Saving and having fun with household supplies

[Radiance]

ok, I know this might be ovbious for some of you long time frugals, but I am just amazed of the money I have wasted on household supplies till now.

Cleaning:
I am down to baking soda, vinegar, essential oils, soap and hot water for almost everything (bathrooms, floors, windows, mirrors) Mind you, I have a toddler at home, so cleaning messes is my second name
I do use a eartly friendly but commercial microfiber cleaner for my microfiber sofa, but that is until I find the home made substitute..
I find no use for any of the commercial cleaners. none! I dont even visit that isle at the store

wood cleaner!
Recently, I tried Lime, Vinager and water mix for cleaning wood, it works great, really cleans and shines and it is even less rubbing than pledge and the others! I am so excited!

Now I move to the personal items, I bet I can make my own shampoo! THis is too much fun, and dirty cheap...!

oh, and if by any chance my son drinks any of my cleaners, no calling poison control

I just thought I'd share in my frugalistic adventures

[irmanator]

I have heard you can use baking soda and water to clean your hair.
Baking soda/vinegar shampoo recipe

[Frugal]

I used a vinegar rinse once in my hair, but don't recommend it! (I was only a teenager, and didn't know better). It made my hair EXTREMELY oily. Plus, that vinegar smell is sure hard to get out!

I also like natural cleaners, but have some concerns that we need at least a basic antibacterial for cleaning counters where we cook raw meat, etc. It might prevent us from getting sick to have that kind of cleaner to clean door knobs, etc. when someone in the house is sick. Other than that, I like natural cleaners.

[photo]

Please be careful, because essential oils can be toxic if ingested.

[irmanator]

Vinegar doesnt make your hair oily. Your hair will be extra oily when you start going natural due to commercial products strip it so badly that to compensate your scalp produces extra oils. It takes a couple weeks to adjust.

[riverwed070707]

Originally Posted by Frugal

I used a vinegar rinse once in my hair, but don't recommend it! (I was only a teenager, and didn't know better). It made my hair EXTREMELY oily. Plus, that vinegar smell is sure hard to get out!

I also like natural cleaners, but have some concerns that we need at least a basic antibacterial for cleaning counters where we cook raw meat, etc. It might prevent us from getting sick to have that kind of cleaner to clean door knobs, etc. when someone in the house is sick. Other than that, I like natural cleaners.

Vinegar is a natural disinfectant. Its perfect for counters, killing sick germs, etc

Originally Posted by irmanator

Vinegar doesnt make your hair oily. Your hair will be extra oily when you start going natural due to commercial products strip it so badly that to compensate your scalp produces extra oils. It takes a couple weeks to adjust.

This! I did this last year and though I kind of fell off the bandwagon when i started traveling a lot this year I LOVED going poo-free I got my recipe from Dust in the Wind. Only modification I made was to use apple cider vinegar instead of white -- just liked the way it smelled with the cinnamon. She does a pretty good job of explaining but basically your hair will go through a detox period and it will be very oily during that time, but once that's over (2-ish weeks) O.M.G. my hair had never been healthier, shinier or softer. It was fantastic.

I did a blog post on 10 crazy green choice I never thought I'd make that included both of these ideas...just don't pay attention to the fact that my blog has been highly neglected for the past several months -- at one time it was a great project

[bjl584]

Originally Posted by Radiance

ok, I know this might be ovbious for some of you long time frugals, but I am just amazed of the money I have wasted on household supplies till now.

Cleaning:
I am down to baking soda, vinegar, essential oils, soap and hot water for almost everything (bathrooms, floors, windows, mirrors) Mind you, I have a toddler at home, so cleaning messes is my second name
I do use a eartly friendly but commercial microfiber cleaner for my microfiber sofa, but that is until I find the home made substitute..
I find no use for any of the commercial cleaners. none! I dont even visit that isle at the store

wood cleaner!
Recently, I tried Lime, Vinager and water mix for cleaning wood, it works great, really cleans and shines and it is even less rubbing than pledge and the others! I am so excited!

Now I move to the personal items, I bet I can make my own shampoo! THis is too much fun, and dirty cheap...!

oh, and if by any chance my son drinks any of my cleaners, no calling poison control

I just thought I'd share in my frugalistic adventures

There are websites that give you recipes for making everything from soap to laundry detergent, to household cleaners. I was recently looking into making some natural homemade cleaning products.

[PetMom]

I use only stuff I make and having pets I need something for sanitizing.

I get the isopropyl 91% alcohol in the pharmacy section at any store.

Use a rag (got rid of paper towels years ago) and blob some alcohol
and rub on germy area.

With any meat cooking, will wipe clean with cleanser then go over
again with the alcohol rub.

Scubbing solution instead of those abrasive cleansers? A little bit of
salt with water, but test on tiny surface you are using - if you have
granite counters. I have used in my stainless steel
sink, old counter tops, and even bathtub. Has worked great and salt is
so cheap.

Love the shampoo ideas. There was one group of people that just totally
gave up shampooing. The idea here sounds better. I ended up just using
a lot less of my expensive natural shampoo. You really don't need a huge
amount to make all that lather in the commercials.

Same with toothpaste, you don't need the whole brush bristle area covered,
just a small dab is plenty - it is more the technique than the toothpaste.

Only thing I am wanting is one of those steam cleaners as those really get
to disinfecting (as in dustmites) the soft surfaces.

Also believe in a really good vacuum cleaner and will pay for the best - with
not spending all your money on the cleaning aisle these things will be affordable.

[Radiance]

Please be careful, because essential oils can be toxic if ingested.

Yes, I still have to keep some things "out of the reach of children and pets". Including borax and essential oils.

I also like natural cleaners, but have some concerns that we need at least a basic antibacterial for cleaning counters where we cook raw meat, etc. It might prevent us from getting sick to have that kind of cleaner to clean door knobs, etc. when someone in the house is sick. Other than that, I like natural cleaners.

I believe bacteria doesnt survive vinegar with an essential oil like tea tree at 4% or more of concentration. I hardly ever cook meats anyway, so I guess this is why I am not overly concerned.
Door knobs and stuff just get vinegar and baking soda attention in my household. We hardly ever get sick, thanks God.

You know what? I think I get less sick since I stoped using harsh chemicals. Also less allergies since I use arm and hammer no dye and no parfumes for detergent. The only draback is that I get itchy when I pass by the cleaners isle in the supermarket, which reminds me how toxic all that is and how I was not immune but desensitized before.

Only thing I am wanting is one of those steam cleaners as those really get
to disinfecting (as in dustmites) the soft surfaces.

Also believe in a really good vacuum cleaner and will pay for the best - with
not spending all your money on the cleaning aisle these things will be affordable.

Yes! I also want one of those steam cleners, it must be great for the showers and requires less or no scrubbing!
Same opinion on vacuum cleaner. I couldnt find a place with no carpet as I wanted. I have carpet on the bedroom. so I love my Oreck. I have even been thinking on a roomba!

But going back to frugal, I think by making very little baby steps has allowed me to make small, yet sustainable changes. I dont remember last time I bought a shower cleaner product.

I havent tried the isopropyl.... hmmm