I just got this email from Linda Barnes, Nibley 6th ward Emergency Preparedness Specialist. Mark Andersen is the owner of Anderson Seed & Garden! This will be an awesome class. He is very knowledgeable and will help explain things to us on whatever topic we want so long as it refers to our families, food, etc. (see below email)
Please come tomorrow night. Stay as long as you can, leave when you must. This is the last time this presentation will be made. Bring your gardening questions and concerns. You will be able to ask questions about your specific problems as long as they have to do with vegetation used to sustain the family. In other words, we will not be addressing ornamental or shade trees, or landscaping bushes, etc.
See the announcement below.
Linda Barnes
Just a reminder that Mark Anderson from Anderson's Seed and Garden will be doing a presentation for our Emergency Preparedness class this month. This presentation will be held Thursday, February 11th at the LDS church house on 3200 South from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Anyone is welcome to attend. Please join us. He will be addressing advanced gardening techniques. In addition Mark will be teaching us about certain varieties of fruits and vegetables that can be planted and harvested and stored over winter as opposed to having to be processed by canning, freezing or drying.
Many members in the Nibley 6th ward tried their hand at gardening for the first time last year because of the gardening class and help from ward members. Remember to support each other as we learn new skills.
Linda Barnes
Nibley 6th Ward Emergency Preparedness Specialist
363-0091
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Food Storage-Have you thought about this?
Neat Ideas for Dried Emergency Foods to Keep on Hand
Do You Have Astronaut Ice Cream in Your Stockpile of Emergency Foods?
Following an emergency situation nonperishable foods are one important item to have on hand. Dried foods are a great option because they don’t require any preparation and have a very long shelf life. One particular dried food that can be used when an emergency situation arises and nonperishable foods are a must is astronaut ice cream. I know it sounds a bit space age, but astronaut ice cream, along with being a popular novelty item, also provides a unique taste and flavor above and beyond some other dried emergency foods.
Just Desserts
You can think of astronaut ice cream as a dessert food. How cool is it to have ice cream that requires no refrigeration? Cost might be a prohibitive factor for some individuals. Just one pouch of astronaut ice cream can cost about $3, but there are some positive reasons you might want to include astronaut ice cream in your supply of emergency food. If you order astronaut ice cream in bulk, your cost per package will be a bit less.
If you have kids, astronaut ice cream can be a helpful product. Following a difficult emergency situation that forces you to rely on emergency food, your children might be very upset. Astronaut ice cream can be a fun and enjoyable product for them when they are faced with having to eat foods they might find less than appetizing. Astronaut ice cream can be ordered from online retailers and is actually a pretty neat creation. It is freeze-dried and dissolves upon tasting.
On The Healthy Side
Of course, it is helpful to have a variety of dried emergency foods on hand in case of an emergency situation. Dried fruits are also a great choice for “dessert.” You can literally find many dried fruit selections: bananas, papayas, cherries, cranberries, blueberries, and apricots just to name a few. Keep a variety of dried emergency foods including astronaut ice cream, so that you can still enjoy dessert even when a disaster strikes.
www.emergencypreparednesstips.org
Do You Have Astronaut Ice Cream in Your Stockpile of Emergency Foods?
Following an emergency situation nonperishable foods are one important item to have on hand. Dried foods are a great option because they don’t require any preparation and have a very long shelf life. One particular dried food that can be used when an emergency situation arises and nonperishable foods are a must is astronaut ice cream. I know it sounds a bit space age, but astronaut ice cream, along with being a popular novelty item, also provides a unique taste and flavor above and beyond some other dried emergency foods.
Just Desserts
You can think of astronaut ice cream as a dessert food. How cool is it to have ice cream that requires no refrigeration? Cost might be a prohibitive factor for some individuals. Just one pouch of astronaut ice cream can cost about $3, but there are some positive reasons you might want to include astronaut ice cream in your supply of emergency food. If you order astronaut ice cream in bulk, your cost per package will be a bit less.
