Skip to content

DIY Stain Removal

/ / Comments are off for this post.

Let’s face it, no matter how careful you are, stains happen. If you happen to have children or pets, stains are probably a common occurrence. Often, successfully removing a stain means acting as quickly as possible. However, what do you do if something is spilled on your carpet or furniture and you are all out of store bought stain remover? The answer may lie in your refrigerator, bathroom, or pantry. In this article from The Huffington Post, you are given several DIY remedies for the removal of just about any type of common stain you could think of. Everything from wine, grass, coffee, ink, and even blood, can be removed with everyday items found in most homes.

Eco-Friendly Stain Busters

2015-04-30-1430429956-3936291-iStock_WineSpill.jpg

Grass stain on your patio cushion. Wine stain on your carpet. Ink stain on the couch. Let’s face it, even when we try our very best, life is messy. I have put together a list of some of the toughest furniture and carpet stains we encounter along with quick DIY eco-friendly fixes that will help get your fabric back to its stain-free state.

  • Blood: Mix one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent (POPSUGAR has agreat recipe for natural DIY solution) with two cups of cold water. Apply the solution to a clean cloth and blot the stain until it disappears.
  • Gum: Put a plastic bag full of ice directly onto the stuck gum. Once it hardens, you should be able to scrap it off. If the piece of fabric is small enough, you can place it directly in the freezer until the gum hardens.
  • Chocolate: Rub the stain in a circular motion with warm, soapy water or aborax solution. Rinse with cold water.
  • Coffee or Tea: Spot-clean with cool water or vinegar or try an enzyme-based cleaner.
  • Grass: Rub the stain with hydrogen peroxide.
  • Ink: Wet a clean cloth in vinegar and blot the stain–rewetting the cloth with vinegar as needed. Once the stain is gone, rinse with clean water.
  • Grease: Apply dry cornmeal to the spot and let sit for 20 minutes. Once you shake it off, the stain should be gone. You can also try cornstarch.
  • Makeup: Carefully put few drops of glycerin on the stain and scrape off.
  • Tomato Sauce: Alternately blot the stain using a damp sponge (cool water) and dry cloth. If possible, move the cushion or rug into the sun–the UV-rays will help breakdown the stain. For stubborn stains, rub with a cut lemon.
  • Red Wine: Spot clean or soak in cool water. Pour salt over the stain while it is still wet and let it sit until it begins to turn pinkish. Discard the excess salt and vacuum.

Green Tips for Back to School

/ / Comments are off for this post.

We are nearing the end of August, which means all across the country parents and children alike are preparing for the upcoming school year. That’s right, back to school time. Time to stock up on school supplies and maybe a few new outfits before the first bell rings. While a new school year is usually an exciting time of year, it can also be pretty stressful as a parent. To help you prepare for this upcoming year, Greenability Magazine, has put together a few tips to help make this school year a little easier and a little greener!

12 eco-friendly back-to-school tips

Go back to school in style with a sustainable and economical pack of supplies.

As summer fades into fall, the hustle and bustle of back to school shopping begins. The pressure to buy new clothes and school supplies, along with healthy daily lunch prep can be tedious and time consuming for the eco-conscious shopper. With a little planning and these back-to-school tips, your fall transition can be easy on you and the environment.

School Lunch prep

il_570xN.355291141_it791. This school year, skip the disposable plastic sandwich bags and choose BPA-free reusable containers instead.

2. Pack a washable cloth napkin, thermos and reusable utensils.

3. Pack lunches the night before, and choose fresh fruit over prepackaged food.

4. When buying fruits and vegetables for school lunches, support local farmers markets.

5. Use a stainless steel or up-cycled lunch box.

School supplies

6. When buying supplies, resist the urge to buy in bulk. Instead, find last year’s unused school supplies and look for items that can be reused.kids-recycling-photo

7. Designate a storage space for school supplies at home to prevent overbuying every year.

8. Buy recycled paper, and encourage your kids to start recycling now to make it a life-long practice.

9.Consider using cardboard or canvas binders instead of standard plastic binders.

