Here’s the lowdown: Starting today, Monday, July 13th through Thursday, August 31st, 2009 for every EXPEDIT bookcase sold at all IKEA stores nationwide, a $5 donation will be made to Save the Children’s Early Steps to School Success program. This IKEA program in partnership with Save the Children, provides early childhood development services for families living in poor, rural communities across the United States.

About the program:

The Early Steps to School Success program gives children access to quality early learning from birth to age five – the time period in which experts note is most crucial period in children’s cognitive development. The program also provides support to parents and caregivers plus ongoing training to educators in local communities. The support and training is meant to allow adults to assist children with early language development, social and emotional development and help equip parents with the skills and knowledge needed to support their child’s growth.

About the bookcase:

The EXPEDIT bookcase is a cool open bookcase great for a shared sibling bedroom – can be used as a room divider. It can also be placed vertically or horizontally; suitable for use both as a bookcase and as a sideboard. It’s currently available for $89.99 in black-brown, white and birch. You can also fit this bookcase with door for an enclosed couple of shelves. This is a good bookcase for back to school time – or even college kids. If you were thinking of getting a bookcase anyhow, why not get one that donates $ to a good cause?

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

If you’re thinking you don’t need renter’s insurance because you have few valuables you’re most likely wrong. You don’t need gold statues to benefit. Renter’s insurance can be set up to cover electronics, clothing, albums, and more. Your whole clothing collection and your TV cost way more to replace than insurance will cost you.

What will a policy cover?:

Most of your home goods. A basic renter’s policy will not usually cover natural disasters like a major flood though. You’ll need to look into extra insurance for that. Talk to an insurance company to get an idea of what is and is not covered. It’s helpful if you create a good home inventory list before shopping for insurance because this list can help an insurance agent find you the best coverage for your needs.

How much does it cost?

I’ve had renter’s insurance at many different dwellings and it’s always averaged around $20-30 a month, although I know it can go as low as $15 a month. If you lose all your possessions in a home crisis, it’s going to cost you far more than that yearly fee of about $300. Plus you can get usually get a discount if you double up your insurance; for example, if you get auto and renter’s through the same company. You can also usually get discounts if your home has fire or burglar alarms, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, or deadbolts.

Of course discounts don’t always come easy so be sure to shop around.

What do you think? Do you have renter’s insurance? Why or why not…

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

If you have a disposal, you need to run it for about 30 seconds before you run your dishwasher or debris left in the disposal can be pulled into the dishwasher drain line and clog it – which of course can lead to my issues. Do I always run the disposal 30 seconds? NO. From now on I will though, and hopefully it solves my problem.

Other ways to keep you dishwasher in tip-top shape (and save you from repairs and new washers) include:

• Use less detergent. Dish wash detergent companies say to add a certain amount of dish soap to your load of dishes, BUT if you actually read your manual, it likely says ONLY add a teaspoon. The soap people want you to buy more soap, but more, doesn’t always equal cleaner and better. Too much detergent can clog your washer and leave icky residue on dishes. All this means you need to waste more water and energy running your washer again and you waste soap.
• Periodically check the holes in the spray arm of your dishwasher. Small bits of paper and other junk can get stuck in there and then your machine won’t work as well.
• You need to clean your dishwasher filter out once in a while. Check your manual for instructions.
• Keep the exterior clean as well which can help avoid soap buildup and rust. Plain old hot water and a little soap work fine.
• Always read your specific manual. There’s a section with upkeep and cleaning – actually follow this. It may seem like a small thing, but having to buy a new washer can be pricey when you’re not expecting it.

Got any other cool dishwasher tips?

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

I was able to review the Bright Green dishwashing liquid and all purpose cleaner.  The question that I have often asked myself is, “Is it possible to use green cleaning products and get the same results?”  My experience so far has been a positive one.  In all the environmentally friendly products I have tried, I have not found a difference in the way the product cleans from the other products. 

