February 11, 2008
· Filed under Baking Soda, Home Cleaning, Salt, green living · Tagged environmentaly friendly, Green Home, green living, natural cleaning
A green home is a healthy home; free of toxins with fresh air and a clean environment for our families. A green home is also an environmentally friendly home with reduced energy use, conscience recycling efforts and sustainable living habits.
Creating a green home is easier then you think.
- Reduce your temperature to your water heater by 10 degrees. By reducing the temp, you can save 3% - 5% in your energy costs.
- Reduce your thermostat by 10 degrees. Even for just the 8 hours your family is out at work or school, will save you another 10% on your energy bill.
- Get a high-performance shower head. This will use 60% less water and most are designed to produce the same feeling of water pressure.
- Clean your lint trap regularly. Doing this simple task can reduce you families energy use by 30%.
- Use chemical free, natural cleaners. Baking soda, salt, and vinegar are just a few natural cleaners you can use to clean your home. Most people have these items in their homes already and they are much healthier for your family than the toxic chemicals in traditional home cleaners. Let’s just put it this way; if you need to wear rubber gloves so you don’t absorb the chemicals into your skin or if there is a warning label that you must use the cleaner in a well ventilated area, it’s a good bet that the cleaner is not environmentally friendly, safe for your family and may cause illness.
- Replace major appliances with Energy Star Appliances. This can be a big investment to purchase new appliances for the sake of having a green home but they end up paying for themselves in the long run. They will reduce your energy costs and help the environment.
- Install double-pane windows. Also a big investment, but will pay for itself as well.
- Remove all carpet. Drastic, I know, I’m not a fan of carpet. Especially when there are renewable, sustainable, environmentally friendly alternatives that are much healthier and easier to keep clean. Bamboo, cork, and reclaimed wood are far better to have in your home than carpet. Carpet collects dust and no matter how great your vacuum is, it doesn’t get it all. The air quality in your home will be substantially improved without carpet.
- Buy house plants. Plants are natures way of cleaning the air and producing oxygen.
- Use Green Energy. More then 50% of U.S. retail customers have the option to choose green energy from their energy provider. Should you choose to do so, you’ll be using energy created directly from renewable sources like wind and solar power.
More Information
Creating an Eco-Friendly Bedroom
Green Shopping
October 1, 2007
· Filed under Baking Soda, Natural Beauty Products, Salt · Tagged Baking Soda, DIY, Do IT Yourself, Natual Beauty Products, Table Salt, Whiten Teeth, Whiten Teeth Naturally
Why use those chemicals to whiten your teeth when you probably have the ingredients on hand to do it naturally.
All you need:
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Water
In a small dish mix equal parts baking soda and table salt. Dip a damp tooth brush into the mixture. Brush your teeth as normal. Then rinse.
Or, you can make a paste by adding a little water to the mix.
I would say this is a much better way to whiten your teeth than those sticky strips. Plus, this way you know you aren’t damaging you teeth.
Of course, this method doesn’t work over night or as quickly as the strips. So my suggestion, if you need those pearly whites for a special occasion this weekend; use the strips but then start a regular cleaning with the baking soda and salt to maintain the whiteness.
~ DIY Naturally
June 22, 2007
· Filed under Baking Soda, Birds, Home Cleaning
Here are some extra tips from the great readers at d.i.y naturally. Thanks all!
Diane from The Mommy Spot - She uses baking soda to clean her parrot cages. She doesn’t have to worry about her parrots eating any residue.
Jan from Skincare Naturals - She suggests using baking soda in your dishwasher to help grease build-up.
Thanks for the great ideas! Your blogs are great with a ton of great information.
~ DIY Naturally
Baking Soda | Natural Home Cleaners
May 16, 2007
· Filed under Baking Soda, natural baby
If baking soda is safe enough to use throughout your house and to take care of your pets, it is safe enough to us around your baby. Baking soda can help you deodorize bottles, clean the smell and mess of diapers and spit-up. It’s effective, non-toxic and inexpensive.
10 ways to use baking soda to care for your baby
- To clean cribs, changing tables, baby mattresses, and playpens, sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and wipe down. Rinse and allow to dry.
- Clean metal, plastic, or vinyl strollers, car seats, and high chairs by applying baking soda directly with a damp sponge. Wipe baking soda clean, rinse and allow to dry.
- Remove odors from strollers and car seats by sprinkling baking soda on the fabric. Let stand for 20 minutes and vacuum.
- To clean spit-up on fabrics, use a moist cloth dipped in baking soda and dab on the spot.
- For quick clean ups when you’re out and about, use a simple baking soda solution in a spray bottle.
- Deodorize bottles by filling with warm water and 1 teaspoon of baking soda and shake. Let stand for a few minutes. Then rinse and clean as usual.
- Freshen bottle nipples, let soak overnight in a baking soda and hot water bath. Use 5 tablespoons per 1 quart of water. In the morning remove nipples from bath, rinse and clean as usual.
- To clean and deodorize non-fabric toys, use a solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda per cup of water in a spray bottle. Spray toys with solution and wipe clean.
