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Over 7 Places You Forgot To Clean When Spring Cleaning

April 19, 2016 by Jenni 736 Comments

This post brought to you by The Duck Brand. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Sweet Pennies From Heaven.

Cleaning - cleaning pane with detergent, spring cleaning concept

Over 7 Places You Forgot to Clean when Spring Cleaning!

 

Are you getting ready to start spring cleaning, or have you already started?

There are over 7 places that we forget to spring clean each and every year! Some of these should really even be cleaned more often.    

1. Inside Kitchen and Bathroom Drawers and Cabinets We’re in and out of our drawers and cabinets every single day – yet we NEVER clean inside of them.

Check out all of these places you forgot to clean when doing your spring cleaning!

  • Work one cabinet or drawer at a time.
  • Wipe the inside down with hot, soapy water and let air dry.
  • Lay down new shelf liner paper.

We just recently redid the outside of our kitchen cabinets and I had yet to add shelf liner paper to the inside of my cabinets. While spring cleaning, it’s the perfect time!

 

 

Don't miss these places you forgot to clean while spring cleaning!

I’m using the new Easy Liner® with Clorox® shelf liners by Duck® brand. I wanted to try these because they have Clorox® antimicrobial protection. Since we live in an old farmhouse, I really like the idea of keeping my cabinets and drawers from growing stinky mold and mildew.

This new Clorox® antimicrobial protection just has an additive embedded into the material that doesn’t degrade over time, even after washing it!! You can use it everywhere in the home, even the fridge (however, it’s not suggested for direct contact with food).  

 

 

Don't miss these places you forgot to clean while spring cleaning! 3 Reasons I really wanted to try it:

  • It’s Bleach-Free (Clorox® trusted, but without actual bleach!)
  • It’s MACHINE WASHABLE (say, what?!)!!!
  • it’s easy to cut, place, and reposition without a hassle
  • it’s water resistant (great for dishes that aren’t 100% dry when put away!)

They have a few different varieties that you can choose from: Solid, Super Grip, Smooth Top, and Select.

 

Don't miss these places you forgot to clean while spring cleaning! Here’s my finished product! Woohoo! It looks SO much better!!

 

Next up on the list of forgotten places to clean when spring cleaning:

 

2. Ceiling Light Shades/Globes These get so dusty, and we don’t really even notice till they’re super gross! You can stick most glass or plastic shades and globes inside your dishwasher to wash easily!

 

3. Under/Behind/On top of Large Appliances:

  • Refrigerator (don’t forget the top)
  • Washer/Dryer
  • Stove (don’t forget to clean under the range hood too!)

 

4. Under/Behind/On top of Small Appliances:

  • Toaster
  • Coffee Pot
  • Microwave

 

5. Under and Behind Furniture Have you SEEN the size of the dust bunnies under your furniture? Pull furniture away from walls and vacuum/mop floors and clean the walls with soapy water. Let dry before moving furniture back. Don’t forget to give your furniture a good vacuum and wipe down too!

 

6. Pillows/Mattresses To clean mattresses, some people like to take them outside and let the wind and sunshine do their natural work to clean them. If you can’t get your mattresses outside, you can do a few things:

  • Sprinkle with baking soda
  • Vacuum
  • Spray a mixture of 50:50 vinegar/water on mattress, till just damp. Let air dry for a few hours.
  • You can opt to use a mattress cover that keeps dust mites and bacteria out. You can also get these for your pillows!

 

7. Closets (clean and organize): I don’t know about you, but about once a year my closet needs an overhaul. I like to get rid of clothes that I haven’t worn in months, and just re-organize it. If you need organization tips and help, I wrote this post on closet organization and storage solutions for small closets.

 

8. Garbage Cans Yuck! Naturally garbage cans are the nastiest. This is one job that should be done more often, but it’s an easy job to forget! Cleaning garbage cans is pretty simple. Just use hot soapy water to wash down the inside and outside of the garbage cans, using a cleaning rag. Afterwards, spray the inside with an antibacterial cleaning spray, or even vinegar before putting in a new trash bag.

 

Are there other places that you forgot to clean when doing your spring cleaning? We want to know, so I can add to this list! Drop us a comment!!

Visit Sponsors Site

Top Laundry Hacks that every mom should know!

Top Laundry Hacks Every Mom Should Know

September 19, 2015 by Jenni 2,015 Comments

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Febreze In-Wash Odor Eliminator and Downy Wrinkle Releaser, however, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

top laundry hacks

 

Our Top Laundry Hacks

Laundry is a beast at our house. The piles get larger than life and it takes each and every day to keep it under control. With school back in session, parents are dealing with stinky gym uniforms and socks, grass stains on brand new blue jeans and ketchup blobs on the kiddo’s best shirts.

Our Moms Check In moms are talking all about our top laundry hacks to keep things moving along nicely in the laundry room. We’d love to hear your tips too! Drop us a comment below or chat with us on social media using the hashtag #MomsCheckIn and #LaundryHacks!

 Top Laundry Hacks from our Moms… 

 

Amanda-626x1024

“I’m a huge fan of sorting the laundry before it actually goes to the laundry! We have a 3 bin laundry hamper that really saves us time. One for towels, darks and lights. No more going through a pile! I was probably the last person on Earth to know how to wash pillows in the washing machine, but it’s so easy. You just wash them like your regular laundry and when you dry them be sure to throw in a few tennis balls or dryer balls. Nothing is better than getting in a bed with clean sheets and clean, sweet smelling pillows!”

– Amanda is the mom to Joshua and owns It’s a Fabulous Life. If you are looking for a one stop place for all things mom, It’s a Fabulous Life is it! Full of recipes, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and parenting articles it’s the place for all of Mom’s favorites to come together! Follow her on Twitter here!

 

 

 

stephanie

“Oh, laundry! No matter how much we do, it seems there is always more! Over the years, I’ve learned to quickly deal with stains so that removing them is easier. Taking advantage of great products also helps remove stains and smells. These are some of my favorite laundry hack ideas to keep things fresh and clean: Clean your washing machine by filling the basin with warm water and 2 cups white vinegar. Let stand for an hour, then run the cycle as usual. Get clothes dry faster (and fluffier!) by putting a couple of tennis balls in the dryer. Use a mesh drying bag so you never lose another sock!“

– Stephanie is the mom to Sam and the author of Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you ever need party ideas her site is the place to visit! Specializing in all things boy, it’s full of inspiration! Follow her on Twitter here!

 

 

 

Jenni-Eaves1-213x300

“Laundry is the never-ending chore. It goes away for 2 seconds and then it’s right back. Nothing is worse than rough and stiff towels. I like mine super soft and fluffy. To fluff yours up, just add your towels to the washer, using hot water and one cup of vinegar and run a full cycle. Next, run another full cycle with hot water and 1/2 cup of baking soda. After 2nd cycle, dry towels in the dryer with tennis balls or dryer balls. You should notice a marked difference. If not, then repeat the process.“

– Jenni is the mom of one and the author of Sweet Pennies From Heaven. A hearth and home website, Sweet Pennies From Heaven focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home. Follow her on Twitter here!

 

Some of our favorite laundry products include…

febreze_bottle_with_glow_v3-300x283

My husband’s work clothes are the stinkiest things on the planet. So are my kiddos’ stinky socks. Febreze In-Wash Odor Eliminator really gets in there and gets that stink out. It’s no match against things like sweat and sports uniforms, smoke, pets and mildew. It has 3X more freshening power!!

 

downy-300x300

My family has some really nice clothes that wrinkle easily and I hate to iron, so needless to say…we don’t wear them often. Now with Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus I don’t have to worry. Just a few sprays and voila, the wrinkles start fading away! It’s my newest fave product, for sure!

 

 

laundry hacks twitter party

#LaundryHacks Twitter Party

You’re invited to the #LaundryHacks Twitter party this coming Thursday, September 24th at 1pm EST. We’ll be talking all about our favorite laundry hacks and how to make your time doing laundry much easier. We’ll be giving away a $150 Walmart gift card, some laundry products as well as some other incredible goodies. Make sure to RSVP below to be eligible to win!

 What is Moms Check In?

Who are the moms of Moms Check In? We’re 3 moms who are also professional bloggers. We chat about a new topic each week. We talk about things from dirty diapers to date night, and everything in between. Moms love to talk to other moms and let’s face it…MOMS know everything!!

