Household Goods that Do Double Duty

Do you throw away your coffee grounds when you clean out the coffee pot? You might as well throw out your wallet! Do you shell out big bucks for that moisturizing bath oil? You've been ripped off!

Many of the household goods we have right in the kitchen, garage, or closet can be used to make fertilizers, cleaning products, and even beauty products. Here are just a few:

Epsom salt
You may not have this in your home, but you should. You can get a good sized bag for a couple of dollars at the pharmacy. For a few more dollars, you can get an enormous bag from any nursery.

--Add a cup to bath water to soothe aching joints and muscles. If you stir in a little food coloring and scented oil before adding to the bath, you have a wonderfully scented bath salt.

--A cup of Epsom salt and a cup of baking soda added to the bath make a wonderful skin softening treatment.

--A tablespoon or two added to a tall glass of water works as a laxative.

--Wet your hands and add a little Epsom salt. This makes an excellent exfoliant for body skin.

--Add a little to soil as a fertilizer.

--Tuck an open cup in cabinets or closets to absorb odor. (It is a much better odor absorber than baking soda!)

--Take a teaspoon of the salt, add a few drops of water (enough to start it dissolving), and add to your conditioner for stronger, shinier hair.

Olive Oil

--Add a couple tablespoons to your bath for a moisturizing soak.

--Rub a little into your skin as a moisturizer. You can even use on your face and lips!

--Use as a hot oil treatment. Heat it slightly (bit not enough to burn you!) and massage through your hair and scalp. Shampoo and condition as usual.

--A tiny bit rubbed through wet hair locks in moisture during the blow drying process.

Vinegar
--Wipe down bathroom mirrors with vinegar. This keeps them from fogging during showers.

--Add a tablespoon to eight ounces of water and drink. This helps clean out the body.

--Add a tablespoon to two cups of water. This helps to clarify hair.

--Vinegar is a natural antibiotic. Dab a cotton ball soaked in vinegar over minor scratches and cuts.

--A tablespoon or two added to the washing machine helps to brighten your whites.

Baking Soda
--Sprinkle on a wet toothbrush. This leaves your mouth feeling super fresh.

--For a clarifying wash, add one tablespoon to one or two cups of water. Massage through scalp and hair and follow with a light moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Your hair will be bouncy and shiny.

--Add a cup to the washer as a cheap fabric softener.

--Take a tablespoon and add enough water to make a paste. Massage on face to exfoliate. Immediately moisturize your skin. Do this once or twice a week for clear, soft skin.

--Add a cup to a bucket of water and use to mop.

--Adding a box of baking soda to the refrigerator does not significantly reduce odors. Baking soda is not an effective food odor absorber.

--Sprinkle over carpet before vacuuming to absorb pet odors.

Aloe Vera Gel
Again, this is something that you might not have around the house, but you should. You can get it for cheap at any discount store or pharmacy. Make sure it does not contain alcohol.

--Use as an alcohol free hair gel.

--Add a drop or two of olive oil, avocado oil, or sweet almond oil for a moisturizer for the body and hair.

--use on chapped lips to heal cracked skin.

--Cool in the refrigerator and spread on sunburned skin

--Use to remove eye makeup.

--Mix 30% glycerin and 70% water in a spray bottle. Add about an ounce of aloe vera gel and a couple of drops of peppermint oil. Use as a refreshing, all over moisturizer. (Does not clog pores!)

Coffee
--Mix a tablespoon of used coffee grounds into plant soil as a fertilizer.

--Exfoliate the face with used coffee grounds to brighten skin.

--Spritz cooled coffee over skin as a toner.

--Massage cooled coffee into dry, brunette hair. Leave on fifteen minutes before washing as usual. After about a week, notice your color intensifying.