Destressing Christmas Already? ... Yep!

   
If you really want to destress your holidays, start now! Twelve Tips to Destressing Christmas has a plethora of ideas to help make your celebrations meaningful and joy-filled.

Things like being intentional about your celebrations, creating memories, planning meals, smart and green gift-giving, decluttering, and much more!

Give yourself the gift of a destressed Christmas!

More on Christmas:
Labeling Storage with Digital Pictures
The Very Best Apps and Websites for Holiday Gift List Organization
Recycling My Christmas Tins into Pantry Storage

DIY Cord Storage

Cables and cords out of control? "Coil spare chargers, cables, and extension cords inside cardboard toilet-paper rolls — and store them upright in a box to prevent tangle meltdowns." Thanks, Redbook.
   

More DIY storage ideas:
Trunk Storage - Prevent Runaway Groceries
Organizing Your Bracelets - Go Vertical!
Organize Toys Using a Wire Garden Planter

 

DIY Storage - Turn Old Benches into a Storage Unit

   
"Create a scene-stealing shelving system by stacking a series of antique benches and anchoring them to the wall. The weathered finish of these benches testifies to their colorful past lives and adds a rustic, eclectic character to the space while providing a place to corral books and display accessories." (From Better Homes and Gardens.)





More DIY storage: 
DIY Storage - Managing Paper with a Dish Drainer
DIY - Turn A Hutch or TV Cabinet into an Entry Organizer 
DIY Storage - Entry or Side Table
 

Organizing Products I Use - Repurposed Furniture

As you know, I am a big proponent of shopping in your own home to find storage solutions. 

Years ago when our girls were small, we purchased several pieces of furniture for them from IKEA. They were inexpensive, durable, and had great storage. We still have a couple of those pieces and have repurposed them as office storage.

They don't match our office furniture, so we put them in our office closet so they don't clash and don't take up valuable office space. One piece is on one side of the closet, and the other one is on the other side of the closet, which has sliding doors. We can easily open drawers and doors for access to what we need. But when we don't, it's all behind the closet doors!

 






















As you can see, the tall one holds office supplies - paper, labels, envelopes and such. Our printer and scanner live on top. My husband cut additional shelving out of plywood to create more cubbies for our supplies.

The other piece is short with drawers on one side and shelves on the other. It houses my husband's projects - bills, reading material and other items he uses often.

If you're needing additional storage, look around your home, attic, and garage to see if you can repurpose something you already own to meet your needs. 

Can't beat the price!
 

More on Repurposed Storage:
Turn Your Clutter into Storage - DIY Ideas
Organizing Products I Use - Shoe Organizers (but not for shoes)
Plastic Bags are Messy - Box Them Up!

Another Efficient, Inexpensive, Safe and Natural Cleaning Agent

You know how much I love vinegar as a cleaning agent. It's cheap, a disinfectant, and can be used for so many things! I recently read the following article lauding hydrogen peroxide for some of the same reasons. Until now, I've only used hydrogen peroxide on my pierced ears and on injuries. I have a new appreciation for hydrogen peroxide and will be trying out some of these suggestions. Enjoy!

"Ever since I started using Hydrogen Peroxide to get rid of armpit stains, to clean cookie sheets, as a miracle cleaner in my kitchen and bathroom, and to make my own “oxi clean”…I ALWAYS have at least one bottle of the stuff under my kitchen sink, under my bathroom sink, AND in the laundry room.

This stuff is amazingly versatile! But it wasn’t until recently, after doing some IN DEPTH research on the subject, that I came to realize what a “miracle substance” hydrogen peroxide really is! It’s safe, it’s readily available, it’s cheap, and best of all, it WORKS! It works for a LOT of stuff!

Hydrogen peroxide should really be called oxygen water, since it is basically the same chemical make up as water but with an extra oxygen atom (H2O2). Because of this it breaks down quickly and harmlessly into oxygen and water.

Some other interesting facts about hydrogen peroxide: It is found in all living material. Your white blood cells naturally produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to fight bacteria and infections. Fruit and vegetables naturally produce hydrogen peroxide. This is one of the reasons why it is so healthy to eat fresh fruit and vegetables.

It is found in massive dosages in the mother’s first milk, called colostrum, and is transferred to the baby to boost their immune system. It is found in rain water because some of the H20 in the atmosphere receives an additional oxygen atom from the ozone (O3) and this H2O2 makes plants grow faster.

Next to Apple Cider Vinegar, hydrogen peroxide ranks up there as one of the best household remedies. Besides the obvious (cleansing wounds), did you know that it is probably the best remedy to dissolve ear wax? Brighten dingy floors? Add natural highlights to your hair? Improve your plants root systems? The list goes on and on! There are SO many uses for this stuff that I’ve started replacing the cap on the hydrogen peroxide bottle with a sprayer because it’s easier and faster to use that way.

I have compiled a rather impressive list of uses for 3% hydrogen peroxide that I hope will have you as thrilled and bewildered as I was!   

• Wash vegetables and fruits with hydrogen peroxide to remove dirt and pesticides.

   
• Add 1/4 cup of H2O2 to a sink of cold water. After washing, rinse thoroughly with cool water.

   
• In the dishwasher, add 2 oz. to your regular detergent for a sanitizing boost.

   
• Also, beef up your regular dish soap by adding roughly 2 ounces of 3% H2O2 to the bottle.

