"Queen of Clean" Part 1

Cleansers and Cleaning Tips

Here is a list of cleaning product you should never be without. And most of them are things you already have in your home. They can be used alone, together or in conjunction with other common household products such as salt or dish washing liquid to help you handle most of the cleaning problems in your home; and, are especially good for people with allergies and those of us who want to cut back on chemicals, or maybe just help our pocket book a little.

Here's your shopping list:

• White vinegar - mild acid
• Baking soda - great deodorizer, cleaner, and mild abrasive
• Lemon Juice - nature's bleach and disinfectant
• Club Soda - the best emergency spotter there is
• Spot Shat Instant Carpet Stain Remover - every home needs a good all-purpose carpet stain remover
• Borax - a base, a little stronger than baking soda
• Ammonia - good all-purpose cleaner (Never mix with chlorine-based products. Don't use it where chlorine has been used either. It creates ammonium chloride, which is lethal. Also, make sure you have adequate ventilation because it emits strong fumes).

Below are a few cleansers you can make using some of these. I will post more soon!

Baby Wipes

10 c. container w/ lid
1/2 roll Bounty paper towels
2 Tbsp. baby oil
2 Tbsp. baby bath
2 c. distilled water

Cut roll of paper towels in half. (Each roll of towels makes two containers of wipes). Remove center cardboard. Mix liquid ingredients, but don't shake because it foams. Pour over 1/2 roll of paper towels. Pull first towel up. If left to rest for one hour, all the liquid will be absorbed.

Window Cleaner

1/4 c. white vinegar
1 qt. water

Combine in spray bottle. Use a dry blackboard eraser on a dry window or mirror after cleaning to banish any streaks left behind.

Air Freshener

1 tsp. baking soda
1 Tbsp. white vinegar
2 cups water

Combine in spray bottle. After foaming stops, put on lid. Shake before using.

Scouring Powder - Non-toxic Grease Cutting

4 parts baking soda
1 part washing soda

Combine and store in shaker container.

Scouring Powder - Disinfecting

4 parts baking soda
1 part Borax

Combine and store in a shaker container.

Although my neighbor gave me these, they can all be found in The Queen of Clean's Books. You can find them at your local library or buy them here.

Wednesday Prep Day

I really like how the website Safely Gathered In has set up gathering items for emergency car kits, 72 hr. kits, and short and long term storage! So I am adopting this into my blog. Thank you Safely Gathered In! I'm just going to start where they currently are because we will come back and finish after the 72 hr. kits are complete. (It will keep both cycles the same and hopefully not cause confusion). Thank you again Safely Gathered In!

"Every [Wednesday], we post specific items you should gather in order to supplement your emergency car kit, your 3-month supply, and your longer-term storage. If you are new to our blog, don't worry! You won't be left behind. Just start up where we are and follow along. You will eventually have everything completed! Once the car kit is complete, we'll be putting together 72-hour kits again (week by week). Once those are done, we'll gather the car kits again. So don't worry, just jump on in and join us where we are today!"

"This week for your car kit, add some hand sanitizer (just a small travel bottle should be fine) and a small notepad and pens/pencils. Hand sanitizer is always a good idea to have around, and the pen and paper could come in handy for a variety of reasons - taking down information from someone, playing a game, making a grocery list on the go, etc."

"How is your three month supply coming along? Do you have a master shopping list? Do you have inventory of what you have? I know it's really overwhelming to think about all of that, but it's the perfect activity for a rainy day or just some down time (I know... that's hard to come by sometimes!). However, if you keep an up-to-date inventory of what you have, it makes your food storage seem so much easier."

"We're still gathering "other" items this month for longer-term storage. Are you catching up on another basic item that you missed, or are you gathering something completely different? Whatever you decide to get, good luck! Make sure you store it well so that it doesn't go bad. 5 gallon buckets or #10 cans are perfect... gotta keep the bugs out!"

Seasoning Mixes

Today's post is about seasoning mixes. I ran across these about five years ago, and I've been using them ever since. I've had people say "I'm just going to buy Taco Seasoning, etc..." which it totally fine. I just had all the ingredients in my cupboard anyway; so, these mixes help me keep them rotated faster then if I wasn't using them at all. Feel free to change them to fit your family's taste buds.

Spaghetti Seasoning

1 T. dehydrated onion
1 T. parsley flakes
1 T. cornstarch
1 T. salt
1/4 t. garlic powder
1 t. sugar
1 T. dried green pepper
1/4 t. basil
1/4 t. thyme
1/4 t. sage
1/4 t. marjoram
1/4 t. oregano

Equivalent to 1 pkg of seasoning.

Chili Seasoning

1 1/2 t. flour
1 T. dehydrated onion
3/4 t. chili powder
1/4 t. dried red pepper
1/4 t. minced garlic
1/2 t. seasoning salt
1/4 t. sugar
1/4 t. cumin

Equivalent to 1 pkg. of seasoning.

Sloppy Joe Mix

1 T. dehydrated onion
1 t. salt
1/2 t. garlic powder
1/4 t. dry mustard
1 t. salt
1 t. cornstarch
1/4 t. celery seeds
1/2 t. chili powder

Equivalent to 1 pkg. seasoning.

Taco Seasoning

For a milder taco seasoning, reduce the red pepper.

1 Tbs. dehydrated onion
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. dried red pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. ground cumin

Equivalent to 1 pkg. seasoning.

Motivational Monday

Last Friday I posted this thinking it was Monday. I don't know how anyone could possibly get the two days mixed up, but I managed. This is an AWESOME video clip of Elder Uchtdorf. Watch and enjoy!

Pinto Bean Fudge

Sorry, no picture yet, but this is excellent!

1 c. cooked soft pinto beans*
1/4 c. milk
1 Tbsp. vanilla
1 c. plus 2 Tbsp. cocoa
3/4 c. butter, melted
2 lbs. powdered sugar
Nuts, optional

Pour beans, milk, vanilla, and butter in blender and process until smooth. Mix cocoa and powdered sugar in a bowl. Creating nest in center of sugar mixture, pour bean mixture in. Begin mixing being careful not to get sugar lumps. When mixed, this will be runny. Don't worry, it will set up very quickly, so poor it in a pan fast and refrigerate until firm. Enjoy!

*To quick cook pinto beans, add sorted beans and a bunch of water to a pot. Boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat and cover. Let stand one hour. Replace old water with fresh water and simmer covered for 1 and a half to 2 hours or until done.

Water Storage

When I saw this, I got very excited! Many ways of storing water exist. This way may help with the large 55 gallon barrels! The idea comes from Wendy DeWitt and is found on her blog http://everythingunderthesunblog.blogspot.com/. For instructions that are a little easier to understand, click here http://www.theideadoor.com/Preparedness/storing_water.htm#Storing_Water_Barrels

To treat water in a 55 gallon drum, use 1/8 teaspoon Chlorine crystals, the kind used for hot tubs. Add them to the water. Don't add the water to the Chlorine crystals because it creates a poisonous gas! Chlorine crystals never expire, unlike liquid chlorine which is only good for 6 months after manufacturing!