10. Choose refillable or biodegradable pens and recycled pencils.

Big purchases

11. If this is the year for a desk or computer for your student, consider buying used or repurposed items. Surplus Exchange, 518 Santa Fe St., Kansas City, MO, sells gently used and refurbished computers, laptops, iPads, tablets, printers and other electronics. There’s also a big supply of desks, chairs, file cabinets and other furniture.

Back-to-school clothes

12. The first day of school outfit can be a big decision for kids and parents each year. Make sure your students know that trendy and fashionable clothes can be found in thrift shops and second-hand stores. Always check that each potential purchase is in its best condition, unless you plan on repurposing and restyling it. YouTube is a great resource for thrift store inspiration with “Thrift Store Hauls” and tips for finding the best quality and deals on kids and adult clothes. If you are not in need of school clothes, use the thrift store as an accessory haven for other back-to-school needs.

Clean Out That Closet

/ / Comments are off for this post.

Is your closet cluttered with a number of shirts and pants which are either a little out of style, or perhaps just don’t fit like they used to? Or, maybe you have a closet that has become more of a storage unit for items you rarely use or forgot you even own anymore? If either of these rings true for you, it may be time to think about cleaning out and decluttering those closets. Cleaning out a closet can actually be a fairly simple and productive task. In fact, the good people at Seventh Generation, have put together three simple steps to help guide you in getting those closets decluttered. Check out the article below, and get back some of that precious closet space!

Declutter Your Closet: Repurpose, Donate, Wash

When is the last time you’ve done a deep clean of your closet? It’s one of those chores that can easily be pushed to the bottom of the list. Over the years, we often find ourselves adding more items to our closet without taking the time to sort through what we already have. Decluttering your closet doesn’t have to be painful! We’ve broken it down into three easy steps: Repurpose, Donate and Wash.

Repurpose: All items that are damaged and no longer usable should be placed in this box. While it’s easy to throw away damaged clothing, it is beneficial to you and landfills if you find a new purpose for it. Stained or ripped cotton t-shirt? Repurpose as a household rag! The soft cotton material will help create a streak-free clean. Ripped jeans can be turned into shorts or cutoffs. Bring out your inner crafter!

Donate: Haven’t worn that dress or pair of pants in a while? Let go of the items you’ve been holding onto for that ‘one day’. Find a local charity or stop by a donation center – the clothes you don’t wear can always help someone who needs them.

Wash: Now onto the clothes you’re going to keep! For the items that have been tucked away in the closet for a long time, a quick cycle wash will get them ready to wear in no time. Tackle any stains, iron out any wrinkles, and then hang and fold.

Once you’ve washed, repurposed or donated – it’s time to clean and organize your closet. Use disinfecting wipes on the shelves in your closet to pick up dust that may have collected over the years. Then, you can organize by clothing type, color or size. The real trick? Keeping it organized all year round! For more tips on closet cleaning and organizing your home, you can also check out this post on Tips for Organizing Your Stuff For Storage by Maximum Exposure Real Estate.

Energy Saving Tips for Your Home, While You’re Away

/ / Comments are off for this post.

It is the time of year when many families are packing their bags and heading out for a week or so to enjoy their family vacation. While away on vacation, I’m sure one of the last things on anyone’s mind is, “Are we conserving energy at home right now?”. However, perhaps that thought should cross their mind. I mean, why waste, and pay for, electricity that you are not even using? To help make sure you are not wasting energy at home while you are away this vacation, here are several energy saving tips from Bounce Energy, to make sure you are saving as much energy and money as possible.

7 Energy Efficiency Tips for Your Home While on Your Vacation

Energy Efficiency for Home

Vacations are a time when you can relax a bit, forget about the little stresses of life, and spend some quality time with your families. However, people are often in such a hurry to pack and get out of town, they forget to prepare their home so that their electricity usage goes down while they are away.

You might be thinking, “No one is home playing video games or running the air conditioner, so we’ll automatically use less energy!” Well, just because your house is empty of people, that doesn’t mean that the appliances and lights have stopped sucking electricity from the grid. Thankfully, homeowners can save a significant amount of money by practicing a few simple energy saving tips to keep their electricity usage down while on vacation.

1) Heating and Cooling

With everyone out of the home for a few days, there is no reason to keep the heater or central air running, unless pets will be left at the house. Even with a pet or two in the home, you shouldn’t set the thermostat for 72 when there is no one there to enjoy it. Instead, during the hot summer months, the thermostat can either be set for 90 or turned off completely.

