Happy Saturday Everyone! I hope you are all having a great weekend as we go into the last week of February which means spring is inching closer!
Tonight’s post will focus on the powerful Vitamin C. With cold, snowy weather still a reality, I thought this could still be very useful. Vitamin C is considered to the single most important vitamin for the immune system. It is vital for the formation of adrenal hormones and the production of lymphocytes. Vitamin C also has a direct effect on bacteria and viruses. Because it can act as an antioxidant, it is believed Vitamin C can help quench free radicals that rip through cartilage and cause joint inflammation. Because Vitamin C cannot be manufactured or stored by the body, daily dietary sources or supplements are necessary for good immune function. Researches in South Korea and at Cornell University said “Vitamin C has been considered one of the most important essential nutrients in our diet since the discovery in 1907 that it prevents scurvy. In addition, vitamin C aids the synthesis of amino acids and collagen, wound healing, metabolism of iron, lipids and cholesterol and others.” Vitamin C can be found in a host of fruits and vegetables: asparagus, avocadoes, beet greens, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, collards, grapefruit, kale, lemons, mangoes, onions, green peas, pineapples, radishes, spinach, tomatoes and strawberries.
RECIPES:
White Citrus Iced Tea. This is a beverage that is chock-full of antioxidants and Vitamin C and naturally sweetened that will take only several minutes of your time. It yields two servings. Take 1 cup of water, 1 squeezed orange, 1 teaspoon white tea, 1/2 squeezed lemon, and 1 cup of ice. Pour the simmering water over the tea leaves. Let it soak for about 5 minutes and then remove the tea leaves. Add lemon and orange juice and stir. Let it cool in the freezer for 15 minutes. Pour the tea in glasses full of ice. Serve immediately.
Mango Tango Shake. Blend together until desired consistency 2 scoops vanilla whey protein powder, 1 cup of frozen chopped mango, 1 ounce of walnuts, 12 ounces of orange juice and ice as needed. Enjoy!
Raw Foods Salad
Take 1 stalk of celery, 1 green or red bell pepper, 1/4 cucumber, 1/4 onion, 1 clove of garlic crushed. Chop the celery, pepper, cucumber, onion into bite sized pieces and place in a medium bowl. Add the garlic and toss all of the ingredients together to mix. Top with salad dressing if desired and serve. (Visit my Food and Drink Recipe page for the salad dressing recipe from a previous post!)
Raw Foods Salad
1 Medium apple, 1 Medium Beet, 1/4 black radish, and 1/4 head of red cabbage. Grate or shred all of the ingredients and toss them together in a medium bowl. Top with salad dressing and serve.
Apple-Cranberry Juice.
1 apple (remove peel and core and stem. The original recipe says you can leave the peel, but I did not like the texture!) 1/2 cup of cranberries and quality water. Place the ingredients in a juicer or blender with a juicing option until pureed. Add the water until the desired consistency is achieved. Drink immediately.
Ways to be Positive this week!
Say I can instead of I can’t. SMILE! Be optimistic. Remember you are in charge of your attitude. Find something to be grateful for in each day. Forget about regret. Find something nice to do for someone else!
Have a great start to the new week. The next post will be Essential Uses with Ginger for Health and Wellness!
This package contains 3 shower steamers tablets our “Anti Cold Anti Allergy Blend.” These steamers contain 3 essential oils: Clove, Rosemary and Eucalyptus. Clove is for its antimicrobial properties, Rosemary eases stress and Eucalyptus is known as an anti-inflammatory and decongestant oil. Free gift with purchase. These are made in fresh batches to ensure effectiveness and aroma! To use, place one steamer towards the back of the shower wall out of the direct spray and let the steam from the hot water release the oils. Use before using any other product as not to interfere with the oils.
Happy Sunday everyone! I hope your week has been kind and you have had some spring weather to enjoy and your homes are getting into a routine! Each day gives us new hope that this season in the midst of this pandemic will soon be behind us. Thank you for being back as we have come to the last post in our Spring Cleaning Makeover series. Tonight’s post will have car cleaning checklists, tips and recipes, helpful hints for pet cleaning and some miscellaneous ones as a bonus! Let’s dive in.
CAR CLEANING CHECKLIST:
Clean all of the inside glass, including the inside of the windshield (here in Colorado because of our climate and the materials used on our roads to deice, etc. it is common to get a hazy film on the inside. Cleaning the inside of my windshield is a weekly occurrence.)
Vacuum all of the floors, mats if they are carpeted, seats, under car seats and cargo holds.
Clean the seats (some tips are included later on for getting stains out of certain seat materials such as cloth upholstery)
Disinfect dashboards, radio buttons, shift knobs, door handles, touch screens, toggle switches, console lid if it is vinyl or leather, cupholders, steering wheel, steering wheel buttons and controls, glove box, seatbelt latches
Clean wheels and degrease. (I do not like to spray any chemical-based cleaners on my wheels. I use a bucket of warm water with unscented castile soap and scrub with a sponge. I rinse with warm water and dry with a clean microfiber cloth.)
CAR CLEANING TIPS:
Vacuum before you dust the car. Because a car is a much smaller, contained area, you will be quicker and more efficient if you remove all the dry dirt and hair and lint from the dash and floors and seat first. This way you can suck up dirt quickly instead of trying to get it with a cloth.
Clean hard to reach or hard to clean areas of the car with household items you already have. A clean soft-bristled makeup brush works awesome for vents. Cotton balls or qtips work great to get stuck on grime in the corners of the vents.
Work from top to bottom so you don’t have to clean the same area twice.
