Making Pantry Products

From cleaning supplies and detergents to baked goods and foods, I have been asking myself if I can make that particular item for cheaper and if it can be better than the purchased product. So far, I have saved a considerable amount of money by doing so. I have come to the conclusion that if an item can be purchased, it can be made. However, not every home-made product I have tried is as effective as the store-bought item. So, then I ask myself if I can do without that item. By doing without, I have eliminated various items from our grocery bill and saved money. 

Recently, I have made a few kitchen products that have proved to be good alternatives to their store bought counterparts.


Brown Sugar
Mix 1 T. molasses per 1 cup sugar


Cooking Spray
Mix 1/2 c. water with 1/4 c. olive oil and blend with a stick blender
(note: used distilled or boiled water to kill bacteria and store in the refrigerator)


Oat Flour
Blend whole oats in a blender or coffee maker


Balsamic Vinaigrette
Mix balsamic vinegar with various herbs and olive oil


Buttermilk
1 T. Vinegar to 1 Cup milk


Yogurt
See article:
http://www.thehomeexecutiveoffice.blogspot.com/2012/04/yogurthas-many-health-benefits.html


Stock and Broths
See article:
http://www.thehomeexecutiveoffice.blogspot.com/2012/01/canning-chicken-stock.html


Baby Food
See Article:
http://www.thehomeexecutiveoffice.blogspot.com/2012/01/making-baby-food.html

Caring for carpet

Personally I love carpet-I always have. Especially now that I have a little one who is wobbling and toddling about-carpet makes a much softer landing than almost any other type of flooring. Carpet however can be a dust and soil collector if it is not properly maintained. 


Carpet care begins with:

1. Regular vacuuming-vacuuming carpet 3 times a week to daily is the best way to keep the surface dirt from sinking into the roots of the carpet. Carpet should be cleaned more if there are children or pets in the home-not as frequently if there is less traffic.

2. Re-arranging traffic patterns-carpet will soil and wear down where it is trodden on the most, so to keep it looking fresh, it is wise to re-arrange furniture where possible to redirect where people put their feet.

3. Protect carpet (all floor types for that matter) by not wearing shoes in the house, having rugs outside and inside doors can cut down on the amount of dirt coming in the house.

4. Change A/C filters regularly. Dust blows through dirty filters and sticks to walls, furniture and carpets.

5. Spot clean-if something spills or falls-clean it up immediately. My favorite carpet stain remover is Resolve. I have yet to come across anything it doesn't remove. It even got grape juice out of the carpet like magic.

6. A fabric deodorizer sprayed on carpets gives the carpet a fresh smell and protects against stains. Do not use powdered deodorizers because the crystals never vacuum up 100% and can build up in the carpet leaving a greasy feel.

7. Once a year it is a good idea to get carpets cleaned professionally. The professional equipment can remove difficult stains and soils as well as rooted dirt.

Troubleshooting Automatic Dishwashers

Since we moved into our apartment three years ago, I have struggled with getting the cheap rental dishwasher to work properly. This past month I made some changes that have improved the quality of the washes 90%. With a cheap dishwasher, I don't expect that I will ever get perfect washes, but at least I don't have to wash all the dishes by hand after they come out of the dishwasher.

Problems-

1. White residue on dishes

2. Grit and dirt left in the bottom of cups and bowls on top rack

3. Dishes not coming completely clean

Solutions-

White chalky residue can be caused by the phosphates in soap or minerals in hard water.

1. Use a powdered dishwasher soap, gels and gel packs clog up the dishwasher and are the worst kind of dishwashing detergent one can use

2. Use a phosphate free soap

3. Add white vinegar in the place where a rinse aid would be placed, use a dry detergent, and sprinkle baking soda on the door, then before starting a wash, run the kitchen sink to make sure the water starts out very hot

4. Make sure the water starting in the dishwasher is 120 degrees or hotter

5. If none of those work, the problem is hard water and a water softener is needed.

6. Sometimes white residue is simply a result of using too much dishwasher soap-reducing the amount may solve the problem

Grit and Dirt on dishes on the top rack

1. Make sure the water sprayer in the bottom of the dishwasher is not covered with a dish or pan and check that there are not dishes too close to it so that it can spray throughout the machine evenly

2. Make sure there are no food particles jammed in around the water drains or corners of the dishwasher before starting the dishwasher

3. Dishes should be adequately rinsed

Dishes not coming clean

1. Dishes should be rinsed off before going into the dishwasher. Heavily soiled dishes should be soaked and washed-most dishwasher will not do that work.