The winter is a little more tricky. The thermostat should be set around 50 degrees to keep appliances and pipes from freezing. The worst way to end a vacation is to come home to a flooded basement or frozen dishwasher.

For every degree a thermostat is raised during the summer, a homeowner will save 2-3 percent on his or her electricity bill. If a thermostat usually set for a steady temperature of 72 degrees is raised to 90, then, at a minimum, this will result in a 32% savings on the electric bill for that period of time. If the home has a programmable thermostat that can be adjusted by date, then it can be set to change the temperature the day of arrival, so the family will come home to a comfortable household.

The only caveat to this is in the case of pets. If your family is going on a vacation of several weeks, your animals should either be boarded or an arrangement should be made with a friend to care for the animals daily, including feeding, watering, and walking (if necessary). If the pets are left in the home, then the temperature should not be set so high or low that it will cause them unnecessary discomfort. Your veterinarian will be able to advise a homeowner what household temperature will keep the pets safe while conserving energy.

2) Water Heater

The water heater is one of those appliances that people don’t think about on a regular basis. It sits in a out-of-the-way part of the house (usually the basement or attic) heating your water, and you only remember it when the water runs cold during a long shower. It’s also easy to forget about when leaving on a vacation.

Before heading to the airport, shut off the circuit breaker to the water heater. If you have a gas heater, turn the gas valve off to be safe. Upon returning home, the hot water tap should be allowed to run before the power and gas are turned on to make sure the water tank isn’t empty. It can damage the unit if the tank is heated without any water in it.

If you go on a winter vacation, you should leave the water heater on at the lowest possible (or “vacation” setting) to keep the water from freezing in the lines and tank.

3) Electronics and Appliances

Even with the home empty and the television and major appliances turned off, they are still using electricity. We call them “energy vampires.” Before the family leaves, someone should walk around the home and unplug every unnecessary appliance and electronic. This doesn’t just include the television, lamps, and entertainment center. Small electronics like electric razors, coffee pots, digital clocks, and cell phone chargers all drain energy when plugged in. Nothing needs to be moved, simply unplugged. This not only saves energy, but also eliminates a possible fire hazard if there would be a power surge while no one is home.

4) Automatic Lights

People don’t want their houses to look unoccupied while on vacation, because it’s easy for burglars to spot. Many times, the easiest thing to do is leave a light or two on inside to keep it lit during the evening hours. This could be a lamp in the living room or even a larger light that may provide light for the entire dining room. While this is a good safety idea, it’s an unnecessary waste of energy with the invention of automatic light devices. These devices place the lights on a timer, so at a specific time of the day certain lights will turn on and off, as needed. It gives the illusion of being home and prevents wasted energy by keeping lights off during the day.

The automatic timers range from as little as $10 to $30 for an average unit. They can also be used to turn on a radio to add sound as a further deterrent to burglars.

If you don’t have an automatic light timer, just ask a friend to visit the home every couple of days to turn on a light at night and turn it off during the day. This is an easy task, especially if they are already visiting to help with pets or plants.

5) Blinds and Curtains

Saving energy doesn’t always require using or not using something electrical. Most windows in a home have either blinds or curtains. Usually, they are used to let light in or keep light out, but when on vacation, they can be a useful way to conserve heat energy.

Lower the blinds and close the curtains when leaving for vacation. This simple act will keep heat from coming in during the summer and letting heat out during the winter. If the furnace is on and set to a lower temperature, lowering the shades and closing the curtains helps to slow the rising or lowering of the temperature in the home.

6) Refrigerators

The refrigerator is the electronic equivalent of a V-8 gas hog, sucking electricity like a chrome-covered high-performance engine. An extended vacation gives you the opportunity to get rid of the food in the fridge, clean it a bit, and unplug it. If the house is vacant for only a few days, it’s not worth the trouble to unplug the device, as much of the food will still be good upon return, but extended stays are a different story.

Before leaving, the homeowner should unload the food and clean out the refrigerator thoroughly, leaving the doors open to air out. Also, placing a box of baking soda in the freezer and refrigerator will draw in the moisture and help prevent mold growth. Taking the refrigerator offline will save a significant amount of energy while nobody is home.

