Homemaking

Fruit Fly Traps

 

So, it is that time of year and yes, the fruit flies are driving me crazy.  I don't not like to spray pesticides and bug sprays around my family and pets.  It is not good for any of them, and definitely not me.  Yet, I have tried everything else and thought I was going to have to.  Then I found this home made trap, and it seems to work like a charm.  Take a bowl and place a piece of cut fruit (something sugary and sweet.  Might even want to sprinkle a little sugar on it) in it.  Then add enough apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, or red wine vinegar (I used this) to cover fruit half way up.  Add a tablespoon of soak flakes.  The fruit acts as a bait and the vinegar soap mixture traps the flies and kills them.  Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap.  Tape it around the sides so that it is air tight.  Poke holes in the top of the wrap.  You just want them big enough to let the flies get in and not get back out.  Set the trap in a place away from other food sources.  Don't worry, there is no smell.  Also, as the fruit ferments it will attract more fruit flies.  I have had my trap out for 24 hours now, and it is working.  Just remember, you want to keep the garbage, sinks, etc. clean.  You want the flies to go to the trap.  Seems to be working so far.  Good luck to you!!!!

 

All Purpose Cleaner

Now you are drinking lemon water every morning. But you are wondering if there is anything you can do with the lemons left over or use them before they go bad. I experimented the other night and I came up with a homemade all purpose cleaner that is cheap and easy. Boil lemon slices for about 10 to 15 minutes and set to the side to cool. Strain the lemon water into a bowl to get all the chunks ...out. Then I added half and half white vinegar and the lemon water. Used it on my stove and it worked great (I have a glass top). Also, next time, I might add some orange peels to give it an even more citrus smell. The lemon helps the vinegar not smell quite so strong. Perfectly safe for pets and children. I also put a bowl of it in the microwave to boil for a minute and let it set a while. Everything wiped right out and the odors were gone.

Carpet Shampoo Solution:
Ingredients:
1 cup oxiclean*
1 cup febreeze*...
1 cup distilled white vinegar
*The homemade versions work fabulously!

Directions:
Pour contents into shampooer tub and mix with hot water to fill tub completely. This will not only clean your carpets it will also deodorize. It will smell slightly of vinegar until the carpet is dry.

Be sure to test spot with the solution just to be safe, however this should be safe for ALL carpets.

This is a great solution for pet stains, vomit clean-up and all the nasty stuff that can get into your carpet.

Homemade Carpet Cleaner

 

•1½ quarts of hot (NOT boiling) water
•¼ cup of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (it’s the regular hydrogen peroxide that you can get at any store)
•1½ Tablespoons of White Vinegar
•1½ Tablespoons of Dish Soap (we use Seventh Generation and it worked great)
•About 5 drops of your favorite essential oil(s) – either just one or a combination. Lemon and lavender are great!...

Instructions
1.Mix all of the ingredients together (be sure to add the dish soap to the water and not the water to the dish soap – you’ll see why if you do it the wrong way just once)
2.Pour into your carpet cleaning machine.
3.Clean like the directions tell you to.

Homemade “Shout” Stain Remover

2/3 cups Dawn Dishwashing Liquid
2/3 cups ammonia
6 Tbsp. baking soda
2 cups warm water

Mix everything together and pour into a spray bottle. Shake well before use.

Homemade Furniture Polish

1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil

Combine all ingredients into a spray bottle.  Remember to place a pretty label with date and contents.  Try to avoid spraying directly on surface.  Spray it on a cloth first, then take the cloth to the surface.  I love the smell of the lemon juice.  The other great thing about this spray is that it is all things safe for children and pets.  Also, it actually disinfects due to the vinegar.  Most furniture polishes don't.  Just be careful spraying it over the floor.  Might make it a bit slippery.



Homemade Fabric Softener
6 cups hot water
2 cups Suave Hair Conditioner (I like Ocean Breeze Scent, but feel free to use what appeals to you)
3 cups of white distilled vinegar

You will need to use a 2-3 gal. container for mixing.  This makes about 96oz. (give or take).  You will also want to designate separate measuring, mixing, etc. devices so the chemicals do not cross over to food.  Especially if you are using plastic. 

