Going Green and being frugal..
From our unlimited ability to create waste, to unlimited ways to be Creative and fun ideas for recycling.
Let's turn our trash into treasure!!!
Things I have made from craigslist for free. Well labor intense, but still little or no cost.
Mason bees are marvelous early season pollinators of fruit trees, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries, as they are more active in the cooler temperatures of spring than the naturalized honeybees. Moreover, their hairy little bodies are able to carry more of the pollen needed for fertilization of blossoms. Masons are small, cute and docile bees that rarely sting. Every gardener should have at least one starter home to increase their harvest and help support our native bee species.
A very resourceful web page about the making of housing for the bees is:
on a local free cycle I answered this ad "Back quite awhile ago someone was asking for plant cuttings. I took a cutting off my Jade and it is in dirt. But she never showed. Anyone want a Jade plant? This particular Jade is both lucky and I swear a predictor of how things are going. Cuttings from the original Jade and their offspring started in 1940. Jade plant thrives, so do marriages. Jade dies, marriage does too. Given to business friends and they have thrived in business. Now it is just fun to share. My jade has bloomed every year."
I received the plant and very anxious to start it in its new home!
Spring cleaning season is upon us. And if you procrastinate like me, the house could do with a good scrubbing. Oh the blah’s of winter.
Time to break out the cleaners and the Swiffer wet jet. Those conventional cleaners contain dangerous chemicals—not exactly the stuff you want hanging around the space you use to eat on.
Homemade cleaning recipies.
Its been in my life and household since I was born.
The ones your grandparents and there before them used to make with natural ingredients can get the job done just as well, if not better. All you need are a few common ingredients. You probably even already have them in your pantry.
Borax has many uses in your home and if kept in a dry location, borax’s shelf life is virtually unlimited.
Borax is a cheap magic additive. First it makes the detergent more effective. The clothes will be cleaner and dust mites cannot live in it! Children and Adults would eliminate dust mite allergies. But the other great attribute is that it kills mold. There are two problems however utilizing Borax in Front Loaders. In the wash cycle Borax provides a great boost to the cleaning, kills mold and dust mites and other parasites. {It is about the gentle alkaline of the Borax. These bad actors just can’t survive in Borax.}
But Borax should also be added to the last rinse. Borax permeates the fabric and makes the fabric smells fresh smell, but the borax particles remaining are actually good for the skin, eliminating body odors, killing mold, parasites, and fungus and dust mites as your body contacts them. But here is the big problem. To maximize the wash Borax needs to be part of the detergent. To provide an even more protective barrier it needs to be added to the last rinse so it remains in the dry fabric after the wash.
Borax is so cheap and does so much! Why wash machine designers do not provide options to inject Borax at multiple times is something that has always perplexed me. For front loader machines Borax is an absolute “must”. It prevents all mold and mildew around the door seal and does so automatically. Instead of Chlorine –which destroys the rubber seal – Borax added to the wash and rinse would keep the frontload machine fresh and clean forever with no fuss or muss.
Remove stains from stainless steel or porcelain sinks with this recipe: Make a paste with 1 cup borax and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Using a sponge or cloth, rub the stain with the paste. Rinse with warm water.
China (including hand painted): :Soak china in a dishpan filled with warm water and ½ cup borax; rinse well.
Clean and deodorize a refrigerator. Mix one tablespoon 20 Mule Team Borax in one quart warm water. Wash spilled food with a sponge and soft cloth. Rinse with cold water.
Dishwasher: If the machine is smelly, sprinkle borax in the bottom, let it sit overnight, then wipe down with a damp sponge. No need to rinse; just run the next load.
Pots and pans: Rub borax into cookware with a damp sponge; rinse well.
Urine Odor on mattress: Handy for accidents while toilet trainingdampen the area, sprinkle and rub in Borax, let dry and vacuum.
Bed bugs: Get rid of them by sprinkling borax on your mattress. Let it sit and vacuum it up.
Flea Killer:Sprinkle Borax on carpet, let stand overnight and vacuum well. Discard bag or empty vacuum outside.
