Around the House

[Honeylioness]

I have been making my own laundry soap for about 7 years now and I prefer this to any brand I had used before.


Laundry Soap

* 1 Bar Fels-Naptha soap
* 1 Cup Washing Soda (I use Arm & Hammer - and NO ... Baking soda is not the same thing)
* 1 Cup Borax (most common brand is 40 Mule Team)
* Water
* Large plastic tub with lid (I use a clean kitty litter container)


Grate or shave the soap into a large pan and cover with anough water to cover the shavings. Heat water to boiling to melt/dissolve the soap.

Add the washing soda and borax and stir to dissolve.

Pour into the bucket and add another 4 cups of hot water. Stirring well to be sure everything is mixed.

Add 3 1/2-4 gallons of cool water to the bucket and give it all a final mix.

Replace the lid and let sit overnight. It will set and become gel like. I use an old cup to scoop out the mix and add to the washer. One cup per full load - less for smaller loads. Occasionally you may want to stir it before you use it - but I no longer do.

It has no dyes or perfumes and gets your clothes really clean. It will not cause undue fading since there are no harsh chemicals. And it is more environmentally friendly than store bought detergents.

I figured it costs me about $2.50 a batch to make and I can get 25-30 loads from one batch.

**Note** if you mix only the dry ingredients together you would add 2 tablespoons per full load

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SES_Books - 05/15/09 09:29 PM

Honey--Oh great, wise and wonderful one. I can't find any of the ingredients for soap I need in my little town. I tried Walmart, Safeway, the Dollar store and the local farm supply store. Next weekend I will be in Rapid City and will check a little old fashioned hardware store that carries unbelievable things, Lowes, another home center type store and a bigger Walmart. Actually since I have free long distance on weekends I will call ahead to see if any of them have any of it-save some gas money. I guess the next step is to get my sister the "super shopper" to start looking before my trip to Kansas City this summer. I am determined! Surely there is a site I can eventually go to for this stuff. Could I substitute Ivory for the fels-naptha? And how much?


Honeylioness - 05/18/09 04:08 PM

SES – I did some sleuthing for you about your question regarding the unavailability of Fels-Naptha soap in your area (which I must tell you I am still in a bit of shock about)

• I found two message boards where people who also could not find Fels-Naptha where it should be in the laundry aisle DID find it with the regular hand soaps even after a store employee said they did not carry it.
  
• Zote, Ivory, or castile soap can be used in place of Fels-Naptha. In Canada other posters noted they used Sunlight Laundry Bars instead and it worked just fine.
  
• Lastly, here is a Site where you can not only get the raw ingredients you need, they even have pre-grated soap and “kits” of measured ingredients they will sell you.
  www.soapsgonebuy.com/
  

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tipnut.com/frugral-fabric-softener-recipes-dryer-sheet-tips/


Other ratios of ingredients for laundry soap:
tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/


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Dishwasher Detergent

Making your own dishwashing detergent is not only easy to do, but it is environmentally friendly and can save you money in the long run. It may not be cost effective to make all of your home cleaning products, but its definitely worth making homemade dishwashing detergent. The benefits range from being able to have a larger quantity of product for less cost, to knowing the products are all natural and not harmful to the environment.

The recipe for creating your own inexpensive homemade dishwashing detergent is quick and easy.

What you'll need:

Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
20 Mule Team Borax
Distilled White Vinegar

Here's what you do (read slowly because there are only two steps):

* Step 1: Add one tablespoon of Super Washing Soda to the dishwasher dispenser
* Step 2: Add one tablespoon of 20 Mule Team Borax to the dishwasher dispenser

You're done. That's the recipe for homemade dishwashing detergent. Now the recipe for removing the water spots that so frequently occur with automatic dishwashers:

* Pour distilled white vinegar into the dispenser for the clear rinse gel.

The cost for this recipe is less than 4 cents per load.

Calculation as follows:

Cost of Borax: $2.50 for 76 ounces = .03/oz or .015 for ½ oz

Cost for Washing Soda: $2.50 for 55 ounces= 4/oz or .02 for ½oz

Recipe calls for ½ ounce of each so the cost per wash is 3.5 cents.



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Drain Cleaner


Before your kitchen drain stops up on you try some regular preventative maintenance.

When you change the open container of baking soda in your refrigerator every six months (you ARE changing it regularly yes?) what are you doing with the old box?

Don't throw it away - use it to do a little purging of your kitchen drain.

Not only is this so easy it's silly, but it's fun as well:

* Fill a kettle and boil the water
* Remove the drain basket from sink
* Pour 1/3-1/2 of the baking soda into the drain
* Pour approx. 1/2 cup white vinegar down drain
* Cover drain with your hand to force the fizzling mixture downward
* Repeat until baking soda is gone
* Pour the entire kettle of boiling water down the drain

I have been doing this for years and cannot remember ever having a problem with a clogged drain or a slow drain caused by greasy build up.

Another upside is that you are not using toxic chemicals!

[Honeylioness]

Pantry Cleaners: Recipes for Homemade Cleaning Products
Posted November 22, 2008 by Cynthia Townley Ewer

organizedhome.com/pantry-recipes-homemade-cleaning-products

Taken a trip down the cleaning aisle at the supermarket lately? If you believe the ad hype, you can't keep a clean house without loading your shopping cart with a different cleaner for each surface, floor and sink in the house.

Hogwash! Simple recipes using products from your pantry make effective household cleaning solutions. An added plus: these natural products are more environmentally friendly than commercial alternatives.

Stock your cleaning tool tote with these homemade cleaning sprays and solutions to make short work of household grime--without harsh chemicals or irritating fumes.

Try these easy recipes to clean your organized home faster, better and cheaper:

White Vinegar

Mildly acidic white vinegar dissolves dirt, soap scum, and hard water deposits from smooth surfaces, yet is gentle enough to use in solution to clean hardwood flooring.

White vinegar is a natural deodorizer, absorbing odors instead of covering them up. (And no, your bathroom won't smell like a salad! Any vinegar aroma disappears when dry.) With no coloring agents, white vinegar won't stain grout on tiled surfaces. Because it cuts detergent residue, white vinegar makes a great fabric softener substitute for families with sensitive skin.

Try these recipes to harness the cleaning power of white vinegar:

Homemade Spray Cleaner Recipe

Mix in a sprayer bottle:
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water

In the kitchen, use vinegar-and-water spray to clean countertops, lightly soiled range surfaces and backsplash areas.

In the bathroom, use vinegar spray cleaner to clean countertops, floors, and exterior surfaces of the toilet.

For really tough bathroom surfaces such as shower walls, pump up the cleaning power by removing the sprayer element and heating the solution in the microwave until barely hot. Spray shower walls with the warmed generously, allow to stand for 10 to 15 minutes, then scrub and rinse. The heat helps soften stubborn soap scum and loosens hard water deposits.

Undiluted White Vinegar

Undiluted white vinegar straight from the jug makes quick work of tougher cleaning problems involving hard water deposits or soap scum.

Use undiluted white vinegar to scrub the inside of the toilet bowl. Before you begin, dump a bucket of water into the toilet to force water out of the bowl and allow access to the sides. Pour undiluted white vinegar around the bowl and scrub with a toilet brush to remove stains and odor. Use a pumice stone to remove any remaining hard water rings.

Clean shower heads that have been clogged with mineral deposits with undiluted white vinegar. Place 1/4 to 1/2 cup vinegar in a plastic food storage bag, and secure the bag to the shower head with a rubber band. Let stand for 2 hours to overnight, then rinse and buff the fixture to a shiny finish.

Add one cup of undiluted white vinegar to the laundry rinse cycle instead of commercial fabric softener. White vinegar softens clothes and cuts detergent residue--a plus for family members with sensitive skin.