Keep the car tidy everyday or on long trips with a plastic cereal container lined with a plastic bag. Use the container as a trash can to keep the car clean and empty it when you get home or stop at a gas station. I keep spare plastic bags in my center console so when I get rid of the full bag I can replace it right away.
On a long commute or road trip and I have my coffee in the cupholder, I put a cupcake liner inside the cupholder and set my coffee in the liner. That way, if I hit a bump and coffee spills over, it runs down and catches inside the liner which can be disposed of. In hotter climates, stuck on coffee spills can be hard to remove and time consuming. This tip makes it easier.
Don’t forget to clean the top edges of your windows. Dirt and grime can gather at the top and bind up the window track over time.
1 cup of warm water and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar mixed in a spray bottle make a great DIY window cleaner for your car! Spray on and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.
Remove light upholstery stains with baking soda. Make a paste with 3 tablespoons of baking soda, and 1 tablespoon of water, and apply to your car’s upholstery. Scrub to remove the stains and let it air dry. Then vacuum up the residue. Also serves a double purpose for removing odors.
Rinse your car before washing it to prevent scratches. This will help avoid grinding in any dirt in the surface of the car and causing scratches to the paint.
Use baking soda and essential oils for an easy DIY air freshener. Take 1/2 cup of baking soda and 8-10 drops of essential oil and a 1 pint Mason jar. Stir the ingredients to combine. Poke 4-5 small holes in the lid with a nail and pop the jar in a cup holder to keep the car smelling fresh! Will last for about 30 days.
A plastic putty knife is great for removing stickers without scratching.
Deep clean windshield wipers to prevent streaks and caked on deicer, road salt, etc. for causing premature wear and cracking. I take a mixture of white vinegar and water in a small bowl and dip a clean microfiber cloth in it and wipe the blades and inserts with the solution to get grime off.
PET CARE TIPS:
Use a DIY solution to remove skunk odors from your pet. Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of unscented castile soap, and 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide in a bucket. Use the mixture to wash your pet’s fur making sure to keep away from eyes, nose and mouth. Once the odor is gone, spray down or rinse your pet thoroughly.
It is common for neighbors to use ice melt on their sidewalks and for it to get on our dog’s paws when we walk in the evening. To help protect him, we put a towel and bucket of warm water by the door just before we head out for our walk on evenings when we have had a large snowfall. As soon as we return from our walk, we use the water to rinse any salt of his paws and dry with the towel.
Let pet vomit dry before you clean it up. I have found it is much easier to clean up when it is dry. I let it dry, then vacuum it up. If a discoloring or stain is left behind, I make a paste of baking soda, white vinegar and lemon essential oil and put it on the stain and blot it.
MISCELLANEOUS TIPS:
When we begin spring cleaning and cleaning the yard after winter, we always clean the vinyl siding of our house to get the winter grime off and freshen it up! We do this by making a mixture of distilled water, and white vinegar and tea tree oil in a spray bottle and spraying the siding and then rinsing clean with a hose or pressure washer.
Clean outdoor rugs with baking soda and water pressure. Rinse dirt and debris from the rug, then sprinkle generously with baking soda. Work the baking soda into the rug with a brush and scrub away the dirt and stains. Let the baking soda sit for 15 minutes then spray clean with a hose. Allow to air dry in the sun.
Deep clean your cooler and ice chests with baking soda and vinegar. Mix 1/4 cup of baking soda and enough water to form a paste. Apply the paste to any stains inside the cooler and let them sit for 15 minutes. Use the remaining paste and a brush or sponge to scrub the cooler inside and out. Pour some white vinegar into the cooler to dissolve the baking soda and deodorize the cooler. Rinse with the garden hose and allow to air dry in the sun.
RECIPES:
Car Washing Solution. Fill a large bucket (5 gallon) with warm water and 1-2 tablespoons of unscented castile soap. Use a hose and wet the car. Dip sponge or cloth in the water and start scrubbing. Rinse and dry thoroughly. This is a one time use product.
Grill Cleaner. Take 1 cup of warm water, distilled white vinegar and 1/4 cup of baking soda. Make a paste of the baking soda and warm water. Open up a cold grill and apply the paste to the grates. Close the lid and apply white vinegar to a cleaning cloth or paper towels. Wipe the exterior of the grill with the vinegar. Rinse if necessary. After exterior is clean, remove grates and scrub in a sink or outside with a brush. Rinse thoroughly and return the grates to the grill. Keep the grill open to allow the grates to dry completely. This is a one-time use product.
Natural Insect Repellant. Makes about 4 ounces. Take 4 ounces of witch hazel, 2 teaspoons of almond oil and 10 drops of essential oils (Combine any 3 of the following oils: lemon, lemongrass, citronella, peppermint, lavender, cedar)
Pet Cage Freshener. Yield 3 cups of 1 application of pet cage freshener. Take 2 cups of water, 1 cup of vinegar, 1/2 cup of baking soda and 10 drops of lemon essential oil. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl or bucket. Mix well. Scrub your pet’s entire cage with the solution to get it clean and odor-free. Rinse well after use.
Carpet Pet Stain Remover. Yield 2 cups or 1 application of carpet pet stain remover. Take 1 cup of water, 1 cup of vinegar, 1 cup of baking soda, 10 drops of lemon essential oil and 10 drops of orange essential oil. Combine water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Shake well. Combine baking soda and essential oils in a bowl. Mix well. Sprinkle baking soda mixture over stain, then pour the water mixture over the baking soda. It will foam up and work on the stain. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Then blot with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Urine Remover. Yield 2 cups or 1 application of Urine Remover. Take 1 cup of distilled water, 1 cup of vinegar, 1 cup of baking soda, and 20 drops of lemon essential oil. Combine water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Shake well. Combine baking soda and lemon essential oil in a bowl. Mix well. Blot up as much of the urine as possible with dry paper towels. After blotting up the excess urine, sprinkle baking soda mixture over stain. Then pour the water mixture over the baking soda. It will foam up and work on the stain. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then blot with a clean paper towel. Once dry, vacuum the area.