Garbage Disposerclean and sanitize:(dump 1/4 cup Borax into disposer, splash in just a little water and let stand for an hour or so, rinse with hot water)
Unclog drains:with 1/2 cup of borax followed by 2 cups of boiling water. Let it sit for 15 minutes, and then run your water for a few minutes to flush it out.
Toilet rust: Pour borax in the bowl and let it sit overnight. Swish the bowl a few times with a toilet brush and flush the next day.
Garbage pails: Keep clean and odor-free. Cleaning the entire pain inside and out with a cup of Borax per gallon of hot h2o. Utilize the hottest water you could stand. Rinse with cold h2o and let dry. Once the pail is dry, sprinkle a small amount of Borax on the bottom of the garbage pail prior to placing in a brand new rubbish bag. This will keep the bugs away and absorb any odor causing moisture.
Linens:Remove mildew and mustiness from by soak them in 2 cups of borax mixed with 2 quarts of water. Let the linens sit for a few hours, then rinse them clean.
Ants mix: equal amounts of Borax and powdered sugar, place near ant problem area – keep away from pets and children.
Laundry: Add 1/2 cup Borax to wash load for brighter, cleaner, deodorized clothesIt’s also “quite alkaline, so it kills mold and fungus and softens water.
Wash diapers and baby clothes. Flush out dirty diapers and soak as soon as possible in a diaper pail filled with warm water and one-half cup 20 Mule Team Borax. Pre-soak for at least thirty minutes before washing in warm water, adding one-half cup borax with the recommended amount of detergent. Wash linens, bibs, slips, and cotton crib liners in hot water, adding one-half cup 20 Mule Team Borax and detergent. Borax helps get rid of odors, reduce staining, and make diapers more absorbent.
Wash delicate hand washables. Dissolve one-quarter cup 20 Mule Team Borax and two tablespoons detergent in a basin of warm water. Soak hand washables for ten minutes, rinse in clear, cool water, blot with a towel, lay flat (woolens) or hang to dry (away from sunlight and direct heat).
Carpet Powder Deodorizer:sprinkle Borax on carpet, let stand overnight and vacuum.
Carpet Stains:Mix Borax with water to make paste, rub into stain, let dry and vacuum.
Floor Cleaner: 1/3 cup Borax, 1 gallon warm water, squirt of dish washing detergent, splash of ammonia
Window Cleaner:2/3 cup Borax, 1 gallon warm water
Car Wash Cleaner:1/8 cup mixed with about 1.5 gallons of water.
Clean hairbrushes and combs: Mix a quarter cup 20 Mule Team Borax and a tablespoon of Dawn Dishwashing Liquid in a basin of warm water. Soak hairbrushes and combs in the solution, rinse clean, and dry.
Clean a metal coffee pot: Fill the percolator with water and add one teaspoon 20 Mule Team Borax and one teaspoon detergent powder. Boil the water, let the mixture sit for a few minutes, then rinse clean.
Clean chocolate from clothing: Sponge the spot with a solution of one tablespoon 20 Mule Team Borax and one cup warm water. Flush with water. If that doesn't work, make a paste with borax and water, work into the stain, let set for one hour, flush well with warm water, and launder as usual.
Weed Preventer:from growing in pavement cracks. Sprinkle Borax in cracks (I reuse an empty ketchup bottle to sprinkle it in).
Tile and Grout Cleaner:Sprinkle Borax with just enough water to paste, scrub with brush.
Baseboards, countertops, and walls: Dissolve ½ cup borax in 1 gallon hot water and pour the solution into a spray bottle (which you can store for later use). Spritz generously, wipe down with a damp cloth, and let air-dry.
Clean outdoor furniture:by washing it with this mildew zapping solution: In a spray bottle, mix 1 teaspoon dish detergent, 1 teaspoon borax and 1 quart warm water.
Keep the water in a humidifier free from odor. Dissolve one tablespoon 20 Mule Team Borax per gallon of water before adding to the unit. Use this treatment once or twice a year.