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your top laundry hacks?

 

How to clean painted walls vs. repainting them! Simple and quick, with just one product!

How to Clean Painted Walls – Skip Having to Re-Paint! Plus a Mr. Clean Prize Pack Giveaway (ends 8/10)

August 3, 2015 by Jenni 1,649 Comments

This review was made possible by iConnect  and Mr. Clean. I was provided the featured product and compensations to facilitate this post, but all opinions are 100% mine.

 

How to clean painted walls vs. repainting them! Simple and quick, with just one product!

I’m blessed. I live in the old farmhouse that I grew up in. The wonderful thing about old farmhouses is that they have SO much character, right? The downside is that they ALWAYS require work and renovation. We’re always updating and renovating. Since the walls are one of the most visual parts of our home, they need to look good, right?

Now comes the shameful part…..

 

how to clean painted walls with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser! No need to repaint!

OMG! This is disgusting and I’m hiding my face in shame!!!!!!

I’ve learned through the years that husband, kids and dogs can take a toll on a pretty painted wall. Sticky kiddo hands, wet dogs coming in and out, and husbands that spill cups and cups of coffee. I remind myself of Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Boo-Kay!) from Keeping Up Appearances. I’m always saying, “Watch my walls!” and “Don’t brush up against my walls!”….however, as you can see, they don’t listen to me.

This particular wall is in a very high traffic and busy part of our house. It’s near an entry door where daily comings and goings happen, where the dogs come in and out, and where my husband always manages to dump his morning coffee when he’s fumbling for keys and cellphone before work. Ughhhhh.

I’ve learned living in an old farmhouse that I don’t always have to repaint the walls. Painting does take alot of time and energy afterall, time and energy that I don’t have that. I’ve found in my own home, that a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser can make your dirty and dingy painted walls, trim, and baseboards look BRAND new again! Not even kidding.

 

 

how to clean painted walls with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser! No need to repaint!

Mr. Clean can give a “like new” clean because his products are tougher on dirt all around. I’m a big fan of their Concentrated Multi-Surface Cleaner!! This stuff is super powerful, however, my momma was always a HUGE fan of the Magic Eraser and now I’m a believer too. Just check out how insanely awesome my walls, trim and baseboards looked after an easy peasy wiping down.

 

How to clean painted walls in just 15 minutes! So much easier than having to repaint!

Another reason I love the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is because you don’t have to use nearly as much elbow grease! Just run under water, wring it out a bit, and start wiping down! In less than 15 minutes, I had that nasty wall clean as a whistle!

How to clean painted walls vs. repainting!

magic-eraser

 

 

How to clean painted walls:

Run a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser under water and wring out excess water.

Gently wash the walls, trim and baseboards with it. You don’t need to use much elbow grease, at all.

Gently use a butter knife or something similar to scrape off any super duper stuck on grime.

Let them dry, then rub a clothes dryer sheet over your baseboards to help keep dust and dirt from sticking later on.

 

cleaning tips

Some other great uses for Mr. Clean products:

  • Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Extra Power is sure to give your home that like-new sparkle on a variety of surfaces. It works wonders on that pesky stove top, where grease and grime accumulate in tough to clean crevices.
  • Use Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Extra Power on the shower door to help remove hard water stains, cloudy build-up and soap scum; it will save you several hundred dollars versus replacing!
  • Get creative with vintage pieces that no longer seem to have a use. Like bringing back to life a retro vinyl or plastic chair with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Extra Power to add unique and a small area with light pressure before use on antiques.)
  • Still have crayon marks on your walls or remnants of how tall little Johnnie was each year? Help remove them with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Extra Power, but be sure to snap a picture first for posterity!

Visit Mr. Clean on Twitter and Facebook! They’re always sharing really awesome cleaning tips and tricks, updates and promotions!!

 

 

You’re invited to the Mr. Clean Twitter Party!

Date: August 5th at 8pmCST

Hashtag: #15MinReno

Celebrity Guest: Johnathan Scott of HGTV Property Brothers

Prizes: 4 Renovation Kits including multi-use screwdriver, tape measure, various Mr. Clean product and a piece of decor.

Grand Prize: $400 GC to a Home Improvement Store

RSVP here: http://vite.io/iConnectIM

 

 

how-to-clean-painted-walls-toolkit-mr.clean

Ready for a fun Giveaway?

We’re giving away a Mr. Clean prize pack to one lucky reader which will include a Mr. Clean product and a tool kit to make your #15MinReno easy-peasy! Just use the Rafflecopter form below, giveaway is open to US residents 18 or older. Giveaway ends 8/10/15 at 11:59pm EST. Good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

So tell us, what needs a good sprucing up around your house?

 

 

 

gardening tips

61 EASY Gardening Tips that We Love #MomsCheckIn

April 10, 2015 by Jenni 1,650 Comments

gardening tips

 

EASY Gardening Tips We Love

How’s your green thumb? Do you even have one??!! I have to admit that my thumb is more black than green. I do love fresh garden vegetables though and I’m always excited to plant pretty flowers in the yard each Spring. I think we’ll be making these Spring Dirt and Carrot Garden Cupcakes soon. So fun and yummy!! Folks – they’re PUDDING filled!!!

Everyone’s starting to think about planting now so our Moms Check In moms are sharing some of our EASY gardening tips with you. Keyword being – EASY!!! So easy that anyone can do them. If you have any awesome tips, please drop us a comment or chat with us on our social media channels using #MomsCheckIn.

61 EASY Gardening Tips, Tomato Recipes + a Cute Garden Treat:

 

1. How to Container Garden – A Guide for Beginners

2. How to replant your Avocado Pit

3. How to Re-Grow Celery

4. How to replant your Kitchen Scraps

5. How to store green onions

6. How to re-grow Romaine lettuce

7. 55 of the Best Gardening Tips

8. 35 Garden Tomato Recipes

9. Dum Dums Lollipop Garden

 

 Sharing our own gardening tips…

Amanda-626x1024

“We love gardening! And by we, I really do mean we! I try to make it fun for Josh. Did you know you can regrow some vegetables? It’s been a fun science experiment. Our favorite to regrow so far has been avocados! As far as myself, we live in an apartment so we don’t have a yard. But I do have an Aerogarden that we have set up in our kitchen. It lets me grow herbs, vegetables and even flowers all year around! “

– Amanda is the mom to Joshua and owns It’s a Fabulous Life. If you are looking for a one stop place for all things mom, It’s a Fabulous Life is it! Full of recipes, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and parenting articles it’s the place for all of Mom’s favorites to come together! Follow her on Twitter here!

 

 

Jenni-Eaves1-213x300

“ So – just being honest here….a full fledged garden didn’t work for us. We just weren’t disciplined enough to keep it weeded and watered, so we’re opting for small container gardens. They’re so much easier to keep up with. Here’s our beginner guide on container gardening! It’s perfect for favorite produce like tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, peppers, and especially herbs.“

– Jenni is the mom of one and the author of Sweet Pennies From Heaven. A hearth and home website, Sweet Pennies From Heaven focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home. Follow her on Twitter here!

 

 

LindsayHeadShot3Border-300x300

“ One of my favorite things about summer is growing our vegetable garden. The kids enjoy watching things go from a seed to real food, and I love being able to walk out the backdoor, grab some goodies out of the garden, and throw together dinner. Nothing better than a ripe garden tomato! And if you don’t have a green thumb, check out our lollipop garden. That’s an easy little project we had so much fun with! “

– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!

 

 

stephanie

“I’ll be honest — I don’t have a green thumb. But I do love beautiful flowers and plants! I’ve learned that it’s ok to have a small garden with hearty plants. A big part of the joy for me is just watching Sam enjoy helping out and being outdoors. I’ll leave the big gardens to the pros and enjoy what’s growing in our backyard!”

– Stephanie is the mom to Sam and the author of Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you ever need party ideas her site is the place to visit! Specializing in all things boy, it’s full of inspiration! Follow her on Twitter here!

 

 What is Moms Check In?

Who are the moms of Moms Check In? We’re 4 moms who are also professional bloggers. We chat about a new topic each week. We talk about things from dirty diapers to date night, and everything in between. Moms love to talk to other moms and let’s face it…MOMS know everything!!

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your best gardening tips?