All Natural GARDENER’S BLEND SOAP with 3 Essential Oils and Glycerin 2 ounce bar
This is an all natural handmade soap GARDENER'S BLEND. Made with sage essential oil, peppermint essential oil and eucalyptus essential oil and glycerin. The sage is a balancing oil, the peppermint soothes sore hands, and the eucalyptus is for its antifungal, antiviral properties. The glycerin moisturizes dry hands. This is a 2 ounce bar.
Happy Thursday Everyone! Welcome to April, a new month, Easter and Spring and what I TRULY HOPE is a month of promise and the belief that many of us can be back outside, doing what we love and getting this time behind us. Thank you for being back. We are closing in on this series. I thought tonight would be the final post in this Spring Cleaning Series, but I was asked to tack on one more segment, specifically on Spring Cleaning the car! What a great idea. Our cars are high traffic areas and heavily used and need to be sanitized and cleaned as well. That will be the post for Sunday. I look forward to putting that together. Tonight we will focus on tips and recipes for cleaning the garage and laundry room!
CHECKLISTS:
GARAGE –
Declutter tools, sporting equipment and toys
Open up garage door to air out the space
Wipe down walls
Sweep and clean floor
Clean garage door
Clean garage door frame
Replace batteries in garage door openers
Clean windows
LAUNDRY ROOM –
Clean washing machine
Clean dryer vent
Clean lint trap
Organize laundry supplies
Wipe walls
Wipe baseboards
Mop floors
TIPS: Sometimes it is easy to forget to clean the garage or let it go as it is any out of the way part of the house. However, by cleaning it 3 times a year, you can catch problems such as leaks, mold, insulation, pests and other issues quickly and removing dust and other things can be a preventative measure against allergies.
Remove musty smells in laundry rooms or garage corners with either an onion or a lemon. To remove an offensive odor, cut a lemon or onion in half and place it near the smell. Let is sit overnight and the item should absorb the odor. Remove the next morning.
Look for mold. Mold is usually black or gray, but can also be brown or white or green. A great DIY mold and mildew remover can be made with a few ingredients. Take 1 cup of distilled water, 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide, 10 drops of tea tree essential oil, 10 drops of peppermint essential oil. Combine all ingredients in a 16 ounce dark colored spray bottle and spray on the mold or mildew. Let the solution sit for 1-2 hours and then rinse or wipe off with a clean cloth. Solution can be stored up to 1 month in a dark bottle as hydrogen peroxide is light sensitive.
Treat motor oil stains with soap. Squirt castile soap and lemon essential oil on the stain and scrub with a stiff-bristle brush. Let it sit for 30 minutes and use hot water to rinse the soap and oil away.
Clean safety glasses in the dishwasher. Toss your safety glasses in the top shelf of the dishwasher and place a cup of white vinegar in there as well and run wash cycle to remove dirt and gunk!
Clean up a variety of sticky messes with a homemade all natural goo remover. Try this to remove latex paint and grease from your hands and surfaces such as concrete, tools, and plastic. Take 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of coconut oil and 10 drops of lemon essential oil. Mix the baking soda and coconut oil in a small bowl until well combined. Add the essential oil and stir well. To use, apply a dab to remove stickers and labels and let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse in warm water, and scrub the label with your finger or a cloth. To clean your skin, pull a small glob in your hand and rub it into your stained skin. Use a toothbrush for extra scrubbing power. If needed, then rinse and dry.
RECIPES:
Garden Tool Cleaning Kit: Cleans one set of garden tools. Take a 5 gallon bucket of warm water and 1 tablespoon of castile soap and 5 drops of rosemary essential oil. Combine the water and soap and oil in the large bucket. Soak tools for a few minutes in the bucket. Scrub with a scrub brush and dry thoroughly. This is a one time use product only.
DIY Cleaning Solution for your Deck – Composite and Wood: Cleaning a deck before and after a season helps remove mold and other buildups that occur. Take 1 gallon of warm water and 1-2 cups of distilled white vinegar. Mix the water and vinegar in a large bucket. Thoroughly wet the deck with a hose and water first. Use a sturdy mop or broom to scrub the vinegar water solution in sections to clean. Rinse thoroughly. This is a one time use product only. (NOTE: For railings and spindles, use the same solution and clean them with a sponge and rinse off.)
Cleaning Deck and Patio Furniture: If you eat outside a lot, it is a good idea to wash your patio furniture from time to time. Just mix, apply and rinse! No need to dry with towel, just air dry. Take 16 ounces of warm water, 2 tablespoons of castile soap, 2 drops of orange essential oil. Take all of the ingredients and add to a spray bottle and shake well to combine. To use, wet the furniture with a hose and spray with the soapy solution. Rinse and air dry. Store indefinitely.
Lavender and Lemon Fabric Softener. This yields 2 cups. Take 2 cups of white vinegar, 15 drops of lavender essential oil and 15 drops of lemon essential oil. Combine all ingredients in a bottle with a lid and shake well. Fill your rinse agent cup in your washing machine with this fabric softener as normal. Store indefinitely in covered bottle.
Fabric Refreshener Spray: Yields 1/2 cup. Take 1/2 cup of distilled water and 15 drops of lemongrass essential oil. Combine water and lemongrass essential oil in a spray bottle. Shake well. Spray lightly on garment to freshen. Store indefinitely in a spray bottle.
