Dollar Store, and Re-purposing Organization

I love dollar or less projects. I hoard handy things. With two toddlers in my family of five, nap times just aren't enough. But I love when I get a whole day, and I am project minded, and I have enough coffee in me. My first project was rescue my drawers from my tank tops. The season is ending, and most of them generally go in one of those plastic bins with drawers in my closet. I have always hated this ritual. Because when I am searching for a specific color they all just end up in a wad. So it's time to take action! I have seen a great handy dandy hanger thing but as much as I want one I figured I could rig something for a dollar or two.

One thing you can never have enough of are curtain rings, or plastic rings used on baby toys.(I have tons of those too.) Using shower rings and a wall hanger I could store multiple tanks for $2. But if you are anything like me, you have more than the average person because you buy two of every color for every top. Aaaand.. you have cotton, lace, ribbed, smooth, and shelf bra tanks. I am on a whole other level. I used a space saver for hangers combines with shower rings. They can be made into a figure 8. I did it like this is because it gives more room to maneuver. I tried every which way and I ended up using the space saver and ring combo for all my tanks.


They are fun to play with, once you start rigging you'll start to figure out more ideas. This is also great for scarfs too. If you have over the door hangers you might find the back of your door a little crowded, unless you use another little Dollar Store gem. I found this over the door holder that holds five shower rings. It also folds down, so you can open your door (fancy that).

Remember that plastic bin thing I was talking about. They have become a bad habit in my life. They become a catch all, and not great for organizing at all. I still want to make use of space though! Under the bed storage is great for shoes and boots. Boots live there until its time to transition to the closet for winter. But there's still the issue of flats. They are year round, and take up a lot of space. Flats fit in the drawers pretty well, but I just wanted that THING out of my closet. I wanted to create usable storage under the bed. It just so happens the bottom of the bed is the best space for these three drawers. They function like drawers so they are easy access for those every day shoes. but hidden like storage drawers.

 There is that remaining frame left over... of course I found a way to use that! If you forget to take

your reusable grocery bags as much as I do I am sure you have a collection of plastic bags at home. I have a stash under every sink for trash bags. Then theres the balloon bags of bags in my kitchen pantry that I keep meaning to take back to the store. Go figure I forget those as much as the reusable ones. But I just can't toss them when I know they are recyclable. This handy dandy frame in the garage right by my car is a great place to stash them, and a great way to remind me to grab some as I leave. I also hang my totes on the out side (using plastic rings)so I don't forget those! It's actually working. There are still days I forget to put my totes back out there so there will always be a need for this little repuropsed 'thing'. But it's a good thing.

Got cheap plastic pant hangers around the house? Got some garden shears or strong scissors (like über strong)? Make lot's and lot's of bag clips! They work for chips, bags inside of boxes, and even in the freezer for those runaway frozen veggies.

Another broken down household item I saved was from an flat screen console. It came with canvas boxes that my son insisted on siting in. So I had to get baskets to replace them! I saved the canvas drawers for my kitchen pantry. Great to corral all the snacks. The kitchen pantry can be a nightmare. But adding a few of these along with some dollar store wire baskets helped a lot. Even when it starts to get messy the food stays organized. Somewhat protected from the dumping
ground it can become.

 Too many chargers, USB cables, cameras, camcorders, and everyday 'wot-not'? I love these Dollar Store shoe organizers. They sure don't fit shoes, but its great on the back of the kitchen door in the hub of all the action. I am able to grab a camcorder, or a quick point and shoot. Then know where the cable is when it's time to transfer. It keeps everything from being a tangled mess. Since I live in the kitchen I keep and extra mouse in there for my laptop too. I will always know where all my tech stuff is.

This is another one of my: 'I will keep stuff because it will be handy later thingies'! I had one of those laundry sorters, but I now have no room in the new house. But I kept the bags around. I also had this trash can that was missing the lid for hangers in the laundry room. Essentially taking up space, didn't really need the hangers in there. 

This now lives under my sink for my dirty kitchen towels. When it is full I just remove the bag.When full, it is larger load, then I don't have to find stuff I don't mind washing with kitchen towels.  I can wash the bag then refill it with clean and carry it back. Efficient all around.

