CREATE HOMEMADE DISINFECTANT SPRAY

WHY DO THIS?

It’s not the most pleasant topic, but germs are pretty common around the house. To prevent illnesses and bacteria from spreading to you and your family, it’s important to disinfect liberally. This homemade disinfectant recipe was developed by a food scientist at Virginia Tech to remove salmonella from meat and vegetables, but it also works great for getting rid of cold and flu germs.

what you'll need

• hydrogen peroxide (3% solution)
• undiluted white vinegar
• 2 spray nozzles
• one spray bottle

how to:

1. 1
   Hydrogen peroxide comes in a brown bottle because it’s extremely light sensitive. So leave it in the original bottle! Instead of transferring the liquid to another spray bottle, simply put a nozzle on the brown bottle from the store.
2. 2
   Fill an empty spray bottle with undiluted white vinegar.
3. 3
   Hold your hydrogen peroxide bottle in one hand and vinegar bottle in the other. Mist the surface you’d like to disinfect with the hydrogen peroxide and then follow up with a mist of the vinegar. Important:Don’t combine the two liquids into one bottle – they will form a new chemical if they’re combine that doesn’t work as well.
4. 4
   This technique was developed to be sprayed directly onto food, but you can use it to disinfect anything in your house. (This is especially handy when you have a sick person in your house). If you do use the spray on fruit or vegetables, rinse the food with water after you’ve disinfected to remove any lingering flavors.
5. https://brightnest.com/todos/create-homemade-disinfectant-spray

DECORATE YOUR TERRA COTTA POTS

WHY DO THIS?

A traditional terra cotta flowerpot isn’t exactly an eyesore, but we think leaving it in its original state squanders some serious design potential! Whether your décor style skews modern or antique chic, these inexpensive gardening staples are basically a blank canvas of opportunity. Here are four easy ways to pump up your terra cotta flowerpots.

Difficulty: 

 

 

Time: 45 minutes

how to:

1. 1
   

   Gold-dipped. Give your planter the Midas touch by dipping the bottom half in gold paint. Spray the pot with a clear acrylic sealant and let it dry overnight before you start planting.
2. 2
   

   Lace. This upgrade is simple, so it’s perfect to do with kids! Apply a coating of no-heat fabric glue to the area on your planter that you want to be lace, and then adhere your lace to the pot. Apply a second layer of glue to the lace to secure it in place.
3. 3
   

   Fabric. We want to let you in on a little designer secret: that scrap fabric you have stuffed into your craft drawer has a lot of potential. To give a terra cotta planter a pattern, spray an even coat of adhesive on the outside of the pot. Then, quickly and carefully apply your fabric to the pot. Smooth out any edges with a plastic knife and trim any excess fabric with a pair of scissors. That’s it!
4. 4
   

   Spray paint. This is one of the easiest ways to give your terra cotta pot an upgrade. Grab a bit of painters tape and tape off sections of your planter to create a pattern. Spray paint just the inside rim of your planter to give it a pop of color, or mix it up with alternating shades. When done, make sure you spray your pots with a clear acrylic sealant to protect the paint from water!

https://brightnest.com/todos/decorate-your-terra-cotta-potsD

CLEAN YOUR BLENDER

WHY DO THIS?

There’s no better way to start your day than with a delicious fruit smoothie, but if you don’t clean your blender regularly, you’ll be mixing dirt and old food bits into your banana-flavored concoction! Keep your smoothies and frozen cocktails tasting great with a quick blender cleaning. This will also help your blender last longer.

what you'll need

• detergent
• soft cloth or sponge
• polident tablets
• rubbing alcohol
• Q-tip cotton swabs

how to:

1. 1
   Dip your cloth or sponge in warm, soapy water and wring it out thoroughly. Be careful to wring it out, because an overly wet sponge is just as damaging to the blender base as submerging it in water. Thoroughly wipe down the base of the blender with your wrung-out cloth or sponge. Don’t forget about the base’s bottom!
2. 2
   If you have build-up around your control buttons, dip a Q-tip in the rubbing alcohol and rub it on your control buttons. It will lift the gunk away from the hard-to-clean cracks around the buttons and evaporate quickly so it won’t damage your electrical base.
3. 3
   Next, carefully take your blender apart. If your blender carafe is made from plastic or rubber pieces, wash them by hand in warm, soapy water. If your blender carafe is made of glass, it can be cleaned in the dishwasher upside down on the bottom shelf.
4. 4
   To thoroughly clean your blades, fully emerse them in water with a couple of polident tablets. The polident tablets will fully clean the blades.
5. 5
   When you’re reassembling the blender, pour a tablespoon of vegetable or olive oil on the blender gasket before reassembling to keep it pliable. The gasket is the rubber piece that separates the carafe from the base.
6. 6
   If you’re storing your blender in a cabinet or on a shelf, always store it fully assembled to prevent dirt, dust or food particles from getting inside the blender when it’s not in use.
7. 7
   Follow these do’s and don’ts to prolong the life of your blender:
8. 8
   DO make sure to always properly assemble the blender after every cleaning.
9. 9
   DON’T use your blender for non-food related tasks.
10. 10
    DO cut up larger foods into chunks before blending them. They should be small enough to fit in the bottom of your blender.
11. 11
    DON’T submerge the base of the blender in water. It’s an electrical device and combining it with water can cause serious injury.
12. https://brightnest.com/todos/clean-your-blender

TURN PALLETS INTO CREATIVE HOME DÉCOR PIECES

WHY DO THIS?

Pallets are easy to find (just check out your local garden supply store) and even easier to repurpose! With a few nails and a can of paint, these wooden crates can be turned into beautiful wall art, bookshelves and even bed frames.

Difficulty: 

 

 

Time: 60 minutes

how to:

Photo Credit: PamelaJoyceDesigns | Etsy

Safety Note: Before you fall in love with a pallet project, be aware that there can be some serious health and safety concerns associated with using pallets in the home. If you’re going to join the pallet trend, learn how to mitigate potential issues.

1. 1
   Vertical garden. If you’re short on space, grow flowers on a repurposed pallet. All you need is an old pallet, screws, clamps and pots. Learn how to make a pallet garden in seven easy steps.
2. 2
   Display photos. Tack up your pallets and then use them as shelves. You can display framed art,books and any other knick-knack you deem living room worthy.
3. 3
   Furniture. From a shabby chic headboard to a modern coffee table, pallets are popping up all over the interior design-o-sphere. If you aren’t really into the idea of a pallet as a headboard, check out this easy headboard upholstery option.
4. 4
   Wall art. If you can’t find (or don’t want to shell out the dough for) a large art piece, repurpose an old pallet! You can choose your colors, words and patterns. Just grab some paint, a few brushes and let your creative juices flow.
5. 5
   Animal bed. Instead of your pet snoozing on a large, unsightly cushion, incorporate their bed into your décor with pallets. Tip: Sand down the sharp edges!

CREDITS :https://brightnest.com/todos/turn-pallets-into-creative-home-decor-pieces

GREEN CLEANING PRODUCTS: BAKING SODA

WHY DO THIS?

Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) is an incredibly versatile cleaning agent. Use it in your kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms for a spotless, non-toxic clean. Not only will this keep the toxins out of your house, but it will save you money when you don’t have to pay for other, more expensive cleaning alternatives.

how to:

1. 1
   If you have unpleasant odors wafting from your refrigerator or freezer, place a small opened box of baking soda in the unit. The baking soda will nullify the unpleasant odors. Experts recommend you replace the box every three months.
2. 2
   To clean any surface with baking soda, including kitchen and bathroom counters, sprinkle baking soda on a damp cloth. It’s up to you how much baking soda you use – the more baking soda, the more paste-like your cleaning agent will be. Wipe your surface, and then rinse it with clean water.
3. 3
   If you need to clean your silver, make a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water. Rub each silver piece with the paste, and then rinse them with warm water. Be sure to thoroughly dry each piece before storing them.
4. 4
   If you have scuffmarks on a floor, including linoleum, wood, and tile floors, sprinkle baking soda over the scuff marks. Wipe the baking soda away with a warm, damp cloth.
5. 5
   To help remove spills from carpet, blot the spill as much as possible. Then, sprinkle with baking soda and let it sit for at least five minutes. Vacuum the baking soda away.
6. 6
   To clean your lawn furniture, use a paste of 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 quart warm water. Rub the paste on your furniture, then rinse it away with a water hose.
7. 7
   If you like using baking soda as a cleaning product, consider buying in bulk to save even more money. Baking soda doesn’t spoil, so storing it for a long period of time will not weaken its cleaning power.
8. https://brightnest.com/todos/green-cleaning-products-baking-soda

GO GREEN BY REUSING TEA!