Top-Load Washing Machine Cleaner. Yield 1 application of Top-Load Washing Machine Cleaner. Take 1 cup of baking soda, 3 cups of white vinegar, 20 drops of tea tree essential oil and 20 drops of lemon essential oil. Set your washing machine to the hottest temperature possible and allow to fill. Once it is full, add all of the ingredients to the water. Agitate for a few minutes, then stop the machine and allow the mixture to sit for 30 minutes to an hour. If necessary, take a small scrub brush and cloth and clean around the inside of the washing machine and lid. Once time is up, close the lid and let the machine to finish the cycle as normal. Then run a hot water rinse cycle. Wipe away any leftover grime. Leave the lid open to dry out the machine completely.
Keep pushing forward everyone! Please continue to stay safe and healthy and productive! See you all again on Sunday for great tips and recipes for cleaning your car and some end of the series miscellaneous ideas! I will also have a sneak peak into my next series “Welcome to a Healthier You – Body and Mind Makeover.”
Tough Headache Relief Shower Steamers package of 3 tablets
Package of 3 shower steamers for headache relief! Contains 4 essential oils for an aromatic blend. Eucalyptus, lavender, frankincense and peppermint oils and baking soda and citric acid. Made fresh in small batches for effectiveness and aroma. To use, place one tablet towards the back of the shower wall out of direct water spray. Use before or after applying hair product and soaps so as to not interfere with the scent of the oils.
Happy Sunday everyone! I am glad you are back here for what I hope has been a fun and informative respite from the outside world and the anxiousness and desire to get back to being out and about! I also hope you are still staying safe and healthy! Tonight’s post will be spring cleaning the bedroom. It is said that we spend about 1/3 of our lives in bed and it is now more important than ever to get good, quality sleep. And it is even more vital that our bedrooms stay clean and sanitized to prevent the spread of any illness. Let’s dive in!
CHECKLIST:
Wipe baseboards
Dust/polish furniture
Donated unused clothing
Organize closets
Wash bedding, including sheets, pillows, duvets, and bedskirts
Vacuum carpets
Flip mattress
Dust blinds
Dust curtain rods
Clean window sills
Wash windows
Clean or vacuum curtains
Mop or vacuum floors
Shampoo rugs or carpets
TIPS:
Strip the bed. Wash your sheets every week, pillow covers every month, mattress covers every 3 months, and comforters and pillows every 6 months or when dirty. (NOTE: during this time, I have been personally washing our pillowcases every 2-3 days. Since our family works in essential industries, I am trying to be extra vigilant with these.)
Rotate your mattress. Rotate the position of your mattress every 3 months to keep it from sagging.
Dust all surfaces. Work from the top to bottom so that you won’t have to clean anything twice. Dust the ceiling fan with a pillowcase. Dust the furniture with a microfiber cloth. Don’t forget the baseboards. (NOTE: this is a great time to make sure light switches stay disinfected on a daily basis.)
Save time finding linen sets in your linen closet by storing sheet sets in pillowcases. Store each set of sheets together in a pillowcase to keep your linen closet neat and clean and organized. When you make a bed, grab a set and go.
Vacuum your mattress when you rotate it. Sprinkle some baking soda on the box spring and use a vacuum attachment when you vacuum to freshen and pick up dust and any other allergens.
Zap stains on your mattress with a homemade hydrogen peroxide paste. Be sure to use a white cloth to wipe up so that any kind of colored cloth does not stain the mattress. This solution should be used right away and any unused portions discarded. Take 1 tablespoon of liquid castile soap, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide. Mix the ingredients together, then apply the thick paste to the stain. Let it sit until it is completely dry. Then wipe away the residue with a damp cloth. If the stain is not completely gone, take another white rag, and blot with more hydrogen peroxide until the stain lifts away.
Tip for Vent Cleaning (any heating/air conditioning vents). Vents can attract a lot of hair and dust and dirt. Pour a little vinegar in a small bowl and add a drop of your favorite essential oil to the vinegar. Dip a clean cloth in the white vinegar, wring out any excess and wipe vents. If you have a vent that is up high, put a sock with vinegar on it on a broom handle and carefully wipe with that!
RECIPES:
Peppermint and Lavender Linen Refresher: Take 1/2 cup of water (distilled), 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol, 10 drops of lavender essential oil, 5 drops of peppermint essential oil. Combine ingredients and pour into a 16 ounce container with a spray top. Spray about 8 inches from any linen you are refreshing. Store in a spray bottle in a cool, dark place up to 2 months.
Natural Scratch Remover. (Great for dressers and bookshelves and headboards) Take 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of distilled white vinegar. Mix the lemon juice and vinegar together in a small bowl. Dip cloth in solution and rub into scratches. Buff away any residue with a dry cloth. This a one-time use recipe.
On the Go Bed Purifier. This recipe is great to make and take for on the road for use when staying in hotels. The cedarwood purifies and cleans the spot where you will be sleeping. Take 1 cup of distilled water and 20 drops of cedarwood essential oil. Combine water and cedarwood essential oil in a spray bottle. Shake well. Spray bed linens thoroughly. Allow to dry. Store indefinitely in a spray bottle in a cool, dark place.
Moth Be Gone Sachets. Take 1 cup of dried lavender buds or flowers. Mix in 20 drops of lavender essential oil, 10 drops of orange essential oil, 10 drops of cedarwood essential oil. Add 1-2 tablespoons of mixture to 8-10 sachet bags and tie each one closed. Add scented sachet bags to drawers, closets, or other place. Sachets can be freshened with 2-3 essential oil drops as needed. Store sachets indefinitely in a sealed plastic bag or container.
