These are random musings of my life journey, the people, animals, places, and events which have woven, and continue to weave, a tapestry that is me. We all know there is no real destination, only the ongoing experiences which blend together, creating the trail. Each step gives a glimpse of what is to come, without allowing me to see the end result. It is exciting. I have a home base that is mine, that gives me a place to rest. This is it. This is where my heart is, no matter where I journey...................

Saturday, October 06, 2012

It's a very clean fall

The temperature tonight is going down to 33° or 34°, depending on the source. Whichever, it is getting c.o.l.d tonight! So I've carried in my deck plants, all 28 of them! And 28 is after I combined a few to save space here in the house for the winter. Whew! What a job. I spent about an hour repotting, then another hour carrying them in and getting them nestled in their cozy spots for the next seven months.

I still have to go move the geraniums from the steps to a warmer spot on the deck, under the deck roof, where they will be covered for tonight. Then I will set them back out for a few more days. The temps are "rising" again, into the mid-40s and mid-50s for the next few nights.

For a couple years I've been working on changing my household cleaning routine. Oh, I still clean when I get around to it! No, I'm no better at that! LOL! I've been changing my cleaning products. Now I'm using almost no store-bought products. I'm trying to cut down on the chemicals to which I expose myself on a regular basis. With my lung condition getting worse, I'm really concentrating on it now. I do not want to be dealing with COPD in a few years!

I'm cleaning windows and mirrors with simple vinegar and water.

I'm scrubbing sinks, counter tops, bathroom fixtures, etc., with washing soda and borax.

If I feel one of the surfaces needs some extra sanitizing, I use hydrogen peroxide in a small spray bottle. Or just straight white vinegar.

I clean the tile floors with vinegar and water. (Did you know vinegar is a sanitizer?)

The toilet is cleaned with baking soda and vinegar.

The dishwasher gets a combo of borax and washing soda with 3 drops of Dawn. And vinegar in the rinse aid cup for a nice sparkle.

And today I began washing clothes with borax, washing soda and fels naptha. The fabric softener is white vinegar. And I absolutely love it!  Thank you, Di, for the recipe.

It has been bothering me that the commercial products I've been using in the washer cause horrible build up in the cups of the drawer of the washer, especially the fabric softener. I've used the same product for twenty years or more, but in the last year or so, it is making an incredible bunch of ick. I've been having to clean it out every few weeks. That tells me there is different in their formula, and whatever is building up in that cup is probably in my clothes, too.

So today I cleaned the detergent and softener tray one more time. Then .... I began my weekly laundry. I LOVE IT!!!  Everything is very soft and smells sooooo good, just clean and fresh. BTW, if I want a nice scent .... there is no scent with this combination, just the smell of c.l.e.a.n .... I will stop at the herb shop and pick up some essential oils and add a few drops to the vinegar. Voilà!!

But now there is a problem. I can't think of anything else in the house to turn "green"!! sigh.

Oh, wait. I don't have a natural cleaner for the carpet. I'll be back in a while!

(Actually I do. Just plain white vinegar and water!)

Later, y'all! I'm gonna go clean something!

8 comments:

  1. I would worry about essential oils staining your clothes, or do you know someone that does this without a problem?

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    1. Teri, the oils shouldn't hurt the clothes. You put 2-3 drops in the vinegar in the dispenser cup or mix a larger amount and then pour part of it into the cup. I haven't tried it yet, but after reading many reports from folks who have, I'm convinced it will be OK. I'm personally OK with the fresh scent, but I've thought it would be nice to have some lavender and/or vanilla in my lingerie. We'll see. Besides, after seeing what the commercial products have been doing in my dispensers, I'm not sure they aren't doing their own kind of damage! My clothes were much softer after one washing with the homemade concoctions!

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  2. I'm glad you liked the laundry soap Lyn. I can't believe how long I've been using this batch! It has saved me sooo much money so far and it does a great job to boot.
    It's been in the 30's at night here too. But it's all good as I love the cooler weather!
    I'm still not supposed to get my hand very wet so I can't do dishes very well. I can get it wet but not soak it. Hopefully soon, I want to clean too!! It's tricky using one hand!
    Love Di ♥

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    1. Di, I noticed that some of my very old t-shirts, the ones I wear around the house, were far whiter with the one washing. I'm impressed. And as I said to Teri, everything was softer and fresher without any perfume-y smell.Yes, I like it! I think a month of consistent use will be the cincher!

      Hope you are back to using both hands soon, but with the second surgery coming up, I know it will be a while. Put those kids to work! LOL! I know, I know, you like to do it yourself.

      Love ya!

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  3. This is quite coincidental timing ("There are no coincidences," some will say.) This Saturday I showed Vicki the beauty of having a simple vinegar and water solution in a spray bottle for mirrors, counters and even the floor. She was amazed at our streak-free mirrors! I emailed your post to her for consideration! :)

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  4. It's pretty amazing how well it works! And I'm eager to save my lungs, too, so it's a win-win. If you want any of the recipes I've already found, let me know. Or if you want to research it yourself, use good ol' google. It takes some time to wade through it all, but you can pick and choose your own that way.

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  5. I have discovered Norwex envir-cloths. Google Norwex and discover the chemical free benefits. I couldn't live without the cloths. A little pricy but well worth it!!!

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    1. Part of the site is down for maintenance, but I'll check back later. What I read was very interesting. Thanks for the tip!

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If you have something to say about it, just stick out your thumb, and I'll slow down so you can hop aboard! But hang on, 'cause I'm movin' on down the road!!! No time to waste!!!