Tag Archives: Helpful Hints
The Ideal Homemade Weed Killer
Using store bought weed killer is not only bad for you and the environment, but it is expensive. I have tried many homemade versions of weed killer; however, this one works the best.
House Plants = Healthy Indoor Air
Keeping our air clean and free from chemicals is a concern for us all, especially the air we breathe indoors.
Today, buildings are better insulated and hold more toxic chemicals than at any time in history. Toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, ammonia, and petroleum-based materials reside in our homes creating a potentially harmful environment. Plants can help to eliminate some of these toxins and add ambiance to our residence.
According to research done by NASA, living green and flowering plants, clean pollutants in the air. We close up our houses in the winter due to the cold weather and breathe reconstituted air-filled with contaminants. These contaminants come from the furniture we sit on, the cabinets we open, and the carpeting we walk on. “Harmful indoor pollutants represent a serious health problem that is responsible for more than 1.6 million deaths each year”, according to a 2002 World Health Organization report. These impurities in our air has attributed to a rise in chronic and reoccurring sinus infections, chronic post-nasal drainage, asthma, bronchial infections, ear infections, and other illness cause by synthetic contaminants. Unfortunately, summertime does not alleviate the problem, due to climate controlled homes and office buildings where air conditioning is taking the place of heating systems when the weather turns hot.
The good news is that we can reduce the effects of the most common toxins by adding houseplants to our homes. Plants produce oxygen, add moisture, and filter out toxins in the air neutralizing indoor pollution. By placing, a few houseplants around our homes and using specific types of houseplants our environment can be beautiful and healthy.
Below is a list of beneficial houseplants and the toxins they are best at filtering.
Plant Names |
Toxin it Removes |
Asparagus fern | Benzene, xylene, hexane, heptane, octane, decane, trichloroethylene (TCE), and methylene chloride |
Aloe Vera: | Eliminates emissions from most toxins |
Chrysanthemum: | Reduces toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene and ammonia |
Dieffenbachia: | Formaldehyde, Toluene, Xylene |
English Ivy: | Eliminates petroleum-based products |
Gerber Daisy | Adds oxygen to the air |
Peace Lily | Removes chemicals from smoking |
Purple Waffle Plant | Benzene, xylene, hexane, heptane, octane, decane, trichloroethylene (TCE), and methylene chloride |
Schefflera | Benzene, Formaldehyde, Toluene |
Spider Plants: | Exceptional for reducing formaldehyde |
Variegated Wax Plant | Benzene, xylene, hexane, heptane, octane, decane, trichloroethylene (TCE), and methylene chloride |
©Jamie Nowinski 5/10/2012
Garden Gate Nursery. (2011). Retrieved from The Garden Gate Nursery and Floral: http://www.gardengatenursery.com/gardentips/gardendesign/58-healthbenefitsofhouseplants.html
Science, A. S. (2009, November 4). Common Plants Can Eliminate Indoor Air Pollutants. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 10, 2012, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2009/11/091104140816.htm
Wolverton, B. C. (1997.). How To Grow Fresh Air. New York: Penguin Books.
Copyright © Jamie Nowinski and Grandmother Wisdom/ Grandmother Musings 2012-2013.Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jamie Nowinski – Grandmother Wisdom/Grandmother Musings with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Help! What do I do with these old paint cans?
I came to this dilemma after cleaning out the garage this weekend. I had 15 gallons of old paint sitting on the patio, and I had no idea how I should dispose of them. I went to the website of my hometown and found a list of recyclables, times and pick-up dates; however, there were no instructions on ridding me of old paint.
I then did a search on the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency website. These are the suggestions they offered:
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Disposal Alternatives
After your painting job is done, you may have some leftover paint. The question now is: “What should you do with it?” Here are some alternatives:
Keep Painting!
This may sound simple, and it is. What better place to put that last pint or so of paint but right up there on the wall where it blends in perfectly with all the other paint you just put up there. Sure, it’s a little extra work – and right when you thought you’re done for the day – but you’ll be rid of that extra paint for good. Simply let the can dry and then recycle or dispose of it.
Paint Something Else!
It doesn’t even have to need the paint. Use an old piece of cardboard, some scrap lumber, or the inside of your garage. Just about anywhere would probably work to use up that last bit of paint. Again, let the can dry and recycle or dispose of it.
Use an Absorbent like Kitty Litter!
Kitty litter, sawdust, shredded paper or just about anything else that will absorb moisture and let the paint dry out should work here. Depending on how full the can is, you can just add the absorbent to the can and mix it up. When the liquids are absorbed, dry the mixture out or dispose of it directly. You may be able to empty the can, dry it out, and recycle it.
Give it to Someone!
Look around and you may find somebody who needs to paint a small area. Some schools or local theatres will take some small amounts of paint for scenery.
Store it for Later!
