The Many Uses of Orange Peels

Our family recently purchased a juicer. We have truly enjoyed it and all the health benefits that go along with fresh, raw, untouched juice. It's like milk from the cow...there's really nothing like it.

Obviously, our produce bill has gone up a bit. I decided if juicing was something we were going to do long-term, I was going to utilize every bit of the fruit and veggies, not just the juice. 

For the most part, we're composting the pulp that our juicer spits out. Though I haven't tried it, I would like to add that pulp to our muffins and quick breads for some extra fiber and bulk. 

We made some freshly squeezed orange juice the other day, and it was phenomenal! Then I looked at my cutting board and saw the pile of orange peels. I immediately thought, "I can't throw all that away. Surely there's something I can do with the peels of five oranges that's better than composting."

Turns out, I was right. Orange peels have TONS of uses.

Did you know that you can use an orange peel and a bit of coarse sea salt to scrub coffee rings out of your coffee mugs? You can also run a few orange peels through your garbage disposal to freshen it up. And, you can make your own dried orange peel to use in recipes, which is what I did.

I just used my handy micro-plane grater and went to town. A zester or fine cheese grater would work too, if you don't have a micro-plane grater.

Once you've gotten all the orange peel off you want, leave it out to dry on your counter top for about 24 hours. Then transfer it to a spice jar or airtight bag. Use it in any recipe calling for orange peels.

But I wasn't finished yet. I have used lemon peels with vanilla extract in boiling water for years to give my home a yummy, refreshing smell. So I tried it with orange peels.

Just place several orange peels in a saucepan with about two cups of water. Add a teaspoon or so of pure vanilla. If you have a rosemary or lavender plant, snip off a bit and add it to the water. Bring it all to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer all day to release a wonderful fragrance throughout your home. Be sure to check the water level every half hour and add more water as needed.

Here are a few other uses for orange peel:

• Instead of rosemary and vanilla, use cinnamon and cloves during the fall and winter for the perfect autumn scent.
• Put a piece of orange peel into your brown sugar to keep it soft.
• Use it to scrub your sink and remove that gunk all sinks seem to accumulate over time.
• Scatter orange peels in your garden to keep cats from using it as a litter box.

Do you know any other uses for orange peel? If so, please share them with us!


Written and submitted by Lindsey @ Penny-wise

The Many Uses of Borax

Not only is Borax a great laundry booster, but it is excellent for many other uses in the household.  Here are a few ideas.

1. Toilet Cleaning
Pour some borax into the toilet bowl before going to bed and then clean with a brush in the morning. You will find it an easy task as the Borax loosens the grime overnight.

2.  Economical Scouring Powder 
Mix together
1 Tbsp. Borax
1 Tbsp. Baking soda
1 Tbsp. Salt
This makes an excellent and economical scouring powder for sinks, tubs, tile, and grout. Remember that Borax is non-abrasive, so it is a wonderful cleaning agent.

3. Diapers
Rinse diapers out immediately and begin soaking in a solution of 6 Tbsp. of borax for each bucket of warm water. When you are ready to wash them, use a warm cycle and add a little amount of white vinegar in place of your usual fabric softener – this will help make the diapers soft and absorbent again.

*Don't forget about our laundry soap recipes in LIQUID and POWDER.

*And our make-it-yourself all-purpose cleaner, which uses essential oils and Borax.

Cautions:  Borax is harmful if ingested and so one should avoid using it around food. It can also irritate the skin and lungs, so use with care. Wear gloves when using and do not inhale the dust.  As with all cleaning supplies, keep out of reach of children and pets. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Borax is best used for heavy duty cleaning and is toxic in high doses so please use caution.

All-Natural & Inexpensive Drain Cleaner

This is an all-natural and inexpensive drain cleaner that really works and is good for the environment.

Ingredients:

¾ cup baking soda

½ cup white vinegar

Several cups boiling water

 Use in the following order to clean your pipes without causing damage:

1. Pour the baking soda down the drain.

2. Immediately follow by pouring the vinegar down the drain. The drain will foam as the reaction occurs.

3. Wait 30 minutes to an hour.

4. Pour the hot or boiling water down the drain, and your drain should be clear, clean and fresh.

If the drain is still slow, repeat the procedure once more.