Home Air Filter Freshener. Take 3-4 drops of your favorite, citrus essential oil to your air conditioner and furnace filters. Turn on your unit and fill your whole home with fragrance. Refresh as needed every couple of days. Great choices are: lemon, lime or orange. (NOTE: Since we have pets, I use citrus oils only. I do not use lavender or eucalyptus or tea tree.)
I wish you all a week of hope, joy and productivity and continued health. I will be back mid week as we are nearing the end of this series. I will have a checklist for the garbage and laundry room and will finish out with some tips and fun DIY miscellaneous cleaning recipes. Stay tuned at the end of that post for the release of my next series!
Lavender and Mint Bath Salts with Dead Sea Salt 4 ounce jar
This is an aromatic blend for your next bath of lavender and peppermint essential oils, Dead Sea salt, Epsom salts, baking soda, and peppermint tea leaves and almond oil. Add 1/4 cup to running hot bath water and enjoy and relax and soothe!
Happy Thursday Everyone! In what has been a reoccurring theme to my blog post intros, I DO HOPE this mid-week post finds all of you continuing to stay safe and healthy. If you are like our state, you are probably in the midst of a stay at home order, trying to adjust to a new normal and searching for engaging activities and productive endeavors. I am glad you are here. I hope you can find some useful information and tips! Tonight’s post will focus on spring cleaning the bathroom. The bathroom for most would have to be the least favorite room to clean; however, it is the most critical It is a gathering spot for soap scum, moisture, mold, hair buildup and more. This was also the room I cleaned where I used some of the most toxic cleaning chemicals and sprays and where I did my first product swaps for all natural alternatives.
CHECKLIST:
Discard expired medication, personal care products or makeup. (You can check with local clinics and hospitals on the proper way to dispose of expired meds)
Clean makeup brushes
Clean vanity
Wipe mirror
Clean tub and shower
Clean showerhead
Replace shower curtain liner
Scrub tile grout
Clean toilet
Clean hardware
Sweep floors
Mop floors
Wipe walls
Wipe baseboards
TIPS:
A great tip for descaling difficult to clean showerheads: Fill a plastic Ziploc bag with white vinegar and a few drops of lemon essential oil, and secure the bag on your showerhead with a rubber band or elastic hair tie. The next morning, remove the bag and wipe the showerhead clean.
Work from the cleanest area to the dirtiest to save on cleaning rags. Organize your bathroom cleaning schedule so that you start cleaning the “cleanest” area and end with the “dirtiest.” However, I always use a new rag for cleaning the toilet and never use that one on another area of the bathroom.
Wash your plastic shower curtain liner with a load of bath towels. Pop your shower curtain liner in the washer and let the machine do all the work. Add castile soap and 1 cup of baking soda then add a few towels to help scrub away soap scum and mildew and to help the shower curtain not rip during washing. Once the wash cycle ends, immediately remove the liner and hang it back up in the shower to dry.
Wash your toothbrush holder in the dishwasher. Toothbrush holders can get seriously grimy if they are not cleaned regularly. Let the dishwasher do the work. Pop it in the top rack of the dishwasher to clean it without effort.
Clean mold from around the tub without scrubbing using hydrogen peroxide and a cotton beauty coil. Soak a cotton beauty coil in hydrogen peroxide and lay it on moldy caulking around the top of the tub. Let it sit overnight and rinse.
Recipes:
Eucalyptus Toilet Cleaner: This yields 1/2 cup or 1 application of Eucalyptus Toilet Cleaner. Take 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of white vinegar, and 10 drops of Eucalyptus essential oil. Add all ingredients to toilet bowl. Using a scrub brush, clean the inside of the toilet thoroughly. Allow to sit for several minutes, then flush.
Sanitizing Toilet Spray: This yields 2 1/4 cups. Take 1 cup of distilled water, 1 cup of white vinegar, 1/4 cup of Castile soap, 10 drops of tea tree essential oil, and 10 drops of peppermint essential oil. Combine all ingredients in a large spray bottle and shake well. Spray on toilet surfaces and wipe with a clean cloth. Spray inside bowl and use a brush to scrub well. Store indefinitely in a spray bottle.
No-Scrub Toilet Bowl Cleaner: This yields 1 application of cleaner. Take 1 cup of borax, 1 cup of white vinegar, 2 cups of water, 10 drops of pine essential oil, and 10 drops of Eucalyptus essential oil. Combine all ingredients in a large bucket and mix well. Pour solution into toilet and allow to sit overnight. Flush in the morning! (Note: borax-based toilet bowl cleaning solutions are my favorite. They really get my toilets clean and I love the pine oil for really cutting through bathroom odors.)
Toilet Paper Roll Air Freshener: Add either 2 drops of lavender essential oil or 2 drops of lemon essential oil to the inside of the cardboard center of your toilet roll. Use your toilet paper as normal. Every time you pull the paper, the roll will release the smells of the oil inside.
Scented Bath Towel Sheets: This yields 4 sheets. 1 paper towel. 4 drops of lemongrass essential oil. Take one paper towel and cut it into fourths. Add 1 drop of lemongrass oil to each sheet. Repeat for however many towels you have. Place the scented sheets in between bath towels. Store indefinitely in the linen closet.
Happy cleaning everyone and stay hopeful and encouraged and healthy. Keep positive and I will be back on Sunday as we continue through our Spring Cleaning Makeover.
A woman cleans a bathroom toilet with a scrub brush.