Baking Soda

Baking soda's mild abrasive action and natural deodorizing properties make it a powerful replacement for harsh commercial scouring powders. Put baking soda to work in your organized home:

Sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge to tackle grimy bathtub rings, scour vanities, or remove food deposits from the kitchen sink. For tougher grime, make a paste of baking soda and water, apply to the tub or sink, and allow to stand for 10 to 20 minutes. Dirt, soap scum and deposits soften and are easier to remove.

Slow-running drains? Keep bathroom drains running freely by pouring 1/2 to 3/4 cup baking soda into the drain, and dribbling just enough hot water to wash the solution down. Let stand for 2 hours to overnight, then flush thoroughly with hot water. The deodorizing effect is an added bonus! [Do not use this method on blocked drains.]


Rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol provides the base for an evaporating cleaner to rival commercial window and glass cleaning solutions. Use this glass cleaning spray recipe for windows, mirrors, chrome fixtures and for a shiny finish on hard-surface ceramic tiles:

Homemade Glass Cleaner Recipe

Mix in a sprayer bottle:
1 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
1 cup water
1 tablespoon white vinegar

Ammonia

A strong alkaline solution, clear, non-sudsing ammonia creates stronger window and all-purpose cleaning recipes than acidic vinegar.

Choose non-sudsing varieties of household ammonia for these cleaning recipes. Suds may look like they're working, but they're tough to rinse and remove.

Try these formulations for spring cleaning or tough chores:

Strong Glass Cleaner Recipe

Mix in a sprayer bottle:
1 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
1 cup water
1 tablespoon clear, non-sudsing ammonia

Strong All-Purpose Recipe

Mix in a sprayer bottle:
1 T clear, non-sudsing ammonia
1 T clear laundry detergent
2 cups water

Furniture Polish

Most of us no longer use hard-to-apply furniture wax, but rely on oil-based polish to keep furniture protected and shiny.

Our "salad dressing" version avoids the danger of silicone oil, found in most commercial polishes and sprays. Silicone oil can penetrate tiny cracks in furniture finish and enter the wood, causing problems in the event refinishing is needed. Lemon juice dissolves dirt and smudges, while olive oil shines and protects the wood:

Furniture Polish Recipe

Mix in a sprayer bottle:
1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice

Shake well and apply a small amount to a flannel cleaning rag or cleaning cloth. Spread evenly over furniture surface. Turn cloth to a dry side and polish dry.

Furniture Polish Recipe: Option 2

Mix in a spray bottle and shake well

Juice of one lemon or four tablespoons of bottled lemon juice
Three tablespoons of water
Two teaspoons of olive oil

Anytime you want to polish your furniture, you should make a new batch, as the olive oil may become rancid if you only polish your furniture once a month. Using a soft terry cloth instead of paper towel seems to give a better shine to the furniture.

[Honeylioness]

More Earth Friendly and Home-Made Cleaning Ideas


Lemons
The acid in lemon juice removes dirt and rust stains. It's especially effective when mixed with salt, which makes an excellent scouring paste.

Price: About 50 cents a lemon.

Use Them to Clean Your…

Countertops: Dip the cut side of a lemon half in baking soda to tackle countertops; wipe with a wet sponge and dry. Don't use on delicate stone, like marble, or stainless steel (it may discolor).

Cutting boards: To remove tough food stains from light wood and plastic cutting boards, slice a lemon in half, squeeze onto the soiled surface, rub, and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing.

Dishes: To increase the grease-cutting power of your dishwashing detergent, add a teaspoon of lemon juice.

Faucets: Combat lime scale by rubbing lemon juice onto the taps and letting it sit overnight. Wipe with a damp cloth.

Garbage disposal: Cut a lemon in half, then run both pieces through the disposal. "The lemon cleans it and makes it smell great,"

Grout: Spilled morning coffee on your tile countertop or back splash? Here's how to tackle grout stains: Add lemon juice to 1 or 2 teaspoons cream of tartar (an acidic salt that acts as a natural bleaching agent) to make a paste. Apply with a toothbrush, then rinse.

Hands: When you touch raw fish, the smell can linger on your fingers. Rub your hands with lemon juice, which will neutralize the odor.

Laundry: To brighten whites, add 1/2 cup lemon juice to the rinse cycle for a normal-size load.

Plastic food-storage containers: To bleach stains from tomato soup and other acidic foods on dishwasher-safe items, rub lemon juice on the spots, let dry in a sunny place, then wash as usual.


Essential Oils
Extracted from plants, some essential oils can kill bacteria and mold. They're very strong, so don't go overboard: One drop of peppermint oil is as potent as 30 cups of peppermint tea.

Price: $14 for 5 milliliters at health-food stores.

Use Them to Clean Your…

Combs and brushes: Fill a container with 1 1/2 cups water, 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar, and 20 drops tea-tree, lavender, or eucalyptus oil. Soak combs and brushes for 20 minutes. Rinse and air-dry.

Scuffed floors: Apply two to four drops of tea-tree oil to the spots. Wipe excess oil with a cloth and rub in distilled white vinegar.

Gum-encrusted items: Orange oil is great at removing this sticky offender from various materials. (Don't worry: It shouldn't stain fabrics. But do launder immediately.) Apply with a cotton ball.

Shower doors: Wipe scum-covered glass doors with a few drops of lemon oil twice a month. It will protect them from grime buildup.

Toilets: Add 2 teaspoons tea-tree oil and 2 cups water to a spray bottle. Shake, then spritz along the toilet's inside rim. Let sit for 30 minutes; scrub. You can also place a few drops of your favorite oil on the inside of the toilet-paper tube. Every time the paper is used, the scent will be released.

Windows: Mix 2 ounces water and 10 drops lavender or lemongrass oil to wipe grime off windows. Bonus: These oils may repel flies.


Liquid Castile Soap
Like other soaps, this plant-based version efficiently loosens grime and dirt from surfaces, but as it's gentler it won't dull them.

Price: About $8 for 8 ounces at supermarkets.

Use It to Clean Your…

Car: Mix 1/4 cup liquid Castile soap with hot water in a bucket (fill almost to the top). Rub a generous amount of the solution on your car's exterior, windshield, hubcaps, and tires with a large sponge, then thoroughly hose it off.

Floors: You can mop almost any type of floor with a solution of 1/4 cup liquid Castile soap and 2 gallons warm water. If the floors are greasy, add 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar to the bucket. leather upholstery: Add 2 drops liquid Castile soap to 1 quart warm water. Apply to the leather with a barely moist sponge.

Marble countertops: Stir 1 tablespoon liquid Castile soap into 1 quart warm water. Dampen a cloth with the solution and wipe surface. Rinse, then dry with a clean cloth.

Sinks, showers, tubs, and ceramic tile: Create a homemade soft scrubber by combining 1 tablespoon liquid Castile soap and 1/3 cup baking soda.

Stove top and vent hood: Add a few squirts of liquid Castile soap to 2 cups hot water. Apply to the stovetop, the burners, and the vent hood to cut through accumulated grease.


Cooking Oils
Vegetable- and plant-based oils, such as olive and sunflower, dislodge dirt, diminish scratches and imperfections, and hydrate wood that has aged or dried out from exposure to the sun.

Price: About $7 a pint at supermarkets.

Use Them to Clean Your…

Cast-iron pans: Make a scrubbing paste with vegetable oil and a teaspoon of coarse salt to combat cooked-on debris, then rinse with hot water.

Hands: To get paint off your skin, rub with vegetable oil, then wash thoroughly with soap.

Leather shoes: Wipe away dirt with a damp sponge, then apply a drop of vegetable oil to a soft cloth and rub the surface to remove scuff marks. Buff the shoes with a chamois to a shine.

Rattan and wicker furniture: To prevent rattan and wicker from drying or cracking, lightly brush them with vegetable or sunflower oil and gently rub in with a cloth. Warm the oil on the stove first to thin it and make it easier to apply.

Stainless-steel surfaces: For extra sparkle, pour olive oil onto a cloth and buff.

