Did you know that your plants are actually susceptible to pests called spider mites? You might think of pests called mites when it comes to pets, but you probably don’t think about a spider mite infestation when it comes to your plants because it’s just not one of the more common things that you come across.

However, if your plants do get spider mites, you want to make sure you treat them properly and quickly so you aren’t going to lose that plant and all of your others as well. Here are some remedies you can apply to save the lives of your plants.

Removal

You have a spider mite problem. The first thing you need to do is go through your plants and find the worst leaves either in the bottom of the pot or on the plant. If some of the leaves look like they’re really bad you want to get rid of them because they could spread to other plants. If you don’t know that you can save a plant because it looks really bad just make sure you get it away from other plants right away. If you’re going to keep it sure to keep tools away from the plant itself and not use the same tools from one plant to the next as this can transfer some of the spider mites if you aren’t careful.

Wash Your Plants

Washing plants with tepid water and mild dish soap can help you keep them clean and get rid of spider mites as well. You want about 3 tablespoons of soap to a gallon of water so you aren’t getting too much soap and bubbles. All you need to do is wipe down the leaves with the mixture on a sponge or spray it from a bottle. You can do this every six days if you notice that the plants are still infested. Just be careful to check for sensitivity in your plants because of the insecticidal soap.

Miticides

You can find miticides pretty much anywhere that sells gardening supplies, insecticide supplies or pesticides. Make sure what you pick up is safe for your plants as not all pesticides are created equally.

These types are going to get rid of spider mites but aren’t going to hurt your plant and they aren’t going to hurt other insects either, so if you have a problem with something other than mites you’ll want to look somewhere else. There are plenty of different from pyrethrum to cinnamite, and some essential oils such as neem oil, tea tree oil and even rosemary oil.

Herbal Tea

There are several types of herbal tea that you can make yourself which will help get rid of spider mites. One of the best is made with a single tablespoon of ground cinnamon and cloves to two tablespoons of Italian seasoning.

You then need about a quart of water which should be boiled before adding the other ingredients. You want to then cool the water entirely, strain it and add just a small amount of dish soap before putting the mixture into a spray bottle. You can spray the bottom of the leaves of an infected plant every three days and repeat it for two weeks.

Rubbing Alcohol

All it takes is a little bit of isopropyl rubbing alcohol to get rid of spider mites. Use a little bit on a piece of cloth and rub it on the underside of the leaves of any infested plant.

It will start to kill spider mites right away, but be careful not to use it too much as it can also dry out the leaves.

Liquid Sulfur

Sulfur can be dangerous for your family, which is why it’s important to use the liquid and not the powdered. You definitely don’t want anyone to inhale it.

With the liquid, you spray a little bit on the leaves, but make sure not to use it if the temperature is too high or if you’ve recently used any kind of oil on your plants as it will cause them to burn.

Organic Salts

There are plenty of different organic salts like fatty acids or potassium salts which will help you get rid of the mites. You want to use them somewhere around the later afternoon as there will be more moisture at this time.

You can spray the plants with a little bit of water as well, which will help to increase the effectiveness of the organic salts when you’re using them.

Hose it Down

You can spray off your plants with a hose to sort of power wash the insects away, but this could be only a temporary solution. It also only works if your plants are outdoors or able to be taken outdoors.

Still, you can easily spray off the bottom of the leaves without having to get too close or having to worry about transferring mites from one plant to the next.

Garlic Spray

All you need is a clove of garlic and about 2 cups of water mixed together and then left in a covered container to ferment for 24 hours.

When you’re done, strain and add another 12 cups of water before spraying it on your plants leaves. This solution repels and can even kill mites in contact.

Ideal Soap

For an ideal pest control soap, you want about 1 teaspoon of dish soap and about 4 cups of water. Make sure to fully dissolve the soap and then mix them into a spray bottle.

You want to spray it directly onto the areas that are infested with spider mites as it won’t help anything unless it actually touches the mites. You also want to make sure that the plants you use it on are not water-stressed or in a hot climate.

Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth

Food grade DE works efficiently against many crawling insects such as bed bugs, spiders, cockroaches, dust mites, ear mites and even spider mites. Just sprinkle some diatomaceous earth on your plants and see different kinds of garden pests flee or die. Consider buying Food grade DE for a quick and effective spider mite control.

