Chemicals, huh? You can’t live without them, but you also can’t live with the vegan PTA mom going on and on about how your shampoo is basically poisoning you. Thanks to this hack, she will have one less thing to nag about. For years, baking soda has been touted as one of your kitchen’s most versatile must-have items.
You will have an all-natural produce scrub by adding a couple of teaspoons of baking soda to 1-2 cups of water. Combine the mixture in a large mixing bowl, or add the ingredients into a spray bottle and shake well. Once mixed, you will have the perfect all-natural solution for ridding your produce of pesticides, dirt, and unwanted yuck from every nook and cranny. Once cleaned, make sure to rinse your produce thoroughly.
Purify Air and Remove Odor With Charcoal
We’re not talking about those heavy white and blue bags of BBQ charcoal you would pick up at Home Depot. Well, maybe we kind of are. Activated bamboo charcoal, in particular, can be found in most home goods stores (and might already be accidentally stored in your garage or shed!). It can be used in place of baking soda to remove odors and in place of expensive air, purifiers to purify the air.
Unlike baking soda or chemical sprays, this charcoal can purify air and remove bacteria and a lot of allergens. Simply load some activated charcoal into mesh bags, and put them around the house wherever you have odors. The best part? Every month, put the charcoal bags out in the sun, and the bag “reactivates” and recharges itself.
Redecorate With Painted Rocks
Just like the heading says, all you need for this hack are some large rocks, acrylic paint, and brushes. Get a game plan in the works and imagine a theme, the way that you want your decorations to look, and where you want to place them (we recommend the garden). Then, paint the large rocks and let them dry for a night or two before placing them strategically. If you chose the garden, use them to frame your most photogenic plants.
No garden? no problem. This little hack can also brighten up a gray room. Simply place the rocks in a glass bowl to add a touch of color to whatever room you desire. You can get as creative as you want here and go as simple or as complicated as you like. For instance, you can use simple colors and designs or go for your favorite film characters for something more entertaining. The possibilities are endless!
Clean With Essential Oils
Essential oils have recently been enjoying great PR. Their popularity is due to their natural sources and limited impact on the environment. There are more and more companies and individuals who find new and useful means to incorporate them into their everyday products and lives. One such way is to use them in the cleaning of our homes and living areas.
The most beneficial aspect of essential oils is that they are natural, not harsh like man-made chemicals, and have much fewer side effects. By combining essential oils with other natural products, such as baking soda or vinegar, a whole new world is opened up to a more natural method of cleaning.
Put Onions and Garlic in Paper Bags
You don’t have to be a top chef to know the flavorful benefits of cooking and sautéing with onions and garlic. By adding these two staples, you can change the game when it comes to the taste of some of your favorite foods or dishes. Veggies like onions, garlic, and even shallots last much longer than their counterparts, such as bananas, apples, and oranges (and don't even get us started on avocados).
Still, there is a simple hack to further their longevity by as many as three more months. Just take a paper bag — a standard lunch bag will do — and punch holes all in the bag using a paper punch. Once you have that done, fold the bag top down a couple of turns and secure it with a paper clip.