It's the dratted 30 day clean. Day 10 has instructions that use Oxyclean. I think that could be an American brand. Tesco have Oxi Powder, which is probably the same - a powder that has a bleaching action and stain removal for laundry. Here is the challenge. Do I buy 500g for £2.20 or 1kg for £3?
The same product, Tesco Oxi Powder, is £4.40 per kilo if I buy 500g, but only £3 per kilo if I buy a 1kg drum. So buying 1kg is cheaper if you look at it as price per gram. However if I buy 1kg of Oxi Powder instead of 500g I will still have spent 80p more. I suppose I could look at it as if I buy one 500g pack of Oxi Powder for £2.20 and get the second for 80p, and both in the same pot.
I have washing soda in already and I am not in a hurry to build up cleaning supplies. I'll get the 500g pot and save 80p. It isn't a common requirement, and I don't think I'll use it quickly.
The next expenditure on the 30 day Clean may be a vacuum. The author seems to assume a lot of different attachments and flexibility. Mine has no attachments and I am happy about it. I shall worry about the problem when I get to it.
Tuesday, 9 February 2016
Having a Beige Day
I can't really get up to much (ironing and pulling out the fridge) because I am on pins to see if the Water Board call, and if they do I don't want miss their knock.
I have started embroidering a tray cloth. If I am successful I will share. I bought it online (of course) and didn't realise that the edge was unfinished. I have to buttonhole around the edge and then trim. I am not looking forward to that! I have started the buttonhole, after refreshing my memory on YouTube, and I am not convinced. Still, it keeps my hands busy.
I have some ready made pancakes in the fridge, and I am considering making Toad in the Hole for dinner, in the spirit of using up eggs.
I am feeling very flat and restless. In the past this has led me to be more random than normal. I am sitting on my hands and avoiding eBay, just in case.
I have started embroidering a tray cloth. If I am successful I will share. I bought it online (of course) and didn't realise that the edge was unfinished. I have to buttonhole around the edge and then trim. I am not looking forward to that! I have started the buttonhole, after refreshing my memory on YouTube, and I am not convinced. Still, it keeps my hands busy.
I have some ready made pancakes in the fridge, and I am considering making Toad in the Hole for dinner, in the spirit of using up eggs.
I am feeling very flat and restless. In the past this has led me to be more random than normal. I am sitting on my hands and avoiding eBay, just in case.
Monday, 8 February 2016
Bear is Becoming a Medium Bear
When I first started blogging I called bear, 'little bear'. It was a nickname that stuck from the cuddly, playful, sunny baby that I brought home from the hospital. I dropped the 'little' part around the time when bear started school. I thought it was important to recognise that he was getting bigger and more autonomous.
Today, for the first time, bear was happy to skip night time songs. It's probably only tonight, as DH is out so bear doesn't get a story. Tomorrow the routine will continue as we have another chapter of A Horse and his Boy (by CS Lewis who could really write) which will be followed by the songs, but I suspect we have set a precedent. It's just a significant moment because bear has always insisted on songs, and even extra songs if he wasn't getting a story.
Now that bear is in Year 4 he is getting to big and cool for mum kisses. I can't kiss him goodbye in the morning as I drop him off anymore. I have to sneak them in before we leave the house. I have been uneasily waiting for this, as most of the cool dudes stopped kisses a while ago. There are not so many hugs.
I suppose bear is now becoming a Medium Bear. Before I know I will have a hulking, awkward, independent teenage with hollow legs hanging around. I going to sneak in as many cuddles as I can, while I can.
Today, for the first time, bear was happy to skip night time songs. It's probably only tonight, as DH is out so bear doesn't get a story. Tomorrow the routine will continue as we have another chapter of A Horse and his Boy (by CS Lewis who could really write) which will be followed by the songs, but I suspect we have set a precedent. It's just a significant moment because bear has always insisted on songs, and even extra songs if he wasn't getting a story.
Now that bear is in Year 4 he is getting to big and cool for mum kisses. I can't kiss him goodbye in the morning as I drop him off anymore. I have to sneak them in before we leave the house. I have been uneasily waiting for this, as most of the cool dudes stopped kisses a while ago. There are not so many hugs.
