Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Save Money at the Laundromat by Using Leaping Sheep Wool Dryer Balls

How would you like to actually leave the laundromat with extra quarters in your pocket?  You could stop for a cup of tea or coffee on your way home.  Maybe put it towards your library fee (that could just be a personal problem of mine).  Or do that extra load of rarely used laundry that you've been putting off.  But how can it be? 

Use Leaping Sheep Wool Dryer Balls in the dryer!

They absorb up to 30% of their weight in moisture, shortening the drying time.   

The drying cycle in a coin operated dryer costs $2.00 for a small load, or 25 cents for every 7 - 8 minutes.  Add the cost of "disposable", toxic dryer sheets to that and it's like throwing money away.  Leaping Sheep Wool Dryer Balls last for thousands of drying cycles and won't expose you to any harmful chemicals.

Transporting the dryer balls is easy.  They're light and manageable.  They can be carried right in your laundry basket or in a small bag tied to the handle.  If you like to add essential oils to your dryer balls they can be stored in your dresser drawers, between laundry trips, to keep your clothes smelling fresh all week long. 

What a great way to cut back on your cost of living and help keep trash out of landfills.  And if you feel like making somebody smile, share this little tidbit with a college student.  A couple quarters can make a world of difference when your busy learning how to change the world. 




 




Monday, April 16, 2012

Great Essential Oils to Add to your Leaping Sheep Wool Dryer Balls

Leaping Sheep Wool Dryer Balls are scent free.  They are perfect for people and youngsters with allergies and skin sensitivities.  If you like your laundry scented a few drops of your favorite essential oil added to Leaping Sheep Wool Dryer Balls will do the trick.  Essential oils are available at your local health food store or online at http://www.auracacia.com/auracacia/aclearn/ar_directory.html.  Maybe all you need to do is grab one from your medicine cabinet.  Lucky you:)
Scenting your laundry with essential oils has multiple benefits.  You can sanitize your dish towels, ward off insomnia or ignite passion in the bedroom, fight colds and flus, and stimulate your work day.  Here is a list of some of our favorites that can benefit you too! 

Everyday laundry:
  • Lavender
  • Lemongrass
  • Ylang-ylang

Studly scents for men:
  • Sandalwood
  • Patchouli
  • Cypress
  • Bay
  • Ginger
  • Black Pepper
  • Oakmoss
  • Vanilla
  • Vetiver
  • Most citrus oils

Rev up the romance with:
  • Rose
  • Ylang-ylang
  • Jasmine
  • Vervaine

Fight off those pesky colds and flus with:
  • Eucalyptus
  • Rosemary
  • Pine
  • Thyme

Induce a deep sleep with:
  • Chamomile
  • Lavender
  • Marjoram
  • Orange blossom

Get an energized start to the work day with:
  • Grapefruit
  • Basil
  • Lemon
  • Bergamot (anti-depressant)
  • Eucalyptus
  • Lemongrass

Sanitize your towels and rags with:
  • Eucalyptus
  • Thyme
  • Tea Tree
  • Lavender

Say goodbye to moths with:
  • Cedar
  • Eucalyptus

Are you noticing a trend?  Just like most of Mother Nature's gifts to us essential oils have more than one use.  They can be added to carrier oils such as almond oil and jojoba oil for a massage.  Put a few drops in a bath or shower (away from the drain and water stream) for an aroma therapy experience.  Even keep a bottle in your car or purse and breath in the scents to keep you alert or improve your mood.  Just make sure to store your essential oils with the lids on tight and the bottle secure so you don't lose your investment to an unfortunate spill! 

Whatever you decide on be sure to research it's benefits, possible dangers and directions for use at http://www.aromaweb.com/articles/dilutingessentialoils.asp

If you are pregnant please look at this link for which oils to avoid and which may be helpful. http://www.essentialoils.co.za/pregnancy.htm

If you are nursing check out http://www.earthmamaangelbaby.com/mama-resources/reading-room/herbs-to-avoid-during-breastfeeding for herbs and oils to avoid.  This is a great website for mothers and expectant mothers in general. 

Remember...essential oils are a wonderful addition to your laundry and home health routine but they need to be used properly.  Never put a pure essential oil directly on your skin.  Always dilute it with a carrier oil.  And if you have a chronic illness or medical condition be sure to use a safe oil for your specific needs. 