   
• Use hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash to freshen breath. It kills the bacteria that causes halitosis. Use a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water.

   
• Use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to make a paste for brushing teeth. Helps with early stages of gingivitis as it kills bacteria. Mixed with salt and baking soda, hydrogen peroxide works as a whitening toothpaste.

   
• Soak your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide between uses to keep it clean and prevent the transfer of germs. This is particularly helpful when you or someone in your family has a cold or the flu.

   
• Clean your cutting board and countertop. Let everything bubble for a few minutes, then scrub and rinse clean. (I’ve been using it for this a LOT lately!)

   
• Wipe out your refrigerator and dishwasher. Because it’s non-toxic, it’s great for cleaning places that store food and dishes.

   
• Clean your sponges. Soak them for 10 minutes in a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and warm water in a shallow dish. Rinse the sponges thoroughly afterward.

   
• Remove baked-on crud from pots and pans. Combine hydrogen peroxide with enough baking soda to make a paste, then rub onto the dirty pan and let it sit for a while. Come back later with a scrubby sponge and some warm water, and the baked-on stains will lift right off.

   
• Whiten bathtub grout. First dry the tub thoroughly, then spray it liberally with hydrogen peroxide. Let it sit — it may bubble slightly — for a little while, then come back and scrub the grout with an old toothbrush. You may have to repeat the process a few times.

   
• Clean the toilet bowl. Pour half a cup of hydrogen peroxide into the toilet bowl, let stand for 20 minutes, then scrub clean.

   
• Remove stains from clothing, curtains, and tablecloths. Hydrogen peroxide can be used as a pre-treater for stains — just soak the stain for a little while in 3% hydrogen peroxide before tossing into the laundry. You can also add a cup of peroxide to a regular load of whites to boost brightness. It’s a green alternative to bleach, and works just as well.

   
• Brighten dingy floors. Combine half a cup of hydrogen peroxide with one gallon of hot water, then go to town on your flooring. Because it’s so mild, it’s safe for any floor type, and there’s no need to rinse.

   
• Clean kids’ toys and play areas. Hydrogen peroxide is a safe cleaner to use around kids, or anyone with respiratory problems, because it’s not a lung irritant. Spray toys, toy boxes, doorknobs, and anything else your kids touch on a regular basis.

   
• Help out your plants. To ward off fungus, add a little hydrogen peroxide to your spray bottle the next time you’re spritzing plants.

   
• Add natural highlights to your hair. Dilute the hydrogen peroxide so the solution is 50% peroxide and 50% water. Spray the solution on wet hair to create subtle, natural highlights.

   
• According to alternative therapy practitioners, adding half a bottle of hydrogen peroxide to a warm bath can help detoxify the body. Some are skeptical of this claim, but a bath is always a nice way to relax and the addition of hydrogen peroxide will leave you – and the tub – squeaky clean!

   
• Spray a solution of 1/2 cup water and 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide on leftover salad, drain, cover and refrigerate. This will prevent wilting and better preserve your salad.

   
• Sanitize your kids’ lunch boxes/bags.

   
• Dab hydrogen peroxide on pimples or acne to help clear skin.

   
• Hydrogen peroxide helps to sprout seeds for new plantings. Use a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution once a day and spritz the seed every time you re-moisten. You can also use a mixture of 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 32 parts water to improve your plants’ root system.

   
• Remove yellowing from lace curtains or tablecloths. Fill a sink with cold water and a 2 cups of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Soak for at least an hour, rinse in cold water and air dry.

   
• Use it to remove ear wax. Use a solution of 3% with olive or almond oil. Add a couple drops of oil first then H2O2. After a few minutes, tilt head to remove solution and wax.

   
• Helps with foot fungus. Spray a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry. Or try soaking your feet in a peroxide solution to help soften calluses and corns, and disinfect minor cuts.

   
• Spray down the shower with hydrogen peroxide to kill bacteria and viruses.

   
• Use 1 pint of 3% hydrogen peroxide to a gallon of water to clean humidifiers and steamers.

   
• Wash shower curtains with hydrogen peroxide to remove mildew and soap scum. Place curtains in machine with a bath towel and your regular detergent. Add 1 cup full strength 3% hydrogen peroxide to the rinse cycle.

   
• Use for towels that have become musty smelling. 1/2 cup Peroxide and 1/2 cup vinegar let stand for 15 minutes wash as normal. Gets rid of the smell.

   
• Use hydrogen peroxide to control fungi present in aquariums. Don’t worry, it won’t hurt your fish. Use sparingly for this purpose.

   
• De-skunking solution. Combine 1 quart 3% H2O2, 1/4 cup baking soda, 1 teaspoon Dawn dish detergent, 2 quarts warm water."

More on cleaning solutions:
Spring Cleaning with Vinegar
3 Steps to Clever Cleaning
Clever Cleaning Tricks that Save Time and Money

Where to Recycle Your E-Waste in Bozeman

It's a pain to get rid of old computers, printers, and other electronic equipment, isn't it? It's nice to be green whenever possible, so when I was looking to find a place to recycle an office printer, I started researching how this could be done here in Bozeman.

I was told that on Earth Day weekend, such items could be brought to the Gallatin County Fairgrounds. But I discovered that they are no longer doing this.