Hi Everyone! Whew. We have made it through another week. I do hope that you and your family, friends, co-workers are safe and healthy. I know for MANY it has been a time of immense changes and adjustments and organizing new “normals.” Kids are facing the prospect of not having school reopen for the rest of this year, many community places closed temporarily and we are all looking for activities, productive hobbies, and new endeavors. To go along with the series Spring Cleaning Makeover, I wanted to do a fun post called “Cleaning Camp” in case you wanted to engage the kids in cleaning and sanitizing the house. I hope this will be a fun, informative and lighter read to contrast with the heaviness that has been out there this week. Continue to stay safe and vigilant, and above all, HOPEFUL! I will return during the middle of the week for another post!
Some thoughts before you embark on “Cleaning Camp!” Be realistic! Have your kids and the family during this time help with small, attainable cleaning projects and goals. Set short time limits for each room! Perfection is not the goal. Comfort, ease and a disinfected, sanitized home is! HAVE FUN. Use the time cleaning as a way to be together to make your home a clean, comfortable oasis.
CLEANING CAMP – Basic Starter Schedule.
Sweep floors. Do a sweep of any floors. The kitchen and mudroom are most needed areas. Move items away from the walls to get behind them and in corners and along edges of walls. Keep a mini dustpan and broom so even small and younger children can help clean at their own level.
Declutter. Do a declutter of mail, school papers, toys, clothes, and other odds and ends.
Laundry. Start by laundering all towels (kitchen and bath) and then move to all bedding. These are the most important items to sanitize and launder first.
Wipe counters in the kitchen, bathrooms, and utility room.
Wash floors. All hard surfaces including wood, vinyl, and tile.
Wipe baseboards. This is important to clean off dust, mold and built up pet hair. (A vinegar-based DIY cleaning solution with lemon oil and using a cloth is great for this!)
Have fun cleaning as a family. Put on kid-friendly music. Set a time for a project. Give out small rewards if a job is done well and before the timer goes off. Give out a GRAND PRIZE when the “cleaning camp” is completed. I have used a pay-per-view movie as our grand prize which doubles as an extra family complete with popcorn!
RECIPES FOR CLEANING CAMP:
Citrus Liquid Hand Soap. Take 1 cup of liquid castile soap, 10 drops of lemon essential oil, 10 drops of orange essential oil, 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil. Combine all ingredients in a soap pump, seal and shake thoroughly, rub hands together and wash off with warm water. To store, make only one soap pump batch at a time.
Grapefruit Liquid Dish Soap. Take 8 ounces of castile soap (unscented), 20 drops of grapefruit essential oil. Pour the castile soap and grapefruit essential oil in a storage container and shake well to combine. Add 1 to 2 squirts to dish water and scrub. Store indefinitely on your counter or under your kitchen sink. ***Tip: As an extra grease fighter, add a splash of white vinegar to warm dishwater with the dish soap.)
Lemon Dishwasher Detergent (Powder). This makes about 24 loads, 1 heaping tablespoons per load. Take 1 cup of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda, 1 cup of baking soda, 1 cup of Borax and 20 drops of lemon essential oil. ***For hard water, also add 1/2 cup of Epsom salts. ***For a more citrus scented soap, do 10 drops of lemon essential oil and 10 drops of orange essential oil. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Place 1 heaping tablespoon per load in the compartment and run as usual. To store, place in a glass container with a lid. Canning jars work great for this.
Oven Cleaner Spray. Take 1 cup of warm water, 3 tablespoons of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of castile soap, 10 drops of either lemon oil or rosemary essential oil. Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake to combine. Spray liberally in your oven. Let it sit for up to 15 minutes and wipe clean with a sponge or cloth. Rinse as needed and air dry. If you have any leftovers, you can store up to 2 weeks. Shake well to combine as the ingredients will settle. ***If you have extra solution, it works great as a cleaner on flat stovetops.
As a special way to be a help to someone, I am doing a giveaway for a FREE jar of unscented castile soap to make one of the recipes listed. To be entered, comment directly on this post with your name or send an email to sycksretailmarketplace@gmail.com to be entered!
All Natural Sleep Balm – 1 ounce tin – 5 Essential Oils!
This is an all natural sleep balm made with Vitamin E oil, white beeswax, coconut oil, ylang ylang, lavender, vanilla, orange and patchouli oils! To use rub a dab on the inside of both wrists and on the temples just before bedtime! 1 ounce tin made fresh in small batches to ensure effectiveness
Hey Everyone. I had done a post about a year ago with several tips on how to take care of yourself at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. We all know the news now is continuous about the “Delta Variant.” With back to school just around the corner, I wanted to repost the list as some of the tips are just as pertinent now as they were then. Be safe, be careful, be healthy!
Don’t panic. Be prepared, be informed, be vigilant.
Don’t forget to wash your hands (20 seconds at a minimum) with soap!
Don’t touch your face if at all possible.
Don’t cough or sneeze openly.
Push doors open with your arm or elbows whenever possible. Door handles are one of the worst gathering spots for germs
Use care when out in large gatherings. Keep a bag handy with wipes, sanitizer, etc.
Avoid shaking hands. Bump elbows or do an air high five
Don’t starting hoarding! Distribution and the supply chain have caught up with demand!
Don’t go to the ER unless seriously ill!
Call for advice or use virtual medical options when available or appropriate.
Get quality sleep.
Don’t let anxiety takeover. Breathe, read, listen to music, sit out in the sun. Turn off the news and social media alerts that drag you down.
Check in on others regularly!
Don’t stop exercising! Use You Tube Channels for workout videos. Sign up for an online class. Exercise will always be vital to good health, while in a pandemic or out of one!
