Chore Day - Today

Hello there!

I am catching you later in the day today because I have been so wrapped up in mundane tasks that "grown-up" law says I have to do.  Wouldn't it be nice if bills just paid themselves, laundry washed and folded itself, or doing the dishes was done by the magic like in Disney's The Sword In The Stone?!? FYI, that is one of my favorite Disney movies ;) Anyhow, I am successfully getting all this done without magic so that Kevin can get an early birthday surprise for his birthday tomorrow.  Finger's crossed I get everything done before he arrives home today!

We loosely mapped out a day of fun for his birthday tomorrow - He just found out he is approved for the day off today, so we couldn't make any concrete plans.  If I had my way dinner would involve a place where we can watch the debate while we eat. That sounds very unromantic for sure, however we were the couple who spent our honeymoon inside with room service watching the Sarah Palin Show unfold so I don't think the debate on a birthday is so bad. 

On a sorta political but not so much front, we saw Argo this past weekend and it was incredible! If you are like me and you were born in the Reagan Administration or later, you may not quite have the same feelings about Iran and what makes it such a hot-button topic in these debates. I am glad that A) Ben Affleck is amazing at both directing and acting as he is, but (on a more serious note) that B) That this movie is out now because it has some insight into the drama felt by the USA and Iran in 1979-81 during the hostage crisis. The movie does a good job portraying the era and while some portions may be embellished for drama it still has a tone that brings importance to the situations portrayed. Overall I liked it very much and would strongly recommend seeing the film.       

Well, that is enough politics for me to share today... what I am here for is the crafts :)

Creatively I am not up to much today.  I did bottle up some "vintage" citrus vinegar that we posted the tutorial earlier this summer here. I am calling it a "vintage" because I tended to it for 2 days shy of four months seeing what would come of the extra time. the verdict: The extra time gave it a fuller body and opacity white leaving less vinegar-y and packed way more of the citrus scent.  Overall I would say if you can rotate your jars so that the vinegar and citrus scraps can sit for ~3 months time the overall product will make for a superior green cleaning staple.

Well, off to fold some more laundry! Hope you have a super evening!!!

XOXO, KC

How-To's Day: Upcycled Dishwasher Label

We have been using this sad, pathetic "CLEAN" note to label what is inside the the dishwasher.  Our current routine is when you load and run the dishwasher you pull the magnetic note off the refrigerator and place it on the dishwasher.  This works and all, but the note is sloppy and depressing and I would really like something special just for the dishwasher that says "Clean" and "Dirty" so all you need to do is flip it to label which stage the dishwasher is at.

With that in mind here is a quick project to make a dishwasher label.

You will need jar lids, random paper, some way to letter (like stickers, cut paper letters or a marker), Mod Podge Dimensional Magic, and Rare Earth Disc Magnets. The Rare Earth Disc Magnets we are using are 1/2" X 1/16" Neodymium N42 magnets which have a pull force of 3lbs. These tiny magnets are more than adequate to hold up the lids perfectly. Please check out magnet safety here before using these super intense magnets.

Attach the magnet on the back of the lid with a glue like liquid fusion. Collage and assemble the papers and letters inside the lid so that one side says "Clean" and one side says "Dirty". Add a thin layer of the Mod Podge Dimensional Magic and let dry.

Now the dishwasher doesn't look so sad anymore! Yay!!! Plus, now we won't accidentally re wash the dishes or pull out dirty ones thinking they have been cleaned already.

We'd love to see what you come up with if you make one for yourself.  Leave us a comment or post a picture on our Facebook wall here.

XOXO, KC

DIY Toothpaste: Pearly Whites for the Cheap, Lazy and Green

A couple years ago when I was literally living below the poverty line for my year in Americorps, I started making my own toothpaste. I did it because of the reason I do many DIY things: it was cheap and easy. It really is. You just have to make an initial investment investment in peppermint oil (about $5) and that is literally the most expensive ingredient AND it will last you more than a year (you can find the cost breakdown here). Promise.

So, how do you make this great homemade toothpaste? There are lots of variations, but for the most part it involves:

• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1 tsp salt (optional – gives paste extra scrubbing power and adds to antibacterial power, but is okay to leave out if the taste is too salty)
• 5-10 drops peppermint essential oil (you can use other oils for flavor, but peppermint is also supposed to help with disinfecting your teeth... so if you use peppermint extract like that silly person in the link above does you are not getting full benefit of the peppermint. The essential oil is important!)
• water (add to desired consistency)

Literally the only three ingredients you will need to make toothpaste (salt, peppermint oil and baking soda) plus water.