Gallatin County offers e-waste recycling. I'm including information from Gallatin County below on recycling e-waste. They also list several additional options to recycling these products, one of which is Staples. When I asked an employee at Stapes if they charge for recycling, he said they did not, contrary to what the county states below.

However, in all the cases, you must take or mail your electronic equipment. This was not too appealing to me, as the printer to be recycled was big and heavy.

My solution? Dumpnjunk! Dumpnjunk will recycle your e-waste for free. Even though their website states a specific day of the month to recycle e-waste, they collected the printer the next day. And they were even kind enough to haul it down a flight of stairs at no charge.

They will also remove the remains of your spring cleaning for a fee. So if you need to get rid of your junk without making a trip, Dumpnjunk just might be your solution, too! I found them very easy to work with.

If you prefer to dispose of your e-waste yourself, here are options listed on Gallatin County's site:

ELECTRONIC WASTE (E-WASTE)

Where:	Logan Landfill 10585 Two Dog Road
When:	Monday - Saturday, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm.  No appointment necessary.
Fees:	Household = $27/ton, Minimum of $5.00
	Commercial = $48/ton, Minimum of $5.00
Contact:	Logan Landfill Gallatin Solid Waste District 406-284-4029
Special Instructions:	The e-waste should be separated from the rest of the load and will be disposed of separately.  Please tell the Scale House Operator when you arrive that you have e-waste to drop-off for recycling.

When recycling e-waste, protect your privacy

Before recycling your computer, consider erasing the hard drive to protect your privacy and security. Simply deleting files from your "recycling bin" does not permanently remove them from the hard drive, and with some work, they can be reconstructed and accessed again. Free software known as "erasers" or "disk sanitizers" are available online to systematically write 1's and 0's over all of your data on the hard drive, this will render any personal data on the drive unreadable. Visit MT Department of Environmental Quality for free software that wipes your hard drive clean.

Other Disposal Options

Costco Trade-In Program gives you cash cards good for purchases and pre-paid shipping to recycle your used electronics.  Sign up on the website, send in the equipment, it will be evaluated and then you'll receive a gift card in the mail.  For laptops, cell phones, LCD monitors, digital cameras, mp3 players, blu-ray, gaming systems and more.

Dell and Staples Launch Free E-Recycling for Dell Customers. Consumers may now recycle their Dell brand computers, monitors, mice and more at any Staples branch for free.

Staples in Bozeman will accept any brand computer monitors, CPUs, printers and fax machines for fee.  Keyboards, mice and speakers are accepted for free.  Staples 

Office Depot in Bozeman sells shipping boxes at various prices which you take home and fill with your e-waste.  Then, bring the box back to Office Depot and they will ship your e-waste to a recycler.  

More on recycling: 
What to Do with those Dry Cleaner Hangers? - Make a DIY Shoe Rack 
Managing Paper, Part 1  
Need Some Christmas Cash? How to Sell Your Old Phones, Equipment and Gadgets 

Plastic Bags are Messy - Box Them Up!

It's always handy to have plastic bags on hand, but they're so messy! Here's a way to store them neatly: in an empty tissue box!

No need to buy a storage gadget for this! The easiest DIY ever!

More on simple storage:
What to Do with those Dry Cleaner Hangers - Make a DIY Shoe Rack
Organizing Your Bracelets - Go Vertical!
Entry Closet Door Organizer

Green Spring Cleaning with Vinegar

   

Did you know that vinegar has been used for 10,000 years? If you recall some of my previous blog posts, you know I'm in love with vinegar! I use it as my primary cleaning agent (half water, half vinegar in a spray bottle). It's a disinfectant, it is nontoxic, and it costs pennies to use! Don't just take it from me, though. Here are suggestions from Vinegar Tips on using vinegar as you do your spring cleaning. Check out their laundry, garden, and other tips, too!

"White distilled vinegar is a popular household cleanser, effective for killing most mold, bacteria, and germs, due to its level of acidity. Cleaning with white distilled vinegar is a smart way to avoid using harsh chemicals. You’ll also be glad to know that it is environmentally friendly and very economical.

To shine chrome sink fixtures that have a lime buildup, use a paste made of 2 tablespoons salt and 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar.

Make your own scouring cleanser by combining 1/4 cup baking soda with 1 tablespoon liquid detergent. Add just enough white distilled vinegar to give it a thick but creamy texture.

Clean counter tops and make them smell sweet again with a cloth soaked in undiluted white distilled vinegar.

Clean and deodorize a drain by pouring in 1 cup baking soda, then one cup hot white distilled vinegar. Let this sit for 5 minutes or so, then run hot water down the drain.

Deodorize the garbage disposal by pouring in 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup hot white distilled vinegar. Let sit for 5 minutes then run hot water down the disposal.

Deodorize and clean the garbage disposal with white distilled vinegar ice cubes. Make them by freezing full-strength white distilled vinegar in an ice cube tray. Run several cubes down the disposal while flushing with cold water.

Clean the microwave by mixing 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Bring it to a rolling boil inside the microwave. Baked-on food will be loosened, and odors will disappear. Wipe clean.

Clean the shelves and walls of the refrigerator with a half-and-half solution of water and white distilled vinegar.

Cut the grime on the top of the refrigerator with a paper towel or cloth and full-strength white distilled vinegar.

Avoid the bad smell when you heat up a newly cleaned oven by using a sponge soaked in diluted white distilled vinegar for the final rinse.

