amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

TulaneMama · 04-09-2008, 02:27 PM

not really a thrifty point but I wanted ya'll input.

i love the "idea" of making it, having natural and completely safe producgts in the home and the look of them all sitting in my repurposed jars (okay so there is the thrifty bit

)

but do I want to. I LOVE the book I have with all of the recipes. Once I start it won't be a big deal to freshen up a batch will it?

I want to use my labeler

to put labels on the jars and put the recipe/instructions right on the jar too.

oh I don't know!!!

herc · 04-09-2008, 02:29 PM

nobody said that you have to do it all

or all at the same time! Make a good all purpose spray and go from there.

momadance · 04-09-2008, 02:45 PM

I go back and forth.

Right now I have those premoistend wipes that pop up out of the containers and my house has never been cleaner! I feel ok about it though because I use the containers for organizing stuff!!!!

bwylde · 04-09-2008, 03:01 PM

I have a brand that I like (bio-life) and I dilute everything I use. I love the scents and how it works but I find it works (and smells!) just as well if I dilute the sprays half with water. I do keep the excess in repurposed jars, labeled with instructions for next use

Some things I make but I feel you have to find what works best for you and what will help you best in the long run. You can make enviro-friendly, frugal choices

TulaneMama · 04-09-2008, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herc

nobody said that you have to do it all

or all at the same time! Make a good all purpose spray and go from there.

r u sure heather? i think i herad someone tell me to be superwoman!!!

but you are right - eek!

i woulf love to find something or two that works for the whole house

Sandi · 04-09-2008, 03:35 PM

I don't anymore. I gave up when Method worked very well and, really, we're talking about like $3 a month.

I buy 7th Gen now because my target carries it, though.

Dannielle · 04-09-2008, 03:43 PM

I'm devoted to Dr. Bronners (peppermint) and Mrs Meyers (any scent!) because scent is super important to me. I know it's silly but it puts me in the mood (to clean

).

I don't get that same cleaning high from homemade cleaners even if I scent with essential oils.

Sandi · 04-09-2008, 03:50 PM

Oh I do have some Mrs. Meyers, too - gingerbread, though, so I'm saving it for next Christmas

Co-op was SLooooooow

LatteLover · 04-09-2008, 03:55 PM

I love Mrs. Meyers. The all purpose cleaner is great and you can get a concentrate to refill. I also use the dishsoap and dryer sheets.

Dannielle · 04-09-2008, 03:56 PM

Mrs Meyer's dishsoap makes great shampoo too

I've been know to buy it just for my hair lol.

ilfan96 · 04-09-2008, 04:29 PM

I make my own, but I love Mrs. Meyers. Scent is important to me too and Mrs. Meyers makes me happy when I clean.

I have some gingerbread left and I also have some lemon verbena. I really want to try the rhubarb scent, but shipping is so high.

If you want to try making something, I would start with an all purpose cleaner like a PP mentioned. I have homemade all purpose cleaner on hand at all times. I have been making it lately with almond scented Dr. Bronners and it smells really nice.

mamabear · 04-09-2008, 05:45 PM

I keep it really simple...a box of baking soda and a spray bottle of water/vinegar. I do use toilet bowl cleaner, plain old Clorox stuff, and the occasional Clorox wipes for the toilet bowl. Occasional as in, I buy them when I am in the mood or they're on sale.

TulaneMama · 04-09-2008, 05:48 PM

i have no clue why this is so hard for me. can anyone give me some insight?

mamabear · 04-09-2008, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TulaneMama

i have no clue why this is so hard for me. can anyone give me some insight?

What do you use now? I use vinegar/water spray for: windows, appliances, floors, bathroom sink, toilet, tile, etc. I use a damp cloth for wood surfaces (water only). I use baking soda and natural dish soap (I buy, don't make the dish soap) for a tub scrub to get off the soap scum/dirt, and I use that same mix (made up as I go, just squirt dish soap into a pile of baking soda) for anything else that needs scrubbing...

I think maybe look at what products you want to replace and do it one at a time so it isn't so overwhelming and you can "try" it. Or, just buy the products you like and don't worry about it so much!

craftmuffin · 04-09-2008, 07:54 PM

I find Karen Logan's book Clean House Clean Planet to be very helpful -- informative and easy to use, but not too daunting.

I'm a TERRIBLE house cleaner, but I've found that making and using my own stuff actually motivates me (well, somewhat). I'm not 100% homemade, but I have a decent stash of ess. oils to play around with scents, and really you can make almost everything in the book with just that, baking soda, borax, dr. bronner's, and vinegar. So it's not necessarily a big initial investment if you just want to dabble.