Eco-friendly baby/family products MADE in USA

Things we use vinegar for– what can you add to the list?!
1st, here’s an article discussing the general differences between white & apple cider vinegar: http://www.differencebetween.net/object/comparisons-of-food-items/difference-between-white-vinegar-and-apple-cider-vinegar/

For those that don’t like the smell of vinegar, here’s a simple idea for using a by-product of your kitchen: Orange-peel infused vinegar: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=494009793947999&set=a.494009763948002.128085.397517646930548&type=3&theater

White Distilled Vinegar (WDV) (most often used for cleaning)
• Put in washer as a water softener
• Also can run through washer to clean and get off stains
• Glass Cleaner
• Use to shine silver pieces/toilet/sink in kitchen/bathroom
• Deodorizer (laundry, sinks, etc)
• Put in Dishwasher for clear glasses and to eliminate odors
• Get Bumper sticker residue off cars, various surfaces (undiluted)
• Weed killer (undiluted)
• Shines showers/shower doors
• Dilute WDV and run through coffee maker to clean
• Mix with milk to make buttermilk (works great in a pinch!)
• Vinegar + baking soda = great unclogging recipe (unfortunately have had to do this one often)
• Use it undiluted to get rid of mildew
• ½ c WDV + 2 tbsp baking soda + soaking silver for 2-3 hours = shiny silver! Great to clean other jewelry too!
• Wash yucky scissors with vinegar (not water, it’ll rust!) *Use this for kids scissors a lot!
• Wash walls, baseboards, etc to help get smoke and other ‘smells’ off/out of rooms
• Use to remove carpet stains (2tbp salt + ½ c. WDV)
• Disinfect cutting boards
• Clean out fridge
• Remove water stains and water rings (furniture, pots, pans, etc)
• Use in marinades to make meat super tender
• And of course, homemade vinaigrettes

Apple Cider Vinegar (beauty and health…a couple others too)
• ACV + water = great no poo conditioner
• ACV in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, poke holes…trap fruit flies: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=532575443424767&set=a.494009763948002.128085.397517646930548&type=3&theater
• 1 part water, 2 parts ACV to balance pH of your skin, use like a toner
• Use undiluted to remove stains from teeth, use towel to apply
• Rub onto pet’s skin to get rid of fleas
• 2 tsp + 16 oz of water is supposed to help with weight loss
• Can also be used to clean kitchen and bathrooms the same as WDV can
• Can be used to disinfect, polish, and deodorize
• Known to cure sinus infections, acne, high cholesterol, flu, chronic fatigue, candida, acid reflux, sore throats, contact dermatitis, arthritis, and gout.

Oatmeal & Sugar Bath Scrub!
This super easy recipe leaves your skin feeling marvelous! Use in bath or shower, but best in bath as soaking in the coconut oil & oats is wonderful for the skin. Coconut oil is a wonderful moisturizer & sugar is a great exfoliator! Pat dry with a towel after getting out & you’ll have no need for additional moisturizer. A little bit goes a long way!
Did you know?
•Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory properties and is perfect for most skin types, even the most sensitive skin
•Oatmeal contains saponins, a cleansing agent, and can therefore be used as a mild soap
•Oatmeal is moisturizing and helps remove dead skin cells.
•Oatmeal can help treat acne, eczema, rosacea and rashes

This is my recipe for a 4 oz. mason jar:
**I fill my jar 3/4 full of coconut oil, you don’t have to melt it, just be able to stir it.
**Add 2 TBSP each raw turbinado sugar & oats (I use quick oats)
**Add 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oils (lavender or orange are my favorites- of course this is optional)
**Blend well, & go enjoy a bath!

Yes, coconut oil can leave a bit of grime behind in your tub, but I don’t mind it one bit. I gave a jar of this as a gift to several friends & family members for Christmas, and all are enjoying it!

FB comments, Q & A: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=627514937264150&set=a.494009763948002.128085.397517646930548&type=3&theater

Homemade Febreeze without nasty, synthetic fragrances!! I’m use just essential oil & water. Baking soda is great to include if you are spraying on fabric, like a dog bed or something you want the baking soda to absorb into, as it’s a natural odor absorber. Or, just shake baking soda on 1st, spray & let sit an hour or so & then vacuum up. I keep one spray bottle in both our bathrooms w/ just the oils & water, as I just want that nice, fresh smell. Right now we have one orange scented, one lavender-scented, and one rose-scented in the kitchen. Very cheap, using a reusable bottle, and avoiding synthetic scents which are NOT good for us!!

FB comments, Q & A: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=530198776995767&set=a.494009763948002.128085.397517646930548&type=3&theater

My alternative to paper towels, kleenex & napkins. These are old t-shirts that I cut into various sizes & keep in the kitchen, and my husbands shop. My co-op has a community free clothes closet, which I help sort clothes for once/month. Although we ask for no ripped or stained clothes, we always get them. I toss them aside, and bring them home for rags. They get washed & reused, unless hubby uses them for an oil change or something nasty. Haven’t bought paper towels, Kleenex or napkins in nearly 1 year. Saves money, and more than 1 tree 🙂

FB thread with comments, Q & A: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=508224375859874&set=a.494009763948002.128085.397517646930548&type=3&theater

The only cleaner I use. Soak the peels of 3-4 oranges for ~2 weeks in white vinegar & remove peels. Dump into spray bottle & dilute (some do 50%, I do 25% water) and use for an all-purpose cleaner. Can use lemon, lime or grapefruit peels, oranges are my favorite & the only fruit we consume by the bag which is why I use it.