I suppose bear is now becoming a Medium Bear. Before I know I will have a hulking, awkward, independent teenage with hollow legs hanging around. I going to sneak in as many cuddles as I can, while I can.
Back to Day One
Doing okay actually.
I'm not doing the spice cupboard again, but I'm working through the Daily Cleaning List and I'm finding the Bullet Journal useful. I've been on to the Water Board and chased up a missing duvet.
I am considering a pot plant or two. They are supposed to be healthy, and geraniums are supposed to be good at absorbing formaldehyde, at least, according to this article on the BBC website. I adore scented geraniums, and it would be great to have a few. What more could I want - something I want that is good for my health. The two problems are that there are not many good places to keep a sun loving plant in the house and also DH isn't as keen. At least we no longer have cats ready to prune anything green.
It's probably the wrong time of year anyway.
I'm not doing the spice cupboard again, but I'm working through the Daily Cleaning List and I'm finding the Bullet Journal useful. I've been on to the Water Board and chased up a missing duvet.
I am considering a pot plant or two. They are supposed to be healthy, and geraniums are supposed to be good at absorbing formaldehyde, at least, according to this article on the BBC website. I adore scented geraniums, and it would be great to have a few. What more could I want - something I want that is good for my health. The two problems are that there are not many good places to keep a sun loving plant in the house and also DH isn't as keen. At least we no longer have cats ready to prune anything green.
It's probably the wrong time of year anyway.
Sunday, 7 February 2016
A Less Good Day
There is always a good side. I have just cleared a counter and rethought how I can store stuff. I am starting the 30 day to a cleaner house again tomorrow. This means that I need to get some serious work going on. The kitchen counters are a serious issue as when someone is living in the house behind us, it is often too damp to use the cupboards so everything gets left on the side. I can work on that.
I've been re-reading the book and there will be a few interesting days ahead. One day, I think it is Day Twenty Six but it will show as I go along, I am supposed to wash all the blankets. I have swathes of blankets. I have four on the sofa, a few on each chair, small ones on bear's computer chair, on the beds, in cupboards just in case their needed on the beds, and at least three still wrapped - I'm not washing the wrapped ones! I can manage it. I may have to plan carefully and hope for a good drying day.
However once I am in the rhythm I am hoping that I will have some good habits formed and the house will work well.
I have also done something interesting to my knee and the drain outside the kitchen has backed up. That is not so good. I think I am having a good day, just a less good day.
I've been re-reading the book and there will be a few interesting days ahead. One day, I think it is Day Twenty Six but it will show as I go along, I am supposed to wash all the blankets. I have swathes of blankets. I have four on the sofa, a few on each chair, small ones on bear's computer chair, on the beds, in cupboards just in case their needed on the beds, and at least three still wrapped - I'm not washing the wrapped ones! I can manage it. I may have to plan carefully and hope for a good drying day.
However once I am in the rhythm I am hoping that I will have some good habits formed and the house will work well.
I have also done something interesting to my knee and the drain outside the kitchen has backed up. That is not so good. I think I am having a good day, just a less good day.
Saturday, 6 February 2016
Home Made Cleaners
I'm really not sure about these.
I tried home made laundry detergent which was an enormously epic fail. The home made powder refused to dissolve in the washer and the gloop never really got to the gloop stage. I stocked up on Ariel instead when it was half price at Tesco. I have just got a coupon from Tesco for 160 extra Clubcard points if I buy before 3rd April, so I shall be keeping a close eye on the price of Ariel until then.
When I cleared out the cupboard under the sink I found three spray cleaners. It will take me a while to get through those, even with the 30 day cleaning plan. However I was considering some of the recipes in the book. One is a spray that you use on the shower and bath daily which is one part vinegar to three parts water with essential oil added. I may use it. I just bought 5 litres of white vinegar for just over £3 so the cost of a few drops of essential oil is likely to be the most expensive part of it. It is unlikely to do much damage.
I am seriously considering using Bless's idea of steeping orange peels (in vast supply here) in vinegar and using that as a cleaner.
