Peroxide the new Bleach

I have had the same bottle of bleach in my laundry room for as long as I can remember.  Occasionally, I find myself diluting it down with water for heavy cleaning jobs when soap and water just will not work .   Mostly it sits on the shelf because the smell leaves me with a headache, let alone it is just really nasty stuff.  I have found myself relaying more on steam cleaning or using 3% hydrogen peroxide to tackle most cleaning.  3% Hydrogen peroxide makes a great bleach replacement; it is anti bacterial, anti fungal and anti viral.   All the reason we use it on our skin for scraps and cuts.  It is easy on your washer, your clothes and septic system.  Try to keep in mind what we put down the drain ends back up in our water supply.   In some upcoming posts I will explore the other benefits of hydrogen peroxide with you that I have found myself fond of.

I just recently started using this in my wash since being deployed and my selection of clothing options are limited.  I wear the same six PT shirts, six pairs of white socks and six white sports bras to work out in and trust me when I say they take a beating.  Over the last couple of months here I have noticed a lot of peoples PT shirts including mine being extremely discolored.  We live in the middle of the desert, use non potable water to wash our cloths, perspire uncontrollably and endure temperatures of 100 plus degree Fahrenheit with 60% humidity.  Although the 3% dilution is working great given the conditions, I would prefer to have a 5% dilution. 

Just as you would add bleach to your wash use hydrogen peroxide in the same manner.  Considering the conditions I am currently living and the beating my clothes are taking I have found that soaking my clothes for an hour or so before washing helps loosen the dirt and grime.  Simply fill the washer, add powdered laundry soap and a cup of hydrogen peroxide.  After an hour I start the normal cycle. 

Cost Savings:

1 Gallon Bleach: $3.00

*16oz 3% Hydrogen Peroxide: $1.00

*This may not seem like much of a cost savings if you are buying the 3% Brown bottles from the local drug store.  To increase your buying power, purchase the 35% Food Grade and dilute to 3% with distilled water.   http://www.using-hydrogen-peroxide.com/Concentrations-of-hydrogen-peroxide.html

Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical and extra care should be taken when handling it.  Always test on a small piece of fabric before use to prevent color bleaching.  Most importantly keep out of reach of young children. 

Whiter Smile

I have been a Listerine user for as long as I can remember, there is something about the tingling sensation that just says clean!  Like many who desire unnaturally white teeth, I have spent a fortune on teeth whitening tooth pastes, mouth washes, bleach strips and professional dental whitening.  All of which are counter acted by my love affair with coffee and red wine.  Since expanding more on my new found love of Hydrogen Peroxide, it has replaced Listerine on the bathroom counter at a much cheaper price.  This is not a new idea and people have been doing this for years becasue it works. 

Gargle with two caps of 3% for a minute or two.  The important thing is to swish the liquid around in your mouth getting it in all the nooks and crannies.  Brush your teeth as usual and enjoy the extra foaming actions.  You cannot help but notice the extra clean feel.   There is a noticeable peroxide taste, similar to that found in whitening toothpaste and mouthwash.

Douse a little peroxide on your toothbrush once you are done to clean your toothbrush.

Cost Savings:

Listerine 32oz: $7.00

3% Hydrogen Peroxide: $1.00  

*This may not seem like much of a cost savings if you are buying the 3% Brown bottles from the local drug store.  To increase your buying power, purchase the 35% Food Grade and dilute to 3% with distilled water.   http://www.using-hydrogen-peroxide.com/Concentrations-of-hydrogen-peroxide.html

If you decide diluting is for you, be sure to keep your contain that will block out light and stored in a dark location. (Medicine cabinet, drawer, etc.)  Most importantly keep out of reach of young children. 

Shopping List

I came to the realization earlier this week that I should give everyone a shopping list of commonly purchased items for your clean n’ green supply locker.  I think you will be amazed at how simple and inexpensive this style of living can truly be.  I bet most of you have at least five of these already. 

Just in time for your weekly trip to the grocery store here it is.  The list is broken out into two categories, those items purchased frequently and those used frequently.  The items used frequently tend to be more expensive in comparison but they last along time.  I buy so much vinegar that cashiers always ask me what I’m canning!

