DIY All Purpose Cleaner

A few years ago I was sitting in my kitchen waiting for my sister to pick me up to go to the mall.  On my table was a bottle of cleaner.  Being bored I picked it up and started to read what was inside.  I am by no means a genius, but I can read.....  But not this bottle!   I had not clue what 90% of the stuff inside my cleaner was, and here I was spraying it all over the place.  Places that my kids and pets come into contact with all the time.  Now don't get me wrong just because I couldn't pronounce them doesn't mean they were all bad.  So I did some research and found out which were okay and which ones to avoid.  That is how I got started making my own cleaners, detergent and so much more.

The reason I like making my own is because I know exactly what is in everything I use.

With that being said lets move on to my DIY all purpose cleaner

What you need:

1tsp borax

1/2tsp washing soda

1 tsp castile soap

30 drops of essential oils

2 cups warm water

1 empty bottle

Directions:

Place borax, washing soda, castile soap in the bottle

Add the two cups of water

Add the oil (You can use one oil or several.  I used lavender, lemon, orange, cedarwood and a few drops of tea tree oil.  This depends on what you want your cleaner to smell like.)

Mix it all together and you are done!

I use this one everything, except my granite counter tops.

I hope you like this cleaner as much as I do!  Happy cleaning!!

Arcade and the Fiery Metal Tester

I was given products in this post for the purpose of review.  I was not paid to write this review, all opinions are my own.

Every night I have my boys sit at the table and do their homework.  To prevent them from rushing a set a timer and they can't leave the table until that time goes off.  If the do get their homework done before that time they can either study or read.  Brandon Jr my oldest LOVES the Arcade series by Rashad Jennings.  His books have action 

Arcade and the Fiery Metal Tester is the third book in the Coin Slot Chronicles series by New York Times bestselling author, former NFL running back, and Dancing with the Stars champion Rashad Jennings. This humorous and imaginative series encourages readers to value the power of friendship and imagination, and to never underestimate an underdog.

In no time flat, Arcade is tested like never before to use the Triple T token’s powerful ways to outsmart a bully, find a place for his best friend to live, and spy on some pesky villains from the 1900s. Meanwhile, sister Zoe thinks controlling the token is nothing but a path to disaster.

One thing’s for sure, the token continues its flashing and pulsing. And elevator doors continue to transport Arcade, Zoe, and their friends to meet different people in strange locations—people who will challenge them, teach them, and inspire them to grow in patience and compassion.

And just as a trip through a fiery furnace is necessary to purify gold, the token leads Arcade through superheated situations to test the purity of his heart.

I love that Rashad instills Christian values throughout this entire story.  It makes kids see the imporances of being kind and making good choices.  And I really liked that it address the issue of bullying.

This is a great read I have a 9 year old and a 12 year old, both of them enjoyed.  This is the perfect age group for this book.  And I think both girls and boys will enjoy this story.

Book details:

  

• Print Length: 256 pages
Publisher: Zonderkidz (February 11, 2020)
• Publication Date: February 11, 2020
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishing
• Language: English

You can find this book and so many others at Zonderkidz.  Link below

https://www.zonderkidz.com/

Make Your own Soy Candles

A few years ago I read an article about the dangers of burning candles.  After I was done reading I gave my candles the stink eye and asked them why they were trying to kill me!  I switched over to essential oils, but a part of me really missed burning my candles.  I am so that person that soaks in a bubble bath with candles as my only source of light.

So back to the internet I went.  There had to be a way to burn toxic free candles!

Turns out the only way to be 100% sure was to make them myself.  And once I found out how easy and cheap they were to DIY I couldn't believe I hadn't been doing it all along.

Soy is the way to go!  Soy is a natural, renewable source.  Soy burnings longer and is biodegradable.  

What you need

Soy wax flakes

Wicks (choose a size according to your jar)

Jars

essential oils 

All of these can be found online at Walmart or amazon

Step 1:

Add your soy flakes to a glass jar of your choosing.  You will be burning your candle in this jar so pick something you like!

Step 2:

Fill a pot with water and place your soy flake filled glass jars inside.  You do not want the water to get inside the jar.  

Note you will need to add more wax after it begins to melt.  I add another 2 or 3 tablespoons to each.  You need to be the judge and determine how high you want our wax to be.   I used a rolled up piece of paper so I can control where the wax flakes go.

Also you will have to mix a bit as the flakes melt.  I used a popsicle stick.

Step 3:

After all the wax is melted I remove them from the pot.

The jars are very hot.  I use hotdog prongs to get them.  Move slowly, you don't want wax everywhere.  Put the jar on a flat surface that can handle heat.  I also put a paper towel under mine just in case I spill some wax.

Step 4:

Add whatever essential oil you want.  These candles are not very strong smelling, so I would say a minimum of 100 drops.  If it is a stronger oil you could use less.  Use your popsicle stick to stir the oil and the wax

Step 5:

Time for the wicks.  You need to center them!  This is so important or you will have uneven burning that may ruin your candle.  I use pencils and tape to center mine

Let them set.  Time varies, if my house is really warm it might take 3 hours.  If the house is cooler they can set in 2.  

Step 6:

Trim your wick and enjoy!