I as sure this is just like Comet and worked almost as instantly as water touched it. Easy Cheesy.
Set forth and go polish your silver.
Showing posts with label Cleaning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cleaning. Show all posts
Friday, March 9, 2012
Polish your Silver
"Polish Your silver" my sister says as she helps me unpack. Now that we have been in our home for several months It is time to polish the silver. It seems so old fashioned and trivial but here I go. I really did not know what to do to polish the silver. Polishing is so much work. I just decided to pull out a cleanser and give it a try. It worked like magic so here is my tip for your silver.
I as sure this is just like Comet and worked almost as instantly as water touched it. Easy Cheesy.
I as sure this is just like Comet and worked almost as instantly as water touched it. Easy Cheesy. 
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Laundry Tips 101
With 6 people in my home now, one a new baby, I do alot of laundry. I want it to go smoothly and cheaply. I do like to save money and have great results. It starts with my Laundry Detergent recipe and now other tips for saving time and getting the spots out. You may also like my Dish Washer Detergent too.
1. Oils in clothes.
Oily stains can be removed with Salt and Lemon juice
Salt will absorb the oils and Lemon juice helps whiten.
Oily spot can also be treated with dish soap, as it is a degreaser.
2. Remove static
Dryer sheets are a controversy on whether we need them and if they have toxins that are harming us. I do know that they have wax in them that is meant to help repel liquids on clothes. It also clogs your dryer screen and can cause a higher risk for fire in the lint compartment. You can save by not using the sheets and add 1/4 cup vinegar to your rinse cycle. You can also try using concentrate fabric softener and spray it on a rag then throwing it in the dryer. The problem is still chemicals. A dryer ball or tennis ball helps disperse the static and is very inexpensive. The Dollar store has dryer balls.
3. Wrinkles
If you shake you clothes out of the dryer, which also disperses static, hang in your closet. The wrinkles will relax.
4. Whitens
Vinegar, Lemon juice, Hydrogen Peroxide added in place of bleach or as a stain treatment after you have tried washing the stain out. Use on light colored clothes.
5. Homemade pretreater
Mix Washing soda and Hydrogen peroxide equal parts and 2 parts of hot water. Heat until mixed and put in a spray bottle. You can also use Baking soda in place of washing soda.
6. Sunlight
Cloth diapering Mama's know this trick. Protein spots can whiten if placed in the sun. Try washing out with dish soap and if the spot is still there, layout in the sun.
7. Treat right away.
One thing I have started doing with my fourth baby is treating right away. I think with all my other babies I just was not organized enough to always treat spots. Now that I know I am handing all my little ones clothes to my sisters, one having recently had a boy and one expecting another baby, I want to make sure they go in good condition. I used an empty creamer bottle and filled with laundry detergent and placed in my bathroom. I can rinse the stain and soak in the sink. It is also convenient for washing my unmentionables.
8. Having a Zote or Fels-Naptha bar around is also great for stain treating. It can also be kept in a near by sink for easy quick stain treatments. Wet fabric and rub bar on the stain. Both are strong and will get just about any stain out.
Castile soap can also be used to pretreat. It is a vegetable based soap and can be found at most natural grocery stores.
9. Baking soda
Baking soda is great for deodorizing and whitening. It also can absorb oil as the salt does. Add 1/4 cup to a wash load for a booster.
10. Washing soda
This is a great alternative to other laundry booster that are full of phosphates. Phosphates are what damages out water and fish. It is outlawed in some places in the detergent but still can be used in boosters. This can be added to a wash load or used in the homemade detergent. You can also make it into a paste and scrub at the stain. I also use it for cleaning around the house. Great Eco friendly product.
1. Oils in clothes.
Oily stains can be removed with Salt and Lemon juice
Salt will absorb the oils and Lemon juice helps whiten.
Oily spot can also be treated with dish soap, as it is a degreaser.
2. Remove static
Dryer sheets are a controversy on whether we need them and if they have toxins that are harming us. I do know that they have wax in them that is meant to help repel liquids on clothes. It also clogs your dryer screen and can cause a higher risk for fire in the lint compartment. You can save by not using the sheets and add 1/4 cup vinegar to your rinse cycle. You can also try using concentrate fabric softener and spray it on a rag then throwing it in the dryer. The problem is still chemicals. A dryer ball or tennis ball helps disperse the static and is very inexpensive. The Dollar store has dryer balls.
3. Wrinkles
If you shake you clothes out of the dryer, which also disperses static, hang in your closet. The wrinkles will relax.
4. Whitens
Vinegar, Lemon juice, Hydrogen Peroxide added in place of bleach or as a stain treatment after you have tried washing the stain out. Use on light colored clothes.