Tension rods, and shower curtain rods, I have many after the move, and I am glad that I kept them. My 1/2 bath is 1/2 laundry room; also the guest bathroom, and where my little pup pups sleep. All this in one small room. A quick fix was actually dividing the room. I don't need guest staring at my laundry area, so a tension rod and a left over curtain panel was a great fix. Recognize it? It's the third panel from this home refresh. You can also tell I am into my red's, yellows and clashing. Its also where I put some fun art pieces from the kids. But behind the curtain is where the laundry magic happens. Two shower curtain rods gave me room to hang right out of the dryer. It cuts down on how much I have to steam/iron when I am able to hang immediately. Before I had no room and it was a disaster pile. I hung my old Copy Cat mirror project in there because one of the mirrors bit the dust when I took it down to dust. You know what they say about adding mirrors to a room to make it feel bigger... does not work in this case. I tried. 

This one isn't anything new, but I started it so long a go. See the original paper, that's from another re-purpose post! I wish I could find that paper again. I finally remembered to save boxes to finish it! I am still far from doing the amount of drawer organizers I need. But one major drawer is done-ish. The best boxes are not always cereal boxes but larger frozen food boxes, and snack tray boxes. They are good for bulky objects in your utensil draw!

This was a total freebie. These two buckets were 'found objects'. As  in 'found in my back yard'. Cleaned up they make great counter clutter catchers! The best thing about the metal buckets is also a safety measure. I can curl my hair and not accidentally set it on something melt-able. I am VERY good at that. It also keeps it up off the counter from little hands. They are always around my ankles so I am super paranoid. 

May all your Dollar Store finds be awesome!

Re-purpose on my friends!

Dawn of a New Budget; The other stuff... Stain Fighter, LaundryBooster, and DIY Swiffer Pads.

There has been so much on my plate, and I have been filling up drive space with pictures! I have to get them here, that's the whole purpose. Got to make more time. But this week is perfect timing I have to make more goodies for cleaning.

The BIG chore in our house is the washing. I make our own laundry detergent, and softener and have saved a lot. But as all laundry there are always issues. Having kids there are MORE issues. The biggest one is my youngest, he is now self feeding. If thats what you want to call it. I forgot how the first few months are...' interesting'. I remember my little girl used to rub her mash potatoes in her hair, and tomato sauce all over her legs. Luckily for me during this time we have them in training wearing a diaper only. Much easier to hose off. But there's those times in between their finger food meals where every thing is a bit of that and a bit of jar. And those are the times I could just kick myself. I mix it up during lunch, half jar, half finger foods. This is when I am not thinking and we forget down to diapers. DOH! Stains stains stains! Valen loves to wipe his food on his sleeve up into his hair, and I always find goodies in his lap. Yummy!

My whole life I haven't been using laundry boosters or pre-treater's! *Gasp* I'd gather up a bunch of 'ucky-ness' and do a bleach soak (yeah, I know, I still have some in my house left over). But I hate the bleach, it can be touch and go using the stuff. I have never really justified buying "Shout" or anything similar, until I saw an earth friendly brand on close-out sale at King Soopers. Less than $2, score!  But this would never happen again,  so it was time to add to my DIY arsenal. Because I WAS going to run out of the store bought stuff, and the kids ARE getting grosser! 

After I consulted all mighty Google I had one answer. There really is one standard recipe, that is going to save me testing time!  

• 2/3 cups Dawn ( the blue stuff)
  


• 2/3 cups (Generic Ammonia, in the laundry section)


• 6 Tbl (I actually am going to try Super Washing soda next)


• 2 cups warm water

Using a glass measuring jug I first mixed the baking soda into the water to make sure it dissolves then slowly stir in the Dawn. Add your Dawn, and use a funnel to transfer into your spray bottle. Once the ammonia is in the bottle it will be OK to shake before use, it will separate.   I did two methods. Spray and rub, and spray and soak. Both worked great! 

Next batch I am going to use Super Washing Soda, because it is in my laundry soap!

 

Dissolve your baking soda, add soap to measuring jug for easier mixing.

 

So here's a few things I sprayed. Didn't think to take a picture of the onesie before I sprayed, thought it would be there long enough to take this picture like the bib!

 

After! Ta-Dah!