First mix the 6 cups of hot water and the 2 cups of conditioner together until completely combined and conditioner is not lumpy.  Then, add the 3 cups of vinegar and mix well.  I do want to warn you that this last step is quite aromatic.  The vinegar is strong.  However, once it is combined a sets a bit, the vinegar is not so bad.  I transfer into smaller bottles and make cute little labels with instructions, so my family can know what to use (on the rare occasion they might actually do laundry).  I read some instructions that said use 2 tablespoons, and others that use more.  I have a water softener and find three tablespoons works fine.  You can not smell the scent until after the clothes come out of the dryer, so don't be disappointed if you can't smell it during transition from washer to dryer.

I remember reading somewhere that vinegar helps eliminate soap build up in clothing, so this recipe kind of makes sense.  Also, it smells better then just using plain vinegar.  I did find that the clothes were actually softer and brighter.  Feel free to modify anything.  Just wanted to let you know what I use. 


Homemade Laundry Soap
5oz. bar soap (Fels-Naptha is what I used, but have seen recipes with Zote, Ivory, etc.)
4 cup hot water
1 cup washing soda (I used Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda. Baking Soda is not the same, so read label carefully)
1 cup Borax (found at Dollar General)
1 cup Oxyclean (I used the store brand)

5-gallon bucket
a long metal or plastic spoon
large saucepan
cheese grater

A couple of things before you start. First of all, make sure you grate the bar of soap. Trust me, it is much easier. I have read on other blogs that liquid soaps do not work the same. Therefore, I kept with bar soap. I had also read that if you use Ivory soap, you can put it in the microwave for 30-90 seconds and it will puff up and can crumble into a powder. I plan on trying this next time, but still plan on boiling it just to make sure. I would just be careful not to inhale the powder. Also, keep a fan on and a window open if possible. The scent is really strong. If you are sensitive to strong scents, I would wear a mask. On the plus side, house smells really clean. Finally, this makes almost no suds while washing. So, do not worry if you do not see any soap suds. It is still working.

Now, place the grated soap and four cups of hot tap water in saucepan. Use low to medium heat, as the mixture will bubble up and possibly overflow the pan. Stir constantly with designated spoon. I measured out all the dry ingredients into a separate glass dish while I was waiting for the mixture to finish. Fill the 5 gallon bucket half way up with as hot as you can get it tap water. Add the dry ingredients and hot soap mixture. Mix until dissolved and combined well. My husband actually found me a metal stick to use. It worked great. Once combined, finish filling bucket with hot water (doesn't need to be exact). I leave a little room at the top so it doesn't slop when I am mixing it. Combine until completely mixed together. When I was done I filled a 5 quart ice cream bucket to keep in the house with a homemade cute instruction label. The mixture will actually gel up and is easier to dispense if the container is wide mouthed. Then, I placed the lid on the 5 gallon bucket and had my husband place it in a cooler place. Leave overnight. The next morning I took the 5 quart ice cream bucket and diluted 1 part gel to one part water. What that means is if you place half a gallon of gel in the container, then use half a gallon of water. I use 1/2 cup to one load. Again, labeled with a cute little instruction label.

Just a few more notes. This recipe is a variation of a couple of recipes I found online. Most of which I found were very similar. The biggest difference I have found is in the amount and whether or not to dilute. This is what I suggest. If you are more comfortable with the pourable liquid soap, dilute it. For the diluted type, I have seen anywhere from 1/2 cup to a full cup per load. If you don't dilute it, use less. I have seen anywhere from 2 tablespoons to 1/2 cup. My advice, no matter which you decide to use, start with the smallest amount and work your way up until you reach your desired cleanliness. Remember, the undiluted is in gel (or even more solid) form and if you keep it in a warm place, it will melt. No worries, just place in cool area to reset. Also, if you have a water softner system (I do), you may need less.

As for allergies, my family is full of them. Everything from household cleaners to mold, nuts, etc.. You name it, someone has probably got an allergy to it. We have had no problems with the laundry soap or the softener. The bonus, is they both smell so good. My daughter says the clothes smell better then with the store bought. Keep in mind, she is a 16 year old girl, who is very picky about her laundry. Got that from her momma, I am proud to admit. Also, the clothes are brighter, softer, and the whites are whiter. At least, in my opinion. Kind of makes me feel like we have not only wasted a lot of money over the past 19 years, but that we have been wearing dirty clothes everyday. Oh well! We live and we learn.