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DIY Organic Grapefruit Counter Top Cleaner!

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Good morning, savvy savers! Happy New Year! So this past week at my home, albeit low-key, have been jammed packed with DIY projects and freezer cooking sessions! With all that cooking, comes a whole lot of cleaning, and for me that means whipping out my commercial for keeping my counter tops cleaned, Method Grapefruit Spray! That spray rocks!

As much as I love the cleaner, I am also looking to further cut my bankbook strings in 2015, so I decided to try a DIY version this year! With that said, for the past few days I have been using apps savings from Snap by Groupon, to save on Scarlet Grapefruits at my local Sam’s Club (shopping scenarios to come in the next few days), and instead of composting the Grapefruit peels, I started the first steps to making Homemade Grapefruit Counter top Cleaner!

With the outrageous cost of commercial glass cleaners, I created an organic, non-toxic, child and pet-safe all purpose cleaner which can be for under $5.00 for a years worth of cleaner! As the average cost of a bottle of store-bought orange cleaner is 3.89, and I use a bottle of spray a month, that’s a savings of $48.68 a year! Here’s how to make this!

 

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Ingredients:

  • 1 Clean, dried mason jar
  • The peels of 3 grapefruits
  • 2 Cups Distilled, white vinegar
  • 10 drops Essential Grapefruit Oil
  • 1 Empty Bottle
  • 1 Funnel
  • 1 Plastic Bowl
  • 1 Sifter

Instructions:

  1. Obtain a clean mason jar, and fill it with 16 ounces, 2 cups, of distilled white vinegar.
  2. Place the peel of three grapefruits in the mason jar with the vinegar.
  3. Add the 10 drops of essential oil to the top of the jar.
  4. Secure the cap and ring on the mason jar.
  5. Store the jar in a cool, dry place for 14 days; I have stored the jars in both my pantry and garage without issues.
  6. On the 15th day, open the jar and strain the contents into a sifter, over a plastic bowl.
  7. Return the solution to the mason jar with a funnel; label your jar as cleaning concentrate.
  8. Open a spray bottle and add 1/4 cup of the solution, 2 ounces, to 5 cups water.
  9. Seal the bottle and shake gently.
  10. Use in conjunction with newspaper to clean most glass surfaces, including counters.

This is an awesome cleaner! I hope you will think so, too!

Enjoy the clean!

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HappyandBlessedHome.com

4 Comments

DIY Organic Grapefruit Counter Top Cleaner!

1221-624x499

 

Good morning, savvy savers! Happy New Year! So this past week at my home, albeit low-key, have been jammed packed with DIY projects and freezer cooking sessions! With all that cooking, comes a whole lot of cleaning, and for me that means whipping out my commercial for keeping my counter tops cleaned, Method Grapefruit Spray! That spray rocks!

As much as I love the cleaner, I am also looking to further cut my bankbook strings in 2015, so I decided to try a DIY version this year! With that said, for the past few days I have been using apps savings from Snap by Groupon, to save on Scarlet Grapefruits at my local Sam’s Club (shopping scenarios to come in the next few days), and instead of composting the Grapefruit peels, I started the first steps to making Homemade Grapefruit Counter top Cleaner!

With the outrageous cost of commercial glass cleaners, I created an organic, non-toxic, child and pet-safe all purpose cleaner which can be for under $5.00 for a years worth of cleaner! As the average cost of a bottle of store-bought orange cleaner is 3.89, and I use a bottle of spray a month, that’s a savings of $48.68 a year! Here’s how to make this!

 

unnamed (1)

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 Clean, dried mason jar
  • The peels of 3 grapefruits
  • 2 Cups Distilled, white vinegar
  • 10 drops Essential Grapefruit Oil
  • 1 Empty Bottle
  • 1 Funnel
  • 1 Plastic Bowl
  • 1 Sifter

Instructions:

  1. Obtain a clean mason jar, and fill it with 16 ounces, 2 cups, of distilled white vinegar.
  2. Place the peel of three grapefruits in the mason jar with the vinegar.
  3. Add the 10 drops of essential oil to the top of the jar.
  4. Secure the cap and ring on the mason jar.
  5. Store the jar in a cool, dry place for 14 days; I have stored the jars in both my pantry and garage without issues.
  6. On the 15th day, open the jar and strain the contents into a sifter, over a plastic bowl.
  7. Return the solution to the mason jar with a funnel; label your jar as cleaning concentrate.
  8. Open a spray bottle and add 1/4 cup of the solution, 2 ounces, to 5 cups water.
  9. Seal the bottle and shake gently.
  10. Use in conjunction with newspaper to clean most glass surfaces, including counters.

This is an awesome cleaner! I hope you will think so, too!

Enjoy the clean!

Birthday_Cake22

2 Comments

DIY Doll Hair Detangler Spray!

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Calling all parents with adorable, cute little girls? If your child was anything like myself as a kid, then the quality of their dolls hair may not be the best on occasion, and to this I have a great, simple, affordable solution, doll hairspray!