2. Don't put dishes in the wash with food particles stuck on them--eggs and cheese are particular enemies

Properly Loading a Dishwasher

How one loads dishes in a dishwasher is vital to how the machine performs-yes there are right and wrong ways to load the machine

1. Place dishes that need a little more pressure wash on the bottom-plates and bowls usually go there because they are generally more soiled than glasses and cups which typically conatian only liquid. The bottom rack of a dishwasher receives more water pressure than the top protion.

2. Place plates toward the center of the machine-keep them separate from each other so they will be sprayed evenly

3. Place cups and glasses upside-down on the top portion of the dishwasher. Bowls can go on the top or bottom depending on how soiled they are.

4. If plastics like Rubbermaid or Tupperware are being washed, they should go on the top rack in the dishwasher because the heat element is in the bottom and they will be less prone to warp or melt.

5. Silverware should be placed in the silverware tray, although it is convenient to unload a dishwasher of all the forks, knives, and spoons are with their own kind in one cube, nesting can occur and they may not wash well. So it is a good idea to scatter them randomly in the tray-knives and forks facing down and spoons heading up.

6. Make sure breakables do not touch each other or other hard objects.

What not to put in the dishwasher:

·       Anything that says not to wash in the dishwasher

·       Anything with wood-a dishwasher will dry out wood and take off any finish

·       Plastics-especially softer plastics like baby bottle nipples

·       Pots  and pans-the heat and soap chemicals can dull the finish or cause plastic handles or Teflon finishes to chip or crack

·       Good knives-can dull the blade

Dishwasher maintenance

A dishwasher should be cleaned once a month.

1. Dishwasher should be empty of all dishes

2. Clean runners and sides of the machine

3. Make sure no food is left in corners or around dishwasher drains

4. Run a dishwasher cycle without dishes or soap adding 2 cups of white vinegar to the bottom of the machine.

Neglected Corners

I have found that in my general cleaning, very often there are places I neglect to clean. Sometimes, it is because they are simply unnoticed, other times because I assume that since they are out of sight, their overall cleanliness is less important than the places I see and touch on a daily basis.

Cobweb check:

Ceiling corners

Floor corners

Above lampshades

Around window frames and curtains

Doors:

Dust grates on metal folding doors

Dust around the doorframe (for wood stained frames, an occasional wash with Murphy’s oil or tea water will bring out the natural luster)

Outside of your front doors-they can look dingy with one good rain

Baseboard:

Can collect dust and grime needs a wipe down on occasion

Windows:

Both sides-in and out need to be cleaned if possible

Frames around windows-often collect dead bugs

Screens- can be removed and hosed down in a bathtub or outside

Sanitary Check:

A can of Lysol or vinegar water can be most helpful in the winter cold and flu season-unseen germs collect in these well used places all the time

Phones-including cell phones

Computers and Computer Mice

Doorknobs

Faucets and toilet handles

Light Switches

TV and Game Remotes

Toss toothbrushes every 3 months or when a sick person has used it

Microwave wet cleaning sponges for 2 minutes to kill bacteria/toss used sponges that are over 3 months old

High Places:

Light fixtures-can make a room twice as bright with clean globes

Ceiling fans

Above cupboards

Above refrigerator

Tops of curtains, drapes, and blinds (long handled feather dusters are great friends)

Insides:

Dishwashers should be wiped down and sprayed with sterilization fluid once a month/seals also need to be cleaned

Microwaves should always be kept clean-often the ceilings of microwaves are neglected in the cleaning process

Washing machine and Dryer

Underneath and Behind:

Kitchen and Laundry Room Appliances

Under Furniture

Behind TV and entertainment electronics

Walls:

Need to be wiped down-a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is a great tool for getting the job done easily

Plants:

Both Fake and real plants need to be dusted

Trash Cans

Need a bit of rinsing out and a spray of disinfectant

Basic Cleaning Techniques

I enjoy the art of cleaning. Oh yes, even cleaning has its finer points and takes creativity, thought, and structure. There is a method to cleaning. Don Aslett addresses the issue of cleaning order in his book Do I Dust or Vacuum First? For instance, there are rules that are important to follow that keep cleaning simple, effective, and time efficient. For instance, during my college days, I spent one summer cleaning houses. I learned a lot from making mistakes. I beat out a rug in the house-causing dust to go up in the air settle on the freshly dusted furniture. I also found that floors should be vacuumed and wiped clean after everything else has been cleaned. Some people take a lot of cleaning techniques for granted because a lot of it is common sense, however, as I said before, cleaning is an art, and for many people, the methods of cleanliness do not come naturally and must be learned. 