To clean a grease splattered oven door window, saturate it with full-strength white distilled vinegar. Keep the door open for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping with a sponge.

Remove soap buildup and odors from the dishwasher by pouring a cup of white distilled vinegar inside the empty machine and running it through a whole cycle. Do monthly.

To prevent good glassware from getting etched by minerals, wash then spray with full-strength white distilled vinegar. Give the glasses a hot water rinse before letting them dry or drying them with a towel.

For cloudy glassware, soak paper towels or a cloth in full-strength white distilled vinegar and wrap around the inside and outside of the glass. Let sit awhile before rinsing clean.

Get rid of lime deposits in a tea kettle by adding 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the water and letting it sit overnight. If more drastic action is needed, boil full-strength white distilled vinegar in the kettle a few minutes, let cool and rinse with plain water.

Remove mineral deposits from coffee makers with white distilled vinegar. Fill the water reservoir with 1 cup or more of white distilled vinegar and run it through a whole cycle. Run it once or twice more with plain water to rinse clean. (Check the owners’ manual first.)

Remove stains from coffee and teacups by scrubbing them gently with equal parts of salt (or baking soda) and white distilled vinegar. Rinse clean.

For stained and smelly plastic food containers, wipe them with a cloth dampened with white distilled vinegar.

Remove odors from a lunch box by placing inside a slice of bread that has been soaked in white distilled vinegar. Leave overnight.

Remove ugly film in narrow-necked glass jars, flower vases, and bottles by letting undiluted white distilled vinegar sit in them for a few hours. Add a little rice or sand and shake vigorously to loosen stubborn stains. Repeat if necessary.

Easily clean your mini blinds by wearing pair of white cotton gloves.  Dip gloved fingers into a solution of equal parts white vinegar and warm tap water, and run your fingers across both sides of each blind.

To clean tarnished brass, copper, and pewter,use a paste with equal amounts of white distilled vinegar and table salt.

Make a metal cleanser by adding enough white distilled vinegar to 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar to make a paste. Rub it on and let it dry on the surface. Wash it off and dry with a soft cloth.

Polish brass and copper with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of ketchup and 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar. Rub it on with a clean cloth until dry and shiny.

Remove dark stains on an aluminum pot by boiling a mixture of 1 cup white distilled vinegar and 1 cup hot water.

Discourage ants by spraying undiluted white distilled vinegar outside doorways and windowsills, around appliances and wherever you find the pests coming in.

Get rid of fruit flies by setting out a small dish of undiluted white distilled vinegar.

Clean the wheel of a can opener using white distilled vinegar and an old toothbrush.

Remove the smell of spoiled food from a refrigerator by first rinsing the area with soap and water. Spray surfaces with full-strength white distilled vinegar and wipe them down with a damp cloth or sponge. Fill some containers with baking soda and place inside. Close the door and leave for a few days.

Wipe grease off exhaust fan grids, the inside of your oven, or anywhere grease gathers with a sponge soaked in white distilled vinegar.

To make cleaning the grill easier, spray a solution of half water and half white distilled vinegar on the cooking surface.

To remove a label, decal, or price tag, cover with a cloth soaked in white distilled vinegar. Leave the cloth on overnight and the label should slide off.

Renew sponges and dishrags by placing them in just enough water to cover them. Then add 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar. Let them soak overnight.

Get rid of calcium deposits on faucets by soaking a cloth or paper towel in white distilled vinegar and wrapping the area tightly. Let this sit for a couple of hours or overnight.

Remove soap buildup from faucets by scrubbing them with a solution of 1 part salt to 4 parts white distilled vinegar.

Rid a faucet of lime deposits by tying a plastic bag containing 1/2 to 1/3 cup of white distilled vinegar around it and leaving it there for two or three hours. If mineral deposits don’t wipe off, scrubbing with an old toothbrush should complete the job.

Shine colored porcelain sinks by scouring them with undiluted white distilled vinegar.

Rinse away soapy film on countertops with a solution of white distilled vinegar and water.

Clean grout by letting full-strength white distilled vinegar sit on it for a few minutes and scrubbing it with an old toothbrush.

Kill germs all around the bathroom with a spray of full-strength white distilled vinegar. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

To remove grime, mildew, and scum from the tub, tile, shower curtain or door, wipe with undiluted white distilled vinegar. Rinse with water.

Spray shower doors with full-strength white distilled vinegar after you’ve squeegeed the glass, or before you step in and turn on the water. It will help release the hard water deposits so they don’t remain on the glass.

Mix up an inexpensive tile cleaner by adding 1/2 cup baking soda, 1 cup white distilled vinegar, and 1 cup ammonia to a gallon of warm water.

Get rid of stubborn bathtub film by wiping it with white distilled vinegar and then scouring with baking soda.

Soak a sponge or loofah overnight in a strong white distilled vinegar and water solution to remove dirt and slime. Rinse several times with cold water and let air dry (in the sun if possible).

Clean shower door tracks by filling them with white distilled vinegar and letting it sit for a few hours. Pour hot water into the tracks and wash and scrub away the scum with a toothbrush.

To clean a scummy showerhead, pour 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup white distilled vinegar into a sandwich bag and tie it around the showerhead. Let this set for an hour after the bubbling has stopped. Remove the bag and then turn on the water.

Deodorize the toilet bowl by allowing 3 cups white distilled vinegar to sit in it for about a half hour before flushing.