Wood furniture: Make your own polish by mixing 2 cups olive or vegetable oil with the juice of 1 lemon; work it in with a soft cloth. To smooth out scratches in light-colored wood, rub them with a solution of equal parts olive or vegetable oil and lemon juice.


Borax
When added to a laundry wash, borax makes detergents even more effective. It's also quite alkaline, so it kills mold and fungus and softens water.

Price: About $5 for 4 pounds at supermarkets.

Use It to Clean Your…

Baseboards, countertops, and walls: Dissolve 1/2 cup borax in 1 gallon hot water and pour the solution into a spray bottle (which you can store for later use). Spritz generously, wipe down with a damp cloth, and let air-dry.

China (including hand painted): Soak china in a dishpan filled with warm water and 1/2 cup borax; rinse well.

Dishwasher: If the machine is smelling like last night's chicken cacciatore, sprinkle borax in the bottom, let it sit overnight, then wipe down with a damp sponge. No need to rinse; just run the next load.

Pots and pans: Rub borax into cookware with a damp sponge; rinse well.

Toilet: Pour borax in the bowl and let it sit overnight, Swish the bowl a few times with a toilet brush and flush the next day. Borax really gets rid of rust stains.


Vinegar
This acidic wonder can wipe out tarnish, soap scum, mineral deposits, and more. Among natural cleaners, it's the clear champ. Distilled white vinegar creates an environment that inhibits the growth of mold, mildew, and some bacteria, such as E. coli and salmonella,

Price: About $1.80 for a quart at supermarkets.

Use It to Clean Your…

Coffeemaker: Pour equal parts vinegar and water into the machine's water chamber, then switch on the brew cycle. Halfway through, turn off the coffeemaker and let the solution sit for about an hour. Turn it on again to complete the cycle, then run several cycles with clean water.

Dishwasher: To disinfect the interior of the machine, pour 1/2 cup vinegar into the reservoir and run an empty cycle. Or place a small bowl filled with vinegar on the bottom rack and run an empty cycle.

Drains: Clean drains - and the pipes they're attached to - by pouring vinegar down them. After 30 minutes, flush with cold water.

Floors: Add 1/4 cup vinegar to a bucket of warm water to clean almost any type of floor except marble (vinegar can scratch it) or wood (vinegar can strip it).

Glassware: For spotless hand-washed glasses, add 1 cup vinegar to the rinse water.

Moldy walls: Spray vinegar on the affected areas. After about 15 minutes, rinse and let dry thoroughly.

Showerheads: To combat mineral deposits, pour vinegar into a plastic grocery bag and knot the handles over the neck of the showerhead, securing with rubber bands. Let soak overnight. Rinse with water in the morning.

Steam iron: To get rid of mineral deposits, fill the iron with equal parts vinegar and water; press the steam button. Turn off, let cool, empty, and rinse.

Windows: Mix 1/4 cup vinegar, 2 cups water, and a squirt of liquid Castile soap in a spray bottle. Spritz windows and wipe with a sheet of newspaper.


1. Disinfect wood cutting boards.
2. Soothe a sore throat; use 1 tsp of vinegar per glass of water, then gargle.
3. Fight dandruff; after shampooing, rinse hair with vinegar and 2 cups of warm water.
4. Remove warts; apply daily a 50/50 solution of cider vinegar and glycerin until they’re gone.
5. Cure an upset stomach; drink 2 tsp apple cider vinegar in one cup of water.
6. Polish chrome.
7. Keep boiled eggs from cracking; add 2 tbsp to water before boiling.
8. Clean deposits from fish tanks.
9. Remove urine stains from carpet. (Heh. Hopefully, it’s animal urine!)
10. Keep fleas off dogs; add a little vinegar to the dog’s drinking water.
11. Keep car windows from frosting up; use a solution of 3 oz. vinegar to 1 oz. water.
12. Clean dentures; soak overnight in vinegar and then brush.
13. Get rid of lint in clothes; add 0.5 cup vinegar to rinse cycle.
14. Remove grease from suede.
15. Kill grass on sidewalks and driveways.
16. Make wool blankets softer; add 2 cups distilled vinegar to rinse cycle.
17. Remove skunk odor from a dog; rub fur with full strength vinegar and rinse.
18. Freshen wilted vegetables; soak them in 1 tbsp vinegar and a cup of water.
19. Dissolve mineral deposits in drip coffee makers.
20. Deodorize drains; pour a cup down the drain once a week, let sit for 30 minutes, then rinse.
21. Use as a replacement for a lemon; 0.25 tsp vinegar substitutes for 1 tsp of lemon juice.
22. Make rice fluffier; add 1 tsp of vinegar to water when it boils.
23. Prevent grease build-up in ovens; wipe oven with cleaning rag soaked in distilled vinegar and water.
24. Kill germs; mix a 50-50 solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
25. Unclog shower heads; place in a pot with 50-50 solution of vinegar and water, bring it to a boil and then simmer for 5 minutes.
26. Shine patent leather.
27. Make propane lantern wicks burn longer/brighter; soak them in vinegar for 3 hours, let dry.
28. Act as an an air freshener.
29. Soften paint brushes; soak in hot vinegar then rinse with soapy water.
30. Remove bumper stickers and decals; simply cover them with vinegar-soaked cloth for several minutes.
31. Prolong the life of fresh-cut flowers; use 2 tbsp of vinegar and 3 tbsp of sugar per quart of warm water.

All of these vinegar applications, and scores more, can be found at this informative site.



Baking and Washing Soda
Baking soda (a.k.a. sodium bicarbonate) and its close cousin, washing soda (sodium carbonate), both absorb odors. But unlike baking soda, slightly stronger washing soda can't be ingested; wear rubber gloves when handling it.

Price: About $1.08 for a pound of baking soda; $7 for 4 pounds of washing soda; both available at supermarkets.

Use Them to Clean Your…

Can opener: Dip a toothbrush in a paste of 2 tablespoons baking soda and 1 teaspoon water and use it to dislodge gunk.

Garage floors (and other concrete surfaces): Pour washing soda generously on oil and grease spots and sprinkle with water until a paste forms. Let stand overnight. The next day, scrub with a damp brush, hose down, and wipe clean.

Garden tools: Dip a moist stiff-bristled brush in washing soda to scrub trimmers, clippers, and more. Rinse, then place in a sunny area to dry. (Don't use washing soda on aluminum tools.)

Grills and barbecue utensils: To combat tough grease stains, dip a moist stiff- bristled brush in washing soda and scrub away.

Stove burner grates: In a dishpan, soak them in 1 gallon warm water and 1/2 cup washing soda for 30 minutes. Rinse and dry.

Stained teacups and coffee mugs: Fill with 1 part baking soda and 2 parts water and soak overnight; rub with a sponge and rinse.

Upholstered furniture: To remove odors, sprinkle baking soda on the fabric, then vacuum.

Scuffed walls: Erase crayon marks by applying a baking-soda paste (equal parts baking soda and water) to white painted walls (baking soda may dull colored walls). Let dry before brushing it off with a clean cloth.