3 cleaning principles


1. Start from the top down in every project, whether it be wiping down a bathtub, dusting, or wiping walls. 


-starting from the top down allows gravity to work and carry dirt down where the floor will be the last project tackled. 


2. Wipe in swirls, whether it is counter-tops, windows, or floors.


-using a moment of small circles will eliminate streaks, missed spots, and lines in cleaning-giving a more thoroughly cleaned surface


3. Use the appropriate products for cleaning


-as tempting as multipurpose cleaners are, multipurpose has its limits. One does not want to use a water, ammonia, or alcohol based fluids on wood, and one certainly does want to use an oil based fluid on ceramics, counter-tops, or windows. 

Precious Time at Home

In order to silence all those who wonder what a homemaker does with all her time, let me share a typical day at my home. Every evening, I jot down a list of must-dos and want to dos for the next day. Before I had a baby, I actually would finish my to-do list, now by the end of the day, it has actually grown longer. Funny how one little soul can zap time out of existence. Time has become so precious to me.


This is how a typical day at home may go...


After sleeping off an on through the night, I hope Emma will sleep just a little longer on the one morning I can sleep a little longer. The moment the clock strikes 6:30, I start to hear little noises from her room. She is awake and my day has begun.


Since I am home 2 full days a week, I decided to to the laundry on those days. I don't have machines in my apartment, so I use the complex facilities-3 washer and 3 dryers which can get pretty busy. I try to get the wash in first thing in the morning, so I am not waiting on other people to do their loads. Today I had 6 loads to do. Thankfully the machines were empty and I got the first 3 loads in the wash by 7:30. I set the timer to remind me to swap loads in half an hour then fed and burped Emma.


I put the next loads in at 8:30 and set the timer for an hour, when the dryers would finish. Then I made the beds, and picked up the house, and cleaned the bathroom, and fed Emma.


Then at 9:45 I got the loads swapped, brought up the dry laundry and folded and put that away. Between entertaining Emma, putting her down for nap, then putting the clothes away...an hour was gone.


So I went back down at 10:45 and got the last three loads of laundry. Some were not quite dry, but I wasn't going to spend another dollar to get the dampness out, so I brought them up and hung them around the house-on the doors, furniture, and closets so they would dry. I put away the things that were dry.


By then it was 11:30, and I jumped in the shower before Emma woke up from her nap. By the time I was done, she was throwing a fit in her crib. It was time to feed her again. I fed her, read her books, and played peek-a-boo. By then it was 12:30-My morning was gone.


I spend some time writing notes and doing paperwork my husband asked me to do for him, then realize Emma is fussing. She has a blow-out. I changer her and wash her up. Then I play with her a bit and put her down for a nap--1:30.


I have 2 hours before my husband comes home, so I put up my hair, put on make-up, and pick up the laundry from about the house. I make sweet toe for him and some cereal bars, then wash the dishes in the sink and wipe down the counters-2:30


One more hour-Emma awakes from her nap. I feed her, burp her, and talk to her. Then I check for coupons on the websites I visit, then I go through my coupons and trash the dated ones and file away the new ones. 


3:45-Jim comes home. I chat with him while he gets ready to head out again. Thankfully this week he is working in our apartment complex, so he doesn't have far to go.


Jim leaves at 4 and I am starved by then so I raid the refrigerator and eat some cold fried chicken. Yum. 


I put Emma down and look at flight prices for a possible visit to the East coast the first of the year. 
Blog
Play with Emma


It is 6:20 as I am publishing this article and the day is yet incomplete. This is about how I would expect the evening to go...


6:30-I take Emma to go visit Jim at work.
7:00-Emma gets a bath and nighttime feed.
8:00-Emma is in bed asleep and I have time for my personal devotions and Sunday School preparation.
9:00-I make Jim's lunch for the next day, and get our clothes, car-seat, and diaper bag ready for 6:00 the next morning. 
10:00-Jim comes home-we chat-he showers
11:00-Sweet Sleep until Emma wakes up to eat.