As an alternative to turning off the refrigerator, the refrigerator temperature can be set around 42 degrees and the freezer around 5 degrees. This is enough to keep everything cold and frozen, but still save energy over the vacation period. As a precaution, it is a good idea to clean out the refrigerator of any leftovers, raw vegetables, and other perishables, and keep only new foods that won’t spoil while the house is empty.

7) Save Money and Stress on Vacation

Vacations can cost a significant amount of money for a family, even with all of the fun you’ll have together. It’s nice to know that, by practicing these tips and tricks, you can save money on electric bill by drastically decreasing your electricity while you’re out of the house. When recovering from the cost of a vacation, every little bit helps. Bon voyage!

 

Keep Your Garden Lush and Green This Summer

/ / Comments are off for this post.

With the “Dog Days” of Summer approaching, many people are trying to figure out how they are going to keep their gardens lush and green during the hottest (and often driest) time of the year. Maintaining a garden during the hot summer months is definitely no easy task, however, it is not an impossible task either. As these tips from Quicken Loans, will show you, keeping a lush garden and/or lawn may be easier than you think. These tips are also meant to help minimize your water usage when gardening this summer. A lush green garden without a hefty water bill? Sounds pretty good to me!

Keep Your Lawn and Garden Lush

 

 

  • Rain Collection System
    Many people living in dry areas have developed rain collection systems to reduce their dependency on local water systems. Something as simple as putting a few five-gallon buckets in your yard when it rains can reduce your dependency on municipal water. If you’re interested in going bigger, rain collection systems start at about $60 and hold about 40 gallons of water. The more money you shell out, the bigger and more elaborate the system you can get.
  • Cover Exposed Garden Soil with Mulch
    A friend’s mom recently told me about this and after reading more about it I might go pick up some mulch after work tonight.  The idea behind this is that you water the garden beds or pots really well and cover the soil with mulch right after.  The mulch acts as a moisture barrier, preventing evaporation. As an added bonus, mulch also helps to keep weeds away. If I don’t have to weed and water so much, this sounds like the perfect option for me!
  • Water Early in the Morning or Late in the Evening
    If you water your garden or lawn during the hottest part of the day, which is usually around 3 p.m., more water will evaporate than if you water your landscaping during cooler parts of the day. I try to water my garden in the morning before work and after dinner at night.  This ensures the maximum amount of water reaches the deepest roots rather than vanishing into the air.
  • Avoid Cutting Your Lawn
    If your local forecast calls for hot conditions and no rain for a few days, hold off on cutting your grass. According to Scott’s Lawn Care, allowing your lawn to grow taller will result in deeper roots.  It’s easier for deeper-rooted grass to locate water in the ground during dry conditions. Besides, who wants to cut the grass when it’s excruciatingly hot outside anyways? Take a break and let your lawn go for a while.
  • Keep Your Garden and Lawn Weed Free
    Even the most dedicated landscaper hates weeding, but getting those pesky, unwanted plants out of your garden and lawn helps increase efficient water usage. By removing weeds, your garden plants and grass aren’t competing for water.

These few simple tips can help save your lawn and garden during those rainless summer days, and won’t drive up your water bill.
Read more at http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/lawn-garden-wilting-away#PbzPEEM4zLmZMIX0.99

Natural Mosquito Repellent

/ / Comments are off for this post.

This past weekend was of course, the 4th of July. And, like millions of other Americans, I celebrated our nation’s Independence Day, outdoors at a barbecue. Unfortunately, my friends and I weren’t the only ones enjoying a 4th of July feast, everyone seemed to be getting eaten alive by mosquitoes! Eventually, somebody ran to the nearest open pharmacy and picked up bug spray. After using the repellent on our arms and legs, not only did we all reek of the chemicals in the spray, but we all felt sticky and gross until we eventually just hosed it off. It became a bit of a catch 22, “Do we stink and feel gross? Or do we get bitten?”….Many of us decided to just deal with the bites.

If this happens to sound like typical summertime problem to you, then I suggest you take a look at this recipe for an all natural homemade bug repellent spray, from DIY Natural.

