Eco-Friendly Household Alternatives

I've been seeing Country Wisdom rising in popularity so I thought I'd copy/paste an older article that I wrote rather than go pilfer through other blogs and relay their information over here. Not that I won't later...but I'm taking the quick route for now. And as proof that this is my article you can find it here on Squidoo <3

Household Item #1: Toothpaste

• Save your laminate countertops from scorch marks by buffing at the burn with a 50/50 mixture of toothpaste and baking soda. If available you may also use car wax. Why bother? Because many chemical cleaners are abrasive and will likely remove only the finish of your countertop.
• Remove water rings from your wooden tabletop by polishing it with a rag applied with a 50/50 mixture of toothpaste and baking soda. Rub parallel to the wood grain. Wipe it away and polish with lemon oil if desired. Note: A hair dryer set on low can often nix a fresh water stain from forming.
• Cover nail holes in your drywall and plaster without spackle by dabbing them with plain white toothpaste that will dry and harden for painting over. You may also substitute with a 50/50 mixture of baking soda and white glue or even mixing cornstarch with salt (2 tbsp. each) with enough water to make a stiff putty.
• Tackle rust on your bathroom porcelain by squeezing toothpaste onto a retired toothbrush and scrubbing it away. But remember that in general the older the stain is the harder it is to remove.
• Neutralize offensive odors on your hands left from food by wetting a wash cloth with cold water and squeezing some toothpaste onto it. Then simply scrub your hands. This is especially useful when you've directly handled strong smelling foods such as onion, garlic, and fish.
• Repair small scratches on your car by polishing them with a dollop of toothpaste. You may use an old toothbrush but make certain the bristles aren't so stiff that they can cause additional damage. Afterward buff the area with a clean cloth.

Household Item #2: Dishwashing Liquid

• Take immediate care of red wine or similar carpet stains by mixing 1 tsp. dishing washing liquid with 1 c. warm water and pouring a small amount over the blemish. Blot -don't rub- with a paper towel and repeat the previous procedure using a solution of 1/3 c. white vinegar and 2/3 c. water
• Stop dust on your ceiling fan from spreading by using an old cotton sock moistened in a mixture of 1 tsp. dishwashing liquid and 1 gallon water. Simply dip the sock into your solution, wring it out, place it over your hand, and use it to attract dust collecting on fan blades so that it doesn't get sent floating around the room.
• Repel mice safely and effectively by brewing up a quart of peppermint tea. To do this you will need to boil 2 c. water, turn off the heat, and steep 4-6 peppermint tea bags for 6-8 hours. After this is completed add 2 tsp. dishwashing liquid to help the tea solution linger on surfaces. Pour your mixture into a spray bottle and spray it onto baseboards or suspected entry points. This is safe for people and pets alike!
• Subdue the pain of band-aid removal by thoroughly rubbing the bandage's edges and surface (avoid soaking the gauze area) with dishwashing liquid or baby oil. If during removal the bandage begins to stick rub a bit more of your chosen product onto that area.
• To safely clean your wallpaper apply a mixture of ½ c. lemon juice, ½ c. dishwashing liquid, and 1 quart water. Note: Make certain that your wallpaper is waterproof. If uncertain it is best to test this solution on an indiscreet section to make sure it will not adversely affect it.

Household Item #3: Salt

• Soak up ketchup stains by sprinkling salt over the spill. Leave for a few minutes before vacuuming. Sponge up additional residue and continue salting and vacuuming until the stain disappears. Note: This is only effective on wet ketchup stains. Once it sets (dries) it is impossible to remove.
• Prevent diaper rash during teething by gently wiping a solution of 1 tbsp. salt and 4 c. boiling water onto the baby's bottom. Allow the solution to cool to room temperature before applying! For added protection you may also use a zinc oxide lotion of your choice.
• Repel fleas from your dog's outdoor sleeping area by pouring salt into all of the doghouse's crevices. You may also discourage fleas by placing a fresh pile of pine needles beneath their dog bed.
• Keep grease spills from baking onto your oven's surface by sprinkling salt over the spill before it has a chance to bake onto the interior. Afterward simply close the oven door and continue cooking as usual. By the time you're ready to clean you'll find that the pesky spill has transformed itself into a convenient, easily removable lump of ash.
• Delay the formation of mildew on your shower curtain by soaking it in salt water before hanging.
• Treat the formation of mildew on your shower curtain by applying a past of vinegar and salt to the affected area for 1-2 hours before cleaning it off with a damp cloth.
• Soothe a sore throat by gargling a solution of homemade salt water. To make this you just dissolve ½ tsp. salt in 1 c. warm water. Gargle this solution for 10-15 seconds (spit it out rather than swallow) 3 to 4 times daily for instant relief.

Household Item #4: Garlic

• To boost the cold fighting power of chicken soup add 2 peeled and minced garlic cloves to your simmering soup. Garlic contains antiviral sulfur compounds that will help stimulate your immune system in the fight against bacterial infection.
• For a natural, safe, and fast acting remedy to treat earaches you can create a homemade solution to store in your refrigerator for on hand use. In a clean jar, combine 1 crushed clove garlic, 2 tbsp. dried or fresh (minced if fresh) mullein flower, and ½ c. olive oil. Shake thoroughly to blend and store in your refrigerator, shaking daily to redistribute contents (strain into a fresh jar every 2 weeks). To treat earaches bring the solution to room temperature (or hold under warm water) and add 2-3 drops to the ear canal using an eyedropper.
• Quickly dry up and treat pimples by rubbing a freshly cut clove of raw garlic against the blemish.
• Cure stubborn warts by binding a slice of freshly peeled garlic clove against it with a gauze bandage. Leave in place as long as you're able, and repeat the treatment both morning and night.
• Safely protect a cut or abrasion from infection by bruising a garlic clove and pressing it against the wound for 5-10 minutes.

A Quick Change of Pace

The world of home remedies is ever growing. Honing in on a single item's capabilities is a wonderful way to expand your general knowledge but by doing so you might miss out on a truly remarkable discovery. So before I end this lens I'm going to bring in a change of pace and provide you with a list of random tips that I thought provided amazing alternatives around the home.

• To unclog your showerhead without removing it pour a dental tablet solution into a plastic sandwich bag and secure it to the shower head with tape or twist tie for 1-2 hours. To create this solution you dissolve 4-5 tablets in a bowl of water. You can use white vinegar instead.
• Stunt the severity of the common cold by setting your hair dryer to warm -not hot- and holding it around 18" from your face. Inhale the warm air for as long as you can (20 minutes is best but 2 is helpful). Why does this work? Warm air helps kill rhinoviruses sneaking up your nose canal and thus will prevent you from suffering the full effect of the invading bacteria.
• To treat mild scorch marks on wood surfaces you should gently rub a small amount of mayonnaise onto the area. Allow it to sit for a few minutes before wiping off with a clean, damp cloth.
• Find a wall stud without a specialized tool by using an electric razor. Place your razor flush against the wall, turn it on, and as you slowly guide it along the wall listen to the pitch of its buzz. When the pitch rises you'll know you're directly over a stud.