Laundry Booster

I do own a generic version of Oxi-Clean just to toss in my wash but again I did not want to rely on store bought.. I needed a booster/soak for my super-gross-don't-leave-those-towels-out-if-you-have-guests-over-kitchen-towels. Yeah, you know those floor scrubbers, all purpose things we all have as a 'go to' for kid spills, and more. Laundry booster also works for those over used items like sheets, pillow cases, and blankets. I consulted Google again.. and DUH! My favorite all purpose buddy, Hydrogen Peroxide! And my home slice, Super Washing Soda (that's why I am putting SWS in my pretreat next batch). In the morning I filled up my washer with hot water I added 1/4 cup of Hydrogen Peroxide, and 1/4 cup of Super Washing Soda and dumped in the good, the bad, and the ugly. Closed the lid and went on with Mommy-ing. I have no idea how long I left them in there, I lost track of time, but the next time I got a break was just after lunch. I tossed in my detergent and started that puppy up. All I have to say is; Not-Too-Shabby! I will be doing this a lot more. Soaks take much longer, so I will  save it for an over-night project, but I am impressed.

 

These are the towels no one should see... But now, I wouldn't mind if I left one out! How crazy, that bib has gone through the wash twice in one post. Bibs are a revolving door! But it's gotten whiter 

DIY Swiffers, wash and reuse! 

Now I will brag, I am a Shark Steamer owner. Last year it was a huge thing on my personal FB page. It led to many in depth conversations. No. Really. But some times I don't want to drag it out and fill it with water, and wind up that damn cord (I don't do cords, ask my husband). I have to sweep daily, I have two dogs, one crawling baby,a toddler, and a lot of hard wood! So I pull out the old Swiffer for in between floor mop downs with Sharkie. In the past ( pre-Sharkie) I have always used it with a bar towel for mopping, who knew I was so green then. Even then I did not want to buy the generic Swiffer sheets. It doesn't make any sense to me, I just might as well dive to a land fill and throw my money directly in!  

So I was inspired by this: DIY Swiffer Pads

But I did this: Reversible. I wanted one side to dust, then flip it to mop or spot clean. 

Take your chenille ,fleece or micro fiber and cut to size of your mop head. If you get the Dollar Store 2 packs of wash cloths just cut in half (for a standard Swiffer). 

Cut your fabric to match the long side, add for seams. then the width double the length it takes to wrap and tuck in the holder. I did 6 inches to leave for seams. Down all the edges of the folded side I turned in to make a small hem to stop from fraying. Now you have a hemmed rectangle. Fold over, take the edge of your pad and insert between the two long sides of your fabric. Like a sandwich! Now just run a stitch down to attach.

 

One side to dust, then flip it over and mop!

 

Sandwich the pad, and attach!

 

Run a stitch or two to attach. Make it sturdy for the washer!

 

There ya go! Flaws and all!

I got my cloth from the dollar store. A pack of two wash cloths made 4 Swiffer pads. I also used scraps and fat quarters for my material. I used no patterns, just measured my Swiffer. I am not a seamstress, and this was my first project after MANY years of not sewing. I received a sewing machine as a gift, and I couldn't be more happier. So these were great warm up projects!

Soon after this my Swiffer broke... Luckily I had a back up in the garage, it has velcro and tuck in attachments. Good and bad thing, it's bigger!!!! Drat! This is now how I roll:

 

I am using a dollar store micro fiber hair towel! I can tuck it in, so fair enough! I will sew later:-)

 

Under, for picture purposes (I don't keep them doubled up) is an old pair of my kids cheap velvet pants. Just so happened the 6-9 months were the same length. So I chopped off the legs, cut down the inside seam to open them up! And they tuck in! As I said... I will sew later!!!

I will so sew later... soon after I do those 19 other things I have scribbled on the white board :-)

Dawn of a New Budget, Part 2 & 3

This one has to be one of my favorite things to make. Laundry softener! There are so many possibilities. I love to stock up at The Dollar Store with conditioner so I can have a few scents on hand at all times. My husband does not want to smell like a cherry blossom like I do, so I keep some thing fresher for him.

Gather your ingredients:

•  2 cups conditioner


•  3 cups white vinegar


•  6 cups hot water

(Conditioner tip: 2 cups is 16oz. So check your bottles. The VO5 is 15 ounces, but I keep all my left overs from the Suave 22.5 ounces . I cant stress enough, get funnels to put your left overs together and pour your ingredients. The Three pack I have is from the Dollar Store, and they are quality! Going to add the last of that VO5 in that Suave bottle and  I am going to use it :-)

Laundry softener is a "Gateway DIY", because now with your completed product you can now make two more things that can cost you!

