1
1ke
Guest
Don’t worry, the excitement wears off.**
Wait a minute…did I just say I can’t wait to CLEAN?**
I make my own cleaners, and at first I was excited about them too.
Homemade Household Cleaners, Toilietries, FoodStuffs and More
- Status
I make my own cleaners, and at first I was excited about them too.
1
1ke
Guest
Oh, one more thing. You need to check the website for any appliances and pots/pans you have to see if certain cleaners will void the warranty.
For example, you should not use baking soda on Calphalon pans. They explicitly state this on their website. They state to use Bar Keeper’s Friend or Bon Ami and to use a Dobie brand pad which doesn’t scratch.
So, if you received any specific brands for wedding gifts, etc, check their website for the Care and Use recommendations and Warranty policies.
For example, you should not use baking soda on Calphalon pans. They explicitly state this on their website. They state to use Bar Keeper’s Friend or Bon Ami and to use a Dobie brand pad which doesn’t scratch.
So, if you received any specific brands for wedding gifts, etc, check their website for the Care and Use recommendations and Warranty policies.
O
OutinChgoburbs
Guest
This isn’t a homemade cleaner, but I buy window washer fluid in large quantities when it goes on sale in the winter (around here, winter is when it is direly needed). It cleans windows and mirrors better than Windex, the clean seems to last longer, and the bathroom mirrors don’t fog up at the slightest burst of steam. Last year, I got it for about 50 cents a gallon.
P
puzzleannie
Guest
I am past caring about it, but yes, there was a fad in the 70s and again in the 80s to try these things, and those of us that tried them went back to conventional methods quickly. sponges, cups and other alternatives were implicated in TSS in the 80s so that scared a lot of people.Have you tried menstrual cups? They need to be changed less, less mess (than leaky pads, etc), cheaper in the long run, better for the environment and make that “time of the month” so much more CONVENIENT for me!
If you do decide to buy conventional household cleansers and detergents, save money by reading the directions. Most people use way too much because they eyeball instead of measuring. also use the recommendations from the manufacturer of your washer, which may differ from the directions on the container. unless you have problems with your water supply, start with half the recommended amount for several weeks and see how your clothes look and feel.
M
Mommy_G
Guest
That’s untrue. Menstrual cups don’t cause TSS. See here for example:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstrual_cup
In the 70s and 80s the only available cups I know of in the US were made of latex/rubber that did cause allergies in some women, though if that is what you were thinking. Now they are made of silicone. MUCH better.
Sponges may have problems, but not silicone cups which is what I recommended.
O
OutinChgoburbs
Guest
No, they don’t. But what puzzleannie means (at least I think she does), is during the late 1970s, early 1980s, there was a HUGE scare about TSS. Most of us didn’t utilize anything that could be considered “blocking” out of fear of TSS.That’s untrue. Menstrual cups don’t cause TSS. See here for example:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstrual_cup
In the 70s and 80s the only available cups I know of in the US were made of latex/rubber that did cause allergies in some women, though if that is what you were thinking. Now they are made of silicone. MUCH better.
Sponges may have problems, but not silicone cups which is what I recommended.
I am way past caring about it, myself. I keep a few pads, though, for guests who may need them at inopportune times. And I suppose someday soon I will have to figure out something for the girls.
Back to the topic…
M
Mommy_G
Guest
Ahhh…I see…well rest assured this is not an issue with cups and it would be a great thing to introduce your girls to, especially if they like sports…
Back to topic indeed.
I LOVE the ideas in this thread. I find that I use less and less commercially made products of any type — personal care, household cleaners, etc
So much of it that we think we need we really don’t.
I personally am aware that I am much more susceptible to advertising than I always think I am, too.
A great way to break free of needing these (expensive!) products is to just turn off your tv…then no commercials!
Other strategies on overcoming consumerism here:
www.verdant.net
L
Leeta
Guest
Brown sugar on the hair? It would be so sticky. I need it cleaned, not dirtied. That is why I wash it.
Bar Keeper’s Friend is less expensive and is very effective on rust stains. Vinegar would not do it.
My husband washes his hair with bar soap. I think it builds up a soap scum on the head.
Bar Keeper’s Friend is less expensive and is very effective on rust stains. Vinegar would not do it.
My husband washes his hair with bar soap. I think it builds up a soap scum on the head.
P
puzzleannie
Guest
I don’t know if they do or not but remember quite clearly the scares at the time and warnings not to use them. if they work for you fine just relating experience of us old folks. when I was young plenty of women, esp. ethnic or those who had grown up during the depression, still used actual rags, washed and reused, and you could still buy bags of rags for that purpose. to each her own.
Q
queen_anne78
Guest
that’s why you rinse well after the brown sugar
then it’s not sticky. Besides…if your shampoo/conditioner as silicons in it, then it’s not really cleaning your hair anyways, but coating it. Yum.