Baking Soda

Aside from its primary use as a baking agent, baking soda is another grocery item with an almost countless number of applications. For example, among other things, baking soda can be used to:

1. Deodorize your refrigerator; put an open box in the fridge.
2. Remove odors from shoes.
3. Keep drains clean and free-flowing; use 4 tbspns of soda and flush with hot water.
4. Keep your underarms smelling fresh.
5. Soften your skin.
6. Relieve diaper rash.
7. Relieve sunburn; apply a paste of soda and water.
8. Extinguish small grease and electrical fires.
9. Polish silverware.
10. Clean your refrigerator. (Or your neighbors, for that matter.)
11. Remove cat box odors; cover the bottom of the box with soda, then top with kitty litter.
12. Clean and remove stale odors from thermos bottles and coolers.
13. Make dried beans more digestible by soaking them in a solution of baking soda and water.
14. Make wild game taste less, well, “gamey.”
15. Remove oil and grease stains from laundry; add baking soda to the wash water.
16. Remove stains from marble, Formica or plastic surfaces; apply a paste of soda and water.
17. Remove grease from garage floors.
18. Clean vegetables and fruit; sprinkle some in water, then soak and rinse.
19. Wash garbage cans.
20. Clean and remove odors from your dishwasher; just run it with soda instead of soap.
21. Inhibit smoldering butts in ashtrays.
22. Clean shower curtains.
23. Keep teeth or dentures clean. (Preferably, yours.)
24. Relieve indigestion and heartburn; drink 0.5 tsp of soda in 4 oz of water
25. Use as a mouthwash and/or relieve canker sore pain; gargle with 0.5 tsp of soda in 4 oz of water
26. Remove baked-on food from pots and pans; soak in soda and water for 15 min.
27. Relieve bee sting pain.
28. Make homemade Play Dough; combine 1.25 cups water, 2 cups soda, 1 cup cornstarch.
29. Remove feathers more easily when scalding a chicken; just add to the water.
30. As a windshield water repellent.
31. Clean canvas handbags.
32. Shine chrome and stainless steel.


Toothpaste
The combination of a mild abrasive, a surfactant (detergent), and an antibacterial agent makes toothpaste a potent stain-fighter. Stick with standard paste, not gel, and steer clear of formulas designed for tartar control and whitening, These often contain chemicals and additional abrasives that can damage items such as fine silver.

Price: About $3.65 for a tube.

Use It to Clean Your…

Acrylic accessories (such as desktop organizers): Squeeze toothpaste onto a toothbrush and work it into scratches until they diminish. Wipe residue off with a cloth.

Chrome fixtures: To polish faucets and taps in the kitchen or bathroom, smear a dime-size amount of toothpaste onto them, then buff with a soft cloth until they shine.

Scuffed linoleum: Reduce marks by scrubbing them with toothpaste and a dry cloth until no toothpaste residue remains.

Piano keys: Rub each key carefully with a damp cotton swab and a dollop of toothpaste. Wipe dry and buff with a clean cloth.

Tarnished silverware: Put a dab of toothpaste on a soft cloth, rub it onto the tarnish, then rinse with water and dry with a clean cloth.

Steam iron: Mineral deposits can stain an iron's soleplate. Apply a dab of toothpaste and work it into the plate. Use a clean cloth to remove residue.


Table Salt
Salt's granular texture makes it perfectly suited for scouring. Table salt, sea salt, and kosher salt can all be used, but table salt is the cheapest choice.

Price: About 69 cents a pound.

Use It to Clean Your…

Artificial flowers: Place the fake blooms inside a paper bag and pour in salt. Close the bag and shake vigorously. The salt will dislodge accumulated dust and dirt.

Glassware: Salt won't scratch the way a scouring pad can. To get out stubborn stains, add some salt for extra abrasion and scrub.

Greasy pots and pans: Sprinkle salt on cookware to absorb excess grease. Dump out the salt before washing as usual. (Not recommended for nonstick cookware.)

Spills in the oven: If that casserole bubbles over as you take it out of the oven, pour salt on the spill to soak it up. When the oven is cool, wipe with a damp sponge.

Stained teacups and coffee mugs: Sprinkle salt on the outside of a lemon peel; rub the affected area till clean.

Wooden counters and tables: Cover grease splatters with salt to absorb as much as possible. Wait an hour, then brush away the salt.


WD-40

You can’t get a gallon of milk at your local Home Depot, but you can often find WD-40 in a grocery store! WD-40 was originally developed as a water repellent and corrosion preventer, but today the manufacturer claims the product has over 2000 uses. But, Len, if there are 2000 uses why isn’t this product listed at number 1? Well, the answer is two-fold: 1) because most of those 2000 uses are just variations of the same basic applications; and 2) this is my list and I’ll do as I want. (So there.)

Here are 20 of the more arcane ones which have actually been verified by the manufacturer according to Snopes:

1. Removes road tar and grime from cars.
2. Loosens stuck zippers.
3. Untangles jewelery chains.
4. Keeps pigeons off the balcony. (Apparently, they hate the smell.)
5. Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
6. Protects silver from tarnishing.
7. Keeps ceramic/terracotta garden pots from oxidizing.
8. Keeps scissors working smoothly.
9. Lubricates squeaky home and vehicle door hinges.
10. Lubricates gear shifts and deck levers on riding mowers.
11. Eliminates squeaks from kids’ swings.
12. Makes home windows easier to open. (And it’s safer than a hammer!)
13. Helps stubborn umbrellas to open and close.
14. Restores and cleans vehicle roof racks.
15. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
16. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles.
17. Removes residual duct tape adhesive.
18. Cleans bugs off of grills and bumpers.
19. Displaces the moisture and allows a car to start when sprayed on the distributor cap.
20. Removes black scuff marks from floors.



Coca-Cola

Paul Michael wrote an article for Wisebread that highlighted 51 potential uses for Coke (or any other cola product, for that matter). Here are some of the more interesting ones:

1. Remove grease and blood stains from clothing and fabric.
2. Clean oil stains from a garage floor.
3. Remove rust. (My mom said she used to do this as a kid do get corrosion off her bike – I guess she didn’t have any WD-40!)
4. Loosen a rusty bolt. (Another WD-40 trick. Am I the only one here beginning to think Coke is a main ingredient in that stuff?)
5. Tenderize and add extra flavor to a pot roast. (Okay. Let’s see WD-40 do this!)
6. Kill slugs and snails.
7. Help a lawn become lush and green.
8. Prevent an asthma attack.
9. Defrost a frozen windshield. (I prefer using hot coffee – black – but that’s just me.)
10. Clean burnt pans.
11. Neutralize a jellyfish sting.
12. Clean car battery terminals. (I’ve done this before. It works!)
13. Entertain the kids by creating an exploding fountain. (With the help of a pack of Mentos.)
14. Make your hair curly.
15. Age documents and photos.
16. Clean tile grout.
17. Make better compost. (The the acidity and sugar feeds microorganisms.)
18. Remove gum from hair.
19. Remove stains from vitreous china.
20. Clear up swimming pool water.
21. Deodorize laundry.
22. Remove dye from hair by pouring Diet Coke over it.
23. Remove marker stains from carpet.



Fabric Softener Sheets[/color]

Who hasn’t used fabric softener sheet at least once in their life? Most of us though use them to make our clothes soft and remove static cling as they come out of the dryer. But did you know that these versatile sheets can also:

1. Repel mice and ants.
2. Act as a mosquito, bee and yellow jacket repellent; tie one through a belt loop.
3. Prevent dust from settling on computer monitors.
4. Dissolve soap scum from shower doors.
5. Eliminate wastebasket odors; just place them in the bottom.
6. Prevent dust from settling on Venetian blinds; wipe them down and no more dust.
7. Deodorize stinky shoes.
8. Keep stored tents and sleeping bags smelling fresh.
9. Prevent musty suitcases.
10. Collect cat hair. (No word on whether it works on dog hair too.)
11. Act as a car or room air freshener.
12. Prevent thread from tangling; run a threaded needle through a sheet before sewing.
13. Collect sawdust resulting from drilling or sandpapering.
14. Eliminate odors from dirty laundry; place a sheet at the bottom of a hamper.
15. Remove splattered bugs from cars; scrub with a wet sheet.
16. Clean baked-on food from pans; put a sheet in pan, fill with water and let sit overnight. Sponge clean.





Suggested readings:

The Naturally Clean Home, Karyn Siegel-Maier
Green Clean, Linda Mason Hunter (coauthor)
What Einstein Told His Cook: Kitchen Science Explained, Robert Wolke, Ph.D.
Better Basics for the Home, Annie Bond
Naturally Clean, Jeffrey Hollender

[Honeylioness]

Vegetable Oil

Original purpose: Frying up a tasty batter.

