natural homemade cleaning products

"The topic for my Women's Meeting at church this month was on educating women that they can save money around the house without spending a lot of extra time doing it. Renee spoke about ways to save money and time on your groceries by making menus, a shopping list, freezing bulk and sale items and using the same meat for several meals such as a roast. She asked me to share ideas on homemade cleaning products, and, of course, I shared my laundry detergent recipe and brought some in to show everyone. It was a big hit! I never thought so many people would take to it."

We can clean our entire house using natural cleaning products that are non-toxic and a lot friendlier to our budget. Several solutions can be premixed within a couple of minutes, and stored safely in our cabinets. The options of products we may choose to use are endless.

Basic Cleaning Products:
Baking Soda: An all-purpose, non-toxic cleaner. Cleans, deodorizes, removes stains and softens fabrics.

Borax: A natural mineral that kills mold and bacteria. An alternative to bleach, it deodorizes, removes stains and boosts the cleaning power of soap.

Cornstarch: Starches clothes, absorbs oil and grease.

Essential or Scented Oils: For disinfecting and fragrance.

Hydrogen Peroxide: Disinfects and bleaches.

Lemon Juice: Cuts through grease and removes perspiration and other stains from clothing. A bleach alternative.

Mild Dish Soap: Removes oil-base stains.

Olive Oil: Picks up dirt and polishes wood.

Rubbing Alcohol: Disinfects.

Salt: An abrasive.

Toothpaste: A mild abrasive.

Vegetable Oil Based Soaps: Cleans everything.

Vinegar: Cuts grease, removes stains and is an excellent water softener.

Washing Soda: Cleans clothes, softens water, cuts grease and disinfects. Increases the cleaning power of soap.

Cleaning Solutions:
"Honestly, I have not yet tried most of these so please leave reviews of how the solutions work for you in my comments for myself and others. I did try the Linoleum/Vinyl Floor Mixture and the Pet Stain/Vomit Remover once when my daughter got sick and was quite happy with both. I also use baking soda to clean all the time, especially for soap scum in the bath tub."

All-Purpose Cleaners/Disinfectants
Borax Mixture:
~ ½ c. borax (*1/8 c.)
~ 1 gal. hot water (*1 qt.)
Mix in pail until borax is completely dissolved. Wipe clean with rag. (*Quantity to prepare for spray bottle use.)

Borax/Lemon Juice Mixture:
~ 2 T. borax
~ ¼ c. lemon juice
~ 2 c. hot water
Mix together in spray bottle; wipe with clean rag.

Vinegar/Borax Mixture:
~ 2 T. vinegar
~ 1 t. borax
~ hot water
~ few drops dish soap
~ few drops scented oil (optional)
In a 16 oz. spray bottle swoosh around vinegar, borax and hot water until borax has dissolved. Add dish soap and fill the rest of the bottle with water. Add scented oil if desired.

Bathroom
Baking Soda Paste:
~ baking soda
~ water
Sprinkle baking soda directly on surface and scrub with wet rag. This works really well on soap scum.

Sink/Tub Mixture:
~ ½ lemon
~ borax
Dip the face of the lemon half in borax to create a hand-held scrubber. Rinse and dry the surface afterwards.

Toilet Bowl:
~ baking soda
~ white vinegar
Sprinkle toilet bowl with baking soda. Add white vinegar and scrub with a toilet brush.

Carpets/Upholstery
Deodorizer/ Freshener:
Sprinkle baking soda over carpet or furniture and let set for 5 minutes. Vacuum.

General Stain Remover:
Soak spot with club soda immediately, then blot until stain is gone.

Grease Spot Remover:
Absorb spot with towel. Sprinkle corn starch over spot and leave overnight. Vacuum.

Pet Stain/Vomit Remover:
~ liquid dish soap
~ ½ c. vinegar
~ 1 qt. warm water
Soak up spot with towels. Spot with dish soap. Rinse spot with vinegar diluted in warm water. Absorb access moisture with towel. Leave towel over spot for 4-6 hours. Vacuum.

Vinyl Cleaner:
~ ½ t. – ¼ c. washing soda
~ 1 c. boiling water
Dissolve washing soda in boiling water. Apply with rag and wipe off with damp cloth.

Drains
Clog-free Method:
~ 1 c. baking soda
~ 1 c. vinegar
~ boiling water
Pour down drain in order: baking soda, vinegar, hot water.

Floors
Linoleum/Vinyl Floor Mixture:
~ 1 c. white vinegar
~ 1 gal. water
Mix in bucket and scrub floor.

Wood Floor Mixture:
~ ¼ - ½ c. white vinegar
~ 1 gal. water
Mix in bucket and scrub floor.

Furniture Polish
Vinegar/Olive Oil Mixture:
~ ½ c. white vinegar
~ 1 t. olive oil
Mix and apply with a clean rag. Reduce amount of olive oil if wood looks too oily.

Kitchen
Refrigerator:
~ 2 T. Baking soda
~ 1 qt. warm water
Dissolve baking soda in water and wipe down fridge.

