Make a Cleaning Kit - 'Martha Stewart.com'

I really like this idea, make a cleaning kit to carry with you, as you tackle your house cleaning. For easier spring cleaning, fill a bucket with basics that need to be toted from room to room: all-purpose and glass-cleaning sprays, a sponge, a toothbrush, a squeegee, a scrub brush, hopsacking, and terry-cloth towels in washcloth and hand-towel sizes. Between tasks, hang rubber gloves over the rim to dry.

I like to include my Swifter Duster and a refill. Try purchasing colorful rubber gloves, at your local grocery store. I find that it makes the job a little more fun. Don't forget your timer, for focus cleaning.

Make a reference section, in your Household Management Binder. Then visit Martha Stewart.com for more housekeeping tips and suggestions, available for download.

'Marcus and Me' Blog - Homeschool Buyers Co-op, pbTeen.com Sweepstakes, Make a Quilt Day

Stop by 'Marcus and Me' Blog today, to read about the money saving power of Homeschool Buyers Co-op. Celebrate Make a Quilt Day by visiting several sites, including QuiltEthnic.com. And enter pbTeen.com 2006 Dorm Sweepstakes for a chance to win a $2,500 gift certificate.

You'll find more family, kid and teen news, contests and interests, at this blog. I also include our homebased learning activities. Stop by often.

Looking for a WAH Job? - WAHM.com Job Listing

Cheryl Damas, WAHM.com, offers a Telecommuting Job Listing, on her website. You'll find a variety of jobs, including customer service, clerical and computer. Jobs are adding almost daily. There are also links to WAH companies that many of the message board members belong to.

Remember to never ACCEPT ANY JOBS THAT REQUIRE CASHING CHECKS AND TRANSFERRING MONEY FROM YOUR BANK ACCOUNT TO ANOTHER ACCOUNT.

CWAHM Internet Talk Radio Show - April 16

On this week's show Jill Hart interviews David Socha, One2Believe.com, about his company. His mission is to creating spritual development in children. You'll find various dolls that speak scripture. Visit the website for more information and prices.

Listen for the regular segments, Telecommuting Minute, Success from Home with Diana Ennen of Virtual Word Publishing and Angie Peters' Devotional. Enjoy the show!

Remember, the show is available for download to your MP3, 24 hours, 7 days a week.

I Love My New Curtains - Country Curtains

I was first introduced to Country Curtains by a co-worker, 10 years ago. She told me that the company sold a quality product, affordable and offered quick delivery. I had terrible experience with store bought curtains. Once they have been washed the seams would start unraveling or the fabric would start breaking down. I quickly ordered a catalog and placed my first order upon it's arrival. When I received my order, I pulled out a pair of beautiful curtains and a valance. They hung in my kitchen for 10 years.

Recently, I decided it was time to replace my curtains. I place an order for the Plain & Simple tailored curtains, in White Perma-Press. They have a classic, clean look. Just perfect for our small kitchen. When they arrived my son mentioned that they were definitely white and crisp. I guess he was very impressed because he even hung them up for me.

Visit the website for to order a free catalog, measuring suggestions, tips, and free fabric samples. You'll also find a large selection of drapes and curtains.

The Homeschool Estore - Downloadable Books and Audio Files

What a fantastic idea! No shipping charges, books are immediately available for download! Tons of subjects and K through high school are covered. Affordable prices. This has to be Homeschool eStore.

Visit this site for additional curriculum to a punch to your Spring curriculum. I decided to order 'The Baseball Unit' by Amanda Bennett. For only $10.95, I will have access to this ebook to use anytime. I can view or print it out. There are vocabulary, lesson plans and internet research to keep our teenager interested.

The 3-D Layered Volcano Diagram will give your student an insight to the workings of a volcano. They'll learn about the workings, as well as general information. For only $2.80 you have to include this one in your shopping cart!

They're always adding to the inventory so stop by often.

'Green Cleaning for a Healthy Home' by Sara Noel

Green Cleaning for a Healthy Home
By: Sara Noel

Most homes contain various store-bought products to clean their home effectively. Many of these manufactured cleaning products are toxic. You can replace these products with safer alternatives that are easy to make and economical too. The basic ingredients are items that are either readily available in your home or easy to find at your local grocery store. Homemade cleaners are versatile, so will require less storage space than all of your conventional cleaning products. The results are impressive and will equal and often outperform commercial cleaners.

