Let's Get Clean

Things your kids can do to help out around the house.

Drain Cleaner

1 cup vinegar
1 cup baking soda

Pour baking soda into the sink drain and add vinegar.  Watch it fizz as
it breaks down the clog.  After a few minutes run fresh water to clear
the congestion.

Window Cleaner

Vinegar
Water

Mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a plastic spray bottle.  Spray
dirty windows and wipe dry with a newspaper, squeegee or clean cloth.

Lemon Water for cleaning Microwave Ovens

1/2 cup water
1 fresh lemon sliced in half

Place 1/2 cup water in a microwave safe dish.  Squeeze the juice from
1/2 of the lemon into the water and place in the microwave.  Heat
mixture to a boil (about three minutes) to loosen particles.  Remove
dish, and wipe inside of the oven clean with a moist cloth.  Lemon juice
leaves a fresh clean scent.

Note:  Adult supervision and participation is required for this
activity.

Let's not forget to clean ourselves!

Soap Slime

Old bits of soap
Bucket of water

Put the pieces of soap into the bucket of water and let stand overnight.
By the morning, the soap has dissolved and leaves a thick slime.  It
looks good if green food coloring is added to it!

Oatmeal Soap

1/2 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup small soap pieces
1 1/2 tbls cooking oil
1 tbls water

Place soap slivers in a plastic bag, and pound them into little chunks.
Place the chunks in a blender, add oatmeal, and pulse until mixture
has a grainy consistency.  Pour into a bowl and remove any oversized
chunks of soap--add the oil and water and mix with your hands.  Form
into a firm ball and let set until hard--about 2 hours.  To make "soap-
on-a-rope," make a 1 1/2 inches long indentation in the ball
immediately after it's formed.  Tie the ends together of a 12 inch length
of twine.  Press the knotted end into the indentation.  Mold soap firmly
over twine.  Let set until hard.  Alternative:  For pumice-like soap, use
cornmeal in place of the oatmeal.

Note:  Adult supervision and participation is required for this
activity.

Soap Crayons

1 3/4 cup Ivory Snow (powder)
50 drops food coloring
1/4 cup water.

Mix water and soap flakes together.  Add food coloring and put mixture
into an ice cube tray.  Allow to harden and break or cut into pieces.
Fun to write with on the tub, as well as face and hands!

Bath Salts

2 1/2 lb Epsom Salts
food coloring
perfume
Combine Epsom salts with food coloring and perfume in a large bowl.
Mix well so color is even.  Put into small jars and let stand 4-6 weeks
before using.  This causes the odor to blend with the salts.  This bath
salt is very soothing and makes for a relaxed bath.

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