Posted on 07/24/2009 3:37:21 AM PDT by nw_arizona_granny
Weekly Roundup - Living On Nothing Edition Category: Roundups | Comments(15)
Did you hear about the guy that lives on nothing? No seriously, he lives on zero dollars a day. Meet Daniel Suelo, who lives in a cave outside Moab, Utah. Suelo has no mortgage, no car payment, no debt of any kind. He also has no home, no car, no television, and absolutely no “creature comforts.” But he does have a lot of creatures, as in the mice and bugs that scurry about the cave floor he’s called home for the last three years.
To us, Suelo probably sounds a little extreme. Actually, he probably sounds very extreme. After all, I suspect most of you reading this are doing so under the protection of some sort of man-made shelter, and with some amount of money on your person, and probably a few needs for money, too. And who doesn’t need money unless they have completely unplugged from the grid? Still, it’s an amusing story about a guy who rejects all forms of consumerism as we know it.
The Frugal Roundup
How to Brew Your Own Beer and Maybe Save Some Money. A fantastic introduction to home brewing, something I’ve never done myself, but always been interested in trying. (@Generation X Finance)
Contentment: A Great Financial Principle. If I had to name one required emotion for living a frugal lifestyle it would be contentment. Once you are content with your belongings and your lot in life you can ignore forces attempting to separate you from your money. (@Personal Finance by the Book)
Use Energy Star Appliances to Save On Utility Costs. I enjoyed this post because it included actual numbers, and actual total savings, from someone who upgraded to new, energy star appliances. (@The Digerati Life)
Over-Saving for Retirement? Is it possible to “over-save” for retirement? Yes, I think so. At some point I like the idea of putting some money aside in taxable investments outside of retirement funds, to be accessed prior to traditional retirement age. (@The Simple Dollar)
40 Things to Teach My Kids Before They Leave Home. A great list of both practical and philosophical lessons to teach your kids before they reach the age where they know everything. I think that now happens around 13 years-old. (@My Supercharged Life)
Index Fund Investing Overview. If you are looking for a place to invest with high diversification and relatively low fees (for broader index funds with low turnover), index funds are a great place to start. (@Money Smart Life)
5 Reasons To Line Dry Your Laundry. My wife and I may soon be installing a clothesline in our backyard. In many neighborhoods they are frowned upon - one of the reasons I don’t like living in a neighborhood. I digress. One of our neighbors recently put up a clothesline, and we might just follow his lead. (@Simple Mom)
A Few Others I Enjoyed
* 4 Quick Tips for Getting Out of a Rut * Young and Cash Rich * Embracing Simple Style * First Trading Experience With OptionsHouse * The Exponential Power of Delayed Consumption * How Much Emergency Fund is Enough? * 50 Questions that Will Free Your Mind * Save Money On Car Insurance
As we pause to remember this Memorial Day, it seems that foreigners express themselves best.
‘In Flanders Fields’ was written during WW I by a Canadian Military Doctor, and worth the time for downloading is this from Celtic Woman ‘O America’ - Thank You Ireland. YouTube video very much worth watching at:
http://celticwoman-oamerica.blogspot.com/2009/05/o-amreica-lyrics.html
O, America Lyrics
Music: William Joseph
Words: Brendan Graham
O, America you’re calling,
I can hear you calling me:
You are calling me to be true to thee,
True to thee… I will be.
O, America no weeping,
Let me heal your wounded heart:
I will keep you in my keeping,
Till there be… a new start.
And I will answer you, and I will take your hand,
And lead you… to the sun:
And I will stand by you…do all that I can do,
And we will be… as one.
O, America I hear you,
From your prairies to the sea,
From your mountains grand, and all through this land,
You are beautiful to me.
And… O, America you’re calling,
I can hear you calling me:
You are calling me to be true to thee,
True to thee… I will be.
And I will answer you, and I will take your hand,
And lead you… to the sun:
And I will stand by you… do all that I can do,
And we will be…as one.
O, America you’re calling…
I will ever answer thee.
[I love the Logo poster..granny]
http://www.thedailymail.net/articles/2010/05/29/news/doc4c009ce52c676736522181.txt
Meet me in market square: Farmers moving downtown
The new logo for the new Main Street Farmers Market, created by author and illustrator Hudson Talbott.
More than a dozen food producers and artisans expected to sell their wares
By Susan Campriello
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
Published: Saturday, May 29, 2010 2:14 AM EDT
CATSKILL — Organizers of the Catskill Region Farmers & Artisans Market have nearly finalized their plans for this summer’s market, the first to take place on Catskill’s Main Street.
Organizers said more than a dozen area food producers and artisans have signed up to sell their produce, dairy products, wine, meats, eggs, baked goods, plants and crafts on Main Street in Catskill. Some products will be certified as organic, they said.
Vendors will set up tables and tents on the roadway between its intersections with Thomspon Street and the municipal parking lot at Willard Alley, organizers said; that portion of Main Street will be closed between about 9:30 a.m. until at 1:30 p.m. while the market is open.
continues, has good ideas.....
Re: Raised Beds & containers
Posted by: “Michael Riversong Education”
Date: Sun May 30, 2010 7:08 am ((PDT))
Approximately 125 years ago statistical studies began in Germany, France, and Switzerland. It was found that in homes associated with underground flowing water streams, cancer rates were much higher than normal. At that time it was also found that people living in concrete buildings with unprotected interiors were highly susceptible to lung problems.
This led to several other lines of research. By the 1950s much of this information had been organized into a coherent discipline known in German-speaking countries as “Bau-Biologie” — the biology of buildings. By the late 70s many independent practitioners were working throughout Europe and a few schools were operating.
An attempt to spread this movement to the USA was made in the 1980s. Helmut Ziehe obtained permission from a major school in Germany to translate their materials into English. He started the Institute for Bau-Biologie and Ecology in Clearwater Florida and offered correspondence courses along with live seminars. In 1993, i obtained certification from this school in yet another desperate attempt to get a career going. Between 1990 and 1999, did many surveys on buildings and lands, including businesses, farms, shops, and homes. Some description of my practice has been provided at:
http://www.designecology.biblicalbards.org
This Institute is still going, and is a highly recommended resource for what could definitely be called “Permaculture Building.”
http://buildingbiology.net/
So you know, i wrote a book on this subject, called “Design Ecology”, published by Borderlands Science Research Foundation in 1996. This was the first integration of Chinese, German, and American environmental techniques. That happens to be one of the reasons why i’m on this list, as a potential resource person. (For now that book is available as a .PDF on a CD-ROM that i provide through Tesla Academy.)
At this time, it seems better to simply respond to questions as they arise. Therefore, i don’t do a whole lot of preaching on this list. There will be a few events coming up that may be of interest, and they will be announced in their turns. Meanwhile, please do check out the Tesla Academy web site which has recently been extensively updated, with a number of new illustrations in each of the 9 research areas covered. And please ask any question that comes to mind.http://www.teslaacademy.info
-——Original Message-——
From: firekeeper38
Sent: May 27, 2010 3:25 PM
To: Urban-Permaculture@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Urban-Permaculture] Re: Raised Beds & containers
Permaculture buildings are certainly a legit topic of discussion to me, however seldom we urbanits have the opportunity. (as I look around in dismay at my typical, developer-built HOA home) I’m hoping to take one of my next classes in Permie architecture and community building.
