How to Remove Melted Candle Wax from Carpet

I love burning Holiday scented candles this time of year: peppermint, pine, Cinnamon etc. I had a few candles burning today while cleaning the living room and what do you think I did? That’s right! I knocked a green, pine scented candle over with the vacuum cleaner cord. I wonder how that cord got up on the end table? At any rate after telling myself how careless I was I rushed into action.

You have to stop everything you’re doing and act fast! If you don’t, the wax hardens and locks into the fiber of the carpet. Once that happens you will find yourself having to pick the pieces out of your carpet. Believe me when I say that this is a tedious task.

Things you will need:
Brown paper or paper towels.
Putty knife of butter knife.
Iron
Vacuum cleaner
Spot cleaner for carpet or dish soap
Clean cloth and/or sponge

If the wax hardens the first thing you must do is remove as much of the hardened wax as possible. You can use something dull such as a butter knife. Vacuum once you are finished with this first step.

Next place paper bag or paper towel over the wax and press a warm iron over the paper until the wax melts. As the was melts it will stick to the paper and should lift as you remove the paper. Repeat this step until you have all the wax removed.

Colored wax may very well stain your carpet and anytime you heat a stain it locks in so be sure to use a warm (not hot) iron.

To remove a stain use a carpet spot remover following the instructions on the back of the label. You can also try a mild laundry or dish washing liquid. A little Baby shampoo mixed in luke warm water will remove some stains as well.

Using a spray on carpet cleaner, dab onto the stain. Do not rub. When you rub a stain you may end up spreading it and making matters worse. Next, blot until you have removed the stain. Rinse by blotting with a damp sponge until you have removed all of the cleaner.

If all your efforts haven’t worked you may want to contact a professional carpet cleaner for advice or professional cleaning

Remember to act quickly and don’t leave the wax on the carpet to set.

 

How to Remove Mold and Mildew Naturally

Do you know that the acetic acid in vinegar kills mold and mildew? It also inhibits the growth of mold and mildew in the future.

Mix a solution of equal parts vinegar and water.

Soak a sponge in the vinegar/water solution, and wipe down any areas with mold or mildew growth. You can also use a spray bottle to spray the solution onto the mold or mildew to let it soak before you wipe with a sponge but be careful not to get any into your eyes.

I was visiting with my Aunt and Uncle when my Aunt said she wanted to show me the ceiling over their bathroom shower. They had never notice that mold was growing over the shower until her brother happened to look up at the ceiling.

I offered to clean it for them and used a vinegar/water solution (I sprayed and let it soak) and was able to remove it with little effort.

Once I get on a roll I can’t stop so I cleaned the entire bathroom including the walls and painted the ceiling for them. Well…. they were planning to paint it after the mold was gone anyway 🙂

 

Table Salt as a Cleaner

Table Salt

My mother and grandmother were always using salt for something other than cooking and I find myself following in their footsteps.

Salt’s granular texture makes it perfectly suited for scouring and it will not scratch glassware so go ahead and use salt to remove stubborn stains from drinking glasses. Add some salt to a damp dish cloth and scrub.

Mornings around the house are incomplete without a nice hot cup of coffee or tea. Naturally I have a favorite cup and after a few uses it becomes stained. To remove coffee and tea stains from cups just put salt on the outside of a lemon peel and rub the stains until they are gone.  

My family enjoys Lasagna and Baked Spaghetti but unfortunately I tend to over fill the pan which creates a big mess in the bottom of my oven. For spills in your oven: Pour salt on the spill to soak it up. After the oven has cooled just wipe with a damp cloth or sponge.

 

Cleaning with Lemon Juice

I don’t know much about cleaning with lemons but I have heard that they are useful around the home.  I was talking with a friend today and she passed along these helpful tips.

1. Remove stains from your counter tops by letting juice from a freshly squeezed lemon to sit on the stain for a few minutes. Scrub with baking soda to remove the stain. Don’t forget and leave the lemon juice sitting on the counter top for too long though as it is pretty strong.