If you have kids, astronaut ice cream can be a helpful product. Following a difficult emergency situation that forces you to rely on emergency food, your children might be very upset. Astronaut ice cream can be a fun and enjoyable product for them when they are faced with having to eat foods they might find less than appetizing. Astronaut ice cream can be ordered from online retailers and is actually a pretty neat creation. It is freeze-dried and dissolves upon tasting.
On The Healthy Side
Of course, it is helpful to have a variety of dried emergency foods on hand in case of an emergency situation. Dried fruits are also a great choice for “dessert.” You can literally find many dried fruit selections: bananas, papayas, cherries, cranberries, blueberries, and apricots just to name a few. Keep a variety of dried emergency foods including astronaut ice cream, so that you can still enjoy dessert even when a disaster strikes.
www.emergencypreparednesstips.org
Changing a Flat Tire-everything you need to know
What You Need to Know about Changing a Flat Tire
Have You Ever Changed a Flat Tire?
If you are traveling via car, you always need to be prepared for a flat tire. Having a spare tire in trunk is only half the battle. You must have all of the necessary equipment required to actually change your tire if needed. A flat tire can present itself at the most inopportune time, so be prepared.
Are You Prepared?
One of the first things you need to check in advance of a long car trip (and on a routine basis) is your spare tire. Modern cars typically have a donut as opposed to a full spare. Regardless of what you hear, there is nothing inherently unsafe about a donut compared to a full spare. It is really just a convenience issue that goes both ways.
The donut gives you convenience of not taking up a lot of space in your trunk. However, the donut can only be driven for a minimal amount of miles. Typically this distance is only about 50 miles, but you should consult your owners manual to learn how long you can drive before the donut needs to be replaced with a full spare. On the other hand, the full spare will allow you to drive until that tire wears out. So, you don’t have to immediately replace that tire like you have to with a donut.
Regardless of whether you have a donut or full spare, you must make sure that it is properly inflated. It makes no sense to replace a flat tire with a tire that is flat.
The other most important tool needed to change a flat tire is a car jack. The car jack will be needed to jack up your car to change your tire. You should inspect this jack to make sure it works properly. The jack can become rusted in your trunk over the years and will not be in working condition.
The final tools required to change a flat tire are a flashlight and socket wrench. Although not required during the daytime, a flashlight is imperative for flat tire situations that occur during the nighttime. The socket wrench must be able to fit over you lug nuts on your tires, so make sure you have the right size stored in your trunk. With the above advice, you should have all the tools necessary to change a flat tire when you experience one.
www.emergencypreparednesstips.org
Have You Ever Changed a Flat Tire?
If you are traveling via car, you always need to be prepared for a flat tire. Having a spare tire in trunk is only half the battle. You must have all of the necessary equipment required to actually change your tire if needed. A flat tire can present itself at the most inopportune time, so be prepared.
Are You Prepared?
One of the first things you need to check in advance of a long car trip (and on a routine basis) is your spare tire. Modern cars typically have a donut as opposed to a full spare. Regardless of what you hear, there is nothing inherently unsafe about a donut compared to a full spare. It is really just a convenience issue that goes both ways.
The donut gives you convenience of not taking up a lot of space in your trunk. However, the donut can only be driven for a minimal amount of miles. Typically this distance is only about 50 miles, but you should consult your owners manual to learn how long you can drive before the donut needs to be replaced with a full spare. On the other hand, the full spare will allow you to drive until that tire wears out. So, you don’t have to immediately replace that tire like you have to with a donut.
Regardless of whether you have a donut or full spare, you must make sure that it is properly inflated. It makes no sense to replace a flat tire with a tire that is flat.
The other most important tool needed to change a flat tire is a car jack. The car jack will be needed to jack up your car to change your tire. You should inspect this jack to make sure it works properly. The jack can become rusted in your trunk over the years and will not be in working condition.