My basic reservations about home made cleaners is that many of the recipes combine vinegar (acid), baking soda (alkaline) and essential oils. My very, very basic knowledge of chemistry says that acid and alkali cancel each other out so you end up with a neutral solution scented with essential oils. I found, amidst a drift of articles about home made cleaners, a very interesting one here which includes this statement:
However, the NPR report also stated that researchers at the Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Tennessee State University found that “water can remove 98 percent of bacteria when it’s used to rinse and soak produce.” Rubbing or brushing helps in cleaning.
So plain water with the compulsory 'few drops of essential oil' would be just as good. I would also suggest that essential oils need to be treated with respect and care. They can be incredibly powerful in very small doses.
I think it is incredibly important to label any home made solution. If and when I make up some of the diffuser solution I shall be labelling it as poison. Surgical spirit and essential oils are not good for anyone.
Looking through the links has made me curious so I am off to browse. I will share if I find anything interesting.
I tried home made laundry detergent which was an enormously epic fail. The home made powder refused to dissolve in the washer and the gloop never really got to the gloop stage. I stocked up on Ariel instead when it was half price at Tesco. I have just got a coupon from Tesco for 160 extra Clubcard points if I buy before 3rd April, so I shall be keeping a close eye on the price of Ariel until then.
When I cleared out the cupboard under the sink I found three spray cleaners. It will take me a while to get through those, even with the 30 day cleaning plan. However I was considering some of the recipes in the book. One is a spray that you use on the shower and bath daily which is one part vinegar to three parts water with essential oil added. I may use it. I just bought 5 litres of white vinegar for just over £3 so the cost of a few drops of essential oil is likely to be the most expensive part of it. It is unlikely to do much damage.
I am seriously considering using Bless's idea of steeping orange peels (in vast supply here) in vinegar and using that as a cleaner.
My basic reservations about home made cleaners is that many of the recipes combine vinegar (acid), baking soda (alkaline) and essential oils. My very, very basic knowledge of chemistry says that acid and alkali cancel each other out so you end up with a neutral solution scented with essential oils. I found, amidst a drift of articles about home made cleaners, a very interesting one here which includes this statement:
However, the NPR report also stated that researchers at the Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Tennessee State University found that “water can remove 98 percent of bacteria when it’s used to rinse and soak produce.” Rubbing or brushing helps in cleaning.
So plain water with the compulsory 'few drops of essential oil' would be just as good. I would also suggest that essential oils need to be treated with respect and care. They can be incredibly powerful in very small doses.
I think it is incredibly important to label any home made solution. If and when I make up some of the diffuser solution I shall be labelling it as poison. Surgical spirit and essential oils are not good for anyone.
Looking through the links has made me curious so I am off to browse. I will share if I find anything interesting.
Why Do I Want To?
I have replaced the pillows on bear's bed. I had put this off for some time, as bear doesn't bother much with pillows. He usually sleeps next to them. However when I changed the pillowcases last week I actually noticed them. They were a poor example of a pillow, flat and limp with miscellaneous stains. I don't allow food in the bedrooms, but stuff slips through occasionally.
I got the pillows relatively inexpensively, and these ones may be worth washing. The ones that they replace are not. The filling is grinding down to dust and the cover wasn't robust to start with. At the moment they look like distasteful placemats. I quickly removed them so that bear couldn't declare an emotional attachment so that they had to be kept. So why do I have to sit on my hands to stop myself from washing them before throwing them out?
I am tempted to succumb, just to do a 'before and after' pic. I expect they would still be flat, just a lot lighter. I think the shame of the state they got into will stop me.
I got the pillows relatively inexpensively, and these ones may be worth washing. The ones that they replace are not. The filling is grinding down to dust and the cover wasn't robust to start with. At the moment they look like distasteful placemats. I quickly removed them so that bear couldn't declare an emotional attachment so that they had to be kept. So why do I have to sit on my hands to stop myself from washing them before throwing them out?
I am tempted to succumb, just to do a 'before and after' pic. I expect they would still be flat, just a lot lighter. I think the shame of the state they got into will stop me.
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