One note that you may want to consider is that Portland cement, itself, can last and be made with reasonable “sustainability” but not concrete as it is *currently* made.
— Michael Riversong
Tesla Academy
Cheyenne, Wyoming
www.teslaacademy.info
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm214039.htm
Better Made Snack Foods Issues an Allergy Alert on Undeclared Dairy in the 3-Ounce Better Made Special Original Potato Sticks
Contact:
Tel: 800-409-9427
www.bettermadesnackfoods.com1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 30, 2010 - Detroit, MI — Better Made Snack Foods of Detroit, Michigan is issuing a voluntary recall only of their Better Made 3-ounce Original Potato Sticks because it may contain undeclared dairy. People who have allergies to dairy run the risk of an allergic reaction.
This product is distributed in Michigan to local stores.
The product comes in a 3-ounce package with a UPC# 0-41633-01203-9, with an expiration date of July 23rd on the front with a time stamp that has the first seven digits that read 0706112.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.
The recall was initiated after it was discovered the product containing dairy was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of dairy.
Consumers who have purchased 3-ounce packages of Better Made Original Potato Sticks are asked to call the Better Made Hotline for a refund at 800/409-9427.
###
RSS Feed for FDA Recalls Information2 [what’s this?3]
Links on this page:
1. http://www.bettermadesnackfoods.com
2. /AboutFDA/ContactFDA/StayInformed/RSSFeeds/Recalls/rss.xml
3. /AboutFDA/ContactFDA/StayInformed/RSSFeeds/default.htm
Page Last Updated: 05/31/2010
ping
Radioactive Fished Pulled From Conneticut River
E Canada Now
Fish that have been recently taken from the Conneticut River have tested
for radioactive material. The fish were taken near the Vermont Yankee
Nuclear Power ...
http://www.ecanadanow.com/curiosity/2010/06/01/radioactive-fished-pulled-from-conneticut-river/
See all stories on this topic:
http://news.google.com/news/story?ncl=http://www.ecanadanow.com/curiosity/2010/06/01/radioactive-fished-pulled-from-conneticut-river/&hl=en
201006014190 | Flint findings in Kent reveal new era of prehistory
Virtually everything on earth is subject to low levels of radiation from
naturally occurring radioactive materials. In crystalline material, this
radiation produces tiny electrical charges in the form of free electrons.
...
http://www.archaeologydaily.com/news/201006014190/Flint-findings-in-Kent-reveal-new-era-of-prehistory.html
Archaeology Daily News
http://www.archaeologydaily.com/news/
New TV Show - Urban gay couple move from NY rooftop garden to farm
In June, the Discovery channel’s Planet Green is introducing a new series based
on a urbanite gay couple in New York who ‘accidentally’ became farmers. Trying to
build a sustainable farm while managing a relationship makes for some funny and
emotional episodes. Author Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge, a doctor and former
executive with Martha Stewart, run the Beekman Farm.
Farm dreams - In urban Miami-Dade, students learn to care for large animals
Twenty years ago, before urban farming became a bohemian buzzword, Parton was commissioned
to nurture students at Turner Tech who had no agricultural background.
The trick, he has found, is to offer them a vision of taking control of their lives
and their surroundings. He tells them the truth - that the Bureau of Labor Statistics
ranks agricultural jobs as some of the fastest growing in the nation and that the
government gives out scholarships to minorities interested in the field. Then it
grows bigger than a hobby. More like an addiction.
Urban Farmers Upset About How a Garden Will No Longer Grow
In one garden plot, a little girl and her younger brother spent their childhoods
among the strawberries, poppies and sweet peas tended by their mother, a Russian
immigrant who learned to farm in Siberia. In another plot, a Turkish woman grew
eggplants that she took home and stuffed with meat and mint that she added to yogurt
and cucumbers for her family.
The First Certified Organic Rooftop Garden in the U.S. - Excellent video
Chicago, IL, 2009 - What began as an innovative idea hatched from a passion for
sustainability has grown to become a 2500 square foot certified organic rooftop
farm, rising 30 feet above Devon Avenue on the north side of Chicago.
Urban farming: It’s not sharecropping anymore
Collie Graddick says the time is now for neighborhoods all over the Twin Cities
to set up urban farms. “A community food system, in my opinion, is a way to hopefully
bring economic opportunities to inner-city communities,” explains Graddick, a Minnesota
Department of Agriculture consultant, of his “neighborhood-level sustainable food
system.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stories here:
City Farmer News [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103448732366&s=1304&e=0017k7vcmQEO8ylm44Qn6nwIGy6fMcny1jYOcvk2auojBwj8rzF2aH9HCgyhxY304PW1Q6AYTlktUMUyy0GB7HIbtBJVLL_V-Gd7igZ3aQK4mUfzhSxEoAwCg==]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Michael Levenston
City Farmer - Canada’s Office of Urban Agriculture
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.<<<
Many of us carried the torch high and proudly.
May it always be true, would be my prayer today.
As we pause to remember this Memorial Day, it seems that foreigners express themselves best.
‘In Flanders Fields’ was written during WW I by a Canadian Military Doctor, and worth the time for downloading is this from Celtic Woman ‘O America’ - Thank You Ireland. YouTube video very much worth watching at:
http://celticwoman-oamerica.blogspot.com/2009/05/o-amreica-lyrics.html
<<<
Some can see the glory that was America, if we survive the ‘o’, they will see it again.
Welcome, hurry back and join us, if you have questions, ask and if you know the answer to someone’s question, please speak up.
There is more than one way to do every thing.
From Kim Komando at komando.com :
Become energy efficient and get a tax credit
We hear a lot about energy efficiency these days. And most people don’t have a problem with the idea. But putting it into action can be a problem.
Making your home energy efficient requires you to spend money up front. That’s a stumbling block for a lot of people. Future savings aren’t always that compelling.
That’s why the government has an energy efficiency tax credit. Spend up to $1,500 and get 30 percent back on approved products. This includes stoves, air conditioners, insulation, roofing supplies and more.
The credit is good through Dec. 31, 2010. Other specialized credits extend through 2016. Today’s Cool Site will give you all the details.
www.energystar.gov
Homemade Oven Cleaner Recipes
Posted By TipNut On December 16, 2008 @ 8:41 am In Homemade Cleaners, Kitchen Cleaning | 1 Comment
With the exception of one of the recipes below, you can make oven cleaners that are much safer for the environment than commercial oven cleaners containing harsh chemicals. They’re also much more frugal!
Homemade Oven Cleaner Recipes
Recipe #1
Baking Soda
Water
Dish Detergent
Directions:
* Fill a spray bottle with water and spray oven generously.
* Generously sprinkle baking soda over the water. Leave overnight.
* The next day wipe out much of the baking soda and grime.
* Soak a sponge in hot water, squeeze out excess water and scrub the inside of the oven with liquid dish detergent first drizzled over the sponge.
Recipe #2
Ammonia
Water
Baking soda
Directions:
* Preheat oven to 200° then turn off oven.