Frequently Purchased

*White Vinegar

*Apple Cider Vinegar

*Baking Soda

Washing Soda

Borax

Fels Napa (or perfume free soap of your choice)

Hydrogen Peroxide

Cornstarch or Arrowroot

Witch Hazel

Isopropyl Alcohol

Frequently Used

Castile soap

Coconut Oil

Vitamin E Oil

Avocado Oil

Apricot Oil

Essential Oils

Jojoba Oil

Citric Acid or Fruit Fresh

Course Kosher Salt

* The best price for these items has been Costco or another Bulk Warehouse type store.

Boil Away Foul Air

Cooking, pets, husbands and kids can leave our home with less then desirable smells.  Most of us are horrified at the idea of a friend coming over and saying our house smells so we spend a fortune on room sprays, candles and other products that mask the odors and leave toxins in our air.  Stop wasting your money and buy the one product that eliminates odors…..Vinegar! No surprise, vinegar is one of my cleaning super products.   

Method:

Boil equal parts water and vinegar

Super easy and super efficient.  You can boil the mix while you cook, while you eat or any point during the day.  It’s important to note that too much vinegar will leave your house, less then inviting so dilute it.    

We use to live within five miles from a local pig farm and when the wind blew just right on a hot summer day our house smelt like we lived at the pig farm.   A couple couples boiling on the stove and home smelt clean again. 

Stain Fighting Power

Weather you buy your clothes new or shop resale, we pay a lot of money for our clothes.  I shop conservatively so I can wear items for multiple seasons.  I’m guilty of having clothes in my closet that are from my early college days, over ten years ago.  What I have found works best for treating stains in our family is one of three methods below.  There are hundreds of stain treatment possibilities based on stain type and materials affected.  This recipe is for your everyday food, dirt and baby poop variety stain on cotton and cotton blends. 

Ingredients:

Spray Bottle

Hydrogen Peroxide

Baking Soda or Washing Soda

Hand Soap

Water

In a light blocking spray bottle mix equal parts water, hand soap and hydrogen peroxide add 3 table spoons baking soda or washing soda.  I’ve used both and can’t tell a difference between the two.  Mix and apply as needed.  Shake the bottle before each application.

Rinse the stained article with cold water, removing any debris.  Use the above mix to spray onto the article scrub as needed or let dry.  Wash as normal

*For the best results in stain fighting treat the stain immediately.    

Some great pretreatment options include:

Mix cold water and baking soda together and soak the affected items until you have time to deal with it.  I found this method very helpful when I was used cloth diapers.  Thoroughly rinse the article and drop it in a bucket. 

For tougher stains pretreat the article using the above mix and rub in some additional Fels Napa soap.  Rub the article together to work deep into the stain.  A stiff bristle brush would also work.   

The most natural way to remove stains is with sun bleaching.  I found this especially useful to keep my cloth diapers bright white and looking new.  This was very helpful for those baby clothes after diaper explosions.  All of my baby poop stains were soaked in baking soda until wash day, which averaged every third day.   Baking soda neutralized any odor on the items.  After washing the items in cold water, hang them in the sun to dry.  The sun works as natural bleach on the stains.  Some stains will need longer exposure then others.  There are tips for line drying your clothes so they don’t get stiff, but I never followed them.  I always rewashed these items anyway.  I know not very green, but I live in the desert where it’s always blazing hot and dusty out.  Clothes just don’t come off the line smelling like a summer breeze out here.

Using these methods I really don’t recall any of our daughter’s baby clothes falling victim to permanent stains.  At least not yet! 

**Nothing on here is an exact science, experiment with ingredients and measurements.  Every recipe I have found has been tweaked from the original to work based off my needs. 

