Simple Carpet-Cleaning Solutions: Baking Soda or Hydrogen Peroxide

I'm not sure how many people out there are as sensitive to the fragrances found in most carpet-cleaning solutions as I am, but I was happy to discover recently that you can easily find alternatives by doing a simple internet search.

The two I was happiest to find were one article on using baking soda, and another on using hydrogen peroxide. I've used baking soda before and was pretty happy with it, but I'm always glad to get more instruction. Baking Soda is included in this link: Clean Carpets without Dangerous Chemicals.

I am a little wary of the "sprinkle on, vacuum off" method, though, so finding out from a friend recently that you can use Hydrogen Peroxide sounded great. This one, "Using Hydrogen Peroxide," mentions combining Hydrogen Peroxide with simple Castille Soap, but I watched a friend clean stains off her carpets recently using simply water and hydrogen peroxide alone. Just make sure you follow the instructions for the correct ratios of hydrogen peroxide to water.

The Couponizer

I've become one of those mommies. Not only do I have zucchini squash coming out of my eyeballs, freezer jam in the fridge, and several bread recipes out while I bake and bake, searching for the best one - I've also started couponing a little. I haven't fallen off the deep end and become completely obsessed with it yet, but I have to admit there was a small thrill when I got some 64-ounce Juicy Juice for 88 cents each, 'bought' some makeup for free, and made 60 cents on some new cereal for Grayson (sure hurts less when he refuses to eat it if it didn't cost anything in the first place!).

Anyway, if there are any of you venturing out into the coupon world, a coupon organizer might be helpful to have. I don't really have a system yet, so I entered this contest to win one. It sure looks like a good system to have if you're a serious couponer. And who knows, this system just might convert you!

Got expired coupons?

Please don't throw them away. Here's a link with a few addresses of overseas military installations that can distribute them to service member families. Commissaries will accept manufacturer's coupons for up to 6 months after the printed expiration date.

http://www.grocerysavingtips.com/expiredgrocerycoupons.htm


I have heard that it's helpful to separate food and non-food coupons into ziploc bags marked as such. I think the best way to send them would be to gather from a few people (maybe have everyone from church put them together) and send them in a fixed rate box. The addresses are APO boxes, so you have to send them via USPS.