DIY Dishwasher Rinse Aid

Vinegar is one of the most effective natural cleaners around. To make vinegar homemade dish-washing rinse, Use straight white vinegar and add in few drop of essential oil like lemon for fresh smelling and clean dishes naturally.  Add  vinegar mix directly into the rinse compartment of your dishwasher.

Vinegar is naturally antibacterial, that will clean the spots on your dishes and glassware making them sparkling and keeps your dishwasher smelling fresh.

Quick Tip: To deodorize your dishwasher you can sprinkle some baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher and leave it on overnight.

De-Icer

With cold weather on the way, its time to get ready!! I totally plan on keeping this spray on hand, just in case. Even in Alabama we do get cold weather, and Ice is more likely than snow!!

Pan Cleaner

FINALLY...HERE IT IS!

How to clean your cookie sheets--Kitchen "Miracle" Cleaner! You put about 1/4 cup of baking soda in a small glass bowl and squirt in hydrogen peroxide until it makes a nice paste. Then you rub it on the offending dirt/stain/grease...whatever! You can usually just use your fingers...but you can use a small sponge as well.

9 Natural ways to Repel Spiders from your home

Nope,  nobody REALLY likes spiders. Even the completely harmless ones, give me the creeps... nobody really wants spiders hanging around inside their house. But, how do you repel them naturally without hurting them, and without exposing your family to any potentially harmful chemicals?

Here are the answers you are looking for(I sure intend to implement a few of these):

Mint Them Out
Did you know that spiders HATEpeppermint? Most people don’t! An easy way to keep spiders from invading your space is to fill a spray bottle with peppermint essential oil and water, and then spray it around your home. Plus, your home will smell great!!

Clean It Up
The cheapest and most organic way to repel spiders naturally is probably not the easiest! Keeping your home neat, tidy and free of dust or webs is the best way to keep spiders from moving in. Regular vacuuming, dusting, and de-cluttering will keep any insects from making themselves at home!

Use Vinegar
White vinegar has about five trillion uses around the house (look it up!), and repelling spiders is one of them! Repelling spiders with vinegar is much like repelling them with peppermint oil, in that you fill a spray bottle with vinegar and water, and spray all the cracks and crevices around your home.

Enlist The Help Of A Furry Friend
Cats are a great spider deterrent! Four legged furry friends can be great hunters and will definitely not let a spider crawl across the floor without going on the prowl and taking care of business!

Don’t Let Them In
A great way to keep spiders out of your home is to never let them in in the first place! Make sure the exterior of your home is free from leaves, grass clippings, wood piles, or any other notorious spider hangouts. You can also check all door openings and windowsills to make sure there isn’t room for spiders to get in that way,and apply caulk when needed.

Citrus Does The Trick
It’s common knowledge that spiders hate all things citrus. Rubbing citrus peels on areas where spiders are known to frequent, like baseboards, windowsills and bookshelves, is a great way to keep them from coming around. Even using lemon scented furniture polish can drive spiders away!

Let Cedar Do The Work
Cedar can be a great deterrent for spiders. You can use cedar mulch outside around the perimeter of your home to try to keep spiders from ever getting inside. If you have access to a cedar chest or cedar hangers to use in your closet, that is a good choice as well. Using cedar blocks or shavings inside closets, cupboards or drawers can make them think twice about hanging out in there too!

Chestnuts
Yes, you read that right, chestnuts! They have been known to drive away spiders, so placing a few in your windowsills or along your baseboards can keep spiders from hanging out there. Many people also believe that the same thing can be done with an osage orange (also known as a hedgeapple) You can keep chestnuts and hedgeapples in the house for a long time before they go bad, so it’s worth giving it a shot!

Tobacco
It sounds weird, but spiders hate tobacco just about as much as they hate lemons and chestnuts! You can sprinkle small pieces of tobacco where spiders are troublesome, or you can soak tobacco in water and then spray the mixture all around. However, tobacco is pretty expensive these days, so you can likely find a more affordable fix for keeping spiders at bay!

Source : http://www.naturalcuresnotmedicine.com/9-natural-ways-keep-spiders-home/

DIY Mason Jar Pump Dispenser

       There’s not a whole lot to assemble for this.
       A canning jar and lid (of  course), and a pump.
       A hammer, large nail, tin snips(or some other way of cutting the metal),
       epoxy or industrial glue,

What I did to get the hole started in my lid was use a hammer and large nail. Then I worked on making it bigger with a screwdriver and then with some tin snips. You are going to keep widening the hole you’ve made until it is just big enough to fit
the pump in.

