Handling the Heat Without Breaking the Bank

Frugal Friday

This has been a summer of record-breaking heat and drought.  It has been a struggle keeping flowers and trees alive, and keeping cool, especially if you lose power during a storm or don't have air conditioning.  Here are some tips for keeping cool, while still keeping money in your pockets.

·         If the air outside is dry, hang a wet sheet in your window to cool the breeze as it comes in.

·         Close blinds and drapes.  Line drapes with white fabric to reflect heat.

·         Place a shallow bowl of ice in front of a fan to cool the breeze.

·         Keep your furnace and a/c unit cleaned and well-maintained.

·         Close your fireplace damper so the hot air isn't pulled in.

·         Keep windows and doors shut if the air outside is over 77 degrees.

·         Run a window fan when the temperature is cooler so you can trap the air inside.

·         Spritz yourself with cold water.

·         Run ceiling fans with your a/c.  The a/c removes the humidity and the fans make you feel cooler.

·         Shut off appliances or electronics that generate heat, like computers, when you aren't using them.

·         Skip the drying cycle on the dishwasher.

·         Remove your shoes.  The sweat evaporating on your feet will cool them.

·         Eat spicy meals. Perspiring will cool you down.

·         Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, which causes your body temperature to rise.

·         Use the microwave or barbecue grill to cook.

·         Shut off the lights-they generate heat.

·         Dry your clothes outside or hanging in your laundry room.

·         Place rice in an old sock, tie the ends and freeze it.  Then place it in your bed to cool the sheets.

·         Read stories about cold places.

Green Cleaning-General Uses for Salt, Part 1

Frugal Friday

So many cleaning products on the market are full of dangerous chemicals that can harm both the environment and your health.  They are also expensive.  So why not look to the past for both inexpensive and healthier alternatives?  Over the next few weeks, we're going to look at ways to use common household products to clean your home.  This week, we'll look at general uses for plain old table salt.

·         Soak clothes in salty water as soon as possible to get rid of bloodstains.

·         Make a paste of salt, vinegar and flour to clean copper, brass and pewter.

·         Use to clean a stained coffeepot or mug.

·         Soak sponges and cleaning cloths in salty water to freshen.

·         Soak enameled pans in salty water, then boil salt water to remove dried on food.  Do NOT use on chipped pots or metal pots.

·         Soak discolored glass in a salt and vinegar solution to remove stains.

·         Remove odors from drains by running hot salt water through them.

·         Add salt to the water in your washing machine to remove soap scum and hold colors.

·         Mix salt and lemon juice to remove mildew.

·         If you spill something in your oven, pour salt over the liquid, then let the oven cool.  The mess will form into a dry, light crust that will wipe up easily.

Green Cleaning—Uses for Lemons Around the House

Frugal Friday

So many cleaning products on the market are full of dangerous chemicals that can harm both the environment and your health.  They are also expensive.  So why not look to the past for both inexpensive and healthier alternatives?  Over the next few weeks, we're going to look at ways to use common household products to clean your home.  This week, we'll look at using lemons around the house.

·         Use as an air freshener.  Slice a lemon in half and place it cut side up on a plate near an open window.  Or boil lemon slices in water.

·         Make a paste of lemon juice and salt to clean brass, copper or stainless steel.  Let sit for five minutes before rinsing with warm water.

·         Put lemon juice on a rag and dust your ceiling fan blades.  This will kill the invisible microbes and spores.

·         Shine chrome with lemon rind, then polish with a soft cloth.

·         If your fireplace fumes are unpleasant, throw some lemon rinds into the fire to burn.

·         Mix the juice of one lemon with one teaspoon olive oil and one teaspoon water, then use it as furniture polish.  Use immediately after mixing.

·         Dip a sliced lemon in salt, then rub on marble to treat stains.  Rinse thoroughly to get rid of the acid.

·         Place a few drops of lemon juice into your vacuum cleaner bag before vacuuming to freshen the air.

·         Mix lemon juice and water to clean wood floors that haven't been varnished. 

Green Cleaning – Using Lemons in the Laundry Room

Frugal Friday

So many cleaning products on the market are full of dangerous chemicals that can harm both the environment and your health.  They are also expensive.  So why not look to the past for both inexpensive and healthier alternatives?  Over the next few weeks, we're going to look at ways to use common household products to clean your home.  This week, we'll look at using lemons in the laundry room.