I keep it in a small tupperware container in my medicine cabinet and scoop a little onto my toothbrush or you can dip it right in. This lasts me about a month or so. I haven't had a cavity since!

There are other variations on this that involve coconut oil (also disinfects) and hydrogen peroxide (too much is not good, though, but I mix with water sometimes to use as a whitening mouthwash). Do some exploring and see what you like! 

Some choose to make the toothpaste at home because it is free of chemicals, sweeteners and flouride (I don't care that much). What is great is that you can swallow this paste and not worry about it. You can buy Tom's of Maine or some other expensive toothpaste or you can make this and save tons! Plus whenever you run out of toothpaste, no need to go shopping, just go to your cupboard.

Quick Tip: Citrus Vinegar DIY Drain Freshener

Today Sharon shares with us a quick tip for non-toxic household cleaning. Enjoy!

XO, KC

I was inspired by KC's citrus vinegar post to make my own. I'm a vinegar enthusiast. It's super versatile and I've been using it as my all-purpose household cleaner for a while now (I've completely given up on Alvin Corn... the alcohol does something weird with the air pressure in the bottle). So, adding the citrus element seems smart, especially since the vinegar scent needs something to take the edge off.

KC only used peels in her citrus vinegar, but I just dumped any old lime or lemon I squeezed right in
there and it's  worked fine. The large bottle of vodka in back is not for drinking but for making Febreeze. ;)

Well, my latest use is to start using the citrus vinegar to help clean my drain (my apartment was built in 1940 and garbage disposals were not standard). I dump a little bit of baking soda down the drain (it won't really go far, but will just sit on top of the mouth of it) and then slowly pour a bit of citrus vinegar until it's all gone. You will get a foaming reaction... just like the volcano science projects that use the same concept. I try to do this a couple times a month to keep things fresh.

How-To's Day: Citrus Vinegar Cleaner

Vinegar is an amazing natural cleaner! It is one item you can have on hand to tackle all kinds of cleaning needs. This project is super simple and easy and the result is a wonderful citrus infused vinegar that you can swap in for your household cleaners. White distilled vinegar is a popular household cleanser, effective for killing most mold, bacteria, and germs, due to its level of acidity and adding citrus only makes the vinegar even more potent.

I really like this DIY because it is kinda like making citrus compost. If you eat a lot of citrus fruit or have a citrus tree in your yard this is the perfect project for you! You'll need a large glass jug or jar that has an opening large enough to accommodate the citrus peels, and it has a lid that seals tightly. You don't need the whole peels in one large piece but it does make it easier to fish out the peels if they are bigger than a quarter.  When you have your first peels ready, drop them into the jar and add at least white distilled vinegar to cover the citrus peels.  I like to add the whole bottle of white distilled vinegar to the jar even if there is just a small amount of citrus and then you can continue to drop in more citrus peels as you accumulate them. The key is that you have the citrus marinade in the vinegar for at least 10 days to get all the citrus essence infused in the vinegar. Set aside a container you can put the infused vinegar back into once finished.

After your mix has set for at least 10 days you are ready to separate the citrus peels from the vinegar juice. This is one time I'll advocate paper towels - you can use them as a filter to catch the pulp from the liquid.  Double Bonus: you can use the paper towel after straining as a cleaning pad to clean your kitchen surfaces :)

It IS Vinegar!

Once you strain off the citrus here is our citrus vinegar in an upcycled salsa jar which happens to have a wonderful yellow top. This citrus infused vinegar can be used  by itself or mixed in over 101 different ways for all your cleaning needs.
Spring Cleaning Eco Style!

XOXO, KC

Eco Spring Cleaning

Cleaning to me is not just about getting everything organized or dusting hard to reach places. It is taking the time to regroup, cleanup, and re-prioritize life's clutter.  It is amazing how much mental clarity comes from a good purge and deep cleaning. If you haven't been able to work in some natural cleaning products into your routine I strongly encourage trying some out when you start your spring cleaning.  Check out the above items from Etsy sellers if you'd like some sources for handmade cleaning products without making everything yourself.

Aaaaacccckkkkk!!! Help- time to clean.

Yesterday we posted some quick tips for getting rid of unwanted things while you do that deep clean. Plus, some way to find new uses for things you never use clogging up your house. Check it out if you want to here.

Helpful Cleaners & Products Round-Up:

DIY Laundry Detergent

If your laundry detergent is low, this time skip picking it up at the store and make some for your self. It is super easy to do and each load costs pennies in relation to the stuff in stores.

Here's how to make it yourself :)

Thinking of making the switch to eco dryer sheets to go with your new detergent? Here are my thoughts on my favorite dryer sheets.