The Bright Green dishwashing liquid cleaned my dishes very well.  It took the grease off my dishes and had a very pleasant lavender scent.  My son especially enjoyed it.  He asked if he could wash dishes, which in our house means that I put some soap and water in a bowl and he “washes” some of the dishes in the sink.  He ended up using 1/2 of the bottle, so there were lots of suds and my kitchen smelled great for days.  lol  The Bright Green all purpose cleaner is great for the kitchen or garage and it has a refreshing lemon scent.

And now, on to the giveaway!

The giveaway includes an attractive  reusable shopping bag and $1 coupons for Bright Green cleaning products.  Safeway credits customers $.05 each time they use any reusable bag at the checkout.

There are many ways to enter this contest.  You can choose as many as you’d like.

You can earn an entry for each item you complete, but you must leave a separate comment for each one.  It just makes it easier to tally and pick a random winner.

1) Leave a comment telling me why you’d like to win this prize or why you use green cleaning products.

2) Give this post a thumbs up at Stumble Upon and leave your Stumble name.

3) Tweet this post and leave your Twitter name or status url. To retrieve your Twitter status url, simply click on the timestamp of your tweet. It will say something like, “5 seconds ago from the web”. You can earn 3 twitter entries each day for each time you tweet this giveaway. You must leave a comment for each tweet.

4) Follow @thriftymommy on Twitter. Leave a comment with your Twitter name.

5) Blog about this giveaway and leave a direct link to your post.

6) Mention this giveaway on any forums or message boards and leave me a link.

7) Add Thrifty Mommy and/or Keeping the Castle and/or to your blogroll.  You can earn a separate entry for each one.

This contest ends Sunday, April 12, 2009 and is available to those with a U.S. shipping address (no P.O. boxes please). The winner will be contacted by email and will have 72 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. You will not be put on a mailing list, but you must include your email address in the second box under your name (not in the comment box).

Good luck everyone!

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

After brewing a pot, set aside the grounds and try one of the following applications…

Place them in your compost bin where they will enrich your compost content. Coffee grounds naturally release nitrogen which plants adore all to pieces. Flowers like azaleas and rhododendrons are especially huge fans of the acid content in coffee. In fact, even if you don’t have a compost bin, you can still use coffee grounds in the garden to enrich the soil. Simply sprinkle the grounds over the soil and flower beds.

Place some of your old grounds in a canister in your kitchen. Rub on your hands after you peel onions or work with smelly old fish. The gorunds work well at removing icky lingering scents.

Coffee grounds also work like baking soda when used as an odor absorber. You can put some into a plastic bin, toss on a lid, punch holes in the lid, and place the whole shebang in your fridge. The bin will absorb fridge odors well.

Scrub down in the shower with grounds. I know, it sounds weird, but coffee grounds are actually perfect for various skin and hair applications.

Have your kiddos make a coffee grounds craft – trust me, it’s super cool fun.

Lastly, I’ve heard that coffee grounds will remove (or hide anyhow) scratches on wood furniture. I haven’t tried, but plenty of folks say it works wonders.

Do you have any other uses for coffee grounds?

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

What could be better than saving money, reducing landfill waste and at the same time making your home safer for you family?  Making your own simple cleaning products will accomplish all three of these and give you a sense of self sufficiency that is very powerful.  Who knows, it may start you down the same path that I took ten years ago to simplify my life by teaching myself to do things that I had previously relied on others to do for me. 

Maybe you have started on this journey already but haven’t had the confidence till now to defy the huge marketing machine that bombards us every day declaring that only their chemical laden products can make our house safely clean.  Take heart, with a few simple and safe ingredients you can make products to clean most of your home and make it much healthier.  And despite what the huge cleaning industry bosses say, you don’t need ten products to clean you home.  The following two creations will clean almost every surface that gets dirty.  Have fun!
The long list of complicated ingredients and supplies that will cost you lots of cash (not!):

Clean spray bottle (can be recycled but rinse well before use)
Glass or plastic wide mouthed jar (I use a pint canning jar)
Baking soda
Liquid castile soap (Dr. Bronner’s is good)
Rosemary, Peppermint or Lavender essential oil (can be mail ordered or found at health food stores)

Disinfectant Cleaning Spray
Fill a one quart spray bottle to within two inches of the top with warm tap water.  Add 2 tablespoons of liquid castile soap.  Add 1-2 teaspoons of your essential oil (EO) of choice.  All three of these have disinfectant properties so it is a matter of personal preference.  Adjust the amount of EO to lighten or strengthen the scent.  Shake to mix and shake before each use.  Label the bottle.

