Uses for Household Items

Good Morning All!
I apologize for the absence... I have had several people comment on how they have missed the blog and couldn't wait for it to get started again.  Rather than provide intermittent posts, I wanted to wait until things got settled so that I could again devote my time to the blog!  So... I am back!

My grandmother once again has helped with the blog... here is some great info she sent on everyday uses for common household products.

For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: Get warm water and put Dawn dish washing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze.
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To remove old wax from a glass candle holder, put it in the freezer for a few hours. Then take the candle holder out and turn it upside down. The wax will fall out.
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Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped in baking soda. Comes off with little effort (elbow grease that is!).
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Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receipt BLUE!) rubbing alcohol on paper towel.
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Whenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of having to throw away rusted and unused and smelly pads, I finally decided that this would be much more economical. Now a box of S.O.S pads last me indefinitely!
In fact, I have noticed that the scissors get 'sharpened'' this way!
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Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood. Works every time!
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Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks. Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don't wash windows on a sunny day. They will dry too quickly and will probably streak.
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Spray a bit of perfume on the light bulb in any room to create a lovely a light scent in each room when the light is turned on. Make sure you spray the perfume on a cold bulb or it will shatter.
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Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least 3 hours prior to burning.
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To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag an d add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!
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To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stove top.
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Spray your TUPPERWARE with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains.
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Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep much longer.
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When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness.
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Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half, and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.
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Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.
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To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying vinegar on the area and you will experience instant relief.
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Ants, ants, ants everywhere. Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So, get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.
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Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.
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When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, and then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily. True!
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Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer...Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush.
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Clean a vase. To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water, and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.
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Polish jewelry. Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.
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Clean a thermos bottle. Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (Or longer, if necessary).
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Unclog a drain. Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, and then run the hot water.

Thank you all for being so patient! Will be posting again daily... let me know if you want to learn about anything specific!  Blessings... E

Stain Removers

We all fight stains - in clothes, furniture, flooring, etc... and most stains fall into four categories: food, dirt, grease, and unknown.  A few simple general rules to follow:

* Try and get to a spill immediately.  The sooner you get to a spill, the less time you will have to spend on the stain removal.
* Give the treatment time to work. The stain needs time to be broken down.
* Make sure to blot at the stain rather than rub - it will reduce the fraying of the material.
* NEVER use any heat on the stain.  Not even hot water.  Heat sets stains.
*

For Brightening Laundry:
My brightening tools work for almost any white or light color clothes.  Borax, Oxygen Bleach (oxyclean, ajax), vinegar, and baking soda.  In my white load I use vinegar instead of bleach - 1:1 ratio switch, and I use oxygen bleach.  If there are bad odors or I really have issues with dingy gray clothing I use 1/2 C. baking soda and once my load fills I add 1 C. vinegar.  Borax and the oxygen bleach (at least so far) have been interchangeable. 

For slow drains:
Once the water has receded pour 1/2 C. baking soda down drain followed by 1 C. vinegar, continue pouring small amounts of vinegar down the drain until it stops bubbling.  Wait 15 minutes.  Pour a gallon of boiling water down drain.  Wait 15 minutes.  Pour another gallon of boiling water down drain. 

General stain removal:
I use borax and the oxygen bleach in water for almost all my stains.  We also have club soda in the house for fresh food stains. 

Here is a great grid to swap out chemicals for natural products: http://earthhome.tripod.com/stains.html
I have heard my grandmother talk about using glycerin.  Here is a recipe for stain removal: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2009/02/a-natural-stain-remover-that-really-works.html
Another recommendation from my grandmother was hydrogen Peroxide: http://oldfashionedliving.com/stains.html
This post breaks out the stains by type and provides direction for each: http://www.canadianliving.com/life/green_living/natural_stain_removers.php
I like this one as she posts other ideas from people around the world: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/your-20-greatest-stain-removing-tips.html#

I hope you find what you need... blessings - E

Honey & Vinegar

The more I read on both honey and vinegar the more convinced I am that everyone needs to take 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and 2 teaspoons of honey in warm water three times a day before meals... EVERY DAY. 

The combination helps you maintain a healthy weight, cure allergies, cure any bronchial ailments,  absorb proper amounts of calcium for strong bones, maintain normal blood sugar levels, sleep better, prevent colds / flu, have better focus and energy, and a host of other benefits.

Honey is the purest of sugars - it has already been processed in the stomachs of bees so is absorbed easier into the bloodstream - it causes less stress to the pancreas - and helps create new blood cells.   It also helps your body absorb vital minerals from foods.

Apple Cider Vinegar has a wealth of benefits - aiding in digestion, fighting cancers, curing nausea, helps maintain normal blood pressure, maintain normal cholesterol levels, keep you heart healthy, maintain the proper acidic/alkalinity balance, fight diabetes, and improves memory.

A Healthy Environment

Many ailments / allergies / diseases have environmental factors that need to be taken into account.  This post is part education and part alternatives for a healthy environment. 