Let's real talk for a moment - Pinterest is pretty much 75%  food and DIY cleaners depending on who's boards you look at. Right!?!  I know I post them too! Check out Our Tips and Hints @ Home board for the proof. I love "planning projects" on Pinterest. The promise of projects being awesome is so exciting!!! 

The rare outcome is you get all excited about a project and its a total bust. Don't waste your time trying out some cleaning that may leave you with a not-so-exciting feeling. Here are some thoughts in our section Pinned: Success or Fail? 

Alvin Corn Cleaner Pin and May for Water Rings on Wood Pin

If you just want to get to work cleaning with the most basic household items that are amazing green cleaners, check out tips on cleaning with just vinegar and also with baking & washing soda here on a previous blog post. 

Best wishes on your cleaning endeavor! XOXO, KC

Review: Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Dryer Sheets

I have been using Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Dryer Sheets for years now and I am totally in love with them! I love the smell and how it radiates from each different sent so wonderfully and each so unique. I find myself overstocking the house with them because they are better than air fresheners before even using them.  But what about when they are finished with a laundry load?  Now I got to figure out how to make it art - trey bonus!!!

I like that they are like perforated paper- not that flimsy weird stuff that seems like pure chemicals that regular dryer sheets are made of. At first I was skeptical about how they would stand up compared to the softness achieved with using the traditional sheet; throwing in scented paper seemed like a stretch. Seriously, these dryer sheets worked great! Plus, after they are used they make one of my favorite staples which find numerous uses as upcycled craft materials. They can be recycled like other paper products as well as being fully biodegradable.  Rest assured each time you're doing laundry that the load isn't piling up leaving a ton of waste behind.

One of my favorite things to do with the leftover dryer sheets is to make these little delicate circles for all kinds of end decorations. They are really easy to make and they still have a faint smell; using a bunch of them in a home decor project leaves everything nice and fresh too.

These dryer sheets are a great substitution to work in to your routine for:

• Laundry and Art!  Making something out of top quality Eco products is right up your alley- I am talking to you Upcyclers!
   
• You really want an eco alternative that is scented.  seriously.

I get no benefit from these reviews other than the sheer enjoyment of using the products. I get no payment from affiliate links or off my reviews.

How-To's Day: DIY Green Laundry Tutorial

I have been collecting pins on making household cleaners on Pinterest. First up to try: LAUNDRY!

Washing Soda, Fels Naptha shredded with a non-food cheese grater and Borax is all you need for this DIY

After looking at all the different laundry detergent posts I found myself responding to this one I repinned from Sharon. I think I responded to it mostly because I thought it would look pretty in a fancy jar on the shelf.  Yes, I was a sucker for the visual.  But, I wanted to see if it would be easy to make and efficient to swap other detergents with it.You just need 3 simple ingredients that are very easily accessible. I walked to the Albertsons thinking I could very possibly leave without one of the three items- maybe it is only from specialty stores I thought... I was pleasantly surprised that I found everything I needed and purchased enough materials to do laundry for months and make a full range of household cleaners for under $16!!!

The fels-naptha bar grated easily! Some pins I have seen for other recipes stated "No Grating" and this process was not a hassle to me at all.  I am very excited after trying out this version to use other soaps and figure out my favorite recipe.  It looks to me like all bar soaps are fair-game after looking over reviews and tips from others.

 It kinda looks like saffron...

Once you process your soap down you add 1cup washing soda and 1cup Borax to each bar of fels-naptha. I shredded down two bars so for this mix I did 2 cups washing soda + 2 cups Borax.

Upcycling these jars from my favorite instant coffee to hold the soap in- I managed to fill 4 large containers and I have saved some small containers from take out/ various endeavors that I put a single use mixture in so you can just grab the pack and head to the laundry room. Super handy way to make it easy for hubby :)

NOW, FOR THE TEST...

It worked GREAT!!! I was skeptical but this was totally a project that I will keep up with! It doesn't create foamy bubbles. As seen above it is concentrated enough to only need a tablespoon per load. Personally I think using the soap shreds with powder worked just fine and I didn't want to cook soap... Not this time at least. I will have to try making the liquid type to say 100% this is the best way to do handmade soap, but as for now the powder worked awesome and the clothes look and smell fresh which is all that really matters to me. 

Try it out!!! It makes enough that you could share with a friend and swap for some homemade cleaner that they could make as a trade off. I think people should have old school get-togethers where they enjoy each others company and swap out modern day homestead items vs. spending a ton of money on chemicals and bug business. Just sayin'.

XOXO, KC