Cost Savings:

Shout 30oz: $4.52

Peroxide: $1.50

Dish & Hand Soap

This is incredibly easy and again cheap.  If you have not noticed already those are two things that perk my interest.  My Sister in Law spent the day with me a couple months back and she was amazed at how quick and easy it was for me to whip up a batch of liquid and powder laundry soap, dishwasher detergent and dish/hand soap.  When I first started out making these items she was intrigued but intimidated to try it on her own.  So that afternoon we had a show and tell session in my kitchen which my husband says doubles as the "lab".  Once she realized how easy the whole process was, she had girls day back home showing off her new skills. 

1 bar of grated soap

1/2 gallon water

2 tbsp glycerin

Decorative soap dispenser

Mix ingredients together in a large pot on the stove. Set over low heat, stirring occasionally until the soap has dissolved. Transfer to a jar and cover tightly. For thinner gel soap, use 1 gallon of water.  This works both for dish and hand soap.  Most of my dishes find their way to the dishwasher, so if you find this soap doesn’t hold up to your hand washing liking, try adding baking soda to the batch.   

For the kitchen and utility sink I keep soap made from Fels Napa bars.  These have better grease cutting properties.  Feel free to use Castile (like Dr. Bonners) or any soap of your choice.  If you want something that will not dry out your skin stick with a castile soap. 

I like to watch out for decorative soap pumps from second hand stores but you can reuse any pump you have on hand.  For a really cute look buy a “mason jar pump” from www.etsy.com.

Natural Fabric Softener

I’ve never really been keen on fabric softeners in my wash and I’ve always been too frugal to buy dryer sheets. Occasionally over the years, I would grab a bottle from Costco.  When I did use them, I always felt like there was a residue left on my clothes so those purchases were few and far between.   Keep in mind our detergents and fabric softeners untimely end up in our drinking water.   Like other commercially produced products fabric softeners are packed full of  chemicals that mimic natural ingredients and are monitored closely by the EPA.   

If you are into big business conspiracies think about this.  If not skip ahead to the next paragraph, no hurt feelings.  The same manufacturer who produces detergent also sells, fabric softener and dryer sheets.  That equals to a lot of money to have soft wrinkle free laundry.  This is where the vicious cycle of dependency begins.  We feel compelled to continue using all the products to get the results you desire, the results the manufacturer promised.  Why not have one product that doesn’t harm your clothes or your health?  For them it is all about the profits.  Most of us walk around oblivious to there being anything harmful about the products we use because the government has approved their use……..Think again.  Big business fuels big government.

But what if you could use a detergent that reduced your dependency from static cling and wrinkles?  Start by trying one of my recipes for homemade detergent or source out one on the web that works best for your needs. 

In lieu of fabric softeners try adding ½ cup white vinegar to your washer.  Not only will the vinegar break down any remaining soap residue in your laundry it will clean your washer.  No need to worry about your clothes smelling like vinegar the smell with dissipate in the dryer if any carries over from the washer.  None of my non “Crunchy” friends have never told me my clothes, bedding or towels smell, so I take that as success. 

You can also add dryer balls to the dryer to expedite drying.  My aunt was doing this year’s ago and I thought she was crazy until I went home and Goggled it.  This way you are saving money on dryer sheets and electricity. 

Cost Savings:
Downey Free & Clear Fabric Softener 103fl oz: 9.99
Distilled White Vinegar 128fl oz: 3.99

Repurposing Baking Soda

In yesterdays post I showed you how to make your own odor jars for the house.  But what do you do with the baking soda at the end of the month?  The whole point of Clean N’ Green living is to reduce our dependency on commercial products, leave the Earth better then we found it and keep our hard earned money in our pockets.  So here are a few uses for your used baking soda.

Garbage Disposal:

            Empty used jar of baking soda down the kitchen sink, flush with 1 cup of vinegar.  Wait 10 minutes and rinse with hot water.  Keep in mind that everything you rinse down the sink, bathtub and flush down the toilet ends back up in our drinking water.  If you happen to be on septic system like we are the baking soda again neutralizes the tank and keeps everything decomposing nicely.   I’m happy to report we’ve lived in our home for two years and never needed it pumped. 

Toilet Bowl:

            Pour used jar of baking soda into your toilet bowl and scrub with toilet brush.  Again the baking soda will brighten and reduce any odors.