Preserve flowers:
Mix one part 20 Mule Team Borax and two parts corn meal.
Fill the bottom one-inch of an empty airtight canister with the mixture.
Place the flower on the mixture, then gently cover the flower with more mixture, being careful not to crush the flower or distort the petals.
Flowers with a lot of overlapping petals, such as roses and carnations, are best treated by sprinkling mixture directly into the blossom before placing them into the box.
Seal the canister and store at room temperature in a dry place for seven to ten days.
When the flowers are dried, pour off the mixture and dust the flowers with a soft artist's brush.
Borax removes the moisture from blossoms and leaves, preventing the wilting which would normally result.
For Fun:
A. Snow flakes:
1. Cut a pipe cleaner into three equal sections.
2. Twist together at centers to form 3 spokes (trim if necessary).
3. Attach a string to the end of one spoke, tying the other end to the middle of a pencil.
Fill a jar (wide enough to fit your snowflake) with boiling water.
4. Add Borax one Tablespoon at a time to the boiling water and stir until dissolved. Add up to 3 T. Borax per 1 C. Water.
5. The solution can be tinted with food coloring if desired.
6. Hang pipe cleaner snowflake in the solution with pencil resting on the jar.
7. Make sure your snowflake is completely covered and not touching the bottom or sides of the jar.
Allow to sit undisturbed over night.
8. In the morning you’ll have a lovely crystal snowflake for your tree or window.
B. Bouncing Polymer Ball:
1. Start with 2 cups, one labeled “Borax” and one labeled “Ball.”
2. In “Borax” Cup pour 2 Tablespoons warm water and ½ teaspoon Borax powder.
3. Stir until Borax is dissolved. Add food coloring if you choose.
4. In the “Ball” Cup, pour 1 Tablespoon of glue.
5. Add ½ teaspoon of the Borax solution from the “Borax” cup and 1 Tablespoon of cornstarch.DO NOT STIR. Allow the ingredients to interact on their own for 10-15 seconds then stir until they’re fully mixed.
6. When it’s impossible to stir, remove it from the jar and knead it in your hands. It will be sticky at first but as you work it it will become less sticky.
7. Give it a bounce! Store your ball in an airtight container or ziploc bag when not in use.
8. Wash up your area, your equipment and yourself to avoid dried on glue and such.
C. Goop: Which is a cheap alternative to Play-Doh.
1. Mix together a half cup of water with a half cup of glue.
2. Add a few drops of food coloring to the glue mixture.
3. In a smaller bowl, mix 1 teaspoon of borax with another half cup of water.
4. Mix the borax and water in with the glue mixture. It should get thick pretty fast.
5. Dump the mixture out on a cookie sheet covered with foil, and knead the mix just like you would bread dough.
6. Stretch and play with your flubber or use cookie cutters to create fun shapes.
7. Goop only has one drawback: it can stain surfaces and clothes.
8. I like to put it in gallon ziplock bags with a little extra water.
9. Put some crazy glue on the seam of the bag and zip it shut.
10. Give the glue a few minutes to dry.
11. Once it’s dry, you have a play mat for your kids to trace, draw, or write on.
Store in air tight container
.
It’s a great alternative to the Play-Doh version of Goop, and it won’t make a mess!
Of course, you can always skip the ziplock alternative,and just play with it like the original recipe calls for.
Just remember to cover your play area with plastic (plastic tablecloths are great for this!) so you don’t end up with stained furniture!
I have 3 coupons so email me and ill choose 3 winners!!
When murdering your weeds with chemicals is not your style. Few Different ways with stuff we usually have in our own houses.
1. Water: Plain old H2O can be used as an extremely effective weed killer. As a matter of fact, boiling water is more effective than many of your store bought weed killers in wiping out unwanted vegetation. Put a kettle of tap water on the stove and heat till boiling, then pour on the weeds you wish to kill. Boiling water is a great way to clear out vegetation on a wholesale basis, like driveways and sidewalks. But be warned, boiling water is not selective. It will cook and instantly kill any plant that it comes in contact with and this includes underground roots of nearby plants.