 

Iced Coffee Hack

Iced Coffee Hack + Easy Morning Routines

April 3, 2015 by Jenni 735 Comments


This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #McCafeMyWay #CollectiveBias

Iced Coffee Hack

Are your mornings pretty brutal? Ours are at the first part of the new school year for a few weeks but then we kinda get our morning routines down pat. I’m gonna share some of our morning routines for the family, including my morning iced coffee hack using some of my favorite coffee from McCafé. Okay, so our morning routine looks something like this…

Alarm goes off.

Husband draggggs me out of bed, kicking and screaming like a bratty teenager.

I fix coffee…and hop on Facebook for a few minutes. This is my morning ME time.

I wake up the kiddo for school.

Feed the dogs, and take them out to potty.

Get kiddo ready, fed – and on the school bus.

Ready for round 2 of coffee, and then it’s time to get myself dressed and ready to work.

 

Easy Morning Routines + Iced Coffee Hack!

 

eli's first day of school

1. Have backpacks, coats, shoes and outfits laid out the night before. This is a must do at our house. Nothing worse than trying to locate shoes and clean socks 5 minutes before the bus runs!

2. Have breakfast ON the GO options for the kids. This is another must for us. I mean really, who has time to fix a 5-star breafkast on a weekday, at 7am?

3. Make a command center. Use this space for keeping a big family calendar with everyone’s extracurricular and sports activities so everyone knows when and where – and what day/time everything is. Check it daily! The perfect command center spot is on the side of your refrigerator!

4. Shower/baths the night before. This is a really big deal at our house. Everyone in our family takes showers that last an eternity, so no morning showers are allowed! Nope.

5. Get a free timer app. Search for free timer apps for your smartphone. These are perfect for many different things. I use mine for all kinds of things, but they’re really helpful in keeping track of time when you’re on a tight schedule!

 

iced coffee hack

6. Iced Coffee Hack! Usually when you think about making one, you have to brew the coffee and then you have to let it sit and cool for awhile before you can blend with the ice and other ingredients. Our hack that we use ALL the time is iced coffee cubes! Yep! I just brew really strong coffee, let it cool a bit and then pour into ice cube trays and freeze. After they’re frozen, I store them in a large plastic bag or bowl with a lid and keep in the freezer.

 

iced coffee hack

iced coffee hack

Then in the mornings, I just drop my coffee cubes in the blender along with some milk, sugar and some chocolate syrup and voila! I have a yummy iced coffee in less than 2 minutes! BOOM! That’s how it’s done, folks!  I don’t really ever measure anything out. I don’t have time for that…haha. You can’t really go wrong with those ingredients. Pretty it up though, with some whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.

Did you know that McCafé coffee is now available at Walmart?! I almost flipped when I found it and guys – ohh…it is SO good! The flavor is spot on. It’s bold, but not bitter – and very smooth! Just like we like it. They have several flavors to choose from so you have lots of options. You can get it in the premium bags and coffee pods so it’s perfect if you use a regular brewer or a single cup brewer. We actually use both! Our kitchen looks like a coffee house, seriously. I ain’t kiddin! Who does that?? Who in their normal, right mind has TWO coffee makers in their kitchen? P.S. Make sure to check out all of our yummy homemade frappe recipes on the blog!

 

McCafe-Pods

McCafe-Coffee-instore

You can find the McCafé coffee in the coffee aisle at Walmart. We found the coffee pods for single brewers on the bottom shelf and the premium bags of coffee about 4 shelves up. I hope this little snippet photo helps you out in case you have trouble locating it! Let us know what you think about it when you try it……yummmm!

I’ve shared my morning tips with you, I’d love to hear about yours! Leave us a comment below and let us know how you make your mornings run smoother!

 

Organize Snack Cabinets

7 Easy Ways to Organize Super Messy SNACK Cabinets and Pantries

January 21, 2015 by Jenni 1,513 Comments

organize snack cabinets

7 easy ways to organize snack cabinets and pantries!

Do you have to close your eyes and brace yourself when you open up your snack cabinets or pantry door? Does stuff come flyin’ outta there and poke you in the eye? Shew! Glad I’m not the only one. Living in an old farmhouse, you’d think I had plenty of cabinet space, but I don’t. I don’t even have a flippin’ pantry. If I had a pantry, I’d live in it. You wouldn’t be able to drag me out of it!

Sooo, upon perusing Pinterest and Amazon I found some really cool ideas. Some that I think are life-altering genius. The other night, I literally pulled everything out of my cabinets and started a “pitch” fit. I think I filled 2 whole trash bags of stuff to dump and/or donate. It was like 9:15ish or so at night. The husband comes into the kitchen as I’m wollering this stuff all over the kitchen floor – and he just turns and walks out the door. I would have turned and walked out if I were him too!! I always start these projects late at night. Why?! I don’t know.

 

organize snack cabinet

1. Toss the boxes and the bags. I Heart Organizing shows us how she created more space in her cabinets with this method. There are several other awesome reasons to do this, including portion control!

 

 

organize snack cabinets

2. Use shoe organizers. I loved this idea from Money Saving Queen! Perfect for pantries and cabinet doors. In the comments on her post, I saw a reader mentioned that if you can find a shoe organizer with space in the rows between the pockets, you can easily cut them and attach on the inside of cabinet doors so that when the door is shut, the pockets with stuff inside doesn’t bump up against the shelves, for a perfect fit.

 

 

organize snack cabinets

3. Use open front stackable bins. Find out how A Proverb’s Wife got hers from the Dollar Store. This is such a space saving idea and I love how clean it keeps the cabinets. It also forces you to do tip #1 (toss boxes and bags!). Woot.

 

 

organize snack cabinets

4. Use all the space in your cabinets wisely! Do you have a lot of empty air space at the top of your cabinets? Use metal or plastic cabinet shelves to create more space to store things above and under. When I realized this, I almost felt stupid for not thinking about it before.

 

 

organize snack cabinets

5. Canisters. These are a great alternative to bins for many reasons. They’re pretty to look at and it’s easy to see what’s inside. You can consolidate lots of similar things in canisters for instance oatmeal packets, granola bars, fruit snacks. Individual bags of chips, crackers, cookies, etc. I found these clear glass canisters on Amazon but you can also find some at your local dollar stores or Walmart.

6. Label, label, label. These chalkboard labels are realllly cute! They’re great to label bins and canisters which is super helpful when you’re ready to organize snack cabinets and pantries. I love being able to see things quickly and clearly!

 

 

organize snack cabinets

7.  Hanging chip clips! These are GENIUS! Keeps chips fresh yes, but the genius part is that you can hang these in your pantry, leaving space on shelves for other things. The only hanging ones I’ve seen are these Rubbermaid chip clips from Amazon.

 

Don’t miss these other helpful household tips:

  • How to Organize a Small Closet on a Budget
  • Ways to Reuse Diaper Wipe Containers
  • Ways to Reuse Coffee Creamer Bottles
  • Ways to Reuse Coffee Cans
  • Ways to Reuse Plastic Bags

 

Do you have tips on how to organize snack cabinets or pantries?
Please drop us a comment….we’d really love to hear!

 

11 genius plastic bag hacks Hometalk board

11 Genius Plastic Bag Hacks & Craft Ideas

January 19, 2015 by Jenni 1,871 Comments

11 genius plastic bag hacks Hometalk board

Don’t you love hacks?! I mean, seriously……I always say “Why didn’t I think of that?!” when I find a killer idea! Some of them are life-changers!! I put together a post back last year – 21 Ways to Reuse Plastic Bags. While I was searching around on Hometalk, I put together a board with some other plastic bag hacks and craft ideas so I wanted to share it with you.

Visit my plastic bag hacks Hometalk board to find all the different ideas!

What is Hometalk? If you’re not on Hometalk, then you’re really missing out. It’s basically Pinterest, but for Home & Garden ideas only. I love it over there. Make sure that you follow me on Hometalk – cause you know we all love to follow eachother!

There are many different ways that I reuse plastic bags but so many ideas I’ve never thought of. Since my house is usually overflowing with them, I’m interested to see all the different ways I can reuse them!

I’ve now enlisted the help of Hometalk to help me organize my kitchen too. It’s a New Year and this week I’ve spent a ton of time organizing my kitchen cabinets. I live in an old farmhouse and I don’t have a ton of space in the kitchen…not even a pantry. Ugh. So I have to get creative when finding new ways to organize everything in there. Lastnight, I actually pulled EVERYTHING out of my pots/pans/mixing bowls/baking pans cabinets.