I do this monthly to keep the drains clean, clear, and sweet smelling.

Here is another recipe that works well and is easy to store in larger, pre-mixed quantities. Use the basic recipe and make as much as you like to store for future use.

1 part baking soda
1 part salt
1/4 part cream of tartar 

Pour 1/4 to 1/2 cup of recipe into the drain and flush with a kettle full of boiling water. Run hot water from the tap for a couple minutes, then turn to cool water and run for another couple minutes. Do this monthly.

Warning: NEVER EVER mix this drain cleaner with commercial drain cleaners like Drain-o. A very nasty chemical reaction will take place which is dangerous. Make sure your drains are clear of commercial product prior to using the homemade cleaner. Once you start using the home made version, you can leave the chemicals on the shelf in the store. If you have a septic tank, you should check before using these cleaners.

Written & submitted by Linda @ Penny-wise

DIY: Compost Bin & Rain Barrel

It's almost that time of year...time to start seriously thinking about readying our soil for gardening, time to start planning our beds, time to start preparing for a beautiful summer of growing our own produce! We are planting our first vegetable garden in our backyard this year. My husband has already planned out the raised beds, and all we are waiting on is a nice, less windy weekend to get them built. We have our seed source ready, although we are waiting just a bit longer to order seeds. And we have located an organic farmer in our area who is more than willing to share his secrets and his soil with us. 


One thing we've been stumped on is compost. I had in my mind this dreamy compost pile. I scoured the internet for the kind of compost barrel that has its own platform and handle to easily stir the compost. Well, those unfortunately, cost anywhere from $250-$800! Not in the budget this year!


That's why I was relieved when we received this e-mail from Amanda:


I am an avid gardner and have just "discovered" some inexpensive ways to have the garden I have always wanted.

 

I recently made my own rain barrel and compost bin out of inexpensive trash cans. I have always wanted one of those nice compost bins where you add your materials and out comes beautiful compost, but they are so expensive and I thought I would never have one. While looking at some other gardening products, it struck me that surely I could make a composting bin myself for much less. I found a few videos demonsrating how to make a bin out of a trash can that cost around $20-$30. 

Simply drill some holes for air to circulate on the sides, top, and bottom. That's it! Add your kitchen scraps, old plants, and other materials to compost. Once a week, lay the bin on its side and roll around to turn the pile. In a few weeks you will have compost for your garden at the fraction of the cost of purchasing it or buying a premade compost bin. 

 

The same applies to a rain barrel. Why pay $150 for a rain barrel when for $20-$30 you can make one out of  a trash can? I simply set a trash can on some bricks and inserted a spigot near the bottom to attach a hose to or fill up my watering can. 

 

I hope this can help some others who love gardening but don't have the finances to get the fun stuff to help make gardening easier. 

Amanda, thank you for these useful and penny-wise tips! 

Written by Lindsey @ Penny-wise, Submitted by Amanda

Mouse Repellent

Here's an interesting one for you: make your own mouse repellent.

I know. I kind of raised one eyebrow too. Who makes their own mouse repellent??

Well, you do. If you're looking for even the weirdest ways to save money, here's one of the most unique we've ever offered. Or, if the thought of your two-year-old accidentally ingesting mouse poison freaks you out like it does me, then this is for you. OR, if the thought of a dead mouse in your house (or elsewhere on your property) gives you the willies, then wouldn't you rather REPEL the mice than trap them, poison them, or worse, find one dead? (Cue horror music from the movie, Psycho.)


{Funny side story: I actually called my husband home from work one day and insisted he, .....er..... dispose of a dead mouse I found in our laundry room. True story.}

So, it's pretty simple:

All you need is peppermint oil. Not peppermint fragrance or extract...peppermint essential oil. The good stuff.

Put 5-10 drops in a spray bottle and fill with water. Thoroughly spray the rodent's access and travel points (ie. that mysterious hole in the sheet rock in your garage counts).

That's it.


Phew. That was easy. And I bet it smells pretty good too.

Submitted by Gaeleen. Written by Lindsey @ Penny-wise.

