Frugal or Penny Pinching

WASHING TIPS

• When washing dark clothes for the first time use cold water and put salt in the water. The salt helps set the color. To brighten dark clothes after they have been washed several times, repeat the procedure.
• To dye fabric a brown color inexpensively, soak it in a bucket of strong black coffee. This technique will also camouflage a non-removable coffee stain on a white table cloth.
• Many garments labeled “Dry Clean Only” can be safely hand washed using a mild soap like Woolite or shampoo and cold water.
• Even your washer needs to be washed once in a while. Run the machine on hot water, normal cycle, and add a bottle of vinegar to clean the soap film and scum that’s built up inside.
• Black clothing tends to look brown after several washings. To restore the black color, add coffee or strong tea to the rinse water.
• Wash and dry clothes inside out to prevent fading.
• Tie or pin socks together for easier sorting.
• Use a mesh bag when washing/drying socks, especially baby socks.
• Close zippers, button buttons, and tie strings before washing and drying. This keeps clothes from being tangled together.
• Spot cleaning – Use Tilex Shower Spray (mildew) to spot bleach, on clothes that can be bleached, when you don’t want to bleach the whole load.
• Always empty the lint trap every single time you dry clothes in the dryer.
• If instructions aren’t printed on the washer lid, type, laminate, and hang them over the machine.
• Pilling is caused by items rubbing against each other in the washer and dryer. Prevent it by turning susceptible clothes inside out and washing them in a mesh bag or a drawstring pillowcase.
• The difference between “Dry Clean” and “Dry Clean Only” is fragile fabric, but washable. Dry cleaning fluids are tough on fabrics, so whenever they can be avoided, the life of a garment is prolonged.
• Make your own Spray Starch – 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 1 pint cold water. Place in spray bottle and shake well before each use.

STAIN REMOVERS

• Oily/Waxy Stains – Try one of the following:
  “Scrubbing Bubble” bathroom cleaners;
  Rub white chalk into the stain before laundering;
  Rub with damp cloth dipped in Borax;
  Apply a paste of cornstarch and water, let dry and brush off.
• Wine, Coffee, and Fruit Stains – Club Soda or moist salt. Pour over stain, or soak in milk before washing.
• Blood Stains – Fresh – use cold water. Dried – use hydrogen peroxide. Pour over stain as soon as possible.
• Red Stain
  s (Kool-Aid, Popsicle, Berry Juice) – Rubbing Alcohol. Pour over stain before washing.
• Grass Stains – Combine a few drops of household ammonia with 1 teaspoon peroxide. Rub stain with this mixture. Rinse with water as soon as stain disappears.
• Rust Stains – Scrub with crumbled aluminum foil.
• Lipstick Stains – Rub with shortening and wash with washing soda.
• Ink Stains – Use hairspray on stain (with absorbent towel underneath) and launder as usual.Or wet stain with cold water, apply paste of cream of tartar/lemon juice, let sit one hour and wash as usual.Or mix 1/3 cup white vinegar with 2/3 cup warm water and apply a small amount to the stain. Blot until no more stain can be removed.

For more information on removing stains go to my Stains page.

Want to learn how to save by making your own laundry detergent, just go and check out my Soap page.

If tough splotches, spills and stains are taking a toll on your laundry, then maybe somewhere in this list you will find a solution.

I did not compile this list; it comes from the Good Housekeeping Institute. I am giving it to you as an information sheet. Hopefully it will help.

STAIN: Berries

WHAT TO DO: Soak stain in cool water for 15 min. Apply a stain remover and launder as usual, adding the type of bleach (chlorine or color safe, or none at all) that is safe for the fabric.

INSIDE INFO: As with all stains, check to make sure all traces are gone before putting the item in the dryer. If the stain remains after soaking and washing, pour boiling water over the residual marks, then launder again as usual with appropriate bleach if necessary.

STAIN: Blood

WHAT TO DO: Immediately soak the item in cold water. Rub the stain with bar soap, then rinse. Or, apply 3% hydrogen peroxide (from your medicine cabinet) and rinse. Then launder as usual.