The final tools required to change a flat tire are a flashlight and socket wrench. Although not required during the daytime, a flashlight is imperative for flat tire situations that occur during the nighttime. The socket wrench must be able to fit over you lug nuts on your tires, so make sure you have the right size stored in your trunk. With the above advice, you should have all the tools necessary to change a flat tire when you experience one.
www.emergencypreparednesstips.org
Dry Onion Soup Mix-Make it Yourself
Here is a recipe I found online on making your own onion soup mix. It is nice to have on hand for those days when you you need it and don't have a box.
Dry Onion Soup Mix
3/4 cup beef bullion powder (or beef soup base powder)
1 cup minced dry onion
1/8 teaspoon onion salt (or plain salt)
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup onion powder
Mix together and store in a jar (a clean empty peanut butter jar would work great). 1/4 cup mix = equals 1 package of onion soup mix. Note: I think I will add 1 tablespoon garlic powder into my mix.
Dry Onion Soup Mix
3/4 cup beef bullion powder (or beef soup base powder)
1 cup minced dry onion
1/8 teaspoon onion salt (or plain salt)
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup onion powder
Mix together and store in a jar (a clean empty peanut butter jar would work great). 1/4 cup mix = equals 1 package of onion soup mix. Note: I think I will add 1 tablespoon garlic powder into my mix.
Making your own All-Purpose Kitchen Cleaner
Here's a great recipe for making your own kitchen/bathroom cleaner:
(1) Tbsp. Borax
(3) Tbsp. white vinegar
(1) Tbsp. dish soap
(2) cups water
(1) drop essential oil (for fragrance - optional)
empty spray bottle
Mix ingredients and pour into empty spray bottle. Make sure to label.
I made this for the first time the other night and really like it. I was originally planning on using some of my peppermint oil for fragrance, but there was just enough fragrance in the dish soap that I didn't need anymore, and I really liked how it turned out. So far I've tried it on my counters, my kitchen table and my (very dirty) painted walls near the front door without any problems.
[The spray bottle was purchased at Ikea and ended up holding all but about 1-2 Tbsp of the mixture.]
(1) Tbsp. Borax
(3) Tbsp. white vinegar
(1) Tbsp. dish soap
(2) cups water
(1) drop essential oil (for fragrance - optional)
empty spray bottle
Mix ingredients and pour into empty spray bottle. Make sure to label.
I made this for the first time the other night and really like it. I was originally planning on using some of my peppermint oil for fragrance, but there was just enough fragrance in the dish soap that I didn't need anymore, and I really liked how it turned out. So far I've tried it on my counters, my kitchen table and my (very dirty) painted walls near the front door without any problems.
[The spray bottle was purchased at Ikea and ended up holding all but about 1-2 Tbsp of the mixture.]
Making your own Baby Wipes
I got both this and the next post straight from pinchingyourpennies.com. I am constantly raving about the site, if you haven't checked it out yet, now is a great time;).
You can use the same method for making your own cleaning wipes (see previous post) in order to make your own baby wipes as well (with different ingredients, of course).
Here's what you'll need:
(1) roll Bounty* paper towels (or a half roll left over from making cleaning wipes)
(1) Rubbermaid #6 square container or similar
(2) cups water (distilled or tap, depending on your preference)
(2) Tbsp. baby wash or baby shampoo
Optional: (1) Tbsp. baby oil or baby lotion
Prepare the same way as you would the cleaning wipes.
I usually just used tap water, and I left out the baby oil/lotion. But you can use distilled water or boiled tap water (which has cooled to room temp before using the wipes) if you want. Adjust the amount of water based on how relatively wet or dry you prefer your wipes.
As before, you may need to add a few drops of water periodically if your wipes start to dry out.
If you also make your own cleaning wipes, make ABSOLUTE SURE to label each container so that you (or anyone else in your household) don't accidently mix them up!
*I've found that Bounty works really well. You'll want to use a paper towel that is quite thick and is not prone to giving off a lot of lint.
