Antibacterial Sink Cleaner:
Tea tree is known for its antibacterial properties, plus it has (in my opinion) a crisp, clean smell. Don't restrict it to just your sink though; this sunny, lemony cleaner can be used in the sink or on any surface that won't be harmed by water.
ingredients:
- ~3 drops tea tree oil
- ~1 Tbsp lemon juice (more or less according to your preference)
- hot water (about as hot as you can get it on the tap will do)
- "clean-ish" sponge
instructions:
- combine all ingredients in a bowl and scrub onto sink using sponge
- rinse off
Window Insulation (Energy Saver):
need:
- "shrinkwrap" plastic for windows (can be found in any hardware store, such as ACE)
- hair dryer
instructions:
Follow package instructions, applying to particularly large or drafty windows. This will be especially beneficial on single-pane windows where the second layer of plastic provides an insulating air pocket.
Pest Arrest
I'm going to admit right off the bat that I haven't tested this one, but (theoretically) it should work. I recently walked in on a makeout session between a large black bug and a spilled drop of melon on my kitchen floor. Needless to say I was not amused. However, when I went to pick up some insect...deterrent... all I found was a terrifying bottle of Raid killer, which I was not about to spray all over the surfaces that I eat (or even walk) on! So, I looked up some healthier alternatives and found this one. Fortunately I haven't seen my friend since, so decided not to use it...yet. Let me know if you've tried it or another solution.
ingredients:
- borax (sodium tetraborate)
- sugar or powdered sugar
- an old paintbrush
- container that will not be used for food
instructions:
- mix equal parts sugar and borax in container
- use brush to apply a light dusting around edges of appliances or walls, focusing on areas (like under the stove) where they might like to hide
how it works:
Boric acid is a major ingredient in insecticide because it is corrosive, and therefore fatal, when ingested by bugs (it's not safe, obviously, for humans to ingest large amounts either). The bugs will be attracted to the sugar, and the borax will be ingested simultaneously. As with many do-it-yourself products, results will not be instant. Depending on the number of critters, it may take a couple of weeks to eliminate the colony.
**Keep in mind that the most humane way to deal with creepy-crawlies is to simply relocate them outside of your home, where they will often be happier anyway. :)
A Little Elbow Grease (surface stain remover)
When you just need that extra little oomph, whether it be on some tough dishes or a counter top stain, baking soda is your go-to. The grit provided by a paste of baking soda and water is safe to use on almost any surface that doesn't mind getting wet. I use it for the sink, counters, dishes, bathtub, toilet, tea-stained mugs, the floor, etc. Go crazy!
ingredients:
- baking soda
- scrub brush
- water
instructions:
- apply a light dusting of baking soda directly to problem area
- use sponge to rub it in
- rinse off
- voila! it's clean!
Clothes Dryer
This is just a quick tip - time your laundry so that you run the dryer back to back in order to save the energy it takes for the dryer to reheat between clothing cycles.
Fruit Fly Trap
ingredients:
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar in a small glass/dish
- a few drops of natural dish soap
- bit of an old grocery bag
- rubber band
instructions:
- mix dish soap into apple cider vinegar
- cover with plastic and wrap with rubber band so that the plastic is taut
- poke tiny holes in the plastic (large enough for the flies to get in but have trouble finding their way back out)
- leave the trap in the kitchen, most flies will get caught overnight
- switch out the liquid every 3 days or so
- may take several days to start to take effect
how it works:
The soap alters the surface tension of the liquid so that rather than landing on the surface, the flies fall in and get trapped.
Outlet Timer
I realize that many people out there probably have those new-fangled air conditioning units in which you can set your desired temperature and the machine will automatically turn on or off in order to maintain a constant, comfortable temperature. Mine, on the other hand, appears to have been made in the dark ages and has only two discernible settings: on and off. In order to cool my living room down enough to be bearable without breaking the bank, I outfitted the outlet with a simple timer so that the A/C would turn on about a half hour before I got home and turn off about the time I went to bed. These outlet timers are available in most hardware stores and the most basic version runs about ten bucks. Installation involves simply plugging it in and setting your desired on/off times. Don't feel limited to your A/C though, it will work for any appliance in any outlet (provided it is rated for that particular voltage, I assume). Try it out!
"Mini" Paper Towels
Some day soon I will quit using paper towels all together. Until then, though, I will continue to use the "mini" paper towels. You know the ones I'm talking about - they tear into squares that are about half the size of the original paper towels. The funny thing is that, even though they are half the size, I don't find myself using more of them, which leads me to believe that the originals were ridiculously oversized in the first place. Be smart, and get yourself some mini paper towels (if you must use them at all).
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