Replace your dryer sheets! You know how they get the fragrance to stay on there? Animal fat, thats what is rubbing all over your kids clean clothes. Might as well just toss some scented bacon in there. I use homemade dryer balls but today I am going to whip up my rainbow batch and make some reusable dryer sheets. Here goes....

I make it in a big Dollar Store jug. Just add and stir. Thats it. It makes my laundry soooooo soft, especially when used with Home made laundry soap :-)

But you don't have to stop there, now you can do a few more little tasks...

DIY dryer sheets

Now I use dryer balls, but here in Colorado it's dry.... beyond dry in January. So static has decided to appear in the worse way. I am using an added DIY dryer sheet this month, because well I lost my wool yarn, can't make more balls!  Above we just made a batch of DIY softener. Well don't put it away.

You will need:

• Fabric softener, store bought, or your DIY


• Rags, cut up towel, or Dollar Store towels to cut in to pieces about the size of a dryer sheet. Bigger will be better, longer lasting.

Dunk, give them a soak to make sure it's really in there. Squeeze out a little so they are not a sloppy mess I place on a plate, or plastic bag to start drying before I hang them to dry. I don't want them dripping every where. And there you go. That is it. They will last a few washes, so you really only have to do a couple at a time. :-)

Don't put away that softener!

I have one more project: Febreze.

• 1/8 cup of Fabric softener


• 2Tbs Baking soda


• Hot water

Add ingredients to your old fabric spray bottle, then just fill the rest with water. My bottle is a Glade bottle which is 22 Fl. OZ. Any of those bottles will work.

OK, if you don't have laundry to do... you can put your softener away now.

**Dryer balls will be a separate post.... I lost my yarn and I don't want to buy another one. trying to save money here people!

Dawn of a New Budget , Part 1

Oh how close minded I feel! In the world of pinning and blogging I forget thats there's another world other than the one we live in. Yeah I know, scary huh? I kid, I kid... but digress.  We have the world on boards, or in our reader so to us we know  it all, and have seen it all. But yesterday I had an eye opening Facebook moment. I answered a post to a friend on my personal page. The question was how to cut back the family budget. Well I responded with my big list of things I do in my house, like make every thing. It was just a vague list assuming that every one has heard of all this before. Her response was kind of a: "Wow, I am a mom and  have a full time job, how can I do all of that and still have time to see my family?!"  

That's when I was like "woah", you mean not every one blogs and lives on Pinterest. Shame on me. Well I better have answers then. (She's found the joys of  the crock pot, so a lot of time after work just opened up).

A lot of the simple things I do to skip the most expensive aisle in the grocery store are easy, and kid's can get involved. Of course use your judgement with your kids. These recipes do include HOT water.

My easiest and biggest money saver is making my families laundry soap, and softener.  This is how I make mine, it's the most popular, and proven. Many others have gone as far to do the break down of cost.  But all I need to know is hundreds of loads for about 6 cents per load.



Gather your things:

• 5 gallon bucket with lid. (Home depot, Wal-mart)


• Fels-Naptha soap (grocery store, Wal-mart in laundry aisle)


• Arm and Hammer Super washing soda (not baking soda! I got this also @ Wal-mart in laundry)


• Borax (again Wal-mart)

The soap is less than a buck @ Wal-Mart, and the Super washing soda is around $3-4. Get a new clean bucket too. You're looking at spending what ONE big jug or box of Tide. But you will be getting about 600 loads. (That's an average, 600 is for HE washers, lower for top load and your personal usage preference.) But think, 5 gallons for the price of your Tide.

How to:

• Grate your entire bar of soap (Smells SO good).


• Put in a pot with 4 cups of water already hot (much easier).


• Also fill your bucket half way with HOT water set aside on floor.


• Now stir your soap continuously on medium-low. You don't want it to boil! (It took me under 10 minutes. That's why I make sure the water was already hot. It should be nice and smooth, no chunks.)


• Pour your soap mixture into your bucket of hot water.


• Add 1 cup of Washing Soda, and 1/2 cup of Borax.


• Stir! Use something long enough thats going to reach the bottom of the bucket.


• Now fill your bucket the rest of the way up with water. Stir again. 


• Put the lid on tight and let sit over night.

In the morning you will have a bucket of goop since it thickens over night. I HIGHLY recommend that you now separate into separate containers. It keeps the concentration much more evenly. I lucked out and my Mum gave me these awesome bird seed containers. But I also got a few from the Dollar Store. I also use a jug for the detergent that is in use. I also got that from the Dollar Store. 