Grease Stains:

            If your husband spends hours in the garage working on the cars like mine you are bound to end up with a grease stain or two in the garage or driveway.  Pour the baking soda on the stain and allow it to absorb.  Sweep up contents and scrub clean.

Patio Furniture:

            Now that the summer months are upon use, clean up your stored patio furniture with a baking soda paste wash.  Not only is the mix toxic free but you will find your furniture bright and shiny.  Plus you don’t have to worry about scuffs.  I can’t count how many times as a kid I cleaned my parent’s patio furniture with Comet and inhaled the fumes.   

The possibilities are endless, just be creative.  Personally, I would stay away from reusing the baking soda on your furniture or carpet because you do not want your mattress to smell like last week’s fish dinner.

Cost Savings:

Disposer Care: $7.80

Soft Scrub: $4.35

Griot’s Garage Oil & Grease Cleaner: $13.99

Comet: $1.07  

Trapping Odors

We’ve all fallen victim to purchasing the little orange cardboard box of Baking Soda with removable sides and placed it in our fridge, freeze, car and any other place that accumulates odors.  Well stop paying $3.00 a box and make your own reusable packs.  If you haven’t noticed by now, I am addicted to the 101 ways to use baking soda within the home.  This post is no different.  We buy the 13.5lb bag from Costco for less than $6.00.  That’s a huge savings since most grocery stores sell the generic brand 1lb box for $1.00!  When you stop and think about 13.5lbs of baking soda for $6.00 and all the things you can do with it…EEEEKKKK! Bottom line, saving money here lets me enjoy more SHOE SHOPPING!

What makes baking soda so intriguing is that it has a neutralizing pH; which makes it perfect for odor control and cleaning. 

Materials:

Glass jar: I use canning jars or recycled glass jars

Baking Soda

Optional: fabric and rubber band

Directions:

 Fill your jar/container ¾ of the way full with baking soda. 

*You can go as simple or fancy as your heart desires.  If you plan to set the jar out on the counter you might want to dress it up with cute fabric and ribbon.  If you are going to use it in the fridge/freezer use whatever material you have lying around.  I happened to have excess fabric from a Christmas jar craft already cut to size.  

            Cap the jar using a piece of fabric and secure with the canning jar ring or rubber band

Voila!  Just like that you saved at least $6.00 a month.  Replace monthly or as needed.  Check in tomorrow to find out how you can dispose of your used baking soda every month and clean your house at the same time. 

Powdered Laundry Detergent

Top load machine

1   Fels-Naptha soap bar

1  Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*

½  Cup Borax

-Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered. Mix all ingredients. For light load, use 1 Tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 Tablespoons. Yields: 3 Cups detergent. (Approx. 40 loads)

*I make this recipe for my grandma.  I've found processing several bars of soap at once and storing in an air tight container is more practical.  

*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" -  Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!

TIPS FOR LAUNDRY SOAP: I have only used Fels-Naptha  bar soap in the homemade soap recipes, but you can use Ivory, Sunlight, Kirk's Hardwater Castile or Zote bars. Don't use perfumed soaps. We buy Fels-Naptha by the case from Amazon. Washing Soda and Borax can often be found on the laundry or cleaning aisle. Recipe cost approx. $2 per batch.

Liquid Laundry Soap

I made this on a whim one day after watching an episode of 19 and Counting. Say what you will about large families like the Duggars but they have the best money saving tips.  Most of my inspiration has come from large family bloggers like the Duggars. Our household has been on homemade laundry soap since 2010 and I just  made batch number in March.  Little did I realize when I made my first batch how incredibly easy it is and inexpensive.  The recipe and instructions are outlined below with a few lessons learned along the way.

 Front or top load machine-best value

hot tap water

1  Fels-Naptha soap bar

1 Cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*

½ Cup Borax

- Grate 1 bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted. I found a used food processor at a yard sale and use the "S" blade to grind my soap.  Much faster and less labor intensive.  The amount of water you use here really is not that important.  You really just need enough to melt the soap and dilute the other ingredients in the next step.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir again, cover and let sit overnight to thicken. I have found the best thing to stir is a power drill and paint/grout paddle.  