A spider mite can cause a whole lot of damage to your plants, but if you know what you’re doing you’ll be able to help them faster than you think. The best thing of all is making sure that you know how to make a home remedy without having to just give up on your plants right off the bat. That means you’re going to have no problem saving some money and making sure your plants are back to normal in no time at all. It may take a little effort on your part, but you can get there.

Carpets get dirty no matter what you do, whether it’s having pets in the house, children, or just walking through and using the room. You’ll get dirt, dust, debris, pet stains and who knows what else ground into the fibers and will have to spend hours trying to scrub them or vacuum them out. And as most of us know, cleaning products are quite expensive.

However, what if there was an easier way that didn’t require you to spend a fortune on buying carpet cleaner to put in your machine? Well, luckily for you, there is. You can make a homemade carpet cleaning solution yourself and you can do it a whole lot easier and cheaper than you might think. White vinegar, hot water, lemon juice, laundry detergent, fabric softener, soda, olive oil and a whole host of other household ingredients will make you look like a professional carpet cleaner in no time.

Following are some of the most popular — and most cost-effective — homemade carpet cleaner solutions available. Read on to learn more about quick homemade ways and homemade cleaning tips for carpet stain removal.

Option One

Step #1

If all you’re looking for is simple and easy then there’s one option that you should definitely take a look at. All you need for this DIY carpet cleaner are two simple ingredients and you’re going to be off and running.

• 1 part vinegar
• 1 part water

If you want something that smells a little better (and less like vinegar) you can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to get a nice sweet or fruity smell to go in your house. If you just leave the vinegar it will smell quite strong for a while but will mellow out as the carpets start to dry.

Step #2

With this solution, you just mix all of the ingredients together and add them to your carpet cleaner canister, spray bottle or tank. Use equal parts vinegar and water and a few drops of an oil and you can trust the machine to do the mixing pretty well for you.

You just clean like you normally would and enjoy the fresh, clean smell. If you’re interested in something non-toxic to use around your family this is a good option because all of the ingredients are safe and if you skip the essential oils they are also food safe.

Option Two

Step #1

Creating your own carpet cleaner is actually a lot easier than you might think, but the very first step is going to be a pretty obvious one, you need to get all of your stuff together so that you can start putting all the ingredients together, right? So, what are you going to need in order to get started?

• ¼ cup white vinegar
• 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide
• 1 tbsp dish soap
• Warm water

If it sounds like a super simple cleaner, it’s because it is. There really are only four ingredients in it and you’re going to mix them together in small amounts to get a cleaning solution that really does get everything up off the floor.

Step #2

This is where you’re going to put the ingredients into your machine. It’s super easy to do this as well. You’re going to add in each of the ingredients besides the water first, pouring them into the bottom of your machine.

You don’t have to worry about mixing them even because that’s one great thing about a carpet cleaner; it does that part for you. Try to use a dish soap that doesn’t have a lot of dye because it could color your carpet if you’re not careful. When you’ve added everything else, put in as much warm water as your carpet cleaner needs to run (don’t overfill it but follow the directions).

Step #3

Start cleaning just like you normally would with the carpet cleaner. Your solution is designed to get out all of the carpet stains and help really get in deep into the fibers without just leaving behind a whole lot of soap and carpet shampoo, which can cause even more debris (though of a different kind).

You’ll be able to get it all through the carpet and then back up and out, which is definitely a benefit.

Option Three

Step #1

Just like with the last one you’re going to start by gathering all of your ingredients together. For this carpet cleaner recipe, you’re going to need a few more but you’re definitely going to have some great cleaner all ready for whatever you might need next.

• 2 tbsp liquid laundry detergent
• ¼ cup liquid all-purpose cleaner
• 1 scoop powdered stain remover
• 1 gallon hot water

All of these ingredients together are going to make a high-powered stain remover that you can easily put together yourself and then store in a gallon jug to use as needed in your carpet cleaner.

Step #2

Take all of the ingredients except the water and mix them together in a pail or gallon jug. One mixed, slowly add the water and continue mixing until the powder has completely dissolved. Once it’s the same consistency, you can pour it into a jug for use

when you next want to clean your carpets. Just make sure that you only use about ¼ cup of this solution with about a gallon of water in your carpet cleaner (or keep that same ratio at least).