Natural Homemade Insect/Bug Repellent Spray

Homemade Insect Repellent

Natural Insect Repellent

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons of one or a combination of the following: witch hazel or vodka (find witch hazel here)
  • 2 tablespoons of one or a combination of the following: grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, olive oil, or neem oil (which contains natural insecticidal compounds) – (where to buy these oils)
  • ½ teaspoon vodka as preservative (if not already using)
  • 100-110 drops essential oils (where to buy 100% pure essential oils)

Sample Bug-Repelling Essential Oil Blend:

  • 55 drops lemon eucalyptus essential oil (reported by the CDC to be a good natural substitution for DEET in repelling insects, but not recommended for use on children under 3 yrs.)
  • 15 drops cedarwood essential oil
  • 15 drops lavender essential oil (if using, choose Lavandula angustifolia– “Lavender (40-42) essential oil” does not have the same insecticidal qualities)
  • 15 drops rosemary essential oil

Directions:

Add carrier liquids to small spray bottle (3 or 4 oz. works well so there is room for shaking). Add essential oils. Shake well before each use. Natural bug repellent will need to be reapplied every few hours for maximum effectiveness.

Tips for Conserving Water

/ / Comments are off for this post.

Yesterday was Memorial Day, which just happens to be the unofficial start to summer. With the mercury rising, water usage will also be rising. Whether it is used to keep grass lush and green, or just used as a way for the kids to cool down on a hot day, the amount of water used by the average person does increase significantly during the summer months. While some of this increase in water usage may be unavoidable, there are plenty of ways to better conserve your water this summer. Here are several tips from Seventh Generation, on how to cut back on water usage in and outside of your home.

Saving Every Drop in the Bucket: 15 Water Conservation Tips

 

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 30 states started May with conditions ranging from abnormally dry to exceptional drought. California alone has one year of surface supplies left before its reservoirs run dry. Mother Nature, it seems, is getting miserly with her spigot. And that means the rest of us must conserve all we can.

By now, the thirsty denizens of water-starved states know the basic water-saving drill. But shorter showers, brown lawns, and dirty cars aren’t the only tricks in the tank. Here are some water conservations steps you may not have thought about:

Outdoors:

  • Let your grass grow. Taller grass preserves more soil moisture and needs less water. Leave your clippings where they fall to act as mulch.
  • Start saving whatever rainfall you get in a rain barrel connected to your gutters. Use it to water your garden and houseplants, and for outdoor cleaning purposes.
  • Or plant near the house and drain your gutters straight into your garden.
  • Leaky hoses are big water-wasters. So tape your hose connections at the tap and wherever extensions meet.
  • Capture your grey water, the “waste water” from washing clothes, dishes, and the like, for your garden or lawn. (Think big buckets!) If you’re using non-toxic, biodegradable detergents and soaps, it’s fine to use.
  • Wash pets and other dirty things on the lawn where waste water will enjoy a second life.
  • Collect the water emitted by central and window air conditioners. Even in arid areas you’ll get up to five gallons per day.

Indoors:

  • Recycle water. For example, save your cooking water in the fridge and reuse it a few more times or turn it into soup. It can also water plants. So can old water from pet bowls, vase water, water bottles and more.
  • Wash produce in a bowl of water not under the tap. Then recycle that water!
  • Put your tableware in storage leaving out just one glass, mug, bowl, and plate for each family member. This will cut down on unnecessary dishwashing.
  • Stick a pitcher of water in the refrigerator so kids and others can pour a cold glass without running the faucet first.
  • Ration your laundering. Items like towels, pants, sweatshirts, sweaters, etc. don’t need washing after every use.
  • Stash a bucket by your bathtub and save what runs while you wait for hot water.
  • In the shower, turn off the water while you wash your hair or shave.
  • Stick a sealed half-gallon container of water in each toilet tank to displace some of the water inside and flush with less.

These water strategies may seem like a drop in the bucket, but remember: when no drops fall from the sky every drop you save is worth its weight in liquid gold.

Easy Tips for Green Cleaning

/ / Comments are off for this post.