INSIDE INFO: For dried blood, soak garment 15 min. in ¼ cup ammonia to 1 gal. cool soapy water. Hand wash in warm soapy water, then rinse.

STAIN: Butter & food grease

WHAT TO DO: Sponge the stains with dry-cleaning fluid (such as AFTA Dry Cleaning Fluid, available at hardware stores.) Then rinse. Rub liquid laundry detergent into the stain and wash as usual.

INSIDE INFO: This same remedy applies to other greasy stains such as lipstick or shoe polish.

STAIN: Candle wax

WHAT TO DO: Apply ice to freeze the wax (or place garment in the freezer). Gently scrape off as much frozen wax as possible with a dull knife. Place fabric between two paper towels and press with a warm, dry iron. Rotate the towels as they absorb the wax.

INSIDE INFO: After ironing, there still may be some waxy residue. Soak the stain in dry cleaning fluid for about 5 min. and launder in the hottest water that is safe for the item, with fabric appropriate bleach added.

STAIN: Flower pollen

WHAT TO DO: Shake or vacuum loose pollen from the fabric (try a hand held vacuum or one designed for computer keyboards). Spray on a powdered spot-lifting spray (such as K2r, available at hardware stores). Let fabric dry and then gently brush stain away.

INSIDE INFO: Do not rub!! To remove pollen, you have to “pull” it out of the fabric. If the advice given doesn’t take care of it, then launder as usual to get rid of the residue.

STAIN: Grass

WHAT TO DO: Rub on liquid detergent that contains enzymes (ex: Tide). Enzymes break down protein stains from grass, perspiration and milk. Wash with fabric safe bleach added.

INSIDE INFO: Enzymes are neutralized by bleach. If you are going to add it, wait about 5 minutes for the enzymes to have time to work.

STAIN: Gum

WHAT TO DO: Apply ice or place the garment in the freezer to harden the stain. Gently scrape off as much as possible with a dull knife. Apply dry cleaning fluid to any residue. Launder as usual.

INSIDE INFO: Did the gum go through the dryer? When the gum is melted, skip the freezer and soak the stains in dry cleaning fluid. Wearing rubber gloves, work the fluid into the fibers until gum dissolves. Launder in the hottest water safe for the fabric.

STAIN: Ink (ballpoint)

WHAT TO DO: Sponge the ink with rubbing alcohol until the color from the ink stops running. (You may need to soak the spot in the alcohol.) Launder as usual with fabric safe bleach added.

INSIDE INFO: The ink will spread when the alcohol is applied. For damage control, place an absorbent cloth underneath the stained area and rinse the fabric frequently.

STAIN: Markers (felt tip)

WHAT TO DO: Rinse stain under cold water to remove as much as possible. Soak the garment in a solution of 1 gal. warm water, ¼ cup liquid laundry detergent and ¼ cup ammonia. Wash as usual with appropriate bleach for fabric.

INSIDE INFO: Depending on the size of the stain, you may have to soak the garment for several days to remove the mark. If you do, occasionally give the stain a gentle rub and replace the detergent solution every day or so. Just add more detergent or ammonia as needed.

STAIN: Mud

WHAT TO DO: Allow the stain to dry, then brush or vacuum away the loose particles. Apply a stain pretreater or rub in liquid laundry detergent. Launder as usual.

INSIDE INFO: This is one stain that you do not want to attack right away. If you try to treat mud while it is still wet, it will just make more of a mess. Dry mud is always easier to remove.

STAIN: Mustard

WHAT TO DO: Rub a few drops of liquid glycerin (available at pharmacies) into the stain. Launder as usual with color safe or chlorine bleach added.

INSIDE INFO: This remedy works for curry stains as well. It is the yellow turmeric spice in mustard and curry that make it so hard to remove.

STAIN: Nail polish

WHAT TO DO: Blot away as much of the stain as possible while it is still wet. Soak the stain in an oil free nail polish remover that contains acetone (or blot stain with remover). Launder as usual.

