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Lots of Uses for Baby Powder

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I am an absolute fiend for cool, lifehack articles like this one at Fabulessly Frugal. Not only do you save money by getting creative and reusing items, but sometimes, you learn new tricks that help you out. The article has all kinds of alternative uses for baby powder. Yes, it keeps your baby’s booty dry and rash free- but it can also get grease out of clothing (and hair), and repair water damaged books. Here’s a few more:

–Sprinkle some baby powder over sand-covered kids (and adults) to soak up excess moisture and make the sand incredibly easy to brush off.

–To fight shoe odor, lightly dust the inside of your shoes with powder and let them sit overnight.

–For squeaky floorboards, sprinkle some baby powder between the boards and sweep into the cracks.

–Dust a tangled necklace chain with baby powder to make it easier to untangle.

Photo Credit: Austin Kirk 

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Baby Clothes Cleaning

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Baby clothes can get messy, fast. Babies are pretty much constantly making messes with their food or various bodily secretions, and sometimes a washer alone doesn’t stand a chance. Considering how expensive baby clothes are now (a cute onesie alone can be $7-$15!), it’s not very economical to just keep buying new clothes. So, what do you do? Well, this post by BettiJo at Super Mom Moments might help. Here is how to get soiled baby clothes looking like new again:

:: First, I divided the clothes into two loads by size; one load for 0-3 months items and another for 3-6 months.

:: Put the first load into the washer with two scoops of Oxi Clean and a small amount of laundry detergent. Let the agitator run for about 5 minutes and then let the load soak overnight.

:: In the morning I poured white vinegar into the fabric softener compartment on my machine. Run them again.

:: Apply spot stain remover to any remaining stains before drying.

Photo Credit: Joe Shlabotnik 

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How to Wash Small Plastic Toys

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Let’s be real for second. Kids are gross. We love them, but they’re gross. They carry diseases, are constantly dripping out of their nose or mouth, and their hands are always sticky. ALWAYS. Chances are, if you have youngsters that are old enough to not eat plastic toys (like Legos and other things with small pieces), you have a ton of them lying around (and you’ve probably stepped on them more than once…OW!). If you’re like me, you try not to think about how germy these toys are. You can throw stuffed animals in the washer, and just kinda spray Lysol on everything else, but that doesn’t usually cut it. Well, when you see how genius this idea from Kiddos at Home is, you’ll want to kick yourself. Simply gather up all the small toys that you want to clean and put them in a mesh bag. Make sure the holes in the mesh are small enough that the toys or parts wont fall out. Then toss it all into the washer! This is especially a good idea if your kids have been sick or there is something going around.

Photo Credit: Rob Young 

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Toddler Chore Ideas

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Deciding when to start children with chores can be a tricky decision. You want them to have a fun childhood, and fighting with them to clean up after themselves is certainly NOT fun for anyone, but they also NEED to learn how to survive on their own. I know, it’s crazy to think of your 4 year old surviving on her own. But one day, she will have to. So where do you start? What chores are appropriate for toddlers and preschoolers? This post by Crystal at Money Saving Mom might help you out with some ideas:

-Pick Up Their Room

-Vacuum (with a little help)

-Water Plants

-Fold Small Items (washcloths etc)

-Wipe Down Sink/Toilet

-Take Out Trash

-Set the Table

Photo Credit: justjennifer 

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A True Warrior’s Task: Getting Your Kids to Clean Their Rooms

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“Clean Your Room” is the most terrible thing any kid can hear, and the most dreaded thing any parent can say. It often leads to insane fights, tears, shouting, and can be one the biggest struggles when parenting. I know when I was little, getting me to clean my room was like pulling teeth while herding cats. At the same time. I’m still a little messy, but I like to think that I’ve improved. The point is, kids will often not see the logic in cleaning (when they’re just going to mess it back up again) until they are much older. Fortunately, Ruth at Living Well, Spending Less has some tips to make the whole process a little easier (hopefully):

Set an Example I couldn’t very well expect my kids to keep a tidy room if I wasn’t willing, able, and downright determined to keep a tidy house myself.

Be Consistent We start our day by cleaning.For better or for worse, it has become part of our daily routine. 

Be Firm I simply don’t take no for an answer.  I don’t plead or waver or back down.  

Get Rid of Excess Stuff Clothes & shoes that are out of season or no longer fit get put in storage or brought to Goodwill.  Toys are still kept to a minimum.  Papers & junky party favors or prizes are usually tossed immediately (when the kids aren’t looking!)

Make it Easy to Put Stuff Away My girls both know where things go because everything in their room has a home. 

Make it Fun I will readily admit that I don’t always make it fun, but the days that I do are definitely far less painful then the days I don’t. 

Photo Credit: Joe Goldberg 

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Science Monday: Clean Pennies

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I never made a volcano as a child for a science experiment, but I did love cleaning pennies!  Here’s how from Science Bob,

There is some pretty fancy chemistry going on in that little bowl of yours. It turns out that vinegar is an acid, and the acid in the vinegar reacts with the salt to remove what chemists call copper oxide which was making your pennies dull. You’re not done yet, though, lets try another experiment:

Add more pennies to the bowl for 10 seconds, but this time , don’t rinse them off. Place them on a paper towel to dry off. In time the pennies will turn greenish-blue as a chemical called malachite forms on your pennies.

Click through for the in-depth instructions. And stay tuned for another science experiment next Monday!

Photo by Daniel Oines.

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Boy Bathroom Smell

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I don’t have a boy, I have a husband. And this cleaning will be scheduled soon!

Step 1: Mix a paste of baking soda and lemon juice. The consistency of the paste should be about that of pancake mix. Step 2: Spread the paste all along the bottom of the toilet {where it meets the floor}, the toilet seat, and any other area that gets a lot of over spray. Let it set for about 10-15 minutes. Step 3: When the timer expires spray the dried paste with white vinegar and let it fizzle. Once it is done fizzing wipe it up with a damp cloth. For future reference!

Source: Pinterest.

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