Everyone has good intentions to use half-filled paint cans for “touch-ups” that never come. Also, many people have saved paint that becomes unusable over time before it’s called into action. If you do save your paint for later, follow some easy tips to make the paint last longer. Just cover the opening with plastic wrap, and make sure the lid fits securely so the paint doesn’t leak. Then turn the paint can upside down! This creates a tight seal, and keeps the paint fresh to use again.
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This is an interesting list of things to do with my old paint. I already had a few cans that were dried up so those could go in the garbage. The paint that was still wet, could be taken to an Ace Hardware a few miles away and they would dispose of it for $5.00 a can. What a racket! Nevertheless, this was a list for latex paint that is water-soluble. What about the oil based paint and stain?
I learned on the same Illinois Environmental Protection Agency website that oil based paint and stain had to be taken to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event. After a little more research, I found out that my town was not scheduled to have one of these little events until June. The only “event” I could find was in a town 50 miles west of me. Hmmm…So, I set out to rid myself of this hazardous waste. Luckily, gas was cheaper in this town’s county, so I guess it was a good thing I went 100 miles round trip to get rid of three cans of old paint.
All this work seems a bit excessive to me. If paint is going to be sold, and disposal is an issue that must be dealt with, then why don’t the stores I purchase the paint from have a disposal service? Just asking.
The research I did was for waste disposal in Illinois. Your state may have different rules for disposal. I suggest you visit the Environmental Protection Agency from your individual state if you have any questions about paint disposal or any other hazardous material disposal. By the way, do not even ask how to get rid of old tires, fluorescent bulbs, or electronic equipment. We will leave that mess to another day.
Household Waste Disposal Solutions. (2012, May 07). Retrieved from Illinois Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.state.il.us/land/hazardous-waste/household-haz-waste/hhw-disposal.html
Used Paint Disposal Alternatives. (2012, May 7). Retrieved from Illinois Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.state.il.us/land/hazardous-waste/household-haz-waste/used-paint-disposal-alternatives.html
Copyright © Jamie Nowinski and Grandmother Wisdom/ Grandmother Musings 2012-2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jamie Nowinski – Grandmother Wisdom/Grandmother Musings with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
How to Clean Wood Floors
My recently new wood kitchen floor was beginning to look flat and dull. I had been cleaning it with Murphy’s Oil soap, but it seemed to leave a residue. This morning, I searched the Internet for “Homemade Wood Floor Cleaners” and I found a cool website I would like to share called Tipnut.
The site has recipes for homemade products used to clean wood floors. I used the recipe that called for ½ cup of white vinegar and 1 gallon of water to clean the floor. When it was dry, I tried the homemade wax that consisted of 1 Tablespoon of olive oil and 1 Tablespoon of white vinegar. I stirred the mixture together and dipped an old T-shirt rag into the wax. I rubbed the wax into the floor in a circular motion. Wah-La! My floor was shining once more. I only used ½ of the wax mixture for my 10×10 floor.
What is more amazing is that all of these products came from items I always have in the house, and it cost me nothing to make my floor look new again. I highly recommend the website Tipnut. It has other cleaning tips as well as gardening, health & beauty, and DIY tips. Visit the website at http://tipnut.com/wood-floors/
Copyright © Jamie Nowinski and Grandmother Wisdom/ Grandmother Musings 2012-2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jamie Nowinski – Grandmother Wisdom/Grandmother Musings with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
How Long Should I Freeze my Food?
What is the average storage life of foods stored in the freezer? I did a little research on the Internet, and I found some nifty charts. A good idea would be to hang a chart on an inside cabinet or on the fridge to refer to when I am wondering if the frozen fish is still safe to eat.
What I learned from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service site is that frozen food can remain safe indefinitely as long as it stays frozen. If food is frozen too long, freezer burn or discoloring may occur affecting the taste and quality of the food. Below is a chart that will help cooks to decide if the food they wish to eat is still of good quality.
Freezer Storage Chart (0 °F)
Note: Freezer storage is for quality only. Frozen foods remain safe indefinitely.
ITEM |
MONTHS |
Bacon and Sausage | 1-2 months |
Casseroles | 2-3 months |
Egg Whites or Egg Substitutes | 12 months |
Frozen Dinners or Entrees | 3-4 months |
Gravy, Meat, or Poultry | 2-3 months |
Ham, Hotdogs, or Lunchmeat | 1-2 months |
Meats, Uncooked Roasts | 4-12 months |
Meat, uncooked steaks or chops | 4-12 months |
Meat, uncooked ground | 3-4 months |
Meat, cooked | 2-3 months |
Poultry, uncooked whole | 12 months |
Poultry, uncooked parts | 9 months |
Poultry, uncooked giblets | 3-4 months |
Poultry, cooked | 4 months |
Soups, Chili, and Stews | 2-3 months |
Wild game, uncooked | 12 months |
You can check out more food safety facts at the USDA site http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FactSheets/Focus_On_Freezing/index.asp
Copyright © Jamie Nowinski and Grandmother Wisdom/ Grandmother Musings 2012-2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jamie Nowinski – Grandmother Wisdom/Grandmother Musings with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.