-Stir again and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (it will continue to gel)

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)

-HE Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!

I did a cost comparison when I first made this and it came out to 1/2 of 1 cent per load.  

I've since stopped using fabric softener all together.  We only use white vinegar.  Not only does the vinegar keep your machine clean but it removes any soap buildup in your fabrics.

http://duggarfamily.com/ 

Chest Rubs

Late last year in the midst of flu and cold season I was asked if I'd ever made a chest rub? Never thought about, I'm rarely sick.  Besides that $2.00 jar of Vic's isn't chalked full of much right? What I never knew or though about is Vic's is a petroleum based product.   


There are three sites below that I frequent often and all had varying recipes. If I make this again next year I'm going to branch out and try the Keeper of the Home recipe using beeswax.  Anytime I am sourcing out a new product I use the rule of 3's and see what and how everyone else is doing it and go from there.   


This is so easy you'll wish you did it sooner.


Start with a base oil, I liked coconut because of the solid consistency, but olive oil works too.  There is no real measuring, scoop out a spoonful into an air tight leak proof container. Mix in 5 or so drops of Eucalyptus essential oil.  Use more or less to your need and tolerance to the scent and severity of stuffiness.  If you are using this for a younger child start with less is more.


No sooner I finished up this recipe my whole household came down with upper respiratory infections.  I pulled out the little container and slathered it on me and Alora's chest and nose. My funny guy husband wouldn't use it until he knew this stuff wasn't going to make his feet fall off or something.  Nonetheless everyone in our house still has feet and he applied it to Alora's nose and chest throughout most of the winter. 


Replace your humidifier vapor packs with drops of eucalyptus.  As you get more comfortable in mixing essential oils mix it with other scents for added effectiveness. Some mixes are a science and others are just preference.    


http://wholenewmom.com/recipes/homemade-vicks-vapor-rub-natural-decongestant-chest-rub/
http://adelightfulhome.com/kiss-vapo-rub-goodbye-–-diy-chest-rub/  
http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2011/11/homemade-herbal-vapor-rub-to-relieve-coughs-and-congestion.html

Refresh your mattress

When I arrived at my current deployed location I dropped my bags next to the twin bunk bed I would call mine for the next six months and tried to block out the number of people who had previously slept on that bed over the years.....gross, gag, yuk.... I had planned ahead knowing I was not lucky enough to find a new mattress in my room so I took out my premixed mattress fresh mix and prepped my bed.  I repeat this every week when I change my sheets.

Mix 1 cup baking soda and 5-8 drops of Tea Tree essential oil and allow to dry.
Put in a shaker
Shake on desired amount

When you change your sheets shake the powder onto your mattress for a refresh.  Tea Tree oil is antimicrobial and antibacterial.  

At home use the scent of your choice.  Just make sure it's something you want smell while your in dreamland.

Publishing Day

At the request of all my Facebook friends, new and old I'm publishing this blog just for you.  My goal is to publish one new "Clean N' Green" recipe and idea a day for you.  So you to can reap the benefits of a toxic free home all while keeping your hard earned money in your hands.  For the time being I'm deployed someplace in Southwest Asia so my accessibility to ingredients is limited to what I can get mailed  from Amazon or pick up locally on morale trips.  Bare with me if the common ingredients listing gets redundant.  After all there are a thousand uses for Basking Soda!

Here's the disclaimer upfront: 99% of the things I post I have learned from other Crunchy's and I've tweaked it to my liking or needs.  If another blogger has variations I'll provide them, always giving credit where credit is due.  Not all cleaning products will work the same depending on your water quality and cleaning surfaces.

Advice from a self proclaimed crazy.....Don't feel like you have to dump everything in your house in the trash all at once.  Make small changes daily, weekly, monthly and within the year you'll be amazed at the outcome.  I made my first batch of homemade laundry soap the summer of 2010 and the rest is blog history!    

Replacing Baby Powder

Cornstarch is a great replacement for baby power.  It has been used for years to combat perspiration and chaffing.  Most of our parents if not grandparents used it on our bottoms.