Step #3

When you’re ready to clean the carpets take a moment to measure out ¼ cup and add it to your canister for the carpet cleaner. Pour in one gallon of water or add in consistent ratios to get the amount of water and solution that you need.

You’re ready to start cleaning and you’ll definitely notice a lot of difference in the stains and dirt that you’re able to get out of your carpets with this option. It’s not designed for those who prefer more natural options, however.

Once you’ve had a chance to try out this type of carpet cleaning solution for your machine you’re definitely not going to go back to just scrubbing or vacuuming your carpets again. You’re going to be impressed with how great everything looks and you’ll definitely be impressed with how much money you’re saving by taking things into your own hands and doing it all yourself. Why shouldn’t you create your own homemade carpet cleaning solution instead of buying some expensive products from the store? Well, now you can.

Keeping your family safe is your number one priority as a wife, husband, father, mother, or even sister or brother. But how can you keep them safe when so many things are out there that could harm them? Well, one way you can start is by cleaning up the water that they drink by using tap water or clean water that removes impure water, contaminants, and even bottled water. This process is called water filtration.

Drinking water that comes out of the tap can be contaminated with bacteria and even particles of who knows what. Good water filtration systems can take care of a lot of those things but they can be expensive. One of them is the reverse osmosis process which removes ions, molecules and large particles from drinking water.

Also, the Berkey water filter may seem economical but a 2.25 gallon capacity still costs a few hundred dollars. This is why you may want to build your own water purification system. Having knowledge of how to build a DIY water filter or water purifier will increase your chances of survival if a water crisis hits the entire region.

The Bio-Filter

Step #1

One of the most commonly used homemade filters which and one of the most effective for getting out many types of additive out of your water is the bio-filter. It’s also called a biosand water filter. With this sand filter, you’re going to need a decent amount of ingredients, but it’s not difficult to put together.

• Gravel
• Sand
• Activated charcoal/carbon
• 2-liter or large bottle with twist lid
• Cloth
• Saw

Step #2

Setting it up is going to take a little bit of time and you’re going to start with cutting off the bottom section of your water container. Keep the lid on the bottom for now but know you’re going to want to be able to remove it to get the water out when you’re done.

You’re going to stick a cloth down in the bottom and make sure it’s wedged down into the lid enough that if you take the lid off it won’t come out. The cloth is going to keep everything else you’re putting in the bottle from getting out with the water.

Step #3

Stand the bottle upside down so the lid is resting on the table and the cloth is at the bottom. The first layer, on top of the cloth, is going to be the activated charcoal or carbon. This is going to get rid of some of the smallest impurities because the chemicals with use a process called adsorption.

Create a flat layer that completely covers the cloth and then some. There should be a couple inches of charcoal or carbon above the cloth and down around it.

Step #4

Layer sand on top of the charcoal or carbon. This is going to get out organisms or particles or even bacteria and viruses. This layer is going to be the thickest because you want the water to work its way down through the sand.

Step #5

Gravel goes at the very top to provide a filter for larger pieces and materials.

Sticks, leaves, twigs and insects will be filtered out at this level, as will most dirt and other larger pieces of material you definitely don’t want in your water.

Step #6

Next, you may want to add another container underneath the bottle to catch the water as it comes through. A pail or bucket works great or a pitcher but remember you either need to build something that will hold your 2-liter bottle upright or you need to hold it until the water works its way down (which will take a while).

When you find something to set your bottle into it’s going to make sure that you have clear water when you want to come back and have something to drink.

Step #7

Add the water. You should have a good portion of the water bottle still empty at this point so pour your water into this section and wait for it to filter all the way through to the bottom. You’ll be left with water that’s far clearer than what you started with.

Step #8

Your water is going to be warm at this point because going through all of the filters and levels is going to take time. The warmth from everything around it (or even room temperature) is going to leach off into the water and you’ll end up with not so cool water.

But the good news is that your water is now clear and you’ll be able to put it in the fridge or freezer to get it to the temperature you want more quickly and without having to worry about what’s left in there that your family is going to be drinking.

Note #1

One factor to keep in mind is that this process is going to take some time. That means you’re not going to want to wait until your containers are empty before you purify water again. It could take hours for the water to work its way all the way through and then your water is going to be warm anyway and you probably won’t want to drink it.

