Carpet Cleaning Solution

Today I discovered my new favorite mixture for my carpet ♥ I borrowed a carpet cleaner from my dad the other day and thoroughly vacuumed my carpets today and got ready to use the carpet cleaner and then discovered, he never gave me any carpet cleaning solution to put in it! Since those solutions are usually way to chemical infested for me I wasn't too upset but still needed to find what I could use in my house to make a solution for the machine.

I knew I had vinegar and baking soda but I was pretty sure I needed something else. I jumped onto my ever to trustworthy laptop and typed my ever so favorite website, google, and found what I needed, the final ingredient ... soap. Wow, that wasn't earth shattering but it was informative. A gentle laundry detergent was what the recipe called for which is perfect because I have my handy dandy natural soap (Lavender scented, of course) from ♥TJ's♥
This is the recipe that I found:

• 1/4 Cup laundry detergent
• 1 Cup Vinegar
• 2 Teaspoons baking soda

Now the website said to mix the solution in another container, like a milk gallon or something, before putting it in the carpet cleaning machine's tank leaving some space at the top of the container to add the mixture. Link to original site here. So I didn't have a container and I don't drink cow milk so that wasn't going to work so I mixed it in a pyrex measuring glass, like the one shown. Call me stupid if you want, it's ok. I have never used vinegar and baking soda in a small environment before so I was unaware of the chemical reaction. I mixed the vinegar and laundry soap in the pyrex and then proceeded with the first tsp of baking soda and right after the second tsp. The whole concoction exploded! Ok, not exploded, but bubbled up and over all over the place. 

The moral of this story is to mix the ingredient either in a big enough container, like a milk gallon, to help keep the bubbles at bay, or straight into the carpet cleaning machine's water tank, which I did the second, third and forth time I made this. You will have fun watching it bubble up. All the bubbles excite me because I see thousands of scrubbing hands using tons of elbow grease when I see lots and lots of bubbles while I'm cleaning (it's very exciting for me!)

This solution for your carpets is by far THE BEST I have tried for spot cleaning and now for machine cleaning. I put some solution in a spray bottle and pre-treated some areas that needed an extra soaking before cleaning. Once I went over them with the machine (my new BFF) it whisked those stains up like a knight riding in on a horse meeting his princesses for the first time *sigh* it truly was a magical experience.

I regret not having before and after pictures. I'll have to wait for a stain and then add them later, but try this solution and you wont be disappointed. If you are and it doesn't work well, then maybe it's time for newer carpet because this w-o-r-k-s!♥

Air Freshener. Dog Corrector

I love freshening up my house or car with a burst of essential oil or citrus oil scent. Most people wouldn't think to use a room freshener as a tool in correcting your dog, but you can. Most dog hate the smell of citrus, but there are some that are unaffected by the strong, bitter scent. Almost any pet store sells some kind of citrus correcting spray or a correcting spray collar, much like a shock collar (but obviously less painful) the citrus will spray upward towards the dogs face when the dog barks. Citrus sprays are the most effect tool I've found in correcting my dog.

One thing when choosing a citrus spray is to:

• Choose a pump; non-aerosol 
• One made with 100% natural citrus oil (you don't want to spray chemicals in your dogs face)
• Choose a scent you love but that your dog hates (apply trial and error here)

Of course before you buy your citrus spray and start correcting your dog you need to make sure he/she doesn't have any allergic reactions. You might want to double check with your vet. Your dogs breed, age or special medications could be a factor. I have a 7 month old Golden Retriever that's as healthy as a horse and HATES the smell of orange which just so happens to be the room freshener scent of my choice. I get my citrus spray from ♥Trader Joe's♥ but you can get it from anywhere.

I ♥ my citrus spray and I ♥ that my super smart Golden already knows that when I pick up the can he's in trouble. Now, I'm not a dog trainer by any means but I do have knowledge of being consistent with your training and not confusing your dog by doing one thing and then another so I never use the spray to freshener the room when he's around because like I said, as soon as I pick up the bottle he knows he's in trouble and if I feel like freshening up my living room and he's being a good buy chewing on his bone or relaxing on his bed I don't want him to think he's doing wrong so I'll put him away for a few minutes.