5. Homemade pretreater
Mix Washing soda and Hydrogen peroxide equal parts and 2 parts of hot water. Heat until mixed and put in a spray bottle. You can also use Baking soda in place of washing soda.
6. Sunlight
Cloth diapering Mama's know this trick. Protein spots can whiten if placed in the sun. Try washing out with dish soap and if the spot is still there, layout in the sun.
7. Treat right away.
One thing I have started doing with my fourth baby is treating right away. I think with all my other babies I just was not organized enough to always treat spots. Now that I know I am handing all my little ones clothes to my sisters, one having recently had a boy and one expecting another baby, I want to make sure they go in good condition. I used an empty creamer bottle and filled with laundry detergent and placed in my bathroom. I can rinse the stain and soak in the sink. It is also convenient for washing my unmentionables.
8. Having a Zote or Fels-Naptha bar around is also great for stain treating. It can also be kept in a near by sink for easy quick stain treatments. Wet fabric and rub bar on the stain. Both are strong and will get just about any stain out.
Castile soap can also be used to pretreat. It is a vegetable based soap and can be found at most natural grocery stores.
9. Baking soda
Baking soda is great for deodorizing and whitening. It also can absorb oil as the salt does. Add 1/4 cup to a wash load for a booster.
10. Washing soda
This is a great alternative to other laundry booster that are full of phosphates. Phosphates are what damages out water and fish. It is outlawed in some places in the detergent but still can be used in boosters. This can be added to a wash load or used in the homemade detergent. You can also make it into a paste and scrub at the stain. I also use it for cleaning around the house. Great Eco friendly product.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Easy Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
For years I used a detergent and never had any problems until I decided to stop ordering online and try store bought brands. Costco was tempting with 2 big green bottles that would seem to last forever. They did last forever because I did not like the results at all. I went through Cascade and Finish, which I like but expensive. With trying many brands it just got to the point that I was going to pay more. I decided to make my own and I was surprised at how easy it is to make and how much I liked it. I have had no problems with how it works or the cost.
1 Part Borax
1 Part Arm and Hammer Washing Soda
Scent, I used a pineapple.
Smells great and works great for less than a Dollar for a large batch. Use 2 tablespoons per wash. Of course, I used what was left over from the Laundry Detergent and for Scrub cleaner.
You can use Vinegar in the compartment for the rinse cycle if you have water spots. I have not had any problems with them.
I used a label from the Graphicsfairy, she has great graphics for labels and other projects. Click her button on my side bar and see what she has for you.
Happy Cleaning!!
I always love to hear from you so leave a comment. Please feel free to pin me.
Here is the recipe for Homemade Laundry Detergent.
Check out laundry tips too.
See me linked at
1 Part Borax
1 Part Arm and Hammer Washing Soda
Scent, I used a pineapple.
Smells great and works great for less than a Dollar for a large batch. Use 2 tablespoons per wash. Of course, I used what was left over from the Laundry Detergent and for Scrub cleaner.
You can use Vinegar in the compartment for the rinse cycle if you have water spots. I have not had any problems with them.
I used a label from the Graphicsfairy, she has great graphics for labels and other projects. Click her button on my side bar and see what she has for you.
Happy Cleaning!!
I always love to hear from you so leave a comment. Please feel free to pin me.
Here is the recipe for Homemade Laundry Detergent.
See me linked at
Thursday, February 16, 2012
10 tips for $$ saving green cleaning
I started working part time last week. It is amazing how quickly life gets thrown off. My house is an utter mess and I am going nuts! I am home all day today so I am ready to clean.
So I strapped on baby and went to work. In my short experience as a professional cleaner, I have learned some tricks and found ways to save and still get the great clean. Here are my tips to save money, time, and be more eco friendly while your at it.
Think about how little soap you use when you wash a sink full of dishes. A teaspoon to a tablespoon is all you need. You can add more to water in your reusable spray bottle, (so you still can have the cute Method bottle). It is great for all surfaces because it is Anti-bacterial, non streaking, doesn't leave water spots, and degreasing. You can add vinegar and tea tree oil if you like but is not necessary. ( I don't like the smell of vinegar so I don't use it.) Dawn is also my favorite brand for cleaning.
Tip: Tea tree oil is great for disinfecting only a few drops is needed per bottle for that extra benefit.
2. Safe oven cleaning
Stop using those toxic cleaners. Did you know that oven cleaners can damage a self cleaning oven finish. There is a much better, safer way to clean an oven.
Heat oven only a few minutes. Spray the Best cleaner ever all over inside, heavily. Let sit for 15 minutes or so. This softens the dry stuck on stuff. Use an old sanding sponge to clean the inside.