Let's start with the education.  There are many things in our homes / yards that can cause both allergies and weaken our immune system.  Things you may not even think about.  Carpet - have you ever smelled fresh carpet installed in a home?  Do you get a headache from it?  There are potentially harmful fumes that are given off by carpet of any age.  In addition, we are unable to get all the dirt, dust, dust mites, mold, mildew out of carpet which can potentially add to asthma / allergies.  Furniture - more and more we are seeing low or zero VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) for our furniture because of the types of materials our furniture is made from.  Paint - again we are seeing more and more low / zero VOC paints on the market.  Microwave - the energy waves that heat our food in a microwave changes the physical makeup of the food / water and potentially can be very damaging to our bodies.  In addition, those waves don't remain in the microwave - they are spread through the house.  It is recommended that you do NOT use a microwave for anything, including heating water.  Plastic containers for foods - plastic containers release harmful chemicals into our foods.  You should store all food in glass / ceramic containers.  Get rid of any plastic tableware (plates, glasses, silverware, serving dishes).  If you must use a microwave, make sure you do NOT put plastic in the microwave. Bedding - pillows / sheets / blankets / towels - all should be natural fibers.  Electronics - TV / Computer / Cell phone - these things all change the electromagnetic field in your home.  Opening windows helps to disperse the build up.  Make sure to turn things off completely when not in use.  Pay close attention to the THINGS in your home that can release potentially harmful fumes - not just at the beginning of it's life when you can smell it - but all through the life of the product. 

In addition to the things in your home that can potentially be a factor are the things you use to clean your home.  If a chemical has a warning about toxic fumes - it should never be used in your home.  Those fumes do not disappear because you can't smell them - if you do not open your house regularly those chemicals build up in your home and can be very hazardous.  There are studies out there showing that most homes are more toxic inside than outside.  The things in our homes and the chemicals we use to clean our home are the reason for this high level of toxicity. 

Now let's discuss options.  What can you do to create a more healthy environment...

Obviously, changing out furniture and carpeting can be a costly step.  We are going to start with some less expensive, and less difficult measures.  Just make sure that you pay attention to the VOC levels when making your next major purchase - or when you decide to renovate / move.  Next, we will discuss products you can purchase that are safe for you and your environment.

Natural Cleansers - there are a host of natural cleansers out there that you can purchase if you don't want to take the time to make your own.  Clorox, Windex, Greenworks are some of the most common.  Some you can find at the grocery store, Lowe's has a stock of them (oh yeah, I was surprised too), and obviously your natural food stores will have stock.

Natural Hair Care - I use Pureology products - they were created by someone who's friend had cancer and they wanted an all natural alternative.  iherb.com also has a host of different options as well.

Natural Beauty Care -  There aren't many out there that you can get at any grocery / drug store.  In another post we will discuss recipes and options. I use a natural oatmeal bar from the natural food store because my skin is quite oily and very sensitive.  The oatmeal soap actually balances my skin. 

Now for a list of things that are far safer for you, less expensive, and more effective than the harsh chemicals we have become accustomed to using.

Vinegar - you should have JUGS of vinegar in your home!  There are so many uses for vinegar that will surprise you.  Vinegar can be used in place of anything bleach is used for.  Whitening laundry, wiping down counters, showers, killing mold, mildew, and fungus.  It also can be used as a toner for your face, and will help eliminate dandruff if you rinse your hair with vinegar after washing.  Vinegar has been long known to help normalize bile production and helps relieve acid reflux / ulcers.  Rinsing fresh produce in vinegar will help remove toxins / herbicides / pesticides.  Vinegar also soothes and heals burns and bug bites.

Colloidal Silver - I wrote a whole post on the nutritional value of Colloidal Silver but there are also several environmental benefits.  I have been told that if you add several tablespoons to your mop water, it will kill any little creepy crawlies that scuttle across your floor.  Also, use it in your cleaning water when cleaning your cabinets, silverware drawers for the same benefit.  It is also used to heal / relieve ear aches - a couple drops in each ear.  Colloidal Silver also helps heal sore throats by gargling twice a day with silver.   

Baking Soda / Vinegar - Baking soda and vinegar help unclog drains, and clean silver.  For drains - pour about 1/3 c baking soda down the drain (after the water level has dropped below the drain) and then pour 1 c vinegar down the drain.  Pour another c vinegar if it still bubbles.  Wait 10 minutes and then pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain.  The more the better... you want to make sure that all the baking soda has been removed from the pipes.  For silver cleaning, use a bowl large enough to completely submerge your silver and have more than 1/2 left for "fizz."  fill with enough vinegar to cover the silver product and then slowly pour baking soda over until the fizzing stops.  Then take an old toothbrush and scrub.  You may have to repeat this process a couple times.

Salt and Baking Soda - Both have been used for centuries as an abrasive - both can be used to scrub stoves, caked on grunge on pots / pans / plates, ovens, mildew, mold, etc..