- To clean fabric toys, use a dry bath by sprinkling with baking soda, let stand for 10 minutes and brush off.
- Keep diaper pails fresh by sprinkling baking soda on the bottom after emptying and also over the top of used diapers.
~ Do It Yourself Naturally
Natural Cleaners | Baking Soda | Naturally Clean Baby | Baby Toys | Baby Bottles | Baby Diapers
April 28, 2007
· Filed under Baking Soda, Dogs, Pet Care
Baking soda is safe for your pets. It’s nontoxic and safe for dogs, cats and other critters. You can use it to control odors, clean accidents, and help maintain healthy teeth.
10 Ways to Use Baking Soda to Care for Your Pets
- Use baking soda as a dry wash for your dogs. Sprinkle on, rub in and brush out. This is an easy way to control odor between bathing.
- Maintain healthy teeth by dipping a damp, soft toothbrush in baking soda and brush gently. To help with bad breath try using the following solution mixed in a spray bottle. Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1 cup of water. Spray your pet’s mouth regularly.
- Eliminate odors from a kitty litter box, sprinkle in 1/2 cup of baking soda with the litter.
- Make your own kitty litter – mix 1 small box of baking soda and 2 -3 inches of dry, sandy clay.
- Clean the litter box by removing the old litter and pour in 1/2 inch of vinegar. Let this stand for 10 - 15 minutes. Then pour out and dry. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of baking soda on the bottom before adding fresh kitty litter.
- Clean up after an accident by scrubbing the area with club soda and let dry. Then sprinkle with baking soda, let stand for 20 minutes and vacuum.
- Deodorize bedding with a sprinkling of baking soda, let stand and vacuum.
- For cleaning the bottom of your bird cage, sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and scrub. Then wipe clean and dry.
- Reduce the odors in a ferret cage sprinkle and layer of baking soda at the bottom before you apply the new bedding.
- To maintain the proper pH in your saltwater aquarium, mix 1 tablespoon baking soda in 1 cup dechlorinated water. Add to the tank slowly, over a couple hours, to attain the appropriate pH for your fish.
~ Do It Yourself Naturally
Natural Cleaners | Baking Soda | Natural Pet Care | Natural Pets | Natural Dogs | Natural Cats
March 23, 2007
· Filed under Baking Soda, Natural Beauty Products, Skin Care
In my previous posts I have suggested ways to use baking soda, one of nature’s best products, to clean your home - your kitchen, your bathroom, and your laundry. But baking soda can be used as a health and beauty product as well.
Back in the day, baking soda was one of the only beauty products available to clean your teeth, clean your hair, use as a mouthwash, and use in your bath to soften your skin.
10 ways to use baking soda as a health and beauty product
- Clean your teeth - pour a small amount of baking soda in a small dish to dip your damp toothbrush in and brush your teeth as you would normally with commercial toothpaste.
- Natural whitener for teeth - avoid the chemical teeth whiteners available today and just use baking soda to clean your teeth everyday and you will have a nice white smile naturally.
- Mouthwash - add 1 teaspoon to a 1/2 glass of water, swish in your mouth for 30 seconds, and rinse.
- As a deodorant - for a simple day-to-day deodorant dust your under arms with baking soda after a shower.
- Natural face scrub with oatmeal - in your blender mix equal parts of baking soda and oatmeal with a little water to make a facial scrub. Apply to your face gently and rinse.
- Men with sensitive skin while shaving, use a baking soda solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda in 1 cup of water as a pre-shave treatment or as an aftershave to soothe your skin. This works for soothing razor burn, as well, for both men and women.
- For sunburn relief, use a solution of 4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart water. Saturate your washcloth and apply to affected area. Repeat as necessary.
- For windburn relief, apply a paste made of 3 tablespoons baking soda and 1 tablespoon water to the affected area. This also works well for poison ivy irritation. Do not apply to broken skin.
- Relieve tired feet by soaking in a warm water basin with 3 tablespoons of baking soda.
- Baking soda added to bathwater has a softening effect on the skin. To make bubble bath salts see directions bellow.
Bubble Bath Salts
- 2 1/2 cups of baking soda
- 2 cups cream of tartar
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
Mix and store in a covered container. Use 1/4 cup per bath.
~Do It Yourself Naturally
Natural Cleaners | Baking Soda | Natural Beauty | Natural Skin Care | Facial Scrub | Baking Soda Facial | Oatmeal Facial | Natural Bubble Bath | Natural Bath Salts
March 9, 2007
· Filed under Baking Soda, Home Cleaning
Baking soda is such a versatile natural product it can be used throughout your home. It has a mild alkali property that makes it a key player in your laundry room. Baking soda can cut grease, remove dirt, brighten and refresh your clothes, as well as save your clothes from laundry mis-haps.
10 ways to use baking soda in your laundry room
- Cut the musty smell in your hamper by sprinkling a small hand full of baking soda over your dirty clothes. The baking soda will also help clean them when you put them in the washer.
- Boost your laundry detergent by adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to each load.