I was sitting in the middle of the kitchen floor when my husband walks in. He instantly turned and walked right back out. Hahahhaa! He knew what I was up to! I usually start those kinds of projects at night, so he walked out before I got the chance to wrangle him into helping me. Smart man. Smart, smart man. Hometalk has given me lots of great ideas that I can’t wait to put into use in my kitchen!

How do you reuse plastic bags? We want to know!

I invite you to follow me on Hometalk, Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!

Jenni @ Sweet PenniesI’m posting away onHometalk.com

My Topics: , Crafts, Repurposing & Upcycling
best money saving tips

Our Best Money Saving Tips for 2015 #MomsCheckIn

January 9, 2015 by Jenni 684 Comments

best money saving tips

Our Best Money Saving Tips for 2015

Saving money is always on my mind. Now that the New Year is here, it’s something I want to work harder at too! Even if that money saved is to go towards our vacation fund. Put towards groceries. Date nights. You get the drift…..it’s money that can be spent somewhere else or saved for a college fund even!

Our “Moms Check In” crew and I have some really awesome ideas and we’re sharing our best money saving tips that we use all the time. Hopefully it’ll help make your 2015 a little better!

 

 

Amanda-626x1024“We try to keep our electric bill in check. We do lots of different things like using power strips, using energy efficient appliances, and using smarter lights. You can find lots of energy saving tips here! I also do the $5 method. Every time I get a $5 bill it goes into savings. When I am out at the store, I try to spend just $5 less. It makes it easy and at the end of the year, all of those $5 bills really adds up! “

– Amanda is the mom to Joshua and owns It’s a Fabulous Life. If you are looking for a one stop place for all things mom, It’s a Fabulous Life is it! Full of recipes, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and parenting articles it’s the place for all of Mom’s favorites to come together! Follow her on Twitter here!

 

 

Jenni-Eaves1-213x300

“My biggest tip is to turn down the thermostat a few degrees in the winter and turn it up a few degrees in the summer. Our heating/cooling bill is the biggest chunk of money spent and just by turning it up or down a few degrees can REALLY make a big difference. I’m a big believer in wearing layers in the winter. If you’re cold, put on a sweater…haha! Actually though…keeping it a little cooler in the house during the winter is better for you too. Doctors will tell you to keep your home between 65-70 degrees. The cooler the better, because heat dries up your sinuses, making infections easier to breed. Yuck!“

– Jenni is the mom of one and the author of Sweet Pennies From Heaven. A hearth and home website, Sweet Pennies From Heaven focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home. Follow her on Twitter here!

 

 

LindsayHeadShot3Border-300x300“The thing we spend the most money on is food. If I slack in the menu planning department we are at the store a few times a week and it adds up fast. Really fast. This year I’m planning to be more strict with myself about planning a menu, doing one shopping trip a week, and shopping from the flyer so I can buy what’s on sale and plan my menu around that, stocking up while I can save. It makes a huge difference and just requires a little bit of planning each week!”

– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!

 

 

stephanie“I’m not much of a couponer or a flyer watcher. But I do watch our spending tightly so that we can focus on the priorities for our family — like retiring early and giving Sam an excellent education. When I am going shopping, I take out the amount of cash I want to spend for the day and keep to that budget. That way, I’m not tempted to use my credit card or overspend because I see something that’s too good of a deal to refuse. It’s worked well for our family and helped us keep on budget — which I’m really proud of!”

– Stephanie is the mom to Sam and the author of Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you ever need party ideas her site is the place to visit! Specializing in all things boy, it’s full of inspiration! Follow her on Twitter here!

 

 

moms-check-in-1 What is Moms Check In?

Who are the moms of Moms Check In? We’re 4 moms who are also professional bloggers. We chat about a new topic each week. We talk about things from dirty diapers to date night, and everything in between. Moms love to talk to other moms and let’s face it…MOMS know everything!! If you happen to be a blogger also, and want to be a guest host one week, please fill out this form. We’d love to have you join us!

Check out our Money Saving Tips board on Pinterest to get some more ideas!

Follow Sweet Pennies from Heaven’s board Money Saving Ideas on Pinterest.

Before you leave, let us know…

Do you have any helpful money saving tips?

 

home organization

4 Home Organization Tips #MomsCheckIn

January 2, 2015 by Jenni 1,002 Comments

 

home organization tips

4 Home Organization Tips

The holidays are over and January has arrived. For me, that means starting over new in many areas including home organization! Organizing my home is not my strong suit, but I am always and forever trying to keep it all under control and I plan to get it under my thumb this year! My “Moms Check In” friends and I have a few tips below that we’d like to share to help you out – including organizing a small closet on a budget, starting a command center, using a planner for work/home, labeling toy bins and more!

 

 

Amanda-626x1024“Just call me the Queen of Paper Clutter. I can NOT do online planners/calendars. I like photo copies of my work stuff. I like binders. I like folders. But between my office ‘stuff’ and then all the mail and papers that come home from school it gets to be a bit much. We have a command center area with a big calendar and places to put the paper that comes in. It’s also where we have our keys/bags so no excuses to not know about an upcoming event!“

– Amanda is the mom to Joshua and owns It’s a Fabulous Life. If you are looking for a one stop place for all things mom, It’s a Fabulous Life is it! Full of recipes, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and parenting articles it’s the place for all of Mom’s favorites to come together! Follow her on Twitter here!

 

 

Jenni-Eaves1-213x300

“For me the biggest organization challenge is space to store things. We live in an old farmhouse, and believe it or not….we have VERY little closet space and NO pantry in the kitchen. I’m constantly re-arranging and organizing in my kitchen to make space. I did finally tackle my closet though. Click HERE for a few tips I have for organizing a small closet on a budget if you’d like to tackle your own. Since we have a lack of storage space, I feel like I have a lot of things that don’t have a “home” so I tend to shove things in nooks and crannies. I’m really gonna work on that this year.“

– Jenni is the mom of one and the author of Sweet Pennies From Heaven. A hearth and home website, Sweet Pennies From Heaven focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home. Follow her on Twitter here!

 

 

LindsayHeadShot3Border-300x300“Organization is not my forte but I’m trying…still! Probably my biggest problem area is paper clutter so my top tip for staying on top of that is to deal with everything as it comes in. When the mail or school papers come in, go through them and immediately trash or recycle anything you don’t want or need. Don’t just put it on the counter. I also find I have to write everything down (this doesn’t mean I’m old, does it?!) so that I don’t forget the things on my to-do list. I tell myself I’ll remember but, nope. I never do. This momAgenda planner is one of my favorites for keeping everything in one place. Finally, I’m grabbing a few organizational items here and there as I find them to make it easier for me to have a designated place for everything. Here are some of the other solutions I’ve found and hope to use this year to organize my home.“

– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!

 

 

stephanie“January is definitely a time of big purging in our home! When taking care of Christmas decorations, I also take the time to throw out old or broken items around our house. I also organize Sam’s toys into labeled bins plus go through our closets. I love starting off the year feeling fresh and organized! These free organizational printables are super helpful!”

– Stephanie is the mom to Sam and the author of Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you ever need party ideas her site is the place to visit! Specializing in all things boy, it’s full of inspiration! Follow her on Twitter here!

 

 

moms-check-in-1 What is Moms Check In?

Who are the moms of Moms Check In? We’re 4 moms who are also professional bloggers. We chat about a new topic each week. We talk about things from dirty diapers to date night, and everything in between. Moms love to talk to other moms and let’s face it…MOMS know everything!! If you happen to be a blogger also, and want to be a guest host one week, please fill out this form. We’d love to have you join us!

Check out our Organizing board on Pinterest to get some more tips!

Follow Sweet Pennies from Heaven’s board Organizing on Pinterest.

Before you leave, let us know…

Do you have any helpful organizational tips?