2. Bleach: Place some bleach in a spray bottle and spray on the weed you wish to remove. The bleach chemicals will evaporate or dissipate in about two days (or less but better safe than sorry), making the area safe for planting. Again, bleach will kill anything but if you do get some on a plant you want to keep, just wash the plant off.
3. Vinegar: An organic homemade weed killer. Either white or cider vinegar will work. Vinegar will kill back (kill the leaves but not the root) any plant but works best on young plants because they do not have enough energy stored in the roots to regrow their leaves. If vinegar is applied to more established weeds enough times, the plant will eventually deplete its stored energy reserves and die.
4. Rubbing Alcohol: It draws water out and helps to evaporate it quickly. Guess what? If you put it on a plant, it will do the same thing. You will be basically sucking the life blood out of the weed. Makes you want to run right out and try it, huh? But again, rubbing alcohol is non-selective. It will kill any vegetation it comes contact with.
5. Corn Meal: it just stops the weed seeds from ever developing. Corn Gluten is a pre-emergent, which is a fancy way of saying that is it is a seed birth-control. Corn meal scattered around an area will keep any seed in that area from growing into a plant. This means a weed seed or a desirable seed. This method is a good option for areas that you plan on planting grown plants in.
6. Newspaper: Weeds just smother them. Laying down a layer of newspaper at least 4 sheets thick (the more the better). The weeds that are already there will die from lack of sun and the weed seeds will not be able to sprout because they are not getting any sun to start with.
7. Mix and match: For example, the boiling water can be mixed with the salt or the vinegar (or both) for a super weed killer. Make sure when combining chemicals that there are no adverse reactions.
8. Liquid dish: Add a few drops soap to the liquid homemade weed killers for added effectiveness. The soap acts as a sort of bonding agent and will help the weed killers to stick to the weed more effectively.
9. Epsom salt: The way to get stumps out of the yard in to pour a solution of on it. It is supposed to help destroy the root of the tree.
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Purex insider has allowed us to sample their new detergent ultraPacks Mountain Breeze.And I just have to say 10 out of 10 for this . My sons use it first and not haveing to measure or be yelled at "not to use to much soap" they we very happy.As for me Mom made life easier chasing my grandson around.
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One Year Anniversary Giveaway Online!!!
HOW TO ENTER
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IMPORTANT - if your name is drawn I will be double checking all links. If any are invalid at that time your entry will be disqualified and another winner will be chosen.
This giveaway starts on October 18, 2011. Ends on October 31, 2011.
So, what are you waiting for?!
Happy Birthday to Born Pretty Store and wish you GOOD LUCK!!
I just couldn't bring myself to throw away all those old socks, but they were creating a huge pile in my laundry room.
This dog bed is an easy craft that doesn't cost much, plus you recycle(GO GREEN), and simple sewing projects like this one are a great way to hone your sewing skills.
When the air in your home is being heated, it can get pretty dry and uncomfortable. But there are other things you can do to help add humidity when the air's drying out your skin, furniture, and woodwork.
Try the green idea’s below to make your home warmer and save on your energy bill. Some suggestions on how to add moisture to your home they are simple, and it will cost you just a couple of dollars up front, but in the end, it may save you money. See if it makes a difference in your home!!
Water:
· Add some houseplants to your home. Not only will you be moisture to the air simply by watering the plants(The plants can be watered weekly or misted daily.), but plants naturally add moisture to the air all by themselves. Plants recycle water by a process known as "transpiration."
· Decorate with bowls of water. Place a few around your house and the water will evaporate into the dry air. One step further, if you have radiant steam heat: place a water bowl on top of radiators to heat the water and aid in evaporation.
· Leave a pot of water on top of the stove when you have something in the oven. The top of the stove naturally heats up slightly when you are baking, which help the water in the pot will evaporate.