You can use the same method for making your own cleaning wipes (see previous post) in order to make your own baby wipes as well (with different ingredients, of course).
Here's what you'll need:
(1) roll Bounty* paper towels (or a half roll left over from making cleaning wipes)
(1) Rubbermaid #6 square container or similar
(2) cups water (distilled or tap, depending on your preference)
(2) Tbsp. baby wash or baby shampoo
Optional: (1) Tbsp. baby oil or baby lotion
Prepare the same way as you would the cleaning wipes.
I usually just used tap water, and I left out the baby oil/lotion. But you can use distilled water or boiled tap water (which has cooled to room temp before using the wipes) if you want. Adjust the amount of water based on how relatively wet or dry you prefer your wipes.
As before, you may need to add a few drops of water periodically if your wipes start to dry out.
If you also make your own cleaning wipes, make ABSOLUTE SURE to label each container so that you (or anyone else in your household) don't accidently mix them up!
*I've found that Bounty works really well. You'll want to use a paper towel that is quite thick and is not prone to giving off a lot of lint.
Making your own Cleaning Wipes
Make Your Own Cleaning Wipes
Let's face it - those ready-to-go disinfecting cleaning wipes can be so handy around the house, but so very expensive on the pocketbook! When you can't find them for cheap, or your stockpile is running low, consider making your own!
Here's what you'll need:
(1) roll Bounty paper towels (these seem to hold up the best; I've also heard that Viva towels do pretty well)
(1) Rubbermaid #6 square container & lid, or other similar size (10-cup) container with tight-fitting lid
(2) cups water
(1) ounce Lysol all-purpose cleaner (according to the bottle, this 1:16 dilution will give you hospital-grade disinfecting)
You'll also need a long serated knife (like a bread knife), an electric knife, or a small hacksaw. (I use a long serated bread knife.)
Begin by cutting the roll of paper towels in half, so that you end up with two shorter rolls. (It may help if you cut down through the paper all the way around until you hit the cardboard tube in the middle, and then cut through the cardboard tube.) Brush any loose "fuzzies" off the cut ends, and trim any large clumps with scissors if desired. You'll only need one half of the roll right now; save the other half.
Add the water and Lysol in your container, and swirl to mix (do not shake - you'll make suds).
Next, turn your half roll with the cut side down and gently fold in the sides of the cardboard tube in the middle of the paper towel roll until you can pull it out of the center. It will pull up the inside end of the towel roll with it, and that's just what you want.
Place your roll cut side down in the container with your cleaner and water mixture, and close the lid. Allow the paper towel roll to soak up all the liquid (about 30-60 minutes). Then turn your container upside down for 1-2 hours so that the cleaning mixture can saturate all of the roll. Once it's done, turn it right-side up and you're ready to go - just grab the towels from the inside of the roll, tear off as many as needed, and replace the lid.
Depending on how quickly you go through these, you may need to add just a little water periodically to keep the towels moist.
You can, of course, substitute other brands of cleaners if you'd like. Just be careful that you don't mix different cleaners together. Or if you would rather stay away from the chemicals in the Lysol, you can try this recipe for the cleaning mixture:
1 tsp baking soda
2-5 drops dish soap
3 Tbsp. white vinegar
2-3 cups water
Be sure to label all containers and keep out of reach of small children.
Let's face it - those ready-to-go disinfecting cleaning wipes can be so handy around the house, but so very expensive on the pocketbook! When you can't find them for cheap, or your stockpile is running low, consider making your own!
Here's what you'll need:
(1) roll Bounty paper towels (these seem to hold up the best; I've also heard that Viva towels do pretty well)
(1) Rubbermaid #6 square container & lid, or other similar size (10-cup) container with tight-fitting lid
(2) cups water
(1) ounce Lysol all-purpose cleaner (according to the bottle, this 1:16 dilution will give you hospital-grade disinfecting)
You'll also need a long serated knife (like a bread knife), an electric knife, or a small hacksaw. (I use a long serated bread knife.)