 

uses for borax

25 Awesome Household Uses for Borax

August 24, 2014 by Jenni 1,704 Comments

We live in the country so pesky little critters are unavoidable. Seriously. Mice make me all creepy crawly and ants just drive me crazy!! Having kids and pets in the house make me and I’m sure – you – a little nervous about using chemicals that are poisonous to clean and problem solve (critters, being the problem). Borax is a natural product that most overlook. There are so many awesome uses for borax around the house and even topically! It IS safe to use on human skin.

uses for borax

Uses for Borax

Borax comes from California where one of the world’s largest deposits of boron was discovered in 1913.  What I like best about Borax is that it doesn’t cause cancer, accumulate in the body, or absorb through the skin.  On your box of borax you’ll see that it may be listed as “poison” on the box, however keep in mind that it’s only toxic at very, very high levels. (like baking soda for instance, and even water ) Borax is also considered “sustainable mining” so if you’re a “crunchy girl” you’ll be happy to know that it is mining from the earth in a safe and sustainable way. You can find Borax here on Amazon or at your local stores. A huge thanks to Family Frugal Fun for sharing this list with us!

Here are the top 25 uses for Borax:

  1. It makes a terrific all-purpose cleaner for your home. Simply mix 2 tablespoons borax and 2 cups hot water in a spray bottle.
  2. Keep roaches, waterbugs, and ants away by sprinkling a combination of equal parts borax and sugar (yes, sugar…it attracts and the borax eliminates!)
  3. Sprinkle borax on the floor along the wall and keep mice out of your house
  4. Don’t let the bed bugs bite! Get rid of them by sprinkling borax on your mattress,  let it sit for about 30 minutes then vacuum it up.
  5. Kill fleas or dust mites by sprinkling borax on your carpet. Let it sit for an hour and vacuum thoroughly.
  6. Clean mildew off your outdoor furniture by washing it with a spray bottle of: 1 teaspoon dish detergent, 1 teaspoon borax and 1 quart warm water.
  7. For mattress stains and odors, mix 1 cup water and 1 cup borax (make a paste), apply to mattress stain and scrub. Allow to dry, vacuum (if necessary any dried paste) repeat if necessary (now you don’t have to worry about chemicals on your bed)
  8. No more stinky disposal smell when you clean your garbage disposal by putting 3 tablespoons of borax down the drain. Let it sit for an hour and flush it with warm water to get rid of smelly bacteria growth.
  9. Borax makes a great weed killer, too: Sprinkle a small amount of  borax where you’ve seen weeds previously appear (driveway cracks and  walkways, etc., not in the garden because it will kill your plants, too)
  10. Scrub dirty pots and pans with a mixture of 1 teaspoon of borax and warm water. Because borax is non-abrasive, it will work on the laundry grime without damaging the surface material.
  11. Add borax to each load of laundry and boost your cleaning power.
  12. Make your Own Laundry Detergent – One 55 ounce box Arm and Hammer Washing Soda, One 76 ounce box of Borax, One Bar Castille Bar Soap (grate) Mix all of these ingredients in a 5 gallon bucket and enjoy huge savings, PLUS chemical free laundry! If you desire scent, simply add a few teaspoons of essential oil, such as lavender or peppermint oil.
  13. If you use cloth diapers, Borax is great to use for soaking and washing dirty diapers.
  14. Carpet stain remover or deodorizer – use 1/4 cup borax to 1 cup water. Mix and dissolve. Spray or pour directly on stain. Works well for indoor pet accidents.
  15. Rust remover – Make a paste of borax and lemon juice and scrub the rust (use some elbow grease). Rinse and pat dry.
  16. Clean Pet Carriers – make a solution of borax of 1 cup to 2.5 cups water. Allow to dissolve then spray and clean pet carriers chemical FREE.
  17. Water spots on Dishes – 1 tablespoon of borax on in your dishwasher to help remove water spots
  18. Add 1 cup borax to 2 cups water and use to clean out your trash cans
  19. Toilet cleaner – Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup to your toilet bowl, scrub with your toilet brush and flush to rinse clean  – no chemicals, great when you have a septic system!
  20. Candle Wicks –  Soak heavy twine in a solution of 1 tablespoon of table salt and 3 tablespoons of Borax in one cup of warm water, for at least 24 hours. Allow twine to thoroughly dry before using to make candles.
  21. Want to save feathers from a special bird feather you found when on vacation or out in the woods? Collect the feathers in a bag and place 1 cup of borax in your bag with the feathers for 2 weeks to preserve the feathers.
  22. Place flowers in borax to dry them, so you can save those special roses.
  23. For a homemade ant bait, take one teaspoon of peanut butter and mix it with two teaspoons of borax. You can put this into a container with a lid. Like one of those containers they sell the sliced meat in at the deli. Punch several holes in the lid and place the trap close to where you’ve seen ants but where your animals and children can’t get to it.
  24. Make an at-home acne remedy: 1 tsp. glycerine, 1/2 tsp. borax powder, 1 cup distilled water, 1/2 tsp. camphor lotion – make a paste, apply wherever you suffer from acne. Allow to dry like you would a face mask, then remove well with warm water. Take care to avoid areas around the eyes.
  25. Got age spots? Get rid of them with this home remedy:  mix 1/4 cup borax with one half cup granulated sugar in a glass jar. Cover and let stand for 48 hours. Once a day, stir the mixture and use a Q-tip to apply mixture to age spots.

Here are some other posts that you might like. I love to find ways to use more natural and thrifty things…don’t you?!?!

20 uses for Almond Oil

20 uses for Peppermint Oil

Be sure to check out my other money saving ideas and thrifty household tips!

How to Freeze Fresh Corn

How to Freeze Fresh Corn

August 6, 2014 by Jenni 935 Comments

How to Freeze Fresh Corn

How to Freeze Fresh Corn – Easy Peasy!

Each and every year, my sister in law sends fresh garden corn to us. Bags and bags of it. I usually spend a whole evening shucking it, cleaning it and putting it up in the freezer to last us all winter. Don’t get me wrong…there’s nothing wrong with canned corn but there is everything right in the world with FRESH garden corn!! That’s why I wanted to share with you how to freeze fresh corn!

There are many ideas on how to freeze fresh corn, but the simplest way that I’ve found is to take it off the cob. We usually have corn on the cob a few times through the summer and fall but then what we have left, I take off the cob and freeze for the winter months. Here’s how we do it.

  • Shuck all the corn and remove as much silk (we call it hair) as you can.
  • Cut out any bad spots.
  • Fill a large pot with water and turn on high to boil.
  • Add a few ears of corn to boiling water and boil for 2 minutes (make sure to time it). Be sure not to over crowd the pot.
  • After 2 minutes, remove ears of corn with a pair of tongs and place on a towel to dry.
  • Add a few more corn cobs to the pot, and continue the 2 minute boiling process for each until all ears of corn have been cooked through.

How to Freeze Fresh Corn

After all the corn has cooled enough to handle, begin cutting the corn off the cob with a knife over a bowl. We use this Corn Cutter from Amazon, especially when we’re preparing a large amount. It really cuts down the time involved! I just lay it flat over a large mixing bowl and make sure one end is against the wall so I have something to push against when I scrape the corn. The blades just take the corn right off the cob! You can also adjust the settings on the blade so that it cuts just the kernels or set it so that it goes a little deeper and gets some of that sweet juicy milky cream too! Perfect creamed corn!

After you’ve finished cutting all the corn, place in plastic freezer bags or better yet, use a vacuum sealer so it’ll stay fresher longer in the freezer! We’ve just started using this FoodSaver vacuum sealer and we love it!

How to Freeze Fresh Corn

**When it’s time to cook, I just pull a bag out of the freezer and place in a big bowl in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Once it starts to soften up, I open the bag and dump it all into the bowl…add salt, pepper and butter and cook till it’s done. Oh My Gosh!!! It’s the BEST stuff ever!!


How to season a cast iron skillet

How to Season a Cast Iron Skillet

August 5, 2014 by Jenni 2,191 Comments

How to season a cast iron skillet

Learn how to season a cast iron skillet.

I spent years watching my grandma and mom use cast iron skillets in the kitchen. Once I was grown and married, I realized just how incredible these things are. Most everything just cooks and tastes better coming from cast iron. There is some getting used to caring for your cast iron skillets, though.

I wish I had some of my grandma’s or moms old skillets. The ones we use are the Lodge cast iron skillets (<– sold on Amazon!). We LOVE them! I’m pretty sure I’ve seen Ree (the Pioneer Woman) use them too!

Seasoning your cast iron skillet is a must. Seasoning preserves the cast iron, keeps it from rusting and just makes cooking in them so much easier. To season your skillets, just follow these instructions…

How to season a cast iron skillet:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
You’ll be putting your skillets in here in a few minutes, so make sure your oven is preheated and ready to go.