This is a lot of soap! Behind my jugs are the bird seed ones I reused. The one thats empty is one I used already. Its a great Dollar Store container. I love these giant jugs, much easier to pour. I kept a cup from my old liquid detergent to measure my mixture. It's about 1/4 of a cup. But you might want to try different amounts for yourself. Some times I dump in more if it's a large load of kids clothes :-).

I have done test's too. I washed some clothes in a free sample pack of some other liquid detergent, and a load  in the homemade. Same!

You will also see my home made softener, very cheap to make all sorts of scents! Making your own softener will also lead you to making your own dryer sheets, and fabric fresher spray!

Comming soon in part 2...

DIY Softeners

Part 3

Fabric sheets, and dryer balls

Part 4

DIY stain fighter, and laundry boosters

Part 5

DIY reusable Swiffer Sheets

My Use and Re-use day...

Lids Lids Lids!

Feeding my 7 month old is a fun and easy task, no really. After we have tons of these great little tubs. We moved from the jars, and found Parents Choice stage 2 foods are an amazing deal. Other than popping them in the recycling bin I have been using them for the usual; kids craft, togo snack packs, and starting seedlings. But I started saving the heck out of all my plastic lids. You'd be amazed what they fit on when you need to save food in the fridge short term. Save that foil, plastic wrap, and save a wash load of plastic wear.



Shots any one?

Then I was digging through my parents basement and I scored tons of plastic and paper ware. There are some weekends I just don't want to see a dish! I also found all of these plastic shot glasses they are perfect for toddler feeding. Not only for portions, but what toddler doesn't love dipping food:-)

I also saw these shot cups at the Dollar Shrine, I mean Store.



Left over shelving paper from the Dollar Store...

I bought the kids a table from IKEA. Unfinished pine, yay! So I was going to do that trick with DIY stain, but I didn't want to buy steel wool. If I didn't have it laying around the house, forget it! So I had some left over paint samples for the house, and this paper. An accidental black and brown mix I ended up loving. No more light wood, and no more scrubbing out food and paint stains.

Love!



Need a reason to save more?

Save your medicine measuring cups! If you are anything like me you are making natural concoctions in your bathroom. And you have another pantry in there. Well instead of getting another set of spoons use those medicine cups. Not only great for measuring liquid, but much easier for doing those shots of ACV (apple cider vinegar).

In the beginning my husband asked if I was making salads in there. Almost! I used to have olive oil in the bathroom, it's the gate way natural remedy.

Kramers' garbage disposal in the shower would be the natural best step for those cucumbers ;-)

I am only missing my sunflower seed oil in the picture, I am still running downstairs to get it in the morning... Why!!?? Yes, note my Zombie Awareness bracelet. May is Zombie Awareness month, Just saying. :-D

A Dollar Store Copy Cat Craft

My Humble beginnings...

 This little copy cat craft I did was created over the early spring, before my son was born!

We have an odd lay out in our living room, there's this very unnecessary giant ledge. We have a gas fire place, but that shouldn't have cause all of this ledge-e-ness. Who knows, it might just be a tomb of the previous owners.
 Any way, the space behind the TV seemed too open, and blank.  I saw the pictures going around Pinterest of Pottery Barn knock off mirrors, so I thought let's go to the Dollar Store.

SI got my 12 mirrors, 1 super glue, and 1 roll of duct tape, and spent $30?!  It's the Dollar Store, it has the same trappings of Target.
  It was so easy I did it preggo with a toddler at my feet. I am sure you could also be drunk, or have a hoard of toddlers it's that user friendly.

I laid out my mirrors, and began to tape the seams.

 After I did  the seams I did a criss-cross action too over the back. I was supposed to get poster board, but I forgot (I was distracted) so I used our moving boxes.  I hacked up a box, glued that sucker to the back for stability.

 Done. It wasn't going to be hung so I didn't bother with a hanger for the back.

 Any way, this is an oldie but a goodie.♥

So MANY months later I had it down to clean and bloke one of the mirrors. I thought it would be an easy fix but noooOOooo... that tape was super stuck my friends! 

Now it hangs in my odd shaped laundry room where I have a foot and a half of space to open the dryer door. But it's true what they say, mirrors sure open up a room.... ummm no.

♥♥ #irony