To make the toilet bowl sparkle, pour in a cup or more of diluted white distilled vinegar and let it sit several hours or overnight. Scrub well with the toilet brush and flush.

Freshen air in the bathroom by spraying into the air a solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar, and 1 cup water.

Get a shining finish on a no-wax vinyl or linoleum floor by cleaning it with a solution of one cup white distilled vinegar for every gallon of water.

Apply full-strength white distilled vinegar directly to tough linoleum stains. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping it up. If that doesn’t work, apply white distilled vinegar again and then sprinkle some baking soda over the white distilled vinegar. Scrub the area with a brush or sponge. Rinse clean with water.

For an economical and environmentally friendly floor cleaner, mix a solution of 3 drops dishwashing liquid to 1/3 part white distilled vinegar, 1/3 part alcohol, and 1/3 part water. Spray sparingly and mop for a fast clean-up.

Some carpet stains can be removed with a paste of 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar and 1/4 cup salt or baking soda. Rub into the carpet stain and let dry. Vacuum up the residue the next day. (Always test on an out-of-sight part of the carpet first).

Bring out the color in carpet by brushing it with a solution of 1 cup white distilled vinegar for every gallon of water. (Always test on an out-of-sight part of the carpet beforehand).

To reduce soap bubbles in a steam cleaner add about 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar. Use the same amount in the rinse water to remove detergent residue and make carpets stay fresh longer.

Wash indoor/outdoor carpet with a solution of 1 cup white distilled vinegar in 1 bucket of warm water. Scrub using a brush or a broom and then hose off.

Clean up pet accidents by first blotting up the area and then adding a white distilled vinegar-and-water solution. Blot until it is almost dry. Then sprinkle baking soda over the area and let it dry. Vacuum up the residue the next day.

Create your own window cleaning solution by combining 1/2 cup non-sudsy ammonia, 1 cup white distilled vinegar, and 2 tablespoons cornstarch in a gallon of water.

Remove the wax residue left by commercial window cleaners with a solution of 2 cups water, 1 cup white distilled vinegar and 1 teaspoon of liquid soap or detergent.

To remove paint from windows try using undiluted, hot white distilled vinegar. Give the solution time to soften the paint before removing with a razor edge tool.

To remove paint splatters from windows apply full-strength white distilled vinegar with a clean paintbrush.

Get rid of mildew, dust, and stale odors by wiping down walls with undiluted white distilled vinegar on a cloth or a sponge mop.

Clean woodwork and walls with a mixture of 1 cup white distilled vinegar, 1 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup ammonia and 1 gallon warm water. Wipe on with a sponge or damp—not wet—towel.

Clean wood paneling with a solution of 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar, and 2 cups warm water. Wipe on with a soft cloth.

Remove wallpaper easily by using a paint roller to wet the surface very thoroughly with a solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar and hot water. Or spray on until saturated.

Get decals off walls or doors by letting undiluted white distilled vinegar soak into them for several minutes before trying to peel them off. Repeat if necessary.

Remove white water rings from wood with a solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar and vegetable oil. Rub with the grain.

Remove fireplace soot and grime with undiluted white distilled vinegar. Use a brush to scrub and a towel to blot up the wetness and dirt.

Clean fireplace glass doors with a solution of 1 part white distilled vinegar to 2 parts water. Spray or wipe on, then wipe clean with a dry cloth.

To kill germs, spray full-strength white distilled vinegar on doorknobs and then wipe them dry.

Remove the smell of a dead mouse or other rodent (after removing all animal remnants) by wiping down the area with either white distilled vinegar or bleach. Then place a fabric softener sheet in the area to remove any lingering odors.

Never use white distilled vinegar on marble. The acid can damage the surface.

Before painting old concrete, clean with full-strength white distilled vinegar. Let it air dry.

Clean hardened paint brushes by simmering them in a pot with white distilled vinegar. Soak them first for an hour before bringing the white distilled vinegar to a simmer. Drain and rinse clean.

Remove mud and stains from plastic, fiberglass, or aluminum sports equipment by applying a paste of 1 part white distilled vinegar to 3 parts baking soda. Wipe off with soapy water and rinse with clear water.

Clean your grill by spritzing white distilled vinegar over wadded up aluminum foil and scrubbing the grill vigorously with it.

To remove film in glass baby bottles, fill with equal parts hot water and white distilled vinegar. Let sit for at least an hour. Scrub with a bottle brush.

To clean and disinfect baby toys add a good-sized splash of white distilled vinegar to soapy water.

Clean vinyl baby books or board books by wiping with white distilled vinegar. Wipe clean with a damp sponge or cloth.

Clean scissors that have become sticky (after cutting tape, for instance) with a cloth dipped in undiluted white distilled vinegar.

Clean and deodorize urine on a mattress with a white distilled vinegar and water solution. Then sprinkle the area with baking soda and let dry. Brush or vacuum the residue after it is dry to the touch.

Shine pennies by soaking them for a couple of hours or overnight in a glass or bowl of undiluted white distilled vinegar."

More on spring cleaning with household products:
Spring Cleaning Using Household Items - Dryer Sheets
Spring Cleaning Using Household Items - Lemons
Spring Cleaning Using Household Items - Baking Soda
Three Steps to Clever Cleaning

Recycling My Christmas Tins into Pantry Storage

My pantry exploded over the holidays, as it does every year. Extra ingredients for those special foods = chaos. 