                          


It doesn’t need to be perfectly round…but it should be on the snug side so the pump will stay put. Just keep widening a little at a time until you get the right fit.

When it is the right size…take the hammer and lightly hammer down the pieces of metal that are sticking up so there are no sharp edges.

                  

Now  put some glue around the base of the hole to form a nice seal…

  Now, if  you have one of those really old, antique jars with the lid that is all one piece, you can skip this part. But if you just have your standard canning jar with a two-piece lid…you’ll need to glue them together. I just put some E6000 all along the inside of the rim of the band …then pressed the sealing lid inside and you are done! You, my friend, have just made your own mason jar soap dispenser!  So cool, and uses are endless... soap, lotion, condiments... and if you so choose you can also do this with the "foaming soap" pump as well!

                      

Carpet Stain Removers

(I was asked about carpet spot removers and have not had a chance to try these... please let me know how they work if you try them... Thanks!)

Note: Test for color-fastness on an inconspicuous area before use, and remember-this is a process, make sure to always blot up as much excess liquid before treating, and be patient. No shortcuts!
Pet Stain Removal
First  Cleaner Option:
Vinegar-Baking Soda Spray
It doesn’t get much easier than this spray. Most of the time, this is the one I choose to use. It’s simple, inexpensive, and works a treat on blood and urine stains in particular. White vinegar is a miraculous substance that will get rid of even the old accident stains that might have been missed if a dog did a “ninja-pee” behind the bookshelves or something. Baking soda is nature’s odor remover, and teamed up with vinegar, does a great job at getting rid of odors!
You will need…
-2 cups white distilled vinegar
-2 cups of lukewarm water
-4 generous tablespoons of baking soda
-Spray bottle (optional)


Application
1st Option
Thoroughly blot up as much of whatever it is you’re cleaning up. I can’t emphasize the importance of this step enough. Fold up a rag over it, place a heavy book on it, and stand on the book to make sure you really get it all out (sounds extreme, but it does a good job!) Mix 2 cups of white distilled vinegar with 2 cups of lukewarm water in a large bowl. Add in 4 heaping tablespoons of baking soda, adding it in smaller amounts if it threatens to fizz over (and it really does fizz!) Pour into a spray bottle and thoroughly spray the area. Let sit for 5 minutes, then gently rub and blot up with a soft cloth. You can also simply pour some straight from the bowl over the stain if you don’t have a spray bottle.
2nd Application Option
*To clarify these numbers do not refer to “number 1” or “number 2”-they both work for either!
As with the first step, blot or clean up as much as possible. Mix 2 cups of lukewarm water with 2 cups of white distilled vinegar. Instead of adding the baking soda to the liquid, sprinkle it dry liberally over the area where the accident occurred. Let it break down and deodorize for about 5 minutes, then vacuum. Apply the water/vinegar solution as in the first set of directions.
3rd Application Option
Mix up your water and vinegar solution. After blotting up any excess fluid, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the soiled area. Pour the water and vinegar solution directly onto the baking soda to create a mini cleaning volcano that will actively eat away at the stain. Blot and rub gently dry with a soft cloth after letting it sit for 5 minutes.
  
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2nd Cleaner Option 
Hydrogen-peroxide/baking soda mixture
Hydrogen peroxide is another great substance when it comes to breaking down the “crystals” of urine and pulling out stains. Combine it with naturally deodorizing baking soda, and you have another great solution for cleaning up stains.
(This option concerns me as I thought peroxide would remove color as well... Be sure to test before using!!!)


You will need…
-Paper towels or rags
-A cup or so of baking soda
-1/2 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide
-1 teaspoon eco-friendly dish liquid
-A bowl


Directions
Cover the stain with paper towels or rags and walk lightly over or place something heavy on top to soak up any excess liquid. Sprinkle a generous handful of baking soda over the stain when no more liquid can be pulled up, and mix together ½ cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide and 1 teaspoon of dish liquid. Slowly pour the solution over the stain and baking soda. Gently scrub the mixture into the carpet fibers with a scrub-brush or cloth, and then let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Vacuum the area thoroughly. For tough stains, repeat the above steps.
  
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General Stain Cleaning

         Perfect DIY Carpet Cleaning Method + Recipe

Ah those wonderful carpet stains. Whether you have pets, kids or just know some really messy people, if you have carpet then at some point you are going to have carpet stains. There is a great homemade recipe for getting organic stains out of your carpet. Note that organic stains are those made by food, dirt and the like. This is really not a good choice for ink or dye stains because it contains vinegar which could potentially make the stains worse.
For the carpet cleaner you will need:
• 1 part vinegar
• 2 parts water
That’s all there is to it. Just mix the water and vinegar together in a spray bottle. Spray it over the stain and cover it with a damp rag. Put your iron on the steam setting and iron the rag for about 30 seconds or so, depending on how bad it is. You may have to repeat if the stain is really dark but this will work wonderfully to remove common foods and dirt from your carpet and the vinegar is a good odor eliminator as well so it works really well on pet stains.
 