* In an ovenproof dish, fill with ammonia and set on middle rack of oven (about 1 to 2 cups of ammonia).
* In another ovenproof dish, fill with boiling water and set on bottom rack of oven (2 cups).
* Leave overnight.
* The next morning, remove dishes and wipe down the oven with a hot wet sponge first drizzled with baking soda.
Recipe #3
3 tsp Borax
1/4 cup vinegar
1/8 cup liquid dish soap
2 cups hot water
Baking soda (do not add to mix)
Directions:
* Combine ingredients in a spray bottle and shake to mix.
* Spray mixture in oven generously.
* Sprinkle generous amounts of baking soda on top.
* Spray liquid mixture over the baking soda.
* Leave overnight.
* The next morning wipe out the cleaning mixture and wash the oven with hot soapy water.
Recipe #4
1 cup baking soda
1/3 cup table salt
Water
Directions:
* Spray oven well with water.
* Mix together the dry ingredients then sprinkle over the water.
* Spray again with water.
* Leave overnight. Wipe out the next morning and scrub oven with hot soapy water.
You can also use this homemade softscrub cleaner [1] for the next day’s scrubbing after using one of the methods above.
Cleaning Oven Racks
* Place the oven racks in an extra large heavy-duty garbage bag, pour in a cup of ammonia and tie the bag closed (tightly).
* Set the garbage bag outside away from children and pets.
* The next day remove the racks and scrub them clean in hot soapy water.
If the racks aren’t that grimy, you can choose instead to soak them in hot soapy water. Scrub clean with a baking soda and water paste.
Oven Cleaning Tips
* 20 Ways Vinegar Can Help Your Kitchen Sparkle [2]: Oven Rinse–Wipe the inside of your oven with vinegar to remove the residue left behind by oven cleaner. Also mentioned in Quick Tips For Kitchen Cleaning [3].
* 10 Easy Household Time Savers [4]: Do a quick wipe inside the oven while doing the dishes, cleaning up any spills and splatters (the oven should have cooled down enough by then). Your oven won’t need as many deep cleaning jobs and will never be nasty again!
* Line your oven with a large foil baking sheet or a strip of aluminum foil to catch spills and drips.
More tips for cleanup: 8 Cleaning Tips For Crusty Stove Tops [5] and How To: Microwave Cleaning Tips [6].
Don’t Miss These Tips:
* Homemade Window Cleaner Recipes & Tips [7]
* 8 Cleaning Tips For Crusty Stove Tops [5]
* Homemade Softscrub Cleaner Recipe [1]
Love This Tip? Share It!
Email [8] ~ Facebook [9]
Tweet It [10] ~ Delicious [11]
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URLs in this post:
[1] homemade softscrub cleaner: http://tipnut.com/homemade-softscrub-cleaner-recipe/
[2] 20 Ways Vinegar Can Help Your Kitchen Sparkle: http://tipnut.com/vinegar-kitchen/
[3] Quick Tips For Kitchen Cleaning: http://tipnut.com/quick-tips-for-kitchen-cleaning/
[4] 10 Easy Household Time Savers: http://tipnut.com/10-easy-household-time-savers/
[5] 8 Cleaning Tips For Crusty Stove Tops: http://tipnut.com/8-cleaning-tips-for-crusty-stove-tops/
[6] How To: Microwave Cleaning Tips: http://tipnut.com/how-to-microwave-cleaning-tips/
[7] Homemade Window Cleaner Recipes & Tips: http://tipnut.com/more-homemade-window-cleaner-recipes-to-try/
[8] Email: mailto:?subject=Homemade Softscrub Cleaner Recipe&body=http://tipnut.com/homemade-softscrub-cleaner-recipe/
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Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipes
Posted By TipNut On December 4, 2006 @ 5:32 am In DIY Projects, Frugal Living, Homemade Cleaners, Kitchen Cleaning, Popular Tips | 124 Comments
*Update: There are several comments from readers reporting both success and problems (namely that the homemade detergents below cause issues including a cloudy residue left on dishes). I don’t know why there’s a discrepancy, but it may have something to do with water temperature (not hot enough) or water quality (too hard, etc.). My dishwasher is still going strong with no problems, dishes are consistently clean with no residue and it’s about 20 years old–good old Maytag!
Because these recipes I’ve collected below are at least 10 or 15 years old (I’m going from memory here), the problem could be with newer models of dishwashers? How much water is used to flush & rinse the dishes? I’m not sure. I would suggest you watch carefully how the homemade detergents affect your dishes when first trying them (do they leave a powdery residue?).
If you have any advice or feedback, please feel free to share them below.
Powder Recipe #1
1 cup Washing Soda
1 cup Borax
Powder Recipe #2
1 cup Baking Soda
1 cup Borax
For the above two recipes:
* Mix thoroughly and store in a plastic container, use approximately 2 TBS per load.
* Use vinegar in the rinse compartment as a rinse agent to help prevent residue
* Try adding 2-3 drops essential oil
Powder Recipe #3
1/4 cup Washing Soda
1 TBS Liquid Dish Detergent
Use the above for each load of dishes.
Liquid Dishwasher Detergent Recipe
1 part baking soda
1 part borax
1 part water
1 drop lemon or orange essential oil per cup of detergent
* Mix the ingredients thoroughly and store in a sealable jug.
* Use 2 to 3 TBS per load.
If you’re having a cloudy dishes problem after using the homemade detergents:
* Try adding a few drops of liquid dishsoap to the powder compartment when you add the powder.
* You could also try cutting back on the amount of soap used (if you’re using 2 TBS, try cutting it back to 1 – 1 1/2 TBS).
* Make sure to use vinegar in the rinse cycle
Don’t Miss These Tips:
* 10 Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent Recipes [1]
* Homemade Laundry Detergent FAQ [2]
* Homemade Dish Detergent: Recipes [3]
Love This Tip? Share It!
Email [4] ~ Facebook [5]
Tweet It [6] ~ Delicious [7]
Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com
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URLs in this post:
[1] 10 Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent Recipes: http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/
[2] Homemade Laundry Detergent FAQ: http://tipnut.com/homemade-laundry-detergent/
[3] Homemade Dish Detergent: Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-dish-detergent/
[4] Email: mailto:?subject=Homemade Dish Detergent: Recipes&body=http://tipnut.com/homemade-dish-detergent/
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Copyright © 2008 TipNut.com. All rights reserved.
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Tips For Cleaning A Dishwasher
Posted By TipNut On September 1, 2009 @ 6:39 am In Kitchen Cleaning | No Comments
Cleaning the inside of dishwashers isn’t high on To-Do lists since they do a great job cleaning themselves while they wash dishes. Sometimes though there may be a few rust stains, detergent or mineral buildup or even an off-smell inside your dishwasher that you want to get rid of. Here are few quick & easy tips for cleaning things up.
Dishwasher Cleaning Tips
Sparkling Clean Inside Of Dishwasher
* Using citric acid to clean dishwashers is a popular trick, here’s how you do it: Fill the soap cup with 2 tablespoons of powdered citric acid (some even recommend just filling the soap dispenser with powdered Orange Tang since it contains citric acid) and run the dishwasher through a full cycle. This is especially good for removing rust spots inside the dishwasher (you may have to do more than one treatment).