Your best option is to filter large amounts of water at a time so you have enough for when you need it. Just keep filtering as much as you can and store it in your fridge or in a basement or other safe place.

Note #2

Finding activated charcoal or activated carbon isn’t always going to be easy. This isn’t the stuff that you use in your grill so make sure you’re looking around for something that actually says ‘activated’ and not just something that says it’s charcoal.

You want something that will really take the impurities out and while charcoal provides another layer for the water to filter through, it’s not going to get out as much of the bacteria and other pollutants as you will get with an activated product. Take the extra time to look for what you really need.

Water treatment with a homemade water filter doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, if you follow these steps you could have your own homemade water filter in no time at all and then your entire family will be drinking something clean and clear because of you. It’s definitely going to save you money, and it could save your family from getting sick, so there’s definitely no downside to you at least checking it out and giving it a try, right? What are you waiting for?

For those who have a dog and cat, having a family pet is an extremely important part of your life. It’s not just about having a new member of your family, but also that you need to take care of their dog bedding, medical needs just like you would with the rest of the family.

So, what do you do if something happens to your pets and they need medical care? Pets have many problems with their skin, such as dust mites, red mange, mite mange, localized demodectic mange, ear mites in dogs, sarcoptic mites, clover mites, hair loss, Sometimes, you need to take them to a veterinarian, but other times you can do something about it yourself.

Mites on your dog and their dog bedding are one of the things you can actually start doing something about yourself for your dog health and sarcoptic mange treatment—and save money in the process.

Aloe Vera, Calendula and Yellow Dock Tea

Any of these types of teas contain herbs which will help to get rid of the mites themselves and will actually help get rid of the wounds that they leave behind.

Even better, you can use it over and over again during the same day.

Hydrogen Peroxide and Borax

This system is quite effective but it can be dangerous for your dog if you let them ingest it so make sure that you keep it out of their reach and protect them from it. What you want is a mixture of 1% hydrogen peroxide to borax powder and water.

It needs to dissolve entirely before you apply it and then you need to make sure that you wash your dog entirely with the mixture. You can repeat the washing once each week and then make sure to let them air dry. If you dry them off it’s not going to allow the mixture to soak in and they will not heat properly. After two weeks you should see a pretty good improvement.

Lemon

Slice up a lemon but don’t peel it and put the pieces into a pot of water to boil. Once it boils, leave the lemon in the water overnight and then rub the lemon on a sponge.

This can then be applied to the pet’s skin, treating their mange (or mites). It will also help to improve their coat. You can apply it twice per day to get the maximum level of effectiveness.

Yogurt

Another super easy one—all you need is a couple of tablespoons of yogurt directly on the ears of your dog. The natural bacteria in the yogurt helps to get rid of discharge caused by dog ear mites, as well as crusting that can cause problems and difficulty for your fur baby.

You only need about 2 tablespoons but make sure you rinse it off with lukewarm water before the end of the day. You can do this only once per day but repeat it each day until the discharge goes away entirely.

Water and Soap

Another one that’s super easy is clean water and soap. Make sure that you only use a small amount of mild soap to ensure your pets feel good.

The soap contains natural alkaline, which will help reduce the spreading of mange in dogs and will also help get rid of the mites in dogs themselves.

Lemon-Garlic Rinse

With this option, you’re going to need a whole lot of lemon and garlic, but you’ll end up with a great solution. It takes about 30 or 40 cloves of garlic chopped up with six lemon skins and a whole lemon, chopped.

You’re going to boil them all together with about four liters of water and then cool it and apply to your dog. You can actually use this rinse every day and you should for approximately 10 days.

Cooking Oil and Essential Oils

If you’re looking for something simple that’s just found around the house you’re going to love this one because just about everyone has some available. Put just a few drops on the skin and your dog will have less itching and less irritation.

Not only that but they’ll have less waxiness and the oil actually helps kill the mites. You just need to soak a sponge in the oil and scrub it over any of the dry areas of the skin twice per day. You can use olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable oil and other carrier oils.

Essential oils can also help with ear mite treatment and effectively resolve problems with mange mites. Some of these essential oils include tea tree oil, neem oil, castor oil and more.