2.  Copper Bottom Pots and Pans: Cut a lemon in half and dip it in some salt. Scrub the bottoms of your pots and pans to clean away spots.

3. Mix lemon juice with an equal amount of water in a spray bottle to clean bathrooms.

 

Cleaning With Baking Soda

Next to Vinegar the most useful non-poisonous product for safe cleaning is baking soda (Sodium Bicarbonate).  Sodium Bicarbonate is found in all living things and is a mineral. Baking Soda regulates pH…. In the laundry Baking Soda helps your detergent work better by maintaining a neutral pH in the laundry water. In the refrigerator it neutralizes those acidic odors.

Many households keep a box of baking soda in the refrigerator to control odors but did you know that it will also deodorize your carpet and furniture?  Add a spoonful to the bottom of your trash can when you change the bags.  It is also helpful in keeping odors down in a diaper pail.

If you live with a smoker add a little baking soda to the bottom of the ash try to help with some of the stale smells.

You can clean the surfaces in your kitchen and bathroom with a little baking soda sprinkled on a damp sponge. If there are stains on your counters baking soda can remove them.  Just sprinkle some on a damp sponge and wipe gently  in a circular motion until the stain is gone. Clean tubs, tile and sinks and no wax floors with baking soda.

I like to add a 1/2 of baking soda to my laundry to soften the water and remove odors. The first time I tried this I was impressed with how much brighter my laundry looked. Baking Soda is safe to use in baby’s laundry too.

Remove crayons from walls by applying baking soda to a damp sponge and lightly scrubbing.

Add a little sprinkle of baking soda to the cat’s litter box to help control odors.

What do you clean your child’s high chair with? Be careful with harsh chemicals because as we know children put their mouths on everything. Baking Soda is much safer to use instead of other chemicals.

and of course…. don’t forget to keep some for your recipes 🙂

Baking Soda Biscuits

2 c. sifted flour
1/4 c. shortening
1/2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. buttermilk

Sift together the dry ingredients. Cut in shortening until like coarse meal. Make well in center of flour mixture. Add all the buttermilk at one stir, stir to make soft dough. Turn out on lightly floured board. Knead about 30 seconds. Pat or roll 1/2 inch thick. Cut with 2 inch cutter. Ungreased sheet. Bake 450 for 12 minutes or lightly brown.

 

Homemade Natural Cleaning Products

Ever wonder how people in the 1920’s kept their homes clean? Did they do it with chemicals? No. They used homemade, natural cleaning products, many of which are probably in your kitchen or pantry now.

My grandmother always cleaned our kitchen counters with baking soda. She used it to scrub stubborn dried food from pots and pans. I remember her scrubbing the bottom of a burned pot until it shined.

Vinegar

Vinegar naturally cleans like an all-purpose cleaner as well as a disinfectant and deodorant.  It is inexpensive and save to use on most surfaces.  It must be properly diluted though as it is acidic and can eat away at tile grout.

Prepare a solution of 1 part water to 1 part vinegar in a new store-bought spray bottle and you have a solution that will clean most areas of your home.  As with most products you might want to test the solution on an inconspicuous area.

If you are concerned that the smell of Vinegar will linger, rest easy that the smell will vanish as it dries leaving your home smelling fresh and clean.

*** Never use vinegar on marble surfaces as it will etch the surface of stone (as in counter tops).

Bathroom –  Vinegar will eat away soap scum and hard water stains on fixtures and tile. (Make sure it is safe to use on your tile).  Clean the bathtub, toilet, sink, and counter tops. For the toilet use pure vinegar in the toilet bowl to get rid of rings. Flush the toilet. Pour the undiluted vinegar around the inside of the rim and scrub with a toilet brush. Mop the floor in the bathroom with a vinegar/water solution.