Tomatoes / Ketchup - can be used to clean copper and / or brass pans.

Rubbing Alcohol - Anyone have kids?  Kids that like to get into your permanent markers?  That like to draw on walls? carpet? etc???  Rubbing alcohol will remove those lovely drawings - make sure to take photos before you remove your little Picasso's creations. 

Lemon Juice - lemon juice's acidic base helps dissolve soap scum and hard water stains.  Grind it up in the garbage disposal to get a clean fresh smell.  Mix with olive oil as a furniture polish. 

Recommended Reading - additional natural solutions: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/cleaners

Outside / Yard / Garden - there are some very simple ways to remove many of the harmful chemicals from your outdoor space as well.

Garlic / Onion - Garlic and onion keep away a host of bugs - as they are natural pesticides.  Plant onions around your roses to keep away aphids.  Sprinkle a combination of garlic / onion granules on your yard to keep away mosquitoes.  I use http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DN7OQW/ref=wms_ohs_product_C and they work for about three weeks.... I love having the birds around - and they feed off the mosquitoes - so how to keep them off the yard so I am not eaten alive?  These work great! 

Eucalyptus / Lemongrass Oil - 32oz spray bottle, water filled to w/in 2" of top, 40 drops eucalyptus oil, 15 drops lemongrass oil.  Spray around your doors / windows outside to keep bugs from coming in the house.  Use in your laundry (final rinse) to do the same for your clothing / bedding.  Another natural pesticide. 

Marigolds - these pungent flowers have been used for centuries to keep pests out of the garden.  Plant them throughout your garden to keep away pesky critters that want to enjoy your crops.

Natural vs. Chemical

I had a question posed this morning about not feeling well, weight gain, illnesses, and what we eat.  It is a very simple answer, but also very complicated depending on how you look at it.  Simply put, the more organic the foods are that we eat, the healthier we are.

The US has the highest rate of obesity in the world.  We are also one of the highest for Cancer.  Why?  We are one of / if not the most powerful countries in the world.  We are one of / if not the most advanced country in the world.  The answer has everything to do with how fast we are living our lives and what shortcuts we take to make every moment count. 

Artificial Sweeteners - there are studies showing that consuming artificial sweeteners causes both MS-like and Alzheimer-like symptoms.  Once the artificial sweeteners have been removed from the diet and are out of the body, these symptoms go away.  Beyond that, they have been found to cause cancer, infertility, headaches, weight gain, depression, nervous system damage, permanent brain damage, hearing loss, gastrointestinal problems, and allergic reactions.  Also, there are studies showing that when heated artificial sweeteners degrade to formaldehyde which is deadly when ingested.  Where do your cases of soda reside before you buy them from the grocery store?  Warehouses.  How many warehouses do you know that maintain their sodas in air conditioned spaces?

Artificial Coloring - all of those pretty colors in our foods could be causing allergies and ADD.  There are more of them than you realize.  Turn over any frozen dinner, any box of cookies, your fruit snacks, cereal... even your fruit juices, vitamins and medication... it is crazy!  They are in almost everything you eat.  Some of these artificial colors have even been known to cause cancer, tumors, and death. 

Plastic - We have all been told to not put plastic in the microwave.  It degrades and gets into your food which can cause tumors, cellular breakdown, and cancer.  But just storing foods in plastic, drinking hot things from a plastic glass, or a hot meal on a plastic plate, or using a plastic fork to eat a hot meal... all do the same thing.  Recognize how much plastic our foods, and household needs are housed in plastic and remove as much usage as you can.  I have only glass and ceramic dishes / bowls / storage items. 

Chemicals for Cleaning - What was used to clean homes before all the available chemicals were created?  Vinegar has long been used as a household cleaner.  It kills germs, whitens clothes, cleans fresh produce, heals skin ailments / acne, reduces appetite, soothes mosquito / bug bites, clears drains when combined with baking soda.... the list goes on and on.  I go through at least gallons of vinegar each month.   Read the back of those harsh chemicals you use to clean your bathroom / kitchen.  Read the warnings.  We don't think about it, but we have months that our homes are closed up - what do you think happens to those chemicals?  They linger in your home, in your air.  You breathe them in daily. 

Ok... I can't take any more of the negative / scary stuff... let's talk about some positives...

Look for organic foods.  For foods to be certified as organic, they must be grown in soil that has not been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides, have no chemicals touch the soil for seven years.  No herbicides or pesticides can be used on any of the food grown in the soil. 

Enjoy trying new recipes with your family.  I love cooking with my girls and we love to experiment.  I used to spend all day Sunday cooking and then they would invite their friends over for dinner.  They would choose what type of food we were going to have, and then we shopped and they helped me prep the meal.  Both have grown to be good cooks that love to try new things.  This is a great way to get picky kids to try new foods too. 

Open up your house, even in the winter / summer months, for at least an hour every month.  This brings in fresh air and clears out the stagnant air.  Bring the sunshine in!  E