For floor cleaner, consider a natural option instead of the Mr Clean or Pinesol. After all, how many times have you puit your hands on your floor? How many times have your children played on the floor and then had breakfast? I don't care how often you wash their hands...those chemicals are everywhere!
So, we buy this. Brommmer's Magic Soap does it all, and when buying a larger size, it isn't so expensive. Honestly, when a gallon is $42 and it replaces 8-10 cleaning products in your house...it does warrant some respect! This can replace your dish soap, used in your glass cleaner, clean your floors....its a vital ingredient and a gallon lasts forever! So, promise yourself that the next time you run low on floor cleaner, bypass the PineSol and instead opt for something that you can feel good about....its an investment, but will pay for itself time and time again.
As for the scent options, Eucalyptus is a good choice, especially since its a natural insecticide against flying bugs (eg cockroaches). Tea tree oil is an effective repellent against mosquitoes, fleas and lice. So, what are your regional/seasonal issues? Since we live in Florida, keeping the cockroaches are the primary issue with us! I don't care how clean your house is, these little critters always want to get in regardless....so why not have your cleaning agents help you fight the good fight?
To use, dilute one-part soap into 40 parts water for light cleaning. Use it full strength for heavy-duty jobs. Use it somewhere in between for dirty floors. So, if you are using 1 cup of this soap in 1 gallon of floor cleaner, you have only used 6% if the entire contents...so less than $3 to clean your floors. Yes, its a bit more expensive than Mr Clean, but not so expensive that its not doable....so simply consider it a green luxury item.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Facial Toner
A toner's purpose is to brighten, tighten and freshen the face. A good toner also prevents dry skin and prevents breakouts. And yet, we quickly grab the chemical-laden stuff in our pharmacy when this is needed. Sure, its a relatively inexpensive product, but seriously, do you need any more chemicals on your body?
So, lets look to Mother Nature again...organic apple cider vinegar. Yes, the same thing you just put on your hair as a conditioning agent! Watered down (1 tsp:4 ounces water) is a great facial toner! Its something you already have in your arsenal of goodness in your kitchen, so simplify your life and use it for another purpose!
If you do not like the smell, rest assured that it will dissipate within minutes of contact with your face. You can also consider adding essential oils (that you have already tested on your skin) if you like to dilute the scent a bit more. For me personally, I just ensure that I don't inhale it and use it without breathing for that few seconds.
So, next time you empty your bottle, refill it with this little concoction. Be sure to add a label with the mix on it, so its easy to refill when the time comes. If its easy to refill, you are more than likely to do so. If you have to look up the directions here, you are less likely to do so.
So, lets look to Mother Nature again...organic apple cider vinegar. Yes, the same thing you just put on your hair as a conditioning agent! Watered down (1 tsp:4 ounces water) is a great facial toner! Its something you already have in your arsenal of goodness in your kitchen, so simplify your life and use it for another purpose!
If you do not like the smell, rest assured that it will dissipate within minutes of contact with your face. You can also consider adding essential oils (that you have already tested on your skin) if you like to dilute the scent a bit more. For me personally, I just ensure that I don't inhale it and use it without breathing for that few seconds.
So, next time you empty your bottle, refill it with this little concoction. Be sure to add a label with the mix on it, so its easy to refill when the time comes. If its easy to refill, you are more than likely to do so. If you have to look up the directions here, you are less likely to do so.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Hair Rinse/Conditioner
A real shampoo cleans your hair of build-up and residue. Shampoos are naturally alkaline...they must be to accomplish this. The alkaline properties of shampoo attract the dirt, but also attract the moisture. When all of the moisture is pulled form the hair shaft, the cuticle is exposed. The cuticle is made up of overlapping "scales". Once your hair has dried, it has a brittle crunchy sound as a result. It will even absorb light (rather than reflect it) and make it appear dull and lifeless. This is not a result of a bad shampoo...its merely a result of your hair cuticle being left open and exposed.
Vinegar simply removes the build-up of soap and oil (the same idea of cleaning stainless steel) but also closes the hair cuticle. When the cuticle is closed, the hair is shinier because light can reflect off of it, its easier to brush/comb and simply feels more manageable.
To use:
** If using a spray bottle, consider a 1:1 ratio of vinegar:water. If recycling a shampoo bottle, use a 2T:1 cup ratio of vinegar:water. But, experiment...the best solution for your hair will probably be something in between!