INSIDE INFO: Don’t use a nail polish remover that contains added ingredients like moisturizers. And never use nail polish remover on fabrics that contain acetate or triacetate (check the label) – it will dissolve them.

STAIN: Tomato juice

WHAT TO DO: Soak stain in cool water. Sponge with dry cleaning fluid, and then rub in a liquid laundry detergent. Launder as usual with bleach safe for fabric.

INSIDE INFO: Tomato sauce and catsup or Ketchup stains are greasy and red (from the tomato). Tackle the grease first with the dry cleaning fluid and detergent. The bleach removes the red color.

Environmentally friendly Stain Away: For arm pit stains on white t-shirts or dress shirts, pre-treat stain with white vinegar and stains will disappear. Leaves clothes smelling fresh, too.

Stains on plastic ware: Don’t spend money on plastic cleaners. Set your plastic ware (tupperware, rubbermaid, etc) outside so the sun beams down on it. The stains come out and you didn’t spend any money or pollute the environment!

If your carpet gets a grease stain or bleach spot, borrow a child’s box of crayons. Pick the one that best matches your carpet, and color the spot with the crayon. To set the color, lay a piece of wax paper over the area, and melt the crayon into the fibers with a warm, not hot, iron.

SMART WAYS TO SAVE ON

NEARLY EVERYTHING

With soaring prices on fuel and rampant inflation at the checkout counter. Who isn’t looking for ways to save money? These smart shopping strategies and insider tricks can keep more bucks in your pocket.

GAS

Smart:Avoid bogus gadgets – vapor bleeders. Fuel line magnets and other devices that claim to increase gas mileage. Environmental Protection Agency tests haven’t found a device that really delivers. Instead, stick to important basics, such as keeping your car in top running order and well maintained.

Smarter: Get a rebate. The Discover Open Road Card offers a 5% rebate on gas and car maintenance purchases up to $1200.00 annually. And lots of hotels are offering gas deals to keep tourists coming.

Go to BedandBreakfast.com for a list of B&Bs that have deals. Prufrocks in Carpenteria, California, which will give guests $50.00 or 10% of their gas bill, whichever is greater.

Online travel agency, Bookit.com offers half-price gas cards and flight credits up to $200.00 on some packages.

Join Choice Hotels’ Choice Privileges program and after three stays, you can receive a $50.00 gas card.

Smartest: Find the best prices before leaving home, and/or consider sharing the ride. To price shop, go to GasBuddy.com and plug in your commuting or trip route. Then look for gas stations with the lowest prices. (Focus on those that have been updated in the last 24 hours.) On a recent trek, my family filled up at a GasBuddy recommendation in New Bedford, Mass., for as much as 40 cents a gallon less than nearby pumps charged.

To share the ride, whether you’re road-tripping or commuting, check with Carpoolworld.com and eRideShare.com to connect with eager passengers or drivers.

GROCERIES

Smart: Buy local when you can, as the high cost of transporting food long distances is one culprit behind rising prices. Fortunately, summer is the prime time to find delicious, locally raised food at Farmers’ Markets. Also check food co-ops, which often offer hefty discounts to their members.

Smarter: Get coupons in your paper’s weekday food section or check online. Dozens of websites let you electronically “clip” coupons for manufactures discounts. (Don’t forget Grandma) CouponMom.com which not only has grocery coupons, but also offers restaurant discounts.

If you can shop at Kroger Supermarket, go to Kroger.com and click on “P&G eSaver”. Choose your coupons and type in your Kroger card number to download then directly onto your card. When checking out the coupons will automatically be applied to your total.

Smartest:  Use GroceryGuide.com to compare prices at local stores without wasting gas driving around. Check the price of whole chickens or your favorite cereal or look up weekly specials. Sign up for sale alerts from your favorite grocers.

CLOTHES

Smart: Time retail purchases right. You’ll find the best prices on Thursday evening, 6-8 weeks after an item arrives in the stores. By then retailers are expecting the next shipment and want to move the “old stuff”. Check newspapers for sales and coupons from big retailers like Macy’s.