Some of the things I use citrus spray on his corrections are:

My Golden @10 weeks

• Barking 
• Chasing the cat 
• Getting to near to the cat litter
• Trying to lick up food crumbs
• Being too persistent that I play ball with him

Of course there are other ways to correct dogs but this isn't a dog training post. These are things I use the spray on him for and I've had wonderful success to the point that a stern "hey" and he'll get the message because he knows next would be a spray.

You can also make your own citrus spray with 1 part lemon juice or citrus essential oil to 4 parts water, place in a spray bottle and you're good to go. **CAUTION: AVOID GETTING IN PETS EYES**

When you spray the citrus, spray it toward their face but never right in their face. Just imagine getting sprayed in your face with sense's as strong as their's! Trust me, a spray in their nose's general direction and they're get the point. You can even spray it on something you don't want them getting into or onto. My dog licks fabric since he's still a puppy so I'll spray certain pillows and other fabrics I don't want him to lick. **CAUTION: ESSENTIAL OILS CAN STAIN SO DO A PATCH TEST BEFORE SPRAYING FABRICS** When you spray towards your dogs nose you'll notice your dog pawing at their face or rubbing their face on the carpet/floor and maybe a sneeze or two. They're not in pain or anything it just smells bad for them and they're trying to avoid it, much like how we do when we smell something bad and we fan our hand in front of our nose or make a disgusted face or even gag. It's pretty much the equivalent.

This is a great safe, humane, eco-friendly and productive way to get two uses out of one item. Finding this duel usage out of citrus room freshener has been amazing. I ♥ my citrus spray and I ♥ my Golden and I ♥ how its helped him learn. This is my own personal experience with it. I would suggest trying it or talking to a trainer about it or even research it more online. 

Aloe Vera and Your Hair

If you're like me you're obsessed with your hair being the healthiest, shiniest, strongest and most manageable it can possibly be. Before I went chemical free in my life I used Pantene on my hair, yikes! it dried my hair out SO bad. Then I tried a Neutrogena shampoo/conditioner that did help with my dry scalp issues but didn't give me the moisture my hair so desperately needed. I have naturally dry skin and hair so I need A LOT of moisture.
After a few years (yes, years. I give things a go before I discount it) of trial and error, I heard of tea tree oil and all the wonderful antiseptic and anti-fungal properties that came along with it, plus many more benefits. I found a shampoo with tea tree oil in it at, where else? ♥Trader Joe's♥ and I loved that it was all natural with no harsh chemicals or sulfates in it, so I tried it. The shampoo, like the Neutrogena (minus the chemicals) worked great on my scalp but also horribly dried out my hair much like Pantene. By this time I was so frustrated. I'm trying to nurture my hair back to health and grow it out and all I keep doing is fixing one thing and messing up another.
Learning your own hair needs, limitations and conditions is something every female needs to do. For me, it wasn't easy. I always wanted thick, long hair but was born with very fine hair that would get split-ends if I ever tried growing it out. Some hair can take a lot of abuse (heat, combing, constant hair styling, coloring, bleaching, etc.) and it took me a long time to realize that not everybody's hair is the same and mine can't take much abuse at all. For instance, I always heard that you shouldn't wash your hair everyday since it strips out the natural oils (sebum) that are necessary to lubricate your scalp. So I would wash my hair maybe twice a week, depending on if it was summer or winter and also if I used any products on it. However, I noticed my hair was getting brittle, very dry, falling out as well as splitting easily. I had to learn that my scalp has overactive pores and I produce too much sebum, which builds up if not attended to regularly and actually blocks nutrients to my already existing hair and prohibits healthy new growth of hair.
By this time, I am at my splits-end! So I do some research on how to handle this problem in an all natural way. Enter- Aloe Vera. You mean the stuff my mom always put on me when I got a bad sun burn? Yes, exactly!
Aloe Vera has natural soothing agents in it which is why we put it on our skin when we get sunburned. Those same soothing agents help heal and reduce any inflammation on the scalp (of course before using it you should see your Dr. to ensure that there isn't a serious medical reason occurring). 100% Aloe Vera gel can be massaged into the scalp by sectioning small pieces of hair and applying directly in small amounts. A test patch should be done first just in case you've never used Aloe Vera before, you don't want to risk any allergic reaction.