·         Lemons are a natural bleaching agent.  For white garments or linens, squeeze lemon juice on the stain, then let it dry in the sun.  Do not use on silk!

·         Add one cup lemon juice to the washing machine for tee shirts and underpants to get rid of stains and deodorize.

·         For whites that can't be bleached, add a small amount of lemon juice to the start of the wash cycle.

·         Squeeze lemon juice on raspberry or red currant stains, then launder as usual.

·         Mix lemon juice and salt, and rub on mildew stains.  Dry the garments in the sun.  Repeat until the stain is gone.

·         Make a paste of lemon juice and salt to get rid of rust stains on clothes.

·         For stubborn stains, mix vinegar and lemon juice, then soak the stain for 30-60 minutes.

·         For really white socks, boil them in water with a sliced lemon.

Green Cleaning—Uses for Lemons in the Bathroom

Frugal Friday

So many cleaning products on the market are full of dangerous chemicals that can harm both the environment and your health.  They are also expensive.  So why not look to the past for both inexpensive and healthier alternatives?  Over the next few weeks, we're going to look at ways to use common household products to clean your home.  This week, we'll look at using lemons in the bathroom.

·         Cut a lemon in half and place it cut-side up in a bowl in the bathroom for a natural, fresh smell.

·         Squeeze lemon juice on bathtub rings for easy cleaning.

·         Squeeze lemon juice onto grout and scrub with a toothbrush to brighten it.

·         Spray a solution of water and lemon on your mirror, then wipe with newspaper for a streak-free shine.

·         Spray a mixture of water and lemon juice on your shower doors, scrub with newspaper and rinse.

·         Soak a paper towel in lemon juice, wrap the towel around your faucet and let it sit for an hour to loosen the build-up.  Scrub with a stiff toothbrush.

·         Make a paste of lemon juice and borax, apply to the stains in your toilet bowl, let sit for a few hours, then scrub clean. 

Green Cleaning—Using Lemons in Your Kitchen

Frugal Friday

 

So many cleaning products on the market are full of dangerous chemicals that can harm both the environment and your health.  They are also expensive.  So why not look to the past for both inexpensive and healthier alternatives?  Over the next few weeks, we're going to look at ways to use common household products to clean your home.  This week, we'll look at using lemons in the kitchen.

• Rub cut side of lemon on aluminum pots and pans, then buff with soft cloth to brighten.
• Squeeze lemon juice over door thresholds and other cracks where ants could come in.  Also scatter lemon slices around the outdoor entrance.
• Simmer a lemon slice in water for 15 minutes to loosen burned-on food.
• Add a tablespoon of lemon juice to one cup of milk to make buttermilk.
• Rub the cut side of a lemon on your cutting board to sanitize.
• Place lemon juice in the soap compartment of your EMPTY dishwasher and run as usual to sanitize.
• Dab lemon juice onto a cotton ball or rag, and let sit in your refrigerator overnight to deodorize.
• Mix three tablespoons of lemon juice to 1¾ cups water, microwave on high for five to ten minutes, allowing the steam to condense.  Food particles will wipe away.
• Pour lemon juice and alum powder onto your porcelain sink and scrub to remove stains.
• Mix lemon juice and baking soda to scrub stained plastic food containers.  Let sit overnight if stains are stubborn.
• Toss lemon peels into your garbage disposal to deodorize.
• Squeeze lemon juice onto your countertops to remove stains.  Don't leave on for too long, as lemons have a bleaching agent.

Green Cleaning—General Uses for Baking Soda

Frugal Friday

So many cleaning products on the market are full of dangerous chemicals that can harm both the environment and your health.  They are also expensive.  So why not look to the past for both inexpensive and healthier alternatives?  Over the next few weeks, we're going to look at ways to use common household products to clean your home.  This week, we'll look at using baking soda in the around the house.

·         Using a 2:1 ratio of baking soda to vinegar, use on aluminum shower door frames.

·         Sprinkle baking soda onto a cut lemon to use on brass.

·         Use baking soda on wet spills on the carpet.  After the baking soda absorbs the liquid, sweep it up.  Then mix baking soda and water to clean the area.  Dry thoroughly before vacuuming.

