BABY CAR SEAT COVERS
PAINT AND VARNISH REMOVER
Mix thoroughly 1 cup Borax, 1 cup ammonia, and 1 cup Sal soda and 2 cups water. Brush on woodwork or furniture, let stand a few minutes and wipe with warm water and steel wool. Will work on most old paints and varnishes.
Cleaning Recipes
HOUSEPLANT FOOD CONCENTRATE
1 gal. of water in a milk or bleach jug
1 tbsp. epson salt
1 tbsp. salt peter
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 capful of ammonia
1 vitamin
Food coloring
Mix together all ingredients. When the vitamin dissolves the plant food is ready for use. Use 1 cup house plant food to each quart of water to feed plants.
GLASS CLEANER
1/4 c. Dawn
1 c. alcohol
1 c. ammonia
Add all ingredients to a gallon container and add water to make a gallon of glass cleaner. Works great!
Disinfectant Cleaner
1/4 c. powdered laundry detergent
1 Tbsp. borax
3/4 c. hot water
1/4 c. pine oil or pine-based cleaner
Slowly stir the detergent and borax into the water to dissolve.
Add the pine oil and mix well. For bathroom cleaning, use the mixture full strength. In the kitchen, dilute with water.
Oven Cleaner
2 Tbsp. dishwashing liquid
2 Tbsp. borax
1/4 c. ammonia
1 1/2 c. warm water
Mix together, apply to oven spills and allow to sit 20-30
minutes. Scrub with an abrasive nylon-backed sponge and rinse well.
Household Cleaner
1 cup ammonia
1 cup washing soda
14 cups warm water
Pour ammonia, washing soda and 2 cups of water into a gallon size jug. Shake to mix. Add remainder of water. Cleans tiles, countertops, appliances, etc. Just about anything.
Frugal Mom Repellents and Bite Relief
HERBAL BUG REPELLENT:
First off, it should be heartening to know that most herbs are bug repelling, including chamomile, geranium, lavender, artemisia, pennyroyal, and many more. To make an herbal bug repellent, we use essential oils which are highly concentrated.
This herbal mixture relies on two stronger repellents: eucalyptus and citronella, to which you can add other essential oils as you wish. Since both citronella and eucalyptus are on the smelly side, you may want to add lavender, geranium, or other essential oils to improve the fragrance.
You will need a tight-closing glass container to store your bug repellent.
For a base: 2 oz. of vodka (a food quality alcohol) or 2 oz. of an oil such as grapeseed or almond oil
Add:
1/4 tsp. citronella
1/4 tsp. eucalyptus
1/8 tsp. each of up to three additional oils, such as pennyroyal, geranium, lavender, or cedar
Shake the mixture thoroughly, and store the container in a cool, dark place. To use, just saturate a cotton ball and apply to exposed skin. I often put a saturated cotton ball of the stuff into a plastic sandwich bag, to carry on walks in the woods or to outdoor events, in case I need it.
The oils can be pricey, but both citronella and eucalyptus are in the $3-5 range for a small bottle. You should be able to make enough bug repellent to last the summer from one purchase of essential oils as a little goes a long way.
MOSQUITO BITE RELIEF:
If you do get bit by a mosquito, try rubbing witch hazel on your bite to relieve swelling and itching.
To improve on this simple remedy, I've taken a page from Pliny the Elder, who swears that basil takes the itch out of bug bites and stings. Just add fresh chopped basil to 2 oz. of witch hazel, and let steep in an air-tight, glass container. After a week or so, strain off the basil, and you will have a cheap and effective mosquito bite remedy. Adding basil does seem to enhance the itch-relieving properties.
POISON IVY LOTION:
The supreme herb for poison ivy is jewelweed, which grows in moist areas much loved by poison ivy itself. If you know you have poison ivy around, and you can find jewelweed, this is the lotion to have on hand.
Jewelweed can prevent poison ivy, if applied within 4 hours of exposure to the plant. Or you can rub it on affected areas to relieve the symptoms after you already have poison ivy.
To make the lotion, get a bunch of jewelweed and put in a pot. Add water to cover, and simmer for about 30 minutes. Since jewelweed doesn't keep very well, you'll want to strain off the herb, pour the jewelweed decoction into ice cube trays, and freeze. Store jewelweed cubes in freezer bags in your freezer, and use as needed either as a preventative or treatment.
Frugal Baby Recipes
BABY WIPES RECIPE #1
Step One
Strong paper towels work the best.
Cut one roll of paper towels in half.
Take out the core so wipes pull out of the center.
Step Two
Make solution.
2 cups water
1/2 cup of baby oil
1/2 cup baby magic baby bath
Step Three
Place 1/2 roll of paper towels in container.
Pour solution over towels.
Store in container. Makes 2 1/2 rolls.
BABY WIPES RECIPE #2
Step One
Strong paper towels work the best.
Cut one roll of paper towels in half.
Take out the core so wipes pull out of the center.
Step Two
Make solution.
1 Cup Boiling Water
1 Tablespoon Baby Lotion
1 Tablespoon Baby soap
1 Tablespoon Baby Oil
Step Three
Place 1/2 roll of paper towels in container.
Pour solution over towels.
Store in container. Makes 1/2 roll.
Natural Antibacterial Cleaner
Vinegar!
Vinegar ikills bacteria, mold, and germs.