Aha! use: Shining leather shoes. Use a damp cloth to wipe away dirt, then apply a small drop of oil to a soft cloth and rub the surface to remove scuff marks.

Reward: A polished look from heel to toe.


Lemonade Kool-Aid

Original purpose: Quenching your thirst.

Aha! use: Cleaning lime deposits and iron stains inside the dishwasher. Pour a packet of lemonade Kool-Aid (the only flavor that works) into the detergent cup and run the (empty) dishwasher.

Reward: Citric acid in the mix wipes out stains; you don't have to.


Mesh Vegetable Bag

Original purpose: Toting home potatoes, onions, and tomatoes on the vine.

Aha! use: Scrubbing up after dinner. Cut ends open, scrunch, and add soap and water.

Reward: After a gooey mac-and-cheese cleanup, you can throw this freebie sponge away guilt-free.


Lint Roller

Original purpose: Restoring your black turtleneck to its fuzz-free glory.

Aha! use: Dusting a lamp shade. Run the roller up and down the outside to get rid of small particles that shouldn't be there.

Reward: The satisfaction of knowing that every surface in your living room will pass the white-glove test.


Lemon

Original purpose: Adding zing to soups or salad dressings.

Aha! use: Removing tough food stains from light wood and plastic cutting boards. Slice a lemon in half, squeeze onto the soiled surface, rub, and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing.

Reward: A house that smells like a lemon grove rather than chemicals.


Baking Soda as Silver-Polisher

Original purpose: Making cakes rise.

Aha! use: Polishing silver. Wash items, then place on aluminum foil in the bottom of a pot. Add a baking-soda solution (1/4 cup soda, a few teaspoons salt, 1 quart boiling water) to cover for a few seconds.

Reward: A chemical reaction that gets the black off the gravy boat.


Salt

Original purpose: Unlocking flavor in your favorite dishes.

Aha! use: Cleaning up a spilled egg. Heap a handful of salt on the mess, leave for two minutes or so, then wipe up.

Reward: The egg sticks to one paper towel instead of sliding off five or six.


Coasters

Original purpose: Keeping wet glasses from making rings on Mom's mahogany coffee table.

Aha! use: Catching escaping drips of sticky stuff from bottles and jars in cupboards.

Reward: Shelves that don't require a full wipe-down after every spoonful of honey, slather of jam, or glug of olive oil.


Cooking Oil

Original purpose: A hot bath for fried foods.

Aha! use: Removing adhesive from glasses. Apply cooking oil to the sticker using a paper towel or a soft cloth, rub firmly, then rinse with warm, soapy water. (If the adhesive is stubborn, use a dab of toothpaste along with the oil.)

Reward: Goo Gone be gone—one less cleaning product to buy.


Car Wax

Original purpose: Shining up the sedan.

Aha! use: Polishing faucets, sinks, tile, even shower doors. Turtle Wax leaves behind a protective barrier against water and soap buildup, so your hard-earned sparkle will last past the next tooth-brushing.

Reward: A gleaming bathroom all week long.


Newspaper as Food-Container Deodorizer

Original purpose: Daily source for information.

Aha! use: Food-container deodorizer. Stuff a balled-up piece of newspaper into a plastic container, seal it, and let sit overnight. By morning the paper will have absorbed food smells.

Reward: That lingering curry scent is yesterday's news.

[Honeylioness]

Sealed envelope - Put in the freezer for a few hours,
then slide a knife under the flap. The envelope can
then be resealed. (hmmmmmm...)
============================================
Use Empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords. It
keeps them neat and you can write on the roll what
appliance it belongs to.
=================================================
For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: get warm
water and put Dawn dishwashing liquid in it. Pour it all
over the steps. They won't refreeze. (wish I had known
this for the last 40 years!)
=================================================
Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp
rag, dipped in baking soda. Comes off with little effort
(elbow grease that is!).
=================================================
Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store
receipt BLUE!) rubbing alcohol on paper towel.
=================================================
Whenever I purchase a box of S..O.S Pads, I immediately
take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. After
years of having to throw away rusted and unused and smelly
pads, I finally decided that this would be much more economical.
And now a box of S.O.S pads last me indefinitely! In fact, I
have noticed that the scissors get sharpened this way!
=================================================
Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little
hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off
every drop of blood. Works every time!
=================================================
Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and
horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which
side has the streaks. Straight vinegar will get outside
windows really clean. Don't wash windows on a sunny day.
They will dry too quickly and will probably streak.
=================================================
Spray a bit of perfume on the light in any room to create
a lovely light scent in each room when the light is turned on.
=================================================
Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your
clothes will Smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You
can also do this with towels and linen.
================================================
Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least
3 hours prior to burning.
================================================
To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag
and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb
all the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking
like new! Works like a charm!
=================================================
To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add
a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom
of pan, and bring to a boil on stovetop.
================================================
Spray your TUPPERWARE with nonstick cooking spray
before pouring in tomato based sauces and there won't be
any stains.
================================================
Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator
and it Will keep for weeks.
================================================
When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help
bring out the corn's natural sweetness.
================================================
Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes
for future use in casseroles and sauces. Left over wine?
What's that?!
================================================
Ants, ants, ants everywhere .... Well, they are said to never
cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and draw a line on
the floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.
================================================
Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and
better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.
================================================
Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer. Clean a toilet.
Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets,wait twenty minutes, brush
and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean
vitreous China.
================================================
Clean a vase. To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass
vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.
================================================
Polish jewelry. Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of
water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.
=================================================
Clean a thermos bottle. Fill the bottle with water, drop in four
Alka Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer,
if necessary).
================================================
Unclog a drain. Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka
Seltzer Tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz
White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, then run the hot water.

[Honeylioness]

CLEVER IDEAS WORTH KNOWING


Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.

Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!

Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.

Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.

To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up.

For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.

Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste of garlic.

Leftover snickers bars from Halloween make a delicious dessert. Simply chop them up with the food chopper. Peel, core and slice a few apples. Place them in a baking dish and sprinkle the chopped candy bars over the apples. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes!!! Serve alone or with vanilla ice cream. Yummm!

Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza.

Easy Deviled Eggs. Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

Expanding Frosting - When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

Reheating refrigerated bread - To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in A microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food Moist and help it reheat faster.

Newspaper weeds away - Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers, Put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and for- Get about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not Get through wet newspapers.

Broken Glass - Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip t o pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily.

No More Mosquitoes - Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

Squirrel Away! - To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it. (Wonder if this works with rabbits? Sure gonna give it a try)

Flexible vacuum - To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

Reducing Static Cling - Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and ... Ta DA! ... Static is gone.

Measuring Cups - Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such As peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

Foggy Windshield? - Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

Re opening envelopes - If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily.

Conditioner - Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.

Goodbye Fruit Flies - To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it 1/2' with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid; mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup an d gone forever!

Get Rid of Ants - Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!


INFO ABOUT CLOTHES DRYERS

The heating unit went out on the dryer. The gentleman that fixes things around the house for us told us that he wanted to show us something and he went over to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean. (I always clean the lint from the filter after every load clothes.) He told us that he wanted to show us something; he took the filter over to the sink and ran hot water over it. The lint filter is made of a mesh material .. I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like. Well ... the hot water just sat on top of the mesh! It didn't go through it at all! He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh that's what burns out the heating unit.You can't SEE the film, but it's there. It's what is in the dryer r sheets to make your clothes soft and static free ... that nice fragrance too. You know how they can feel waxy when you take them out of the box ... well this stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen. This is also what causes dryer units to potentially burn your house down with it! He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very longtime (and to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out and wash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbru sh (or other brush) at least every six months. He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long! How about that!?! Learn something new everyday! I certainly didn't know dryer sheets would do that. So, I thought I'd share!