Don't Throw Out Those Old Newspapers!!! Reuse them!!!

TOP 10 USES FOR NEWSPAPER

 1. Deodorize food containers. Stuff a balled-up piece of newspaper into a lunch box or thermos, seal it, and let sit overnight.

 2. Keep the refrigerator vegetable drawer dry and free of smells. Line the bottom with newspaper.

 3. Prepare a garden. In the fall, mow a patch of lawn to make room for a dedicated bed. Cover it with four layers of newspaper, then a four-inch layer of shredded leaves or bark mulch. Hose it down. Come spring, the compost blanket will have smothered the grass roots, and the bed will be primed for planting.

 4. Ripen tomatoes. Wrap them individually and leave them out at room temperature.

 5. Pack delicate items. Wrap frames and figurines with several pieces of newspaper, then crumple the remaining sections to fill extra space in the box.

 6. Wipe away tough streaks on glass. Use newspaper with cleaning fluid to clean mirrors and windows.

 7. Preserve antique glass. Some older frames have finishes on the glass that can be damaged by cleaning solutions. Remove smudges by rubbing with newspaper dipped in a solution of one part white vinegar and one part warm water. Let air-dry.

 8. Dry shoes. Place crumpled paper in them overnight.

 9. Wrap gifts. Use the comics to wrap a child’s birthday gift, or try the wedding announcements for an engagement gift.

 10. Create a home for slushy snow boots. During the winter, keep a pile of newspaper near the entryway. When your little snowmen and -women come home, they can toss their winter wear onto the newspaper instead of creating puddles on the floor.

DIY Shout Stain Cleaner

• 2/3 cups Dawn Dishwashing Liquid
• 2/3 cups ammonia
• 6 Tblsp baking soda
• 2 cups warm water

Mix everything together and pour into a spray bottle.

Before you go to use it…if it’s been sitting for awhile…give it a good shake because it does tend to separate a bit. But after a quick shake it’s good to go.

To use: spray on stains as you normally would. I usually let mine “soak in” for a few minutes at least. For particularly stubborn stains, use a small toothbrush or laundry scrub brush, then launder as usual.

DIY Febreeze

 Here is what's In It:

 1/8 Cup of fabric softener (I used Downy April Fresh)

 2 tablespoons Baking Soda

 Hot tap water

 Spray bottle (I used my empty 27 oz. Febreze bottle)

 Here is what you do:

 Using a funnel, pour fabric softener and baking soda into your spray bottle. Fill spray bottle with hot tap water and shake well. Don't forget to twist the nozzle over to the LOCK position if you're using a Febreze bottle, or you might fall on your hiney. Now go spray every fabric surface in your house and take a nap on your very comfortable and now un-stinky couch.

 Store-bought Febreze: $5.59 This is less than 20 cents a bottle

***Note: I have found, since posting this, that if you do not use the entire bottle, the fabric softener will separate and revert more to its original thicker state when the tap water cools and kind of gum up the sprayer and cause it to stop spraying. Rinsing well with hot water will clear the sprayer but you will have to mix a new batch to use. I even tried adding more hot water to the partial bottle of ingredients to no avail... :/ I will be looking for another solution for this problem...

 

24 Baking Soda Uses

Baking soda is one natural remedy with a long list of health benefits and an endless list of uses. It can be taken internally by mixing with water. Baking soda can also be applied topically and used orally.

 While baking soda has many beneficial effects when ingested, it should also be used with caution as it is high in sodium. Those with sodium-restricted diets should not take baking soda internally. Taking sodium-bicarbonate by mouth may also cause problems for people with liver disease, edema, kidney disease, and those with high blood pressure. Internal use of baking soda may also be unsafe for pregnant and nursing women. If you are uncertain of whether or not use of baking soda will be safe for you, it is always recommended to consult with a doctor first.

 Also, keep in mind that the following health benefits and uses apply to baking soda, but not baking powder which is a totally different substance. Furthermore, many commercial baking sodas contain aluminium or other impurities. As an all-natural remedy, always be sure to use pure sodium-bicarbonate.