* To remove buildup of minerals or stains, run a full cycle with vinegar, here’s how you do it: Start the dishwasher and once it fills up with hot water, open the dishwasher and pour in a cup or two of regular household vinegar. Let the dishwasher finish its cycle. Another method is to set a bowl filled with 3 cups of vinegar on the bottom rack of an empty dishwasher. Let the dishwasher run for a full cycle.
* Borax or Baking Soda Freshener: After dishes are done for the night and the dishwasher is dry, sprinkle a layer of Borax or baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher. Close it and let it sit overnight. The next day take a damp sponge and scrub the powder into the inside walls and door of the dishwasher. Remove most of the powder then run a full cycle on empty to remove all traces of the powder. Another method to freshen up the dishwasher is to toss in a cup of baking soda to an empty dishwasher then run it on the rinse cycle.
Smelly Dishwasher Tips:
If your dishwasher smells, you could have food trapped in the bottom filter. After running a load of dishes, remove the bottom rack of the dishwasher and look for any crud trapped in the filter on the bottom. If there’s food trapped in the holes, you’ll need to remove it and clean it. Also look around the gasket (particularly at the bottom where the door and dishwasher meet), you could have an accumulation of gunk in there that needs to be cleaned.
Remember: Unplug appliances before removing or handling parts to clean.
Don’t Miss These Tips:
* Quick Tips For Kitchen Cleaning [1]
* Oddball Dishwasher Items: Cleaning Tip [2]
* Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipes [3]
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URLs in this post:
[1] Quick Tips For Kitchen Cleaning: http://tipnut.com/quick-tips-for-kitchen-cleaning/
[2] Oddball Dishwasher Items: Cleaning Tip: http://tipnut.com/quick-tip-oddball-dishwasher-items/
[3] Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-dishwasher-detergent-recipes/
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Homemade Laundry Detergent FAQ
Posted By TipNut On January 23, 2009 @ 6:25 am In Frugal Living, Homemade Cleaners, Laundry, Popular Tips | 100 Comments
Two years ago (January, 2007) I published an extensive list of homemade laundry detergent recipes (see 10 Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent Recipes [1]) and it’s been one of the most popular and commented on tips posted here. I’m proud to say it’s one of the most informative resources available on the net for making homemade detergent (but maybe I’m biased ), and it’s about to get even better with this compiled FAQ sheet.
With nearly 300 comments, many of them packed with helpful info, I’m finding that many of the questions posted in the comments area or sent to me through the contact form have been asked and answered several times, and that’s understandable since who can possibly keep track of all the information shared!
I’ve decided to close the comments area for that particular post and gather together all the frequently asked questions into one handy information sheet here so people can refer to it and find answers more easily. The original post and all the comments are still available for review, it’s just that no more comments can be added.
In the FAQ sheet below, I’ve included some answers that were shared by readers in the comments area, I thank everyone for pitching in and offering advice and answers to fellow Tipnut readers .
Homemade Laundry Detergent FAQ
Where Do You Buy Washing Soda?
* The brand of washing soda I’m most familiar with is Arm & Hammer.
* Look in the laundry aisle of your grocery store or Walmart, that’s where I find it.
* You can order it online, do a search for “Arm & Hammer Washing Soda”.
* It’s apparently also known as Soda Ash and can be found at art supply stores, JoAnn Fabrics, and other places that sell textile products.
* Try asking your local grocer to order it for you if they don’t carry it. The UPC code is 33200-03020 or 033200-030201.
* You can try calling Church & Dwight the suppliers/makers for Arm & Hammer Washing Soda…1-800-524-1328…give them a UPC # 33200-03020 and they can direct you on where to find it locally or purchase it through them over the phone. You can also contact them via their website here: Church & Dwight – Arm & Hammer [2].
Where Can I Buy Fels Naptha?
* Check the laundry aisle in your local grocery store or Walmart.
* Fels Naptha is made by The Dial Corp. You can check this website to locate the nearest store that carries this soap: Henkel North America – Store Location [3].
* You can order it online at Amazon.
Help! My Liquid Detergent Is Too Thick, Too Watery, Too Chunky, It Separated, It’s A Solid Mass, It Doesn’t Look Like I Think It Should!
* Making homemade laundry detergent is not an exact science. If the soap turns out differently than expected, still give it a try since the soap ingredients are all there. I can’t tell you what you did wrong or why a detergent turned out differently than expected. If you followed directions to a “T” (stirred really well, used hot water, measured correctly, etc.), then the likely culprit is the brand of soap used. If the liquid detergent gelled into a solid mass, try mixing in more hot water. If it’s too thin, try adding more soap or Borax or Washing Soda.
My Liquid Detergent Doesn’t Look Like Laundry Gel, It Looks Like Goopy Glop!
* Congrats! That’s how it’s supposed to look.
I Want To Use My Favorite Brand Of Soap In The Detergent, Can I?
* You’ll have to experiment by making a batch first to know for sure. I would cut batches in half (or even less) when first experimenting with a soap. This way there won’t be as much waste if it turns out poorly.
* You don’t want to use a bar of soap heavy with perfumes or oils since this may transfer to your clothing (stains). They may also cause a chemical reaction with the other detergent ingredients.
* From the comments area: You can use any soap that lists sodium palmate, sodium cocoate, sodium tallowate, etc. Just be sure you are using real soap and not detergent beauty bars with added free oils. (i.e. dove, etc).
* I wouldn’t use beauty bars or shower gels or body wash.
Are There Soap Alternatives For People Who Have Allergies Or Sensitive Skin?
* Try soaps that you know you’re not allergic to, but watch the ingredients in the bar to make sure it won’t react with the rest of ingredients of the detergent. The only way to know for sure is to try it.
How Do You Grate The Soap?
* I use a handheld cheese grater but you can also use a food processor (just make sure you clean it well after use). Grate the soap first before adding to a food processor and chop until fine.
Can I Use Liquid Soap Instead Of Grated Bar Soap?
* Again, making homemade detergent is not an exact science–there’s lots of room for experimentation. For liquid laundry detergents, I myself have not tried using liquid soap instead of bar soap. I think Liquid Castile would be ok, you might want to dilute it with water first (no, I don’t have a dilution ratio to suggest). If you do try it, let us know how you made out in the comments area below.
What Is The Difference Between Washing Soda And Baking Soda?
* Washing soda is Sodium Carbonate Decahydrate. Baking Soda is Sodium Bicarbonate. No they are not interchangeable and results will vary if substituting one for the other.
How Long Can Homemade Laundry Detergent Be Stored For?
* The powdered version seems to last forever, but I have no exact expiry date to advise. The liquid detergent also lasts a long time, but will thicken up over time. It was also suggested in the comments area that bacteria may grow in the detergent if it’s stored too long–what too long actually is, I can’t answer.
Can You Safely Use Homemade Laundry Detergents With A High Efficiency Washer (HE Machine)?
* I have no experience with this but there are lots of comments that say it’s fine to use. Be aware that using anything other than what your machine manufacturer recommends may void your warranty.
