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DIY Electronic Spray, For Only $0.08!

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Recently, I was in need of electronics cleaner for my computer, laptops, and tablets, and so I set off to Best Buy to browse, only to find that the average electronics spray cost $13.00! So, I set out to make my own!

I use 1 cup isopropyl alcohol, or rubbing alcohol, and 1 cup distilled water, in a spray bottle as my cleaner! Each cleaning, for nearly thirty appliances costs me $0.08! As well, I use a clean, white tee-shirt, cut up to clean my appliances, as well; never use paper towels for this sort of cleaning. A rule of thumbs is to spray four sprayed onto the cloth to clean; never directly spray appliances or electronics with spray!

I use this blend on: eyeglasses, my TIVO, tv’s, computers, tablets, iphones, and more!

This spray is both a time and money-saver!

Enjoy!

 

 

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Starbucks Frappuccino Spice Bottles!

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Good morning, savvy savers! As we are currently in Earth Month, and soon approaching Earth Day, for this weeks Organizational Ideas, I wanted to share with you one of the upcycled ideas I implement to save myself time, money, and effort in my home kitchen, my Starbucks Frappuccino Spice Bottles!

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I have always loved the shape and size of these bottles, and while looking at a case of these beautifies my husband brought home last fall from Sam’s Club, I began to think of how much these bottles resembled the spice bottles I saw in Europe. Sure, the original design was marketed to be reminiscent of the old-timey milk jugs of the last century, but to me they called for a higher purpose! I simply boiled the bottles for one minutes in hot water, removed the labels with olive oil, air dried, and then filled with spices.

As you can see, I store a myriad of spices in my jars, from my cinnamon sticks, to my curry powder, and homemade taco seasoning. I have them lined up five across, and three deep, and without taking up much cabinet space, am able to accommodate all of my spice cooking needs!

This is one of my favorite upcycling projects in my home, and I hope you like it as well!

Here’s to being organized!

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How I Save My Family $625.00 Annually With My Homemade Flea & Tick Remedy!

 

 

 

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Calling all pet-parents! Do you have cats or dogs? If so, then you know all too well the nuisance of fleas and ticks can pose for your furbabies, your family, and your home. As you might know, I have a large furbaby family, including three dogs and three cats, so as summer approaches flea and tick remedies, which can save my family time and money, is a top priority for my home! After my West highland White Terrier, Roxxie, developed a skin allergy two years ago, my vet recommended I try more homeopathic treatments to repel fleas and ticks, as I live in a humid southern state! After some experimentation, I came up with a formula that is safe to wash pets, including small mammals, but is also effective enough to be sprayed on the perimeter of your home as a flea and tick home barrier as well! This remedy saves my family $625.00 annually! 

Here’s how I make it:

Ingredients:

20 cloves
2 cups cold water
Plastic Container
8 oz apple cider vinegar
4 oz warm water
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
12 Drops Eucalyptus Oil

Directions:

1) Take 2 cups cold water and add 20 cloves; seal for four days stirring twice a day, each day.

2) On the 4th day, mix dry ingredients first then slowly add to wet as the vinegar and baking soda will react slightly.

3) Add the clove mixture to the vinegar solution.

4) Put the combined mixture into spray bottle, adding the Eucalyptus oil at the end, and then spray pets down. Be careful not to get in pets eyes.

5) Use this blend, plus one cup water in your home attachment to spray outdoor walls, door frames, windows, and house parameters as well.

6) Retreat pets and home bi-weekly.

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Remove Rust with Cream of Tartar!

 

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Here is another great way to save on cleaning your whole home! When I find some of my stainless steel appliances, such as my over, toaster, coffee maker, and refrigerator, all of which are stainless steel, have small spots of rust, gunk, spots, or dirt, I use a simple paste of cream of tartar and water, along with a toothbrush, to clean these items to a shine! This trick works well, is economical, and a real time-saver! Enjoy the sparkle your appliances, and pots and pans for that matter, will have after using this trick!  Also note, from time to time my local Dollar Tree carries this spice rack staple, and when they do be sure to stock-up with this purpose in mind!

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Organizational Ideas: Shoe Organizer As Pantry Door Shelves!

 

Hello again, savvy savers! This week for my organizational idea, I wanted to post a s very simple idea I have used for the past year! I installed basic, clear plastic shoe organizers to the two doors in my kitchen pantry; I use these slots to store sauces, snacks, packets, baked items, and the like. These slots hold nearly as much as my shelves, and are a real lifesaver! They can be attached with clips, wood screws, or any other simple method you have on hand. What’s better is that I used free Amazon.com gift card to purchase the units, earned from Crowdtap, and my life is all the better for having done so! The units I have can be found here.

Here’s to organizing!

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Homemade Wall Putty!

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Attention savvy savers! As Spring has sprung, as has the itech to clean and remodel our homes and spaces! Today I have a great way to do just that, homemade wall putty! This is my go-to, non-toxic, pulled right from the cupboard recipe:

1) Mix 2 tbsp. of table salt and 2 tbsp. of cornstarch in a small bowl.

2 Add 5 tbsp. of cold tap water, a tablespoon at a time. Stir as you add the water until the mixture is a thick paste. If the mixture is runny, add 1 tsp. of salt and 1 tsp. of cornstarch and stir until the mixture has thickened without bubbles.

3 Use the paste to fill small holes in a wall. Apply it to the holes with a putty knife. Use the knife to smooth the homemade spackle so it is level with the wall. Allow the spackle to dry for one hour.

4 Sand the spackled area lightly with 100-grit sandpaper.

5 Paint the wall if desired, including the area that has been spackled.

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Clean Toilet Bowl Ring With Gatorade!

Hello again, savvy savers! Today finds us with another awesome, affordable cleaning solution for a common bathroom problem, toilet bowl ring! I have a tried-and-true method to remove toilet bowl ring stains, Gatorade! Yes, America’s favorite sports-drink is also an awesome, affordable cleaner! Simply pour 2 cups of Gatorade, for harsh set-in stains, and for general cleaning use 2 ounces, or 1/4 cup, in the toilet and let sit for twenty minutes. Scrub and flush. The citric acid is the cleaning agent, and the hero of this piece. What’s better, I often find sales on Gatorade, and my local Winn-Dixie sells single bottles, enough for six cleanings, for only $0.69! That blows the lowest price I had previously seen at the Dollar Tree for Lysol Cling Toilet Bowl Cleaner of $1.00, by a whopping $0.31! You can clean your toilet for $0.10 a week, if using it for normal cleaning, as mentioned above! How awesome is that!

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