Category: 4. Live

diy hemp dish scrubbie

June 9th, 2010 · Bambino Steps (Kimberly) ·

We do not own a dishwasher. It’s not as if this is by choice either; a dishwasher simply will not fit in our tiny kitchen. So, we do a lot of dishes by hand and I know a thing or two about dish scrubbies. Up until this point, I have always used a Tuffy. I abhor sponges, aka germ mongers, and the Tuffy has just enough abrasion to get the job done. Lately I’ve seen more natural cleaning supplies in the stores, but nothing to wash dishes with. Having a desire to replace as much plastic in my life as possible, I was thrilled when I saw 3191’s knitting post awhile back. It was that post that prompted me to learn how to knit. Working with hemp is not exactly an easy material to work with, and having this be my first project was not at all easy. The beautiful hemp scrubbie you see above was actually completed by my mom. This is how mine (unfinished) turned out:

I somehow picked up a few too many stitches, and ended up dropping them quite quickly, which resulted in the holes you see above. (Also seen above is a chubby little baby hand – baby love) My mom has since taken mine and swears she easily fixed it and it looks just like hers. So in other words, if you’d like to try this project, it doesn’t have to be perfect and it’s easy to fix any mishaps. For 3191’s instruction, you can view the original post here. My mom did a bit differently, which I think looks better overall and I think will make the scrubbie last longer. Here’s what we/she did:

  1. Cast on about 12 stiches using size 7 (or thereabout) needles. Knit with whatever basic stitch you want, for however long you want. Fold the knitting over every so often to check your length.
  2. When you have achieved the desired length, cast off, but don’t cut the hemp just yet. Leave a long tail.
  3. Cut a piece of washed wool (or use wool batting like Stephanie (half of 3191) did) the length and width of the hemp.
  4. Fold everything over and stitch up the sides with the remaining strand of hemp. My mom used a really large embroidery needle for this.
  5. Wash those dishes!

I’d like to try my hand at this again and am going to whip some more up and am hoping my mom will do the same. I’d like to unofficially make these for sale, so if you don’t want to make your own but want one, let me know!

Oh, and speaking of knitting and stitching and all that, here’s more progress on my Seven-Day Forecast tea towel series (designed by Maggie of Tiger Pup) to wish you a happy Wednesday:

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p-p-p-p-p-poison, poison!

April 28th, 2010 · Bambino Steps (Kimberly) ·

There’s been a lot of chit chat as of late giving traditional cleaning products a bad rap. “Is this bottle of Kablamo! Super Ultra Muerte Spray really that harmful?” you may ask. Yes. It truly is. There have been studies done and hello, studies are always right. Now before you scream “I hate this uppity hippy chick!* I <3 bleach!” think about it: would you really spray substances such as ammonia and a myriad of unidentified, unpronounceable chemicals all over your house, roll around in it, bathe in it, pour yourself a nice glass over ice and drink it? Of course you wouldn’t, because they are toxic. Remember Mr. Yuk**?

So why spray this stuff all over your house, breathe it in, and absorb these chemicals into your skin when there are natural, plant-based cleaning agents out there that obliterate those nasty germs and bacteria just as effectively? Brands such as Seventh Generation and Bio-Kleen are eco-responsible companies that also happen to make really great, safe cleaning options that won’t pollute you or our planet. For an even cheaper and simpler option, why not whip up a batch of your very own? Below you’ll find a recipe for an all-purpose cleaner that you can spray wildly about your abode without a care in the world!

  • Using a funnel (or just don’t spill Clumsy!), pour the solution into a spray bottle. I label my bottles and write the recipe on the back so it’s easy to make another batch. Give it a shake to blend before use and spray to your heart’s content!

This will clean your home beautifully and because of the acidity of the vinegar, it works especially well neutralizing alkaline dirt, stains and odors. It’s the first cleaner I reach for to spot clean my hardwoods, clean the bathroom, and eliminate any odor or stain left by Dork Dog, Dragon Kitty or Crazy Baby. If you want to add an extra kick of germ-killing power, add up to a 1/2 teaspoon antibacterial essential oils of your choice. Today I used a combination of 18 drops lemon, 14 drops peppermint and 2 drops lavender. Just be sure to work in a well-ventilated area, away from pets and children. If scent isn’t your thing, consider using grapefruit seed extract in lieu of the oils. Twenty-five drops will get the job done.

*Just who is this uppity hippy chick? Read all about moi here!

**Getting poisoned is the pits. If this happens to you, call your poison center at 800.222.1222 or dial 911 if it’s a true emergency. For the record, you won’t want to pour yourself a glass of this cleaner either.