In the past, I've made a bunch of cookies - everyone's favorites. But now that my husband and one daughter are gluten intolerant, my Christmas baking habits have changed drastically. And before Christmas my other daughter and son-in-law said they were going to try going gluten-free. 

So ... Christmas baking was almost nonexistent! No need to store large quantities of baked goods. We did make some gluten-free goodies, but they didn't stay around long. 

I have collected tins throughout the years in which I would store my cookie supply. We actually like fruit cake and ordered one from Collin Street Bakery for several years. And I've collected others along the way. This year, all these tins were just cluttering up my pantry! 

I had a brainstorm last week when reorganizing my pantry. Why not store things that usually live in bags in my tins? Bags are messy, unsightly, and definitely not bug-proof!! I really don't like bags! Especially those with a zip lock a few inches from the top of the bag which makes it almost impossible to pour the ingredients without making a mess. 

Tins are so much more pleasant! Ingredients are easily retrieved with no mess. I stored flour, powdered sugar, brown sugar, and chocolate chips in my tins. Then I labeled them for easy locating. 

I love how this cleaned up my pantry, getting rid of those ugly bags. I even have empty tins in which to store other items in the future. 

As you may remember, I've recycled clear plastic containers and canning jars as additional pantry storage. So a majority of my pantry storage is no cost. It may not be matchy-matchy, but the price is right and I'm oh so green! 

What do you use for pantry storage? 

More on pantry storage:
Three Steps to Organizing Your Kitchen
A No-Cost Organizing Solution for Your Pantry
Redbook: Clever Storage for Plastic Wrap, Foil, and Reclosable Bags 
 

Decluttering Your Office? Where to Donate Excess Office Supplies

    
Pens multiply like rabbits! If you're decluttering your office and find that you have excess office supplies, don't toss them. Donate them! 

We may not readily think of office supplies as something to donate, right? Who wants donated office supplies, anyway? Plenty of organizations:

- Libraries

- Animal Shelters

- Your child's school. If you don't have a child in school, go to AdoptAClassroom.org to find a classroom where your donation will be appreciated. 

- Your favorite charity. Your donation can reduce the amount they must spend on office supplies. 

 So before you toss, think about donating those office supplies. Your excess can be a blessing to organizations on strict budgets.

More on donating: 

Donate Your Bikes to Youth Bike-Refurbishing Programs

Donating Business Clothing for Job Interviews

Virtual Thrift Store Helps You Clear Clutter and Benefit Charities, Too 

10 Green Organizing Solutions for Crafts

     
Craft supplies are messy aren't they? Becky Striepe of Crafting a Green World has compiled ten Do-It-Yourself Craft Organizer Projects, each with instructions and pictures. Great ways to upcycle, too!  

"Organizing your crafty space can make crafting so much easier, can’t it? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to delay a project because I couldn’t find that vintage button that I knew was somewhere or the pretty wrapping paper I’d salvaged over the holidays and stashed – well, someplace! Where is it again?
 

No matter what your craft, chances are your space could use a little more organizational oomph, but organizers from the big box store come with a big impact. They’re often made with plastic and shipped all over the world. Boo on that! We craft green, and we want our spaces to be green too, right? Instead of heading to the store, check out these upcycled organizers for your craft room instead!

1. Show Caddy Organizer – Got an old shower caddy that’s past its prime? Give it a little scrub, paint it with some low-VOC spray paint, and you can re-use it for vertical crafty storage.

2. Hangers for Fabric – Raid your closet or the thrift store for those clippy pants hangers. They’re a great solution for storing your large pieces of fabric.

3. Make a Frame Thread Holder – Transform an old thrift store frame into a pretty solution for all of that thread.

4. Chalkboard Sign - Of course, you need to keep your thoughts organized as well. Jot down your important to-do’s on an upcycled chalkboard.

5. Recycled Can Wall Organizer – Arrange clean, salvaged cans into a wall organizers for your crafty knick knacks. They recommend Eco Glue, but I’d go with something stronger like E6000. You don’t want this falling apart on you!

6. Upcycled candle holder organizer – keep those teeny items like buttons and paper clips in check by repurposing old candle votives. You could use this same method to adorn thrifted glass ware, if you have bigger items to store.

7. Mason Jar Storage – Reuse some of your old Mason jars along with a thrifted cake or cupcake stand for some small-item storage.

8. Ribbon Storage – Spunky Junky bought hers new, but you can hit the thrift store for a slotted Tupperware bin – or really you could drill holes into any thrifted Tupperware container that’s the right side – and use it to make an upcycled ribbon dispenser.

9. Old Dresser for Fabric – Got a huge stash of fabric? Keep it neat and organized in an old dresser spruced up with a coat of paint.

10. Funnels for Twine – Wrangle those balls of twine with funnels! The ball rests in the top, and you dispense the thread through the bottom. Easy peasy!"

More on craft storage and organizing:

Organizing a Portable Craft Station

Organizing Art or Craft Space

Storage Ideas for Crafts and Art Supplies

Spring Cleaning Using Household Products

    
As you may recall, I'm in love with vinegar! I've started using it as my main cleaner for surfaces and glass. It's a natural disinfectant and very inexpensive. It also gets rid of mineral deposits, which is problem we have here in Montana.