The day in a nutshell, it seems like I did nothing much, yet the day is over and my list of to-do's remains, with only the bare necessities accomplished. I am only one mother among thousands, yet I feel that I speak for all stay-at-home-mom's when I say that there is no time for long chats on the phone, watching TV or movies, or anything other than the bare necessities of life. I know as children grow, the  business remains, but changes. Am I complaining? Absolutely not! I love being a wife and mother, and am so very, very thankful that it is the life the Lord has allowed me to have. To me, I am living the ideal life that some women only dream about.

Saturday Evening

Sundays are often the hardest days of the week to be prepared. We rise early for church but there are many last minute preparations that need to be taken care of. I have found it easier to deal with Sunday by preparing everything I can ahead of time. Usually I prepare my Sunday School lesson sometime during the week before in case I need to purchase or make anything by Sunday morning. There are plenty of other things that can be done Saturday evening. 


I usually go through Sunday in my mind sometime Saturday evening and ask myself a series questions...


?What will the weather be like tomorrow and what type of clothing would be best for church?
?Are we having company after morning or evening service?
?What are we having for dinner?
?Is there any food I can prepare ahead?
?Are we ministering in any way-music, speaking, nursery, etc.?


I need to know what the next day will bring so I know how to adequately prepare the night before for instance...


If I am in nursery I try to choose clothing I can move around on the floor with.
If the weather is cold, I will plan warmer clothing for the family.
If we are having company, I may set the table ahead of time.


Then I tackle preparing the clothing for the morning-pressing, pulling out clothes and making sure I have all the parts to all of our outfits, so I am not scrounging around in the morning looking for a shoe or something. I also may try on my own outfit. Since I have had baby, things don't fit like they used to fit, so I want to make sure my clothes fit properly and are modest. 
Then I prepare all I can for dinner the following day-thawing and marinating meat, setting up the crock-pot with a browned roast (I use a timer so it comes on around 1 in the morning to start cooking). 
The final step in my preparation is to gather all the things we need to take to church in the morning and set them out on the kitchen table-diaper bag, car seat, Sunday School Curriculum, offertory music, Bibles, tithe money, dishes or vases to return to people at church, cards to deliver to people at church, and anything else I can think of. Saturday evening, Emma gets a bath-and we hope she stays reasonably clean until after church. 


Sunday morning is nice because all I have to worry about is feeding and dressing Emma and myself. My husband takes care of himself, and we are off to church. It really eliminates any stress Sunday mornings and helps keep the day more set-apart and restful.

Home and Haven

The word “house” suggests a place where one lives or dwells-nothing more, but the word “home” has a much richer meaning suggesting a place of refuge, a sanctuary, haven, fortress, or a shelter. “Home” is not just the place where one lives, but also a place where one is loved, secure, and at peace. As I look toward heaven as my final home, no place on earth can compare to the complete peace and sanctuary I know I have there. But here on earth, despite my faults, I strive to make my house more than a dwelling place. I desire it to be a home-a place where my husband can come home after a busy day at work and be at peace. It is also the place where my children will feel safe, loved, and provided for.

                                

I will admit there have been times when Jim walked in the door and the home was not at peace. In fact, this past summer during a rather hot spell, Jim came home from work to find the air conditioner had gone out and the house was hot and icky, Emma was screaming and fussing endlessly and my nerves were agitated from the heat and hearing her fuss all day long. Plus I had been sewing and had sewing supplies strewn all about the house. And dinner was far from ready. Not the best of circumstances. In general, that is not the situation I aim for in our home. I feel that as the keeper of the home, it is my primary responsibility to keep the atmosphere of my home calm, so that when someone walks in I can almost hear them sigh in relaxation and comfort.

During my days as a single woman, I often would hang out with friends. It was during those days of my life, that one of my close friends invited me to spend the weekend with her out in the country with some of her friends. It so happened that they were an elderly Mennonite coupIe. I will never forget the atmosphere that hit me when I stepped into their home. There was no rushing about here and there and stress to get to the next thing. It was like stepping into a world of steady calm. I must admit that I never slept better or felt more rested than I did that weekend away in their home. Their home simply put my heart at ease. I have spent some time since then, pondering what made that home such a sanctuary. And concluded that it was not the simple décor of the house, or the lack of TV, or even the food or hospitality we were showed. What made that home was the fact that couple was at complete peace with the Lord and with each other. Their rightness with the Lord and each other made their home a haven to anyone who entered.  Instantly the key was clear to me. If there is peace and love between the members of the household, everyone who enters that home is going to know and feel it. That is the atmosphere I wanted to recreate in my home.