Smarter: Negotiate a deal. Did you know that electronic and appliance stores are not the only places you can haggle? Clothing retailers are often willing to make a deal, especially if you are a regular customer and you have found the same item for less at a competitors, or you are buying a lot at once. Ask whether they will give you a sale price or 50% off the second item you purchase. It certainly never hurts to ask.

Smartest: Shop used and discounted. Check out the ThriftShopper.com for a list of thrift shops near you. Browse often for things you and your family need. Call and ask when they get deliveries and shop on those days before the best stuff gets snapped up. There is usually a dressing room, but bring a tape measure just in case.

For more up-scale wares, go to ConsignmentShop.com to find stores that sell fancier used clothing. This is a great way to get a cocktail dress, tuxedo, furs, shoes, etc. for a whole lot less than retail. Sell your nicer, gently used clothes through the same shop and put more money in your wallet.

You can also check out the outlet malls, sometimes you can find a better deal at those than at regular retail stores. But be careful, what you think is a bargain, sometimes is not. Do your homework before you go to shop.

HAIRCUTS AND MORE

Smart: Hunt for grooming coupons. Type in your salon’s name (or a national chain like Hair Cuttery) and the word coupon in a search engine and see what shows up. More are offering discounts on haircuts, manicures, waxing and other services to bring in business. Also get on your salon’s mailing list so you don’t miss up-coming promotions.

Do not buy beauty products at the Salon, instead check out the products at a beauty warehouse. You can save quite a bit with this tip.

Smarter: Support your local beauty school. Some offer cuts for as low as $5.00, as well as manicures, facials and other beauty services. All students are under the supervision of a licensed expert and since I have used their services, I will recommend it. Go to beautyschools.com to find a school near you.

Smartest: Visit a day spa on the cheap. Local hotels with spa facilities may let you visit for the entire day when you sign up for just one treatment. At the St. Regis in Manhattan, show up early for your $165.00 massage and use the extensive fitness facility. Afterward, have a steam and lounge in luxury. The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort in Chandler, Arizona; non guest can use the spa’s pools, Jacuzzis and steam rooms for the day at $35.00.

TRAVEL

Smart: Be your own travel agent. First, when booking airfare always check directly with individual airlines. More carriers are offering exclusive deals than ever before to avoid paying commissions to travel site or agents. Sign up for airline e-newsletters, which offer specials you will not find elsewhere.

Next, check the big travel sites like Expedia.com, Orbitz.com, Travelocity.com and Kayak.com. (I like Kayak because it gives the fares from most of the other sites for comparison.) Sign up for their fare alerts, for flights in and out of your local airport. For the latest airfare news, go to Airfarewatchdog.com and FareCompare.com. Remember, Friday and Saturday are the most expensive days for domestic travel. In my experience, I find that if you can travel on Wednesday, it seems to be the cheapest day.

DINING OUT

Smart:Sign up for deals. First, check out your local Entertainment Books. For a small fee, about $25.00, you get dozens of coupons for local restaurants (and other entertainment options). Go to Entertainment.com to find the link to your neighborhood Entertainment Book. Join e-mail lists for national chains like Ruby Tuesday, TGIF and others to learn about special promotions, including free meals.

Smarter: Browse the menu before you go to make sure the prices are in line with your budget. Websites such as OpenTable.com and MenuPages.com post the menus for reservations and earn points.

Smartest: The lunch menu is almost always less expensive than the dinner menu. Go for the fixed price specials. There are usually two to three courses and several choices for each course. They are often a great value. Check out the Chefs’ Specials for the day as well, sometimes the best deal on the menu.

ENTERTAINMENT

Smart: Ask your local theater if they offer special deals or preview discounts. Some, like Texas Midland Community Theater, have a “pay as you can” day, with prices as low as $1.00.

The Des Moines Playhouse discounts unsold day-of-show tickets.

Looking for concert tickets? Join your favorite band’s fan club to catch wind of possible discounts.

