Okay, I still am trying to become a more organic and less chemically-based mom. However, I am not chemical free. I am also trying to spend less and do more as a now Stay-At-Home Mom (SAHM).
I am making some advancements by going back to my roots. My parents used Fels-Naptha soap for pre-treating laundry. It only costs around a dollar and is much easier to find now than when they used it. So, I started using it also. One bar has lasted me months and works well. (No, this is not a compensated endorsement…just what I do and my opinion).
My mother also used household ammonia. I did not started using it because she used to though. We bought and installed laminate flooring in our previous house’s kitchen. I read the directions for cleaning that came with the laminate. It said there were three products I could use with a natural sponge mop:
- First, the company’s product. It was expensive and, even though I worked outside of the house at the time, I was cheap.
- Second, white vinegar. It was relatively cheap and more Eco-friendly in my mind. I tried it and it did work but my floor looked streaky.
- Third, household ammonia. It was relatively cheap and the last alternative. I tried it and it seemed to clean better and streak less, so I stuck with it despite the smell.
I’ve continued to use it after we moved into a house with half the floors having laminate. With a child, a cat, a dog and my husband, dry mopping only is just not an option.
I also discovered somewhere on line another use for the ammonia-to remove protein-based stains. It is great on baby formula, blood, and actually many others including grease.
I still use white vinegar-just not on the floors. It still works in the coffee pot, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator, and to set dyes in the laundry.
I still have a ways to go, but I do buy less and cheaper cleaners with better results.
Paula–I really enjoyed reading your blog–I’ll bookmark it and read often! I too am experimenting with organics–mainly in the garden. Ideas for tomato blight? I love that you’re staying home with your little one, it will be rewarding and you’ll be blessed many times over!
I enjoyed reading references to your family. It’s a wonderful bond that you and your sister share. I always admired your Mom’s family–they enjoyed close ties and had such a good time together. I miss those old times and my in-laws. I hope that our girls enjoy those close ties as they move into adulthood.
Enough rambling–
I haven’t blogged in awhile, but you can visit mine if you’d like, and also feel free to comment:)
Susie
p.s. Where did you get the rock deodorant?
Thanks Sue! I just checked out your blog–I really enjoyed it also. I really liked all the pics too..I have been planning to add some…oh well, maybe sometime soon.
Sorry to hear of the tomato blight. I was told the commercial growers in Ohio started using the plastic to cover the rows before planting in part to reduce blight. I have heard of people using mulch instead of plastic as a way of reducing the chances of getting it. After getting it, I don’t know of anything other than removing leaves on plants that are not totally infected being careful not to spread it by touching non-infected areas then spraying the plants. We used a mixture of baking soda, dish washing soap and water to spray the plants instead of a fungicide the last year we raised tomatoes at Mom and Dad’s. It seemed to work. I read that soaking cornmeal in water, straining it, and using the water to spray the plants also works.
The mineral salt rock can be found in the deodorant section of a store like Whole Foods or even a drugstore. I actually saw it on clearance at the very bottom of the deodorant section of my local Walgreen’s. Many brands are in a standard looking deodorant type container.