Steps I am taking to create a home and resting place for the weary:

1. My Attitude-keeping it gentle and loving and keeping peace with the members of my family

2. Smile-Being positive and encouraging

3. Music-listen to uplifting music throughout the day

4. Candles-add a warming effect during colder evenings

5. Pick up clutter and toys-making a habit of picking up stuff when we are done using it

6. Good smells-paying attention to the smells of the home-taking out trash when needed

7. Personal appearance-keeping myself presentable

Cleaning Schedule

My weekly housecleaning routine has always been simple and very basic. Once a week I would clean the floors, furniture, and appliances. It took about three good hours to do a satisfactory job in our two bedroom apartment. Once or twice a year I would also do a week of major spring cleaning and scrub every nook and cranny. However I found that sometimes there are places that never get cleaned and are regularly looked over. With a little person around the house--I know she is going to find those forgotten places and what to lick them clean. I decided it was best to keep up with everything regularly. So, recently I decided to add those neglected places to a monthly cleaning . I also find it helpful to break up my house cleaning into 5 days a week rather than doing it all in one day. It is much easier for me to send 15-20 minutes a day cleaning than 2-4 hrs all at once. This is how it works:


Basic cleaning routine:
Monday: Dust furniture, lamps, door frames, ceiling fans, blinds, and electronics
Tuesday: Clean bathroom-wipe down all household mirrors
Wednesday: Clean and organize closets
Thursday: Clean kitchen
Friday: Vacuum carpets, scrub linoleum floors


I do the weekly scheduled cleaning and the one monthly scheduled cleaning each day. Scheduling helps me keep my house clean regularly and insures I have the time to get it done. Also, if these things are done regularly, I have found that they are pretty easy to keep up with each time.

Monthly cleaning routine:
Week 1:
Monday: Dust fica trees and fake flowers
Tuesday: Clean inside cabinets in bathroom
Wednesday: Clean and organize drawers in furniture
Thursday: Wipe down and organize kitchen cupboards
Friday: Sweep outside front door

Week 2:
Monday: Clean light fixtures and ceiling fans
Tuesday: Clean under beds and living room furniture
Wednesday: Clean and organize piano books
Thursday: Dust above cabinets-clean doodads on top of cabinets
Friday: Clean floors under oven and refrigerator

Week 3:
Monday: Dust pictures/things on the walls
Tuesday: Dust and Organize shelves in baby's room
Wednesday: Clean around desk and desanitize computer mouse and phones
Thursday: Clean oven, stove, and range hood
Friday: Vacuum around edges of walls and furniture with vacuum hose

Week 4:
Monday: Dust bookshelves-get on top and under books
Tuesday: Clean windows
Wednesday: Wipe down doors and desanitize doorknobs
Thursday: Clean refrigerator
Friday: Spot clean the carpets

Lazy Laundress

Laundry is has always one of my least favorite chores. I don't have a washer or dryer at home so the laundry must be carried across the yard to the laundry facilities at our apartment complex or it must be done at a laundry mat. In any case, it is always my goal to get it done and put away as soon as possible. The advantage of using the facilities on the premise is that I can get 3 loads of laundry done at a time making it possible for me to complete it all in an hour and a half. I like that a lot. Unfortunately, since the whole laundry process is such a chore to me, I have never enjoyed the art and leisure of well--doing it right. I sort clothes by weight and color--heavy jeans and towel in one load, light colored clothes in another load, and colored lightweights in the third. I have learned that I am guilty of several laundry crimes. 

• I plead guilty to not spot-checking my clothes before washing
• I plead guilty to overcrowding the washers and dryers (well it saves me time and money...)
• I plead guilty to not folding my clothes while they are hot-I scoop them out of the wash and stuff them all into the basket-then I dump them on our bed until I get inspired to fold them and put them away-sometime before bed
• I plead guilty to not pressing our clothes--well except for my husband's shirt for church
• I plead guilty to donating a stained garment to Goodwill because I don't care enough about it to work at the stain-hey I probably purchased it from Goodwill for a dollar anyway
• I plead guilty to mixing whites with coloreds resulting in dingy whites
• I plead guilty colored items with bleach spots on them.
• I plead guilty to using only one setting on the washers--very hot water, heavy load, and large load--I figure it washes better--not paying attention to my fading colors and twisted dress clothes.
• I am guilty of rarely reading labels on clothing and having accidents of shrunken and damaged articles as a result.