Begin by cutting the roll of paper towels in half, so that you end up with two shorter rolls. (It may help if you cut down through the paper all the way around until you hit the cardboard tube in the middle, and then cut through the cardboard tube.) Brush any loose "fuzzies" off the cut ends, and trim any large clumps with scissors if desired. You'll only need one half of the roll right now; save the other half.
Add the water and Lysol in your container, and swirl to mix (do not shake - you'll make suds).
Next, turn your half roll with the cut side down and gently fold in the sides of the cardboard tube in the middle of the paper towel roll until you can pull it out of the center. It will pull up the inside end of the towel roll with it, and that's just what you want.
Place your roll cut side down in the container with your cleaner and water mixture, and close the lid. Allow the paper towel roll to soak up all the liquid (about 30-60 minutes). Then turn your container upside down for 1-2 hours so that the cleaning mixture can saturate all of the roll. Once it's done, turn it right-side up and you're ready to go - just grab the towels from the inside of the roll, tear off as many as needed, and replace the lid.
Depending on how quickly you go through these, you may need to add just a little water periodically to keep the towels moist.
You can, of course, substitute other brands of cleaners if you'd like. Just be careful that you don't mix different cleaners together. Or if you would rather stay away from the chemicals in the Lysol, you can try this recipe for the cleaning mixture:
1 tsp baking soda
2-5 drops dish soap
3 Tbsp. white vinegar
2-3 cups water
Be sure to label all containers and keep out of reach of small children.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Homemade Laundry Soap
Here are a couple of recipes to try when wanting to make your own laundry detergent/soap:
Liquid Laundry Detergent
4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
½ Cup Borax
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)
You could add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, citrus, eucalyptus, tea tree, peppermint, etc…
-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)
*You NEED to use Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" -. Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!
Powdered Laundry Detergent - Top load machine
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax
-Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered. Mix all ingredients. For light load, use 1 Tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 Tablespoons. Yields: 3 Cups detergent. (Approx. 40 loads)
*You NEED to use Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" -. Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!
Can’t Find Fels-Naptha? Most recipes call for Fels-Naptha bar soap, but you can use Ivory, Sunlight, Kirk's Hardwater Castile or Zote bars. Don't use heavily perfumed soaps.
Washing Soda and Borax can often be found on the laundry or cleaning aisle. Recipe cost approx. $2 per batch.
Sherri’s Notes (Moderator on the pinchingyourpennies site)
I have read several things online saying that the powdered laundry detergent is harsh on clothes, so if you decide to try that one you may want to add the detergent and allow the water to start filling (maybe hot) to dissolve the detergent before you add your clothes.
A few members of PYP have said that they don’t always feel that all of the odors come out of their clothes with the basic recipes. Some other suggestions have been to add a cup of Dawn dish soap to the recipes; you could add vinegar to your rinse cycle also. Another member suggested buying a bottle of stain fighter like “Shout” when it’s on sale and adding about a cup of that to the detergent when you are making it.
It might be a good idea to have the ingredients on hand in your non-food storage for an emergency situation.
Amazon has lots of other laundry soap options and also sells the ingredients needed to make laundry soap.
There is lots of information on Pinching Your Pennies. Log-in and search for “Homemade Laundry Soap”.
Liquid Laundry Detergent
4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
½ Cup Borax
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)
You could add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, citrus, eucalyptus, tea tree, peppermint, etc…
-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)
*You NEED to use Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" -. Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!
Powdered Laundry Detergent - Top load machine
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax
-Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered. Mix all ingredients. For light load, use 1 Tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 Tablespoons. Yields: 3 Cups detergent. (Approx. 40 loads)
*You NEED to use Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" -. Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!
Can’t Find Fels-Naptha? Most recipes call for Fels-Naptha bar soap, but you can use Ivory, Sunlight, Kirk's Hardwater Castile or Zote bars. Don't use heavily perfumed soaps.