I do this remedy to my hair every other day:

1. Massage pure 100% Aloe Vera gel into scalp and then entire length of hair (massage scalp at least 5 minutes. This will encourage blood flow)
2. Wet a towel and ring out all the water, until just damp. Place in glass bowl and microwave for 30-40 seconds (this will depend on your length and thickness of hair). I like to use the microfiber hair wrap towels **CAUTION ANY TOWEL GETS HOT**
3. Place immediately on your hair and wrap it like you were drying your hair from out of the shower.
4. If possible, place a plastic shower cap over heated towel to keep heat in as long as possible. (easily done with a microfiber wrap towel)
5. Leave on at least 30 minutes. You can also skip the heated towel part and just place the shower cap on at night before you go to bed. Your natural body heat during the night will enable your scalp pores to open.
6. Wash out (try to use an all natural shampoo OR wait till I post my natural homemade shampoo!!)♥

The best thing to rinse your hair with is cold water, the colder the better. I, personally, add no heat to my hair while washing it. I've even heard distilled water is good to use too. I've never tried it and to be honest, probably wont. I started making my own water to wash my hair with.

A piece of fresh Aloe Vera in water

Top View

I have two Aloe Vera plants in my backyard and every now and then I'll go out, cut off a leaf (or stem, not sure what they're called) and then make my hair water in these easy steps:
 **You can reuse the same piece twice**

1. Remove from the base of the plant. Make sure you gently wash all any and all dirt. (You can also buy fresh Aloe Vera leaf's, I would recommend organic)
2. With a sharp knife, carefully, cut along either side removing the little thorns
3. Remove, with knife, the top part the curves up.
4. Leave the back skin on and place in a glass container
5. Fill with filtered water and let stand for at least 12 hours.

Using this Aloe Vera water in conjunction to the gel massage will help aid in softening, conditioning and soothing dry or otherwise irritated scalp. These two hair remedies have completely changed my hair for the better. You'll see and feel a difference after the first time.

A natural, organic hair care product line that I ♥: Giovanni

♥>>>Come back to see how I make my own Aloe Vera shampoo mix<<<♥

Duel Purpose Dryer Bags

I want to share one of my most favorite laundry and carpet freshening secrets from Trader Joe's. I ♥ TJ's with a passion! They really do sell some of the best stuff there for an incredibly low price. Once I discovered their Lavender Dryer Bags, I was hooked.
Not only do I absolutely ♥ lavender but when you're done getting the 5-10+ uses out of the bag in the dryer you can open it up and use it again, instead of tossing it away like other dryer sheets that really only give you one use and are full of chemicals. If there's one thing I DO NOT ♥, it's chemicals.

$7.99

Brand New Sachet

They come four sachet's a package with each sachet bag getting anywhere from  5-10 uses (so says the package). I always dry my clothes, no matter what, on a low heat setting and a low or delicate cycle and I can get more than 10 uses. Once you start seeing little holes develop in the bag itself then it's coming near the end. Once it looks pretty beat up I would stop using it in the dryer because then it'll tear open and you'll have to vacuum out all the lavender.
Once all the uses are done in the dryer then simply tear open the bag, carefully, and pour small amounts in your hand and spread them all over your carpet. I like to let them set for a few hours or a day because you'll walk on them and push them into your carpet, plus the gentle abuse releases more lavender scent. Once you've let them set, then vacuum your carpet and it'll smell so nice and relaxing!
Another good thing about these dryer bags or sachets (whichever one) is that they are natural moth repellent's. Spider's don't fancy the smell of lavender either so it'll shoo them away too which is fine by me because they scare me.
Your laundry will smell so amazing when you take it out of the dryer, even once you open the dryer you get a rush of lavender and I swear you wont even mind doing laundry. I like to pair these with Trader Joe's all natural lavender soap as well, for that double whammy of scent.

$4.99 Small (which is this one)
$9.99 Large (which I usually buy)

Great for HE washers, regular washers or hand washing.

****A little goes a long way****

With these two items, you will fall in ♥, they're really that wonderful. I think I might die if TJ's ever stops carrying these. I know, I've sadly read online that some TJ's have stopped carrying the sachet's, tho I'm not sure in which states or cities. I'm pretty sure I remember a crew member telling me that they discontinue items on account of how poorly they sell in the stores region. So if you're local TJ's doesn't have these ask them, nicely, to call around to other ones and see if they may have them. They'll do that, they have wonderful customer service.