How a Blog Cleaned Up My Life....

Today's blog isn't reviewing a product, but I loved it so much, I had to share it. If you read my last review, you already know I am not the world's best housekeeper.  I like the motto, 'This house is clean enough to be healthy, but messy enough to be lived in'. I only have one child, but my husband often times makes it seem like two. Though I love them both dearly, the two of them are, most days, like a tornado sweeping through the house.  Last week I stumbled across a blog post  that has changed the way I look at cleaning and the tornado.

Cleaning is always such a daunting task for me.  There are so many things to clean - I don't mind the surface cleaning/picking up, but I avoid the rest like the plaque.  I have always tried to clean the whole house at once and just get it over with.  The problem: I get half way through (if that) and get bored or distracted.  This simple cleaning schedule has taught me to have a consistent schedule and break cleaning up to just a task or two per day.  My first thought: Who wants to clean EVERY day??  Not me!  But I gave it a shot.  Much to my surprise, it has really cleaned up my life (and the house).

I printed off a copy and it hangs on my cork board next to our family calender. It's a great reminder of what to get done.  The best part, if a day is too busy to get a task done, no task is too big that you can't double the next day.  I now have no excuse to avoid cleaning, but at least I don't mind it so much now.  I hope you find this simple schedule as useful as I did!

Little Green Notebook Blog
Cleaning Schedule

Bar Keepers Friend

There is one household job I HATE!  Cleaning tubs/showers.  With out a doubt, I dread this task.  I dread it so much, I am swallowing my pride and sadly admitting that I have avoided cleaning our shower for 8 months.  I know, it sounds gross and terrible.  We had our bathrooms remodeled just before my son was born.  One morning I looked at the glass shower door, the soap scum had overtaken the once shiny door.  My son was 8 months old that day.  Yup, that is procrastination at its best!

I couldn't avoid it any more, at this point my embaressment had squashed my hatred for cleaning showers.  I got out the shower cleaner and the bottle labeled, 'Soap Scum Cleaner'.  I cleaned the shower, and it sparkled.  I started working on the door.....nothing worked.  I heard that used dryer sheets did the trick......nope.  Scrubbing   Bubbles.......nope.  The shower door was still a mess.  I then dug out what I have always used to clean toilets (as learned from my mother), Bar Keepers Friend.   I shook some on a wet sponge and started cleaning again.  I am not kidding when I say, instantly, I could see through the door again. No heavy scrubbing or multiple applications - within minutes 8 months of soap scum was GONE!

Bar Keepers Friend is now my "go-to" cleaner. It is a universal cleaner.  The best part?  It is made from natural plant ingredients, not harsh chemicals like other cleansers.

The kids may be able to make a mess of tubs and showers, but Bar Keepers Friend can make it shine!

AFTER

BEFORE

Used Dryer Sheets: Fail
'Soap Scum Cleaner': Fail

Bar Keepers Friend:  Kid (and Parent) Tested, Mommy APPROVED!

Homemade Peanut Butter, Too Easy!

My adventure in peanut butter making, is in thanks to my father-in-law.  We all know the benefits of natural peanut butter.  It is much healthier than everyday, Jiff or Skippy.  It does not contain the additives, most importantly, it does not contain hydrogenated oil.  Natural peanut butter is better, but the biggest draw back is price.  It is much more expensive.  What if you could have the healthier, natural peanut butter at a fraction of the cost?  In today's review, I discovered it's possible and easy!

Homemade Peanut Butter

 Ingredient: Peanuts                                                         Tools: Food Processor                                         

      

Yup, that's it!

To start put peanuts in the food processor.  I just have a small food processor, so I had to repeat the process a couple of times.  Turn on the processor and let it do the magic!  It can take about 5 minutes or a little more for the peanuts to turn to peanut butter.  You may have to stop a couple of times to scrap the sides down.  Before you know the creamy goodness of peanut butter will begin to appear!

Different peanuts will give you a variety of taste.  Lightly salted peanuts are your healthiest option, but honey roasted or dry roasted to give it a little extra flavor.

To store peanut butter, put in to sealed containers.  You can store in the pantry for the short term, in the refrigerator or the freezer for later use.