* Go through the comments in the original post and you will also find several recipes offered and recommended for HE machines.
* Homemade detergent is low sudsing which is important for HE machines.
Can You Use Homemade Detergent In a Front Loading Machine?
* I have no experience with this but there are lots of comments that say it’s fine to use. Be aware that using anything other than what your machine manufacturer recommends may void your warranty.
I Have Hard Water & My Clothes Don’t Come Out That Clean, Suggestions?
* Try adding baking soda or oxyclean or vinegar as laundry boosters, suggestions for baking soda are to start with 1/2 cup per load.
Aren’t Washing Soda & Borax Caustic? Poisonous? Are They Safe To Handle?
* As with all soaps and cleaners, common sense is needed when handling soaps and detergents–homemade laundry detergent ingredients are not excluded from this. Going against dire, dire warnings about how dangerous Borax and Washing Soda are to the skin, I handled all ingredients with bare hands and experienced no burns and all flesh is still intact. If I had small cuts or scrapes on my skin, my experience may have been different. To be safe you may wish to use rubber gloves. Avoid breathing in any of the powders and ingredients. I imagine breathing in a mouthful of commercial laundry detergent, or getting it in my eyes or up my nose, would be very uncomfortable and unwise, the same goes for homemade detergent ingredients. It goes without saying: Don’t eat it to find out if it’s poisonous or not. And of course: Keep this out of reach of kiddos just like you would for any other cleaner, detergent or soap.
Can Homemade Laundry Detergent Be Used In Cold Water Instead Of Hot?
* Sure it can. If you notice clothes don’t come out as clean as you’d like, try a laundry booster such as vinegar or oxyclean.
Can Homemade Laundry Detergent Be Used For Washing Baby Clothes & Diapers?
* This question is asked for two reasons: Will it irritate baby’s skin and will it be strong enough to clean nasty diapers. Although I’ve never used homemade detergents for this purpose myself, I don’t see why it couldn’t be used. Martha Stewart recommends both Washing Soda and Borax [4] as laundry boosters when washing diapers. The instructions on the box for Arm & Hammer suggest it be used as a diaper soak. Many have affirmed that baby items wash up nicely with no ill effects.
How Fine Do You Have To Grate The Soap?
* Grating the soap first is done so that it melts faster when heated or dissolves better in the wash. The finer it is, the quicker it melts.
Will Homemade Laundry Detergent Fade Dark Colored Clothing?
* I have noticed no fading or damage to clothing. I’ve laundered work clothes, everyday clothes and office attire in homemade detergents.
Freshly Laundered Clothes Smell Like Nothing! Can You Add Essential Oils For Fragrance To Homemade Detergent? If So, How Much Do I Add?
* You bet! Essential oils are a nice touch to homemade detergents (freshly laundered clothes really don’t have any nice fragrance added with homemade detergent). How much you add depends on how strong the fragrance is that you’ve chosen and what laundry detergent recipe you are using. Experiment for yourself to see what you like best. For starters you can try these two suggestions as guidelines: Recipe #4 (Powdered) I’d start with 5 drops, mixed in very well. Recipe #9 (Powdered) I’d start with 20 to 25 drops, mixed in very well. Also noted in the original post: You can add between 10 to 15 drops of essential oil (per 2 gallons) to your homemade laundry detergent.
Can I Still Use Bleach In My Laundry When Using Homemade Laundry Soap?
* Bleach has been used by myself successfully with no harmful effects. You will want to watch the ingredients in your soap items though (make sure the soap bar you use can be mixed with bleach safely), bleach will react negatively with vinegar for example.
Is There A Soap Residue On Clothes After Washing With Homemade Detergent?
* I haven’t noticed it but if you do, here are a couple things you can try: Increase the water amount, decrease the load size or decrease the detergent used per wash. You can also try a vinegar rinse by using a Downy ball or add vinegar during the rinse cycle.
Can I Safely Use the Gray Water From Washing Clothes In Homemade Detergent In My Garden?
* I have no idea, sorry.
Are These Recipes Safe For Septic Tanks?
* I have no idea, sorry.
Why Aren’t There Any Suds In The Water When I Use Homemade Detergent?
* Homemade detergents are low sudsing, you won’t see many suds in the wash. No worries, this is normal and your clothes will still come out clean.
After Mixing Ingredients Together, The Detergent Smells Really Strong & Foul–What’s Wrong?
* The brand of soap bar you used is likely causing a chemical reaction with the other ingredients. Throw out the batch (don’t get it on your skin or breathe it in) and use a different brand of soap.
The Soap Isn’t Completely Dissolving In The Water, Why?
* If you’re having problems with chunks of detergent not dissolving, try mixing the detergent in some hot water before adding to the load of laundry.
* If you are using the powdered version of detergent, try grating your soap into finer pieces.
Any Ideas Of What I Can Use For Storing The Liquid Laundry Detergent In?
* Use pails made from heavy plastic, make sure there’s a lid or cap to keep the detergent sealed. I found some big heavy pails through a restaurant, if you know someone working in a restaurant, see if they can help you out.
* Comments have suggested using empty plastic vinegar jugs.
* Comments have suggested using the large plastic kitty litter containers.
Is Borax or Washing Soda Safe For The Environment? I’m Trying To Find An Eco-Friendly Soap!
* According to this website, washing soda is environmentally friendly: Root-cn.com [5].
* Borax is an ingredient included in many “Green” recipes.
* I would guess that it’s not the most environmentally friendly option out there, but it would be better than most regular commercial detergents.
How Much Soap Should I Use Per Load Of Wash?
* Read the instructions for the particular recipe you’re using, each of them have suggested amounts to use. Feel free to adjust as needed.
Ugh! This Stuff Didn’t Clean My Clothes At All!
* It could be one of two things: not enough detergent used in the load or the brand of bar soap used in the recipe. Experiment with the amount of detergent you use in the wash, you should discover the needed amount. The suggested amounts to use per load may not be right in your case since the brand of bar soap you used might not be as good a cleaner as others.
Is It Really Worthwhile Making Homemade Detergent?
* The powdered laundry detergents are the easiest to manage in my opinion (for both mixing and storing). It doesn’t cost that much to give it a shot and see how you like it. If you do find it works well for you–imagine the money you’ll save over time!
I’ll add to this list as questions arise. If you have any advice to offer, feel free to do so in the comments area below, and thanks again to everyone who shared their knowledge in the original post!
Don’t Miss These Tips:
* 10 Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent Recipes [1]
* Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipes [6]
* Homemade Laundry Stain Pretreater Recipes [7]
Love This Tip? Share It!