Washing Soda and Borax can often be found on the laundry or cleaning aisle. Recipe cost approx. $2 per batch.
Sherri’s Notes (Moderator on the pinchingyourpennies site)
I have read several things online saying that the powdered laundry detergent is harsh on clothes, so if you decide to try that one you may want to add the detergent and allow the water to start filling (maybe hot) to dissolve the detergent before you add your clothes.
A few members of PYP have said that they don’t always feel that all of the odors come out of their clothes with the basic recipes. Some other suggestions have been to add a cup of Dawn dish soap to the recipes; you could add vinegar to your rinse cycle also. Another member suggested buying a bottle of stain fighter like “Shout” when it’s on sale and adding about a cup of that to the detergent when you are making it.
It might be a good idea to have the ingredients on hand in your non-food storage for an emergency situation.
Amazon has lots of other laundry soap options and also sells the ingredients needed to make laundry soap.
There is lots of information on Pinching Your Pennies. Log-in and search for “Homemade Laundry Soap”.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Homemade Dish Soap
Another post from Pinching Your Pennies. A great site! Check it out. Register to become a member (they don't send junk mail or anything unnecessary-I don't know the last time I got an email from them at all to be exact.) Once you are a member, (this is a forum based site) you can read all sorts of good tips, information, etc. Let me know if you have questions navigating on the site and I'll help point you in the right direction. It isn't all about shopping-this site!!
I think that most of these recipes could easily be adjusted according to your own scent preferences. Just visit your local health food store and choose essential oils to your taste.
Fruit Scented Dish Soap
Liquid castile soap
20 drops lime
10 drops sweet orange
5 drops citrus
Fill a clean 22 oz. plastic squirt bottle with castile soap (diluted according to directions if using concentrate). Add the essential oils. Shake the bottle before each use. Add 1-2 tablespoons of the liquid to dishwater and wash as usual.
Blue Dish Soap
Liquid castile soap
10 drops lemon
6 drops bergamot
4 drops lavender
2 drops orange
Fill a clean 22 oz. plastic squirt bottle with castile soap (diluted according to directions if using concentrate). Add the essential oils. Shake the bottle before each use. Add 1-2 tablespoons of the liquid to dishwater and wash as usual.
Basic Dish Soap
1/4 cup soap flakes (grated ivory)
2 cups hot water
1/4 cup glycerin
1/2 teaspoon lemon essential oil
Let soap flakes dissolve in water. Add glycerin and lemon oil. Let cool. Funnel into squeeze container.
Lavender Dish Soap
2 cups soap flakes (grated ivory)
1 gallon water
25 drops of lavender essential oil (you can change this to lemon or orange or other scent)
Place soap flakes and water into a pan. Heat over medium heat stirring occasionally until it boils and until soap dissolves. Lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes to thoroughly combine the ingredients. Remove from heat and let liquid partially cool, add the essential oil and stir. Pour into a clean plastic squeeze bottle or re-used dish soap bottle.
Dishwasher Soap:
Mix equal parts of washing soda and borax and store in a plastic covered container. To use, add 2 tablespoons to the dishwasher soap compartment.
Another Dish Powder Recipe:
In a plastic container with a firmly fitting lid, mix:
1 cup borax (20-Mule-Team Borax, available in any supermarket)
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup citric acid (available in some grocery stores among other places—OR you can try this formula, use two packets of Lemonade-Flavored Kool-Aid, ONLY lemon, or you'll dye your dishwasher! and ONLY unsweetened Kool-Aid!)
30 drops citrus essential oil--lemon, grapefruit, orange, tangerine, or a mixture
Put all of it in the container, shake it up.
To use, put a tablespoon or so into each cup of your dishwasher.
This recipe would also work as good if not better than any scouring powder. You could find an old sugar shaker to put it in to sprinkle it in your sink or tub.
