Nothing Like Clean Sheets!!

As I was stripping my son's bed this morning... I was thinking about how much I love clean sheets.
Especially after a relaxing bubble bath.   Don't we all?
He may have the cleanest sheets in the house, not because clean sheets mean anything to a twelve year old, but because he is plagued with bloody noses.  Many a day he awakes and as one of his older brothers puts it, "he has punched himself in the face."  Today was one of those days.  All the way through to the mattress pad.  Poor child!
I have learned a few things I would like to share from this experience:

1st-  Place a safety pin on the worst spots so when the sheets come out of the washer you can actually be sure the blood is removed completely.  The drier will set the stains, and it is sometimes difficult especially on fitted sheets and pillow cases to be sure of their exact locations.

2nd- Hydrogen peroxide is a great aid in removing blood from most fabrics.  You may want to spot test on dark or high maintenance fabrics.

3rd- The more the better.  I basically put a little bit of everything from the cupboard on the bloody spots.  Dish soap, stain remover, peroxide and I have even had my son spit on the spots if he is available.  Supposably the enzymes in our spit, (the person whose blood it is), will break it down and help remove the stain also!  Our bodies are amazing!!

4th- I always use Pure Laundry lavender soap to wash bedding.  It is amazing!

Good Night Sleep Tight...

The only time I had ever heard of bed bugs was in the cute little bedtime jingle my grandmother would sometimes sing as I ran off to bed.  I thought of them as fictional.

As of late...at least the last few years, they are mentioned when you search hotels in the large cities, you hear of them traveling from China via cargo ships and I must admit, I always feel a bit itchy when the topic arises.

In an effort to put my mind at ease, and to be pro active,  I found this blend of essential oils and water on the internet @ theherbgardner.blogspot.com:

Bed Bug Spray
 1 cup water
10 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops rosemary essential oil
10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
3 drops essential oil of clove (optional)

Place in a fine mist spray bottle and shake well before using.
Be sure to wear gloves when handling essential oils. Some undiluted oils can be harmful if absorbed through the skin.

I keep my spray bottle near the back door. I spritz my clothing and anything else I am carrying
with me as I leave home if I feel there is any chance I may be somewhere bed bugs exist.
The best thing about this blend is how amazing it smells!!

Say Goodbye to Smelly Shoes!

One of my favorite uses beyond the washing machine, for peppermint laundry soap, is to refresh stinky shoes.  I was speaking to a friend the other day about how surprised she was to have her sons baseball cleats in her laundry room, with no odiferous evidence.  She was musing over how many failed attempts she had at ridding her son's shoes of odor.  She actually said, and I quote, "I wish I could do a commercial about your laundry soap."
I had to smile, only because we have some smelly feet at our house also.  It brought back an experience from several years ago.  We were on a road trip, traveling by RV to Canada.  We had stopped at the Mall of America and one of our sons had purchased a new pair of tennis shoes.  The old pair was stashed in a shopping bag and thrown in the back of the "Big Car".  After much searching for the animal that must have stowed away and died under the RV...we realized the source of the putrid odor...the old shoes.  I wish I knew then what I know now!!
Sprinkle peppermint laundry soap in the bottom of the offending shoe, cleat, hockey skate etc. and be rid of the odor.  That simple!!  Give it a try!

Welcome Winter!!

We had our first snow last week!
Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to have school cancelled.
Snow days are amazing!!
With the cold weather come some challenges;
chapped lips and cold sores to name a few.

For cold sores, dab the area a few times a day with a
wet, warm black tea bag for 5 minutes.  The tannins found in black tea
have an anti inflammatory effect on cold sores.

For chapped lips, go to bed with honey on your lips.  Honey's
antibacterial properties can help moisturize cracked lips and prevent infection.
These ideas come from the 2013 edition of the Old Farmer's Almanac.

Honey is also great to treat mild burns, for the same reasons I listed above.
It s one of those super foods!  Especially if you can find honey local to your area.

Messes in the Microwave

As I ponder all the chemicals we use, not to mention inhale....as we attempt to keep things clean and orderly, I am especially bothered by the thought of the chemicals we clean the microwave with.  Do they linger and attach themselves to our food?  Most likely.  I have always been a big believer that basic dishwashing liquid is awesome for sinks, countertops etc.  I would also say it is my top choice for cleaning the microwave glass tray etc.
Although, there are those random times when you open the microwave to find it completely splattered with who knows what, and it has been there who knows how long... for these times, combine 2 T lemon juice and 1 cup water in a microwave safe bowl.  Heat to a boil for 2-3 minutes.  Let it stand for a few more minutes to continue to moisten the mystery debris.  Wipe down walls with a damp paper  towel.
Another of my favorite microwave tips is to place your damp (never dry, as it could catch fire) sponge in the microwave for 2 min.  It helps keep it germ free.

Magic Eraser

As I was vacuuming up dead moths... again ..., I was thinking that this may be the worst year ever regarding moths.  There are so many things that are better living in the country, the sunsets,  the quiet,  racing snowmobiles around the dormant fields when fresh snow has fallen to name a few.
There are also some things that are not so great... thousands of moths for starters.
 With the moths come the unpleasant rusty colored spots on the white woodwork.
 
I love the product Bar Keepers Friend.  It is amazing at getting scuff marks left behind by pots and pans from your white porcelain sinks.  Awesome at keeping copper cookware looking pristine (I know who buys copper cookware?)  It was a gift:).  Also at removing the nasty moth residue.  It is one of my favorite go to cleaning aids.

Add a minimal amount of the Bar Keepers Friend to a damp sponge (soft or abrasive side depending on the job) and it is magical.

Green Weed Barriers

To keep your garden weed free, spread newspaper over existing weeds or bare ground(preferably no colored ink) and get wet.  Cover with grass clippings!  Voila!!
The paper will smother whatever is underneath and eventually decompose  Works like a charm!