I am sure you have them in your garage or in your project box. When they don't work any more for sanding, use it for cleaning. Wet and scrub. You can use it for other cleaning you just need to be careful not to press to hard to scratch the surface. You won't have to worry about that for the oven, it won't scratch easily. If you can't get some of the spots off, soak again in the Best cleaner, or you can use a putty knife to scrape it off.
3. Soft scrub Cleaner
Borax and baking soda, Mix together and use as you would Comet.
Great for sinks and counter tops and will not scratch. The soda deodorizes as well.
4. Nylon scrubby
I am sure you have used these and then throw them out. Use them for cleaning they work great to scrub with out scratching. Use with #3. and clean shower stalls, tub rings, and sinks.
5. Leave a polished finish
Once you have cleaned the sink, faucet, counter tops, and even the fridge and stove tops, use a furniture polish to leave a shine. It also helps to repel spots and will keep things cleaner longer.
Tip: Use this for stainless steel to help reduce fingerprints showing.
Make sure not to use to much, you don't want an oily finish. This is my splurge as I love the scent.
We used this for homes on the market that needed to sparkle when it is shown.
Tip: you can also use spray cooking oil. It works great, just use small amounts on a rag to wipe on.
6. Rust rings in you toilet or sinks
I am sure you have tried the pumice stone and maybe even the metal dish scrubbers just to see that you scratched the porcelain finish. That is not what you want to do as it is permanent. Using a drywall screen works great and is easier to control. You can get them at a hardware store and one will go along way. Get a fine grit and cut a one inch square. Use only on the scale and not on the porcelain areas. Rub lightly and it comes off fast. Throw the square away and that one screen will last many cleanings by only using a small bit at a time. This can also be used in the oven cleaning to work on tough spots.
7. Eraser
These are the best things to come out for the green cleaner as they use water to scrub. These are great for cleaning surfaces and wipe after with the Best cleaner. Great for polishing.
8. Fiberglass
The best thing to use is the best cleaner. Fiberglass scratches easily and stains. The Eraser will help remove spots.
Tip:Use spray oil, like Pam, or tip #5 to reduce spot appearance and keep cleaner longer.
9. Mirrors and Glass
Best cleaner works great for mirrors and the nylon scrubby to get water spots off. Rainx is also great for reducing scum and keeps thing clean longer.
10. Vinegar
Using vinegar for mirrors and glass help reduce fogging and water spots. Use it in the Best cleaner and in your dishwasher for the rinse cycle to keep water spots away. Keep in mind that vinegar can be made from petroleum. If the bottle doesn't say what it's made from, like grain, it' probably from petroleum.
Check out how to make your own Laundry Detergent here
- Best cleaner ever!
Think about how little soap you use when you wash a sink full of dishes. A teaspoon to a tablespoon is all you need. You can add more to water in your reusable spray bottle, (so you still can have the cute Method bottle). It is great for all surfaces because it is Anti-bacterial, non streaking, doesn't leave water spots, and degreasing. You can add vinegar and tea tree oil if you like but is not necessary. ( I don't like the smell of vinegar so I don't use it.) Dawn is also my favorite brand for cleaning.
Tip: Tea tree oil is great for disinfecting only a few drops is needed per bottle for that extra benefit.
2. Safe oven cleaning
Stop using those toxic cleaners. Did you know that oven cleaners can damage a self cleaning oven finish. There is a much better, safer way to clean an oven.
Heat oven only a few minutes. Spray the Best cleaner ever all over inside, heavily. Let sit for 15 minutes or so. This softens the dry stuck on stuff. Use an old sanding sponge to clean the inside.
3. Soft scrub Cleaner
Borax and baking soda, Mix together and use as you would Comet.
4. Nylon scrubby
I am sure you have used these and then throw them out. Use them for cleaning they work great to scrub with out scratching. Use with #3. and clean shower stalls, tub rings, and sinks.
5. Leave a polished finish
Once you have cleaned the sink, faucet, counter tops, and even the fridge and stove tops, use a furniture polish to leave a shine. It also helps to repel spots and will keep things cleaner longer.
Tip: Use this for stainless steel to help reduce fingerprints showing.
Make sure not to use to much, you don't want an oily finish. This is my splurge as I love the scent.
We used this for homes on the market that needed to sparkle when it is shown.
Tip: you can also use spray cooking oil. It works great, just use small amounts on a rag to wipe on.
6. Rust rings in you toilet or sinks
I am sure you have tried the pumice stone and maybe even the metal dish scrubbers just to see that you scratched the porcelain finish. That is not what you want to do as it is permanent. Using a drywall screen works great and is easier to control. You can get them at a hardware store and one will go along way. Get a fine grit and cut a one inch square. Use only on the scale and not on the porcelain areas. Rub lightly and it comes off fast. Throw the square away and that one screen will last many cleanings by only using a small bit at a time. This can also be used in the oven cleaning to work on tough spots.
