Frugal Uses For Vinegar

***This is an old post moved here from my old blog.*** 

    Vinegar is Versatile!

    Vinegar is inexpensive and very versatile. It tastes great in a salad dressing, and it adds that something special to a homemade barbecue sauce. But, did you know that there are many other things you can do with vinegar?
Check out this post for an easy way to use vinegar for cleaning your microwave!

Here are a few frugal uses for distilled white vinegar:

• Disinfectant/Cleanser- Use full strength vinegar and a sponge to disinfect counter tops, sinks, toilets, tubs and showers. It will also help inhibit the growth of mold and mildew.
• Clean your coffee maker- Run a cycle of full strength vinegar through your automatic drip coffee maker, followed by 2-3 cycles with plain water to rinse.
• Clean windows and mirrors- Use a solution of half vinegar and half water. Wipe with newspaper, and dry with a dry newspaper for a streak free clean.
• Clean your dishwasher- Run a full (empty) cycle with a cup of vinegar once a month to clean and prevent build-up.
• Clean greasy dishes, pots, and pans- Add a few tablespoons of vinegar to your dish soap to help cut the grease.
• Clean no-wax or linoleum floors- Mop with a mixture of one gallon of water and 1/2 cup of vinegar.
• Remove "pet accident" stains and smells from carpet- Soak a cloth in a mixture of 1/4 cup vinegar and 1 quart of water, then blot the area several times.
• Polish patent leather- Put a bit of vinegar on a clean cloth and use it to polish patent leather purses or shoes. Wipe dry with a clean, dry cloth.
• Remove rings left by wet glasses on wooden tables- Use a solution of equal parts vinegar and olive oil. Rub with the grain and polish.
• Keep car windows from frosting over- Use a solution of one part water and three parts vinegar. Wipe the windows of your car the night before a frost.
• Wash fresh fruits and vegetables- Mix 2 tablespoons vinegar and 1 pint water to use as a wash for fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Keep cut flowers fresh- Add 2 tablespoons of sugar and 2 tablespoons of vinegar to a 1 quart vase of water. Make a diagonal cut to the stems of your flowers and place them in the vase.
• Soothe a sore throat- Add a teaspoon of vinegar to a cup of warm water, gargle, then swallow.
• Use as a bug spray- Combine equal amounts of water, vinegar, and dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray on skin as a bug spray. Reapply as needed.
• Soothe stings- Douse bee or jellyfish stings with vinegar.

    What other frugal uses for vinegar do you have?

Oatmeal Almond Scrub

I love using natural cleansers and beauty products. I have been using an Oatmeal Almond scrub for years now and it always leaves my skin feeling soft and clean.

This scrub can be used on your face, as well as your entire body. It is seriously good enough to eat!
It is really easy to make, too!

Oatmeal Almond Scrub
What You Need:
Almonds
Oats
vitamin E gels (optional)
honey (optional)

What You Do:

1. Grind the almonds in a food processor until it resembles a fine powder, but not quit long enough to turn it into almond butter.
2. Grind the oats in a food processor until it is a fine powder.
3. Combine a ratio of two parts oat powder to one part almond powder in a tight fitting container.
4. Store it in a cool, dry place.

How to use your base scrub:
When you are ready to use it, you can take a tablespoon (or more) and add a little water to make a thin paste. Rub it onto your skin and let it sit a couple of minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Optional:
If you want a more nourishing scrub, you can mix a tablespoon or two of the base scrub with water, the contents of a vitamin E gel, and/or a teaspoon of honey. Leave it on your skin an extra minute or two, then rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Benefits:
Oats: Skin Cleanser, Exfoliant, Soothing Skin Relief, Softens and Nourishes Skin
Almonds: Exfoliant, Soothing Skin Relief, Softens and Nourishes Skin
Vitamin E: Antioxidant, Nourishes Skin
Honey:  Moisturizes, Antibacterial Properties, Treats Acne, Skin Cleanser, Hydrates Skin

I like to make up a batch of the base scrub and keep it on hand. When I am ready to use it, I will pour some into a small bowl and add the other ingredients or just use it with water alone. I follow up this skin treatment by massaging a little bit of coconut oil or 100% cocoa butter into my skin. I Love, love, love how soft and nourished it leaves my skin feeling.

What natural cleansers do you like to use?

Frugal Uses For Baking Soda

***This is an old post moved here from my old blog.*** 

    Let's Talk Baking Soda!

    Baking soda is not just for baking! It is very inexpensive and very versatile, as well. Here are some things you can do with baking soda:





Photo courtesy of
Arm & Hammer Website

• Refresh your carpets. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda onto your carpet and let it sit for about 15 minutes, then vacuum it up.
• Clean surfaces. Sprinkle baking soda onto counters and stove tops, then wipe with a damp sponge, then rinse.
• Remove Grease spills. Sprinkle the grease spill with baking soda, then wipe with a warm, damp cloth.
• Remove Scuff Marks from floors. Use baking soda and a damp cloth to rub away scuff marks.
• Clean crayon off of walls. Use a damp sponge and baking soda to scrub away crayon marks on walls.
• Clean showers and tubs. Use baking soda, warm water, and a sponge or scrub brush to clean showers and tubs.
• Enhance your laundry detergent. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your laundry with the detergent to leave your clothes fresher and cleaner.
• Pre-treat laundry grease stains. Use a paste made from baking soda and water to pre-treat grease stains.
• Clean your oven. Sprinkle baking soda over your oven, spray it with water, then let it sit overnight. The next day, scrub and wipe out the baking soda with a damp sponge.
• Clean fresh fruits and vegetables. Scrub with baking soda and rinse with water.
• Put out fires. Keep baking soda in reach in the kitchen to quickly extinguish grease or electrical fires.
• Deodorize. Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of your garbage can, diaper pail, laundry hamper, or pet litter box with each change.
• Brighten your teeth. Sprinkle a little bit of baking soda on your toothbrush every time you brush for whiter teeth.
• Facial or body scrub. Make a paste of baking soda and water to use as a gentle facial or body scrub.
• Bath soak. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your bath for a skin softening, soothing soak.
• Foot soak. Add a few tablespoons of baking soda to a tub of warm water for a relaxing foot soak.
• Bug bites and stings. Make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to bug bites and stings to take away the itch and sting.

     Click here to go to the Arm & Hammer Saving Center for coupons.

    What other frugal uses do you have for baking soda?