These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

Recently I have come across some very interesting articles and blog posts about cleaning agents that really get down to business.
It's amazing the cleaning power of such innocent every day house hold cupboard items. Completely healthy and non-toxic which is HUGE because being pregnant I get nervous around most cleaning chemicals these days such as rubbing alcohol, Windex, Pine Sole, Bleach, Ammonia, even furniture polish.
So for me to find alternatives to using these things to make my "nest" sparkly clean before baby gets here has been a HUGE blessing!
I will be honest; some of these things I have yet to try for myself BUT I have heard some VERY  positive feedback on everything here that I list that I haven't tried myself (YET.)

Where shall we start?
I love my house :) it's the perfect size for 2 people. 3 might be a little crowded but livable...I think we can do 4...5 might be pushing it and 6....well let's just say our landlady might be asking us to leave by then instead of insisting that there is PLENTY of room. ;)
I love the size for 2 reasons:
1. less space means less cleaning and I am horrible at finding motivation to get up and clean.
2. more space would mean more room for more junk that we DON'T need...and I am not a fan of junk. :P

I think this blog is going to become a "series" to cover each cleaning tool equally.

The first cleaning agent up for brags is.... *drum roll please!*

Dryer sheets!
Yes, you heard/read right.
Dryer sheets have that anti-static electricity agent in them. They are also very reasonably priced.
(I HIGHLY recommend the great value brand) You can usually re-use them up to 3 times in the dryer adding a couple more each time. I like to use a lot because they smell so good but 3-4 are efficient and 5-6 if you're re-using.
Even after you have re-used them again for the 3rd time they still have their scent and their ability to eliminate/ reduce static electricity.
How to use them:
1. Dusting:
Slightly dampen a dryer sheet with water, cold or hot it doesn't matter, then wipe down the dusty space. Depending on the size of the space you are cleaning it may take more than one sheet to get the job done. Once you are finished, do one last wipe down with a dry dryer sheet then place all items back in their proper places. :)
Dryer sheets also work well in tile grouts, along baseboards, on top of the refrigerator...anywhere you have a dust problem (which for my house is usually everywhere.)
Dryer sheets also work to eliminate and reduce dust build up on t.v. and computer screens (caused by static electricity.)
Attach a sheet or 3 to your broom with rubber bands to help get the dust out of corners on the floor and ceiling.
Some walls get dusty over time so wipe them down with a dry dryer sheet every few months or as often as needed.
Instruments that sit out on display such as pianos, guitars and such can collect lots of dust over time and dryer sheets are a healthy and instrumentally safe alternative to any wet cleaners you may have instead.
Dryer sheets have replaced my need for furniture polish.


2. They also work to remove baked on food from your dishes.
They say to soak your dishes over night with a dryer sheet places in the water. I say just use some elbow grease and stop being lazy and get the dishes done TONIGHT.
Just be sure to thoroughly wash off all the dryer sheet "soap" (aka fabric softener) so it doesn't leave residue or get baked into your food next time you use that dish.

3. They clean the love bugs off of your car while dryer sheets keep the bug juice from stripping the paint on your car and also polishes the chrome. (Works on all chrome objects not just the car.)

4. Keeping a sheet in your pocket during mosquito season (which is all the time down here in South Florida) drives the skeeters away.

5. Placing dryer sheets in your dresser drawers or the pockets of your clothes in the closet or even stuffed in your shoes helps eliminate odors and leaves a "fresh" "just washed laundry" kind of smell.

6.Putting them under the fitted sheet on your bed can help eliminate mattress smells...it may take a few sheets strategically placed though to get the desired scent strength.

7. Dryer sheets are a "gunk" eater. (I.e. sticker goo and shower soap scum.)

8. Helps fight musty smells.
Stick in between the pages of old books or in boxes when storing books, suit cases, gym bags, sleeping bags, tents, purses etc.

9. Keep a sheet or 2 in your purse or pocket at all times as it will come in handy on those days when your hair just won't stop being staticy. (Which is always when I'm trying on clothes at Goodwill or ....anywhere.)

There are MANY many more uses as you will be able to find all over the internet. :)
These just happened to be a few of my favorites :]


I hope these hints were helpful and stay tuned for the next featured cleaning agent in our Favorite Things series. :)

Money Saving Laundry Detergent Recipe

Newly married, a baby on the way, prices going up and the search is on for ways to save money here and there.
This one excited me so much I decided to start blogging! So please pardon my amateur blogging skills as this is my first blog post ever. :)

The Money Saving Laundry Detergent Recipe!

