Old Wives Tales that Really Work!- Reader's Choice
We are all looking for good alternatives for household cleaners and personal hygiene products, but who has the time to hunt and peck for the recipes? Worry no more, because I have found a multitude of tried and true homemade products made from simple products you already have in your home. One of your fellow readers sent in a couple of suggestions of old wives tales that work, and I have expanded it to include many commonly used household cleaners, as well as a couple of beauty treatments (hey, who doesn't like that?). Happy Cleaning!!
Pesticides
- To keep bugs away from houseplants, mix 1 1/2 T of liquid dish detergent into a 1/2 gallon of water, and put into a spray bottle. Spray onto plants as needed.
- Another bugs-on-houseplants remedy- blend 1 clove garlic, 1 small hot pepper, and 1 qt. water into blender and store in a spray bottle.
- Put hot sauce (Tabasco) onto a cotton ball and place in the pot of an indoor house plant. This will also keep bugs away.
- To rid the cabbage in your garden of spider mites and cabbage worms, mix 2 T. in a gallon of water, and spray onto cabbage.
- Here's two ways to keep deer and rabbits out of your garden. You can put a perimeter of hair (from brushed, cuttings, ect.) around your garden, or if you know someone who is getting rid of old carpeting, put a 6 ft perimeter of the old carpeting around your garden.
- To control most garden pests, collect all the perished (dead) bugs you can, crush them up, and mix with water. Be sure to strain the mixture until you can spray it through a bottle. Only use this mixture outside.
- A good outside spray consists of 1/4 c. hot red peppers, 1/4 c. fresh spearmint, 1/4 c. horseradish (root and leaves), 1/4 c. green onion tops, and 1/2 gallon water. Combine all ingredients, and let the solution sit for a few minutes before straining.
- Add 1 T of liquid detergent, and put in a spray bottle for use on almost any outdoor plants. Store in a cool, dry place.
- To curb Aphids and Whiteflies, mix a few drops of dish washing detergent with water and spray on plant leaves.
- For roses, pick some leaves from a tomato plant, 1 T. of cornstarch, and 4 pints of water. Blend these together in your blender, strain, and spray on your roses. Store mixture in your refrigerator.
- Add hair (a small amount) to the soil of houseplants for added protein.
Household Cleaners
- Toilet Cleaner #1- drop in fizzy denture cleaner and scrub as usual.
- Toilet Cleaner #2- put baking soda into bowl (water) and squirt white vinegar around the rim and scrub as usual.
- For stubborn pots and pans, add 1 T. of baking soda to a sinkful for hot and sudsy dirty dishes. It will help get them cleaner!
- Did your kids get "Sticker Happy" on the walls of their room?? Remove them by sponging vinegar over them several times, letting it sit for 15 minutes after last application, and rub the stickers off.
- To remove carpet stains, pour club soda on the stain, and blot until the stain comes up and the carpet is dry.
- A good general floor cleaner consists of 1 c. white vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water. For wood floors, use 1/2 white vinegar and 1 gallon of warm water.
- To make a "soft scrub," mix baking soda and liquid dish detergent until it has a paste consistency. This can be used on sinks, tubs, and anything else that has a porous surface.
- Window cleaner- 1/2 t. liquid dish detergent, 3 T. white vinegar, and 2 c. water, and store in a spray bottle.
- To take care of that bathroom mold, use 1 c. hydrogen peroxide, and 2 c. water, combine in a spray bottle, spray on mold, and let the solution sit for one hour before rinsing or using the shower.
- A good laundry stain remover uses 1/2 c. ammonia, 1/2 c. liquid laundry detergent, 1/2 c. white vinegar, and 1/2 c. water. Mix thoroughly and store in a spray bottle. (note- do not mix ammonia with bleach- when combined it lets off deadly fumes!!)
- To naturally freshen the air in your house, use cloves, cinnamon sticks, allspice, cut oranges, or lemons and simmer them in a pot of water on the stove for an hour or two.
- Undiluted white vinegar will cut through though stains such as soap scum...just spray on and use a little elbow grease!!
- To remove marks from walls (pens, marker, crayons, ect.), use a damp cloth with baking soda sprinkled on it.
- Want to repel moths?? Don't use moth balls...get some cedar chips and wrap them in cheesecloth.
And last, but not least, a few beauty tips for the ladies!!
- An easy body scrub is made of the grounds of freshly brewed coffee grounds and salt. Combine in a bowl, and use within 20 minutes of initial brewing to take advantage of the antioxidants.
- For damaged/color treated/dry hair combine 1 egg, 1/3 c. olive oil, and 1/4 peeled cucumber. Combine in a blender, spread on hair, put on shower cap (to prevent drips and to keep the nutrients in), and leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing off.
- A simple facial mask contains 1 T. plain yogurt and 1 T. honey. Combine and leave on face for 10-15 minutes. This is a good general mask for many common skin problems, and will tone and moisturize your skin. Hint- this is a good time to cut a couple of cucumber slices and place them over your eyes to reduce puffiness!!
