Don't Buy it! - You Probably Already Have It!

Some of my favorite cleaning products I've come across are tips passed down from my mom. All of the tips below are "green," as well as non-toxic to kids and pets.

Vinegar: Disinfects, cuts grease. (Lemon juice works too, but I've found that vinegar's much cheaper.) I keep a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle and use it to clean EVERYTHING. I mop my floors, tub/shower, toilet. You name it. Also, add a little to dishwashing liquid and it cuts the grease better.

Rubbing Alcohol: Removes ballpoint pen ink. Also, aerosol hairspray (like Aquanet) will remove ballpoint pen from fabrics.

Baking Soda: Add to baby's bath water to clear up a rash faster than anything on store shelves.

Honey: Will knock out a cough! Give about a teaspoon before bed and when they wake up. It works WAAAY better than any over-the-counter med's, especially after all of them have been recalled! If you can get your children to drink it, wash it down with some chamomile tea (to help relax the coughing spasms) OR mix honey and lemon juice in chamomile tea. My kids think they're getting a treat!

Peroxide: It's color-safe bleach! (No seriously, go look at the ingredients on your expensive color-safe-bleach...you'll see it's just peroxide and surfactants (detergent).

My splurge? The Shark Steam Mop. No clean-up, no bucket, no chemicals, just disinfected floors. AND you can do it while holding an infant. Worth the $60-$70? Definitely.

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