Email [8] ~ Facebook [9]
Tweet It [10] ~ Delicious [11]
Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com
URL to article: http://tipnut.com/homemade-laundry-detergent/
URLs in this post:
[1] 10 Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent Recipes: http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/
[2] Church & Dwight – Arm & Hammer: http://www.churchdwight.com/consumer_info/consumer/consumer.asp
[3] Henkel North America – Store Location: http://www.henkelna.com/henkel-store-locator-9949.htm
[4] recommends both Washing Soda and Borax: http://www.marthastewart.com/article/baby-laundry-101
[5] Root-cn.com: http://www.root-cn.com/Laundry-Ball-Knowledge/Washing%20soda%20is%20environmentally%20friendly_23.Html
[6] Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-dishwasher-detergent-recipes/
[7] Homemade Laundry Stain Pretreater Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-laundry-stain-remover-recipes/
[8] Email: mailto:?subject=Homemade Laundry Stain Pretreater Recipes&body=http://tipnut.com/homemade-laundry-stain-remover-recipes/
[9] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://tipnut.com/homemade-laundry-stain-remover-recipes/&t=Homemade Laundry Stain Pretreater Recipes
[10] Tweet It: http://twitter.com/home?status=See http://tipnut.com/homemade-laundry-stain-remover-recipes/
[11] Delicious: http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://tipnut.com/homemade-laundry-stain-remover-recipes/&title=Homemade Laundry Stain Pretreater Recipes : Tipnut.com
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10 Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent Recipes
Posted By TipNut On January 4, 2007 @ 7:26 am In DIY Projects, Frugal Living, Homemade Cleaners, Laundry, Popular Tips | Comments Disabled
Here is a nice stack of different homemade laundry detergent recipes I’ve collected over the years. Do they work? Yes, I’ve had good luck with them.
Tipnut’s Homemade Laundry Detergent
At the time I was using homemade detergent, we had a relative who was in trade school living with us. Every day he was mechanic grease from head to toe–the clothes cleaned up nice!
Making your own laundry detergent is a discipline and it’s not for everyone, but it definitely saves money–sometimes just costing pennies a load!
First Some Tips:
* For the bar soaps required in the recipes, you could try Fels-Naptha, Ivory soap, Sunlight bar soap, Kirk’s Hardwater Castile, and Zote. Don’t use heavily perfumed soaps.
* Washing Soda and Borax can normally be found in the laundry and cleaning aisles.
* Some people with really hard water or well water may have to adjust the recipes if the clothes look dingy.
* Although several of the recipes have the same ingredients, the measurements are different–some contain a higher soap to water ratio. Test and see which works best for your laundry needs.
* You can make huge pails of this at once, or smaller quantities. Also if you can get your hands on a few empty liquid laundry detergent bottles they work great for storing the detergent. Just make a big batch and pour in bottles, cap then use as needed–shake before use.
* Some of the recipes call for large amounts of water. Check with a local restaurant to see if they have any empty large pails from deep fryer oil–that’s how many restaurants buy the oil. See if you can have one or two of the pails after they’ve emptied it–just wash them out really well before using. They’re big, heavy plastic and very sturdy when stirring the soap and hot water.
10 Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent Recipes
Recipe #1
1 quart Water (boiling)
2 cups Bar soap (grated)
2 cups Borax
2 cups Washing Soda
* Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water and stir until soap is melted. You can keep on low heat until soap is melted.
* Pour the soap water into a large, clean pail and add the Borax and Washing Soda. Stir well until all is dissolved.
* Add 2 gallons of water, stir until well mixed.
* Cover pail and use 1/4 cup for each load of laundry. Stir the soap each time you use it (will gel).
Recipe #2
Hot water
1 cup Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax
1 Soap bar
* Grate the bar soap and add to a large saucepan with hot water. Stir over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
* Fill a 10 gallon pail half full of hot water. Add the melted soap, Borax and Washing soda, stir well until all powder is dissolved. Top the pail up with more hot water.
* Use 1 cup per load, stirring soap before each use (will gel).
Recipe #3
Hot water
1/2 cup Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax
1/3 bar Soap (grated)
* In a large pot, heat 3 pints of water. Add the grated bar soap and stir until melted. Then add the washing soda and borax. Stir until powder is dissolved, then remove from heat.
* In a 2 gallon clean pail, pour 1 quart of hot water and add the heated soap mixture. Top pail with cold water and stir well.
* Use 1/2 cup per load, stirring soap before each use (will gel).
Powdered Laundry Detergent – Recipe #4
2 cups Fels Naptha Soap (finely grated – you could also try the other bar soaps listed at the top)
1 cup Washing Soda
1 cup Borax
* Mix well and store in an airtight plastic container.
* Use 2 tablespoons per full load.
Recipe #5
Hot water
1 bar (4.5 oz) Ivory Soap – grated
1 cup Washing Soda
* In a large saucepan add grated soap and enough hot water to cover. Heat over medium-low heat and stir until soap is melted.
* Fill a large pail with 2.5 gallons of hot water, add hot soap mixture. Stir until well mixed.
* Then add the washing soda, again stirring until well mixed.
* Set aside to cool.
* Use 1/2 cup per full load, stirring well before each use (will gel)
Recipe #6
2.5 gallons Water (hot)
1 Bar soap (grated)
3/4 cup Washing Soda
3/4 cup Borax
2 TBS Glycerin
* Melt bar soap over medium-low heat topped with water, stir until soap is melted.
* In a large pail, pour 2.5 gallons of hot water, add melted soap mixture, washing soda, borax and glycerin. Mix well.
* Use 1/2 cup per full load.
Recipe #7
2 cups Bar soap (grated)
2 cups Washing Soda
2 – 2.5 gallons hot water
* Melt grated soap in saucepan with water to cover. Heat over medium-low heat and stir until soap is dissolved.
* Pour hot water in large pail, add hot soap and washing soda. Stir very well.
* Use 1 cup per full load.
Recipe #8
2 gallons Water (hot)
1 bar Soap (grated)
2 cups Baking soda (yes baking soda this time–not washing soda)
* Melt grated soap in a saucepan with enough hot water to cover. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring frequently until soap is melted.
* In a large pail, pour 2 gallons hot water. Add melted soap, stir well.
* Then add the baking soda, stir well again.
* Use 1/2 cup per full load, 1 cup per very soiled load.
Powdered Laundry Detergent – Recipe #9
12 cups Borax
8 cups Baking Soda
8 cups Washing Soda
8 cups Bar soap (grated)
* Mix all ingredients well and store in a sealed tub.
* Use 1/8 cup of powder per full load.
Recipe #10 – (Powdered)
1 cup Vinegar (white)
1 cup Baking Soda
1 cup Washing Soda
1/4 cup liquid castile soap
* Mix well and store in sealed container.
* I find it easiest to pour the liquid soap into the bowl first, stirred in the washing soda, then baking soda, then added the vinegar in small batches at a time (the recipe foams up at first). The mixture is a thick paste at first that will break down into a heavy powdered detergent, just keep stirring. There may be some hard lumps, try to break them down when stirring (it really helps to make sure the baking soda isn’t clumpy when first adding). I used 1/2 cup per full load with great results.
Liquid Detergents Note
Soap will be lumpy, goopy and gel-like. This is normal. Just give it a good stir before using. Make sure soap is covered with a lid when not in use. You could also pour the homemade soap in old (and cleaned) laundry detergent bottles and shake well before each use.
*If you can’t find Fels-Naptha locally, you can buy it online (check Amazon).
Optional
You can add between 10 to 15 drops of essential oil (per 2 gallons) to your homemade laundry detergent. Add once the soap has cooled to room temperature. Stir well and cover.