Basic Ingredients Checklist

Baking Soda
Vinegar
Water
Lemon Juice
Ammonia
Salt
Borax
Vegetable or Olive Oil
Club Soda
Isopropyl Alcohol
Toothpaste
Spray Bottles

Tips Before You Get Started

Mix in a well-ventilated area
Label containers and store in a safe place
Use containers with tight fitted lids
Don’t reuse old containers from other cleaners
Don’t mix bleach and ammonia
Don’t store in food containers
Test an area before using any cleaner
Quick Tips

Dusting- Re-use dryer sheets for dusting instead of the new Pledge or Swiffer cloths.
Linoleum Floor- Use club soda to clean
Fabric Softener- Add vinegar to the rinse cycle
Microwave Cleaner- Mix 2T baking soda or lemon juice and 1 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for five minutes or until the liquid boils and condensation builds up inside the microwave. Wipe down.
Chrome Cleaner- Toothpaste is great for cleaning chrome.
Dishwasher Rinse- 1 1/2 white vinegar added to the rinse compartment of your dishwasher

The following recipes are safe and non-toxic.

Glass Cleaner

1 gallon water
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon liquid dish detergent

or

1 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
1 cup water
1 tablespoon white vinegar
Mix and add to a spray bottle

Wood Floor Cleaner

1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Mix well

All-Purpose Cleaner

1 tsp. borax
1/2 Tsp. washing soda
2 Tbl. lemon juice
In a spray bottle, combine the ingredients with 1 cup of hot water and shake.

Furniture Polish

In a spray bottle mix 1 cup vegetable or olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
Shake well and apply a small amount to a cloth.

Multi-Purpose Deep Cleaner

1 cup household ammonia
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda
1 gallon warm water
Mix well

As you can see, homemade cleaners are simple and frugal to make. They are safe and effective too. Replacing even one of your conventional cleaners with a greener alternative can make a difference. You’ve got to ask yourself if you’re “killing yourself” trying to clean your house with commercial chemicals.

Article by:


Sara Noel is a freelance writer and the Editor/Publisher of www.FrugalVillage.com and www.HomesteadGarden.com Visit both these sites for information on getting back to basics through frugality, gardening, lost arts, simplicity, homesteading, and natural family living.


This article is available for reprint with author's resource box intact and all links live and clickable. Copyright is reserved by author.

'A Clean Oven and Now Time on Your Hands' - Chaele McMillan

A Clean Oven and Now time on your hands.
By: Chaele McMillan

Are you tired of scrubbing your nasty oven? Use this simple cleaning recipe and it will wipe right off.

2 Tbsp. dishwashing liquid

2 Tbsp. borax

1/4 c. ammonia

1 1/2 c. warm water

Mix together, apply to oven spills and allow to sit 20-30 minutes. Scrub with an abrasive nylon-backed sponge and rinse well.

Article by:


Chaele McMillan is a WAHM. She is the outreach Manager for Sunrise Retreats. Sign up for a free inspirational newsletter at www.SunriseRetreats.com


This article is available for reprint with author's resource box intact and all links live and clickable. Copyright is reserved by author.

In this Week's 'Parade' Magazine - April 16

Teens can learn how they can volunteer for National & Global Youth Service Day, April 21 to 23, 2006. At parade.com they can apply for a 'Bee the Change' grant and possibly win $1000 for a community service project that uses 'Akeelah and the Bee' movie, as an inspiration.

Read how you can get your home more green. I learned to cut down on the chlorine based cleaners. Consider purchasing cleaners that have a hydrogen peroxide or sodium percarbonate base. Clean glass and mirrors with a solution of white vinegar mixed with water. It definitely cost less than store bought window cleaner.

Did you know that accountants have the second germiest workplace in America? Teachers being the worst. That definitely made me want to scrub down my work area.

The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906

On April 18, 1906, an earthquake shook the city and caused a fire that raged for three days, destroying almost all of San Francisco’s downtown and much of the residential area.

The History Channel will be airing 'Mega Disaster: The San Francisco Earthquake' on April 18, 19 and 22. Stop by the website for times.

Visit the following websites for more details, at About.com.

The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906

San Francisco Earthquake Pictures

Events of Earthquake and Fire