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time to make the donuts!

April 27th, 2010 · Bambino Steps (Kimberly) ·

While it’d be fun to craft a post about frying little orbs of dough, I don’t actually know how to do this, and if I did, why risk third degree burns when the holy grail of donuts exists in two handy locations? Seriously though, it’s actually time to make more butt wipes because I’m almost out. “Huh?” you may inquire. “Whaa–?” I’m talking about DIY baby wipes people, and there are scads of reasons to make them even if you don’t have a soft whittle baby bum to wipe.

Suggestions include*:

  1. hand wipes for everyday, on-the-go uses
  2. body wipes for after gym, camping, mid-day refresh, etc.
  3. make-up remover facial wipes
  4. pet wipes for fur or messes
  5. disinfectant cleaning wipes**

These wipes seriously take about five minutes to make:

  • First, cut a roll of regular-sized Viva paper towels in half – these must be Viva; they truly are soft and strong like cloth! Here’s a printable coupon.

  • Next, mix a solution of two cups boiled or distilled water, one tablespoon oil (I prefer grapeseed, jojoba or olive oil) and two tablespoons of baby wash or suds of your choice. If using a concentrated soap such as California Baby or Dr. Bronner’s, one tablespoon will suffice.

  • Swirl it all together and then dump the solution over the roll, really saturating the hell out of it. Let the mixture soak into the roll for a few minutes before sliding the cardboard roll out. If it’s at all difficult, wait a bit longer. Thread the center wipe through the top of the container and…

Ta da! Mission accomplished!

Variations – the possibilities are endless!

  • antimicrobial essential oils – use two drops for baby wipes (I like calming lavender), five drops for face, up to 15 for body, and a 1/4 teaspoon for cleaning. NEVER use essential oils on pets as they can be toxic.
  • grapefruit seed extract for its anti-fungal properties – use same quantities as above
  • 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar – antifungal/antibacterial
  • 1/4 cup aloe vera gel – heals, soothes and moisturizes
  • replace the oil with an infused oil (by herbs, flowers, bark or roots) Huh? This book and this book are great resources for how-tos.
  • store wipes in the fridge for a seriously refreshing experience

* While it’s always best for the environment and your skin to use cloth towels and wipes, sometimes you need the convenience of disposables. Making your own saves a LOT of moola, reduces packaging waste and while paper towels are bleached, you’re in complete control of what goes into the solution. If you use 100% cloth all the time (if so, my hat is off to you!), whip up a batch of solution, pour into a jar or spray bottle and wet the cloths before wiping. Stellar fabric choices for DIY baby wipes include flannel, sherpa or hemp fleece. Why not re-purpose an old pair of jammies, towel or pillowcase?

** the solution for disinfectant cleaning wipes is a bit different than that for a bum:

  • 1 3/4 cups warm water
  • 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon liquid detergent or soap (I use Seventh Generation dish liquid)
  • up to 1/4 teaspoon antibacterial essential oils of your choice. Good combos include: rosemary, peppermint and a dash of sage, or lavender and lemon with a dash of rosemary or peppermint.

Update: I feel it important to mention that some sources claim lavender and/or tea tree oil may not be good to use on baby boys. I’ve read the research and have chosen to use both EO’s in moderation with my child; I encourage you take the time to research it and come to your own conclusion.

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radical homemakers unite!

April 24th, 2010 · Bambino Steps (Kimberly) ·

I can’t necessarily call myself a radical homemaker…yet…but here’s an article my mom clipped for me from the Oregonian that’s pretty neat. Below is an excerpt from the interview with Shannon Hayes author of “Radical Homemakers: Reclaiming Domesticity From a Consumer Culture” that really hit home:

“Domestic work in our culture doesn’t have the status of work outside the home. How hard is it for radical homemakers to leave behind a job title and prestige of a career?

When you first step onto this path it’s a three-stage development: renouncing, reclaiming, rebuilding. In the renouncing period, people start looking at their lives and they begin to reject the convention. The second stage, they start reclaiming those skills that allow them to live without the big income or the two incomes. When they’re going through that, they go through an identity crisis. I went through it too; I had a Ph.D., but the academic life was anathema to the values I was adopting as an adult. Here I had trained myself as an academic and a professor, and I wasn’t going to go through with that. I wasn’t going to have that label. (It was hard at first but) now I don’t worry about it.”

I’m pretty excited about picking up my very own copy. Until then, the website seems to have some good info and links to other informative sites.

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