· Simmer a stock pot full of water, with a few drops of essential oil. (From the dollar store)Then, I turn it off & let it work. For head colds try tea tree oil & a bit of vinegar to the mix letting it simmer during dinner. At bedtime, put the pot in your bedroom for the night (making sure to put the pot out of the way and on a hot pad!!)...
· Fill a crock pot(from the thrift store) with water and keep it on low with the lid off. This is an especially good measure to take when you want added humidity during the night hours, and using a crock pot is much more energy efficient than boiling a pan of water on a stove top.
Bathing:
· Don’t use the exhaust fan while showering. Just keep the bathroom door open. Then the house keeps the moisture and warmer air in the winter months.
Baths leave the water in the tub after you've finished bathing. Letting it sit and cool completely allows more moisture to evaporate into the air than when you're showering.
Kitchen:
· Cook on the stovetop. Not only is this a cozy practice during cold winter weather, it also releases moisture into your home's air. If you're cooking something that can be done either on the stovetop or in the oven, opt for the stovetop when the air is dry. The oven dries the air out even more, but the stovetop adds much-needed moisture.
· Open your dishwasher to dry dishes. The steam from the dishwasher will be released into the air improving the percentage of humidity in your house.
Laundry:
· You should first WASH your clothes and THEN hang them to dry throughout. Hang your clothes to dry throughout the house. Towels are especially good. This tip not only adds humidity to the air in your home, but will also save money on your energy bill. It may be a tad unsightly for a couple of hours, so I usually do it late evening or at night.
· Purchase some of the simple over-the-door clothes hangers, and place them on your doors. I like to place them on bedroom doors for added moisture in the bedrooms. When hanging garments up, hang them in the room where they belong, and unless they need ironing, they will be ready to be put away.
· Your laundry room is an area that can make a big difference in your humidity levels. Your dryer has moist heat. Take advantage of this and add humidity to the air in your home with this simple tip. Disconnect the dryer tube to the vent to the outside of your home. While the tube is disconnected, take this opportunity to thoroughly clean out the tube and remove any lint or debris. Secure a knee high or piece of pantyhose over the open end of the tube. Allow the moist heat from the dryer to help heat your home while adding moisture to the air. (Some suggest venting your dryer into your home, rather than outside. Unless you purchase a home venting kit, which prevents excess moisture from entering the room anyway, this is not a great idea. Dust particles, pet hair and fabric softener fibers can enter the air and irritate allergies.)
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So this craigslist find (Extensol desk), project of mine is coming along…
Pulled out my Elmer wood filler and my putty knife, filled the gouges, and where the veneer was coming up glued it down. Sanded the whole top, legs and 4 leafs of the desk.
Pulled out my handy dandy bottle of ketchup from the fridge and soaked 2 of the 5 drawer pulls to see what was under 50 plus years of dirt..
Wow I think its brass..
Homemade polish
Ingredients:
· 2 tablespoons flour
· 2 tablespoons salt
· 1 tablespoon water or Vinegar
Directions:
1. Mix together into a thick paste, adding liquid as needed.
2. Spread the polish on the object in a thin layer and let it dry.
3. Once the polish has dried take a very soft cloth like a piece of felt or chamois cloth and rub the item you are polishing to make a nice clean shine. The soft cloth should be dry when you rub off the polish..
4. Rinse and rub again to burnish.
Ø Once the brass or copper item has been rubbed it should look clean and fresh but if it still is dull you can apply the polish once again and let it dry and rub it off.
Ø Brass and copper benefit from a good polishing once or twice a year.
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I picked up a table, free on craigslist that has a card inside that identifies it as an "Expand-O-Matic" table by Saginaw Furniture Shops and the bottom of the card says "Plant, Saginaw,Michigan. There are two brass handles on the front and it pulls out to add four leafs, to make an expanded table to accommodate extra seating. When closed up it has the appearance of a desk, 3 drawers on the left side . It measures 21 1/2" deep, 38 1/2" wide, and 30 1/2" high. When pulled out the table extension measures 54 1/2" in length.
So its my next project to refinish this beast lol...
My Soul mate told me he wanted to start a fish tank.