Laundry Room– Use vinegar as a natural fabric softener. This can be  helpful for people who have sensitive skin.  Just add ½ cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle instead of fabric softener. Vinegar also breaks down laundry detergent more effectively.

Kitchen – Clean the stove top, appliances, counter tops, and floor.

Windows – Mix 1/8 cup vinegar with a pint of water for a great window and glass cleaner. Use in a spray bottle and use newspapers to wipe and polish. For a particularly dirty window, add a tablespoon of dish detergent to the mix.

Floors –Mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar in a gallon of warm water. Use to damp mop vinyl, or laminate floors.

Stains on Clothing – Gently rub the stain with full-strength vinegar. Allow to sit for a few minutes and launder as usual. This helps with fruit, jelly, mustard, coffee or tea stains.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice can be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits. Lemon is a great to clean and shine brass and copper. Mix with vinegar and or baking soda to make cleaning pastes. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section. Use the lemon to scrub dishes, surfaces, and stains.

Put a whole lemon peel (or orange) through the garbage disposal to freshen the drain and the kitchen.

You can also squeeze a few drops of lemon juice on a damp wash cloth and place it inside the microwave. Turn it on for just a minute and the wipe the inside of it out.

Furniture Polish with Lemon Mix 1 cup olive oil with ½ cup lemon juice and you have a furniture polish for your hardwood furniture.

Baking Soda

Baking soda can be used to scrub surfaces just as commercial abrasive cleansers.  We all know that Baking soda is great as a deodorant. Place a box in the refrigerator and freezer to absorb odors. Put it anywhere you need deodorant action. Sprinkle it on your carpet before you vacuum to freshen it.

More to come on Baking Soda in another post. 🙂

 

Method Cleaners: Natural and Non-Toxic

I really like using  Method Cleaning Products. When you are looking for a cleaner that is natural and non-toxic you might like to try Method.  They get the job done. Your home is not only clean but it is also safe for you, your family and pets.

the naked truth: all purpose cleaner – go naked

ingredient	what it is	health + environmental summary
purified water	solvent	non–toxic; safe in environment; widely available
sodium carbonate	boost alkalinity, dissolve stains	baking soda analog – non–toxic if eaten or in skin contact; disperses safely in the environment; abundant mineral source
potassium hydroxide	boost alkalinity, dissolve stains	non–toxic in product use; safe in environment; abundant mineral source
sodium gluconate	buffer, anti-spotting agent	non–toxic if ingested, not irritating to skin; biodegrades readily; made from corn sugars
decyl polyglucoside	surfactant (cleaning agent)	very gentle on skin and non–toxic to people; biodegrades readily; made from corn sugars and coconut oil

all of method’s ingredients are comprehensively assessed by a leading research firm to ensure their safety for people and the environment.

 

Make Laundry Detergent and Save

If you are looking for ways to save this has got to be the best laundry soap you can make yourself.  Make a batch and share with friends.

Powdered Laundry Detergent

12 cups Borax

8 cups Baking Soda

8 cups Washing Soda

8 cups Bar soap (grated) (use scented soap if you wish)

Mix all ingredients well and store in a sealed tub.

Use 1/8 cup of powder per full load.

 

Tea Tree Oil as a Disinfectant (and Other Uses)

I have used Tea Tree Oil as a first aid treatment and have added a couple of drops in cup of water as hair rinse. I’m just learning it’s uses around the house and thought I would share with you what I read today.

Before I start I want to mention that although aromatherapy cleaning is nice, I do not recommend it for pet owners.

Read THE LAVENDER CAT “Please be wary of any animal practitioner or supplier of essential oils claiming that their products or techniques are completely safe to use with cats: the statement is both inaccurate and unsafe. No matter what their claims say, nothing will change the unique physiology of a cat.”

Credit goes to Molly’s Herbals.

When buying Tee Tree Oil “Melaleuca”, you want to look at the Cineole andTerpinen-4-ol numbers.

