Green Rainbow

I have been gathering and trying homemade cleaning products for the home. A small collection of tried that actually do work, for those who wonder.

1. Laundry Soap Detergent (powdered)

1 cup  White Vinegar

1 cup Baking Soda

1 cup Washing Soda

1/4 cup liquid castile soap

• Mix well and store in sealed container.
• There will  be some foaming during mixing the ingredients. It will become a thick paste at first that will break down into a heavy powdered detergent, just keep stirring. There may be some hard lumps, try to break them down when stirring.
• Estimated about  1/2 cup per full load.

2. Fabric Softener

1 cup  baking soda

1 1/4 cups warm water

8 cups white vinegar

Your choice of essentials oils (i love and prefer lavender)

Directions:

• First mix the vinegar and water together then add the baking soda gradually, stirring the whole time. You will want to make sure to use a large pail to accommodate the fizzing activity from the baking soda and vinegar reaction.
• Add 1/3 teaspoon of your favorite essential oil, cap and seal then shake well.
• To use: Shake each time before use, adding 1/2 to 1 cup at the start of the rinse cycle.

3. Bathroom Mold Remover

1/2 cup vinegar

1/2 cup salt

1/2 tsp peppermint essential oil

• Mix ingredients in a spray bottle, shake well before use.
• To use: Spray mold then leave sit for a few minutes before wiping off mold.

4. Toilet Bowl Cleaner & Freshener

1 cup baking soda

1 cup vinegar

• First drizzle baking soda into the toilet. Top with vinegar. Allow to fizz for 10 minutes then use a toilet brush to scrub toilet clean. After cleaning the toilet, wipe underneath the seat and around the rim with a damp cloth that has a few drops of peppermint essential oil.

5. Homemade Window Cleaner

2 cups water

3 TBS vinegar

1/2 tsp dish detergent (liquid)

• Mix well and shake before each use.
• Spray windows and wipe clean with crumpled newspapers. The newspaper helps prevent streaks.

6. All purpose spray cleaner

1/2 teaspoon washing soda

A dab of liquid soap

2 cups hot tap water

• Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake until the washing soda has dissolved. Apply and wipe off with a sponge or rag.

Some of the above recipes along with many more, found through over at these sites:

tipnut, earthwasy, care2

Go ahead a give them a try!

The best gift of all on valentine’s day is to give to your loved ones items you made or half way prepared/ packaged by yourself. So great ideas you will find through some of my favorite bloggers.

Creature Comforts Cupids Arrow

Bakerella's Sweet Treats for the Fourteenth

Today's Nest Handmade Valentine Hearts

a local artist with wonderful art designs

Artist: Theodora Demetriades

Go out there in the blog-sphere and look all the talented people out there, handmade, crafts, arts and designs for your love.

Last,but not least , an elementary craft we prepared with my 4 & 2 year olds. It is special because we had fun preparing it and practiced on our counting skills, color naming, learn some patience, worked as a team and most of all we worked on it with much love!

“Our heart calendar”

Heart Calendar

Enjoy your week and have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Hello everyone! Another Thursday passed by and I didn’t realize it! The week is almost over, so I put together a couple of more green tips to get your eco-friendly and green lifestyle and boost.

For everyone who is surrounded with snow these days, please stay warm and away from colds. Everyone else, enjoy the sunshine!

Have a wonderful weekend!

the beauty of natural life cycle…give it home (pot), give a blanket (soil), give some food/ water in this case, and you will be rewarded…

…and it grows…

…and shares its beauty with you generously…

Moon Flowers in the garden-

I poke my drunk face

out of the window

& another one…

The broom forgets

about the snow

as it sweeps the garden

Basho (1644-94)

My son was following the life cycle of this beautiful orchid flower as it was  blooming. Coming down the stairs, he would first notice how the blooms were trying to come out and expose themselves to the sun. He would ask me to come and check how the flower opens up and its ready to be seen. How exciting it was, to wake up every day and look for the progress of growing. I guess know when the blooms will start falling, he will start noticing and the first thing he will probably say is ” Mom, the flower is going to sleep. But why isn’t spring coming any time soon?” , and I will probably reply like that ” Yes, baby, spring is just around the corner, and more flowers will come soon. But this one needs to get some rest”.