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Monday, January 5, 2009

The Green Machine

A few people have asked about various "recipes" we use around the house for cleaning and such, I thought it might be a good idea to put them all in one spot! If you have any tips to add, go ahead and leave a comment for the benefit of all :) I'll come back and add your tips to the end of the post, so it's easy to see.

I've only included recipes that I actually use on a daily/weekly basis- what do YOU use?

Laundry Detergent (low-sudsing, great for HE machines)

1 bar Fels-Naptha soap, grated fine
1 cup washing soda
1 cup borax

I use 1/2 Tbsp in my front loader, plus a Tbsp of Oxy-Clean. I also fill the "fabric softener" cup with white vinegar. Works like a charm, and so inexpensive!

Dishwasher Detergent

1 packet Lemonade Kool-Aid
1/2 cup Borax
1/2 cup baking soda

I use 1 Tbsp per load, plus fill the rinse aid cup with white vinegar. (I've actually stopped using the Kool-Aid part, and I don't even need to rinse my dishes. And no, I don't have a new, fancy dishwasher!)

Aphid Spray
Courtesy of Mama Papaya

1 teaspoon Dr. Bronnor's Peppermint Castile Soap
1 cup water

Put in a spray bottle, and spray if you see aphids. Kills them, and they don't come back! This past summer was the first summer aphids didn't destroy my fuchsias. Thanks, Mama Papaya!


Chrome Cleaner


Make your bathroom faucets shine like the morning- clean them with a spray of white vinegar.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Clean and deodorize your toilet bowl- pour in a cup of white vinegar, let sit, and scrub away. You can also throw a cup of vinegar into a toilet you won't use for awhile, and avoid the "ring."

5 comments:

Casey said...

I don't have any recipes to add but I do want to thank you for teaching me how to make laundry detergent. It works so well and is easy to make. I can't imagine going back to store bought stuff!

Trey said...

I love these ideas, can't wait to us them! Thanks!

Sara @ Our Best Bites said...

hey girls! What a fun blog. I was excited to see lots of cute sewing projects on here. You are just too crafty. I just got a sewing machine for Christmas- I've been looking for a little pattern for a diaper/wipe thingy and I think I'll make one today, thanks!

I write a food blog with my friend Kate (Sam Jones's wife actually) so check it out if you want. www.ourbestbites.com

Good to "see" you in cyberspace!

-Sara

Suburban Correspondent said...

Are you serious on the dishwasher detergent thing?

Anonymous said...

I'm going to have to try some of these, especially the aphid spray!