Make sure your skillet is clean and free of any dust or built on food/grime.
If food has already built up on it, go ahead and clean with a nice sprinkling of kosher salt and warm water, using a stiff brush to scrub. Note: Never clean cast iron with soap! Soap strips any seasoning off. Make sure to rinse and dry the skillet really, really well.

Apply a layer of lard or shortening (like Crisco) to the inside and outside of skillet.
Just use a clean paper towel or your fingers. Rub a thin coat of lard all around the in and outside of your skillet. If you don’t have lard or Crisco handy, you can also use vegetable oil. Just know that lard or Crisco are usually better choices. I’ve found vegetable oil can make the skillets/handles a little sticky.

Place skillets in the preheated oven for 1-2 hours.
Place your cast iron skillets on the middle rack in the oven, upside down. Make sure to put a larger cookie sheet or alum. foil on the bottom rack to catch any lard/shortening drips. After one hour, check to see what your pan looks like. If it still looks wet, allow to go for another 30 minutes to an hour.

Other cast iron skillet maintenance tips:

Clean immediately after cooking, using method mentioned above. Don’t let dirty skillets sit overnight.

Thoroughly dry skillets after washing. Then wipe with light layer of oil or shortening before putting away.

Don’t let your cast iron skillets sit in water submerged for long periods of time, or overnight.

Never use dishsoap in your cast iron skillets. It will strip the seasoning away.

Use a paste of baking soda/water to clean stuck on grime. Baking soda is great at removing odors from your pans!

Do you have any cast iron skillet tips? If so, we’d love to hear them!

 

 

Healthy Ways to use apple cider vinegar

20 Natural Remedies – Healthy Ways to Use Apple Cider Vinegar

May 20, 2014 by Jenni 450 Comments

Healthy Ways to use apple cider vinegar

Healthy Ways to Use Apple Cider Vinegar

Let’s get back to the basics folks. What’s wrong with what our grandparents, and their grandparents used? Did you know that there are so many awesome AND healthy ways to use Apple Cider Vinegar (aka: ACV)?


I’ve heard nothing but awesome things about this organic, raw and unfiltered Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar. Many rave reviews!

It even helps to get rid of fleas on your dogs, for goodness sake!

Now, here are 20 uses for us humans to help get us and keep us – healthy! Literally, from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. So many awesome uses!! Thanks to Maggie at Family Frugal Fun for sharing this awesome list of remedies!

1. Dissolves kidney stones

2. Aids in prevention of the flu and stomach viruses

3. Is a natural acne-preventative

4. Regulates your body’s pH balance naturally

5. Gets rid of nail fungus

6. Lowers cholesterol

7. Lowers blood pressure

8. Reduces inflamation

9. Helps relieve heartburn

10. Helps reduce chronic acid reflux

11. Helps break down fat

12. Serves as a natural appetite supressant

13. Eliminates buildup on the scalp such as dandruff

14. Helps relieve gout

15. Reduces sinus pressure

16. Naturally helps fight migraines

17. Reduces arthritis symptoms

18. Relieves allergy problems

19. Supresses nausea symptoms

20. Prevents flare ups of athlete’s foot

Now, do you have any awesome ways that you use apple cider vinegar? I’d sure love to hear about them, maybe even add them to this list!

 

If you enjoyed this post, you’ll love these! Check’em out:

homemade cleaner recipes
15+ Homemade Cleaner Recipes That Will Rock Your Socks

uses for borax
25 Awesome Household Uses for Borax

20 uses for peppermint oil

20 Uses for Peppermint Oil – Natural Remedy to Keep Mice Away and So Much More!

uses for almond oil

20 Uses for Almond Oil from Skincare to Hair Treatments

Reuse Diaper Wipe Containers

20+ Ways to Reuse Diaper Wipe Containers #Recycle

eye makeup remover

Homemade Eye Makeup Remover with Only 2 Ingredients – Costs Just $0.32 Per Ounce

how to get rid of bugs on roses and plants

How to Get Rid of Bugs on Your Plants and Rose Bushes – Natural and Thrifty Alternatives

 how to container garden

How to Container Garden – A Vegetable Container Gardening Guide for Beginners

how to container garden

How to Container Garden – A Vegetable Container Gardening Guide for Beginners

May 6, 2014 by Jenni 2,373 Comments

how to container garden

How to Container Garden
A Vegetable Container Gardening Guide for Beginners

Growing vegetables in a container is a great way to grow vegetables when you just don’t have the room or know how to start a full size garden bed. To get started you only need a few supplies along with the seeds that you want planted for the summer. Once you are ready to begin, there are some basic rules of thumb to know about. Learning how to container garden really is a lot easier for anyone growing vegetables for the first time.

Choosing a Container

The container that you are gardening in is an important first step because you want it to be able to provide a suitable growing space for the entire season. The style that you choose is entirely personal, but there are requirements that must be met. Your container must have holes in the bottom for draining. A deeper container is better for growing vegetables and a wider container makes it possible to add a companion plant.

You can use most anything that is suitable, like wooden planters or plastic. Even terra cotta pots. I prefer wooden cedar planters because they’re naturally rot resistant. This set of 4 cedar planters below is perfect because they’ve already got the drain holes. There are a couple of smaller ones for your smaller plants…then a couple of bigger ones for the larger plants.

Starting From Seed or Transplants

Container Vegetable gardening from seed or transplants that you purchase are both possible with time. Seeds should be started indoors, well before being planted into your container. You will be able to find a better variety of tomatoes, peppers, peas and lettuce to grow when you begin with seeds.

Growing from transplants is great if you do not get an early jump on planting. Transplants are already weeks old, so choose those that look healthy and whose roots are not coming out of the container they are in.

how to container garden

Choose Your Vegetables

Decide what to grow so that you have suitable supplies available to provide for their needs. It will also help when it comes to knowing the number and sizes of pots available and how much potting soil to purchase. Then decide where you are going to place your pots for maximum sunshine.

Tomatoes, peppers, peas and lettuce are the easiest vegetables to start with and all well suited to container gardening. Other fun choices are potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, zuchini and other squash.

Plant and Care for Your Garden

Fill your pots with potting soil, five inches to the top for transplants, or two inches for seeds. Add your transplants or seed and fill with potting soil to just below the lip of the pot. Be sure not to overcrowd too many plants in one container, as this can hinder growth.

Water thoroughly after planting, and continue watering daily immediately after planting to ensure germination of seeds and that the plant roots establish themselves. Make sure to feed your plants often too, with Miracle Gro. Place your pot in a sunny corner, avoid moving once it is there, and try to cluster containers close together to encourage growth.

Learning how to container garden, is really that simple! You’re well on your way to enjoying fresh veggies that you grew yourself. Give yourself a pat on the back!!

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homemade cleaner recipes

15+ Homemade Cleaner Recipes That Will Rock Your Socks

May 1, 2014 by Jenni 1,731 Comments

homemade cleaner recipes

Don’t diss the homemade cleaner recipes!

Have you ever read the labels on the back of your household cleaners? Seriously. Not only do you need to be a scientist to MAKE the cleaners, you need to be one to understand the labels too! Honestly though, the biggest downfall for me is the cost. Before you know it, that $3 bottle of window cleaner is gone and you don’t have the clean windows anymore to prove you used it all. Right? I see the smeared peanut butter, the sticky fingerprints, evidence of a dog lick or two….

….and OMG!!! Is that…..dried snot???!!! WHERE’S THE WINDEX!?! And the bleach??!!

I’ve found tons of awesome homemade cleaner recipes that are green, cheap, and half of which are even safe enough to EAT! Not that I would. Except for the vinegar. That’s pretty decent on salad. 🙂 Check these out and save yourself some cash! There are still some cleaners that I will continue to buy, but for the most part…I try to stick to the natural stuff!

homemade cleaner recipes

Homemade Laundry Detergent
This is the detergent I use ALL the time. I love love love it. My husband is a welder and his clothes are filthy dirty when he comes home from work. This detergent cleans his clothes and removes the stinky smell too. Best part is…it only costs around $0.02 to $0.03 per load! Say WHAT?! Yep!

 

homemade cleaner recipes

Homemade Streak Free Glass Cleaner (copycat Windex)
As much as we (and I’m sure you too) use glass cleaner, this recipe will save us a ton of cash! She also has this Homemade Tub Cleaner that works great! My tub and shower are always pretty grimey. This is a very simple recipe that works wonders! One of her commenters on the post said that they had a stain they thought was permanent for 3 years, and this recipe removed the stain!!!