Smarter: Many chain cinemas, such as AMC and Regal, show child-friendly movies one a week for free or cheap during the summer. Also check out discount ticket packets of 50 tickets (they don’t expire from almost all the major chains). The price works out to about $6.00 rather than the $9-10.00 an adult would pay for an evening showing.

For movie rentals, look for freestanding kiosks. Redbox, for example, which is found in select McDonald’s, Walgreens and many grocery stores, offers overnight rental on new releases for $1.00.

Rather play video games? GameFly.com is a video game rental site that works like Netflix. The cheapest plan, for one game at a time, costs $8.95 for the first month and $15.95 a month after that. You can keep the game as long as you want or rent as many others as you’d like during the month. For big gamers, the fee may come out to less than the typical $7.99 per game for five days at Blockbuster or another rental chain. Plus there are not any late fees.

Smartest: Be a tourist in your own town. Plenty of grocery stores and superstores offer special deals to area attractions. For example, Discount Drug Mart, an Ohio chain, sells marked-down passes to Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky. Jewel Osco grocery stores in Illinois offer a 25% savings for Six Flags Great America in Gurnee.

Pull out those key-chain savings cards at the local amusement park or zoo. Often flashing your grocery or warehouse “membership card” will save you money. Winn-Dixie shoppers get $2.00 off admission at Florida’s Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.

Plus check your local Entertainment Book for money saving coupons to area attractions.

GARDEN AND LAWN CARE

Smart: Do not hesitate to go for garden center leftovers. Annuals and perennials are likely root-bound by now, leaving you free to negotiate a lower price. Many plants can be given a makeover with this quick fix. Turn the root ball upside down and cut an X halfway up the soil with a sharp knife. Spread the four flaps and plant in well prepared soil or potting mix. Cut off any flowers and cut the stems back to encourage new growth. Water frequently.

Smartest: Save on gardening and lawn care supplies at sites such as GardenBargainsOnline.com, this is a clearing house for coupons, discounts, free shipping and other special offers at nursery and garden product companies. For example, a neoprene garden tote was recently on sale for $19.99 instead of regular price of $27.99.

Gardeners.com also offers good prices on overstock items. Be sure to check often for the best deals.

FURNITURE

Smart: Use free room planners at manufacturer websites, such as Jordans.com and Bassettfurniture.com, to map out a professional-looking floor plan and avoid costly mistakes; like buying a dining room set that is too big for your room.

Smarter: Avoid shipping charges – especially the high fees for big, heavy furniture. After you have browsed the local showrooms and you are ready to buy, do a price check on the Internet. You may often find the same item for less. Stick to sites like Highbrowfurniture.com and Furniture-Zoo.com. If you find a better deal on a coveted sofa, print out the offer and take it to your local retailer and negotiate.

Smartest: Buy direct from the manufacturer. Take a virtual tour of High Point, North Carolina, the U.S. furniture making capitol, at HighPointChamber.org. Click on “Furniture”, then “Furniture Shopping” to link to 65 retailers.

If you can go to High Point in person, that is even better. Most makers have their own factories and showrooms that offer wholesale prices. What’s more, outlets near and around High Point sell items at 50 to 80% below retail.

Whether you are an old pro at recycling, or you are just trying to learn about ways that you can use it in your own life, there is a lot of information available out there for people like you, who care enough about the environment to do things that will make a difference for the better.

• Kleenex boxes – Store plastic grocery store bags in them. You can then grab the bag just like you grab a tissue out of the box.
• Envelopes – Carefully open the envelope and turn it inside out, so the address is on the inside. Re-glue or tape the flaps down. Or make your own envelopes out of scraps of paper, wrapping paper, newspaper, old phone book pages, or wallpaper scraps.
• Happy Meal boxes – Save the boxes, and when your child needs to be cheered up, make them their own happy meal! Add your own nutritious foods and a favorite toy. Or pick up inexpensive items from the dollar store: stickers, special pencils, etc. as the toy.

Recycling facts report that fifteen years ago, the U.S. recycled roughly fifteen percent of our waste materials, which today has doubled to more than thirty percent!