Note: I went to my dryer and tested my screen by running water on it. The water ran through a little bit but mostly collected all the water in the mesh screen. I washed it with warm soapy water and a nylon brush and I had it done in 30 seconds. Then when I rinsed it .. the water ran right thru the screen! There wasn't any puddling at all! That repairman knew what he was talking about!


PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK. NOT ONLY COULD IT SAVE SOMEONE'S HOME, BUT IT COULD SAVE a life!

[Honeylioness]

Peroxide Safer than bleach : Uses for Peroxide

(Safer and Healthier than Bleach)

This was written by Becky Ransey of Indiana (a doctor's wife), and I wanted to share it with you. She was over recently for coffee and smelled the bleach I was using to clean my toilet and counter tops. This is what she told me...

I would like to tell you of the benefits of that plain little ole bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1.00 at any drug store. What does bleach cost? My husband has been in the medical field for over 36 years, and most doctors don't tell you about peroxide. Have you ever smelled bleach in a doctor's office? NO! Why? Because it smells bad and it is not healthy! Ask the nurses who work in the doctor's offices, and ask them if they use bleach at home. They are wiser and know better! Did you also know that bleach was invented in the late 40s? It's chlorine, folks! And it was used to kill our troops. Peroxide was invented during WWI in the 20s. It was used to save and help cleanse the needs of our troops and hospitals. Please think about this.

1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. (I do it when I bathe.) No more canker sores,and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash.

2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of peroxide to keep them free of germs.

3. Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters with a spray bottle when you are wiping up.

4. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.

5. I had fungus on my feet for years until I sprayed a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.

6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine but was healed by soaking in peroxide.

7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.

8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold or a plugged sinus. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes and then blow your nose into a tissue.

9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.

10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through. You will not have the peroxide-burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, reddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually, so it's not a drastic change.

11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.

12. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour it directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.

13. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors. There is no smearing, which is why I love it so much for this.

I could go on and on. It is a little brown bottle no home should be without! With prices of most necessities rising, I'm glad there's a way to save tons of money in such a simple, healthy manner!

This information really woke me up. I hope you gain something from it, too.

[Honeylioness]

8 DIY Cleaning Supplies
By Jeanine Skowronski


DIY cleaning supplies have a lot of appeal. Using products you already have in your cupboards saves you from buying often costly cleaning supplies. It also frees up plenty of space in your kitchen cabinets or bathroom linen closets. Additionally, many of these creative cleansers are more environmentally friendly than their alternatives.

To help you reap all of these advantages, MainStreet has collected some recipes for all types of household cleaning products.


All-purpose cleaner

Mary Findley, author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Cleaning, offered MainStreet this recipe for replicating an eco-friendly all-purpose cleaner.

Mix 4 cups of hot water with 2 teaspoons of borax (a natural mineral compound), 4 tablespoons of vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon of organic cold-pressed lemon oil, 2 drops of pine oil and 2 drops of organic liquid dish soap. Stir until the dry ingredients dissolve and then pour into a spray bottle. You can double this recipe for 32-ounce spray bottles.

The cleaner comes with one caveat, though.

“Do not use this on Corian, granite, marble, slate or tile surfaces,” Findley says, as it can damage to the surfaces.


Toilet and Shower Cleaner

According to Findley, you can avoid buying $9 toilet cleaning tablets by pouring vinegar and a sprinkle of baking soda down your toilet instead.

You can also combine 1/4 cup of borax and 1/4 cup of baking soda with water to use as a shower cleaner.


Carpet Cleaner

Pet owners don’t have to shell out $10 on pricey stain removers to clean up after their animals. Instead, use this recipe provided by the folks at the carpet cleaning company Stanley Steemer International.

Combine 1 teaspoon of white vinegar, 2 teaspoons of cold water, 1 cup of water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda, then apply a teaspoon of the mixture to the stain and gently work it from the outer edges of the spot toward the middle with a clean, white cloth. After blotting up moisture with a dry cloth, dampen another cloth in clean, cold water and wipe the spot again. Let the area dry completely. When dry, apply a cold water and baking soda solution in the same manner to completely eliminate the stain.


Laundry Detergent

If you’re feeling adventurous and want to try making your own laundry detergent, you can test out this recipe supplied by Robyn Griggs-Lawrence, editor in chief of Natural Home magazine.

Combine 16 cups of baking soda, 12 cups of borax and 8 cups of grated castile or glycerin soap flakes. Next, add 3 tablespoons of lavender, lemon, or grapefruit essential oil and mix with a wire whisk. This recipe makes enough powder to last a family of four for one year. According to Griggs-Lawrence, you should use 1/8 cup of powder per load.


Bleach Substitute

Natural Home magazine also has a recipe for bleach that can be used on laundry. Simply combine 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide with 1/4 cup lemon or grapefruit juice and 12 cups of water. You should store the alternative solution in a labeled plastic jug and use two cups of it per load.

Those who are looking for an environmentally friendly alternative to the chemical cleaner to use on surfaces can use white vinegar or lemon juice as a disinfectant.


Furniture Polish

A jar of environmentally friendly furniture polish can cost between $20 and $50. However, according to Karen Hoxmeier, founder of MyBargainBuddy.com, you can make your own polish by combining 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil and 1/4 cup of lemon juice or vinegar.


Window Cleaner

Hoxmeier also suggests using 2 tablespoons of white vinegar mixed with a gallon of water to clean your windows. You can save on both the window cleaner and the paper towels.

“Use newspapers for drying and you’ll have no streaks!” she adds.


Spot Remover

Most people know that club soda can remove stains when applied immediately after they occur, but did you know that toothpaste can be an even more effective alternative to that $13 stain remover pen?

“As a mother of a 3 year old boy, I carry around a tube of old-fashioned toothpaste,” New York city resident Ali Bergstrom tells MainStreet. “Not even permanent marker can match the cleaning power of toothpaste!”

[Honeylioness]

What is the main ingredient of WD-40?-YOU'RE GONNA LOVE THIS



Does anybody know what the main ingredient of WD-40 is? Don't lie and don't cheat. WD-40. Who knew; I had a neighbor who bought a new pickup. I got up very early one Sunday morning and saw that someone had spray painted red all around the sides of this beige truck (for some unknown reason). I went over, woke him up, and told him the bad news. He was very upset and was trying to figure out what to do....probably nothing until Monday morning, since nothing was open. Another neighbor came out and told him to get his WD-40 and clean it off. It removed the unwanted paint beautifully and did not harm his paint job that was on the truck. I'm impressed! WD-40 who knew? 'Water Displacement #40'. The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts.



WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a 'water displacement' compound. They were successful with the 40th formulation, thus WD-40. The Convair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts. Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you...When you read the 'shower door' part, try it. It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. It's a miracle! Then try it on your stove top...Viola! It's now shinier than it's ever been. You'll be amazed.



WD-40 uses:



1. Protects silver from tarnishing

2. Removes road tar and grime from cars

3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings

4. Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery

5. Keeps flies off cows

6. Restores and cleans chalkboards

7. Removes lipstick stains

8. Loosens stubborn zippers

9. Untangles jewelry chains

10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks

11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill

12. Keeps ceramic/terra-cotta garden pots from oxidizing

13. Removes tomato stains from clothing

14. Keeps glass (and plastic)shower doors free of water spots

15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors

16. Keeps scissors working smoothly

17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes

18. It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! Use WD-40 for those nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring. It doesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off. Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks

19. Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly! Use WD-40!

20. Gives a childrens' playground slide a shine for a super fast slide

21. Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers

22. Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises

23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open

24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close

25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers

26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles

27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans

28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling

29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly

30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools

31. Removes splattered grease on stove

32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging

33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs

34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell)

35. WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose. Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states

36. Removes all traces of duct tape

37. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain

38. Florida ’s favorite use is: 'cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers

39. The favorite use in the state of New York , WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements

40. Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch

41. WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag

42. Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash. Presto! The lipstick is gone!