 

homemade cleaner recipes

Homemade Carpet Deodorizer
Even though we have mostly hardwood floors, we do still have area rugs and one room that is carpeted so I still like to keep carpet deodorizer. This recipe is also perfect for couches, chairs or any other upholstered furniture. We have dogs so it’s nice to keep the furniture smelling fresh too!

 

homemade cleaner recipes

10 Homemade Household Cleaners
This post with 10 homemade household cleaners includes the following recipes:

  • Kitchen Counter Scrubber
  • Window Cleaner
  • Glass Shower Cleaner
  • Carpet Spot Cleaner
  • Toilet Bowl Cleaner
  • Disinfectant
  • All Purpose Cleaner
  • Floor Cleaner
  • Oven Rack Cleaner
  • Furniture Polish

 

 

Citrus-Cleaner

 Homemade All Purpose Citrus Cleaner

Teresa also shares some more great tips including how to make your own wool dryer balls and a fun little tip for your shower!

 

homemade cleaner recipes

7 Things in Your Pantry You Can Use to Clean With
Ellen shares some great tips here. She talks about several different things we usually already have in our cabinets that we can clean with. She also goes into a little detail about what each product is and how it works to tackle the jobs.

If you’re looking for something to clean your stainless steel appliances, check out Dina’s homemade stainless steel cleaner! She also shares a few other homemade cleaner recipes that you’ll love! While we’re on the subject of natural and non-toxic, you have to check out Kim’s natural weed killer recipe! I’ve used it and I won’t be buying the expensive stuff in the store anymore! Do you have any natural or thrifty homemade cleaner recipes that you use? We’d love to hear all about them! Leave us a comment and let us know what your favorites are!

If you’re looking for more helpful ideas, check some of my other posts out:

  • 25 Awesome Household Uses for Borax
  • How to Remove Ink from Plastic Containers – Reuse Your Containers
  • How to Spring Clean Like a Pro – Spring Cleaning Checklist and Guide
  • How To Safely Brighten, Whiten and Clean a Porcelain Tub
  • 20 Uses for Peppermint Oil – Natural Remedy to Keep Mice Away
  • 20+ Ways to Reuse Diaper Wipe Containers #Recycle
  • Homemade Eye Makeup Remover with Only 2 Ingredients – Costs Just $0.32 Per Ounce
  • How to Get Rid of Fleas Using Apple Cider Vinegar

 

How to Spring Clean

How to Spring Clean Like a Pro – Spring Cleaning Checklist and Guide

April 21, 2014 by Jenni 1,378 Comments

How to Spring Clean

How to Spring Clean Like a Pro

(……or like your mom!)

It’s here folks. It’s time to pull out the big guns and SPRING CLEAN! I’ve been doing it all week and it’s always my favorite time of year. I love to throw the windows open and breathe in that fresh spring air…although the wild onions smell can be a little overwhelming, right?! This guide and checklist on how to spring clean will help you deep clean your home like a pro.

Before getting started though, make sure to read this Spring Cleaning Supply List to make sure you have everything on hand! Nothing’s worse than getting started, then realize you don’t have everything needed under the cabinet.

Three Tasks to Master

Every spring cleaning effort requires you to master three tasks that you have to tackle efficiently and diligently. Removing dust and dirt that piled up during the winter months, sorting belongings into keep, trash and donate and then organizing your keeps for use now and in the future. Make sure that all dusting, and sorting has been done before you tackle organizing.

Deep Clean Checklist for Bathroom, Bedroom and Kitchen

The bedroom, bathroom and kitchen are the top three areas of use in our home and deserve a thorough deep clean like the professionals do. Make sure you don’t miss any of the following:

Bedroom

– Remove and clean all bedding and mattress coverings.

– Vacuum all bedroom furniture and mattresses, flipping furniture seating and mattress over to remove as much dust as possible.

– Freshen up furniture and mattresses with dry baking soda, sprinkled over furniture, and vacuumed up after half an hour

– Remove and clean, or vacuum, fabric window treatments for laundering or spot cleaning

– Wipe down dust from window blinds, front and back faces

– Move furniture to completely vacuum floors

– Dust bedroom furniture

 

Bathroom

– Remove all towels and bath mats for cleaning

– Remove and replace shower curtain liners

– Use your preferred cleaning products or create your own to, spray down bathroom showers and tubs, counter space and toilet. Allow cleaners to sit before wiping down and rinsing. Sweep and mop.

– If necessary wipe down walls and ceiling, use broom to reach any cobwebs

– Dust lights and bathroom fan venting

 

Kitchen

-Remove and clean all kitchen linens, including aprons and table placemats

– Remove everything from your refrigerator and freezer, take stock and toss out what is expired

– Remove and clean all shelves, drawers and handles

– Clean the interior and exterior walls of your refrigerator

– Remove stove burners and set aside for cleaning, wipe down entire stove top and face.

– Thoroughly clean burners, removing grease

– Remove oven racks and wipe down oven bottom and interior oven door

– Pull appliances away from the walls to sweep

– Sweep and mop kitchen floors

-Clean and dust light fixture, fans and wall hangings

 

Organizing Closets 

(check this post out on how to Organize a Small Closet on a Budget (with awesome organizing goodies)

– Establish three piles, keep, donate and trash

– Everything comes out of the closet and moves to one of the 3 piles

– Donate what you have not used in the past year, toss what is no longer usable

– Invest in organizing bins, hanging organizers and clear faced storage to better see what you have

 

Do you have other tips on how to spring clean?
If so, we’d all love to hear them. One thing I’ve found out is that so many learn new things just from reading others’ comments!!! Drop us one below!

How to Dry Flowers

How to Dry Flowers For Crafts, Potpourri or Other Home Decor

February 26, 2014 by Jenni 1,932 Comments

how to dry flowers

How to Dry Flowers

I love flowers, when they’re nice and fresh…and pretty……..and alive. When they start slumping over, it makes me want to slump over too. It’s soooooooooo depressing when they start dying. Most of the time I just dump them straight in the trash to avoid a complete depression but sometimes I’ll just dry them out to make potpourri.

Did I just spell that right? Potporrie…potpourrie? I know it has a T in it.

The first time I ever dried a flower, I was as sappy then as I am now. Imagine a 12 year old, hormonal, cry at the drop of a hat – pre-teen girl. That was me. My grandma had passed and I wanted to keep a rose from the service. My mom showed me how to dry flowers, and now that same dried flower from Grandma’s service is in a box with some other keepsakes upstairs….20 some odd years later.

Okayyyyy….25 years later. Sheesh. Excuse me while I lather some wrinkle cream all over my face.

It’s so easy to do. I’ve got a dozen roses that my sweet feller bought me for Valentine’s Day. The day that they slumped (they were as dead as a door nail), I instantly yanked them out of their pretty vase and hung them to dry. I’m planning to make potpourri with them and they’re now hanging in my closet.

Oh yeah – I googled ‘potpourri’ and I did spell it right! Booyah!

Other people like to craft with dried flowers, some like to decorate with them. But me, I like potpourri. Now that I know I spelled it right, I can’t quit saying it. Po-purr-eeeeee!

how to dry flowers

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Your dead-as-a-door-nail-flowers
  • Paper Towels
  • Scissors (or knife)
  • String
  • Plastic Clothes Hangers

Here’s How to Dry Flowers:

  • Take flowers out of the vase and dry stems really well with paper towels.
  • Cut off any thorns with scissors or knife. {I’m acting like your mother here….PLEASE don’t cut yourself!}
  • Remove dead leaves from the stems.
  • Cut one string for each flower. Cut the strings to about 7-10 inches in length.
  • Tie string to stem (upside down), then tie the flower to the bottom of a clothes hanger. You can hang several flowers from one hanger, you just don’t want them touching. Make sure they’re hanging upside down.
  • Place hanger(s) in a dim and dry spot. Closets are great. Somewhere with no humidity.
  • It may take 2-6 weeks before they’re completely dry.

how to dry flowersThe lighting is bad, but I just snapped this photo of these roses hanging from a hanger in my closet. I pulled it out of the closet and hung it on the closet door so there’d be enough light just for the photo, then I put them right back in the dark.