WHY DO THIS?

You’ve probably heard that a hot cup of tea is good for your body and soothes your soul, but did you know that it can also help you make a greener home? Reusing tea for these common household tasks is a great way to avoid using chemical-based cleaning products (and save some money, while you’re at it).

what you'll need

• tea bags or loose leaf tea

how to:

1. 1
   Remove toilet stains. To remove ugly stains from the bottom of your toilet bowl, throw a few used tea bags into the toilet and let them sit for several minutes (or longer, if your stains are particularly bad). When the bags are flushed down the toilet, the stains will go with them. Whoosh!
2. 2
   Freshen carpets. Between pets, diapered children and nasty weather (read: dirty shoes), your carpets are probably seeing a lot of action these days. Even if you don’t have small ones rolling around on your carpet, you still want it to smell nice! To freshen a stinky or musty carpet, simply sprinkle a handful of dried tea leaves onto it. Let them sit for about 10 minutes, and then vacuum.
3. 3
   Clean mirrors. Forget store-bought cleaners! Tea can remove grease and grime on mirrors like a boss. Simply brew a second pot of tea with 1-2 used tea bags and then use your watered-down tea as a cleaning solution. Pair your tea with coffee filters to create the perfect mirror-cleaning duo.
4. 4
   Fertilize plants. To make your plants lush and your flowers beautiful, transfer tea’s nitrogen-rich nutrients to your soil by adding a few tea bags to the fertilizer-mix. Don’t like the look of tea bags in your soil? Empty the contents of the bags into your fertilizer or use loose tea leaves, instead. If you want to start working some seriously brag-worthy plant game, read: Much Ado About Mulch.
5. 5
   Tenderize meat. Want to impress your dinner party guests with a perfectly tenderized rib-eye steak? Use tea! Tea is a great meat tenderizer because it contains naturally occurring tannins and can be substituted for more expensive alternatives like red wine. Steep the tea in boiling water for about five minutes. Mix a ½ cup of brown sugar into the water until it dissolves. Then, pour the mixture over your meat and cook it like you normally would. Bon appetit!
6. SOURCE :https://brightnest.com/todos/go-green-by-reusing-tea

CLEAN OUT YOUR FRIDGE

WHY DO THIS?

Is your fridge full of long-past expiration dates? Your fridge is one of the hardest working appliances and the hub of your kitchen, so take the time to clean it out. Give your fridge a good cleaning to banish bacteria and prevent the possibility of food poisoning from that yogurt that has been around since the Clinton administration.

what you'll need

• baking soda
• sponge or brush
• 1-2 soft cloths or paper towels

how to:

1. 1
   Toss expired food. Purge anything from your fridge that’s past its prime. Start from the top and work your way to the bottom, tossing anything that’s rotten, expired or questionable.
2. 2
   Wash the shelves. Remove the shelves and drawers of your refrigerator and place them in the sink. Wait until they reach room temperature (so they don’t crack) and wash them thoroughly with equal parts baking soda and hot water. Don’t use dish soap! Your food will absorb the soapy scent it leaves behind.
3. 3
   Scrub the walls. Use the same baking soda mixture to scrub the walls and the door handle of your refrigerator. For hard to remove spots, let the solution sit on the walls for a few minutes before you begin scrubbing. Then, wipe up the mixture with your soft cloths or paper towels.
4. 4
   Fight odor. Combat smells by placing an opened box of baking soda in your fridge. (The baking soda neutralizes strong odors.)
5. 5
   Reassess what you keep in your fridge. Storing certain foods in a cool environment can actually do more harm than good. For specifics, read: Fridge or Counter, Where Should Fresh Foods Go?
6. 6
   Organize your food. When you put your food back into your clean fridge, organize it properly. Keep in mind that your door is the warmest place in your fridge - dairy doesn't belong there!
7. SOURCE :https://brightnest.com/todos/clean-out-your-fridge