I just tried Vinegar/Water cleaner today. I'm in LOVE!!

[SweetAngels]

OK, I'll admit it, I've been in a cleaning rut using those smelling cleaners that you sure don't want your children getting a hold of. YUCK!

Well, after reading a post about vinegar last week, I got a small spray bottle and mixed 50/50 white vinegar and waer and added a few drops of orange EO. I was skeptical as I headed for the bathrroms. First the mirrors, they looked great. Then the counter top, sink, a spot on the wall, and they all looked great. Then I got totally crazy and went after the kitchen windows and the patio door. Again, great.

When my DH came home, I asked him what he thought about the bathrooms and windows/door. He said they looked clean. Then I told him my secret and he was impressed. I just threw out my hlaf full bottle of smelly glass cleaner.

OK, so what should I try next?

Sandy

[arahzel]

You should try using it as a fabric softener. It's especially great for keeping black clothes from fading (according to a coworker). I switched to making my own detergent and using vinegar last week. I even put the vinegar in my downy ball. I'm love, too!

DH think I'm nuts because I've been cleaning EVERYTHING.

[SweetAngels]

I've used vinegar as a rinse for my dipes and towels, but never with the regular clothes. Glad to hear about it keeping blacks black longer. I sure hate it when they fade:

Sandy

[milky_mama]

Originally Posted by arahzel

You should try using it as a fabric softener. It's especially great for keeping black clothes from fading (according to a coworker). I switched to making my own detergent and using vinegar last week. I even put the vinegar in my downy ball. I'm love, too!

DH think I'm nuts because I've been cleaning EVERYTHING.

This sounds great! How do you make the homemade laundry detergent?

Thanks!

A Blessed Wife and Mama!
:

[arahzel]

I can't say for anyone else, but I have mixed equal parts arm and hammer detergent (all natural kind) and borax.

I only use a few tablespoons each load. You can add oxyclean to the regiment as well.

Seriously... the ingredients cost less than $10 and I'm pretty sure it will last a lot longer than the "All" concentrated I was using before.

Look up at the "make your own" thread that's stickied!

[milky_mama]

Originally Posted by arahzel

I can't say for anyone else, but I have mixed equal parts arm and hammer detergent (all natural kind) and borax.

I only use a few tablespoons each load. You can add oxyclean to the regiment as well.

Seriously... the ingredients cost less than $10 and I'm pretty sure it will last a lot longer than the "All" concentrated I was using before.

Look up at the "make your own" thread that's stickied!

Thanks for the homemade laundry recipe, arahzel, and the tip for the thread! I'm a newbie so I'm still learning how to navigate the site. Is borax safe for all ages of little ones? Thanks!

A Blessed Wife and Mama!
:

[arahzel]

I can't really say whether it's safe or not. I use it on my 19 month old's clothes just fine. She's never really been sensitive though.

It's obviously not safe to eat (can be used as a pesticide).

True story: My coworker actually told us (a bunch of us who work in the same room) how she and her ex-husband lived in a tiny apartment infested with roaches. Each night before going to bed (her husband worked 2nd shift) she would rub the floors and counters with a solution of boarx/water. It worked! Got rid of the roaches. Her husband got REALLY sick though, because he was coming home at night and keeping the lights off so she could sleep. By the light of the fridge, he'd make himself a sandwich on the counter. He was ingesting small amounts of borax -- and in fact went to the doctor to find out why his health was failing. The doctor told him that someone was poisoning him and he freaked out!

When she found out what he was doing at night, she set him straight, but that is probably one of the craziest stories I've heard so far!

As far as recipes go, I totally stole that from the recipe thread! Go check it out, I'm trying out some of the shampoo recipes as soon as what I have runs out. Good luck!