Honey

All you need to do is apply the honey directly to the skin of your dog. Unfortunately, you need to be very careful with this because you have to get the honey into the skin and then wipe it off before night as ants and other pests may be attracted to it.

Put the honey on the affected part of the skin and leave it for about 2 hours or so before wiping it off with some water. You can apply it up to two times during the day.

Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth

This is one of the only treatments that is actually given internally to your pet. You want to be careful about how much you give to your pets depending on their size. A small dog should only get about 1 teaspoon per day with their food, while a medium-sized dog can have 1 tablespoon with their food.

You’ll need to use this treatment for an extended period of time of about a month before it will be complete. If you mix the powder with water you can also apply it twice per day in their fur.

Aloe Vera

This is a great product for just about anything. It has natural antiseptics and antiparasitics so all you need to do is give your dog a nice bath and when their fur dries you put the aloe vera gel directly on their skin.

You don’t need to rinse it off and you can apply it every day to get the best possible results.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar also has properties a lot of household pests and parasites would hate. It works as one of the best natural remedies against ear mite, bed bugs, house dust mite, demodex mites, mange sarcoptic, other dog mange, and more. It can also cure the infection and mite allergy after getting rid of the mite infestation.

Once you know what medication doing you’ll definitely be able to make things a whole lot easier for your furry family members. Even better, you’ll be able to start treatment right away without waiting for an appointment with the vet and you won’t have to worry about the cost of seeing the vet or a medication. You’ll be able to mix up some of these treatments yourself and get started applying them t ensure your pet stays fit, comfortable, and healthy.

Castile soap, also referred to as vegetable soap, is very popular these days, as it is a green, cost-effective alternative to commercial soap. In a nutshell, this is an all-natural type of soap that is made entirely of plant oils, mainly olive oil or coconut oil, and it does not contains chemical compounds or potentially harmful additives, unlike most of the products that are available on the market.

For that reason, the vegetable soap is usually the best choice for people with very sensitive skin or who have had allergies to chemical detergents in the past. In addition to being very useful, eco-friendly and affordable, this essential oil soap is also very versatile and practical, given the fact that it can efficiently replace up to 15 household items. Here are some of the great uses for castile soap and some castile soap recipes:

1. Window And Glass Cleaner

Did you know that you can use castile soap to create an efficient and cheap homemade window cleaner? All you need is a spoon of this wonder soap mixed with very hot water – place the solution in a spray bottle and then use it to wash the windows of your house or car.

The solution can be used for cleaning just about any type of glass or glossy surface, not just the window – the key is to make sure that the water is hot, not lukewarm, in order to activate the highly potent compounds of the plant oils found in the soap. Use a piece of clean, white microfiber cloth to dry the glass once you have cleaned it, and you’re good to go!

2. Soap For The Dishwashing Machine

This multifunctional soap can be used to create an automatic dishwashing soap or a castile liquid soap, and you can either create a strong solution using only the castile soap or you can combine it with a teaspoon of lemon juice, two drops of tea tree oil like this best seller and some baking soda, along with half a cup of water. The tea tree essential oil acts as a natural disinfectant and antibacterial agent, while the lemon juice will remove all the grease from the dishes, leaving them clean and sparkly. You can also create a pure-castile soap using only castile itself in creating a solution.

3. Shaving Cream

You can also use this multifunctional and versatile soap to replace your classic shaving cream, and this is particularly useful if you have very sensitive skin and you always get irritated because of the commercial shaving soap or cream.

4. Bug And Insect Repellent

You can mix one spoon of liquid castile soap with two or three cups of lukewarm water, place them in a spray bottle and then use the solution as an efficient bug and insect repellent. This is very helpful if your home is infested with cockroaches – simply spray the solution around the affected areas to keep all the creepy crawlers away.

5. Carpet Cleaner

Cleaning your carpets on a regular basis is crucial, to prevent dust mites and mold from causing respiratory conditions and affecting your health, but commercial carpet cleaning solutions can do more harm than good. Mix two spoons of castile soap with one cup of warm water, blend the solution until it becomes foamy and then use it just like you would use the regular carpet cleaning solution.

