My Frugal Baby Tips: 2019-08-11

In my reusable wipes, I use a squirt of California baby bath and body wash (Baby Magic or Castile soap works too).

I also add about 2-3 drops Lavender essential oil and 1-2 drops tea tree oil with about 2 cups water.

Lately I've started adding about 2 teaspoons of apricot kernel oil or almond oil to the mix.

Just steer clear of mineral oil.

It can be drying and if you wash the wipes with your diapers, it can leave an icky coating floating in the rinse water that tends to get re-deposited on the diapers as the water drains out. ICK!

Kade kept having diaper rash and it went away after I quit adding mineral oil (baby oil).

Thanks to Shawnda for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Oooh... Pocket Peek!, by webchicken on Flickr

Babies love to put things in pockets, and then find them again.

Make a pocket play wall out of a three foot (1 metre) square of canvas.

Hem the edges, cut a bunch of pockets off some old clothing, and sew them onto the canvas, leaving the tops of the pockets open.

Image: Threads, by Sharon Mollerus on Flickr

Put grommets in the top two corners, and hang on the wall at baby's level from peel 'n stick hooks.

Baby will love discovering which toys fit in which pockets!

Thanks to Susan for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Baby E spends the day naked as a jaybird to combat the diaper rash that sprouted suddenly this morning. Photo Credit: Jaybird, by Medigerati on Flickr

When my son had a horrible diaper rash, I would first put a thick layer of diaper cream on his bottom.

I liked to use Triple Paste Medicated Ointment.

Then I would coat it with Vaseline® to keep any further wetness away from his skin, while it healed.

Add a bit of fresh air time on a receiving blanket and waterproof pad.

I would drape a cotton prefold (or you could use a receiving blanket) over his bits, to prevent any sprays!

Worked like a charm!

Thanks to Cathy for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Knitting on a clothesline, by Michael Kauer on Pixabay

I wanted to share my cleaning article - Keeping Your Home Clean and Safe

You might be able to get Sodium Hexametaphosphate in most natural food, environmental or alternative stores, or Amazon.

OK, here's the article...

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#1 - Laundry Bleach
--Sodium Hexametaphosphate doesn't work like a chlorine bleach to get your cloth diapers, bedding and clothing white.
Rather, it disposes of the dull, shabby, dim or yellow film that develops on your clothing after several piles of washing with soap or detergent.
Indeed, you will be shocked to see all the suds discharged from your clothing and bedding you thought were spotless.
By using sodium hexametaphosphate every wash, it will keep away that dull film and keep your whites and colors bright.
How much you should use depends upon the hardness of your water.
Begin with 1/8 of a cup per load.
Add more, a bit at a time, until the water feels slippery.
To get rid of years of dull film, run your washer load through an entire wash cycle using twice as much sodium hexametaphosphate as you would normally use, without any soap or detergent.

Sodium Hexametaphosphate

After that, add sodium hexametaphosphate first, then just half the amount of soap or detergent you normally used.

#2 - DISHWASHER DETERGENT
-- Sodium Hexametaphosphate is going to be the best substance you use in your dishwasher.
It cuts oil and will leave your dishes spotless, acts as a scale inhibitor and will even clean your dishwasher with each washing.
Use the same amount of Sodium Hexametaphosphate as dishwasher detergent and watch your dishes sparkle!

#3 - DISHWASHING LIQUID BOOSTER
-- As a water conditioner, it will boost the cleaning activity of your soap or detergent.
Simply add a couple of tbsp. to your dishwater (use the amount that makes the water feel slippery) and half as much dishwashing liquid.
No more water spots on your hand-washed dishes either!

#4 - WINDOW CLEANER
-- Works as well on your windows as it does on your dishes.
Simply add about a tsp. each of Sodium Hexametaphosphate and liquid soap with warm water in a spray bottle.
Use this solution on glass shower doors to dissolve mineral build-up (if really bad build-up, make the solution a little stronger).

#5 - BUBBLE BATH
-- No, Sodium Hexametaphosphate won't froth up into bubbles on it's own, however what it will do is make a little liquid soap foam up even more.
Add a little at a time, letting it dissolve in your bathwater till the water feels slippery.
A wonderful bath recipe is Sodium Hexametaphosphate, liquid soap and a couple of sliced lemons.
Gives you a fragrant, luxurious bath that will make your skin softer and smoother than ever before.

#6 - HAIR RINSE
-- Do natural shampoos leave your hair feeling sticky?
Try rinsing with a solution of Sodium Hexametaphosphate and that dull soapy film will rinse right out.

Thanks to Rebecca for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Spa Equipment, by Michael and Christa Richert on FreeImages

Baby's room not smelling so fresh? Make your own frugal air freshener.

You will need:
• 2 packages Knox Gelatin
• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup scented liquid potpourri
• pinch of salt

How to Make:
Heat 1 cup (250ml) of water with 1/2 cup (125ml) of liquid potpourri.

Add two packages of the Knox gelatin. Stirring constantly, heat until boiling.

Remove from heat.

Add remaining 1/2 cup of potpourri.

Pour into two 8oz. (250ml) jars.

Place in the fridge for a few hours until set.

Thanks to Char for this Frugal Baby Tip!