One of my New Years resolutions is to have a more environmentally friendly home. I have decided to start experimenting in making my own cleaning solutions. Thus far, I have been happy with the results. They are easy to make, inexpensive, and the kids have a lot of fun helping me make them. Here are a couple of the recipes I have been using.
Laundry Detergent
1:1:1 ratio
Borax
Baking Soda
1 bar of Ivory Soap shaved ( The kids love to shave the soap with a potato peeler!)
Combine all the ingriedents in a tupperware container or jar and shake until they are thoroughly combined. I use approximately 1/2 cup of this mixture in my laundry loads. There are several variations of this recipe on the internet, most of which suggest washing soda rather than baking soda. I do not have any complaints using baking soda. If you feel baking soda isn’t doing the trick you may consider changing to washing soda.
Fabric Softener
1:1 Ratio
Vinegar
Water
I put this mixture in the fabric softener cup of my machine where it is released at the appropriate time. Upon removing the wet clothes from the washing machine, I do smell the scent of vinegar on the clothes. But once they go into the dryer this is no longer the case. You can always opt to add scented oils if you prefer to have your clothing slightly scented. Another suggestion would be to buy dried lavender buds in bulk and then fill individual muslin bags with the buds. The bags can be used in the dryer and will perform well for approximately 10-15 loads.
Dish Washing Detergent
1:1:1 ratio
Borax
Washing Soda
Salt
Combine these ingredients in a jar and shake until thoroughly combined. I use 2 tbs of this mixture in my dishwasher and vinegar in my rinse compartment. I have had one issue with this method and that is a residue on my dishes. For some reason this only occurs when I am using “heated dry.” I think the residue is a reaction from the heat and vinegar. I can’t swear to it, but it appears to be the case.
I have a few other concoctions I will post at a later date. One thing I would like to mention is how invaluable vinegar is when it comes to cleaning. It is a natural disinfectant so it is great for cleaning counters, floors and mirrors. Of course I do not use straight vinegar. It is heavily diluted with water.
Now when the kids ask if they can help clean I do not have near the concern that they will end up harming their skin and eyes. In addition, I am happy to report that since we have begun using our homemade laundry formulas, my daughter’s skin has yet to break out even once. Which makes both of us very happy!
Filed under: Parenting and Misc Stuff on January 19th, 2008 | 2 Comments »
The kids have been involved in quite a few activities lately, and things have really gotten out of control here of late. There is always work to be done and a place we need to be. While I often give my children tasks, they have never had a set list of chores. I have decided that the only way to maintain harmony in this house is to make sure everyone has a set list of things which must be completed on a weekly basis. I have created a fun chore chart that I am happy to share with you. Hopefully, it can help at your house too!
Chore Chart
Filed under: Parenting and Misc Stuff on January 16th, 2008 | No Comments »
Pretty soon my son will be able to pay for college with his tooth fairy money. Everytime I turn around he has lost yet another tooth. I am beginning to wonder if he’s running some kind of scam. Not only does a lost tooth garner a few bucks, but it has become my son’s expectation to receive a letter as well. So I am passing a little tooth fairy fun your way for those times you are too tired to write your own, and you just don’t care to spend $9.99.
Tooth Fairy Certificate
Tooth Fairy Letter
Filed under: Parenting and Misc Stuff on December 19th, 2007 | No Comments »
I am sorry I have not posted anything since the weekend. Honestly, I think I have a bit of writers block. Not to mention I am overwhelmed with school, soccer and Nick’s picture taking. Anyhow, I am working on some really fun things for Halloween. I will be posting a lot of recipes, crafts and some additional printouts. So please hang on, some really fun stuff is coming down the pike 
In the meantime, if you are a homeschooling parent, check out Book It. It’s a reading program through Pizza Hut. The purpose of the program is to promote daily reading. Book it provides you with program materials which include monthly vouchers for a personal pan pizza. I’ve got quite the pizza lover at this house, so I am sure I won’t have any problems getting him to read this year. Go check it out while enrollment is still open!
Filed under: Parenting and Misc Stuff on September 13th, 2007 | 1 Comment »
Didn’t I just say Christmas will be here sooner than you think? I must be psychic, because Christmas is coming October 1st! If you don’t know David Airey, he is an awesome logo designer, and he is having one of the best giveaways I’ve ever come across ~so many prizes it feels like Christmas. If David, or Santa as I like to call him, draws your name you could win…
Gold Award
A Logo Design by David Airey
Custom Wordpress Theme Design by Nate Whitehill
A Personal Advertising and Marketing Plan from DoshDosh
One Year of Free Hosting from John Boardly from I love Topography
A Signed Copy of Blogging Tips from Lorelle VanFossen
Holy Moly, That’s not all! David is also giving away a Silver and Bronze Award.
Silver Award
Logo Design from Tara Roskell of Graphic Design Blog
A Website Critique from one of my Favorite Ladies, Randa Clay
One Hour SEO consultation from Lyndon Antcliff of Cornwall SEO
$60 of Books from Amazon.com courtesy of Darren Rowse of ProBlogger
Bronze Award
Logo/Blog Header from Jonathan C Phillips of Smart Wealthy Rich
One Hour Blog Optimization consultation by Daniel Scocco of Daily Blog Tips
Revolution Premium Wordpress Theme Package by Brian Gardner
Blog Review and E-mail Interview with Phil Gerbyshak
And there’s Bonus Prizes too….
You could win a Podcasting kit from Fraser’s Affiliate Marketing Blog!
or
Even a Lifetime Membership to Andy Beard’s Wordpress SEO paid membership site.
How can one man be giving away so many prizes? He must be Santa
Filed under: Parenting and Misc Stuff on September 8th, 2007 | 4 Comments »
A new month is upon us, and that means it’s time for another MamaBlogga writing group project. If you are interested in entering, or you’d like to view some fantastic entries, head on over to MamaBlogga’s!
Motherhood is…
Motherhood is like a tidal wave
Washing over me with fierce emotion as it casts me out to sea
Motherhood is like the rain
Salty tears stream down my cheeks
Imagining a child once so small
I held him in my arms
Head tucked under my chin
Motherhood is like the wind
As the years blow by, it carries me to far off places
Sending my memories to heaven on angels wings
Motherhood is like the sun, warm and nurturing
In its light all things grow
With it, all things become exactly what they were meant to be…
Filed under: Parenting and Misc Stuff on September 6th, 2007 | 7 Comments »
Our first week of OHVA has come to pass, and it is fair to say I am exhausted. I don’t think I was fully aware of the level of preparation needed on a daily basis. Now that is a horrible thing to say, because my daily lesson plan is petty much planned for me by K12. What it boils down to is that organization has never been my strong point. Over the years I have attempted to concoct a variety of complex systems in order to organize my life. All have failed. My most successful method of organization is the tried and true writing on my hand method. It’s reliability is proportionate to the number of times you wash your hands daily. But unlike post-it notes, my reminders are not as easily lost.
I need to get back on track. What I wanted to say, is that I have a new found appreciation for the work and commitment level of the homeschooling parent. I had no idea how difficult it is, and I am certain what I am doing is not half as tasking as what the homeschooling parent does. I can only imagine what your day is like. My hat’s off to you, because I don’t think I could do it.
Filed under: Parenting and Misc Stuff on September 1st, 2007 | No Comments »