6. Shampoo And Soap For Your Four-Legged Friend

If your cat or dog is allergic to certain compounds in the commercial grade pet shampoo, you can always use the castile bar soap to make your own, homemade shampoo and save some money and trouble!

7. Shower Gel For Skin Care

The liquid vegetable soap can efficiently replace your shower gel and body wash, and given the fact that it is very gentle to the skin and has a soft, skin-compatible pH, you can use it as a face wash as well. One spoon of castile oil for every four spoons of water should be enough to create a soft lather that you will certainly love. This natural soap leaves your skin squeaky clean and pleasant to the touch, without leaving any residue behind!

8. Car Wash

The soap can also be used as a car detergent – mix half a cup of vegetable soap in a bucket of lukewarm water and then use it to thoroughly clean your car.

9. Eco-Friendly Food Detergent

Washing your fruits and vegetables before eating them is crucial for removing all the traces of pesticides, yet sometimes distilled water is simply not enough. You can mix one tablespoon of castile soap with two cups of warm water for a safe and efficient food detergent!

10. Floor Cleaning Solution

Two tablespoons of castile soap added to a bucket of lukewarm water will do wonders for your wooden floors! Create different kinds of floor cleaning products with castile soap!

11. Natural Toothpaste

You can either use the pure liquid castile soap to replace your toothpaste, or add a few drops of it to your existing toothpaste to enhance its potential. You will love the result!

12. Bathroom Detergent

You can use plain liquid vegetable soap to clean your bath tub, your sink and your toilet. For the best results, you can even mix it with a bit of baking soda.

13. Shampoo For Yourself

The castile soap can be a great shampoo not only for your pets, but also for yourself. Combine one part castile soap with three parts lukewarm water and some essential oils (preferably jojoba, peppermint oil or tea tree oil) as ingredient and then wash your hair thoroughly. Rinse with water and the result is a shiny and silky smooth luscious hair!

14. Hand Soap

One spoon of castile soap added to your hand soap dispenser can be a great alternative to the classic hand soap. Add a few drops of tea tree oil that will disinfect your hands and leave a pleasant smell behind!

15. Laundry Detergent

The final use for the vegetable soap is as a laundry detergent – add two or three spoons of it and a pinch of baking soda diluted into a cup of warm water and use it as a laundry detergent. This laundry soap can clean almost every stain in your garments.

Conclusion

To sum it all up, the organic vegetable soap is one of the most versatile natural soaps one can have around the house.  One of the great uses for castile soap is it can serve as an all-purpose cleaner replacing many household items. Due to this, the castile bar soap, liquid castile soap and its products became widely known as magic soaps. Mixing the castille soap with wonderful essential oils as ingredients can boost its amazing effects.

If you are an environmentally conscious person trying to protect the nature and save some money at the same time, then you might want to consider replacing the 15 household items detailed above with this wonder-soap! Share this article and bar soap recipe with your friends so they too, can experience the natural cleaning effects of castile soap products!

Closets bulging with stuff and every extra space crammed to the brim? As a former mess-a-holic, I now look for ways to be neat organized and streamlined.

Try to keep clutter and “extra” items to a minimum. being organized  does not require spending lots of money and visiting the Container Store. It really comes down to having a place to keep things so they can be accessed when needed.  Check out this collection of organizational tips for the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and more to get you started.

Kitchen Storage

Under Sink Organizer – Underneath sinks can be one of the most cluttered paces in a home, but it does not have to be. With a little organization this space can be turned into an efficient storage area that will lead to less frustration and allow for more storage.  More…

Magnetic Spice Storage – A small set of magnets can go a long way in the organization of your kitchen. These can be utilized for a spice rack that will provide a strong basis for organization. Details…

Pegboard Wall Organizer – One simple craft that will go a long way to getting things organized is a peg board. This can be used to hang items in your kitchen or anywhere else in your house. Details…

Canned Food Organizer Tutorial  – A simple organizer can be made to store your can goods in between the refrigerator. This under-utilized space makes the perfect location for this craft. Details…

Knife Tray Drawer –  Using some simple materials it is not that hard to make a knife tray that will start the process to less clutter. Details…

Canister and Spice Rack –  A simple spice rack can make things much more organized. This can be made using simple materials and a little hard work. Details…