M
Mommy_G
Guest
Thanks for the history lesson, but I am a baby boomer with a depression era mom.
But thank you for thinking I was really YOUNG…that made my DAY! 
My mom used rags.
The thought of piling up disposables in landfills has always creeped me out. The modern cloth pads (usually contoured to fit nicely) have always been a great alternative, too.
So much cheaper and boy are they more comfortable. I am so sorry that you were warned incorrectly about cups, which have never been associated with TSS. You missed out on a really convenient thing. (They require a lot less changing than tampons without the TSS risks.) Hugs.
I thought of some other things.
Buying most clothes from consignment, Good Will or getting them through www.freecycle.org
LOVE freecycle.
I grew up in the shadow of a huge Franciscan convent…just down the hill. I was lucky to spend lots of time, there. They were such marvels at not wasting anything. I am gonna see if I can get more tips from their website.
M
mrsfrazier
Guest
Plus you had mentioned it’s good for curly hair, which usually is dry and needs lots of moisturizing. What would you recommend for us with straight hair? I have super oily, straight hair, and no matter what I use it seems to get weighed down by the end of the day. Plus natural shampoos and conditioners are expensive!that’s why you rinse well after the brown sugar
Z
Zooey
Guest
Have you discovered Hillbilly Housewife yet?? hillbillyhousewife.com/index.htmlOur grocery bills are going through the roof! I need MORE ways to save.We already buy bulk foods, generics, use coupons, and watch for big sales. We eat lots of beans, rice, potatoes, etc. The basics are covered.
**But, I still need MORE ways to save! I need to start making cleaners, toiletries, food stuffs, etc. at home! Basically anything that you have to buy/replace regularly. I want to start making these items more cheaply than it costs to buy them at the store. I also want any creative ways to recycle trash, and old otherwise unusable items, to make things that can be used again to save even more money. **
For example: I heard that making your own household cleaners helps. We’ve been buying generic cleaners, but even these are really too expensive. I use bleach water solution for sanitizing, bathrooms and floors, and that’s been saving some. I’ve heard vinegar and baking soda work too, but I’m not sure for what and what concentrates to use.
Any other ideas/tips for making your own cleaners, toiletries, food stuffs, etc. or reusing/recycling tips to help save us more money would be most appreciated.
BTW: For those of you who don’t know we are only two people. So making bulk quantities of perishable items won’t do. But everything else is fair game.
God bless you and thanks for any advice/tips you have to offer!
Maggie has all kinds of ideas about how to save on grocery bills. She also has links to other sites with good info on the same kinds of things…
D
dafalax
Guest
I think the hillbilly housewife kicks my butt when it comes to thrift, but she doesn’t have a carnivore husband.
My advice is this:
1). Showering everyday is nice to rinse off dead skin cells, but has it occurred to you that you needn’t wash your hair every day?(Maybe it has, just asking) And that soap may just dry your skin, costing you money and then even more money when you use lotion to combat the dryness caused by soap? My husband doesn’t use shampoo and keeps his hair cut short (by me) and his natural oils and the daily rinse seem to keep him nice. I absolutely have to use conditioner for tangles, though, but I only wash my hair twice a week and it does fine. Shiny and stank free. I’m of the mind that Americans are marketed too much in the way of personal care products. But maybe I just don’t mind my blackheads as much as everyone else.
2). Our Wal-Mart sells a 10lb. bag of chicken leg quarters. I can make nearly a week’s worth of recipes from this using primarily rice and flour. Cover one or two pieces in a large pot with water and boil the chicken till it’s cooked. Remove the chicken. You can then add a cup or two of rice and a tbsp. of salt. When the chicken cools, strip it off the bones and add it to the cooked rice. Gives you a nice carb/protein mix meal. You can also boil the chicken, remove it, thicken the water with flour and season it with onion powder, salt and pepper, then add some flour & water dumplings and your shredded chicken. I add a can of mixed veggies, too. For an oriental flavor, boil the chicken, save the stock, and cook some plain rice. Then add shredded chicken, some frozen oriental veggies, and teriyaki sauce. You can use the chicken broth you saved to make just plain chicken flavored rice with no meat for when you’re really hard up. Anyway, i’ve found chicken’s cheaper the less cut up it is, so I try to stretch it. I don’t remember the last time i enjoyed boneless skinless breasts of chicken like so many recipes call for.
3.) I recently read a cookbook put out by the local resthome containing recipes from the residents. These included casseroles that were actually cheap (no tahini or pine nuts required) and ingredients i actually had already in my kitchen. Nobody can stretch a dollar like someone who lived through the Depression. See if you can’t find a similar recipe book in your community or maybe try to organize one to raise money for the elderly in resthomes. They’d probably love being visited and asked for recipe advice.