• Tennis ball – Split it and hide your valuables inside.
• This is a tip to help keep the children happy. Coffee cans (big ones) – Make toy “stilts”! Poke holes (with a can opener) on either side of the can and thread a jump rope through and they can walk on the cans while holding the jump ropes. Cool!
• Old clothes – Use to make quilts, pillows, and blankets. Always save the buttons.

20 years ago there was one curbside recycle program in the U.S. There are now over 10,000 with 12,000 drop off recycling sites.

• Nylon mesh bags from veggies – Cut the mesh into several pieces and use for plastic scouring pads to clean your dishes.
• For impossible to clean pots and pans – fill with water and a used dryer sheet, let sit for awhile, and stains will be easier to clean. Also great for removing soap scum from shower doors!
• Empty paper-towel roll – Store extension cords inside. For small cords save the toilet paper roll.

Did you know there are now over 450 recycling material recovery facilities that buy recyclable material, sort it, clean it, and sell it again to companies who then use it in production?

• Frisbees – Use as paper plate holders at a picnic.
• Mouse Pads – Use as a paint pallet. Use acrylic, oils, or most any paints. Wash when done, and reuse!
• Newspaper – Use to clean windows, line trash cans, wrap presents. Use in place of peanuts when mailing packages, as fire starter, or as garden mulch.

Recycling facts state that one of the most important parts in the recycling process is you – the consumer. As you buy recycled products and then recycle them again, you continue the cycle.

• Shoulder Pads – Use them to make padded hangers. Just sew a pad on each end of the hanger.
• Wallpaper books/samples – Use to make book covers, decorative envelopes, or wrapping paper. Or make your own beautiful envelopes: take apart any envelope you have, and trace the pattern onto the back side of the wallpaper, then fold and glue or tape.
• Film canisters – For those of you that haven’t gone digital yet. Store small items such as buttons, sequins, and small nails, tacks, etc.

Recycling glass can be done if it is clear and unbroken. Broken glass or ceramic pieces cannot be recycled because they are too hard to sort and process.

• Pantyhose – Use for ponytail holders, to secure plants, or buffing your shoes.
• Coffee filters – Use to clean and polish silver, or as a replacement for cheesecloth or paper towels.
• Glass jars & bottles – Use as a vase, for canning, or melt and pour wax in for candles.

Metal cans, lids, bottle tops, etc. are all candidates for recycling. Just make sure you clean them first. You cannot recycle magnetic metals, full cans, or cans that have paint or other hazardous materials in them.

• Plastic grocery bags – Donate to local Salvation Army. They deliver meals on Wheels to elderly and are a non profit organization and need bags to put food in to deliver.
• Baby food jars – Fill with salt or cornmeal and use for paperweight, use for crafts, and for storing small items. Wonderful for use in the garage or in a sewing room. Even in the office for little things, paper clips, etc.
  Also use the baby food jars for individual Jar Mix Gifts: 1 cup of coffee mix, 1 cup of hot chocolate mix, or 1 cup of tea. Decorate jar, glue on ribbon, and attach gift tag with instructions.

Plastic is another great recycling product. Find plastics that are marked number 1 or 2 and the recycling symbol. Lids are not always made of the same plastic, so check them for a number. If it is not marked, then it is not appropriate for recycling.

• Socks can be used in crafts, to hold soaps, or to wash the car. They can also be used to dust the furniture or the chandelier with all the crystals.
• Soap Wrapper – Place it inside your shoe cabinet or shoe box. It’s a cheap way of filling the air with a nice smell.
• Pill Bottles – Use to carry pins, vitamins, or fill it with Vaseline to use as lip gloss.

Newspaper is a one of the primary recyclable materials. It can be recycled if it is clean, dry, and not moldy. To recycle newspaper, tie it together with natural twine or pack it tightly in a brown paper grocery bag.

• Junk Mail – Put it through paper shredder and use as packing material when shipping gifts.