43. If you spray WD-40 on a distributor cap, it will displace the moisture and allow the car to start







P.S. The basic ingredient is FISH OIL!

[Honeylioness]

Subject: Uses for (Bounce) fabric softener sheets



Thought this list might come in handy for some of you – especially those who might be allergic to bees.

 Who woulda thought??? My mail carrier told me that the US Postal Service sent out a message to all letter carriers to put a sheet of Bounce in their uniform pockets to keep yellow jackets away. Use them all the time when playing baseball and soccer. I use it when I am working outside. It really works. The yellow jackets just veer around you. And all this time you've just been putting Bounce in the dryer!

 Golfers put a Bounce sheet in their back pocket to keep the bees away.

Use them all the time when playing baseball and soccer. I use it when I am working outside. It really works. The insects just veer around you.

 It will chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them. It also repels mice. Spread them around foundation areas, or in trailers, cars that are sitting and it keeps mice from entering your vehicle. It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened too often.

 Repels mosquitoes. Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season.

 Eliminates static electricity from your television (or computer) screen. Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from resettling.

It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened too often.

 Dissolve soap scum from shower doors. Clean with a sheet of Bounce.

 Freshen the air in your home. Place an individual sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang in the closet. Put Bounce sheet in vacuum cleaner. Prevent musty suitcases. Place an individual sheet of Bounce inside empty luggage before storing. Eliminate odors in dirty laundry. Place an individual sheet of Bounce at the bottom of a laundry bag or hamper. Deodorize shoes
or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight. Put a Bounce sheet in your sleeping bag and tent before folding and storing them. Keeps them smelling fresh

 Prevent thread from tangling. Run a threaded needle through sheet of Bounce before beginning to sew.

 Freshen the air in your car. Place a sheet of Bounce under the front seat.

 Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in a pan, fill with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean. The anti-static agent apparently weakens the bond between the food.

 Eliminate odors in wastebaskets. Place a sheet of Bounce at the bottom of the wastebasket.

 Collect cat hair. Rubbing the area with a sheet of Bounce will magnetically attract all the loose hairs. Eliminate static electricity from Venetian blinds. Wipe the blinds with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust from resettling.

 Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering. A used sheet of Bounce will collect sawdust like a tack cloth.

Wet a Bounce sheet, hose down your car, and wipe love bugs off easily with the wet Bounce.

 And now that you know, print and keep on file or pass it around

[Honeylioness]

COFFEE FILTERS

Who knew! And you can buy 1,000 at the Dollar Tree for $1.00, even the large ones.


1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave. Coffee filters make excellent covers.

2. Clean windows, mirrors, and chrome... Coffee filters are lint-free so they'll leave windows sparkling.

3. Protect China by separating your good dishes with a coffee filter between each dish.

4. Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.

5. Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.

6. Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free coffee filter.

7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.

8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale.

9. Hold tacos. Coffee filters make convenient wrappers for messy foods.

10. Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot. Line a plant pot with a coffee filter to prevent the soil from going through the drainage holes.

11. Prevent a Popsicle from dripping. Poke one or two holes as needed in a coffee filter.

12. Do you think we used expensive strips to wax eyebrows? Use strips of coffee filters..

13. Put a few in a plate and put your fried bacon, French fries, chicken fingers, etc on them.. It soaks out all the grease.

14. Keep in the bathroom. They make great "razor nick fixers.."

15. As a sewing backing. Use a filter as an easy-to-tear backing for embroidering or appliquing soft fabrics.

16. Put baking soda into a coffee filter and insert into shoes or a closet to absorb or prevent odors.

17. Use them to strain soup stock and to tie fresh herbs in to put in soups and stews.

18 Use a coffee filter to prevent spilling when you add fluids to your car..

19. Use them as a spoon rest while cooking and clean up small counter spills.

20. Can use to hold dry ingredients when baking or when cutting a piece of fruit or veggies. Saves on having extra bowls to wash.

21. Use them to wrap Christmas ornaments for storage.

22. Use them to remove fingernail polish when out of cotton balls.

23. Use them to sprout seeds. Simply dampen the coffee filter, place seeds inside, fold it and place it into a zip-lock plastic bag until they sprout.

24. Use coffee filters as blotting paper for pressed flowers. Place the flowers between two coffee filters and put the coffee filters in phone book.

25. Use as a disposable "snack bowl" for popcorn, chips, etc.

26. Great in the tool room when separating nails and screws then use in to bottom of containers to remove moisture and prevent rust.

OH YEAH THEY ARE GREAT TO USE IN YOUR COFFEE MAKERS TOO

[Honeylioness]

CUCUMBERS - THIS IS GREAT TO KNOW

So much from a veggie that's so little. Definitely gives you something to think about. Enjoy.

Cucumbers... I didn't know this...
WOW!!! WHAT A LITTLE GEM THE CUCUMBER IS.

I WILL LOOK AT IT DIFFERENTLY NOW.

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need Every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, Put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a Cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B
Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that Quick pick-me-up that can last for Hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror Fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a Cucumber slice along the mirror, it will
Eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, Spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and Slugs ruining your planting beds?

Place a few Slices in a small pie tin and your garden will
Be free of pests all season long. The chemicals In the cucumber react with the aluminum to give Off a scent undetectable to humans but drive Garden pests crazy and make them flee the Area.


5 Looking for a Fast and easy way to remove cellulite before
Going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or Two of cucumbers along your problem area for a Few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber Cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, Firming up the outer layer and reducing the
Visibility of cellulite Works great on wrinkles Too!!!

6.. Want to avoid a hangover or Terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices Before going to bed and wake up refreshed and
Headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B Vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential Nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in Equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and Headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that Afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers Have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for Quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and You realize that you don't have enough time to Polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber Over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a Quick and durable shine that not only looks
Great but also repels Water.


9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge?

Take a Cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic
Hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, Facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire Cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, The chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber Will react with the boiling water and be Released in the steam, creating a soothing, Relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce Stress in new mothers and college students
During final exams.

11. Just finish a Business lunch and realize you don't have gum or Mints?

Take a slice of cucumber and press it to The roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 Seconds to eliminate bad breath, the Phytochemicals will kill the bacteria in your
Mouth responsible for causing bad Breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to Clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the
Surface you want to clean, not only will it Remove years of tarnish and bring back the Shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm Your fingers or fingernails while you Clean.


13. Using a Pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the
Cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen Writing, also works great on crayons and markers That the kids have used to decorate the Walls!!

Pass this along to everybody you Know who is looking for better and safer ways to Solve life's everyday Problems..

[Honeylioness]

JEWELLERY CLEANER


1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon dish detergent
1 cup water
1 piece aluminum foil

Directions:

1. Heat water in the microwave for 1 or 2 minutes.
2. Cut a piece of aluminum foil that roughly covers the bottom of a small bowl (like a cereal bowl).
3. Pour hot water into bowl. Place salt, soda, and dishwashing liquid into bowl. Place jewelry on top of foil and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse jewelry in cool water and dry jewelry completely with soft cloth. Discard solution after use and make a new batch next time.
4. According to wire-sculpture.com, "this works well for gold-filled, brass, german (nickel) silver, and sterling silver. I have even cleaned jewelry with freshwater pearls, shell cameos and mother of pearl with no problem.".

[Honeylioness]

In my little world, items like cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate) are not simply a super way to stabilize eg...g whites but also scandalously inexpensive cleaning secrets.

This long-forgotten gem of a cleaning agent may be used with a little water or vinegar to lift even the most stubborn stains. Unattractive grout driving you batty? Mold and mildew stains got you reaching for the Prozac? Burner pans and casserole dishes giving you fits? Cream of Tartar is your new best friend.

