water

Mix the 3 ingredients and put into a spray bottle (Save one you have purchased before). When cleaning glass, newspaper works better than paper towels and they are less expensive too!

Laundry Detergent
1 cup soap flakes
½ cup washing soda
½ cup borax

Mix ingredients together.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner
1 cup vinegar

Pour into toilet bowl and let stay overnight. Scour with a toilet bowl brush the next day. (Never mix bleach with other cleansers!)

Furniture Water Spot Remover
Gently apply toothpaste with a soft damp cloth.

Unclogging Drains
1/4 cup baking soda
½ cup vinegar

Pour baking soda down drain then follow it with the vinegar. After fizzing stops flush the drain with boiling water.

All the above recipes came from a site called Frugal Times.  Frugal Times is a great resource for saving money.  You really should go check them out!

Rules for Making Homemade Cleaners

Rule 1: Do Not Mix Chlorine Bleach With Vinegar Or Ammonia
causes toxic fumes

Rule 2: Do Not Mix Acids And Alkalis Together
examples... do not mix vinegar and lemon juice with baking soda

Rule 3: Mix Ingredients In An Area With Proper Ventilation

Rule 4: Make Only Enough Cleaning Solution For A Few Days
lose their effectiveness quickly as they break down

Rule 5: Store Them In A Safe Place, Away From Kids
just because the cleaning product is homemade does not mean that it is safe for children

To view full details regarding each of these rules, click here.

Non-Toxic Cleaners for Kids

Here are some recipes for homemade cleaners that are safe for kids and really economical.  Remember to only make up enough cleaner for approximately a week.  Homemade cleaners loose their effectiveness fairly quickly.

Household Cleaner
(for kitchen and bath counter tops, back splashes, stove tops, and exterior surfaces of toilet)

mix together 1 cup of white vinegar & 1 cup of water in a spray bottle

Window Cleaner
use above mentioned spray and dry with a soft cloth

Tub Cleaner
Apply vinegar full-strength to a sponge and wipe with vinegar first. Next, use baking soda as you would scouring powder. Rub with a damp sponge and rinse thoroughly with clean water.

Floor Cleaner
Laminate: 1/2 cup white vinegar mixed into 1/2 gallon water

Wood Floors: mix a 1to 1 ratio of vegetable oil and vinegar into a solution, apply a thin coat, and rub in well.

Brick and Stone Floors: mix 1 cup white vinegar into 1 gallon water; scrub the floor with a brush and the vinegar solution; rinse with clean water.

Ceramic Tile: mix 1/4 cup white vinegar (more if very dirty) into 1 gallon water.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Sprinkle baking soda into the bowl, then drizzle with vinegar and scour with a toilet brush. Use a pumice stone to remove any remaining hard water rings.

Drain Opener
for slow-moving drains

Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar and cover the drain, if possible. Let set for a few minutes, then pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain to flush it.

DO NOT USE THIS METHOD AFTER ANY COMMERCIAL DRAIN OPENER HAS BEEN USED OR IS STILL PRESENT IN THE STANDING WATER.

Glass Cleaner
Mix in a sprayer bottle equal amounts of white vinegar and warm water. Dry with a soft cloth for a streak-free shine.

Using the above cleaners, my boys and I will be able to clean the following:

• entire bathroom from top to bottom
• living room
• most of the kitchen.

That means that about 80% of our house will be cleaned.  The remaining 20% will require vacuuming, straightening up, and laundry (my least favorite thing to do).

Ooops, I Spilled Again

Stains are a part of life especially when you have kids, you are a teacher or you live in the south (barbecue and football).

Woman's Day has made getting rid of stains easier for all of you diligent laundry connoisseurs.

coffee or tea: wet stain with water, apply white vinegar to stained area, apply a stain stick, allow to sit before washing

crayon: apply ice to stain and break off as much of the crayon as possible, apply Carbona, let sit, rinse with cold water, wash

mustard: soak in a 1/2 and 1/2 vinegar water mixture, spritz with water down dish washing liquid, scrub and rinse

ketchup: apply cold water to remove as much of the stain as possible, apply stain stick and let sit, wash

ballpoint pen ink: apply glycerin,rinse with cold water, apply liquid dish soap, repeat until stain is removed
Read more...

Tips on Line Drying Your Clothes

link to photo

Something about summer has me thinking lately about lazy days and visualizing my kids clothing swaying in the breeze.  I have never line dried clothing before and only have a very small area in which it is even possible to do so, but I think I am going to give it a try.

I purchased a retractable line at Walmart for about $12.  It can span a 20 foot area, but I think my area will be more like 9 feet.  Small but still worth the effort... I think.

