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Make Your Own

Make Your Own: Pet Hair Release

Mar 062012

Yep, these are our 2 Labs, Cinder and Morgan. While we no longer have all of the puppies we do have 2 cats as well. What does that mean–lots and lots of pet hair. You can vacuum over and over and never get all the hair up. While you can use the product Static Guard to release the static it frankly stinks and it is expensive. Here is my fresh, inexpensive solution:

To make vacuuming more effective mix up this simple solution.

Take a clean spray bottle and fill it a quarter full of liquid fabric softener. To see my Homemade Fabric Softener Recipe click here. Slowly fill the remainder of the bottle up with warm water and replace nozzle. Tip the bottle over several times to combine the fabric softener and the water but do not shake. Remember to do this before every use to reduce the separation.

Spray the carpet and/or furniture with a light spraying of the solution. Do not saturate…just a light mist. Wait 10 minutes and vacuum. This not only reduces the static holding the hair down but gives the carpet a fresh smell. Enjoy.

Also works great for reducing wrinkles (not on your face, clothing ), removing lint from clothing, etc…

… (click here to keep reading)

March 6, 2012 Posted by Christie at 11:21 AM No Responses »

Make Your Own: Sweetened Condensed Milk

Mar 022012

How to Make Your Own Sweetened Condensed Milk.

It seems like every time I want to make my favorite Coconut Bars, I go to the cupboard and I am out of Sweetened Condensed Milk. Probably because this stuff is so good in desserts and just about everything else. I am scared to post this because if my step mother finds out she can make her own she may start a diet of sweetened condensed milk alone. But I'll take the chance. Here is how to do it.

1 c. dry milk (I bought this pretty inexpensively at Aldis awhile back but I am not sure if it was a seasonal item or not)

2/3 c. granulated sugar

1/3 c boiling water

3 Tbsp. melted butter

Combine all ingredients into a blender or food processor and process until smooth. Use as you would normally. Store remains in refrigerator in tightly covered container. Yields about 11/4 cups, approx. the same as a can that you would buy.

… (click here to keep reading)

March 2, 2012 Posted by Christie at 3:35 PM No Responses »

Make Your Own: Dishwasher Rinse Agent

Mar 022012

Here she is…my faithful helper the dishwasher. Oh, how I love her and hate her at times. Newer more efficient dishwashers require a rinse/drying agent to work properly. What is the point of saving a little money on electricity if you have to pay $4.99 for an 8 oz bottle of Jet Dry…I wouldn't pay that shelf price of course but tons on consumers across the world do. If it needs it, it needs it. Right? Not exactly. Are you ready to make a batch of your own rinse/drying agent? Ok…Let's get started. Head out to your pantry and get out a bottle of distilled white vinegar. Did you get it out? Ok. Open the bottle and pour it into the rinse agent dispenser. Yep. That's it. You can get a gallon of vinegar for about $1.99 on sale. I think it will be worth your while. While your at it…pick up some baking soda. I'll teach you some more.

… (click here to keep reading)

March 2, 2012 Posted by Christie at 3:01 PM No Responses »

Make Your Own: Fabric Softener

Mar 022012

Although I coupon and can often get laundry products very cheap, I rarely can get a deal cheaper than making it myself. This concoction takes less than 15 minutes from start to clean up. The final result is about 58 oz of fabric softener.

Ingredients:

6 cups very hot water

2 c. Hair Conditioner (any scent you prefer…just make sure it was cheap) it took me about 11/2 bottles of a 15oz Suave Conditioner bottle.

3 c. white vinegar

Clean containers for storage. (old laundry bottles etc…)

Few drops of complimenting essential oils (if desired)

Measure out 2 cups of the conditioner and put it into a large clean bowl or bucket. Add 6 cups of hot tap water (rinsing the conditioner bottle out with some of it if you finished a bottle). Whisk it until all of the conditioner is incorporated. Add 3 cups of vinegar and again stir until mixed. Add a few drops of a complimenting essential oil if you prefer a stronger scent on your clean clothes.

Then take a canning jar funnel and ladled the finished fabric softener into the clean laundry containers.

Shake the bottle every now and again to make sure the fabric softener does not separate. Use as usual in your Downy Ball or Fabric Softener dispenser.… (click here to keep reading)

March 2, 2012 Posted by Christie at 2:19 PM No Responses »

Make Your Own: Brown Sugar

Mar 022012

I often get great deals on granulated sugar during the baking season. Paying only $.99 for a 4 lb bag is great these days. But I was paying $.99 for a 2 lb bag of brown sugar. But my best friend alerted me that making my own brown sugar was super easy! Here is how to do it.

Take 1 cup granulated Sugar and add 1 Tbsp Molasses.

Stir with a fork until completely combined. If you want a dark brown sugar add an extra tablespoon.

Also, if you have a recipe that calls for dark brown sugar and all you have is regular brown sugar, you can just simply add some molasses to it.

Easy! And no more running to the store when you run out!

… (click here to keep reading)

March 2, 2012 Posted by Christie at 10:44 AM No Responses »