Natural Cleaning Products That Actually Work (and Don't Stink!)

<span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy Earth Day tomorrow! I'm packing my bags for a quick New York trip this week. On Thursday I'll be hosting a fundraiser event that I'm really excited about. I have partnered up<span style="background-color: white;"> with the eco and budget-friendly appliance company, Amana, this year to share home ideas and tips that are also green and not expensive. Amana works a lot with a great organization called Trees for the Future. I hope you can join us for the fundraiser if you're in the NYC area. You can learn more about the organization and can RSVP for the event by visiting <a href="http://trees.org/nyc">trees.org/nyc</a>. If you use the discount code AmanaFan, you'll get $25 off. :)</span><i> </i></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Several months ago my wonderful friend <a href="http://www.ablogaboutlove.com/" target="_blank">Mara</a> held a really cool natural beauty night, where we learned all about the best natural, non-toxic products to use on our skin and hair. It was totally eye-opening for me. Since then I've been putting in an effort to use less toxic cleaners in our house too.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u></u><br /></span><br /><center><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u></u></span></center><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u></u><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9LfyhfIOt-rX2SWRugKvv-Zc3eg0MhTCXXsEySSoysIw9mj7BtCZbsV_-54jgo-EiUwEe0VJagF9Ju2y8mJmGiY6s3o16zIn8nTsxDS-uYcnIFGGQKX1boPMKK8Ev0DbIjuihM6uvAJv/s1600/NATURAL+CLEANERS+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9LfyhfIOt-rX2SWRugKvv-Zc3eg0MhTCXXsEySSoysIw9mj7BtCZbsV_-54jgo-EiUwEe0VJagF9Ju2y8mJmGiY6s3o16zIn8nTsxDS-uYcnIFGGQKX1boPMKK8Ev0DbIjuihM6uvAJv/s1600/NATURAL+CLEANERS+v2.jpg" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u></u></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />For a while, it felt like every recipe for a homemade cleaner was pretty much just white vinegar, which... gag. Not my favorite smell for a bathroom. So I've been testing the waters of homemade natural cleaning products and I've found a few that 1) work really well, 2) don't require crazy amounts of time or weird ingredients, and 3) don't stink like vinegar.</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_3489.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_3489.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2495.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_2495.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />First up is the most simple. I love the clean scent of tea tree (I don't ever like cleaners to smell too floral or sweet). I bought a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RSEPAY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002RSEPAY&linkCode=as2&tag=littgreenote-20" target="_blank">starter set of essential oils</a> on Amazon for about $20 and I've been happy with the quality. The set comes with eucalyptus, lavender, orange, lemon, tea tree and peppermint essential oils. Not a bad deal!</span><br /><a name="more"></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3410.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_3410.jpg" /></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To mix the cleaner spray, reuse an old spray bottle (what I did) or pick up a new one at the dollar store and add one cup of water to every two tablespoons of Castile soap (I used the Tea Tree scent again). You can buy Castile soaps at Whole Foods and Sprouts and even at CVS and Walgreens sometimes. The Lavender scent is perfect for washing bedding! Some of my friends use Castile soap as shampoo and body wash - it's very gentle, but also cleans fantastically.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then you add a few drops of the tea tree oil to the spray bottle and shake it up well. You'll have an amazing cleaner on your hands that works as well as the other store-bought stuff but has none of the scary ingredients or horrible vinegar smell.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3477.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_3477.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This next one might feel a little more intense, but it's actually really easy and kind of fun to make. I heard about the idea <a href="http://nourishingjoy.com/homemade-bathtub-scrub-with-a-surprising-secret-ingredient/" target="_blank">here</a> first and it's a great one. A single batch will last forever too, so your efforts go far.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3357.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_3357.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To make your own scrub that will clean all your sinks and tubs like they've never been cleaned before, just start setting aside your eggshells. I put them in a gallon size ziploc, tucked away. Over the course of a couple weeks I'll have three or four dozen eggshells to rinse out, boil for about 10 minutes, and then spread out on cookie sheets. A day or two later, the shells will be completely dried out and very brittle.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2559.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_2559.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2586.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_2586.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The shells will break down very easily in a food processor (I've heard a coffee grinder works very well). They're so brittle at this point, there's no way any damage would be done to your machine.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3295.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_3295.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3298.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_3298.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The only "weird" ingredient you'll have to go out of your way to pick up is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004421K68/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004421K68&linkCode=as2&tag=littgreenote-20" target="_blank">calcium powder</a>, but it's easy to find at health food stores or online. It's cheap too, just a couple dollars.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3366.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_3366.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup of baking soda, 3/4 cup of calcium powder and about 20 drops of essential oils. I did half a batch of lemon and half of orange.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3304.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_3304.