Want to purchase some pure baking soda? The best place to buy it is from this page on Amazon – which offers a choice of buying a 1 lb bag all the way up to a 50 lb pail. After discovering the endless list of baking soda uses, you might even be tempted to opt for the 50 lb pail!

1. Promote Digestive Health

Due to its alkalinity, baking soda may be taken internally to neutralize stomach acid and prevent heartburn or indigestion. Baking soda also helps to break down fatty foods and make them easier to digest, further reducing stress in the stomach and intestines. To use baking soda as a digestive remedy, simply dissolve one teaspoon soda with 8 ounces of warm water and drink. Repeat as necessary once every two hours until symptoms pass.

2. Remove Internal Parasites

Baking soda is also an effective natural remedy for parasitic worms which can infest the digestive tract. Before bed, dissolve a quarter teaspoon of soda in warm water and drink. Repeat every night for three days to remove parasites from the body.

3. Improve Kidney Function

An important function of our kidneys is to correct acidity in the blood stream by producing alkaline bicarbonate. A dose of 600 – 1800 mg of baking soda per day can work wonders to increase the body’s pH and relieve stress on the kidneys. Try these Rugby Sodium Bicarbonate 10 grains tablets for easy dosing.

4. Treat Symptoms of UTI

Because sodium bicarbonate naturally reduces acidity in the body, drinking a teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in water can help to alleviate the burning sensation and frequent urge to urinate caused by a urinary tract infection. Note that this remedy treats symptoms only, but won’t cure the infection by itself. Consult a health care professional for infections lasting more than a couple of days.

5. Restore pH Balance

Over-consumption of meat and dairy products, processed foods, and acidic sodas can easily cause the body’s pH to drop below safe levels. This illness, known as acidosis, can lead to many serious health conditions including kidney disease, loss of bone density, and pancreatic malfunction. A daily dose of alkaline sodium bicarbonate (600 to 1800 mg) may help to counter the effects of acidosis and bring the body’s pH back up to normal neutral levels.

6. Increase Athletic Performance

Our bodies produce lactic acid – the substance responsible for the burning sensation in muscle tissue – when there isn’t enough energy available to fuel our muscles during an intense workout. Taking baking soda can help to impede lactic acid build-up and improve physical endurance during a workout. About ninety minutes prior to a workout, drink half a teaspoon of pure sodium bicarbonate dissolved in about 4 cups of water.

Optionally, you can add a moderate amount of natural sweetener and a couple spoonfuls of citrus juice to flavor this pre-workout beverage.

7. Prevent Gout Flare-ups

Sodium bicarbonate has been shown to be effective for inhibiting the formation of uric acid crystals by lowering the pH of urine. If you are prone to gout pain and inflammation of the joints, try taking a teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in water after a big meal to prevent future flare-ups from occurring.

8. Natural Disinfectant

Sodium bicarbonate is naturally antiseptic, making it a great natural cleanser for frequently used personal hygiene items like toothbrushes, hair brushes, and even shoes. Mix 4 ounces of water, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, and 2 teaspoons of baking soda in a small glass. Soak toothbrushes in the mixture for half an hour or more. For hair brushes, simply multiply the recipe until you have enough of the mixture to cover the head of the brush. Sprinkle baking soda in shoes when you take them off at the end of the day to kill odor-causing germs.

9. Combat Cold Symptoms

To speed recovery of cold and flu symptoms, mix about a quarter teaspoon each of salt and baking soda in 8 ounces of warm water. Use a bulb syringe or Neti pot to rinse nasal passages with this mixture. The minerals in the water will help to reduce bacteria populations and clear up congestion from your nose and sinuses. Gargle with this same mixture to ease a sore throat and help clear mucus and bacteria from the throat and mouth.

10. Neutralize Body Odor

Use baking soda to create your own homemade all-natural deodorant. In a small resealable container, mix 2 ounces of pure aluminum-free baking soda, 2 ounces of cornstarch (or arrowroot powder if you have it), and 5 tablespoons of organic virgin coconut oil (also naturally anti-bacterial!) Optionally, you can add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance. Tea tree oil, for example, would be a great choice due to its anti-microbial properties and refreshing scent.

11. Whiten Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth with baking soda can help to remove stains and keep your pearly-whites… well, pearly! Mix 2/3 cup of pure aluminum-free baking soda with one level teaspoon of fine ground sea salt and add water until your mixture reaches toothpaste consistency. Optionally, you can add around 10 drops of peppermint oil or a teaspoon of peppermint extract for flavoring. Do this before you mix in the water so your paste doesn’t become too thin.