My advice is this:
1). Showering everyday is nice to rinse off dead skin cells, but has it occurred to you that you needn’t wash your hair every day?(Maybe it has, just asking) And that soap may just dry your skin, costing you money and then even more money when you use lotion to combat the dryness caused by soap? My husband doesn’t use shampoo and keeps his hair cut short (by me) and his natural oils and the daily rinse seem to keep him nice. I absolutely have to use conditioner for tangles, though, but I only wash my hair twice a week and it does fine. Shiny and stank free. I’m of the mind that Americans are marketed too much in the way of personal care products. But maybe I just don’t mind my blackheads as much as everyone else.
2). Our Wal-Mart sells a 10lb. bag of chicken leg quarters. I can make nearly a week’s worth of recipes from this using primarily rice and flour. Cover one or two pieces in a large pot with water and boil the chicken till it’s cooked. Remove the chicken. You can then add a cup or two of rice and a tbsp. of salt. When the chicken cools, strip it off the bones and add it to the cooked rice. Gives you a nice carb/protein mix meal. You can also boil the chicken, remove it, thicken the water with flour and season it with onion powder, salt and pepper, then add some flour & water dumplings and your shredded chicken. I add a can of mixed veggies, too. For an oriental flavor, boil the chicken, save the stock, and cook some plain rice. Then add shredded chicken, some frozen oriental veggies, and teriyaki sauce. You can use the chicken broth you saved to make just plain chicken flavored rice with no meat for when you’re really hard up. Anyway, i’ve found chicken’s cheaper the less cut up it is, so I try to stretch it. I don’t remember the last time i enjoyed boneless skinless breasts of chicken like so many recipes call for.
3.) I recently read a cookbook put out by the local resthome containing recipes from the residents. These included casseroles that were actually cheap (no tahini or pine nuts required) and ingredients i actually had already in my kitchen. Nobody can stretch a dollar like someone who lived through the Depression. See if you can’t find a similar recipe book in your community or maybe try to organize one to raise money for the elderly in resthomes. They’d probably love being visited and asked for recipe advice.
D
dranzal
Guest
D
dafalax
Guest
Also, you can get away with using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste instead of spreading it the length of the bristles. Your spit will dilute the fluoride adequately. And i’m sure you need to brush your teeth everyday. Dental bills are expensive!
S
sanctareparata
Guest
AWESOME, Queen Anne! DH and I tried this at night over the weekend…and LOVED it. My face has never felt better. Even DH’s beard was soft. No moisturizers needed like I usually need every night and every AM.****OK LAST THING I promise
**EVOO/CO for face
**Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is used for moisture, while Castor Oil (CO) is used for cleansing. Castor Oil tends to be a bit on the thick side, so a mix of the two (EVOO/CO) is frequently used. This allows for the Castor Oil to really sink into the pores and draw out the dirt and grime to the surface. You can vary this ratio to match your skins needs. More EVOO for moisture or more CO for cleansing (25/75 EVOO/CO for Oily skin, or 75/25 EVOO/CO for dry skin). EVOO is incredibly high in antioxidants, while CO is excellent for drawing and healing. CO has been the focus of many books and medical discussion because of its seemingly “magical” healing properties. It only makes sense (after a bit of research) that one would use CO on their face to help treat blemishes and acne, or simply to make their skin look and feel better.
The Routine:
Massage a substantial amount (the cup of your palm, while hand is held open) of EVOO/CO mixture into your face and neck.
This is to be done over makeup or any visible dirt. Take this time to give yourself a facial massage. Really work the oil into your skin. Take your time, breathe deeply, and relax. Sit down to do this if it helps.
Of course, you do not have to sit and relax, but keep in mind that stress isn’t good for your skin and you should take any moment you can to destress and let tension float away.
Take a washcloth (terry cloth or flannel), and soak it in steamy hot water. Wring it out and drape it over your face.
What we are doing is steaming your face as an esthetician would, but without the steam machine. You want to open your pores. This helps release any impurities from deep within your pores.
As the washcloth begins to cool, gently wipe the oil and dirt away. This will also help remove any dead skin cells.
Rinse the washcloth out in hot water and wipe away any remaining impurities. You may have to do this two or three times more to remove any remaining dirt and oil residue, but it will come off leaving your skin with a beautiful, healthy glow. No additional cleansing is necessary.
After you have rinsed well, you can either splash your face with cool water to help tone and close your pores, or if your face feels tight, you can moisturize.
If your skin feels tight, take a tiny drop of your EVOO/CO, rub it between your clean, damp palms and pat it into your damp skin. Massage any oil residue into your skin so there is no film of oil left sitting on the surface. Being prone to breakouts myself, I’ve found that this is perhaps the most important step.
I even came into work this morning and two people said - Wow! Your face is so radiant! So it’s either the EVOO/CO or I’m pregnant again.
DH and I kept waking up last night and we’d say to each other: Doesn’t your face feel wonderful?
Never in my life would I have thought to wash my face with oil but I’m sold now! THANKS for the great idea.
- Status