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.

Chalk Charger menu

Since we have moved in to our new home, eating dinner at the table hasn't been easy.  The table was the first thing to set up and clear and after that it was covered with sorting boxes and projects.  In an effort to start having family dinner at our table, I put together a simple and inexpensive menu board.  I have the kids help me put together ideas of what we are having for the week and each day write on the board what's for dinner.  It's also great for messages.

This is a charger from Dollar Tree and I had some chalk board paint. I also hung one at the door to leave messages for my family.

Chalk paint is definetly my new friend.  I will be doing more projects with Chalk paint.

I encourage Pinning and comments please.

Happy Painting!!

Tricia Marie

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How to for a Grab button with box

I finally figured out the grab button and box.  It is now in my sidebar and I wanted to share the link for creating your own. 

Start here

If you already have a picture created go ahead and follow the instructions and you will have your own box.  If you need to make a button go to Picnik.com and sign up for free.  You only have until April 19 and they close down so use it now.  Go to collage and pick a color and a square shape.  You are going to resixe it so it really does not matter how big as along as it is square.  This is your background and hit done.  Next add in words and stickers as you like.  Save it and go to Photobucket.com and sign up for free.  Upload the button and resize it to 120x120, which is common.  Then go to the tutorial link above to create your button. 

While your at it, add my button to your blog.

Happy Blogging!!

Tricia Marie

Ooey, Gooey, Gross, Slimey

I have learned with boys that Slimey, gross, and gooey, are a part of my life.  I might as well embrace it.  It all started with a trip to Dollar tree and my oldest son bought Green Goo.  My youngest wanted some and we already left.  So we went home to start making him Goo. 

We started out easy making Flubber goo.

1 cup warm water
2 tsp Borax
Add in white glue

The Borax water reacts with the glue to make a bouncy, spongy, Flubber.  You can add food coloring to make it even more Gross. If your boys ar elike mine the grosser the better.

Next we did a more simple project my daughter offered in. Apparently it was a Fifth grade project.

1/2 cup Corn starch
Water

Just add in water to the starch to get the consistancy you want.  It acts very strange as it seems wet yet it is very rubbery.  It also will act like a solid and then turn runny.  It is fun to watch how it changes instantly.  Add in coloring of  course.

Static electricity Gooey

2 cups veg oil
2/3 cup Corn starch
Wool sweater or sock

Mix together and pour into wool sock or sleave.
Rub and roll to collect static
Pour into a glass and hold sideways, hold a styrofoam block that is rubbed against your clothes out side the glass and the static will pull the goo out.

You can also try this with just water. Turn the faucet on a steady small stream. 
Rub styrofoam on your head or clothes to create static.
Hold up next to the stream to see it move away from the  foam.

I may not be able to buy cute flowers and tutu's, play Barbie's and dress up.  I do love science experiments, building Lego's, and dress up in superhero costumes.  I love my boys and it is fun.  Embrace to Ooey, Gooey, Gross, and Slimey inside you.


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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.
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Latte Buff Bar

I definitely have a passion for making my own body care.  This is my new favorite bar.  It is a shower buff bar that moisturises.  Use it in hot water so it can melt the butters on your skin and it exfoliates  at the same time.  The coffee in it may help with cellulite appearance and it smells great.  Cocoa butter has a soft smell that goes great with the coffee for a fantastic shower. 

 1/2 cup Cocoa butter
1/2 cup Shea or Mango butter
1 Tablespoon bees wax
1 tablespoon carrier oil,
Grapeseed is my favorite
1/8 cup oatmeal
Tablespoon coffee grounds
Tablespoon Lavender
essential oil and scent optional

 Mix butters and wax melt on medium low heat.  Add other ingredients and place in the refrigerator.
Stir as it cools to help suspend coffee and oatmeal throughout.  Then pour in molds.

 I made a mold from a children's pedia care box.  I took it apart and placed the top inside for extra support.  The box is waxed so it is great for sliding out the bar.

It turned out great.

 This is oily it can cause showers and baths to become slippery.  You may want to be very careful when using and do not use on bottom of feet.

I love to hear from you and please feel free to Pin to Pinterest or Pinspire.

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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.

1. 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.

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