Cost: I purchased a 52 oz. can of peanuts from Sam's Club for $7.29.  The can produced 3 (16 oz.) containers of peanut butter.  That's $2.43 for a jar of natural peanut butter compared to $4.99 for other natural brands.

Easy, inexpensive and a healthier option = MOMMY APPROVED!

Still Yummy = KID APPROVED!

Dirty Laundry.....Clean it Up!

Laundry......in this house it seems as if the laundry is actually fornicating and reproducing in my basement.  I swear I wash every possible dirty thing in the house, yet the next day I walk past the laundry room and, crap, more laundry.  I was looking for a good laundry soap that I can use on ALL of my laundry, including my son's dirty cloth diapers.  I loved the fact that MamaSuds is all natural and chemical free, but can it do the dirty work with out the additives?  Lets find out!

Today's review item was put to the test in three different ways:

1. Dirty, dirty, cloth diapers compliments of Jack
2. A dirty Salvation Army jacket with stains
3. Everyday laundry

Test #1: Dirty Diaper.....and they were gross!

I decided to spare you the pictures on this one, trust me these diapers were well spoiled!  Into the laundry went 15 cloth diapers with 1/8 a cup of MamaSuds Laundry Soap.  As I took them out of the wash and into the dryer, they seemed to be looking good, but wanted to wait til they were dry to make my decision.  45 minutes later...Voila!  Clean diapers!!  I was truly impressed.  Not only were the diapers clean and free of smells, but they were soft and fluffy without the use of any additives.


Test #2: Dirty, Stained Jacket

I had purchased a jacket from the Salvation Army  - nice jacket, but it was dirty and had a good size stain on the sleeve.  I had actually washed the jacket in the remaining laundry soap I had left the day before.  The jacket was cleaner, but the stain on the sleeve was still very noticeable.  In this scenrio I used the laundry soap as my pre-treat, putting it directly on the stained area, rubbing in a little and then washed as normal.  From washer to dryer, and.......Voila!  Clean jacket. I was even more surprised this time.  This jacket had already been treated and washed once with little results.  I was very impressed!

Test #3: Everyday Laundry

I have been using MamaSuds laundry soap for about a week now with my normal everyday laundry.  So, it should be no surprise after the first two tests, that I am enjoying clean, fresh, soft, laundry! I love that you don't need much soap, 1/8th of a cup per load is all you need.  For heavy soiled items you can use more.  So far, I have not needed to.  I will tell you the only thing I didn't like about the soap was that I had to keep a measuring cup out to measure (no pre-measured cap, which other soaps offer).  Then I reminded myself that it was hardly an issue, life could be worse, I could be washing dirty diapers on a wash board (Thank you, modern technology!).

I would recommend MamaSuds laundry soap to anyone and everyone.  It is all natural and chemical free, which is perfect for children.  And to top it off, it turns your dirty laundry into fresh, clean clothes!  The best part:  You would think that if it cleans so well it would be costly.....not so!  MamaSuds is $30 for 2 gallons of soap......that breaks down to just $0.12 per load!!

MamaSuds = MOMMY APPROVED!

A few other things from questions that were asked: Yes, the soap can be used for HE (high efficiency) washers. The soap is fragrance free, but they have natural scents that can be added.
Check out MamaSuds:

www.FamilySafeSoap.com
www.amazon.com/MamaSuds-Laundry-Soap-gallon-Shipping/dp/B006V4H9A8
www.facebook.com/pages/MamaSuds/257240647659779

Welcome!

I was looking for a new adventure.  Blogging?  No, not me.  I am boring, normal, and an average writer at best. As I was trying to find a car seat for my son, I had an idea.  There are a million products for kids, moms and families out there claiming to do this or that, but do they?  Well, we are about to find out!  Every week I will review a new product, giving you my honest, unbiased opinion. Bare with me as I challenge my writing skills to make my reviews as interesting as possible.

My son, Jack, and I will be testing and using products to see if they live up to their claims.  Occasionally, I may enlist the help of family and friends, if needed to get a proper review.

Is there a product or service out there that you have been wondering about?  Let me know and I will do my best to review it!