Multi-Use Baking Soda

Geri — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:02:58 +0000

With everyone struggling to make ends meet, we are always looking for an inexpensive ingredient that can pull double duty…baking soda does just that! Aside from using it in baking and keeping odors at bay in the refrigerator, here are some other uses:

Kills carpet odors…sprinkle baking soda on your carpets then vacuum.
Removes wine stains from carpet…add a little baking soda to the stain and blot.
Cleans toxins off your fresh produce…place your fresh fruits and veggies into water and baking soda, clean and rinse well.
Don’t forget about your freezer! Throw a box in to absorb less than desirable odors.
Drain cleaner…pour about one half cup of baking soda down the drain followed by a one half cup of white vinegar. Let it sit for about 1 to 2 hours then rinse with hot water. It is not as powerful as your commercial drain cleaners, but it may help keep your drains clean and clear if you use it every few weeks to help prevent build up.
Bee stings and bug bites…mix a paste with water and baking soda to treat the bite area. It is said to take the sting out of the bite!
Cleans enamelware…add about 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda with enough water to cover the bottom of your pan and allow to boil for one to two minutes. Let it sit for an hour before wiping clean.
Kill orders in old books…sprinkle a little baking soda between the pages and let it sit for a day or two, then just brush out the baking soda for a fresher smelling book.
Kills weeds…sprinkle large amounts of baking soda into the cracks of your sidewalks, pavers, and driveway to kill weeds. I plan to try this one out this summer—I will let you know how well it works.
Removes mildew from shower curtains…machine wash on a gentle cycle with about one half cup of baking soda. Hang to dry.

Next week we will talk about baking soda use in our laundry. Keep the ideas coming!!

Multi-Use Paper Plates

Geri — Wed, 02 May 2012 12:39:12 +0000

Paper plates are the next best invention to our beloved dishwasher. We moms have been known to throw a quickie meal (no time to cook) on a paper plate (no time to wash dishes) on our way out the door. Oh you know you’re guilty!! Easy and affordable, BUT they can be used for so much more! Here are just a few good reasons to keep them on hand:

Paper plates can be used by your inspiring artists to rest their paint brushes, sponges and paint on. Easy clean up—just toss!
Crafters can use paper plates to hold their glue, glitter, buttons, beads, hot glue gun, etc.
Paper plates can be used in place of coasters when you have guests—like a bunch of messy teenagers.
Use paper plates when painting your house to hold paint brushes, paint lids, paint rags, etc. Sit your paint can on a paper plate to catch drips.
Place a paper plate in between each piece of your good china to protect against chips and scratches.
Use paper plates in your microwave to sit your dishes on and/or to cover your food as a shield. They will help keep your microwave cleaner longer.
Use paper plates in your refrigerator to place underneath anything that may leak or spill. They will help keep your refrigerator cleaner longer.

When it comes to children’s crafts, there are endless possibilities for a simple paper plate. Please check out artistshelpingchildren.org for some great craft ideas using paper plates. Have any new ideas?? Please share them with us!

Multi-Use Baby Wipes

Geri — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:06:14 +0000

Baby wipes were never around for my Mother when she was changing diapers. I say thank goodness they were around for me when I had my two sons. I don’t know what I would have done without them. But when my babies were out of diapers, I was not willing to part with them. In my opinion they are worth their weight in gold! Yes, they have many more uses other than just wiping little fannies.

In my home you will find a container filled with baby wipes in all of my bathrooms, kitchen and laundry room. I would almost rather run out of toilet paper than the wipes. I originally purchased the containers filled with wipes for each room. When I run out I purchase only the wipes in bulk and refill my containers. It is a huge money saver. Many cleaning manufacturers have jumped on the bandwagon and are now selling similar products designed for cleaning (can’t be used on anyone’s bottom) at a much bigger markup, so buying the baby wipes definitely saves money.

I always buy the non-scented so that I can use my own cleaning solution. I mix my cleaning solution and pour it into the diaper wipe containers, just enough to saturate all the wipes. Keep in mind that you may want to keep different cleaning solutions for different rooms. I like a mild scented cleaning solution for my kitchen opposed to the bleach solution I use in my bathrooms. It is important that you clearly mark each container with the solution it contains and for the room it is designated for. It is a good idea to keep one container free of any cleaning solutions. I will explain why later.

I have mentioned more than once that I use the wipes to clean in and around my toilets and sink areas. Monday is my big bathroom cleaning day, but it is usually not an issued because I do a little touch up almost daily—hey I live with three men!! Just remember not to flush the wipes.

Oh, and the laundry room? Well I can keep my washing machine, dryer and plastic clothes basket clean with a few swipes every so often.

I never leave home without my hand sanitizer and a baggie filled with a few wipes for quick cleanup whether it is messy hands or a spill in the car that needs immediate attention. This is why I keep a separate container with no cleaning solution added.