This cleaner will cost you about $.50 to make and can be used in so many ways.  Here are the things that I use it for.  Sinks, toilet (both inside and out), wood floors, tile floors, carpet stains, ceramic stove top (for non baked on stains) counters, bathtub and countertops, walls and anything else that gets dirty.  You can spray this directly on dirty little hands too. Just rinse with water to avoid the soap getting into the eyes.  This cleaner is completely natural and non toxic and cleans amazingly well.  Just spray it on, let it sit for a couple of minutes will you receive an aroma therapy session from the EO and then wash off.

Scrubbing Powder
Pour two cups of baking soda into a clean bowl.  Add about 4 tablespoons of liquid castile soap and 1-2 teaspoons

 of EO of choice.  Make sure you use pure castile soap and not liquid dish soap as the dish soap creates a bad chemical reaction with the baking soda.  Mix thoroughly and store in a plastic or glass wide mouth jar.  Label the jar. This will cost you about $.50.

I use this on stubborn sink stains, bathtub rings, and my ceramic stove top.  It also works great to scrub out pots and pans.  If you leave out the liquid soap, you can use it as a great refrigerator, cat box or garbage can deodorizer.

Mirror Cleaner
I know I said we’d talk about two cleaners, but I just had to throw this one in for the pure shock value.

Fill a quart spray bottle with water.  That’s it.  Plain water.  Spray it on and use a clean rag to wipe the mirror.  Switch to another clean, dry rag and wipe till it’s dry.  Amazing huh?  Who needs that stuff that’s dyed blue?  Some folks add a little vinegar but I haven’t found it to be any better.  Make sure you label the bottle as most liquids look alike.

Simple isn’t it?  And talk about saving money.  If you replace just these three cleaners with the expensive ones you are using now, you could save hundreds of dollars every year.  And think of the health benefits to you and your family and all of the bottles that won’t go from you house to the landfill every year.  Please give these recipes a try and you’ll be well on your way to frugal and healthy self sufficiency. 

Herbal Blessings, Theresa Lim

Theresa is an herb farmer and beekeeper in North Carolina.  I am very fond of her natural and therapeutic products.  You can find them at Honey Thyme Herb Farm.

image via Honey Thyme Herb Farm

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

How To Clean Your Dishwasher With Vinegar

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

1. Vinegar, we have talked about vinegar tons of times.
2. Baking soda.  Use it to polish your silver and freshen your carpets.
3. Lemons help keep your garbage disposal clean and smelling good.
4. 1 part Rubbing Alcohol added to a 1:1 vinegar water mix will shine up your mirrors and sinks nicely.
5. Salt added to lemon is a great scouring pad for your dirtiest dishes.
6. Don’t waste your money on bottle scrubbers. Boil an old toothbrush and use it instead.
7. Keep house plants inside.  This will help to naturally clean your air.
8. Use egg shells and ice to work your garbage disposal to a shine.
9. Use an old dryer sheet to shine up your chrome.
10. Use half a box of baking soda downa drain chased by vinegar to clean out any slow drains.  It’s best to let it set for about 10-15 minutes and then rinse it with hot water.