Stove top/Oven Degreaser:
~ ½ t. washing soda
~ ¼ t. liquid soap
~ 2 c. hot water
Mix washing soda, soap and hot water in spray bottle.

Oven Cleaner:
~ baking soda
~ water
Sprinkle baking soda on surface, spray with water and soap several hours or overnight. Rinse with water.

Windows
Vinegar/Dish Soap Mixture:
~ 3 T. vinegar
~ ½ t. mild dish soap
~ 2 c. water
Put ingredients in a spray bottle, shake and use.

guard your peace

Wednesday night services at my church includes interaction from the congregation. My pastor starts with a topic and notes, but we are able to add our point of view. It's similar to a bible study. Last night the topic was "trust". Learning to trust God is something Tim and I have been dealing with for the past couple of years or so, especially now more than ever. We are in a time when we are letting God dramatically change our lives and lead us elsewhere. Most people, even Christians, don't understand why we are doing what we are doing. In the beginning, I didn't even understand, but God has given me more direction since then. Even though we loose focus a lot, we know to keep trusting God for he puts the desires in our hearts and then fills those desires in his timing (not ours).

While in service, one lady raised her hand and asked "Pastor, shouldn't we guard our peace?"

Guard our peace? What's that mean?!

Our pastor answered "Yes". He went on to say that you can loose you peace by getting anxious, worried or fret. Since then, I found the following verse.

Philippians 4:6-8
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Last night's service pertained so closely to what we are going through right now. It gives me strength and encouragement to keep going.

pie crust

A few weeks ago, Makayla asked me if we could make an apple pie. I was tired, but I was excited about the fact that Makayla is interested in baking. We just so happened to have some apples sitting on the table. We had just read The Little Red Hen in school so throughout the process I was able to reinforce putting out effort to get good things...especially the parts she didn't want to do.
I found a pie crust recipe in my cook book from church. The recipe is from the same lady as the "White House" Chocolate Chip Cookies. I had never made a pie crust before because I thought it would be hard and a lot more time consuming. This recipe has a nice flaky crust. I think it's just as good as Pillsbury's crust.

4 c. flour
2 c. Crisco (I used store brand)
1 t. salt
1 t. baking soda
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 T. cider vinegar
1 T. sugar
6 T. iced water

Cut Crisco into flour, salt and baking powder with pastry blender. In separate bowl, add vinegar and sugar to egg. Stir until dissolved. Add iced water. Pour wet mixture over dry ingredients and stir together with a fork. Divide dough into 4 equal parts for 9" inch crust or 3 parts for 10" crust. Add pie filling and bake according pie directions...usually 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

guilt free

I know. It's been a while since I've last posted. I feel so busy. My number one priority is homeschooling. I can't seem to keep up with myself lately and it's not even the holidays that's causing it. Actually, in my first year of being frugal, I feel the least stressed about the holidays. I have no guilt about not spending money on presents. My goal is to enjoy this time of year, and give as my heart tells my to. Maybe I will make a little something for everyone. Maybe I will sit down with Makayla and help her make a homemade gift for all of her cousins and friends. Maybe we will be too busy with every day family things to do any of these things. I don't know what will transpire, but I know I will have no guilt, no anxiety and no debt!

spreading frugality

My sister, Cheryl, asked me to show her how to make my homemade laundry detergent so she could save money. I have been giving some to my mom to use, but I wanted her to learn how to make it herself. Cheryl mention that we should get together more often with Mom so we planned a Saturday to get together and make laundry detergent.
While in the shower (my thinking zone) the next day, I decided to created a monthly mother and daughter's day. I named it "Creative Mother and Daughter's Day". I put together a sheet of rules and a motto to follow by like an official meeting. Each month we will take turns planning the 1st Saturday of the month. For October, I planned a frugal day. We took a trip to the Amish store and made laundry detergent. For lunch we went to Becky's Burger's and Cones in Pilot Grove. It's very good and inexpensive. I highly recommend this restaurant to any passersby. It's worth the 5-10 minute drive off I-70 or it's not far off the Katy Trail.
While we were preparing to make our laundry detergent, Cheryl's friend stopped by to cut Holli's hair. Cheryl told me a week later that her friend asked how our detergent turned out. Cheryl offered to make some for her and she accepted. How exciting! You never know who may be interested so share, share, share. It may not be realistic, but I dream that if a large percentage of people turned to frugality, then prices would have to come down on products. I was buying toilet paper the other day and thought how ridiculous it was to pay so much for a necessity.