  1. Just take a spray bottle, add two tablespoons fabric softener to three cups cold water, shake well, and voila, doll hairspray!
  2. This is a tried-and-true method for fixing any dolls hair. Please note, use a comb for most dolls hair, as I have found that many brushes, including the small plastic brushes that come with most toys, will pull doll hair loose from its track cap!

Enjoy!

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Organizational Ideas: Holiday Greeting Card Organizer

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Hello again, savvy savers! For this weeks Organizational Tips, I wanted to share the way I organize greeting cards.

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I store my greeting cards in an accordion file folder! I label them according to use; family-themed cards, fall holiday cards, winter holiday cards, patriotic holiday cards, get well cards, condolence cards, and spiritually themed cards. I also reserve the last tab of the file for address labels, foil stamps, and the like. In addition, I purchase good quality accordion folders right after Labor Day annually at Office Depot, where various brands are drops upwards of 80% off; the file I have shown above was purchased for only $0.75!

I also find that throughout the year I can purchase cards for a song generally, and one of my favorite places to purchase cards is at General Dollar, where I can match Hallmark and American Greeting cards, everyday pierced at 2/$1.00 with manufacturer coupons. I try not to spend over $$0.25 a card; my stock-up pricing for greeting cards is $0.15 or less, per card.

 Also note, that some greeting cards, with inserts or musical functions, tend to be thicker cards, so I double the elastic strap over my accordion file to ensure they stay properly closed as well.

This is a quick, easy way to organize your cards, in such a way that you can easily locate them, and fit their container neatly in most desk drawers!

Here’s to organizing!

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DIY Gingerbread Dish Soap!

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Hello again, savvy savers! If you are anything like me, you may be finding yourself washing more and more dishes by hand this time of year. Everything from platters, heirloom dishes, vases, cloches, and the like always seem to be on my to-do list! With all this washing comes the use of a lot of dish washing soap needs, and so for this weeks Housewife Hacks, I wanted to share my recipe for Gingerbread Scented Dish Soap!

I can make this blend for under $0.50 per 1 pint jar, making this product seventy-five percent less than most commercial blends!

Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 bars grated soap, grated to 1/4 flakes
  • ¼ cup castile soap
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon non-GMO vegetable glycerin
  • 20 drops ginger essential oil
  • 10 drops clove oil

Directions:

  1. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan.
  2. Add the soap flakes and stir to dissolve, gently stir for one full minute.
  3. Remove the mixture from the heat.
  4. Add the castile soap, baking soda, glycerin, and essential oil.
  5. Stir well for one full additional minute, making sure everything is dissolved.
  6. Allow mixture to cool for twenty minutes.
  7. Carefully pour into a reusable bottle with a spout, a pump jar, or mason jar.
  8. Be sure to label your jar.
  9. Place your jar under the cabinet and allow to settle for twenty-four hours.
  10. Please note, if your mixture is too thick, add 1/2 teaspoon of water at a time until the mixture is the correct thickness. 
     
     
    Enjoy! 
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2 Comments

Clothespin Greeting Card Organizer Wreath!

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Hello again, savvy savers! Today finds us with another Organizational Ideas Post, and this time the Clothespin Greeting Card Organizer Wreath! This project, made exclusively with dollar Tree Materials, and around the house items you are sure to have on hand! This project is as simple as can be, and can be made for under $5.00!

Here’s how to make it:

Materials:

  • Metal Pliers
  • Metal Coat Hanger
  • Spray Paint
  • 1/2″ Ribbon
  • Faux Floral Foam Cranberries
  • Clothespins
  • Newspaper Sheet

Instructions:

  1. Using metal pliers or snips, deconstruct a metal coat hanger, and reconfigure it into a circle; you are aiming at 10″ in diameter to create a wreath form.
  2. Affix one end of the wreath, leaving one end open.
  3. Next, spray paint your clothespins over newspaper; I used green to resemble evergreen, but any color would work, too! 
  4. Once your clothespins are dry, usually around one hour, you are now ready to create your wreath.
  5. To create the wreath, alternate  foam berries and the clothespins to the wreath form.
  6. Clothespins will be secure but able to freely open.
  7. Be sure to leave one inch at the top of the wreath.
  8. Close the remaining one once inch of the wreath closed, with pliers.
  9. Affix a ribbon in front of the top closure; the ribbon will need both a bow, and a loop behind the ribbon, which will act as a hanging strip as well. 
  10. Add your greeting cards, notes, and photos! 
  11. Enjoy! 

Please note, I generally leave my cards attached to my wreaths annually, and store them, wrapped in recycled holiday tissue paper for the next holiday season! These wreaths are so versatile and could look awesome in so many areas, and would also make unique, affordable hostess gifts this holiday season, too!

Here’s to the season,

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Organizational Ideas: Starbucks Frappuccino Spice Bottles!

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Good morning, savvy savers! As we are currently in the midst of the holiday spending season, for this weeks Organizational Ideas, to save myself time, money, and effort in my home kitchen, my Starbucks Frappuccino Spice Bottles!

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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4 Comments