Today my mind is a flurry of activity. I feel like I have a lot to write about. Things like what I want to do with a thrift store sweater, or my latest craft project that has me excited to girlify Kalea all up, or perhaps the healthy and yummy sounding brownie recipe I have found that I would like to try. In fact, today I am in the mood to be very very domestic. I could sew up a storm, can up a what ever it is that you can up (as long as it isn’t chicken, I am done with that). I would make my own soap (because I do you know) but I don’t need any right now so I won’t. I am in the mood to grind my own flour, make my own butter and all other kinds of incredibly ambitious domestic kind of things. But you know, the fun ones, not the washing dishes and folding laundry ones.

Yes I would love to write about those right now, but alas I can not. Why? Well first of all because I don’t have pictures of any (except that blue sweater, but I haven’t done my project with that yet) second, because that doesn’t have a whole lot to do with saving money, and today is Thrifty Thursday. Third, it is better to write about it after I have accomplished it, which I have not because the kids are still awake =)

After my chicken post, I was all planned to tell you how I did/do groceries for $120 for a month. I should have just written it then, because I am not really in the mood right now. So instead I think I will tell you about how I save money cleaning. (Maybe next  week we will talk food.)

I had thought about making my own cleaning supplies for a while, mainly to save money. Then about 2-3 months ago I had an epiphany. As I was cleaning my bathroom Alex walked in… and walked right back out carrying my chemically bathroom cleaner bottle I had laid down. AHHHHHH DON’T PUT THAT IN YOUR MOUTH, I shouted. After I rescued my son from the cleaner and nearly passed out myself from the horrid smell I decided that was it.

Bye bye chemicals, hello natural food based cleaners.

Here is what I use:

For windows and mirrors : White vinegar (probably could dilute, but I didn’t when I first put it in my bottle). And rags. No streaks!, Works better than W!ndex and I don’t get a head ache from the ammonia.

Bathroom Cleaner:

  • 1/2 cup vinegar
  • 1/4 cup baking soda
  • 2 liters water

    • Mix together and dump in an old spray bottle, it scrubs and shines, deoderizes and disinfects.

    For a toilet bowl cleaner I just sprinkle Baking Soda in the toilet, a little vinegar and let it set till I am done with the rest of my bathroom, scrub and flush.

    My stove gets cleaned with baking soda for those tough stuck on things.

    Are you sensing a pattern here? =)
    I still have a big bottle of P!neSol left that I mop my floors with yet, I won’t replace that until it is all gone (Cheap remember?) But other than that, we are pretty non toxic.
    I even make my own laundry soap (though that will be another post, when I need to make some again). I know you can add essential oils to make for a better smell, but I keep forgetting to pick them up when I go to the store. (Hey I go with two kids under two, give me a break 😉 )

    Benefits:
    1. CHEAP I just bought a BIG container of distilled white vinegar for $2.30. That will last me a looooooooooooooooooong time. Baking soda is pretty inexpensive too.
    2. Non-toxic. While I wouldn’t encourage Alex to drink any of these concoctions I don’t freak out if he comes in to “help” me clean.
    3. I no longer get sick cleaning. For as long as I can remember I got horrid head aches whenever I cleaned with name brand cleaners. Now I don’t get headaches, I get hungry 🙂 I love salt and vinegar chips, and the smell of my cleaners makes me crave them 😛

    Hmmmmmm now I should go use some of these so I can plop myself in front of the sewing machine after my babies go to sleep…

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