I'm going to link to several past blog posts about using household cleaners to do spring cleaning - lemons, baking soda, vinegar, and dryer sheets. Lemons are also natural disinfectants, and create a great stain remover when combined with baking soda. Click the links above to find out how effective and economical these household products are when it comes to cleaning!


More on spring cleaning:

Three Steps to Clever Cleaning

Spring Cleaning Relationships

Spring Cleaning Your Mood

Spring Cleaning Your Career

Spring Cleaning the Noise

         

Gardening - Recycling, Repurposing

 
I planted my herb and tomato seeds a couple of days ago. We have a wonderful sun room at the front of our house, which will allow my seedlings to grow in an area that is warm enough.

I decided to recycle my cardboard egg crates and use them as my little planters rather than buy plastic starter kits. I planted basil, cilantro, dill, parsley and a couple of types of tomatoes.

 

I filled the egg crates with potting soil, put 3 or 4 seeds in each cavity. Then I covered the seeds with about 1/4 inch of potting soil, and watered.  

Next, I repurposed one of our boot trays upon which I placed my two egg cartons. Now I can water in my sun room without making a mess.

My seeds will take around three weeks to grow large enough to replant. I'll continue to keep the herbs indoors for ease of accessibility. We'll plant the tomatoes in the garden when the ground is warm enough. Can't wait until they grow! And I'm glad to have used things on hand rather than buy them. 

More on gardening:

Organizing Your Spring Garden

Tips from a Master Gardener - Watering, Mulch

Tip on Daffodils from my Master Gardener

More Help - Teaching Your Kids to Declutter

      

Chris Zdeb of the Edmonton Journal wrote the following review of Room Enough for Daisy by Rita Feutl and Debby Waldman. It has been recognized as a resource by the National Association of Professional Organizers.

"Stuff. We all have it. Arguably, we have too much of it. Even kids.

So when Rita Feutl's daughters complain their bedrooms are too small, she tells them to get rid of some of the stuff in them, to make their rooms bigger.

Feutl's parental advice reminded her friend, Debby Waldman, of an Eastern European folk tale about a house too small - one similar to a folk tale Feutl knew as well - and faster than you can say 'clutter,' the two Edmonton children's authors were working on their first book together, Room Enough for Daisy (Orca Book Publishers, $19.95). The bright and colourful illustrations are done by Edmonton-area artist Cindy Revell.

The book is about young Daisy, who is worried about where she's going to put all the stuff she's expecting to get in three weeks at her birthday party. Her bedroom is too small already, she complains to her mom. How did stuff become such a problem for Daisy, and the rest of us?

Part of the answer, says Feutl, is 'we're inundated with advertisements which do a very good job of turning wants into needs. All of a sudden your gizmo, your MP3 player, is no longer good enough. You need the next generation of (gizmo) and the old one gets dumped into a drawer.

That happens with dolls, toys, with everything,' she explains. 'The other thing is we've become really good at having these celebrations of stuff gathering. Whether it's a birthday or a bar mitzvah or Christmas - whatever you call it - it's a stuff-gathering,' Feutl says sitting at Waldman's kitchen table. 'And not just stuff-gathering, but stuff-giving.

Who was the evil devious person who invented loot bags for birthday parties?'

'It was probably someone who owned a dollar store,' Waldman, sitting next to her, answers, laughing.

'Sometimes,' Waldman says, lowering her voice to a whisper, 'those little plastic things you get (in loot bags), I just empty right into a garbage can, and you feel bad because somebody went out and spent all that time running around buying s t u ff.'

Feutl says she hopes it prompts thoughtful parents to ask their kids to think about where the material for these things comes from, where they are put together, who puts them together and what they're paid, how they're pack-aged and how they get to the village, town or city where the kids live?

'We both feel the same way about clutter,' Waldman notes, 'that we have way more than we need ... and that so much of it is junk and things you'll never use.'

Room Enough for Daisy is about reusing, reducing and recycling, Feutl says.

I call it a book about a child hoarder,' Waldman adds.

A kid with clutter issues,' Feutl corrects.

'And what the mom in this book does, is what a lot of people suggest doing for kids who can't let go of things.'

What the mom does is parcel up some of Daisy's stuff and store it in the basement for six months, to see if any of it is actually missed, Feutl explains.

'I've read that if there are clothes in your closet you haven't worn in two years, you should get rid of them,' Waldman notes.

'It could go to a rummage sale or charity,' adds Feutl. 'The idea is just to make kids aware of their stuff and to take responsibility for it.'

They'll learn that some things are worth keeping more than others, and that less really is more."


More on kids and clutter:

Teaching Kids How to Sort and Declutter

Helping Your Kids Turn Their Clutter into Cash

Color-Coding Toys

Three Steps to Decluttering Your Child's Room (print) or (Kindle) 

Not Sure if It's Recyclable?

   
If you have something you'd like to recycle, but you're not sure if it is acceptable or where it might be recycled, check with Earth911.

This is especially helpful for those items that may not have a recycling number on it. You can type in your product description and your zip code, and it will list locations that take that product. 

For example, not all grocery stores here recycle plastic grocery bags, and we've been having trouble finding a place that accepts them. When I typed in plastic bags, several locations popped up. 

Our local recycling locations do not accept glass. When I typed in glass nothing came up. I know that you can hire a company to collect your recyclables, but it doesn't appear there are free methods to recycling glass. 

