Sharing is Caring, Especially When It Comes to Cleaning

Make Your Own Dishwashing Detergent

Dish Soap | Flat Rate Carpet BlogMaking your own cleaning supplies is simple, easy and inexpensive. With just baking soda, borax and white vinegar you can clean and disinfect nearly everything in your home! This non-toxic home made dishwashing detergent is easy to make, and really works!

In a sealable plastic container, mix equal parts borax and baking soda. If you have hard water then just double the amount of baking soda so that the ratio is two parts baking soda, one part borax. Shake the mixture well, and you’re all done! Use two tablespoons of the mix in each load.

Use white vinegar in the rinse cycle. Not only will white vinegar keep your dishes sparkling but it will also help clean and disinfect your dishwasher!

Making your own dishwashing detergent is as simple as 1, 2, 3!

All Natural Hair Highlights

Lemons | Flat Rate Carpet BlogIf you’re looking to spice up your hairstyle without spending a ton at the salon, then do some at home highlights with all natural ingredients. With just a few ingredients from the kitchen, you’ll have a hot new look in no time.

For beautifully lightened locks lemon juice is the way to go. Mix ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice with ¾ cup water. Spray the mixture lightly onto your hair before going out into the sun. Make sure that you don’t get lemon juice on your skin or scalp, as it will cause you to burn and blister, however it’s totally safe for your hair. Leave the lemon juice on your hair for at least two hours, and make sure that you get plenty of sun. When you’re done condition your hair very well to avoid major drying.

If your hair is already dry, and you want lovely light locks without turning your head into a broom, use olive oil to lighten your hair. By combing copious amounts of olive oil into your hair and spending an hour in the sun, you’ll have naturally lightened hair that’s also soft and silky. Results aren’t as instant as with lemon, so use olive oil in your hair at least three times a week until you get the shade that you’re looking for.

Brunettes can lighten up their hair easily with a bit of chamomile tea. Make a big pot of chamomile tea and let it cool down to room temperature. Rinse your hair with the tea until it’s totally soaked in, and then hang out in the sun for at least half an hour. Unlike lemon juice or olive oil, chamomile tea is the least noticeable treatment, and it’s super easy on your hair. Use chamomile tea treatments every other day until you get the highlights you love.

No need to buy expensive products or soak your hair in damaging peroxide. Lighten your hair naturally with these three common kitchen items, and get a gorgeous summer look – naturally!

How to Get Rid of Ants Naturally

Ants | Flat Rate Carpet BlogGetting rid of ants can be a full time job. It seems like every time you get rid of one line of ants another one shows up. Bug repellents can work, but they also leave trails of poison all around your kitchen. Instead of buying expensive bug repellents, a few household items will help you get rid of your ant problem once and for all.

The number one top all purpose cleaner, white vinegar, also keeps away ants. Wiping down all surface areas with a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water wipes away the scent trails that ants use to get from place to place.

Another way to get rid of ants is to spread a line of baby powder, or plain talcum powder, where the ants are getting into your home. Theirs no fancy science behind this method, ants just hate talcum powder, and will stay away.

Certain spices and herbs have strong scents that repel ants. Leaving these spices in ant trouble spots will keep them from coming back. Some ant repelling spices are; cinnamon, chili, black and cayenne pepper, cloves, garlic and mint.

With these simple, all natural household items, you can win the war on ants.

How to Keep Work Out Clothes Clean

It’s hard enough to find time to work out, but having to keep your work out clothes clean is an added hassle. No one wants to be the stinky lady at the gym, so just follow a few simple steps and your work out clothes will be stink – free in no time!

The odor that penetrates your work out clothes is the result of the bacteria that feed on sweat. To keep work out clothes clean, try using a laundry detergent that’s anti bacterial as well.

Also, high heats kill germs, so be sure to wash your work out clothes in the hottest water possible. Adding half a cup of baking soda, or some distilled vinegar, will also help keep your work out clothes clean and odor free.

Most people don’t have time to do a load of laundry every time they go to the gym. Try keeping gym clothes in a separate laundry basket, and sprinkle them with baking soda to help remove odor. Sprinkling baking soda inside your gym back will also help cut down on odors, and prevent your work out clothes from getting stinky before you even wear them.

A lot of work out clothes are made with quick drying material. If you’re worried about not having enough work out clothes, or you prefer not to leave smelly laundry hanging around, quickly hand wash work out clothes.

A quick soak in a bucket of hot water with baking soda and vinegar, or some detergent, will rinse away sweat and odors. Just hang the clothes to dry and you’re ready to go.