Carpet refresher.

Ever have those times where your carpet is more dirty than usual but too clean to waste effort on using a shampooer? I definitely had that feeling this week since my roomba had not been scheduled to go off very regularly lately. I do not own a stick or upright vacuum right now because a decent one is very expensive. I got lucky I found my roomba brand new at an estate sale for $40. It does pretty well for its size and my one bedroom apartment. Anyway this post is not about my vacuum. I decided to try a carpet refresher a year ago, but the ones at the store are expensive for what I need. I found this recipe which is super easy and cheap to make. This usually helps repel bugs from the house especially if you use the oils or rosemary. I use this weekly and it leaves my house smelling awesome and clean when its all said and done, even if all I did was this to clean my apartment that week.

Materials

• 16 oz mason jar with lid
• large phillips screw driver
• hammer
• mixer
• mixing bowl
• measuring cup

ingredients

• washing soda
• baking soda
• borax
• essential oils (optional or can substitute for ground rosemary leaves)

to make

First  take the mason jar and lid and tightly close it onto the jar. Then take the screw driver and the hammer and punch holes into the lid. I made five of them in the top. Next pour  one cup of washing soda, baking soda, and borax into the mixer with one teaspoon of essential oils or one sprig of ground rosemary. mix till the powder looks consistent and the oils are evenly spread.If you can add the oils slowly after you have started the mixer. Open the mason jar and pour the mixture into it then close the lid.

To use

Vacuum your entire carpet first to get any large and loose debris out of the way. Aiming the jar at a downward angle lightly shake it back and forth covering entire carpeted area with the powder.  Let it site for anywhere between 30 minutes to eight hours (I did thirty minutes today but I usually do eight hours) depending on how bad your situation is. While waiting you may want to dust your house as this does make a sort of  powdery dust on some things at times. Vacuum it all up and you're done.

All Purpose Cleaner (First Post!!!!)

Yay first post!!

I figured I would start this blog with a cleaner we all use. All purpose cleaners. This one is easy to change up or mess up and not need to freak out over or increase the amount of all your other ingredients. It is okay. This one works really well on kitchen grease as well as a counter cleaner except for granite, it does streak on that. I find it works great just about everywhere else too including wood and floor spot cleaner.



                 BEFORE                                                                                                 AFTER

What you'll need

Materials:

• 8 oz. spray bottle
• Funnel (Optional)
  
• One table spoon
• One teaspoon (2 teaspoons = .5 tablespoons)

Ingredients

• 1.5 tablespoons of Vodka
• 1.5 tablespoons of Castile Soap
• 1 teaspoon of essential oils (Optional, I use Peppermint)
• Water 

Use the funnel to pour the first three ingredients into the spray bottle. Then slowly pour water into the bottle so as not to agitate the soap too much. Put the lid on the bottle and shake it up to mix it all together. Shake it before use each time you get it out to use the cleaner.

About me and the Blog

Hello everyone,

My name is Emily. I am a Costco marketing representative for Ecowater Systems and a proud military wife. I can be very quiet yet very boisterous with my thoughts. I started making homemade cleaners as a way to save money so I could afford going to college, and boy has it worked. The recipes I post on here are ones I have personally tried and liked. Most of the cleaners cost less than $1 when made. The basic supplies you will need for these are mainly spray bottles, a large bucket, and a large metal pot. There are a few basic ingredients you will need to buy for most of these recipes: Baking Soda, Vodka (or rubbing alcohol, but vodka is cheaper per oz), Distilled Vinegar, and Borax. I personally buy all of these ingredients in bulk so that I have them ready when needed, and believe me I go through it all fast. I will try to post at least once a week with a new recipe or organization solution that will help save time and money, but again I am a military wife and have a very busy life.