Spider Control

Does the ingredient list on your can of spider spray remind you of a horror movie? Ingredients you can't spell or pronounce, chemicals that could possibly wreak havoc on your mind or body--all included in that can of Raid you've got in your garage. And, if you have a chemical-sensitive or autistic child, forget about pest control of any sort. Those chemicals can cause numerous reactions in their little bodies.


Our friend Gaeleen has come to the rescue again with yet another all-natural pest control option:

Soak 1 package chewing or pipe tobacco in 1 gallon boiling water untilcool or overnight.  Strain into container.  Combine 1 cup tobaccojuice with 1/2 cup lemon dish soap.  Pour in spray bottle.  Spray downcorners and dark places.

No scary ingredients. No harmful chemical smells. Just inexpensive, all-natural spider control.


Submitted by Gaeleen

Sanitizing Cloth Diaper Pails

If you use a diaper pail to soak dirty diapers, you might want to try this gentler and greener sanitizing solution. The two best pure essential oils to use for this are Tea Tree and Lavender. Tea tree oil is a powerful antiseptic and has anti-fungal properties.

If using tea tree oil, add five drops to your diaper pail full of water. If using lavender, add five drops to 2/3 bucket of water.

If you do not wash diapers daily, be sure to change the water daily. The essential oils will deodorize your diaper pail.

Some infants and children are sensitive to these oils, so use with caution at first and make sure to wash and rinse diapers thoroughly after soaking in either of these solutions.

NEVER apply these oils directly to a baby or child's skin.

Also be sure your diaper pail has a secure lid and is stored away from where your child plays, as infants and toddlers can drown in even a small amount of water.

For Cloth Sanitary Pads

For those of you using cloth sanitary protection for yourselves, this solution is excellent for soaking cloth pads. Be sure to rinse pads thoroughly before soaking them. Follow the same directions as above.

Written and submitted by Linda @ Penny-wise

Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent

Well, you asked for it, so here it is! A recipe for homemade POWDERED laundry detergent!

Ingredients:

1 cup grated Fels Naptha soap
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup Borax

Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container.

This recipe can be used in newer high-efficiency washers because it will not make suds. It can also be used in traditional washers.

Use:
1 Tbsp. for small loads
2 Tbsp. for normal loads
3 Tbsp. for large or heavily soiled loads

Submitted by Linda @ Penny-wise

Make Your Own Seed Pots

There is a gadget you can purchase that helps you make plant pots out of newspaper which can be planted in the ground, as they are biodegradable. If you're in a really frugal mood, however, make them yourself. Here is the method I (Linda) use, taught to me by a nurseryman in the United Kingdom; and it works extremely well. It just takes a little practice. You will need a cardboard toilet roll or old jars (baby food jars work well) and newspaper.

Cut an old newspaper down the center crease so you have two halves.

Fold one sheet in half lengthwise and run a ruler down the crease. The fold is important because it will be the top of the pot.

Roll your folded sheet tightly around the tube. Try to be neat and leave about 1 cm of tube exposed at the fold end of the paper so that you can remove it later. Crunch and twist up the end of the paper that hangs off the other end and push it up into the tube. 

Pull the cardboard roll out, and voila! you have a free newspaper seed planter.

You can vary the size of the pot by using various sizes of glass jars and even store bought plant pots. 

Once the pots are complete, fill with soil, plant your seed, and stand on a tray so that you can water your seeds. Don’t forget to label what you planted.

Written by Linda @ Penny-wise

Here's a recommended site from our friend Gail:

Make your own plant pots!

The cost to get started using this site is around $16.00.

Submitted by Gail

Dishwashing Soap

Ingredients:

1 ounce liquid castile soap unscented

2 cups water

1 tsp. vegetable glycerin

5-10 drops of lavender oil if desired though not necessary

Combine soap and water in a jar. Add glycerin and lavender if using. Stir well. Add a few teaspoons to a sink full of warm water or add to your dish cloth.

For Crystal Clean Glassware:

From time to time, soak your drinking glasses in a solution of vinegar and water, this will make them sparkle.

Clean Ceramic Tiles:

Clean ceramic tiles with ½ cup vinegar to 1 gallon warm water. Keep your tiles clean longer by wiping with a mixture of tea tree oil and water.

Easy, natural, and inexpensive!