- You can get rid of expensive dryer sheets and/or fabric softeners. Instead add 1/2 of baking soda during the rinse cycle. Your clothes will come out soft and deodorized.
- Easily remove perspiration stains by scrubbing in a paste of baking soda and water and let sit for 1 hour, then wash. For the stubborn stains, make a paste with 4 tablespoons of baking soda and 1/4 cup of warm water. Scrub in the paste, let stand for a few minutes, and then add a little white vinegar and wash.
- Blood stains can be removed by first, dampening the stain with warm water. Then rub in some baking soda. Finally, dab with hydrogen peroxide until the stain is gone. **Use caution with hydrogen peroxide - - it can remove color pigments.
- Remove cigarette smoke smells from your clothes by soaking them in a baking soda solution made of 1/2 cup baking soda per gallon of water. This also works for chlorine smelling bathing suits.
- Save your whites with baking soda. If you have washed your whites with colors and they are now dyed, you can undo the damage by soaking them in a solution of warm water, baking soda, salt and detergent.
- Remove grease spots on polyester fabrics by rubbing dry baking soda on the stain. Just brush off and the stain will be gone.
- Clean suede with baking soda applied with a soft brush. Let sit and brush off.
- Remove ink stains from leather. Lay the item flat, sprinkle baking soda over the stain and let sit until ink is absorbed. You may need to repeat this technique.
~Do It Yourself Naturally
Natural Cleaners | Baking Soda | Naturally Clean Laundry Room
March 8, 2007
· Filed under Baking Soda, Home Cleaning
Baking Soda is a great all-perpose cleaner. For everyday bathroom cleaning, baking soda on a damp sponge can usually do the trick and for the heavy duty cleaning, baking soda mixed with a few ingredients will get the job done. Using Baking Soda in your bathroom will leave it smelling clean and looking shiny with little effort.
There are 3 ways to use baking soda, as I’ve mentioned in a previous post, directly, in a solution and a paste.
10 ways to use baking soda in your bathroom
- For everyday cleaning of your toilet pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into toilet bowl and let sit for 30 minutes before brushing. Then flush. For the more stubborn stains in your toilet, use an untreated steel wool pad dipped in baking soda and scrub.
- Fiberglass tubs an showers can be easily scratched, use a sponge and a paste made with baking soda and liquid soap; wipe on and rinse.
- For that stubborn ring-around-the-tub, add baking soda to your warm bath. It will help reduce the ring and also soften your skin.
- For grout and tile stains, use a paste made of 1 part bleach to 3 parts baking soda; wipe on and rinse. Mildew stains need a little more attention, so use a paste of baking soda and water with a toothbrush, then scrub.
- For marble counter tops use a paste made of baking soda and white vinegar. Sponge on the paste, rinse and buff.
- For ceramic tile with hard water or rust stains use a simple water and baking soda paste. With a bristle brush, scrub on and rinse.
- As an air freshener mix baking soda and your favorite bath salts to a small decorative dish place on the counter close to the toilet or on the tank. Change every 2-3 months.
- Recycle old panty hose by putting 1/2 cup of baking soda in the toe and hang on the pipes under your sink.
- Sprinkle baking soda at the bottom of your trash can every time your change it out.
- For soap scum buildup around your tub and sink use a homemade mixture (directions bellow).
Soap Scum Remover
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup liquid soap
- 1 gallon warm water
Mix well, apply liberally and rinse.
~ Do It Yourself Naturally
Natural Cleaners | Baking Soda | Naturally Clean Bathroom
February 28, 2007
· Filed under Baking Soda, Home Cleaning
Some Guidelines
You can use baking soda in 3 different ways:
- Directly - sprinkle it directly on a surface or on a sponge.
- Solution - use 4 tablespoons of baking soda per quart of warm water.
- Paste - add just enough water to make a consistancy that will not run when applied.
10 ways to use baking soda in your kitchen
- Use a baking soda paste to remove stains from plastic/rubber utensils and containers.
- Use a solution to remove stains from wooden bowls and utensils.
- Use directly or in a solution to clean your stainless steal sink and other kitchen surfaces.
- Use a paste to remove stains from laminated countertops. Apply, let dry and then rub off.
- Use 1/2 cup of baking soda in a bucket of warm water to clean tile floors. Mop and rinse.
- Use directly with a sponge or scrubber to remove black shoe marks from floors.
- Use a solution to clean induction and glass stovetops.
- Use directly with a sponge to remove coffee and tea stains on cups and mugs.
- Prevent clogged sinks by periodically pouring 1/2 cup of baking soda down your sink, followed by hot water.
- Use a homemade solution (directions bellow) to cut grease and clean stoves, backsplashes and enamel surfaces.
Grease Cleaner Solution
1/4 cup baking soda
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 cup ammonia
1 gallon hot water
Mix in a cleaning bucket and clean surfaces with a sponge or scrubber. Wear rubber gloves and use in a well-ventilated area.
~ Do It Yourself Naturally
Natural Cleaners | Baking Soda | Naturally Clean Kitchen
Subscribe via rss