Kitchen Drawer Organizers –  Kitchens serve as a gathering place for family and friends and clutter. Get your kitchen back to being perfectly organized with these do it yourself drawer organizing tips, and you’ll be able to rest easily in no time at all. Details…

Pot Rack Ladder Craft –  A simple solution for freeing up some space is to hang our pots and pans. This will get them out of the way and free up needed space in the cabinets. Details…

Bathroom Storage

DIY Pocket Organizer  – A simple hanging system with pockets can make a great organizer for random objects and loose ends. These take up very little space but provide a lot of organization. Details…

Hanging Baskets Storage – Hanging baskets offer a simple solution for freeing up a lot of space for storing items in. These will take up very little space and are easy to make. Details…

Hair Tool Storage Cabinet – A small cabinet used for small bathroom hair appliances will make a huge difference when it comes to organization. This will decrease clutter as well as provide structure. Details…

Mason Jar Bathroom Storage – Mason jars can be a simple tool that will help to organize even the most dysfunctional bathroom. Details…

Bathroom Towel Organizing Ideas – It’s entirely possible to create an organized and fresh space with minimal effort. Get ready to bring your bathroom to life and read on for creative and appealing organizing ideas! Details…

Organizing With Magnetic Strips – Our bathrooms can be one of the most cluttered places if we let it get to that point. A simple trick to help with this is to use magnets and bobby pins. These simple tools can be utilized for organization if you put a little work into the project. Details…

Bedroom Storage

Magnetic Makeup Board  – Magnet can be utilized to either hang items on a board as well as to hold the items into place with the benefit of being very cheap. Details…

Bookshelf To Drawers  – A simple trick to freeing up some space is to convert an old shelf unit into drawers. These simple units will free up space and give a purpose to an old piece of furniture. Details…

Jewelry Holder  – One simple organizational tool is a craft that will allow you to hang up your keys or other small items. This will help with organization as well as making a standard place to hold these items. Details…

Necklace Storage Solution –  One simple idea is to use pushpins in your closet to hang necklaces on. This will save space as well as provide a basis for organization in your closet. Details…

Miscellaneous Storage

Ice Cube Tray Office Supply Organizer –   A simple tool for organization you can utilize are ice cube trays. These make greats tools because they do not take up that much space and have little cubby holes for small objects. Details…

Car Organizer Using A Shoe Organizer –  Cars run a high risk of accumulating clutter and filth during the everyday humdrum of life. From spilled drinks and snacks to papers and toys from the kids, it’s easy to make a mess of the car in no time. Read on to find out how to use a shoe organizer to create a clean and organized environment in your car. Details…

Hiding Clutter Behind Book Spines  Most homes have a book collection of some sort, serving as both a personal library and a source of decorative interest. Despite our best intentions, homes also sport a certain amount of clutter. Read on to learn how to marry both ideas by utilizing your bookshelf to conceal clutter behind hollowed out book spines. Discover a clever way to tackle that pesky clutter! Details…

Ladder Shelf Ideas –  Shelves can be one of the biggest space savers that we can utilize in our houses. A ladder shelf can help save space as well provide a better platform for organization. A simple ladder can be the starting point for one of these designs. Details…

Storage Ideas For Your Garden Tools and Kitchen Utensils  Our gardens and kitchens can be one of the biggest areas of clutter in our lives, but they do not have to be! With some simple do it your crafts, these areas can be transformed into a clutter free area that will lead to greater production and less stress. Details…

Wire Basket Storage –  Simple wire baskets make greats tools because they can be hung from places and have a great amount of storage space. Details…

DIY Magazine Rack –  Magazines are messy. A simple magazine rack can be used to make our spaces more organized. This can be made using simple materials and a little work. Details…

No matter if you are an environmentally-conscious person or you just want to lower your utility bills and your overall expenses, going green in the kitchen can certainly help you. Most of the time, whenever we open the fridge or cook something to eat, we do not even realize what a tremendous impact our small and seemingly normal actions have on the surrounding environment. Here are 10 efficient and low-cost ways to go green in the kitchen:

1. Invest In A Dishwasher

A dishwasher is certainly a good long-term investment, from two points of view. Firstly, it will help you save a lot of time and trouble, as all you need to do is to remove all the solid residue from the plates prior to inserting them into the dishwasher, and the machine will do all the work on your part. Secondly, it is known that dishwashers use up to 40% less water than we do whenever we wash the dishes by hand. Save time and gallons of water with this device.