Sherri's Notes: (Sherri is a moderator on the PYP site)
If you find when you try these recipes that you have a powdery film on your dishes try filling your rinse aid compartment with white vinegar.
You can buy castile soap in some grocery and health food stores. It typically comes by the gallon or ½ gallon. It is also available on AMAZON.
For greasy dishes, add 1/2 cup vinegar to the water.
To loosen baked-on food from pots and pans, immediately add some baking soda and wait 15 minutes before you've had a chance to add baking soda, boil a solution of 1 cup water, 5 drops of essential oil, and 3 tablespoons baking soda directly in the pot or pan. Allow the mixture to stand until the food can be scraped off easily.
These are all great ideas! Great ways to save money and to have some control over some of the chemicals coming into you home
I think that most of these recipes could easily be adjusted according to your own scent preferences. Just visit your local health food store and choose essential oils to your taste.
Fruit Scented Dish Soap
Liquid castile soap
20 drops lime
10 drops sweet orange
5 drops citrus
Fill a clean 22 oz. plastic squirt bottle with castile soap (diluted according to directions if using concentrate). Add the essential oils. Shake the bottle before each use. Add 1-2 tablespoons of the liquid to dishwater and wash as usual.
Blue Dish Soap
Liquid castile soap
10 drops lemon
6 drops bergamot
4 drops lavender
2 drops orange
Fill a clean 22 oz. plastic squirt bottle with castile soap (diluted according to directions if using concentrate). Add the essential oils. Shake the bottle before each use. Add 1-2 tablespoons of the liquid to dishwater and wash as usual.
Basic Dish Soap
1/4 cup soap flakes (grated ivory)
2 cups hot water
1/4 cup glycerin
1/2 teaspoon lemon essential oil
Let soap flakes dissolve in water. Add glycerin and lemon oil. Let cool. Funnel into squeeze container.
Lavender Dish Soap
2 cups soap flakes (grated ivory)
1 gallon water
25 drops of lavender essential oil (you can change this to lemon or orange or other scent)
Place soap flakes and water into a pan. Heat over medium heat stirring occasionally until it boils and until soap dissolves. Lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes to thoroughly combine the ingredients. Remove from heat and let liquid partially cool, add the essential oil and stir. Pour into a clean plastic squeeze bottle or re-used dish soap bottle.
Dishwasher Soap:
Mix equal parts of washing soda and borax and store in a plastic covered container. To use, add 2 tablespoons to the dishwasher soap compartment.
Another Dish Powder Recipe:
In a plastic container with a firmly fitting lid, mix:
1 cup borax (20-Mule-Team Borax, available in any supermarket)
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup citric acid (available in some grocery stores among other places—OR you can try this formula, use two packets of Lemonade-Flavored Kool-Aid, ONLY lemon, or you'll dye your dishwasher! and ONLY unsweetened Kool-Aid!)
30 drops citrus essential oil--lemon, grapefruit, orange, tangerine, or a mixture
Put all of it in the container, shake it up.
To use, put a tablespoon or so into each cup of your dishwasher.
This recipe would also work as good if not better than any scouring powder. You could find an old sugar shaker to put it in to sprinkle it in your sink or tub.
Sherri's Notes: (Sherri is a moderator on the PYP site)
If you find when you try these recipes that you have a powdery film on your dishes try filling your rinse aid compartment with white vinegar.
You can buy castile soap in some grocery and health food stores. It typically comes by the gallon or ½ gallon. It is also available on AMAZON.
For greasy dishes, add 1/2 cup vinegar to the water.
To loosen baked-on food from pots and pans, immediately add some baking soda and wait 15 minutes before you've had a chance to add baking soda, boil a solution of 1 cup water, 5 drops of essential oil, and 3 tablespoons baking soda directly in the pot or pan. Allow the mixture to stand until the food can be scraped off easily.
These are all great ideas! Great ways to save money and to have some control over some of the chemicals coming into you home
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