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This makes enough scrub to fill two pint-size mason jars, which should last you at least a couple months. I saw online that people were reusing parmesan cheese or economy sized spice jars that have that sprinkle spout top, but the mason jars work great too.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_3327.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/cIMG_3327.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The powder fizzes when it touches water and it really brightens up that porcelain! And the eggshells really scrub well, but it doesn't feel like you're scratching your tub up or anything.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3352.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_3352.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I use it on my bathtubs and showers, our sinks and even our toilets get a good scrub down once a month (I turn off the water valve at the base of the toilet first, flush the toilet so it's dry and that makes it easy to really clean things well).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3342.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_3342.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I think next time I might try one of the peppermint oils to mix things up a little.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3330.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_3330.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My third tip is so, so simple, it's kind of a 'duh' thing, but I feel like not a lot of people do it. We all spend a ton of money on expensive candles and sprays to make our homes smell nice, but homemade potpourri is SO cheap and the scent lingers way longer!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3368.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_3368.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love the clean scent combination of lavender and vanilla. You can buy a bag of lavender flowers at a health food store and vanilla beans can be found in the spice aisle at most grocery stores.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_3372.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/cIMG_3372.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To make the potpourri, bring a big pot of water to a gentle simmer and then add a 1/2 cup or so of lavender flowers, two vanilla beans and several drops of lavender oil (and maybe a drop of vanilla extract if you want it to be extra vanilla-y, or in lieu of the beans if you don't have any). After about 30 minutes, your whole house will smell amazing. I let the potpourri simmer for at least a couple hours on low heat and the scent will last for two or three days. I wish I could say my $30 candle's scent lingered that long!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3392.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_3392.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The last tried-and-true natural cleaning recipe actually uses vinegar! There is a way to harness the wonderful cleaning power of vinegar while masking most of the intense scent. (I almost wrote pungent there, but eww, no. Not an okay word to use.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2495.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_2495.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><center></center><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We're lucky to have an over-abundance of citrus here in sunny Arizona, and lots of friends and neighbors with wonderful trees and more than enough fruit to eat/use for making counter spray. But next time you have a craving for fresh-squeezed orange juice or lemonade, save all the peels in a big mason jar that's filled to the very tip-top with white distilled vinegar. You can add more peels over time, but it's important that all the peels be submersed in vinegar, or you might get mold.</span></div><center></center><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_2545copy.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_2545copy.jpg" /></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I like to add some essential oils too, for good measure. After at least two full weeks, the vinegar scent will start to go away, but the cleaning power will remain! Your counter tops will smell citrusy and look brand new! I use a gravy sieve to strain out the cleaner into a spray bottle. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3466.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_3466.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Aren't those chalkboard labels cute? I picked them up at Staples I think and I love that I can use my Chalkboard pen on them (which only wipes off with a wet rag), so I don't have to replace the label each time I make a new batch of cleaners.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3434.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_3434.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">So those are my best recipes for natural cleaning products! Not too crazy, but guilt-free, effective and nice-smelling. I also added some other tricks here in this chart below. I was surprised at how well the lemon-juice-instead-of-bleach tip works! I feel like between switching to a front-loading washing machine (Amana really has a <a href="http://www.amana.com/laundry/washers/front_load_washers/4_1_cu__ft__energy_star__174__qualified_front_load_washer_nfw5700bw.pro?keyword=NFW5700B" target="_blank">great/affordable/eco-friendly one</a>, btw) and taking bleach out of my cleaning routine, I'm really cleaning up my laundry room act! </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Also, if my iron on a damp cloth trick doesn't work for you when trying to remove heat marks on furniture, try the mayonnaise idea here below. I must have a sensitive nose or something because this is another one I don't love the smell of, but it doesn't really linger. And it really does get those heat marks out!</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />So what works for you? I'd love to hear what your favorite eco-friendly tips are!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u></u></span></div><center><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u></u></span></center><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9LfyhfIOt-rX2SWRugKvv-Zc3eg0MhTCXXsEySSoysIw9mj7BtCZbsV_-54jgo-EiUwEe0VJagF9Ju2y8mJmGiY6s3o16zIn8nTsxDS-uYcnIFGGQKX1boPMKK8Ev0DbIjuihM6uvAJv/s1600/NATURAL+CLEANERS+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9LfyhfIOt-rX2SWRugKvv-Zc3eg0MhTCXXsEySSoysIw9mj7BtCZbsV_-54jgo-EiUwEe0VJagF9Ju2y8mJmGiY6s3o16zIn8nTsxDS-uYcnIFGGQKX1boPMKK8Ev0DbIjuihM6uvAJv/s1600/NATURAL+CLEANERS+v2.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u></u><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">This post was brought to you in collaboration with Amana Appliances, an earth-friendly and environmentally conscious company. Learn more here.</span></i></div>