4 ingredients + 10 minutes = 1 gallon

Necessary Items :
Tablespoon measuring spoon
A saucepan (or tea kettle) for boiling water
A 1 gallon jug
A funnel (somewhat optional. It will come in VERY handy when it comes time for step # 3)

Ingredients:
3 Tablespoons Baking Soda (Arm and Hammer brand)
3 Tablespoons Borax
2 Tablespoons Blue Dawn Dish Soap
Water

As you can see I have already used so much...it's because I love it!

Step1.
Put about 2 cups of water (more or less) in the saucepan or tea kettle and boil.

Step2.
While the water is boiling....
Put the first 3 ingredients into the gallon jug in the order in which they are written.
(No, nothing will explode or alter the concoction if you put the dish soap in first. BUT if you happen to use the funnel or the same measuring spoon the dry ingredients is the smarter way to go first.)

Step 3.
Once the water is boiled (or close to it anyway) pour into the 1 gallon jug with the ingredients.
*CAUTION: BOILING WATER IS HOT* (duh)
This is why the funnel is "necessary" or at least HIGHLY recommended.
Step 4.
Carefully "mix"/ "shake" the jug to dissolve the ingredients.

Step 5.
Fill the jug the rest of the way with cold water. Let the bubbles run out...you don't need them :P

Step 6.
Place cap on jug and "mix" one last time

TAH-DAH! You're done! :D

For one load it only calls for 1/2 a cup. I used a bit more than that >.>
Maybe 1-2 cups?
(Mostly because my 1 load =2 loads)

But if you used 1/2 a cup per load that would = 32 loads per gallon.
If you used 1 cup per load that would = 16 loads per gallon
If you used 1 1/2 cups per load that would = 10 1/2 loads per gallon (roughly)
If you used 2 cups per load that would = 8 loads per gallon

Here's my receipt from Wal-Mart:
Borax..................................$3.38 (4lb 12oz. box)
Baking Soda.......................$2.12 (4lb box)
Dawn Dish Soap................$3.97 (1.12L./1.18qt/38 fl.oz. bottle)
__________total of__________
                     $ 9.47

I have yet to find out how many gallons this makes but according to calculations [below] if the borax and soda outlast the dish soap you should get roughly, 19 gallons of detergent.
(6 teaspoons= 1 fl. oz.
6 teaspoons =2 Tablespoons
2 Tablespoons = 1fl. oz.
which would = 19 gallons of detergent from one bottle of dish soap if the other stuff holds out that long too.)
And if you can get 32 loads of laundry out of a gallon you would be able to get 609 loads washed!!!
(19x32=609)
 
So let's say you spent $9.47 on the ingredients you get 19 gallons of detergent without having to buy more ingredients, you get 32 loads a gallon and 609 loads when all is said and done before having to go buy more dish soap!
$9.47 divided by 19 gallons of detergent =0.498 cents per gallon....
Rounded to 0.5 cents per gallon...0.5 cents per gallon divided by 32 loads (or $9.47 divided by 609) = 0.015 cents per load.
(But that's getting a little carried away isn't it?) ;)
(I feel so proud of myself for figuring all that up by myself...I will probably be told later by some mathematician that I did it wrong but whatever.)
I am super excited about this new money saver!
After buying the bargain brand of detergent and having to use so much of it because it wasn't getting our clothes clean, it was starting to get frustrating spending $8-11 on 10-15 loads of laundry. >.<

I have also come to find that the Great Value brand of dryer sheets (we use lavender scent) makes our laundry smell sooo good! (5-6 sheets per dryer load...I wash huge loads at a time so it's more like 2 loads) And they still smell strong after the first use. They are reusable. It's not like they got dirty in the process.
It will just take a couple more than usual of the second timers than the first.

Also, from reliable sources I have learned that adding a little vinegar will take out any unpleasant odor from your laundry should this detergent not be able to get it out. (Which I honestly don't see being a problem in the future but anything is possible.)
Also if you feel your laundry is lacking that "fresh detergent just washed" fragrance, essential oils work well. A couple drops per load.

I found, with this easy detergent that it brightens whites and gives a refreshing bright look to colors.
And with the GV dryer sheets they smell like they used to with any regular detergent we were using before only fresher and cleaner!

I hope this works out for you! :D