When it comes to cleaning up the house, many people still reach for whatever chemical cleaner is sitting under their sink and just spray away,sometimes using several different traditional cleaners for very similar jobs, not realizing that there are plenty of safe and natural cleaning supplies already in their home. In fact, with just a few simple ingredients, which can be found in most homes, you can tackle a plethora of cleaning tasks. In this article from BLOGS.NaturalNews, they discuss 14 easy green cleaning tips that will assist you in getting your home clean without the need for any chemical-laden traditional cleaners.

14 Easy, Green Cleaning Tricks

Harsh cleaners are commonly chosen to get house cleaning done. Most people are used to using bleach and other harsh chemicals because they feel that that is the only way to get the job done right. They don’t even realize there are healthier ways to get your house clean that won’t put toxic pollutants in the air while still getting great results. You can easily keep your space clean and sanitary the green way with vinegar, salt, lemon juice, baking soda and a few other ingredients found around your house. Here is a look at 14 easy, green cleaning tricks for the whole house.

Glass and Mirrors

Most window cleaners are made with ammonia but you can actually clean them effectively using a half gallon of water and 4 tablespoons of lemon juice mixed together. Use a lint-free rag, cloth diaper, old cotton t-shirt or a microfiber cloth to get the best results. Avoid using paper towels, regular rags that leave lint or newspapers that will leave a mess. You can also clean mirrors with vinegar and water mixtures.

Furniture Polishing

Polish for wood, metal and other surfaces are made with some of the most poisonous chemicals. Polish is made with petroleum distillates and solvents which are hazardous. Instead, try a mixture of 2 parts olive oil, 1 part lemon juice and apply it to your wooden furniture with a soft cloth. If that’s too oily, Care2 says you should reverse the formula to use more vinegar or lemon juice and less oil. It’ll shine and smell great. Of course, always test a small area first as you would with any of your traditional cleaners.

Bathroom Tips

For the showers in your home, mix baking soda and all-natural dish soap to remove soap scum from shower doors. Clean the tub by letting vinegar or lemon juice and hot tap water soak for a while before scrubbing with a brush. Use a spray bottle filled with white vinegar and water to clean the shower curtain, which will also help deter the growth of mold (turn on fans when showering to suction the steam and moisture out of the air too). Synergy Maids recommends cleaning the toilet and sink with vinegar and baking soda rather than bleach and then mop the floor with vinegar.

Kitchen Tips

For the kitchen, you’ll want to wipe the faucet with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol to make it sparkle. If you have granite counter tops, wipe off the grease and debris with a dishcloth dipped in warm water and mild dish soap. To disinfect and shine, take a mixture of half rubbing alcohol and half tap water and wipe it clean (Make sure your granite has a good seal) . For sticky messes, use a drop of lemon essential oil with a cotton ball or rub with a lemon rind.

For your pots and pans, cut a lemon in half, spray it with water, sprinkle with salt and then scrub with the lemon. This is a safer and very effective way to clean. If you have grease on the stove, try baking soda which will also work on counter tops. Stainless steel sinks will clean well with baking soda and a damp sponge.

Floors

For vinyl floors, simply dip your cloth into lemon juice and rub it on stained areas. For carpets, make sure you vacuum thoroughly and then clean the carpets with a steam cleaner. If it’s just spots, spray with a vinegar and water mix, place a damp cloth on it and let a clothes iron sit on it for a few minutes at a time until it comes up. You can also mix salt, borax and white vinegar to place on stained areas before vacuuming.

Metal Work

Metal work that needs attention can be cleaned the green way as well. Most metal polishes for brass, copper, chrome and stainless steel contain ammonia and acid. Clean copper and brass the green way using salt, vinegar and flour. Make a paste with the three ingredients, rub it onto the item with a soft cloth, let it dry out for an hour and then wipe it off with a clean cloth.

When you’re ready to clean your home in a healthier way, try these easy green cleaning tips to get the job done effectively without allowing toxic chemicals to get into the air you breathe.

Get Your Patio Ready for BBQ Season

/ / Comments are off for this post.

It is the time of year when many people are finally able to enjoy a nice meal outdoors with their friends and family, it is…..barbecue season! There really is nothing quite like grilling up some steaks or burgers, while enjoying the nice fresh air and warm temperatures this time of year provides. However, before there can be any barbecuing, the patio must be cleaned first. Luckily, this article from the good people at Seventh Generation, has a few tips on how to naturally clean your patio, so you can start grilling and entertaining asap!

