Cleaning in the Green

I am currently obsessed with finding ways to clean my house minus some of my "favorite" chemicals like Lysol or bleach I have to admit I have OCD with a sprinkle of germaphob as you can imagine I favor things that kill germs lol ( quick note- I believe it is quite alright to have Lysol and bleach in the house for special clean ups, especially after sick children or shower/ tub duty especially where I live it is very humid!) Last week I had a "bad episode" of endometriosis pain and said THIS is it! So along with changing my diet I am also going to change what I clean with on a daily basis.

So here we go! So far I am still using one of my favorites I always buy Mrs.Meyers ( it is all natural)- lemon verbena its scent is mild compared to others So I dig! Lately though I have started mixing vinegar, tea tree oil, and water into a spray bottle to clean with. It is GREAT!!!! I use about a tablespoon of tea tree oil, about 1/4 cup vinegar and then fill with water.

At first I wasn't keen on the idea of the tea tree oil because of my hyper-sense of smell and sensitive sinuses ( I often wear a mask when cleaning with certain products or if I am having a bad sinus-y day lol)... I read somewhere to mix like 1/4 cup of tea tree oil for creating a household cleaner and just about gagged so I decided that I would try a lot less and see how it would fair.

My mixture has worked perfectly! I kept some old Simple Green spray bottles and filled one with the tea tree cleaner. So far I have used it in the kitchen and the bathrooms- so far so good.

So you can mix more of the tea tree  oil and vinegar into the homemade cleaner, but I have a hyper sense of smell along with sensitive sinuses. So less is better in my case, that  and I opting out of wearing a mask while cleaning extensively.

Enjoy making your cleaner! Seriously TRY it!! I love it! Now off to make something with lavender oil- ( I like to place lavender oil in my mop water- hot steamy water and vinegar).

White distilled vinegar, tea tree oil and the cleaner I made =^.^=
If you want to cover an old cleaning bottle take card stock or scrapbook paper ( with letters), modge podge,a paint brush.
Cut the paper to fit the bottle- use modge podge to glue on the paper to the bottle- after you do this paint the modge podge generously over the paper and around the edges make sure there are not pockets- The modge podge will act as a sealant so the paper will not get wet and ruined when filling up the bottle. I ran out of E's so I just put tea tree on the bottle to identify. I place the letters on the wet M.P and then apply more MP over the top of the letters- let dry for a few hours or even a day.

Sensitive Skin? Forgo this Cleanser and Lotion!

Okay so I am reading and researching a lot about the chemicals they put into our "beauty" products, call it my latest obsession...So honestly this whole time I am thinking well sensitive skin products can't be THAT bad, so far I am not having any issues skin wise- hmm what the heck is this ingredient though??? Oh oh oh oh! Think AGAIN! I was an avid user of Cetaphil until....

Propylene Glycol

" A synthetic liquid."

" Is used as an antifreeze." 

" Used in chemical, food, and even pharmaceutical industries."

" Is used in the paint and plastic industries."

" It alters the skins structure- it allows chemicals to reach the blood stream."

( to  name a few things)

The Ingredients on the back of Cetaphil- NOT only does it have Propylene Glycol it 

also has Sodium lauryl Sulfates and Parabens! ( I will go into these later)

All I can say is what the heck! ANYTHING that used for paints, plastics and your car should not be going into our bodies or onto the skin! DO yourself a favor and read those ingredients. Find safer products. The FDA may say this crap is " generally safe" but I am doubting their intelligence ( and common sense) when it comes to things like this.

Dr.Bronners is on my list to buy- 18 YES 18 different uses! I need me a bottle or two of this good stuff! Dr.Bronner's is organic and part of the fair trade!  

Go here:DrBronner

And for more information in the nasty P.G go here:

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxsubstance.asp?toxid=240

http://thegoodhuman.com/2009/03/31/what-is-propylene-glycol-and-why-you-should-avoid-it/

~Lexxy~

My Craft For Sunday- recycle containers

My project for today is cleaning the kitchen ( bleck! Hate dishes with an undying passion I might mention), but I am also doing a bit of recycling and reusing with some plastic containers.

Supplies:

Hot glue gun & hot glue sticks
Clean plastic container
Scrapbook paper ( because it's pretty!!!)
laminating sheets or packing tape depending on what you have available or it you want to go and buy supplies
Paper trimmer ( slicer)
Scissors

First is first I always make sure to rinse out the containers and dry them completely. Instead of using dish soap ( too many suds- wasted water) I usually put a small of bleach in there and  fill, let sit five minutes and then rinse with hot water.

The next step is figuring out how the paper is going to fit on the bottle or container.

Here is the paper covered with packing tape- it is what I had and I wanted to do something crafty today
=^.^=

Covering a large Arizona Green Tea gallon container

Use the scissors and the paper trimmer ( helps to create perfect edges) s the paper fits the container. For this particular project I simple just covered the labeling that is already on it with paper I liked. You can place tape all the way across the front and the back.. press out air pockets and make sure to seal up the edges. Since this is going to be used for liquid you want to make sure that the paper doesn't get wet. Also of course there is laminating paper- easier than the tape- but still up to you on buying it or using what you have.

After I do this I heat up the glue gun and apply the glue onto the container ( no worries no melting action). I press the covered paper onto the container - keep pressing and molding the paper to the container if it is slightly round ( like the Arizona Tea ones). Do around the edges, one by one if needs be to make sure it is secured. Be careful with the glue and have old magazine paper or newspaper or even old envelopes handy to wipe off excess glue after pressing( while it is warm) I press with the finger tips and closely watch the edges. Once the glue has cooled you can scrap off whatever glue is left over and TA DA!!!!! A container that is reused, and personalized.

The Front 

The Back

Crochet Feminine Pads ( with video tutorial!)

The first video is showing the different pads I have made with crochet, old underwear, t-shirts, etc. I slightly go into how to create a pad pattern for the sewing part.

The second video is the actual tutorial.. Hope it helps everyone with their crochet pad madness ( at least I have caught the crochet pad fever- perhaps you will too!) Let me know how it the tutorial was.. thank you for watching.

I have placed pictures so you can see how your work should look  from the right angle( your eye view lol)

This pad is covered with cloth- crochet core- muslin back- all stitched together

back of the pad

Moon time Project 1.0

I am working on more Eco-friendly methods of living. One of my latest projects is feminine pads. I am still working on the design and everything. Here is what I have so far 100% cotton yarn and some old underwear... Feels good to get this project going, even if I am still working on the how to complete. I am trying to eliminate my waste production and this will definitely help!I used my "period" underwear. Basically old underwear- instead of taking some guess work into fabrics and how I might react ( sensitive skin) I decided it was a good idea to recycle some of the old pairs that had some tears in them. I have enough to cover at least 6 pads! I like this little project of mine! A bit time consuming but worth it.

the core of the pads

I left enough space to insert another core for more absorbency

Trying without wings first used strips and placed some snaps on them- to hold in place on underwear I wear the cheekie underwear

All sewn and ready to be pre-washed

the second pad- going to crochet a smaller core and sew that and then try some wings

middle of sewing it ( dont look at the bad sewing- was trying to decide what method I wanted to use lol I figure its not going to be seen so it is a bit on the ugly side)

what it looks like from the top

~Lexxy~