Saturday, April 14, 2012

Mud is Here

April showers bring May flowers.  That's fantastic.  Really.  That's wonderful.  You know what else those April showers bring?  Mud.  I said it.  And I'll say it again, mud.  Oh, Momma am I busy doing laundry or what!?  Snow?  Hang it up, it'll dry.  Beach towel? Shake off the sand and let it sit in the sun for a while.  Mud?  Unless you wanna look like Pig-Pen from Charlie Brown, you're gonna be doing some laundry.  Just make sure you use Leaping Sheep Wool Dryer Balls to keep the clean clothes coming fast and chemical free!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Keep Children Safe in the Laundry Room

My heart is aching after the news of an accidental death today.  A toddler drowned in a washing machine while helping his mother with the laundry. The clip and full story is at  http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/toddlers-tragic-washing-machine-death-sends-warning-parents-202400944.html.  My prayers go out to the family and community of the child. 

Part of raising children is teaching them the routines of the home and how to accomplish them.  I love to hear about the mundane chores that children help out with and the family bonding that occurs during those times.  It's real life, the job needs done and the caretaker is setting a good example.

As a society we're making each other more aware of the possibilities of being poisoned from common household chemicals like bleach and ammonia.  From today's story, and others like it, we're reminded that the machines invented to make our lives a little easier are in fact death traps if not used with great caution.

If you have a family or dear friends, old or young, please give them a hug today and tell them you love them.  Accidents are just that, accidents.  But we never know when they'll happen.  We never know the outcome until it's over.  We never know the pain of grief until it crushes us.

Rest in peace little one.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Earth Day Countdown

Earth Day countdown banner

Show the earth you love her

Plant a tree
A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit.   -- Elton Trueblood (1900-1994)
                                                                                             
 
 
Build a bird a home
I value my garden more for being full of blackbirds than of cherries, and very frankly give them fruit for their songs.     --Joseph Addison (1672 - 1719)
                                                                                                       
 
   
 
Use homemade, chemical free cleaing products
Achieve victory over a toxic world      --Dr. Mark Schauss
                                                                         
  
 
 
Use sustainable products that are biodegradable and last for years
       Leaping sheep wool dryer balls are a great way to start






Compost Materials List

    HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN COMPOST


    Why bother paying those high prices for compost from the store when you have all you need right in your house?  Not only will you do your garden good, but you will also put your garbage to good use.

    Green compost materials
    Much higher in nitrogen, helps speed up the process of decomposition

    -  Vegetable/fruit peelings and scraps
    -  Grass clippings
    -  Fresh manure from horses, alpacas, sheep or cows.  This "cooks" the compost quicker.  NOTE:  do not use manure from dogs, cats, humans or pigs.  It could contain harmful parasites.
    -  Coffee grounds
    -  Plant clippings
    -  Seaweed
    NOTE:  DO NOT use vegetables fried in vegetable oil


    Brown compost materials

    High in carbon and a source of energy for your compost microbes
       -  Chipped twigs
       -  Chipped hedge trimmings
       -  Stalks
       -  Leaves
       -  Eggshells
       -  Tea bags...loose or in the bag


       In small amounts
  • Shredded black/white newsprint
  • Shredded cardboard (avoid matting, aerate)
  • Small amounts of hair/fur/fiber (REALLY old Leaping Sheep Wool Dryer Balls)
  • Small amounts of sawdust
  • Very small amounts of wood ash

Put alternated layers of green (more) and brown (less) compost materials, spread evenly, in your compost bin or heap. Be sure to stir every week or two with a pitch fork and turn the edges into the middle. Add water to keep moist. Cover with a tarpaulin to avoid becoming waterlogged if you live in a rainy area. 

Not sure how to tell if you have a good balance?  If the leaves are dry or if you have ants in the compost it's too dry.  If the compost is consistently moist or if you see worms, GREAT!  Kids that like to hunt for worms can add their findings to the pile! 

To avoid the possibility of composted seeds growing or the introduction of pathogens to your garden let your compost heat up to 160 degrees F.  You can use a compost thermometer to keep track of the temperatures.  Manure plays an important role in heating up the compost if you're having trouble reaching temperature.  After about a week the compost pile will start to cool off from it's peak temperature.  When this happens it's time to turn the pile to get more air into it.  The compost is ready when it's dark brown in color, crumbly and earth-smelling.  This can take 4 months to 1 year.  For a good aged compost you're investing 5 years.   

Call your local horse or alpaca farm, I'm sure they would be more than happy to have you pick up manure from their pastures.  They may even deliver it to you. 


What a great source of worms for the family fishing enthusiast.

STOP!  DO NOT COMPOST:
  • Chemically-treated wood products
  • Diseased plants (house, yard or garden)
  • Human wastes
  • Meat, bones and fatty food wastes
  • Pernicious weeds (sprout from root)
  • Pet/pig wastes (meat eating animals)
  • Junk/processed foods (you're not trying to grow a french fry)


Happy composting and here's to a pesticide free, rich and bountiful garden!


For complete instructions on composting visit  http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1189.html