They say if you pinch pennies, the dollars will pinch themselves. I’d like to think that all the little things I do, like turning off lights, bundling my errands, and shopping in bulk add up to make a difference. Another way I like to save a few bucks is making my cleaning products at home.

Laundry Detergent

I have saved a TON of money making my own laundry detergent. I made a year’s worth for a few bucks using this recipe. It’s pretty simple, smells clean, and works great. Gets rid of pet, urine and BO smells and doesn’t leave a residue. I will confess, it does not not remove the smell of mildew so I keep a bit of the commercial stuff on hand just in case.

Disinfectant Spray

I have tried a few different methods, but this is my favorite:

1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
1 tbs of dish soap
1 cup of water

Put it in a spray bottle and go to town. It works great, smells great, and actually looks like it killing germs. Don’t ask me how, it just does.

Bathroom cleaner

I believe very strongly in bleaching the bathroom. I like it when my bathroom smells like bleach. It makes me feel safe. So I just use diluted bleach in a spray bottle (about 1:5 bleach to water ratio) to clean my tub and surfaces and pour bleach directly in my toilet bowl. It doesn’t get much cheaper than that.

Floor cleaner

Vinegar. I have laminate and tile in my house, and I simply use diluted vinegar (about a 1:4 dilution.) The smell is strong but it goes away pretty quickly and takes the other household odors with it.

Baking Soda

I use baking soda in a few different ways. I sprinkle it on carpets, mattresses, and furniture and vacuum it it up to remove pet odors (I have a lot of animals.) I also sprinkle it in my garbage disposal when it starts to smell funny and then pour hot lemon juice in.

photo credit: https://www.1stclasscleaningnyc.com/harmful-cleaning-products/the-most-common-ammonia-based-cleaning-products.html

As a mom/wife/woman, it’s often hard to accept help. Especially when that help is 3 feet talk with developing gross motor skills. But it’s important to let toddlers help. It builds self esteem, encourages independence, and gives them a chance to work on coordination, judgment, and reasoning.

But it’s sooo much easier said than done. So here are a few pointers to help you along the way.

Give Them Straight-forward Tasks

Make sure that whatever they are doing is very clear. Pour this water into this bowl. Bring me 3 red plates. Put all the socks in the laundry hamper. Toddlers need very clear directions.

Expect Accidents

Act under the assumptions that they will mess up. They will spill it, drop it, misplace it, or some combination. So make sure whatever you let them help with has room for error and can be fixed.

When it’s a good time for helping, take advantage of it

There will be plenty of times when they are not able to help. So be mindful when you come across small jobs that could use little hands. Asking them to help in these moments will make it easier for them to accept that they can’t help other times.

Be Patient

Ironically enough, letting your little ones help is work. Sometimes a lot of work. It requires plenty of patience and grace, so take a deep breath and know that you are working hard now to give them what they need.

photo credit: https://affiliatetip.com/archives/how-may-you-help-me/helping-hands/