So living on a fixed income.. me and my frugal self started thinking. I have been accused of throwing nothing out or even a hoarder lmao.. Now I'M kinda proud of those tittles.
Can you believe how easy is to create a recycled aquarium, from trash?
For every great project you will need different materials so here is what you will need.
A jar. I used one from a bulk store that had pretzels in it.
Optional plant (I choose lucky bamboo) being careful to pick a plant that thrives in water.
Some rocks. I purchased mine on clearance this time for a 1.00$ but you can also get some from your local lake or river free.
Hole Saw Drill Bit found at any local hardware store
drill
Fish…. choose some that can survive without air bubbles (filter).
Fish food
2 rubber bands
Instructions
First, we need to remove the wrap and wash the bottle. It needs to be washed inside and outside.
Using micro towels (reusable and washable), dry the bottle.
Cut the hole in the lid of the jar. I used a hole saw drill bit because it cuts the plastic better. Using sharp tools is not safe. If you decide to follow my instructions, you are assuming all responsibilities. Read the disclaimer below.
Rinse the rocks of well, and place them in the bottom of the jar.
Cut your plants to size. Make sure you have foliage(leaves) above the lid, and the roots or stems are below the water. I used rubber bands to keep them together.
Fill the jar with water. Let it set for about 2 hours to become room temperature.
Add bag of fish.. DON’T open bag for about another 2 hours for the temp to become the same as the tank. Fish will go into shock if you don’t.
The information contained in this archive is provided 'as is' without warranty of any kind. Regardless some projects can be made by children, the parents should be responsible to determine if it is appropriate or not.
I take no responsibility whatsoever for the use and/or implementation thereof, or the misuse leading to damage to equipment, property, or life, caused by the information here presented
Therefore, it is ultimately your sole responsibility to conduct your own due-diligence before making any purchase decisions, or decisions based directly or indirectly as a result of the content published on this website.
Last year we ran across a craiglslisting, for a free deck, just take it down.
to my regret we did not take any photos. but it was a dual layer deck 20x25 and 20x15, with railings and stairs.
after 3 days of tear down and removing. we stack the wood behind our house till this spring.
And then we de nailed , and removed the bolts.. Easier than it sounds.
My neighbor is a scrapper so all those when to him!! Go recycle..
Got our city permits, wow expensive I may add.
Cut the boards to length. yoo-hoo I learned how to use a table saw, measuring twice and cutting once. Some of the ends were bad, so they did get thrown out, as you can not burn treated lumber.
I then learned how to use a chaulk line(for straight lines), and a post hole digger , which I may add I don't like any more!!!!LOL
we then started on the base of the deck(3 decks actually) the MANque(boyfriends Non girly bbq area), main floor, and upper deck( because we have central air it needed to be higher).
Then we laid the flooring. More table saw and measuring. But what we did not use went to neighbors for their projects. 1 is part of a ramp for wheelchair bound little girl.. parts of the railing went to another neighbor for her deck. And most of the railing we reused for a fence in our back yard ( see photos)!!!!
Next I learned about a belt sander and wood putty.. to fill all the extra holes from the used wood.
wow never thought it would take that long(5 days) but the end result was worth it!!!
We went to lowes Got to love clearance paint. we wanted Cabots paint but reluctant at 36$ a gallon, I found 2 gallons , semi close in color,(what they call misTint paint) for 10$ a piece!!!! Woohoo.
Taking a break!! next blog painting
With the stripping, filling painting all done whewww.
The arm rails we had left from the porch removal.. hmm what to do with them. Our backyard boarders a city park. And people sneak threw our yard. The city refused to put up a new fence.. So we recycled once again. See attached photos!!!
Our next project is putting the sides up. Some time this week will start..
Craiglist list once again I found a 7 step stairs for 30$ what a huge money saver!!! I installed with a few nails, and bolts actually very easy, will take pics soon.
Whew we got a couple walls up, and allot of the framing done I will post some more pics later >>Outside to saw again... sure my neighbors love me LOL
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