Essential oil ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil
*Admin Update: clarified instructions for Recipe #10 and liquid detergent notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve created a new page full of questions and answers for making homemade detergent, you can visit it here: Homemade Laundry Detergent FAQ [1].
You can still review all the questions, answers, recipes and tips that were shared in the comments area below. There are nearly 300 of them and it was hard for new readers to find the answers they needed since there’s so much information provided below.
No more comments will be accepted for this post but you’re welcome to start sharing your tips, recipes, questions & answers on the new page.
Don’t Miss These Tips:
* Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipes [2]
* Homemade Laundry Detergent FAQ [1]
* Homemade Laundry Stain Pretreater Recipes [3]
Love This Tip? Share It!
Email [4] ~ Facebook [5]
Tweet It [6] ~ Delicious [7]
Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com
URL to article: http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/
URLs in this post:
[1] Homemade Laundry Detergent FAQ: http://tipnut.com/homemade-laundry-detergent/
[2] Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-dishwasher-detergent-recipes/
[3] Homemade Laundry Stain Pretreater Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-laundry-stain-remover-recipes/
[4] Email: mailto:?subject=Homemade Laundry Stain Pretreater Recipes&body=http://tipnut.com/homemade-laundry-stain-remover-recipes/
[5] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://tipnut.com/homemade-laundry-stain-remover-recipes/&t=Homemade Laundry Stain Pretreater Recipes
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[7] Delicious: http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://tipnut.com/homemade-laundry-stain-remover-recipes/&title=Homemade Laundry Stain Pretreater Recipes : Tipnut.com
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10 Alternative Household Cleansers
Posted By TipNut On November 26, 2008 @ 1:09 pm In Homemade Cleaners | No Comments
Today’s feature is from Woman’s Day with 10 Alternative Household Cleansers [1]:
We’ve discovered ways to clean everything in your home with natural items you already have on hand. From vinegar to toothpaste, read on to learn how you can use these safe, inexpensive items to make your house shine.
You’ll find recipes and tips for how to use the following around your home (most are very inexpensive to clean with):
1. White Vinegar
2. Baking Soda
3. Lemon Juice
4. Borax
5. Washing Soda
6. Isopropyl Alcohol
7. Cornstarch
8. Mineral Oil
9. Coarse Salt
10. Toothpaste
Please visit the site above to see all the recipes and tips for using these items to clean your home. Also see Homekeeping – A Natural Shine To Cleaning [2] and these Homemade Cleaning Recipes [3].
Don’t Miss These Tips:
* Homemade Window Cleaner Recipes & Tips [4]
* Household Science: Homemade Tips [5]
* Homekeeping – A Natural Shine To Cleaning (Recipes) [2]
Love This Tip? Share It!
Email [6] ~ Facebook [7]
Tweet It [8] ~ Delicious [9]
Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com
URL to article: http://tipnut.com/alternative-cleansers/
URLs in this post:
[1] 10 Alternative Household Cleansers: http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Shelter/Organizing-Cleaning/10-Alternative-Household-Cleansers.html?node_name=ChannelHome
[2] Homekeeping – A Natural Shine To Cleaning: http://tipnut.com/homekeeping-a-natural-shine-to-cleaning-recipes/
[3] Homemade Cleaning Recipes: http://tipnut.com/category/cleaning/cleaning-recipes/
[4] Homemade Window Cleaner Recipes & Tips: http://tipnut.com/more-homemade-window-cleaner-recipes-to-try/
[5] Household Science: Homemade Tips: http://tipnut.com/household-science-homemade-tips/
[6] Email: mailto:?subject=Homekeeping – A Natural Shine To Cleaning (Recipes)&body=http://tipnut.com/homekeeping-a-natural-shine-to-cleaning-recipes/
[7] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://tipnut.com/homekeeping-a-natural-shine-to-cleaning-recipes/&t=Homekeeping – A Natural Shine To Cleaning (Recipes)
[8] Tweet It: http://twitter.com/home?status=See http://tipnut.com/homekeeping-a-natural-shine-to-cleaning-recipes/
[9] Delicious: http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://tipnut.com/homekeeping-a-natural-shine-to-cleaning-recipes/&title=Homekeeping – A Natural Shine To Cleaning (Recipes) : Tipnut.com
Copyright © 2008 TipNut.com. All rights reserved.
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Small-Space Raised Salad Box: {DIY}
Posted By TipNut On March 8, 2010 @ 1:14 pm In DIY Projects, Green Thumb Projects | 1 Comment
Today’s feature is from Sunset with this nifty Small-Space Salad Box [1]:
DIY Raised Salad Box Project By sunset.com
Having fresh greens at your fingertips is one of the best parts of the growing season. And with a raised planter right outside the kitchen door, you can have a continual supply of salad greens nearly year-round.
This 3½-foot-tall box, designed by Sunset senior Home writer Peter O. Whiteley, is an especially easy project, taking only a few hours to build.
If you don’t have time to manage a garden plot, consider this clever and low-maintenance solution to having a selection of fresh veggies at your finger tips. It’s also a great option for those new to gardening and want to start small (or for condo/apartment dwellers who just have a small balcony to work with).
The idea is to take a window box, attach some legs to it then use it as a raised planter to grow a small amount of herbs and vegetables. Not only will it provide you with fresh produce, but it looks great too!
Please visit the site above for the project details.
Don’t Miss These Tips:
* Budget DIY Trellis & Garden Space Tip [2]
* How To Make Stone Planters: {DIY} [3]
* Shadow Box Key Garage: {DIY} [4]
Love This Tip? Share It!
Email [5] ~ Facebook [6]
Tweet It [7] ~ Delicious [8]
Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com
URL to article: http://tipnut.com/salad-box-diy/
URLs in this post:
[1] Small-Space Salad Box: http://www.sunset.com/garden/fruits-veggies/small-space-salad-box-00400000011785/
[2] Budget DIY Trellis & Garden Space Tip: http://tipnut.com/budget-trellis/
[3] How To Make Stone Planters: {DIY}: http://tipnut.com/stone-planters/
[4] Shadow Box Key Garage: {DIY}: http://tipnut.com/key-garage/
[5] Email: mailto:?subject=Shadow Box Key Garage: {DIY}&body=http://tipnut.com/key-garage/
[6] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://tipnut.com/key-garage/&t=Shadow Box Key Garage: {DIY}
[7] Tweet It: http://twitter.com/home?status=See http://tipnut.com/key-garage/
[8] Delicious: http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://tipnut.com/key-garage/&title=Shadow Box Key Garage: {DIY} : Tipnut.com
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Garden Tips For Tenderfeet: {Timeless Wisdom}
Posted By TipNut On April 16, 2010 @ 6:17 am In Outdoor Gardening | No Comments
This collection of vintage garden tips was published in 1938 (Sunset Magazine) and were sent in by the magazine’s readers, the best were published in a column titled “Garden Tips For Tenderfeet“. Although they were shared over 70 years ago, I think they’re still helpful for today’s gardeners.
Do Gardening Tips & Tricks Ever Get Old?
Neat to Know: Tenderfoot (plural tenderfeet) was a nickname given back in the day to someone new or inexperienced. Today we call them “newbies”.