Natural Cleaning Products That Actually Work (and Don't Stink!)

Happy Earth Day tomorrow! I'm packing my bags for a quick New York trip this week. On Thursday I'll be hosting a fundraiser event th...

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How to Easily Remove Rust

I've had this Plycraft chair in storage for a while now, with plans to reupholster it in a caramel leather remnant I found in Brooklyn. Well the day has finally arrived! My upholsterer came and picked up the chair and hide this week (should be done on Saturday!), but I wanted to clean up the wood shell and the super-rusty chrome base first.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1645.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1645.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1653.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1653.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Barkeepers Friend has always been known as DIYer's Bestie to me - I love the stuff. But, oh man, when you combine that magical powder with the newest addition to my cleaning arsenal, the Scouring Stick, even the rustiest vintage chair base around stands no chance!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1661.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1661.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><a name="more"></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I bought a Scouring Stick, which is a heavy duty pumice stone, as sort of a splurge purchase a while back. I think I found it just at the grocery store. I'm pretty sure they have them most places.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_1679.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/cIMG_1679.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It didn't really do a lot on it's own, so we mixed up a bowl of Barkeepers Friend with water,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1668.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1668.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And gave the chair a light rub down with the mixture just to loosen things up.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_1671.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/cIMG_1671.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And then we found it worked best to dip the stick in the solution before using it to scour.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1673.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1673.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The stick starts to sort of whittle down after a while, but it really really works well at removing the rust!</div><center></center><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1700.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1700.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Check out how clean the legs are now after just a little scrubbing! I was shocked at how well these two products worked together. </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1677.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1677.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now I'm looking all around my house for anything to use my scouring stick on! Heather saw me working on this post and took a stick outside to clean up her vintage bike that was starting to get rusty and now it looks practically brand new. The box says it can be used on a ton of surfaces like stone and even concrete! I'm going to give our grill a really good scrubbing now that BBQ season is kicking off.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_1684.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/cIMG_1684.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Also, in case you're not already using Restor-A-Finish, check out how a once-over wipe down really freshened up the old wood finish:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1695.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1695.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1697.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1697.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So much better, right? I can't wait to get this cleaned-up chair back with its new upholstery!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3372.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_3372.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>

How to Easily Remove Rust

I've had this Plycraft chair in storage for a while now, with plans to reupholster it in a caramel leather remnant I found in Brooklyn. ...