One worry I have with line drying is wrinkles... cause I hate me some ironing.  AND The other worry would be going outside to find my laundry all over the lawn and trampled on by my lovely doggie friends.

That being said...
I found some helpful hints at a variety of sites and thought I would share.

Great Tips to Line Dry Your Clothing

* Make sure the line is very taunt and is cleaned on a regular basis.  You should clean the line every couple of weeks.

Natural Cleaning Recipe
Mix 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar and 3 cups hot water. For stronger cleaning power add 1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap. Wipe on with dampened cloth or use non-aerosol spray bottle. (This is not an antibacterial formula. The average kitchen or bathroom does not require antibacterial cleaners.)

* Hang shirts from the bottom folding several inches over the line before pinning.  If you hang by the top, you will have large dimples in the area where the pins were placed.

* When hanging towels, shake them really well before and after hanging to keep them fluffy.  Fold the towels in half and place one half of the towel on each side of the line before pinning into place.

* Any clothing that you would like to retain its shape should be placed on a hanger.  The hanger will then be secured to the clothes line.

* If space is limited, consider hanging two lines from the same area.  Be sure to hang the heavier items on the top line and smaller items on the lower line.

* Be sure you know what the weather forecast is for the day.  You wouldn't want to take the time to hang them just to have to rewash the entire load that evening.

* Pants and Skirts: "...using two clothespins, one on each side, hanging right-side-up (from the waistline). Jeans can be hung upside down, with a clothespin on each leg, but they dry more slowly that way. Skirts can be hung upside down and spread out, using multiple clothespins for full skirts, and will dry more quickly that way, but take up a lot more clothesline space."

* Use fewer clothespins (and save a little time and line space, too!) by connecting the sides of t-shirts, towels, or sheets.

* Shake each piece of laundry briskly before hanging it up. This removes any lint and wrinkles, and results in softer laundry when it's dry. It makes it easier to hang pieces neatly, too.

Personally, I always have an overload of laundry on the couch or in various baskets in different places around the house.  Maybe this will be the answer I have been in search of for some time now.  Folding the laundry as it is taken down and instantly putting it away. 

ahhh... SUCCESS

Hopefully, these tips will make my line drying adventure a breeze (no pun intend). I am crossing the fingers that I can get the line installed soon and try it out this coming weekend.

Got Stuck on Glue... Literally

I wore a pair of black pants to work today and sat on a child's project.  I didn't even notice until one of the kids was giggling.  He couldn't take it any longer and said... Mrs. Sanders, you have work on your hiney. 

At first, I thought he said I needed to work on my hiney and I was a bit insulted.  I was relived to find it was only paper stuck to my butt, but very disappointed to find I have tons of glue stains on my pants now. 

Uhhhh!!!  I might have preferred the work on my hiney comment... at least it would have been something I already knew.

Anyways, it took alot of searching to find a solution.  Below is copied from the Elmer's Glue site.  I'm gonna try it out and I will let you know how it works. 

Cross your fingers and send well wishes my way.  I just got these super comfy pants.  I want to wear them in public again in my future.

How can I remove School Glue or Glue-All?

Surfaces
When concentrated in small areas, a clean cloth should be soaked in warm water and applied to the glue stain. Check the stain for softening after a couple hours. The softened glue should then be able to be wiped clean with a clean dry cloth. Repeat this procedure until all the glue has been removed.

Clothing

When dry, do not use hot water, dry cleaning solvents, a hot drum dryer or iron before the removal of the adhesive is complete, as they can fuse the adhesive film irreversibly, making removal impossible. Soaking in room temperature water for 24 hours or longer will help to redisperse or soften the film. After soaking, wash the fabric in a normal wash cycle and allow it to dry at room temperature. Check for discoloration and stiffness on drying. If so, repeat the process until the item is cleaned to your satisfaction.

Environmentally Friendly HE Detergents

I got an energy efficient washer and drier this year. It takes awhile to find laundry soap that does not irritate little Js skin due to his ichthyosis. Finding an nice HE detergent was difficult, but here are my favs:

Seventh Generation Blue Eucalyptus and Lavender

SELECT ACTIVE INGREDIENTS (copied from the Seventh Generation Site)

 

Plant-derived Cleaning Agents: Low-foaming, stain removing power for use in HE and standard machines Water Softener: Removes water hardness to improve cleaning power
Non-animal Derived Enzymes: Premium-performance protein and starch stain removers (blood, grass, wine)

This product is formulated to be safe for your family and the environment. The ingredient combination is a non-toxic, non-irritating, hypoallergenic, biodegradable alternative to conventional petroleum-based detergents.