·         Use baking soda with warm water to clean up vomit on carpets.

·         Mix with water to remove crayon stains.  Rinse thoroughly with hot water.

·         Mix with warm water to clean floors.

·         Sprinkle inside rubber gloves to slip them on easier, and absorb odors and moisture.

·         If you spill a liquid on a book, sprinkle baking soda on the pages, then let them dry in the sun.

·         Mix with warm water to wipe down vinyl chairs.

Always test items in inconspicuous areas before cleaning.

Green Cleaning—Using Baking Soda in the Bathroom

Frugal Friday

So many cleaning products on the market are full of dangerous chemicals that can harm both the environment and your health.  They are also expensive.  So why not look to the past for both inexpensive and healthier alternatives?  Over the next few weeks, we're going to look at ways to use common household products to clean your home.  This week, we'll look at using baking soda in the bathroom.

·         Removable shower traps can be soaked in baking soda and warm water.  Adding vinegar increases its effectiveness.

·         Make a paste of baking soda and vinegar, then use a rag to wipe soap scum off the shower and sink.  Rinse with cold water.

·         Use the same paste for wiping the base of your faucets.

·         Pour baking soda into your toilet bowl and let sit for a while.  Stains should disappear.

·         Make a paste of two parts baking soda to one part vinegar.  Using an old toothbrush, scrub the pink mildew off your tile and grout.

·         Sprinkle baking soda into your toilet tank once a month.  Let sit overnight, then flush for freshness.

·         If you store damp items like facecloths, rags or old toothbrushes under the sink, place an open box of baking soda under your sink to absorb the odors.

·         Make a paste of 2:1 baking soda and vinegar, then use a damp rag and solution to clean the scum off your shower doors.  Use an old toothbrush to get into the corners.

·         Take down your shower curtain, sprinkle 4 or 5 tablespoons of baking soda on a brush, then wipe down the curtain in your bathtub.  Rinse with hot water and hang to dry.

Green Cleaning—Using Baking Soda in the Kitchen

Frugal Friday

So many cleaning products on the market are full of dangerous chemicals that can harm both the environment and your health.  They are also expensive.  So why not look to the past for both inexpensive and healthier alternatives?  Over the next few weeks, we're going to look at ways to use common household products to clean your home.  This week, we'll look at using baking soda in the kitchen.

·       Baking soda in various strengths can be used in the kitchen for cleaning.  The more dried on the food, or the greasier the spot, the stronger the solution should be.  Baking soda can be used in a food processor or blender, the garbage can, oven, stovetop, dishwasher, or coffeemaker.

·      Baking soda is also good for deodorizing.  Use it in baby bottles, your refrigerator, your drain, water bottles, vacuum flasks, garbage disposal.  Always wash and rinse thoroughly with warm, soapy water after deodorizing.

·        Make a paste to clean coffee stains from mugs.

·        Wipe stainless steel appliances with a baking soda mixture to remove stains and spots. 

·        Combine with vinegar to clean cast iron skillets/casseroles.

·        Remove melted plastic bags from counters or appliances with a water/baking soda solution.

·        Do NOT use on non-stick pans.

·        Note:  Make sure all appliances and pots/pans are cooled off before cleaning.

Green Cleaning—Uses for Vinegar in the Laundry Room

Frugal Friday

So many cleaning products on the market are full of dangerous chemicals that can harm both the environment and your health. They are also expensive. So why not look to the past for both inexpensive and healthier alternatives. Over the next few weeks, we're going to look at ways to use common household products to clean your home. This week, we'll look at using vinegar in the laundry room.

• Run water through your iron to clear out residue build-up. When the iron is still warm, run it across your ironing board to freshen the cover.
• Rub a paste of vinegar and baking soda into cuffs and collars to get rid of stains.
• Add vinegar to loads of dark clothing to keep colors bright, prevent colors from running, and also to deodorize the clothes.
• Soak shirts in vinegar to remove underarm stains and odors.
• Use to remove stains—cola, grease (from suede), tar from jeans, grass, coffee, tea, fruits and berries.
• Use to remove odors, such as bleach or smoke.
• Add vinegar to your rinse cycle to soften the fabric and reduce static cling.

Next week: Using vinegar in the kitchen.