I'll try to leave my rants about big business and government regulations out of my posts.  The Internet is full of  information so take a minute after you read each post and research for yourself the ingredients in commercial products so you can make your own decision to switch.  


Talc or Talcum is the main ingredient in commercially produced powders, again I'll let you do your own research....it should concern you. If it doesn't read the MSDS.  Even commercially products "cornstarch" formulas contain other active ingredients that do not benefit you.


Use it plain or dress it up with your favorite essential oil.  If you've never used essential oils before there are a couple links below to get you started.   


Blend desired amount of cornstarch with essential oil of choice
Pour contents into a shakable container (old spice shaker) lined with a piece of tulle. 
Note: the tulle provides a finer powder sprinkle)
Whatever you use doesn't have to be fancy, just a way to shake out the powder.
Allow the mix to dry up over a couple days and shake away.


Mix 5-8 skin safe essential oil drops depending on the type of oil and amount of cornstarch used.

http://www.naturesgift.com/

http://www.essential-oil-mama.com/

Your new powder is ready for your whole family. 


Cost Savings 
Johnson &Johnson Baby power costs $3.48 for 15oz
Argo cornstarch costs $1.98 for 16oz

Basic Shampoo & Conditioner

I wholeheartedly believe that what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in it.  This concept became undoubtedly clear a couple summers ago while grooming my horse a local stable.  One of the other horse owners annoyed with the flies in the dead of summer doused herself with Pyranha fly spray.  This particular spray is an industry leader and contains some of the worst chemicals.  For years I've sprayed my horse repeatedly throughout the summer months with various sprays never giving any real thought about how it was being absorbed into the skin, after all our skin is porous and our largest organ.  That leads me to today's post about homemade shampoo and conditioner.

I've been using homemade shampoo/conditioner exclusively for two months now and the results amazing; strong, silky, and thick hair. Today I noticed golden strands gleaming in the summer shine.

The first few washes I mixed roughly 2 teaspoons baking soda with water and worked into my scalp and spritzed with apple cider vinegar.  After the fizzing stopped I worked my hands through my hair making sure all my hair was coated.  Then rinsed like normal.  I did this every couple days for maybe a week.  You want to allow the baking soda to strip the build up of hair product and artificial oils from your hair.  Just be cautious that baking soda will dry your hair out if you are using too much.

Over the week you may notice your hair becoming oilier then normal this is because your natural oils are coming out and are no longer stripped from commercial shampoos.  If you notice this reduce the amount of baking soda and increase the vinegar.  You can also use a small dab of vitamin E or apricot oil after your final rinse.

Now that I am past that and feel free to skip the previous stage if you'd like. What I use daily or every other day as needed.    

Seeing how I am deployed my measurements are estimates.  Using a water bottle I took good size drink and for hydration and made my mix.

Mix 1 tbsp baking soda & 2 tbsp Dr. Bonners castile soap dilute to a bottle of water and shake. Add your ingredients to a spray bottle.  I use a spray bottle to apply.  The castile soap gives the shampoo and nice texture for working a lather into your hair.  Depending on the type of hair you have and damage you might decide adding additional castile soap is right for you.  

Apple cider vinegar is great for leave in or rinse out conditioner.  The smell disputes while your hair dries.  Not only is apple cider vinegar a great conditioner it is a natural detangler.  

From time to time, I use a dot of vitamin E or apricot oil to add additional hydration to my hair.  I'm currently in a high humidity climate so these treatments are few and far between.  

I'll post additional shampoo variations in later posts.

Cost Savings: 

Apple Cider Vinegar: 16fl oz $2.22

Baking Soada: 13.5lb bag $6.00 (Costco)

Dr. Bonners Castile Soap: 32fl oz $14.99

Take a look at this site for a list of commonly used shampoo ingredients. 

http://www.savvyskin.com/shampoo-ingredients-to-avoid 

Pyranha MSDS: http://www.pyranhainc.com/pdf/ZERO-BITE%202011%20MSDS.pdf