We don't have curbside recycling here, which surprises me in such a green state as Montana. Maybe soon. 

More on recycling:

A Refresher on Recycling Plastics

Recycling Electronics and Appliances

Animal Shelters Accept What Other Charities Can't Use

 

Some of My Favorite Organizing Products - The Epson 1500 Scanner

      
We are moving to Montana! We have felt for several months that it was time to move on from being houseparents for teenage girls. So we decided to move near our daughter and son-in-law who live in Bozeman, MT. 

The day after we made our decision, they told us they were expecting our first grandchild! Icing on the cake. Our other daughter who will be relocating to Kazakhstan in the spring, will finally have all her family in one place when she is back in the States.

I will be continuing my online and organizing businesses plus I'll do some coaching as well. My husband has a couple of job possibilities. And we have found a lovely home. So things are falling into place. As you can imagine we have been crazy busy getting ready!

In light of our move, we have been downsizing our files, something we have been wanting to do for a long time. The Epson Workforce GT-1500 Document Scanner has made it so simple!

You can load a stack of documents onto the tray and it does the rest! We have thrown away boxes and boxes of files. The only downside I see is that you cannot edit the documents once you scan them. Maybe it would be a possibility with sophisticated software, but I don't know. 

But for our purposes, it is perfect! At the risk of sounding like I am being paid by Epson to promote their scanner (I'm not), here are the features they list:

• Achieve superior clarity and detail with remarkable 1200 x 2400 dpi resolution
• Take on any project with easy, one-touch scanning to PDF, email and more
• Enjoy greater productivity with scans up to 20 ppm
• Quickly scan stacks of documents with the high-capacity Automatic Document Feeder — holds up to 40 pages at one time, for quick and efficient scanning
• Organize scanned documents with the easy-to-use document management software included
• Scan originals in a variety of sizes — from 5.9 x 5.9 to 8.5 x 14
• Enjoy more efficient operation with exclusive ReadyScan LED technology — no warmup time and fast scanning speeds
• Rest easy with earth-friendly LED technology — no mercury included and lower power consumption. 

We bought ours directly from Epson on sale for about $249. We're saving much more, though, since movers charge by the pound. And paper weighs a lot! We also have the satisfaction of lightening our possessions. Plus our files are on our computers when we need them. I'd say our Epson scanner is one of the best purchases we have made lately.

 

More on downsizing:

Three Steps to Downsizing to a Smaller Residence

Three Steps to Becoming a Downsizing Professional

You Can't Downsize Memories

Got Vinegar? An Inexpensive Home Remedy

      

How efficient to have a very inexpensive product that provides so many home remedies! I stole most of these ideas from Circle of Moms.

Vinegar can reduce itching (cover area with cotton ball or cloth soaked in vinegar):

- from insect bites

- from plants, including poison ivy.

Vinegar removes fungi:

- For foot fungus, soak foot in warm water (1 gallon) and vinegar (1 cup) daily for several months. Follow soak with moisturizing lotion.

- For swimmer's ear, mix equal parts vinegar and rubbing alcohol. Drop in ear and let sit for a few seconds.

- For warts, soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar, place it over the wart and cover it with a bandage for several hours. Repeat until wart disappears. 

Vinegar relieves skin problems:

- It reduces the sting from a sunburn. Pour vinegar on a cloth and hold it on the sunburn. It will draw the heat out of the sunburn and reduce the sting.

- To prevent bruising, dab a vinegar-soaked cotton ball or cloth onto the area that has been bumped or hurt. 

- Add one quart vinegar to a hot bath once a month and soak for 20-30 minutes to reduce toxins.

- Quick zit cure: mix 1 tsp. salt and 3 Tbs. vinegar in a bowl and dab on blemishes using a cotton ball. Let sit 30 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.

Vinegar's healing properties:

- Take a swig of vinegar and your heartburn is gone!

- To reduce a fever, dip a cloth in a mixture of vinegar and water and wipe over the skin.

Vinegar for the hair:

- To remove lice, the vinegar in mayonnaise or Miracle Whip will do the trick. Saturate the head, cover with a shower cap or plastic bag for an hour, and wash out (it may take a few washes!). 

- For shiny hair, rinse hair with a little vinegar and water mixed. 

- Use apple cider vinegar instead of a cream rinse to detangle hair. Combine 1 cup vinegar to a gallon of warm water and pour over hair.

- Cure folliculitis (inflammation of hair follicles) by dabbing infected area with a cotton ball soaked in apple cider vinegar before bedtime. Leave on all night and rinse off in the morning.

More on vinegar uses:

Spring Cleaning Using Household Items - Vinegar

Vinegar - 10 Ways to Save Your Clothes!

Bugs in the Pantry?

 

Some of My Favorite Organizing Products - Giant Paper Clips

    

We're off to a water park today, even though it will be a little chilly (76 high). It's our last chance before one of the girls leaves on Friday. A fun day to make memories! Now on to our topic of the day ...

Here's another one of my favorite organizing products - a giant paper clip! I try to be green and recycle paper that has been used on only one side. The girls' computer sits on a small table, and this paper clip allows us to store such paper vertically, taking up very little room. This is ours:

Here's one from At West End (left) and one from Fellowes (right)  

   

How do you store your reusable paper?

More on paper:

Managing Paper

Creating an Incoming Paper Hub

National Association of Professional Organizers' Best Product in Technology