Tag Archives: DIY

Use Food Storage Items for Cleaning

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Having a baby on the way made me think of the cleaning chemicals that I use to keep my home clean.  I thought those chemicals that I might be detrimental to my baby’s health so I started looking at more baby friendly solutions that I could use instead.  It is also a great idea to store simple ingredients in your storage that can make a variety of cleaners.

Here’s what I found out:

Floor Cleaner: (courtesy of my mom)

1)      Vinyl Type Floors:

  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1 gallon warm water
  • Mix in your cleaning bucket and use this to clean.

2)      Hardwood Floor Cleaner:

  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 gallon warm water
  • Mix and mop!

Window cleaner:

  • 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 cup warm water
  • Combine everything in a spray bottle, and shake well.

*Shake well before using because the cornstarch will settle at the bottom (and subsequently plug the spray mechanism if it’s not mixed in well).

Disinfectant Spray for Surfaces: 

 1)      Using Herbs:

  • Cinnamon leaf
  • Pine needle
  • Frankincense
  • Bergamot
  • Water.
  • Mix well in a spray bottle

2)      Without Herbs:

  • 2 Tbsp. ammonia
  • 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
  • 1/4 cup vinegar
  • Water
  • Mix in a spray bottle

*This works especially well for counter-tops but may also be used to clean showers, toilets and sinks. Great for most cleaning needs.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner:

  • 1 cup borax
  • Diluted white vinegar
  • Pour the borax into the toilet and let it sit for a couple of hours
  • Scrub the inside of the bowl using a toilet brush
  • Spray vinegar onto the toilet rim, seat and top. Scrub the rim. Wipe the seat and top.

Carpet Cleaner:

  • White vinegar
  • Baking soda
  • Water
  • Mix well until it forms into a paste like form
  • Scrub it into the carpet stain using a brush and let it dry
  • Vacuum afterwards


Homemade Deodorant

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Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup coconut oil (solid state)
  • 1/4 cup baking soda (aluminum-free)
  • 1/4 cup arrowroot powder
  • essential oils (optional)

Instructions

Mix the baking soda and arrowroot powder in a glass bowl.

Add the coconut oil (do not warm or melt it) and use a fork or pastry blender to thoroughly blend it into the dry ingredients.

Add 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oils and blend completely. (this step is optional, but lovely – my personal favorite combo is clove with a little sweet orange and cinnamon!)

Add more coconut oil or arrowroot powder/baking soda if needed until the texture is about the same consistency as commercial deodorant.

Scoop the mixture into a small jar or container and store at room temperature. (Refrigeration may be required during summer months and warmer weather because the coconut oil will melt at 76 degrees.)

To apply, use your fingers to scoop out a pea-size amount of the deodorant and massage it into your armpits daily or as needed. Allow a minute or two for the deodorant to set before getting dressed.

*Remember, this is deodorant, not antiperspirant. It will not stop you from sweating, but you won’t smell bad!

Emergency Survival Kit

Instructions from squidoo.com

DIY: Homemade Baby Wipes!

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This is a fun and easy way to save money and reduce your baby’s exposure to chemicals.

What you’ll need:

  • A sharp knife to cut paper towel roll in half
  • A premium roll of white paper towel (cheap paper towel disintegrate easily)
  • 2 cups water that has been boiled and cooled to room temperature
  • 2 Tablespoons baby soap or baby wash
  • 1 Tablespoon baby oil or olive oil
  • A plastic bowl container to put your paper towels in

The first thing you want to do is to:

  1. Cut the roll of paper towel in half with a knife.
  2. Mix all the liquid ingredients together.
  3. Place the half a roll of paper towel into the bowl.
  4. Pour it on top of the paper towel.
  5. Secure the lid of the container and let it sit for 10 minutes.
  6. Turn the container upside down and let it sit for another 10 minutes.
  7. Remove the cardboard piece out of the middle of the paper towel.

Viola! You have made a homemade baby wipes

Tips on Homemade Cleaning Solutions

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Having a baby on the way made me think of the cleaning chemicals that I use to keep my home clean.  I thought those chemicals that I might be detrimental to my baby’s health so I started looking at more baby friendly solutions that I could use instead.

Here’s what I found out:

Floor Cleaner: (courtesy of my mom)

1)      Vinyl Type Floors:

  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1 gallon warm water
  • Mix in your cleaning bucket and use this to clean.

2)      Hardwood Floor Cleaner:

  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 gallon warm water
  • Mix and mop!

Window cleaner:

  • 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 cup warm water
  • Combine everything in a spray bottle, and shake well.

*Shake well before using because the cornstarch will settle at the bottom (and subsequently plug the spray mechanism if it’s not mixed in well).

Disinfectant Spray for Surfaces: 

 1)      Using Herbs:

  • Cinnamon leaf
  • Pine needle
  • Frankincense
  • Bergamot
  • Water.
  • Mix well in a spray bottle

2)      Without Herbs:

  • 2 Tbsp. ammonia
  • 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
  • 1/4 cup vinegar
  • Water
  • Mix in a spray bottle

*This works especially well for counter-tops but may also be used to clean showers, toilets and sinks. Great for most cleaning needs.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner:

  • 1 cup borax
  • Diluted white vinegar
  • Pour the borax into the toilet and let it sit for a couple of hours
  • Scrub the inside of the bowl using a toilet brush
  • Spray vinegar onto the toilet rim, seat and top. Scrub the rim. Wipe the seat and top.

Carpet Cleaner:

  • White vinegar
  • Baking soda
  • Water
  • Mix well until it forms into a paste like form
  • Scrub it into the carpet stain using a brush and let it dry
  • Vacuum afterwards

Make a broom out of a 2 liter bottle

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So I was browsing around different DIY items that I can make and I came across this broom that is made out of  2 liter recycled bottles.  Though it may be easier to buy a $6 broom from Wal Mart,  other countries could use a lot of the upcycling ideas to improve their lives.  Even simple things like a broom are convenient and useful. This ideas I think, are things we need to be teaching across the globe.

Anyway, here is what you need:

20 plastic soft drink bottles 2 liter PET
broomstick
scissors
wire
hammer
nails

Instructions:

1.Remove the label.
2.Cut off the bottom of the bottle.
3.Cut thin strips up to the most rounded part of the bottle. You will have strips about .5 cm. (about 3/16ths of an inch).
4.Remove the neck of the bottle with scissors.
5.Repeat on 18 bottles, but leave one with the neck in tact
6.Insert all the bottles (without necks) over the top of the bottle with the neck. This is the base of the broom.
7.Cut the top portion of another bottle and place over the base of the broom you just prepared.
8.Drill two holes and insert the wire through all layers of bottles.
9.Pull the wire to the other side and twist the ends to fasten
10.Insert broom stick into the top of bottle neck and nail in place with two nails.
11.The broom is complete and you can believe it works.