7. Eraser
These are the best things to come out for the green cleaner as they use water to scrub. These are great for cleaning surfaces and wipe after with the Best cleaner. Great for polishing.
8. Fiberglass
The best thing to use is the best cleaner. Fiberglass scratches easily and stains. The Eraser will help remove spots.
Tip:Use spray oil, like Pam, or tip #5 to reduce spot appearance and keep cleaner longer.
9. Mirrors and Glass
Best cleaner works great for mirrors and the nylon scrubby to get water spots off. Rainx is also great for reducing scum and keeps thing clean longer.
10. Vinegar
Using vinegar for mirrors and glass help reduce fogging and water spots. Use it in the Best cleaner and in your dishwasher for the rinse cycle to keep water spots away. Keep in mind that vinegar can be made from petroleum. If the bottle doesn't say what it's made from, like grain, it' probably from petroleum.
Check out how to make your own Laundry Detergent here
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Homemade laundry soap
Last year I was talking with some of the mom's in my sons class about ways to save on our budgets. One mother talked about making her own laundry detergent. I don't know why I never thought of making my own detergent before but I am amazed on how much money it really does save. I usually buy from Costco the Eco's brand at around $18 for 64 loads. I do have a High Efficiency machine and it works well. The homemade detergent is also great for HE machines as it does not have sudsing. Bubbles are made from fillers in detergents, they also can leave residue on machines and clothes. This detergent is great for those of you that use cloth diapers as it does not have waxes and repellents in it.
1 Cup Borax
Here is a container I used to mix the soap and store it. I was surprised to see this label on it. I had bought this with smaller ones inside. I use those for my food but not any more. They were sold at Winco for food storage containers. It says This product contains chemicals even lead, that are known to cause cancer, birth defects, and reproductive harm in California. Good thing I do not live in California. I am going to Ikea and replacing all my plastic with glass.
Here are some Laundry tips
Here is how to make Dishwasher soap
Costs of each product runs at- Borax $4.89, Washing soda $2.39, Fels-Naptha on Amazon is $.98. If you wanted to add tea tree oil it is around $10 a bottle and also fragrance between $5-$9 a bottle.
I have plenty of soda and borax to make much more. It was $8.26 to make and I can still make more. The tea tree oil is for disinfecting. It is not necessary but does add that in. I also use it in my homemade cleaners. The soap bars have a fragrance so none is needed, it smells lemony.
Tips on finding products: Fred Meyers had the Washing soda, it was the hardest to find. It does sell on Amazon.com and is a great price there. Home Depot sells the Zote bar and Fels-naptha is at Whole foods or New Seasons. Borax is in any laundry isle.
As seen http://www.getouttamyheadplease.com/2012/02/show-it-off-link-party-10.html?utm_source=BP_recent Link party.
1 Cup Borax
1Cup Washing Soda
1/3 bar of Zote or Fels-naptha bar
10 drops of Tea tree oil
Fragrance
24 cups of water.
Grate soap and add to 6 cups of hot water, heat until soap is melted, add in borax and soda until diluted. Mix in 6 cups of water and stir. Set until cool add in remaining liquid, tea tree oil and fragrance, set overnight. It will be chunky and soupy. I needed to stir and mix mine periodically. It will need to be shaken before each use. I use about 1/4 cup per load
I used a halved creamer bottle for a funnel, I can never find one when I need one. Reused my old laundry bottle. This one is a bit big so I use the creamer bottle and just refill as needed.
Here is a container I used to mix the soap and store it. I was surprised to see this label on it. I had bought this with smaller ones inside. I use those for my food but not any more. They were sold at Winco for food storage containers. It says This product contains chemicals even lead, that are known to cause cancer, birth defects, and reproductive harm in California. Good thing I do not live in California. I am going to Ikea and replacing all my plastic with glass.
Here are some Laundry tips
Here is how to make Dishwasher soap
Costs of each product runs at- Borax $4.89, Washing soda $2.39, Fels-Naptha on Amazon is $.98. If you wanted to add tea tree oil it is around $10 a bottle and also fragrance between $5-$9 a bottle.
I have plenty of soda and borax to make much more. It was $8.26 to make and I can still make more. The tea tree oil is for disinfecting. It is not necessary but does add that in. I also use it in my homemade cleaners. The soap bars have a fragrance so none is needed, it smells lemony.
Tips on finding products: Fred Meyers had the Washing soda, it was the hardest to find. It does sell on Amazon.com and is a great price there. Home Depot sells the Zote bar and Fels-naptha is at Whole foods or New Seasons. Borax is in any laundry isle.
As seen http://www.getouttamyheadplease.com/2012/02/show-it-off-link-party-10.html?utm_source=BP_recent Link party.
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