Note: some herbs can stain towels, so best to avoid those (but these will wash out, so the staining is temporary). Some infused vinegars should be refrigerated if not used within a week. An easy way to avoid both of these issues is to simply use a plain vinegar:water rinse, like I do.
So, why do conditioners cost so much? Simply put, they are acidic (like vinegar) but have a pleasant scent, and work well with colored hair. The ONLY difference with the above is that this home-grown version is CHEAP, easy to replicate, eco/green-friendly and has an initially overpowering scent. I'd say that the initial scent is a small price to pay for all of these benefits!
Vinegar simply removes the build-up of soap and oil (the same idea of cleaning stainless steel) but also closes the hair cuticle. When the cuticle is closed, the hair is shinier because light can reflect off of it, its easier to brush/comb and simply feels more manageable.
To use:
- select a vinegar that you like. I won't lie to you and say that the vinegar smell isn't off-putting, but I will at least tell you that once the hair dries, the smell vanishes absolutely. I use plain white vinegar or apple cider vinegar (yes, the same stuff that is in my kitchen cabinet). See, isnt it great that you don't have to buy anything special for your hair to look good?
- consider infusing* herbs to help highlight your hair color (rosemary for dark hair, chamomile for light hair, and even sage will help darken grey hair).
- consider infusing* herbs to condition your hair (calendula conditions, nettles for dandruff).
- consider infusing* herbs for a nice lingering scent (lavender, patchouli, etc).
- mix vinegar and water into a bottle and keep handy in the shower.**
- Spray on freshly-washed hair, rub throughout your hair, and let air dry.
** If using a spray bottle, consider a 1:1 ratio of vinegar:water. If recycling a shampoo bottle, use a 2T:1 cup ratio of vinegar:water. But, experiment...the best solution for your hair will probably be something in between!
Note: some herbs can stain towels, so best to avoid those (but these will wash out, so the staining is temporary). Some infused vinegars should be refrigerated if not used within a week. An easy way to avoid both of these issues is to simply use a plain vinegar:water rinse, like I do.
So, why do conditioners cost so much? Simply put, they are acidic (like vinegar) but have a pleasant scent, and work well with colored hair. The ONLY difference with the above is that this home-grown version is CHEAP, easy to replicate, eco/green-friendly and has an initially overpowering scent. I'd say that the initial scent is a small price to pay for all of these benefits!
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Dish Soap
We are a big believer in making your own stuff out of regular ingredients that you can easily pick up at the dollar store or grocery store. Thats true with everything that we have purchased thus far this year, except one thing: dish soap.
It is simply difficult to create a dish soap that has the high quality ingredients without the use of preservatives. Its not impossible, by any means...but I simply do not go through it fast enough to justify making a new batch as often as we would need it. The homemade stuff just doesn't last. Sure, if I was making galloons at every time, its worth it. But, when I only need a couple cups every few months...my time is better spent on other things.
So, we buy this. Brommmer's Magic Soap does it all, and when buying a larger size, it isn't so expensive. Honestly, when a gallon is $42 and it replaces 8-10 cleaning products in your house...it does warrant some respect! This can replace your dish soap, used in your glass cleaner, clean your floors....its a vital ingredient and a gallon lasts forever! So, promise yourself that the next time you run low of dish soap, bypass the $1.29 chemical-laden surfectants and instead opt for something that you can feel good about....its an investment, but will pay for itself time and time again.
It is simply difficult to create a dish soap that has the high quality ingredients without the use of preservatives. Its not impossible, by any means...but I simply do not go through it fast enough to justify making a new batch as often as we would need it. The homemade stuff just doesn't last. Sure, if I was making galloons at every time, its worth it. But, when I only need a couple cups every few months...my time is better spent on other things.
So, we buy this. Brommmer's Magic Soap does it all, and when buying a larger size, it isn't so expensive. Honestly, when a gallon is $42 and it replaces 8-10 cleaning products in your house...it does warrant some respect! This can replace your dish soap, used in your glass cleaner, clean your floors....its a vital ingredient and a gallon lasts forever! So, promise yourself that the next time you run low of dish soap, bypass the $1.29 chemical-laden surfectants and instead opt for something that you can feel good about....its an investment, but will pay for itself time and time again.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Stainless Steel Cleaner
In those lovely little 16 ounce spray bottles from the dollar store, combine 1/2 water and 1/2 vinegar. Spray and wipe the solution over your appliances, and wipe with a microfiber towel. Label the spray bottle so you are more inclined to refill it when necessary!