I fully admit to being a lazy, and uncaring laundress. Now that my confession is on the ironing board and my audience is thoroughly shocked. I would also like to point out that I actually know better. I know how to take care of linens and clothing. There are young men in college dorms who take more care of their laundry than I do. I am bitterly ashamed and resolve to improve my habits.

In one of my favorite books on housekeeping: Mrs. Dunwoody's Excellent Instructions for Homekeeping, the author, Miriam Lukken describes in great detail all the considerations a good homemaker takes in doing her laundry.

1. Check all articles of soiled clothing for needed mending. It is best to mend before washing because washing only makes rips shred more.

2. Turn all clothing inside out--this allows the garments to be cleaned thoroughly where it touches skin and keep the outside better protected from tumbling and rubbing against other articles of clothing.

3. Zip up zippers, hook hooks, check pockets, and stick the Velcro on objects together 

4. Separate articles into the following categories:

    A. Household cottons and linens (tablecloths, sheets)

    B. Heavy household linens (towels, washcloths, blankets)

    C. Rugs

    D. Heavy white clothing

    E. Thin white clothing

    F. Light colored articles

    G. Dark colored articles

    H. Articles that are seriously soiled (or new dark colors that 

         might stain other articles)

    I. Jeans

    J. Hosiery

    K. Silky fabrics usually women's undergarments

    L. Separate lint attracting objects from objects that create lint    

        (corduroy and sweatshirts)

5. Spot check articles of clothing and pre-treat stains 

Natural Satin Removers

•      Hydrogen peroxide (test on fabric first)
•      Vinegar-removes tough stains
•      Cold water soak-removes chocolate
•      Lemon juice-removes berry and juice stains
•      Spit on blood stains to remove them-crazy but it really works
•      Mix equal portions of rubbing alcohol and vinegar-soak to  remove grass stains
• mix egg yolk with a little water to remove coffee stains
• sponge milk on ink stains

6. Measure and add soap and softener to the machine
    (add 1/2c. vinegar to washing machine for a natural laundry 
    softener) 

7. Choose the correct water temperature for the type of clothes being washed
hot-pre-shrunk whites
warm-pre-shrunk sturdy fabrics
cold-colors and delicates

8. Choose the desired cycle for the type of load being washed
      A. Gentle-delicates
      B. Normal-Most types of wash
      C. Heavy Duty-jeans and towels

9. Choose water level for wash-full, medium, or small load-water should be enough to cover all the items in the machine

10. Start the washer and let it fill 1/4 of the way with the detergent in the water

11. Add clothes piece by piece-distributing evenly around the machine (top loading machines only)

12.After the machine is done-put clothes in dryer piece by piece-untwisting and uncrumpling the items-add dryer or lint sheets if desired-hang dry delicates-do not dry in a dryer 

13. Remove the lint from the dryer tray and set the dryer on the necessary heat and time
      A. High heat for sturdy cottons like-towels and denim
      B. Medium heat for general fabrics
      C. Low heat for dry able delicates

14. Once clothes are dry remove and fold.

15. Cottons and linens will need pressing.


TIPS:

• Sun will bleach colors-so don't leave colored items out on a line any longer than necessary
• Soak cottons overnight in a salt water solution to prevent them from fading
• Hang pants by the legs to dry so the wight of the top will take out the wrinkles as they dry
• Boil dingy whites in lemon water. Lemon acts as a natural bleach.
• Starched clothing is quickly going out of style, but for those suborn folk who like crisp shirts, home starch can easily be made-

5 T cornstarch
1/3 c. cold water
1 qt. boiling water
1/2 t. lard or white wax


Mix the cornstarch in the cold water then add to the qt of boiling water and then add lard or wax. Boil 20 minutes. Rub starch of wet or dry articles.

Home-Made Household Cleaners

Commercially made cleaners can be expensive removers of dirt that home-made solutions can cure equally well. I think many homemakers like me do like the fresh smell of alcohol in Windex and the lemon scent in Pine-Sol, but very often those products can run a couple to seven dollars a bottle. Many commercially made cleaners are not healthy to breathe either. After cleaning my bathroom while pregnant one day, I had to leave the room several times to breathe then hold my breath until the job was done because the fumes of the product I was using was so strong. I knew breathing all those chemicals could not be good. Later I read some articles that a lot of common household cleaners have chemicals that are linked to hormones in our body, causing damage to the reproductive cells and cancer. Many products have labels to warn consumers of those dangers, but few of us read them. In fact, much to my chagrin, a lot of the diffusers and plug in air freshers have shown a decrease in lung capacity and cancer increase. Since then I became inspired to try some more natural, but just as powerful solutions to clean house. 