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Streak-Free Windows

I've tried every glass cleaner under the sun it seems like, just searching for a product that really cleans my windows and mirrors and leaves no streaks or residue behind.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0910copy.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_0910copy.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Kate is my new assistant (she is helping me with Domino and book projects mostly) and before this she worked for Anthropologie. She recently taught me this little trick she learned there for cleaning glass, and it's just too good not to share:<br /><br /><a name="more"></a>Step 1: Have dirty windows. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0893.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_0893.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Step 2: Grab any glass cleaner and a piece of regular old kraft paper (although white works a little better than the brown we've learned).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0899.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_0899.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br /><center></center>Step 3: Spray your glass and the folded up kraft paper with the cleaner.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0887.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_0887.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Step 4: Wipe away the liquid (and the dirt and grime with it) and be amazed at how unbelievably streak and fuzz-free your windows are now! Replace the kraft paper as needed (though one piece will clean a lot of glass).</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0880.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_0880.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Step 5: Enjoy your squeaky clean windows! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I don't know what it is about the kraft paper that works so, so differently than paper towels or even my favorite microfiber towels, but somehow the kraft paper removes every speck of anything on the glass. It's magic.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0931.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_0931.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks for the tip, Kate (and Anthro)!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1066.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1066.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div>

Streak-Free Windows

I've tried every glass cleaner under the sun it seems like, just searching for a product that really cleans my windows and mirrors and l...

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Kids Cleaning Buckets (and a HUGE Give Away!)

<center></center>I posted my cleaning schedule last week when I shared <a href="http://finditathomedepot.com/entry.php?entry=18&utm_source=littlegreennotebook&utm_medium=blogger&utm_campaign=13-PG-2629%20bright%20ideas" target="_blank">my cleaning closet redo</a> and some of you were curious if my girls help with the household work.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0403.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/DSC_0403.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Closet25.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/Closet25.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Evie helps out too, but my two older girls are old enough to do some real cleaning as part of their weekly chores. To make their chores a little more exciting (a stretch, I know!) and to give them more ownership, the girls and I decided they needed their own cleaning kits. So we went to Home Depot together and shopped for some supplies to make the kits. We found a huge display with duct tape in all different colors and we thought that would make a cute (and waterproof!) decoration for simple white buckets.<br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0619.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_0619.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0618.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_0618.jpg" /></div><br />We also picked up some colorful nylon cording.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Kit3.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/Kit3.jpg" /></div><br />The girls and I worked together to wrap the buckets in layers of the duct tape. If you roll the bucket while pulling the tape really taut, there won't be any air bubbles or wrinkles.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0827.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_0827.jpg" /></div><br />Then we used a hot glue gun to wrap the handles in the nylon cording.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0842.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_0842.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo xDSC_0366.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/xDSC_0366.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo xDSC_0365.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/xDSC_0365.jpg" /></div><br />It's surprising to me how putting in even a little extra effort to make something beautiful gives a household item so much more importance. My girls love these buckets and they've been diligently doing their chores lately! Success!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo xDSC_0358.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/xDSC_0358.jpg" /></div><br /><a href="http://finditathomedepot.com/entry.php?entry=18&utm_source=littlegreennotebook&utm_medium=blogger&utm_campaign=13-PG-2629%20bright%20ideas" target="_blank">The Home Depot and P&G</a> want to give away a few things today so one of you readers can kick start your own cleaning and organizing project! To enter to win a $200 gift card to The Home Depot along with some cleaning products including Febreze Air Effects, Bounty Select-A-Size and Charmin Ultra Soft, simply leave a comment on this post and share what project you have in mind. Or share what you do to help get your kids excited to help cleaning!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0245.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/DSC_0245.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And don't forget to check out <a href="http://finditathomedepot.com/entry.php?entry=18&utm_source=littlegreennotebook&utm_medium=blogger&utm_campaign=13-PG-2629%20bright%20ideas" target="_blank">all the great blogger projects here</a> to get yourself inspired!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Kit14.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/Kit14.jpg" /></div>

Kids Cleaning Buckets (and a HUGE Give Away!)

I posted my cleaning schedule last week when I shared my cleaning closet redo and some of you were curious if my girls help with the househ...

Read more »