Don’t eat poorly!
Don’t share bogus info!
Don’t avoid nature. Sit out in the sun, walk or bike or hike!
Don’t touch shopping carts without wiping them down.
Don’t touch elevator buttons. Use your knuckle or side of your hand
Disinfect your cell phones daily
HELP OTHERS! Even if it is a little thing, everyone doing a little thing within their sphere of influence added together becomes a BIG thing.
Wash towels every 2 days (kitchen, bath, etc)
Use hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol or more
VITAMIN C and D
Keep your blood pressure under control
Don’t skip the veggies
Don’t touch a public screen or keypad without first using a wipe to clean it off or wear gloves or bring your own pen with you to use to press keys
Don’t use a community pen, such as in a bank or store. Bring your own!
28.If you feel sick, STAY HOME.
Disinfect high traffic high touch surfaces such as keyboards, door handles, microwaves handles, fridge handles, etc.
Watch out for COVID-19 scammers. They are still a thing!
Happy Everyone! I do hope this post on this Wednesday finds you continuing to be safe, healthy and sane. I know it has been stressful for many as we all work to get through this healthy crisis as families, friends, neighbors, communities, and businesses. As a wife of a husband and a mom of two who are all working in the grocery store industry right now, I have seen first hand how difficult it can be to find wipes, cleaning products, air fresheners, disinfectants and more to combat this virus and protect your family. Tonight’s post will be a list of several DIY recipes for many of these items in case you need a quick go-to substitute. My thoughts are with ALL of you out there and I will continue to inform, encourage and be hopeful! Please sure to take note at the very end of this post for a special free offer to spread some joy!
FRESH CITRUS AIR FRESHENER
This yields one cup. Take 10 drops of lemon essential oil, 10 drops of orange essential oil, and 1 cup of distilled water. Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. Mist the air with this spray wherever you’d like to freshen up, such as kitchens, bathrooms, closets or drawers. Store indefinitely in a spray bottle in a cool, dark place.
PURIFYING ROOM SPRAY
This yields 1 1/2 cups. Take 1 cup of distilled water, 1/2 cup of white vinegar, 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol, 10 drops of tea tree essential oil, and 10 drops of lemon essential oil. Combine water, vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and essential oils in a spray bottle. Shake well. Spray in the air or on surfaces to remove odors. Store indefinitely in a spray bottle.
ALL-SURFACE CLEANER
This yields 2 cups. Take 1 cup of distilled water, 1 cup of white vinegar, 20 drops of lemon essential oil, and 20 drops of tea tree essential oil. Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake well. Spray on surfaces and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth or paper towel if laundry options are limited. Store indefinitely in a spray bottle in a cool, dark place. Shake well before each use.
PURIFYING MATTRESS CLEANER
This yields 2 cups or 1 application of mattress cleaner. Take 2 cups of baking soda and 10 drops of tea tree essential oil (great for this recipe because of its antibacterial and antifungal properties). Combine baking soda and tea tree essential oil in a jar. Mix well. Remove all bedding and wash in hottest possible water. Sprinkle mixture over bare mattress. Leave on for about an hour to draw out moisture and odor. Vacuum thoroughly.
LEMON DISINFECTING RINSE AID FOR THE DISHWASHER
This yields 1 cup. Take 1 one cup of white vinegar and 10 drops of lemon essential oil. Combine vinegar and lemon essential oil in a squeeze bottle. Shake well. Fill the dishwasher’s rinse aid compartment with mixture. Run on a quick cycle to disinfect dishwasher. Store indefinitely in a squeeze bottle under your kitchen sink.
TOILET CLEANER
This yields 1/2 cup or 1 application of toilet cleaner. Take 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of white vinegar, and 10 drops of eucalyptus oil. Add all ingredients to the toilet bowl. Using a scrub brush, clean the inside of the toilet thoroughly and allow to sit for several minutes, then flush.
ONE-INGREDIENT HAND PURIFIER
If you need an emergency quick hand purifier, take 2-3 drops of lemon essential oil to hands. Rub thoroughly until essential oil has been absorbed into skin.
FREE GIFT! As a free giveaway to those who view this post and like and follow my post, I would love to send you a FREE BAR of lemon and tea tree disinfecting hand soap made with lemon and tea tree and glycerin. Please reach out to me at sycksretailmarketplace@gmail.com for your complimentary bar! Here’s to everyone staying healthy!
Happy Sunday Everyone! Welcome back and thank you for joining me for tonight’s post as we continue our series together “Spring Cleaning Makeover.” I have another jam-packed post for organizing spring cleaning the living room. This post will have a checklist, DIY cleaning solutions specifically for the living room, quick cleaning tips and a special link at the end. I hope you all have continued to stay safe and healthy and this post will be a fun and informative respite from what was a busy week for all!
LIVING ROOM CHECKLIST:
Dust/polish furniture
Wash slipcovers
Disinfect throw pillows/wash throw blankets
Vacuum sofas and chairs
Dust blinds
Dust curtain rods
Clean window sills
Wash windows
Clean or vacuum curtains
Clean ceiling fans
Dust and clean lamp shades
Dust electronics
Dust and clean décor/knickknacks
Sanitize remote controls
Mop or vacuum floors
Shampoo rugs and carpets
LIVING ROOM QUICK TIPS:
#1 – Dust ceiling fans with a pillowcase. Put a pillowcase over a ceiling fan blade, and carefully trap dirt and dust inside as you remove it. Repeat for the other blades. When finished, shake the dirt from the pillowcase into the garbage, and launder as usual. #2 – Disinfect doorknobs with a spritz of hydrogen peroxide. Doorknobs are often overlooked when cleaning, yet they are the leading spots for germs and viruses to be passed along. Give them a little spray of hydrogen peroxide and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. You can continue to do this once a week or every day during cold and flu seasons to keep your family healthy. #3 – Clean pet urine with baking soda. Wipe up the mess with cloths or paper towels. Spray with an all purpose cleaner (see my page with DIY cleaning products) and wipe again. Sprinkle liberally with baking soda and let sit overnight. Wipe up the baking soda and clean with an all purpose cleaner again. The stain and odor should be gone. Repeat if necessary. #4 – Remove mystery carpet stains with hydrogen peroxide. Don’t know what a stain is but still need to clean it? Mix 1 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide with a sprinkle of cream of tartar. Work the paste into the stain with a cloth or toothbrush then rinse with clean, cool water!