So there you have it.  My top 10 favorite green household cleaners.  Did you also notice that they are every day cleaners so you don’t have to spend any extra money using them?  See, I shot 2 birds with one stone (for lack of a better phrase)

Thrifty shopping …

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

In the Kitchen:

1. Make a paste with water to clean up your sink that isn’t very abrasive.
2. Stick a box in your fridge to keep the smell gone.
3. Mix 3 tsp with hot water to soak and remove tea and coffee stains from thermos’ and tea cups.
4. Use it on your counters to get rid of Kool-Aid stains off.
5. Rinse your fruits and veggies with baking sod. Make sure you rinse well.
6. Did you know it will tenderize meats?
7. If you like fish but hate the smell, soak your fish in water and baking soda for an hour in the fridge.
8. A pinch of baking soda added to tomato recipes can help cut down the acid in the recipe.
9. When you make baked beans, add a pinch of baking soda to the beans to help rid them of their gas producing ability.
10. 1/2 tsp of baking soda added to 3 eggs makes a light and fluffy omelet.
11. Baking soda is just as good as lemon juice for getting rid of foul smells on your hands.
12. I boil my baby bottles with baking soda to get them clean.
13. Just as with your laundry detergent, adding baking soda to your dishwashing detergent is a great idea.
14. Boil a little water and baking soda to get burned on food off your pots and pans.
15. Use it to clean your oven as well.
16. Make your own baking powder.
17. Keep an extra box near your stove in case of a fire.
18. Pour 1 cup of baking soda down your drain and chase it with 1c hot vinegar. 5 minutes later, chase it with 1 quart boiling water.
19. For the naturalist in you, when you are taking the feathers off the chicken, add 1 tsp baking soda to the boiling water.
20. Remove melted plastic bread wrappers from the toaster by using baking soda as a mild abrasive.
21. Use it as a mild abrasive to clean those stubborn stains in your Tupperware.

In the Bathroom:

1. Clear out slow drains.
2. Baking soda and water rubbed on rough elbows, heels, etc will help smooth and soften. Follow up with your favorite moisturizer.
3. 1/4 c baking soda and 2 cups warm water will work just as good as a clarifying shampoo.
4. Use it as a tooth whitener.
5. Put a box in the worst of the bathrooms (you know, the ones that the boys get hold of) to get rid of odors.
6. Mix 1 part baking soda with 2 parts oatmeal as a facial scrub.
7. Soak in the bath with baking soda will heal anything form poison ivy, sumac, sunburns, etc…
8. Soak your hairbrushes with warm water and baking soda to get the oil off of them.

In the Laundry Room:

1. Stretch your laundry detergent further.
2. Get the smell out of your clothes.
3. Soak cloth diapers with baking soda to get the smell and anything else that is there out.
4. Soak oil or grease stains with baking soda and water before washing the clothes.
5. You can also use it as a fabric softener in the rinse cycle if you use cold water.

General Cleaning:

1. Use it with water to polish your silver.
2. Mix it with Borax to make a great scouring powder.
3. Put it on a wet sponge to clean crayon off a chalk board.
4. Sprinkle it on your carpet or cloth covered furniture before you go to bed and them vacuum in the morning. Be careful not to let your kids crawl around before you vacuum.
5. If you have pets, sprinkle baking soda where they lay and let it set for 30 minutes. Vacuum it back up.
6. A bonus to vacuuming up baking soda is that it will help you keep your vacuum smelling better.
7. Use it for general cleaning by adding 4 tbs to 1 q of water in a spray bottle. Shake well and wipe clean.
8. Mix it with salt as a great soap scum cleaner.
9. Freshen up stuffed animals by rubbing them with Baking soda and then let them sit for a while. Shake them off and you are good to go!
10. Mix it with a little water as a great chrome cleaner.
11. Wash your garbage cans with baking soda.
12. Clean grease off the garage floor.
13. To maintain good drains, pour 4 tbs baking soda down each drain each week and chase it with hot water.
14. Soak your shower curtains with a baking soda/water solution to keep mildew away.
15. Take a soft brush and baking soda to canvas bags to clean them.
16. Take those stubborn black streaks off your RV or car with a little baking soda and a damp cloth.
17. Baking soda works well to clean your fish tank.  Just make sure you rinse it really well.