Pharmaceutical Grade: 3% or less Cineole; 37% or more Terpinen-4-ol

Uses as a General Antiseptic & Cleanser

• Add 1 teaspoon of 100% pure oil to 1 1/5 gallons of water when washing windows, floors, toilets, bathrooms and kitchen surfaces.
• Add 2 teaspoons of 100% pure tea tree oil to washing machine for a fragrant, fresh wash.
• Household ants and other pests dislike tea tree oil, so a few drops put at the point of entry will deter them. Wipe cupboards out with an oil and water solution to deter cockroaches
• Remove scuff marks from a vinyl/linoleum floor by rubbing with a damp cloth to which pure oil has been added.
• Room Spray: 5 drops of tea tree oil to 2½ cups water. Spray around room to refresh and give a cooling effect.
• Refrigerator gaskets stay fresh and clean if you wipe them over occasionally with a tea tree oil/water solution.
• Shower doors stay cleaner if you wipe them over with a tea tree oil/water solution. Helps prevent soap sum build-up.
• After washing down walls and removing grime and mildew, wipe over again with a tea tree oil/water solution to prevent mildew regrowth.
• To remove chewing gum from hair, apply pure oil.
• Diaper Cleanser: Add 20 drops tea tree oil to about 1 gallon of water, stir, then soak diapers overnight.

Other Uses:

• Apply 1 or 2 drops Lavender oil and Tea tree oil directly to cuts, scrapes, or scratches to promote healing.
• Add 3-5 drops of Tea Tree oil to 30 ml. of base oil and massage in for rheumatic pain. Twice daily.
• As a disinfectant measure add about 3-5 drops to the bath water. Helps with skin infections.
• To make a tea tree mouthwash, add 3 to 4 drops of tea tree oil to 6 ounces of water and swish gently around your mouth before spitting out.
• Apply 1 to 2 drops of oil to your toothbrush before you brush your teeth, then apply toothpaste to brush. Not only will this addition aid in keeping your mouth, breath and gums healthy but aids in fighting plaque.
• Dab pure oil on mouth cankers, abscesses and site of toothache for relief.

Cautions & Comments: For those with sensitive skin, it is bets to dab a tiny drop of the oil on your skin before applying it liberally on your desired areas. If you feel no irritations within half an hour, it is safe to assume you have no allergy towards tea tree oil.

DO NOT USE ON CATS:

Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil) has been reported to cause serious side effects (tea tree toxicosis or hypersensitivity) in cats. There is no antidote for tea tree oil toxicosis in cats and it can be fatal. Extreme care should be taken when, and if, using tea tree oil with cats. Always avoid using tea tree oil undiluted directly on cats.

 

Keep Your Drains Clear With Preventive Measures

* Stop putting grease down the drain. Keep old veggie cans or mayo jars handy for waste fat. When they are full ~ throw them in the trash.

* Don’t force bits of food down the drain when washing dishes.

* After washing dishes run HOT tap water down the drain.

In the Bathroom:

Hair will make it’s way into your drains no matter how careful you are. Don’t wait until there is a “gob” of hair in the drain before you take a little time to clean it out.

Every now and then you may have to resort to using one of the drain “unclogging” products but with a little care you can lower the amount of times you will be using one.

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Baking Soda and Vinegar for Drains.
For slow or clogged drains pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain.  Add 1/2 cup white vinegar and cover the drain because the two combined will cause a volcanic reaction (just like at a school’s science fair).  Let set for about 20 – 30 min. Pour a kettle of 6 or more cups of Hot water down the drain  to flush it.

NOTE: Be careful if you use boiling water in a plastic drain.

Combining  baking soda and vinegar breaks down fatty acids into soap and glycerin, allowing the clog to wash down the drain.
DO NOT use this method after using a commercial Drain Cleaning Product (example “Draino” etc).