3/16/13

Bed bugs have become such a health epidemic that the phrase "don't let the bed bugs bite" is literal for many people. One way to help curtail the risk of bed bugs at home is to make cleaning your mattress a regular part of making your bed. To clean your bed, simply strip it to the bare mattress and generously sprinkle baking powder and kosher salt on top. The baking powder will deodorize the bed, and the salt will dehydrate any potential bugs or bed bug eggs that may be lurking in corners. Then vacuum, making sure to pay special attention to crevices and tufted areas where critters may be lurking.

3/15/13

Ginger root is fast becoming a kitchen staple for its healthy digestive properties and delicious taste. If you find yourself with a leftover chunk of ginger root, don't toss it in the trash -- grow a ginger plant from it. Fill a small pot with organic potting mix, place the ginger root in the soil and water it. In a few days, you'll see new growth coming out of the soil, and in a few weeks, you'll have a regenerated ginger root that you can harvest and use at home. If you do this right, you'll never have to purchase ginger root again!

3/14/13

One of the biggest gripes about nontoxic cleaning is that it can be nearly impossible to get the grout in between tiles to look sparkling clean using only natural ingredients. Try this foolproof recipe: Mix 7 cups tap water, 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/3 cup bottled lemon juice and 1/4 cup white vinegar. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray away. It'll loosen grime, brighten the grout and give the whole room a fresh, clean smell.