DIY All-Natural Concrete Patio Cleaner

It’s no secret that maintaining a healthy and sanitized home environment involves effort and consistency. Occupied with what is going on inside our residence, we often forget that the home exterior also requires certain dedication.
Often, the outdoor patio, in particular, suffers most from the family activity. Because of persistent stains, your patio can require deep cleaning with heavy (and usually toxic) cleaners. Furthermore, some of these compounds are not biodegradable, meaning that they will stay in the soil of your yard for a long time.
For those passionate about green and healthy cleaning, the battle with the stains is not lost. You can still make your patio sparkling clean—without the volatile ingredients—by making your own affordable, efficient, and natural cleaning products. Most of the ingredients for your natural super detergent can be found in your kitchen cabinet.
Vinegar
If you are a “green” enthusiast when it comes to cleaning, you are probably not surprised that vinegar takes a top position in the ingredient cabinet. Its acid qualities hep dissolve even the most rooted dirt. To create a basic concrete patio cleaner, you will need distilled vinegar, water, and a spray bottle. Depending on how strong you want your solution, you can add more or less water. If you want a strong detergent then use only vinegar. Spray the solution over the surface and wait for 20 minutes, then scrub it with a brush. Finish by mopping the area. This ingredient will not only get rid of the spots, but it will also effectively kill the weeds in between patio stones. Eliminate vinegar’s unpleasant scent by adding 20 to 50 drops of essential oil.
For lifting light to medium spots from the concrete, mix one cup of white vinegar with salt in a bucket of warm water. Get a brush and start scrubbing.
Baking Soda
Unlike vinegar, baking soda is alkyl. Its abrasive structure is suitable for the rough surfaces of the patio. You can either apply the baking over the stained area or you can use it in a mixture. The first option is to create vinegar and soda pasta. Mix the two ingredients until the solution becomes consistent. Then you should apply it over the stained section and clean it with a brush.
You can clean almost everything with a bleach and soda solution. Make a paste by using 2 parts bleach and 3 parts baking soda. Be conscious of harming your grass with this solution.
Bleach
Bleach is your best friend when it comes to mold and mildew. Add one cup of the ingredient to a gallon of water. Don’t forget to put your rubber gloves when you work with this solution. After rinsing the surface with the bleach, mop with clean water.

Earth Day, In Denver

/ / Comments are off for this post.

Today is April 22nd, also known as Earth Day. Today is a day that everyone is supposed to go the extra mile to do something positive for the environment. All across the country, many major cities have several Earth Day events which the public can attend. Denver, happens to be one of those cities. In fact, this article from FOX31 Denver, lists several of the events being held in and around the city.

DENVER — Wednesday is Earth Day and there will be events throughout the metro area.

Denver

More than 50 sustainable businesses, organizations and city agencies will be at the annual Earth Day Fair at Civic Center Park. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with Mayor Michael Hancock touring the event from 11:45 a.m .to 12:45 p.m.

Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel

A Project C.U.R.E. Earth Day plant sale will be held at the hotel (1550 Court Place) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Downtown Aquarium

The Downtown Aquarium (700 Water St.) will have a Party for the Planet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a nature-themed scavenger hunt, conservation crafts and activities, animal feedings and an interactive dive show.

The Alliance Center, Denver

The Alliance for Sustainable Colorado will host a recycle and reuse drive at The Alliance Center. The public can bring items to be recycled or reused from noon to 7 p.m. at the center’s parking lot (1536 Wynkoop St.)..

Foundations Academy, Brighton

Students from Foundations Academy in Brighton will plant flowers outside the school from 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Students will also hang signs around the school about recycling and help students learn more about how to help Earth.

Merryhill Preschool, Highlands Ranch

Preschoolers at Merryhill Preschool in Highlands Ranch (9345 S. Colorado Blvd.) will release thousands of ladybugs back into the environment from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Colorado State University, Fort Collins

Colorado State will host a volunteer tree planting as part of its designation as a Tree Campus USA. The trees will be planted at 2 p.m. near Danforth Chapel.