Squeaky Clean!

I've been collecting 'recipes' and trying out new ways of cleaning things around the house, both in an effort to be greener and to save money. Let's face it, if I were to buy all the happy, healthy green products in the health food stores...I'd go broke. Broker. To me part of being 'green' is being frugal.

So here's what works so far:

*100% aloe vera gel for hair gel.

*Water and vinegar in a spray bottle for cleaning.

*Cloth wipes and wipe solution.
I had a dying towel I cut into 8x8 squares, FREE!! I'll be surging the edges as soon as my surger is fixed.
There are several wipe solution recipes out there. I tried the most simple one I could find and it is perfect!

2 cups water (I'm using bottled, if you use tap: boil it and let it cool first)
1 Tbs. baby wash
1 Tbs. baby lotion
I put it all in a glass pickle jar I saved, shake it up, let the bubbles go down, shake it again and then pour over the wipes that I have folded and placed in an old disposable wipes container. I get the next batch ready and toss it in the fridge so it's good to go.

Easy. Cheap. Best of all, they work great!

The baby wash and lotion I am using are from Arbonne. I have a personal use account with them, so if you ever wanted to order, I can get you 30% off, but I don't do parties or anything like that...I just like the products for myself and am willing to share the love.) Please no frou-frou baby lotions and washes that have nasty chemicals...read the labels.

Washing them is no big deal. I have a pail I toss them into and then into the 'rag' load they go. I use a mild detergent (only 2 Tbs.) and vinegar in that load with an extra rinse, no need to dry them, just fold and place back into the container! Please no harsh detergents or fabric softeners.

Dishwasher 'Detergent'

This took some experimentation due to the nastiness of Arizona water and here's what I came up with:

1 tps. Dr. Bronner's liquid castile soap
(I have almond on hand right now, but any 'flavor' will work.)
1/8 c baking soda
1/4 c vinegar

I put the soap and the baking soda in the detergent spot of the machine and just pour the vinegar in the bottom. If you over do the soap, you'll get spotty dishes. It's hard not to be heavy handed with the cleaning supplies for me, but I am learning. I still wash my dishes before they go into the dishwasher, I just haven't met a dishwasher I trust (except Digger, he's a very trustworthy dishwasher!) At least now I know they are extra clean and sanitized.

In an effort to not totally freak my husband out, I am slowly adding these things to our home. Here are a few of the things I am going to be testing out in the next few weeks:

Homemade toothpaste, coconut oil conditioner/moisturizer, homemade deodorant and other household cleaners all found on a really wonderful blog called Passionate Homemaking.

I've already cut out some of the junk in my shower and use Dr. Bronner's exclusively for soap, but I haven't found a recipe for shampoo that looks do-able for my crazy-frizzy-wild-woman-hair. That is one product I may have to splurge on. For make-up I am using up what I have and adding natural mineral products when I need something new. Passionate Homemaking has a great post on mascara that I will be using to help me find a new favorite.

Have you tried anything that works for you?