Cream of tartar is one of nature’s best bleaching agents. Cream of tartar, a.k.a “crusted wine,” is mixed with baking soda to create baking powder (bet you didn't know that.. okay, some of you probably did, you smartypants). While it is an acid, it’s not harmful. It’s an acidic salt which comes from grapes.

Use a few tablespoons of cream of tartar with hot water or hydrogen peroxide and clean any aluminum pans which have discoloration or any rusty drains, pans, or stains.

Do you have copper kettles? Mix some cream of tarter with lemon juice and rub the copper with it. Rinse and be amazed!

How about a porcelain sink, tub, commode? Rub the porcelain surfaces with cream of tartar and watch the stains disappear.

Fabric stains? No prob. Mix a few teaspoons of cream of tartar with some glycerin and use like spray-and-wash. The results? Well, I’m here to tell you that this stuff cured the ring around Joshua’s shirt collars.

Just need a great nonabrasive cleaner? Mix 2 teaspoons of vinegar and 2 teaspoon of cream of tartar in a small dish (use 3 or 4 teaspoons of vinegar and 3 or 4 teaspoons of cream of tartar if you have more items to clean). Apply with your cleaning rag or scrub brush and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Scrub. Wash with hot soapy water.

[Honeylioness]

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE MAGIC!

Ever since I started using Hydrogen Peroxide to get rid of armpit stains, to clean cookie sheets, as a miracle cleaner in my kitchen and bathroom, and to make my own “oxi clean”…I ALWAYS have at least one bottle of the stuff under my kitchen sink, under my bathroom sink, AND in the laundry room. This stuff is amazingly versatile!

But it wasn’t until recently, after doing some IN DEPTH research on the subject, that I came to realize what a “miracle substance” hydrogen peroxide really is! It’s safe, it’s readily available, it’s cheap, and best of all, it WORKS! It works for a LOT of stuff!

Hydrogen peroxide should really be called oxygen water, since it is basically the same chemical make up as water but with an extra oxygen atom (H2O2). Because of this it breaks down quickly and harmlessly into oxygen and water.

Some other interesting facts about hydrogen peroxide:

It is found in all living material.
Your white blood cells naturally produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to fight bacteria and infections.
Fruit and vegetables naturally produce hydrogen peroxide. This is one of the reasons why it is so healthy to eat fresh fruit and vegetables.
It is found in massive dosages in the mother’s first milk, called colostrum, and is transferred to the baby to boost their immune system.
It is found in rain water because some of the H20 in the atmosphere receives an additional oxygen atom from the ozone (O3) and this H2O2 makes plants grow faster.
Next to Apple Cider Vinegar, hydrogen peroxide ranks up there as one of the best household remedies.

Besides the obvious (cleansing wounds), did you know that it is probably the best remedy to dissolve ear wax? Brighten dingy floors? Add natural highlights to your hair? Improve your plants root systems? The list goes on and on!

There are SO many uses for this stuff that I’ve started replacing the cap on the hydrogen peroxide bottle with a sprayer because it’s easier and faster to use that way.

I have compiled a rather impressive list of uses for 3% hydrogen peroxide that I hope will have you as thrilled and bewildered as I was!

Wash vegetables and fruits with hydrogen peroxide to remove dirt and pesticides. Add 1/4 cup of H2O2 to a sink of cold water. After washing, rinse thoroughly with cool water.

In the dishwasher, add 2 oz. to your regular detergent for a sanitizing boost. Also, beef up your regular dish soap by adding roughly 2 ounces of 3% H2O2 to the bottle.

Use hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash to freshen breath. It kills the bacteria that causes halitosis. Use a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water.

Use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to make a paste for brushing teeth. Helps with early stages of gingivitis as it kills bacteria. Mixed with salt and baking soda, hydrogen peroxide works as a whitening toothpaste.

Soak your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide between uses to keep it clean and prevent the transfer of germs. This is particularly helpful when you or someone in your family has a cold or the flu.

Clean your cutting board and countertop. Let everything bubble for a few minutes, then scrub and rinse clean. (I’ve been using it for this a LOT lately!)

Wipe out your refrigerator and dishwasher. Because it’s non-toxic, it’s great for cleaning places that store food and dishes.

Clean your sponges. Soak them for 10 minutes in a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and warm water in a shallow dish. Rinse the sponges thoroughly afterward.

Remove baked-on crud from pots and pans. Combine hydrogen peroxide with enough baking soda to make a paste, then rub onto the dirty pan and let it sit for a while. Come back later with a scrubby sponge and some warm water, and the baked-on stains will lift right off.

Whiten bathtub grout. First dry the tub thoroughly, then spray it liberally with hydrogen peroxide. Let it sit — it may bubble slightly — for a little while, then come back and scrub the grout with an old toothbrush. You may have to repeat the process a few times.

Clean the toilet bowl. Pour half a cup of hydrogen peroxide into the toilet bowl, let stand for 20 minutes, then scrub clean.

Remove stains from clothing, curtains, and tablecloths. Hydrogen peroxide can be used as a pre-treater for stains — just soak the stain for a little while in 3% hydrogen peroxide before tossing into the laundry. You can also add a cup of peroxide to a regular load of whites to boost brightness. It’s a green alternative to bleach, and works just as well.

Brighten dingy floors. Combine half a cup of hydrogen peroxide with one gallon of hot water, then go to town on your flooring. Because it’s so mild, it’s safe for any floor type, and there’s no need to rinse.

Clean kids’ toys and play areas. Hydrogen peroxide is a safe cleaner to use around kids, or anyone with respiratory problems, because it’s not a lung irritant. Spray toys, toy boxes, doorknobs, and anything else your kids touch on a regular basis.

Help out your plants. To ward off fungus, add a little hydrogen peroxide to your spray bottle the next time you’re spritzing plants.

Add natural highlights to your hair. Dilute the hydrogen peroxide so the solution is 50% peroxide and 50% water. Spray the solution on wet hair to create subtle, natural highlights.

According to alternative therapy practitioners, adding half a bottle of hydrogen peroxide to a warm bath can help detoxify the body. Some are skeptical of this claim, but a bath is always a nice way to relax and the addition of hydrogen peroxide will leave you – and the tub – squeaky clean!

Spray a solution of 1/2 cup water and 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide on leftover salad, drain, cover and refrigerate. This will prevent wilting and better preserve your salad.

Sanitize your kids’ lunch boxes/bags.

Dab hydrogen peroxide on pimples or acne to help clear skin.

Hydrogen peroxide helps to sprout seeds for new plantings. Use a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution once a day and spritz the seed every time you re-moisten. You can also use a mixture of 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 32 parts water to improve your plants’ root system.

Remove yellowing from lace curtains or tablecloths. Fill a sink with cold water and a 2 cups of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Soak for at least an hour, rinse in cold water and air dry.

Use it to remove ear wax. Use a solution of 3% with olive or almond oil. Add a couple drops of oil first then H2O2. After a few minutes, tilt head to remove solution and wax.

Helps with foot fungus. Spray a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry. Or try soaking your feet in a peroxide solution to help soften calluses and corns, and disinfect minor cuts.

Spray down the shower with hydrogen peroxide to kill bacteria and viruses.

Use 1 pint of 3% hydrogen peroxide to a gallon of water to clean humidifiers and steamers.

Wash shower curtains with hydrogen peroxide to remove mildew and soap scum. Place curtains in machine with a bath towel and your regular detergent. Add 1 cup full strength 3% hydrogen peroxide to the rinse cycle.

Use for towels that have become musty smelling. 1/2 cup Peroxide and 1/2 cup vinegar let stand for 15 minutes wash as normal. Gets rid of the smell.

Use hydrogen peroxide to control fungi present in aquariums. Don’t worry, it won’t hurt your fish. Use sparingly for this purpose.

De-skunking solution. Combine 1 quart 3% H2O2, 1/4 cup baking soda, 1 teaspoon Dawn dish detergent, 2 quarts warm water.