TIP: If you hang them in a closet, just make sure they’re not touching clothes or anything else. There are a couple of reasons for that. First – you don’t want the color of the flowers bleeding onto any clothes. Secondly, you may want to retain the shape of the flower. If it’s bumped up against something, it can flatten or mishape the flower.

TIP: Whatever you use them for, make sure that they’re placed away from humid spaces (even after they’re dry) because they can hold moisture and mold. You don’t want that…yuck!

TIP: Keep away from sunlight (even around windows) because the sun can and will fade the color of the flowers.

What’s your favorite way to use dried flowers? Do you craft with them, make potpourri, decorate with them? Let us know!!! We’d love to hear about it.

If you enjoyed this post, you may be interested in these others as well:

  • DIY Distressed Frame – How to Make a New Frame Look Old
  • Frame Recipes – The Perfect Way to Display Mom or Grandma’s Recipes
  • DIY Mason Jar Lamp – Filled with Old Buttons or Spools of Thread
  • How To Safely Brighten, Whiten and Clean a Porcelain Tub
clean a porcelain tub

How To Safely Brighten, Whiten and Clean a Porcelain Tub

February 10, 2014 by Jenni 1,262 Comments

Do you have a porcelain tub? We have one…one of the really old and awesome claw-foot tubs. The porcelain tends to get really dingy and dull looking and and the water ring stains get on my nerves. I figured if you were in the same boat, you’d like to know how to safely clean a porcelain tub.

Sometimes those old, antique tubs really need to be resurfaced and there are professionals out there who do that. If you have a lot of chips or rust in the porcelain, there’s not much else you can do.

If your tub is still in great shape surface wise, you need to be cautious with the products you use to clean them. Bleach along with other harsh cleaners are way too rough on porcelain so you should use something much gentler. Those strong cleaners can scratch, pit and eventually destroy the porcelain over time.

clean a porcelain tub

How to Clean a Porcelain Tub

There are a few different things that I use on our old tub and they all do a great job so I wanted to share them with my fellow porcelain tub owners.

Just a little disclaimer: Your results may vary. Try a test spot before applying to the entire surface.

1. For tough hardwater rings/stains use Bar Keepers Friend. You can either use the liquid or the powder. If you’re using the powder, either make a paste with water before applying or make sure your tub bottom and walls are wet. Simply coat the stains and let it sit for an hour or so to work on those problem areas. Wipe down with a wet sponge or cloth. Repeat this process if necessary.

2. For brightening, whitening and general cleaning – use a paste made out of baking soda and water. This is very gentle on the porcelain surface and can be used as often as necessary. This is what we use most often.

clean a porcelain bathtubPaste made out of baking soda and water. Just mix until creamy…I had to add a bit more water to this.

 

clean a porcelain tubLook at that yucky ick. I’ve got the walls and bottom covered in the baking soda paste.

 

clean a porcelain tubYou can barely see it, but in the red dotted circle above, you can tell that’s where I had stopped. I got to working and forgot to stop and take a photo.

 

Other helpful tips:

– Rinse your tub well after bathing to remove leftover soap residue.

– Avoid using alot of bath oils.

– Drying your tub with a towel after each use can keep stains and rings from forming. I know, I know…who has time for that?! I never do that but then again, I’m one who has to fight with keeping our tub clean.

– Use non-scratch sponges or rags to clean your porcelain tub. Using abrasive scratch pads can and WILL scratch your porcelain.

 

Other Products to Clean a Porcelain Tub:

I only recommend the following on super tough stains as a last resort, if nothing else is working (including plain old elbow grease). Do not use as a general or daily cleaning method. Refer to the above treatments for normal daily cleaning after the stubborn stains are gone.

– Bleach (although I have heard that this can make stains worse)

– Hydrogen Peroxide

– Mr. Clean Magic Erasers

– Comet

If you’ve had certain products work well for you over time or if you have other tips to clean a porcelain tub, drop us a comment and let us know. You never know when it could help someone else! I’m always looking for new ways to cut my cleaning time and make things a wee bit easier!!

closet organization

Tips on Closet Organization Including Closet Storage Ideas and Solutions

January 14, 2014 by Jenni 3,938 Comments

closet organization

Closet Organization – Storage and Ideas (on a budget)

 

Hey! I’m Soooo Happy You’re Here!!

 

Let me guess.

Your closet is a complete disaster, right?

So was mine until I decided to tackle it head on, like a football player!

 

Here’s what happened.

I figured out that having a full and messy closet keeps the laundry fairy away. YES. She won’t come, if she can’t fit clean clothes in your closet.

Laundry fairy….please, come back!

 

Do you want that amazing feeling that comes with a clean, functioning, and organized closet?

You’ll love feeling

  • a sense of accomplishment
  • less anxiety
  • like you’re in control of your closet instead of your closet being in control of YOU.

I literally felt like I could breathe once my closet was organized and cleaned out. It had never looked better!

Once you get it organized with a system that works for YOU, you’ll never struggle with a messy closet again! I promise – and I’ll show you JUST how to do it!

 

My before:

closet organizationThis is the top half of my really messy closet before I started.

 

closet organizationThis is the bottom half of my messy closet.

 

I finally found my groove with some simple closet organization tips that everyone can do. No matter how big or how small your closet is and no matter what your budget is!

 

Click NEXT button below NOW to get started on your NEW and Improved Closet! You’re Gonna LOVE it!

next

Closet organization tips on a budget, with organization storage solutions.

 

 

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caring for delicate garments

Laundry 101: Caring for Delicate Garments

December 27, 2013 by Jenni 347 Comments

The pace of life today does not leave much time for taking care of fussy, complex items. Clothing in particular has been made increasingly easy to care for because people do not have the time or inclination to take care of clothes that require more than a straightforward cycle in the washer and dryer. Even as shirts, jeans, and work clothing has become simpler and easier to care for, there are still many items in a woman’s wardrobe that will benefit from gentler handling.

caring for delicate garments

Bras, panties, plus size hosiery, and other intimate garments are used on a daily basis and can quickly wear out if not cared for correctly. Since many intimate garments are expensive to replace, caring for them correctly becomes a matter of economy. You can greatly increase the useful life of your intimate garments by following a few simple principles.

Buy multiples

Since intimate garments get used more than just about any other article of clothing in your wardrobe it is to your advantage to buy lots of them. Women know just how hard it is to find bras or plus size stockings that fit well and look great so when you find a brand that you really like, stick with it. Having many pieces will help you spread out wear and tear, too. If you are trying to spread out daily use among just a few intimate items then you will find that these few items wear out very quickly. Having more items allows you to spare each of them from overuse.

Wash in dedicated cycles

Your washing machine has more settings than simply hot and cold. Delicate or gentle wash cycles are there for you to use on garments that require careful handling. Wash your intimate items on a dedicated cycle so that they can fully benefit from the laundering process. You might find it helpful to invest in a particular detergent. Many of the cleaning ingredients found in general use detergents may be too harsh for these delicate garments. Consider purchasing a bottle of gentle detergent to use on these dedicated gentle wash cycles.

A delicate wash cycle can be used for:

  • Bras
  • Panties
  • Hosiery
  • Evening gloves
  • Silk blouses
  • Slips and camisoles

If you only have a few delicate wash items then it might be a waste of time to wash them separately. You can still get them clean without simply tossing them in with your jeans and socks. A laundry bag is a lightweight bag made of mesh that will hold your delicate items apart from other things in the washing machine while still allowing them to get clean. This will prevent the items from getting damaged and will  preserve their quality. Laundry bags can be purchased from well-stocked department stores, specialty house goods stores, or on the Internet. You can also make your own if you have some soft polyester mesh.

Think about appropriate storage solutions

Storing your delicate intimate garments correctly is just as important as washing them correctly. Look for storage solutions that keep these items separated from other things. Do not store your intimate garments with jewelry or other items that could catch or snag on fine fabric. Boxes and bins can be used inside drawers to create a storage area that is set apart. This will help keep your intimate garments clean and organized.

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Double Duty Divas Mom It Forward: Contributor

the chick behind this blog! I'm your ordinary, everyday wife and mom to an incredible pair of stinky guys! I am a self diagnosed coffee addict with a ginormous sweet tooth, preferably baked goods!! My hope is to help you, teach you, and entertain you on your way to a more thrifty and frugal lifestyle! Along the way, you'll find awesome recipes, great tips, and tons of randomness! We have loads of fun, so ya'll come back now, ya hear?!

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