picture @ the park

Makayla (6) & Ruben (10 months)

frugal weight watcher's

After discovering that I have gained 10 lbs. instead of losing it, I have decided to start counting Weight Watcher's points again. It's such a great program and it works as long as one has "will power". Oh, those dreaded phrases.."will power" and "self control"...the opposite of giving into temptation. Why does it have to be so hard? It's just food, right? Tim has agreed to support me by eating the food I make as long as it's not labeled "fat free". I am at the end of my second day and I feel great! I am so afraid of eating too much that I have points left over at the end of the day. Now I have the challenge of figuring out how to eat healthier and being frugal about it. Dieting or eating healthier can be more expensive.
I also get support from Dottie's Weight Loss Zone. There I can get points for restaurants, recipes, chat with other's and more. I heard about 3 Fat Chicks in a WW meeting a long time ago, but just now visited the web site so I don't know a lot about it. I notice that it provides recipes using mostly natural ingredients instead of fat free or substitute sugars. It also provides calorie charts for food, nutrition charts for fast food and metric conversions. Also, there is a section that explains different diet fads and how they work, and fitness articles and programs (including a walking calculator). Wow, I should have look this site up a couple of years ago instead of while typing this post. Uh, I think I will be going now. I have a new web site to check out ;)

vacation

This week we took a vacation. The first time in 8 years of marriage that we could say we were taking a family vacation without it involving moving a certain family member across the States. But this time we didn't travel that far. Tim has a fascination with southern Missouri hills so we took off. I was even able to incorporate some learning field trip time for school. Monday evening we rented a cabin on Table Rock Lake. The view is beautiful and the water is clear unlike our muddy river and lakes. I really enjoy landscape photos so I took pictures with my camera hoping to they would be good enough to hang on my wall.

The evening we arrive at our cabin we went walked down to the lake to take pictures and so Tim and Makayla could get some fishing time in.

The next morning, Ruben woke us up at 5:30 so we drove down to the lake for another view, but I forgot my camera. The fog sat very thick on top the lake and made it very beautiful.

Tim or I capture this picture about 8 am as we were leaving the cabin for our next destination. You can't see the beauty of the fog in this picture as well.

Our first stop for the day was the Conservation trout fishery by the dam that dumps water from Table Rock Lake into Lake Taneycomo in Branson. Here Makayla learned about different turtles, birds and snakes aside from feeding trout as part of her field trip.

Lake Taneycomo just before all the fog lifted. Again I forgot my camera and missed the heavier fog.

Then we moved on down to the Branson strip. I didn't take any pictures. Honestly, Branson nothing more the a blown up version of the strip at the Lake. There were I few things I would have gone to if planned like the Dick Clark Museum and the Oakridge Boys because they were comfort things from my childhood. From there we headed west towards West Plains. I felt sick almost all day from driving in the hills. We took a rest at Bull Shoals Lake just outside of Theodosia. There was a nice resort and camping area there right off the lake. We didn't stay more than an hour, but I would recommend it for a weekend.

Tim and Makayla down by the shore at Bull Shoals.

This is one of my favorite pictures. The clouds may look a little scary because of the sepia, but the skies were blue and the clouds were white and fluffy.

We came upon this rainbow somewhere in the hills between Gainesville and West Plains just before entering into rain.

This trip gave me an opportunity to review rainbows, fogs and clouds with Makayla. We stopped in West Plains for the night and continued back north on Wednesday. Eventually we found ourselves eating lunch at Ha Ha Tonka state park outside of Camdenton. Here Tim was able to teach Makayla about caves, springs and sink holes.

Tim and Makayla fishing the Lake of the Ozarks at Ha Ha Tonka.

Natural cave spring at Ha Ha Tonka.

From there we ventured home traveling the back side of the Lake of the Ozarks, and discovered some Amish country.

A thought came to me while traveling. I don't like to journal so I may not put my thoughts into practice, but it's an idea for others. I recall listening to my parents talk with other relatives about vacations and not being able to remember who all was present. I was thinking that creating a timeline would be helpful for my children. I could record the dates, places and events that we venture to with our children so when they get older they will know where they've been, and it may even help them keep their memories of where they went if we review the timeline every so often.

oops...still practicing

This time I gave Makayla a new haircut style instead of just a trim. It looks nothing like I was going for, but it still looks nice. Makayla really likes it because her hair is off her neck. I think it is good because she is getting old enough to start learning how manage and take care of her own hair, and short is simple. Maybe by next Spring it will grow out enough for me to try the cut I actually wanted.

beautiful missouri day

Genesis 1

11 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree

that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so.

12 And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the

tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was

good.

13 So the evening and the morning were the third day.

Today is the first beautiful day we have had in some time. It was only about 50 degrees outside at 8 am. Our widows are open and we are enjoying the fresh air. This weather energizes me to clean and organize. I am getting a lot done inside while Tim is outside cutting down limbs and playing with fire...men like to do that for some reason.

Summer is coming to an end, and fall is moving in. I didn't used to think much about fall because I get cold easily, but as an adult you seem to look at things from a very different perspective. The cool breeze, the pretty leaves, apple cider, fall festivals... I could go on and on. The downside is that the sun goes down earlier. The sunlight makes me happy. Without it, I get depressed easily...and I'm afraid of the dark.

Also, Makayla's homeschool material, My Father's World, uses a different topic for each lesson (i.e. sun, leaf, apple) These all fall right in the season so we can go outside and explore these topics.