Home-Made Cleaning Products

With the prices of commercial cleaners, having a clean home and car can be costly. Also, many of the ready-made cleaners you buy in the store can damage the environment. Here are some cleaning products you can make yourself at home, which are better for the environment and your budget.

Drain Unclogger and Freshener -

The next time your drain is plugged, choose a safer and more cost-effective way to unclog it. Pour ½ cup of baking soda down the drain. Add 1 cup of hot vinegar. Wait 5 minutes. Flush the drain with 2 quarts of hot water. Repeat if needed.

Home-Made Glass Cleaner -

To clean glass, combine 2 cups water, ½ cup white vinegar, and ¼ cup rubbing alcohol. Store the mixture in a clean spray bottle. To use, spray the solution on a rag or paper towel then wipe glass.

Home-Made Furniture Polish -

Make your furniture shine by mixing 1 cup of olive oil with ½ cup of lemon juice in a clean spray bottle. Shake the solution well before each use. To use, apply a small amount to your cleaning cloth or rag. Spread the polish over the furniture evenly. Dry the surface with a clean cloth.

Home-Made Multi-Purpose Cleaner -

You can easily keep bathroom and kitchen surfaces clean with this solution. Mix 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of water in a clean spray bottle to create your own multi-purpose cleaner.

Home-Made Floor Cleaners -

Commercial cleaners are handy, but these are very simple to make and much more affordable. To make a cleaner for your wood floor, mix ½ cup of white vinegar with ½ cup of vegetable oil. This will make your floors shine as beautifully as any commercial cleaner. To clean your linoleum or tile floors, mix 1 tablespoon of liquid soap, ¼ cup of baking soda, 2 gallons of water and ¼ cup white vinegar.

Home-Made Car Cleaning Products -

You can save money by cleaning your car yourself using these environmentally friendly recipes. To wash the exterior of the car, all you need is a bucket of water and some liquid castile soap. Add a few drops of soap to the water and wash.

For an environmentally safe chrome cleaner, mix equal parts of white vinegar and water. Spray the solution on your wheels and rub with a sponge or cleaning rag. You can make a carpet and upholstery stain remover with white vinegar and baking soda. Make a paste with the vinegar and soda. Work the paste into any stains with a small scrub brush. Let the paste dry then vacuum. Any stains should be gone.

Now you can keep the environment clean while cleaning your home and car. Using the above recipes will also keep your cleaning costs down.

Smarter Driving Saves Fuel

Whether you are planning on a cross-country road trip or just driving a few miles for groceries, the rising cost of fuel, the dependency on foreign oil and the damage fuel production and usage causes to our environment is something to think about. There is no way to completely reduce these problems, at least while still owning and using a fuel-burning vehicle, but there are many ways to minimize them.

* Top running condition - If your car is maintained at its optimum condition, including frequent oil changes, tune-ups and any necessary repairs, it will burn less fuel. Make sure the fuel cap is always tightly sealed and external trim is properly secured. The cost of these items could even be balanced out by the savings in fuel cost if you drive a great deal.

* Good tires - Monitor the condition of your tires and replace them when they are starting to show wear. Even if they don’t show any problems, they should be replaced on a regular basis, depending upon the specifications of the tire. Make sure to maintain proper tire pressure as well; underinflated tires cause a huge waste of fuel.

* Proper speed - Maintaining the speed limit is not only good for your safety, it’s good for your fuel efficiency as well. The optimum driving speed is around 55 mph, and every mile above 60 mph costs you.

* Slow your stops and starts - Gunning the engine to hit 60 like a race car wastes fuel, and waiting until you are upon a stop sign to stop pressing on the fuel is not only dangerous but a waste as well. Always accelerate at a slow, even pace and anticipate stops by letting your car coast a while before you need to start braking.

* Air conditioning - Whether or not to use the AC in your car should be dictated by the speed you are driving. When driving in town and making frequent stops, running the AC gets expensive due to the higher idling of your engine, so opt for windows down if possible. On the highway, however, having the windows down will create a wind-drag on your vehicle and have the opposite effect. It is best to keep all windows shut tightly and the AC running as low as is comfortable when driving at higher speeds.

* Lighten up - Reduce the amount of weight in your trunk and on top of your car to reduce drag. Non-essential items in the trunk, such as sandbags, an old flat tire, canned goods or tools cause your engine to work harder and use more fuel. If you aren’t specifically transporting the heavy items somewhere, then take them out. The same goes for items on top of your car. Remove luggage racks if possible, and do not use them to carry items unless there is no room elsewhere for them. Modern vehicles are designed to let the air flow smoothly over the car, but having items on top interrupts that flow creating a drag on the engine.

These are just a handful of the top things you can do to reduce your fuel mileage. You can test out a variety of options for your car by keeping track of your habits and fuel mileage or by installing a mileage meter. Learn more about ways to reduce your fuel consumption through educational websites such as EcoDrivingUSA.com and DriveSmarterChallenge.org.

Car Repairs

For many families, owning a car is not a luxury but an important necessity. However, there are a lot of costs associated with owning a car. There is the cost of fuel and regular maintenance. There is also the cost of car repairs. No matter how well you care for your car, there will be times when it needs to be repaired.

If you don't know a lot about cars, you may feel that you're at the mercy of the repair shop and have to spend whatever they tell you it will cost. However, there are steps you can take to make sure you're saving as much money as possible on your next car repair.

* Call independent repair shops instead of dealerships - Dealerships often recommend you call them first about your car repair, since they are most familiar with your vehicle and have the same brand of parts in stock. However, this is often the most expensive route to go. Instead of calling dealerships, call independent repair shops and see if they can give you a better deal.

* Buy your own replacement parts - There is always a cost for labor and parts. When the car repair shop shops for replacement parts for your vehicle, they are not looking for the best deal for you. They are probably thinking more about their convenience. You can save money by shopping around for your own replacement parts. Then your only other cost will be the labor.

* Try to repair it yourself - Some car repairs are minor and can easily be accomplished on your own. Research online to find out what the problem with your car is. You can also get a repair manual for your car. Use what you learn to find the correct parts to repair it and fix it yourself. Not only will you save money, you will gain new knowledge and confidence about repairing your car.

* Perform regular maintenance - Sometimes, major repair jobs can be avoided all together simply by following the recommended maintenance routine for your vehicle. For example, the cost of having your engine cooling system repaired on time will be much less than the possible repair bill for an overheated engine if you don't.

* Get a second opinion - Some repair shops will recommend that you make other repairs that aren't really necessary at that time, and that you can't afford. To make sure you're getting the real story on what's wrong with your car, take it to another repair shop and see what they say. If the two opinions are vastly different, you know you have some more research to do and that one of them may be trying to take advantage of you.

Car repairs are an unavoidable expense of owning a car. However, with the proper maintenance, some research and creativity, you can keep this expense under control.