12. Naturally Freshen Breath

Use baking soda to create your own homemade all-natural rinse that is both inexpensive and great for your mouth health. Simply mix about half a teaspoon of baking soda in 4 ounces of warm water. Gargle and swish for up to a minute then spit it out. Follow up with a rinse of cool water to remove the salty taste and grit from your mouth. As with baking soda toothpaste, you can add an optional drop or two of peppermint for flavoring.

13. Clear Up Pimples

Mix baking soda with a little bit of warm water to form a facial mask. Apply to areas affected by pimples and massage gently into skin. Allow the mixture to soak in for up to an hour then rinse with warm water. The baking soda will help to cleanse your skin and reduce inflammation of pimples.

14. Banish Blackheads

If you have problems with blackheads, try cleansing with baking soda. Mix up a paste of baking soda and just a small amount of warm water. Apply to blackheads and let it dry for about ten minutes then rinse with lukewarm water. The baking soda should remove most of the debris from clogged pores. Repeat as necessary, up to once every other day.

15. Restore Complexion

Sodium bicarbonate crystals can be used to exfoliate skin, promoting the growth of new tissue. If you have acne scars or other imperfections you’d like to get rid of, mix a few teaspoons of baking soda with a bit of warm water to form a paste. Apply by massaging into skin and let it soak in for at least ten minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and follow up with a natural moisturizer and repeat about once every other day to clear up skin and fade blemishes.

16. Promote Healthy Hair

Remove contaminants like oil, dirt, styling product build-up, and chlorine residue from your hair and scalp by washing with baking soda. Add around 4 tablespoons of pure aluminum-free baking soda in a 16 oz bottle of warm water. Shake well and use to wash hair in place of shampoo, follow up with an apple cider vinegar rinse, then condition hair with an all-natural moisturizer like coconut or Argan oil.

17. Improve Nail Health

Because fungus needs an acidic environment to flourish, alkaline baking soda actually prevents toenail fungus from spreading by creating an uninhabitable environment for it. Sodium borate, commonly known as simply borax is a naturally occurring mineral that is also a powerful fungicide. These two combined create a remedy that can cure nail fungus fast. Mix equal parts borax powder and baking soda with just enough water to form a paste. Wet feet and gently rub the mixture onto infected nails. Do this twice daily and continue for at least two weeks after fungus appears to have cleared up.

18. Healing Foot Soak

Sodium bicarbonate is excellent for neutralizing foot odors and also works great to help treat fungal infections of the feet. Mix up a healing foot soak by adding about 4 tablespoons of soda to a quart of warm water. Soak feet for ten minutes to loosen dead skin, cleanse away contaminants, and relax sore tissues. Add about 10 drops of an essential oil like lavender or tea tree to increase the healing and relaxing potential of your foot soak.

19. Freshen Up Fabrics

Not sure what to do about that smelly old rug by the back door? Just sprinkle liberally with baking soda, let it sit for several minutes, then vacuum it up. This trick works on upholstery, too! Try sprinkling baking soda on floor rugs and seats the next time you clean inside your vehicle.

20. Deodorize Your Kitchen

Eliminate lingering odors from the refrigerator by placing a freshly-opened box of baking soda inside. Try adding a few drops of essential oils to the baking soda to add a pleasant aroma to your natural fridge-freshener. Sprinkle baking soda into the bottom of your kitchen trash bin to banish that funky smell.

21. Cleanse the Air

Another use for baking soda is to create your own all-natural homemade air freshening spray. This product is so easy and inexpensive to make that you’ll never want to buy it again.

22. Brighten Your Bathtub

“Fill a spray bottle with one third Castile soap and two thirds water. Spread baking soda liberally around the bath and spray the Castile soap mixture on. Scrub with a scouring pad or scrub brush.”

Also, try the same technique to naturally clean out toilet bowls, sinks, and any other hard surface in your bathroom!

23. Easy-Clean Your Oven

Use baking soda and water to clean out your oven without having to scrub until your arms are sore. Check out the How-To on LiveRenewed.com.

Also, when using this technique, you can substitute a balled up piece of used aluminum foil in place of a rag or sponge. Aluminum is a great alternative to other abrasive materials for removing stuck-on food, but it’s also soft enough that it won’t damage most surfaces.

24. Homemade Laundry Detergent

Want to get your whites whiter and your colors brighter without having to worry about bleach or other dangerous chemicals? Try making your own homemade Castile soap and baking soda laundry detergent! Simply dissolve 1 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of salt in 2 cups of warm water. Then pour the mixture into a clean empty one gallon container. Add 1 cup of liquid Castile soap and top off with water. Just 2 ounces (that’s 1/4 of a cup) is enough detergent to wash a full load of laundry.