Garden Tips For Tenderfeet
* DIY Potting Soil: Pieces of sod removed during re-edging of the lawn should be carefully kept and piled face down in a nook out of sight in the garden. Layer after layer may be stacked on top of each other and the pile won’t require much space. Sod usually decomposes nicely within a year. This will provide good potting soil [1] for houseplants [2].
* Watering Snapdragons: If you refrain from watering snapdragons in the late afternoon or evening, you’ll find they’re less susceptible to rust. Putting them to “bed” in a damp condition favors the spread of rust spores.
* Baiting Wireworms: A reliable old German gardener told me his novel way of trapping wireworms. Since wireworms like potatoes better than anything else, he baits them by burying large potatoes 8 or 10 inches deep and about 3 feet apart. Before covering them, he ties a piece of stout twine around each potato, and once or twice a week jerks up the “buried” potatoes to inspect them for wireworms. If there are any wireworms working in the soil, they go for the potatoes. If infested, they can be burned and fresh potatoes substituted.
* Oyster Shell Drainage: I’ve been using broken oyster shells in the bottom of flower pots for drainage [3]. Anyone along the coast can get oyster shells from the beaches.
* Neat Edges: If you want to keep lawn roots out of your flower beds, insert 1 x 4 boards in the ground between the lawn and beds. Put the boards in deep and they won’t be noticed.
* Dahlias Stake Tip: Big 4-foot stakes for dahlias are unsightly till the plants are almost full grown. The stakes have to be set in the ground at planting time so that the dahlia tuber won’t be injured. Instead of putting a tall stake in the ground at planting time, use a 12-inch one instead. The small stakes can be replaced by tall ones in the same holes when the plants are about 18 or 20 inches high.
* Transplanting Cuttings: When transplanting rooted cuttings and other small plants, I use a medium-size tin can that’s had both ends cut off, and slip it down over each plant to the required depth. It’s easy to transfer the young plants to wherever wanted, and the roots are undisturbed.
* Rooting Carnations: My carnation cuttings always root faster when I start them in coarse sand and place over the cuttings a quart jar or milk bottle with the bottom cut out. The bottle acts as a miniature greenhouse.
* Knee Saver: Cover an old sofa cushion with oil cloth and use it to kneel on when working in the garden. Dirt and moisture can be easily wiped off the oil cloth covering. When not in use, the cushion can be kept on the garden bench, lawn swing, or chair.
* Quick Seed Germination: If you are one of those who sow seeds and impatiently await signs of growth, try the following method to speed it up. Lay your seed between moist blotters, and place in or on the ice tray in a refrigerator. Let them remain there 10 days. Then plant outdoors and their fast germination will surprise you. Editors Note: This treatment works particularly well with delphinium seeds.
* For Rose Gardeners: Try planting blue violas thickly so that they’ll cover the whole rose bed. Don’t let a single inch of soil show! The roses won’t mind, for violas are shallow-rooted. The blue makes a perfect background for roses of any color.
* Keeping Hands Soft: Continuous work in the garden makes the hands grimy and hard. Next time you come in from the garden, work up a soapy lather in your hands and add about half a teaspoonful of ordinary sugar which has been moistened. This treatment not only cleans the hands, but leaves them beautiful and soft. (Also see Gardener’s Hands 101 [4] for more ways to protect and clean your hands).
* Primroses In Summer: Just as soon as my primroses have finished blooming in the spring, I cut back the plants, both blossom stalks and leaves, to within an inch and a half of the ground. They look bare for 2 or 3 weeks but because of other spring-blooming plants they’re scarcely noticed. The thick tufts of new leaves grow rapidly so that instead of ragged looking plants, I have symmetrical clumps of healthy new foliage which remains green all through the trying summer months. I’ve also found that this method increases fall blossoms without diminishing the number of spring blooms.
Source: Two Sunset Magazines published in 1938
Don’t Miss These Tips:
* Old-Time Tips For Flowers & Plants: Timeless Wisdom [5]
* 25 Tips For Plants & Flowers – Timeless Wisdom Collection [6]
* Tips: Getting Your Garden Ready For Winter [7]
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URL to article: http://tipnut.com/garden-tips-tenderfeet/
URLs in this post:
[1] good potting soil: http://tipnut.com/make-your-own-organic-potting-soil/
[2] houseplants: http://tipnut.com/category/garden-tips/indoors/
[3] flower pots for drainage: http://tipnut.com/how-to-plant/
[4] Gardener’s Hands 101: http://tipnut.com/gardeners-hands/
[5] Old-Time Tips For Flowers & Plants: Timeless Wisdom: http://tipnut.com/tips-plants/
[6] 25 Tips For Plants & Flowers – Timeless Wisdom Collection: http://tipnut.com/tips-for-plants-flowers/
[7] Tips: Getting Your Garden Ready For Winter: http://tipnut.com/garden-winter/
[8] Email: mailto:?subject=Tips: Getting Your Garden Ready For Winter&body=http://tipnut.com/garden-winter/
[9] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://tipnut.com/garden-winter/&t=Tips: Getting Your Garden Ready For Winter
[10] Tweet It: http://twitter.com/home?status=See http://tipnut.com/garden-winter/
[11] Delicious: http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://tipnut.com/garden-winter/&title=Tips: Getting Your Garden Ready For Winter : Tipnut.com
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Homemade Travel Hand Wipes
Posted By TipNut On January 10, 2008 @ 6:47 am In Homemade Cleaners | 4 Comments
Materials Needed:
1/4 cup vodka
1/4 cup water
Juice from 1/2 lemon
Paper Towels (use a thick, sturdy towel)
Large Ziploc Bag
Directions:
* Fold the paper towels in half and lay them in a shallow dish in a single layer.
* Mix the liquid ingredients together then pour over top the towels. Repeat as needed until you have the amount of wipes you require.
* Stack the saturated towels in a large Ziploc bag, make as many as you like. Store the sealed bag in your vehicle while traveling.
* Store any unused liquid in an airtight container to use next time.
Note: You can use strips of flannelette if you prefer (then launder and reuse), as well as paper towels cut in half.
I just make amounts that I would use during a road trip, I haven’t made big batches of wipes at a time so I’m not sure how long they would last. These are very nice on road trips to keep your hands clean–think: public washroom sink taps and door handles, yuck!
You might also like the homemade baby wipes [1]. You could use that same technique for these travel hand wipes:
Place paper towel rolls in the liquid and seal containers. Wait 5 minutes then flip the containers over to evenly distribute the solution on the paper towels. Make sure to use containers that are airtight.
Don’t Miss These Tips:
* Homemade Baby Wipes Recipe [1]
* Homemade Liquid Hand Soap – Recipe [2]
* Homemade Hand Balm Tutorial [3]
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URLs in this post:
[1] homemade baby wipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-baby-wipes-recipe/
[2] Homemade Liquid Hand Soap – Recipe: http://tipnut.com/homemade-liquid-soap/
[3] Homemade Hand Balm Tutorial: http://tipnut.com/homemade-hand-balm/
[4] Email: mailto:?subject=Homemade Hand Balm Tutorial&body=http://tipnut.com/homemade-hand-balm/
[5] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://tipnut.com/homemade-hand-balm/&t=Homemade Hand Balm Tutorial
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