General Household:

1. Fill a pair of old socks with baking soda and place it in odorous shoes or your kid’s closet.
2. Put a sock in your car for when your sweaty football players come home.
3. Wipe water stains off your wooden furniture with baking soda and toothpaste.
4. I put baking soda in my diaper pail to help with odors.
5. Karen puts baking soda in the bottom of her litter box.
6. Clean corroded battery terminals with baking soda and water.
7. Put out small fires out by smothering it with baking soda.
8. Fill in nail holes in drywall with toothpaste and baking soda. Let it dry completely.
9. Mix slat and baking soda equally and sprinkle it where you see ants coming in to keep them from liking your home.
10. Need to determine if your soil is acidic for planting? Mix 1.4 c baking soda and 2 c water. Place 1 c soil. If the mixture foams, your soil is acidic.
11. Play Clay recipe: 1 1/4c water, 2 c baking soda, 1 c cornstarch.
12. Repel water from your windshield by heavily coating a damp cloth and wipe the windows inside and out.
13. Clean your jewelry with a baking soda paste and toothbrush. Silver does best but gold will work well too. Be careful with the gems themselves as some are soft and a toothbrush will scratch it.

General Health Ideas:

1. Mix baking soda and a glass of water for an antacid.
2. Gargle baking soda water to help with ulcers.
3. Put it on insect bites to take the sting out.
4. Use 1/2 tsp in a half glass of water as a mouthwash.
5. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water to take care of zits.
6. Remove splinters by putting moistened baking soda on the band-aid over night.  The splinter should be easily removed in the morning.
7. A thick baking soda/water paste poured on a burn and wrapped in gauze will help the healing process and prevent scarring.

Hope you liked the list.  I have learned a lot.  I’m sure there was a surprise or two in there for you too.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

1.  Crayon on carpet - Spray with WD-40 and scrub.  Follow immediately with dish soap and water or steam clean carpet.  The soap removes the WD-40.

2.  Ballpoint ink -  Place a paper towel or rag under the stain and then saturate the stain with an alcohol-based hair spray or rubbing alcohol, which will help to break up the ink.  The paper towel will help to absorb the excess hairspray/alcohol or stain if it starts to run.  Then blot the stain with a rag.  Continue these steps until the stain is removed and then wash as normal.  (You may want to test the hairspray on an inconspicuous area first.)

3.  Chocolate – Mix detergent and warm water together and blot the stain.  Next, blot the area with ammonia and water.  Clean the area again with the detergent solution.  Then, clean the area again with clean water (no soap).  Repeat as necessary until stain is gone.  I found out the hard way that this does work!

4.  Chewing gum - Put ice cubes in a plastic bag and place on gum stain.  You could even try to put the whole garment into the freezer.  Crack or scrape off excess gum.  Spray the stain with a pretreatment product.  Rub with a heavy-duty liquid detergent such as Wisk, Gain, or Tide.  Rinse with hot water.  Repeat until stain is gone.  If stain will not come out, then try using liquid lighter fluid (test first).  Put lighter fluid on a clean cloth and rub over the remaining gum.  Wash as normal.

5.  Lipstick – Remove any excess, then rub in glycerine or petroleum jelly.  If stain persists use grease solvent or stain remover.  Wash as normal. 

For small and fresh stains – Spray the stain with a stain remover such as Shout! or apply liquid laundry detergent or powdered detergent mixed with water to make a paste.  Remember to blot and sponge the stain.  Sponge from the outside of the stain toward the inside to keep the stain from spreading.

Other tips: 

If you have a mystery stain, soak the fabric in cold water before washing or applying a stain remover.  Some stains will set with warm water. 

Sponge a stain, don’t rub it.  Rubbing sometimes damages the fabric.

Read clothing labels!  If it says no bleach, then don’t do it. 

Wash delicates in zippered mesh bags.  You can usually get these at the dollar store. 

Don’t heat dry or iron your clothes until you know the stain is gone.  This will cause the stains to set.

Please share your stain removing tips with us!   :)

Post from: Thrifty Mommy