AND

 

Mrs. Meyers Basil Laundry Detergent
(Lavender use to be my favorite until one day they were out. After using the Basil, I have a new favorite.)

Mrs. Meyers products are biodegradable and phosphate free, and made with natural essential oils. Mrs. Meyers also has fabric softener as well as other house hold cleaners. If you use the whole line of products you can use one scent throughout your entire house.

Neither of these products irritate Js skin and both smell great. The fact that they are made from natural ingredients is also a plus. I try to use as many natural products as possible to cut back on the amount of chemicals absorbed through Js skin. If you are looking for a more healthy, great smelling laundry solution, you should consider trying one of these.

Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent

I got an energy efficient washer and drier this year. It takes awhile to find laundry soap that does not irritate little Js skin due to his ichthyosis. Finding an nice HE detergent was difficult, but here are my favs:

Seventh Generation Blue Eucalyptus and Lavender

SELECT ACTIVE INGREDIENTS (copied from the Seventh Generation Site)

Plant-derived Cleaning Agents: Low-foaming, stain removing power for use in HE and standard machines

Water Softener: Removes water hardness to improve cleaning power

Non-animal Derived Enzymes: Premium-performance protein and starch stain removers (blood, grass, wine)

This product is formulated to be safe for your family and the environment. The ingredient combination is a non-toxic, non-irritating, hypoallergenic, biodegradable alternative to conventional petroleum-based detergents.

AND

Mrs. Meyers Basil Laundry Detergent
(Lavender use to be my favorite until one day they were out. After using the Basil, I have a new favorite.)

Mrs. Meyers products are biodegradable and phosphate free, and made with natural essential oils. Mrs. Meyers also has fabric softener as well as other house hold cleaners. If you use the whole line of products you can use one scent throughout your entire house.

Neither of these products irritate Js skin and both smell great. The fact that they are made from natural ingredients is also a plus. I try to use as many natural products as possible to cut back on the amount of chemicals absorbed through Js skin. If you are looking for a more healthy, great smelling laundry solution, you should consider trying one of these.

The Power of Four

Since summer has arrived and the boys and I are spending more hours in our home than usual I am again turning to more natural cleaning methods.  It always seems to benefit JJs skin and helps with my allergies as well.

I know I have mentioned the book, Clean: the humble art of zen cleaning, several times before, but it really is my go to on natural cleaning.  The book uses five main ingredients that are life savers when it comes to natural cleaning methods.  (The only ingredient I am not linking uses for is salt.)

Below you will find links to sites that give suggestions on the myriad of uses for each of these products.  I hope you can find at least a few ways to incorporate these simple, green methods into your home.

I read a blog called Merlin's Magickal Mistress.  The author of this blog has catalogued tons of ways to use baking soda: from deodorizing to personal hygiene to cleaning.  The list includes 40 different ways to use this amazingly wonderful powder.

While on the topic of natural cleaning, I thought I would link to one of my other all time favorite powders: Borax.  My favorite use of Borax though has got to be for the laundry.  I love that it can fight stains, deodorize, and soften the laundry all at once.  Now that's a good bang for your buck!

Another cheap staple to have on hand is vinegar.  Vinegar has been around for over 10,000 years.  Anything that has been around that long must have some good qualities, right?

The last item I want to link ideas for is lemon juice.  This green living tips site has 24 uses for lemon juice that are super simple.

So basically, you can clean your entire house top to bottom and take care of tons of personal hygiene as well with just four main staples: baking soda, borax, vinegar, & lemon juice.

If you give natural cleaning with the above four ingredients a try, I know you will be impressed with the outcome.

Feel free to leave a comment to let me know how it worked for you and your family.

Home Cleaners

Window/Glass Cleaner
½ tsp liquid soap
3 tbs vinegar
2 cups water

Mix the 3 ingredients and put into a spray bottle (Save one you have purchased before). When cleaning glass, newspaper works better than paper towels and they are less expensive too!

Laundry Detergent
1 cup soap flakes
½ cup washing soda
½ cup borax

Mix ingredients together.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner
1 cup vinegar

Pour into toilet bowl and let stay overnight. Scour with a toilet bowl brush the next day. (Never mix bleach with other cleansers!)

Furniture Water Spot Remover
Gently apply toothpaste with a soft damp cloth.

Unclogging Drains
1/4 cup baking soda
½ cup vinegar

Pour baking soda down drain then follow it with the vinegar. After fizzing stops flush the drain with boiling water.

All the above recipes came from a site called Frugal Times.  Frugal Times is a great resource for saving money.  You really should go check them out.