DIY LIVING ROOM CLEANING SOLUTIONS:
NATURAL CARPET CLEANER: This yield 1 gallon. Take 1/2 gallon of distilled water, 1/2 gallon of white vinegar, 1/4 cup of Borax, and 25-30 drops of tea tree essential oil. Combine all ingredients in a large bucket or 1 gallon container and mix well. Add as much of the mixture as needed to the solution container of your carpet cleaning machine. Use as directed. Store indefinitely in a 1 gallon container.
LEMON CARPET STAIN REMOVER. This yields one cup or one application. Take 1 cup of vinegar, 10 drops of lemon essential oil and 1/4 cup of baking soda. Combine vinegar, and lemon essential oil in a measuring cup or bottle. Mix well. Sprinkle enough baking soda over the stain to cover. Pour mixture over the stain as needed. The baking soda will bubble up. Let it dry and then vacuum. This can take a day or so to dry depending upon the stain and the type of carpet being treated!
CONDITIONING WOOD FLOOR CLEANER. This yields 1 application of cleaner. Take 1 gallon of warm water, 1/2 cup of olive oil, 1/2 cup of lemon juice and 20 drops of lemon essential oil. Combine all ingredients in a large bucket. Mix well. Mop floors as normal. No need to rinse.
ALCOHOL-FREE LEMON WINDOW AND GLASS CLEANER. This yields 1 1/4 cups. Take 1 cup of distilled water, 1/4 cup of vinegar, and 10-12 drops of lemon or lime essential oil. Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. Spray on windows or glass and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. Store indefinitely in a cool, dark place in a glass spray bottle to preserve the properties of the essential oil. Shake bottle well prior to using each time.
Have a beautiful week. Stay calm, stay healthy, stay sanitized. I will be back mid-week and we will move on to the dining room. I am posting the link to one of my pages where I shared some great recipes for teas, tonics and smoothies for taking care of YOU! Enjoy!
Lemon and Tea Tree Hand Cleaning Soap (Great for the kitchen and bathroom)
This is an all natural, handmade hand cleaning soap made with lemon and tea tree oils and glycerin soap. It is a fresh smelling antibacterial soap great for cleaning your hands after cooking, etc. Each purchase contains 2 handmade bars of the soap!
We are almost at the start of a new week everyone. I do hope ALL of you have stayed healthy and safe with all of the flu, viruses and illnesses going around. I know it is a busy time for everyone. Trying to continue to stay healthy, sending kids to school, eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring weather. I wanted to share some recipes for hot teas, tonics and smoothies to help YOU take care of YOU. Our loads our heavy, our to do lists are long. Set aside just a few minutes in between the schooling, the work, and the caring to renew YOU!
Ginger-Tumeric Tea. Ingredients: take 2 cups of water, 1/2 teaspoon of ground turmeric, 1/2 teaspoon of chopped fresh ginger, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 wedge of lemon. Directions: In a saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add spices and reduce to medium heat. Simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and serve with honey and lemon wedge. (You can also substitute real maple syrup for the honey if necessary.) This tea is an excellent tonic. Tumeric is known for its restorative properties. It contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.
Green Tea with Citrus. Ingredients: Take the zest of 1 lemon wedge cut into slivers, 2 teaspoons of boiling water, 2 teaspoons of green tea powder, 3/4 cup of hot water, 1/2 cup of fresh grapefruit or orange juice, 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon honey. Directions: Place the lemon zest in a mug and cover with 2 teaspoons of boiling water. Steep for 3 minutes. Then add the green tea powder and hot water. Add fruit juice and honey. Stir together. The fresh fruit juice adds vitamin C. The green tea is great for the antioxidant benefit!
Tumeric-Milk Tonic for Sore Throat. Ingredients: 1/2 teaspoon of dried turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger, minced, 1/4 cup of water and 3/4 cup of milk. Directions: Blend liquid and dry ingredients and heat the mixture for a few minutes, until the milk almost boils. Let the mixture cool slightly, then strain if necessary and drink. Ginger is a wonderful anti-inflammatory that can reduce pain.
Fruit Basket Smoothie. Ingredients: 1 cup of fresh or frozen strawberries, 1/2 cup of crushed or sliced pineapple, 1 banana, 2 cups of orange juice, 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt, 1 cup of baby spinach, and 1 tablespoon chia or flax seeds. Directions: Combine the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Add ice depending upon how chilled you want the smoothie. (Note: frozen bananas work well in this recipe as well.) This smoothie is a healthy blend for many reasons: the strawberries have fiber and antioxidants, the bananas have potassium, the pineapple is great for digestive health, orange juice has Vitamin C and the spinach has high overall nutrient value.
I hope you all have had a great weekend and it has been safe, and healthy and joyful. I will be back next week for some more great tips and recipes!
Lemon and Rosemary 