Once you spray and wipe down your appliances, follow it up with a misto-style container of olive oil or mineral oil. This is the kind that we have and it has never ever clogged! We have one for olive oil and one for grapeseed oil and couldn't be happier (after all, PAM has awful stuff in it...and who wants to eat awful stuff!). Now, use that same rag and rub in the olive oil.
I know it sounds strange to put oil on something you have just cleaned to get rid of oil and dirt, but this does work! Using a detergent can cause spots, and if it is abrasive it can scratch! And, if you are using 409 or something similar for your stainless steel appliances, those have a lot of chemicals on them....so why on earth would you want to use them near/on your food prep area!?!?!
Using oil on stainless steel will not only help remove any spots and marks you may find, it can also help hide scratches. Oil will eventually leave a sticky coating on stainless steel or any thing else that's non-porous and it will go rancid after a year, so the first wipe down with the vinegar mix is quite useful.
Once you spray and wipe down your appliances, follow it up with a misto-style container of olive oil or mineral oil. This is the kind that we have and it has never ever clogged! We have one for olive oil and one for grapeseed oil and couldn't be happier (after all, PAM has awful stuff in it...and who wants to eat awful stuff!). Now, use that same rag and rub in the olive oil.
I know it sounds strange to put oil on something you have just cleaned to get rid of oil and dirt, but this does work! Using a detergent can cause spots, and if it is abrasive it can scratch! And, if you are using 409 or something similar for your stainless steel appliances, those have a lot of chemicals on them....so why on earth would you want to use them near/on your food prep area!?!?!
Using oil on stainless steel will not only help remove any spots and marks you may find, it can also help hide scratches. Oil will eventually leave a sticky coating on stainless steel or any thing else that's non-porous and it will go rancid after a year, so the first wipe down with the vinegar mix is quite useful.
The Beauty of Microfiber Towels
These can often be found in the automative sections of stores. Amazon has a wide variety as well. We have virtually eliminated our use of paper towels since buying these. We bought a 20-pack and sewed one edge together so its easy to grab and dust/wash with your hands (sort of like an oven mitt). They are versatile, grab the gunk easily and they don't let the gunk back onto your tables!
They all have a place in a top drawer in our kitchen (the paper towels are now under the sink). They are single use and are thrown into the washer after being used one time. Since we have a large assortment, there is never an inclination to re-use them, ensuring their super sanitary stays just that! They are amazingly effective at picking up liquids. And, while they are not the most eco-friendly material, the fact that I...
They all have a place in a top drawer in our kitchen (the paper towels are now under the sink). They are single use and are thrown into the washer after being used one time. Since we have a large assortment, there is never an inclination to re-use them, ensuring their super sanitary stays just that! They are amazingly effective at picking up liquids. And, while they are not the most eco-friendly material, the fact that I...
- am no longer using paper towels
- know that they are so absorbant that I never once have had to use more than one to clean up anything
- know that this pack of 20 will likely last a lifetime
- throw it in the next load and it certainly doesn't add to the water or soap usage
Windex
This is by the far the best windex we have ever used....hubby even claims that this is better than real windex (and since we have glass tables everywhere and 2 kids, we certainly go through a lot of it!).
The dollar store carries 16 ounce spray bottles. We have several of those, and put a label on those (with the recipe) so I can easily remake it if need be. If the recipe is right in front of me and I don't need to look it up, I have no issues finding the 2 minutes to do it....less reasons for procrastination!
To make it, grab a kitchen funnel and just put the tools into the dishwasher afterwards. Remember, don't do this with commercial grade cleaners, but with these cleaners, everything is non-toxic so feel free to let the dishwasher clean everything for you!
The dollar store carries 16 ounce spray bottles. We have several of those, and put a label on those (with the recipe) so I can easily remake it if need be. If the recipe is right in front of me and I don't need to look it up, I have no issues finding the 2 minutes to do it....less reasons for procrastination!
To make it, grab a kitchen funnel and just put the tools into the dishwasher afterwards. Remember, don't do this with commercial grade cleaners, but with these cleaners, everything is non-toxic so feel free to let the dishwasher clean everything for you!
- 1 ounce rubbing alcohol
- 2 ounces ammonia
- 1-2 dashes of Brommer's Magic Soap
- Fill remaining of the bottle with filtered tap water or distilled water.
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