The wipes work very nicely for picking up dog or cat hair from the carpet, bedding and furniture. Again, use only the wipes that are free of any type of cleaning solution. The wipes you use in your bathroom with bleach in it would end up bleaching out your carpet or furniture. So be careful. The wipes also work well for cleaning your outside grill and if you are having BBQ ribs or chicken, they work better than napkins.

Please see “Making Your Own Baby Wipes” by Carol, and if you have any new and creative uses for baby wipes, please share them with us.

What is Geocaching?

Geri — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:35:12 +0000

I had never heard of Geocaching before. It was my brother who suggested that I look into it. He is quite the jokester, and so many times I am not quite sure if he is on the up and up or just pulling my leg. He is full of it and I am a bit, well, gullible! So, wouldn’t you know there really is such a thing as geocaching—who knew!!

Geocaching is considered an outdoor sporting activity. It is treasure hunting game, of sorts, where GPS devices are used to help hide and locate a container called “geocaches” or “caches”. These caches can be found all over the world. A cache contains, at the very least, a logbook where the geocacher can enter information such as the date it was found, their “code name”, as well as their exploits in finding the cache. In many cases, there are also items in the cache that the geocacher will take with the understanding that they leave something in its place for the next person to find. The hiding and finding of these containers can then be tracked online. The first website to list geocaches was in 2000.

While it does not interest me, I can see how this could be very exciting for many, especially those who love to travel. There are many rules and much to learn about this sport. If this tickles your fancy, I suggest you visit geocashing.com for much more information. Oh and, thank you Michael–love you!!

Clean the Air in Your Home With Houseplants

Geri — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:45:55 +0000

Did you know that your beautiful house plant can pull double duty? Many of the plants we use every day in our homes and offices can actually purify your indoor air. The ability of a houseplant to clean the quality of the air is now accepted scientifically. “Sick Building Syndrome” is attributed to the poor ventilation in energy efficient, tightly sealed homes and buildings. It is not due to microorganisms. Dr. Tony Pickering of the Wythenshawe Hospital near Manchester, England has studied this syndrome extensively. He found that naturally ventilated buildings with high levels of microorganisms had minimal symptoms while mechanically ventilated buildings with low levels of microorganisms had the highest levels of symptoms.

After much research related to my Mother’s allergy and health issues surrounding a chemical called formaldehyde, I discovered a book called “How to Grow Fresh Air” by Dr. B.C. Wolverton. It is a very interesting and informative book that discusses how 50 different houseplants can purify the indoor air. I highly recommend it!

Dr. Wolverton recommends the Boston Fern as the most helpful plant in absorbing chemical vapors (VOC’s which stands for Volatile Organic Chemicals), such as formaldehydes. The Areca Palm, Lady Palm and the Bamboo Palm all rate high to help absorb chemical vapors in our homes. It is recommended that you have at least two plants per 100 square feet.

Plants will filter out toxins and carbon monoxide as well. The plants’ leaves absorb these organic chemicals and destroy them by a process called “metabolic breakdown”. The chemicals are metabolized and converted into tissue products such as organic acids, sugars, and amino acids.

Below is a list of the 50 more powerful plants that help rid the air of VOCs. The higher up on the list indicates the most effective for eliminating toxins in the home. Now we have one more reason to fill our homes with these beautiful plants. Note: these may or may not be safe for pets. Please check with your local Humane Society for their up-to-date list.

Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)

Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)

Bamboo Palm (Chmaedorea seifrizii)

Rubber Plant (Ficus robusta)

Dracaena “Janet Craig” (Dracaena deremensis)

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Dwarf Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii)

Ficus Alii (Ficus macleilandii “Alii”)

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata “Bostoniensis”)

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum sp.)

Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans “Massangeana”)

Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Kimberley Queen (Nephrolepis obliterata)

Florist’s Mum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)

Dracaena “Warneckei” (Dracaena deremensis “Warneckei”)

Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)

Red Emerald Philodendron (Philodendron erubescens)

Syngonium (Syngonium podophyllum)

Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia “Exotica Compacta”)

Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)

Schefflera (Brassaia actinophylla)

Wax Begonia (Begonia semperflorens)

Lacy Tree Philodendron (Philodendron selloum)

Heart-Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron oxycardium)

Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia Camilla)

Elephant Ear Philodendron (Philodendron domesticum or Philodendron tuxla)

Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)

King of Hearts (Homalomena wallisii)

Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura “Kerchoveana”)

Dwarf Banana (Musa cavendishii)

Christmas and Easter Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii)

Schlumbergera rhipsalidopsis

Oakleaf Ivy (Cissus rhombifolia “Ellen Danika”)

Lily Turf (Liriope spicata)

Dendrobium Orchid (Dendrobium sp.)

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum “Vittatum”)

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema crispum “Silver Queen”)

Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum)

Croton (Codiaeum variegatum pictum)

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)

Dwarf Azalea (Rhododendron simsii “Compacta”)

Peacock Plant (Calathea makoyana)

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)

Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum)

Urn Plant (Aechmea fasciata)

Tulip (Tulipa gesneriana)

Moth Orchid (Phalenopsis sp.)

Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)