Submitted by Linda @ Penny-wise 

Cleaning With Essential Oils

Essential oils are very useful in household cleaning. They're all-natural, chemical- and additive-free, and inexpensive. Some essential oils you might consider for use in your home include:

• Lavender: This essential oil is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal. One of the safest oils, it has calming and relaxing qualities.
• Lemon: Lemon has similar qualities to lavender and has excellent cleansing properties. Often used in furniture products, lemon oil is a grease cutter. It is invigorating to the senses, rather than calming. When considering which lemon essential oil to purchase, be sure to avoid those containing petroleum distillates.
• Eucalyptus: Also a grease cutter, eucalyptus oil is also great for soap scum and countertops. Like lavender, it is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal. Tea tree oil and orange oil are also useful for cutting grease.
• Tea Tree: An excellent antiseptic, this oil can be used for soaking cloth diapers. Use six drops of tea tree oil along with six drops of lavender oil in water. The oil and water should be changed daily.

These essential oils and more can also be used as air purifiers. Simply mix a few drops of the oil of your choice in a spray bottle of water and spritz in the air as necessary. Four to six drops is usually enough; however you should use as much as your personal taste dictates.

Oils to consider for air purifiers are: lemon, thyme, eucalyptus, and/or tea tree oil for germs. Lavender and geranium oils are good for calm and relaxation.

Remember to keep all your mixes away from children, and ALWAYS label your bottles.

Finally, here are two recipes for cleaners we all use everyday:

Disinfecting Spray

2 cups water

1/4 cup white vinegar

1/4 tsp. tea tree oil

1/4 tsp. lavender oil

Combine in a labeled spray bottle and use wherever you would normally use a disinfecting spray: countertops, sinks, toilet handles and seats, high chairs, trashcans, door knobs and light switches. Shake before use. Test in an inconspicuous area first.

All-Purpose Cleaner

2 Tbsp. Borax

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 cups hot water

Combine in a labeled spray bottle and use for all-purpose cleaning.

IMPORTANT: Pregnant women or anyone with a medical condition should check with a doctor before using essential oils. Used correctly, they are a wonderful addition to the natural home. Essential oils should ALWAYS be diluted in carrier oil or water and SHOULD NOT be applied directly to the skin unless recommended by a qualified practitioner. Always use with caution.

Submitted by Linda @ Penny-wise

Penny-wise Pest Control

Here's our first gardening post! Although it's winter, this pest killer will come in handy at the beginning of the gardening season in just a few months.

Have aphids, whiteflies, or caterpillars? 

Then here are a couple of sprays you might find helpful:

1. Soak 2 cups chopped rhubarb or tomato leaves in 2 two cups of water overnight. Strain to remove solids. Add 2 more cups of water, transfer to a spray bottle, and spray on plants. **Avoid skin contact.**

          --OR--

    2.  Combine 1 oz. Murphy's Oil Soal with 1 gallon of water. Transfer to a              spray bottle and mist on plants.

Both options are not only less expensive than regular bug sprays, but they're much better for the environment!

Submitted by Gaeleen

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Here's a real money-saver: Homemade Laundry Detergent!

Ingredients:

1 bar of soap (We've heard great things about Ivory, Zote, and Dove, but any soap of your choice will do.)
1/2 cup of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (Baking soda works if you can't find washing soda.)
1 cup Borax
4 cups plus 1 gallon and 6 cups of water

1. Grate soap using a cheese grater. Lindsey, at Penny-wise Women uses her Salad Shooter!
2. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan.
3. Add handfuls of grated soap, stirring until dissolved.
4. Add washing soda and Borax.
5. Stir until dissolved.
6. Pour 1 gallon and 6 cups of HOT water into the storage container of your choice. You can use a bucket, Rubbermaid storage container, anything you like.
7. Add soap mixture and stir well.
8. Cover and let sit 24 hours before using.
9. Use 1/2 cup per load. Yields 64 loads.

This recipe is so easy and inexpensive, why not double or triple it to last you months and months?

You can also add a few drops of essential oil, if you like. Lavender essential oil would make a very fragrant detergent.

The detergent will be gloppy.

Robin, who submitted her recipe, said this detergent works even better than store-bought detergent in her High Efficiency, front-loading washer.

Try it, and let us know how you like it!


Submitted by Robin and Lindsey