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/allergy-and-asthma/articles/2008/07/25/health-hazards-in-household-cleaners-exposed

Natural Home Cleaning Products:

White Distilled Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar

(A gallon can be purchased for $2)(store brand)

Baking Soda

(A box can be purchased for .50) (Walgreen's coupons)

Salt

(A 32oz. carton for .50) (Walgreen's Coupons)

Toothpaste

(cheep brands run less than 1.00) (I get for free with coupons)

Lemon Juice

(a 32oz bottle runs about $2) (I always buy the store brand)

Olive Oil

(Can be $2 or more for a 16oz bottle) (Usually don't need much)

Fresh Lemons and Limes

(Purchase by the bag for $3)

Black Tea

(1-2$ a box)
Mineral Oil
($2 for a liter at the pharmacy)

Plant Extracts and oils for scents-optional

(Prices Vary)

4 Chemical Compounds these are optional for the 100% naturalist, but they really do aid in the more difficult cleaning jobs around the house. They should be used with good ventilation and kept out of reach from children.

Washing Soda/borax-found in the laundry detergent isle at the supermarket

Ammonia-Found in the supermarket with cleaning detergents

Rubbing Alcohol-found with bandages in the pharmacy

Glycerin-Found with dish-soap or household cleaners in supermarkets

Recycle Scrubbers

There is no need to ever purchase cleaning rags-the whole idea is almost humerus

Rags-I rip up mu husbands old T-shirts for softer rags and use old washcloths and towels for more abrasive ones

Old Toothbrushes
Newspapers

Recipes and Uses

All-Purpose Household Cleaner A (windows, floors, bathrooms, carpet, appliances)

1/4 c. vinegar

2 c. Water

All Purpose Cleaner B

1/4 c. vinegar

1/2 c. ammonia

1/8 c. baking soda

1/2 gallon hot water

Furniture Polish

Juice of 1 lemon (1/2 c.)

2 c. mineral oil or 1 c. olive oil

Scrubbing Solution 

Sprinkle baking soda and salt on sliced side of half a lemon and scrub (Good for soap scum and hard water stains)

Dish-soap

1/2 c. lemon juice

1/4 c. vinegar

1/2 c. baking soda

1/4 c. salt

1 c. water

Dishwasher Soap

1Tablespoon of Borax

1 Tablespoon of baking soda

1 Tablespoon of vinegar

Counter-top stain remover

Spray stained area with water, sprinkle baking soda on and leave overnight-wipe clean-this will even remove food coloring stains

Window Cleaner

Spray undiluted vinegar on windows and wipe down with newspapers

Rust Remover
Sprinkle salt and baking soda on rust

Squeeze the juice of one lime on top and let set 3 hours

Scrub with rind

Faucet Polish and Anti-Bacterial

Rub faucets with a soft cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol

Drain Cleaner A

1/c c. salt 

4 liter hot water

Drain Cleaner B

1/2 c. baking soda-pour down drain

1/2 c. vinegar-pour down drain after baking soda

Wait 15 minutes and slowly pour a gallon of boiling water down the drain

Oven Cleaner A

1 box baking soda

add enough water to make a spray-on paste

spray on and let set till dry 

wipe off with a warm cloth

Oven Cleaner B

2 c. hot water
1 T. Lemon juice
1. T. Baking Soda
1 t. Borax
Spray on oven and let set 20 minutes wipe first with old newspapers then clean cloth

Wood Cleaner (baseboards/kitchen cabinets)

1/2 gallon water-boiling

7 tea bags

Best if used warm-can be reheated in a microwave before use

Air Freshener

Spring/Summer-simmer fresh lemons, limes, oranges, or lavender on the stove

Fall/Winter-simmer whole cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger on the stove with or without citrus fruits

WARNINGS:

!!!Never use ammonia and bleach in the same formula or in the same room while cleaning-they are a highly toxic combination.

!!!Don't use vinegar in marble or grout as it will corrode.

!!!Don't use drain cleaner if a commercial drain product has already been used.