Fleas. Just the mere mention of these annoying pests has the ability to give pet owners nightmares. These hard bodied, wingless insects feed on blood but can survive for weeks without eating at all when living in carpet, soil, or grass.

How do we rid ourselves and our pets of these disease-carrying insects? I have asked myself this question for years. The first thing I turned to were the expensive commercial remedies, but lately I have discovered that these are not always safe.

Warnings on boxes of Frontline say to apply where it cannot be licked off and not to allow treated animals to groom each other until the application is dry.

The animal should not be played with until application area is dry, nor should recently treated animals be allowed to sleep with owners or children. I have two grandsons running around who love to play with my pets. Not wanting to put them at risk from the flea medications or flea bites, I determined to find a natural way to combat these annoying insects.

My search for natural flea control remedies to rid my pets and my house of fleas began in earnest. The solution turned out to be simple and inexpensive.

Fleas will flock to animals that are not healthy. My animals are fed a natural diet (no commercial animal food) of raw meat, bones and vegetables. A little bit of garlic added to their food will naturally repel fleas. It took my cats a while to get used to this, but my dogs were all for it from the beginning. There are no complaints and no food goes to waste.

Vinegar for Flea Control

The first natural remedy to rid your pet of fleas is apple cider vinegar. Fleas hate it. Vinegar kills fleas!
Spray your animals with this and rub it into their fur. If your animals are scared of being sprayed, dip a cloth or sponge into the vinegar and then rub it over their skin and fur.

It is also beneficial to put some apple cider vinegar into your animals’ drinking water. Start out small so your animals get used to the taste and slowly increase the amount until you are putting about two tablespoons in every gallon of water.

If you are a flea magnet yourself (as I am), take one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar every day and the fleas will soon not even think about biting you.

If you prefer, you may use lemon juice instead of apple cider vinegar to spray on your pets. Take two lemons and cut them into pieces, skin and all. Bring two quarts of water to a boil, then turn the heat off. Soak the pieces of lemon, skin and all, in the water overnight. Next morning put it in spray bottles or a container, depending on how you wish to apply it to your pets. My animals prefer the washcloth method.

Whether you use lemon juice or apple cider vinegar topically on their skin, prolonged use will dry their skin out a bit. Remedy this by rubbing a small amount of olive oil into their skin.

If your animal has open sores or has scratched the flea bites until his skin is raw, you may need to wait until his skin heals up to apply the apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. If not, the solution will make his skin burn and he will not be very happy.

Natural Flea Control in the Home

Now that the animals are taken care of, what about your house?

It is no fun to live in a house infested with fleas. If your animals are indoors with you or if you have children or grandchildren, you really don’t want to bomb or spray some chemical solution on everything to get rid of the fleas.

So what can you do?

But what will keep them from infesting your carpet or hard floor once again? What will keep their eggs from hatching?

Combine one cup borax, one cup baking soda and one cup table salt. Sprinkle this all over your carpets, brush it down into the fibers and leave it overnight.
The next morning you should run the vacuum cleaner. The borax and the baking soda kill the fleas, and the salt dehydrates the eggs. Repeat this procedure within 30 days, then as needed. Best of all, it is non-toxic. Do not let your animals or your children in the area until it is thoroughly vacuumed.

Cotton balls soaked in peppermint or eucalyptus oil will repel them from your house. Place them under furniture, in drawers, wherever you think fleas would be attracted to. Fleas hate the smell of it, so they won’t even come close. Your house will smell like peppermint or eucalyptus, but you won’t have any fleas. Be sure to replace the cotton balls when they dry out and no longer emit any fragrance.

Do you live in an area where you have access to eucalyptus trees?

If you do, then get some leaves and break them up and sprinkle all over the house. The oil in the eucalyptus is a natural deterrent to fleas. Replace as needed to keep the oil fresh until the fleas are gone.

The most important thing in the battle against fleas is perseverance. Faithfully keep your carpets and hard floors swept, keep your animal’s bedding clean and spray your animals with apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to keep fleas off of them. With perseverance and patience, the battle against these pests can be won.