For TONS of Q & A, please visit the Facebook thread here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=494014640614181&set=a.494009763948002.128085.397517646930548&type=3&theater

Homemade deodorant- the BEST natural deodorant I’ve ever used!! Photo taken from Google images- I’m a lousy photographer, and just couldn’t get a good shot of my jar, but this is the consistency it should be, and that’s about how much I apply to each pit.

For a perfect 4 oz jar-full follow this recipe:
**Fill your 4 oz glass jar 2/3-3/4 full of coconut oil, set on stovetop to melt.
**Add 1 1/2 TBSP each organic arrowroot, cornstarch, baking soda.
**Add ~5-10 drops your favorite essential oil. I use Tea Tree oil for it’s beneficial antibacterial properties, and either orange or lavender for a pleasant scent
**Consult this list for oils to avoid during pregnancy, or oils that have other concerns: http://www.cherylsherbs.com/Essential_Oil_Safety_Information.htm
THAT’S IT!! Mix together & stick in fridge or let sit out to harden!!

AND, this is finally available for you to purchase, for those who don’t have the time/desire to get the ingredients and make your own. Here’s the note with all the info: https://ecofriendlyusa.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/jesss-homemade-deodorant-body-scrub-are-now-for-sale/

There are TONS of Q & A in the original thread on Facebook, here’s the permalink to it: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=537190792963232&set=a.494009763948002.128085.397517646930548&type=3&theater

1 cup washing soda
1 cup baking soda
1/2 bar Dr. Bronner’s castile bar soap finely grated (any is fine but I love lavender)

*I use about (just about) 1/8 of a cup of the detergent mix if I am going to be doing a full load (and I love adding a few splashes of vinegar too as it softens my towels and keeps odors from staying)
**This can also be used as just a booster… a few tablespoons of the mix can be added to soap nuts, eco nuts, or any other alternative soap (even to traditional detergent powdered or liquid)
***If the castile bars are pricey where you are, you can get away with just using 1/3 of the bar and it will still work great. Any scent of the bars is fine
****This works well with cloth diapers (that I’ve noticed so far)
*****I have a traditional (old) top loader and this works great in that. It also works great in HE front loaders, as it is not a ‘sudsy’ kind of detergent, and perfectly safe to use in those too!!

Jolene’s Antibacterial Foaming Hand Soap DIY recipe:
This works amazingly well!! You can use any Dr. Bronner’s liquid castile soap, I prefer the unscented baby-mild as I have sensitive hands 🙂 I have a foaming hand soap in each bathroom and my kitchen and it’s very budget friendly!!

Q & A:
Q: What is filtered water?
A: I just basically didn’t use tap water. It can be distilled or any other way that you filter water to keep as much ‘stuff’ out of it as possible (I know everyone has their favorite way of doing this, so it’s up to you!)

Q: What did you use for the pump?
A: Unfortunately I have yet to find an empty bottle/pump to use. I just used old ones from around my house that I had already used up. I would say the best I can offer until I can find a good place (that is not expensive) to buy from, would be to buy ones from store, dump the “stuff” out and clean well. I would note to double check they say BPA free on the bottoms of them (as I made sure mine did).

I heard on Public Radio recently that fruit flies are extremely pesky nationwide this year. We’ve been experiencing more than ever it seems, and it’s that time of year where produce abounds on our counter & tabletops. Hubby went to the hardware store & saw fruit fly traps for $8, and came home & made this one. Just take a small container, put apple cider vinegar & a little dash of dish soap in, cover it with plastic wrap w/ a few holes in it & you’re all set. Those brown spots in the bottom are all dead fruit flies. This was after a day or 2. I love saving $8 by using materials we already have!

Ear/Sinus Infection Drops ~ Home Remedy ~
What you need:
1/4 c. unrefined organic virgin coconut oil (w/e you have on hand is fine, this is just what I prefer)
3-4 medium pieces fresh, raw garlic

What you do:
Put the coconut oil in a pan over medium heat
De-skin and lightly smash garlic until they are opened a bit, toss them in the mixture
Cover the pan (unless you want to get popped like I did!)
Simmer the two ingredients until the garlic is nice and browned.
Put through a fine mesh strainer (or cheesecloth….or both!) into a mason jar

What do we have?
A nice golden mixture that is warm, soothing, and will cure a sinus and/or ear infection in half the time those icky antibiotics will!!

How to Use:
Get a clean baby medicine dropper (or any other kind of dropper that is clean that will administer a drop at a time). Put in your ear and massage (this is important) the ear and behind the ear down into the neck to allow it to travel through your ear. If doing it for sinuses, drop a couple drops up each nostril and let gravity do its thing by tilting your head back. I like to also massage my sinus cavity area to help move things around too!

I am not a doctor and there are MANY different, wonderful home remedies for sinus/ear infections. This is just the one I use/prefer because I ALWAYS have these 2 ingredients on hand and it takes about 5 mins to make….which is great when you are in pain.

A Little Story:
Not too long ago I was sick with a sinus AND double ear infections. I was miserable! After a couple days of being miserable my husband says to me: Don’t you have some home recipe for infections? I know you hate antibiotics…. There went my light bulb…geez why YES I did have one! I for some reason just didn’t think about using it at the onset of pain to save me those extra days of misery (lessons learned right!) I took a clean baby medicine dropper and put a couple drops in each ear…ahhhh immediate relief! When those were all set in, time for the nostrils! I the warm oil was immediate relief and within about 1 1/2 – 2 days I was completely pain and infection free! Even had a follow up appointment and it was gone. So happy!!

Enjoy!! *Jolene*