2. Opt For A Low-Flow Aerator

This is a low-cost and efficient way to go green in the kitchen, as we often consume more water than we need, simply because we do not regulate the water flow when doing the dishes or preparing the food. A good low-flow aerator can last for years without impacting the water pressure in any way, not to mention that these small yet incredibly practical devices typically cost under $10 at a local hardware store.

3. Switch From Plastic Containers And Dishes To Glass And Porcelain

We tend to buy plastic bags or plastic containers simply because they are more lightweight and durable, and we can easily carry them around with us wherever we go. Glass or ceramic containers may seem old-fashioned for some of us, but they certainly come in handy if you are looking for an eco-friendly way to prepare and manage your food, not to mention that a glass plate costs little over $5!

4. Recycle All Your Garbage

Unfortunately, very few people know that they can recycle their waste instead of just throwing everywhere in just one place.

5. Switch From Paper Towels To Dish Rags And Cloth Pieces

Another very efficient tip to go green in the kitchen is to replace your paper towel or your paper tissues with either a piece of cloth that you can wash and reuse multiple times, or with a dish rag or a towel that comes in handy for wiping spills and liquids. Cost-effective and durable, these are some great eco-friendly products to consider!

6. Trade Your full-Size Oven For A Slow Cooker

It often happens that we tend to use full-size ovens for cooking or heating up virtually anything, when we can do the same with toaster ovens, microwaves or slow cookers. Not only is a smaller oven more time-effective and affordable, but it will also have a lower carbon footprint on the surrounding environment!

7. Install A Water Filtering System And Drink Tap Water

Why buy large plastic water bottles when you can install an efficient and durable water filtering system on your kitchen faucet, and start drinking tap water instead? Although millions of people still drink tap water without installing a filtering system first, this can wreak havoc on your health due to the contaminants like chloroform or lead. A high-quality water filtering system will not only remove all these impurities, but will also remove the unpleasant chlorine taste.

8. Opt For Energy Efficient And Eco-Friendly Kitchen Appliances

You can also go green in the kitchen by replacing your current appliances with new, Energy Star-rated kitchen appliances that typically use 50% less energy consumption than regular, non-approved appliances. This will help you lower our monthly energy bills as well!

9. Do Not Buy Non-Stick Cookware

Of course, non-stick cookwear is a great choice if you are looking for an efficient method to save time and effort, but would you be willing to compromise your health if you knew that the surfaces of the non-stick cookware releases a potential human carcinogen into the atmosphere known as PFOA? The molecules remain intact in the air, and they can affect plants, people and animals. Instead of buying non-stick cooking pans, you can just use the regular metal pans as we all know them.

10. Use Green Cleaning Products

If you truly want to go green in the kitchen, then in addition to replacing your dishwasher soap with an eco-friendly one that has no harsh chemicals that can pollute the waters, you can also use eco-friendly cleaning products.

You can either buy them or you can make your own, as it is a known fact that regular products you can find in the kitchen such as baking soda, vinegar or lemon juice work just as good as the commercial-grade cleaners. Baking soda is particularly efficient for removing grease from your kitchen countertops, while vinegar and lemon juice is great for scrubbing the dirt off your kitchen walls and sink, as well as cleaning other rooms throughout your house.

Natural scents are a wonderful way to make a a room and your home smell warm, inviting and cozy… all without over powering the nose.

Making your home smell “fresh” can involve only a simmering pot on the stove awaiting for guest or family to arrive. If you’re looking for some ideas to “keep in natural” and avoid the chemical “perfumes” check out some of these fragrance ideas below…

Simmering Stovetop Potpourri

Yummy Life

Grapefruit + Cinnamon DIY Home Humidifier

Olive Oil Candles

Essential Oil Reed Diffusers

Natural Air Purifying Himalayan Salt Lamp

Natural Aroma Simmering Pot Recipes

Herbal Wreath

Citrus Deodorizing Disks

Cinnamon Candles in Pumpkins

Natural Ginger Bread Candle

Homemade Essential Oil Air Fresheners

Homegrown Smudge Sticks

Homemade Potpourri

Homemade Scented Oil Plug-In Refills