For Christmas I got a Kindle E reader and I LOVE it! (Thank you secret sister @ church) I downloaded a book called The Pantry Cleaner: Chemical Free Cleaning because it peaked my curiosity about the products I use to clean my home. For those of you that don't know I really enjoy cleaning. I know that doesn't sound right but it's true. Now having the time to do the cleaning I would like is another matter entirely. And in case you didn't know dusting is not cleaning. I loathe dusting. Really, I do. This is a hereditary trait. I get it from my Mom-ma...among other things we will not discuss today;0)

There are a couple of recipes I tried from the book so far and am very happy with them both! My shower is a stand up shower and gets so grimy very quickly. The bottom of the shower always has this discolored yuck that regardless of how much bleach or any other cleaner it would not come up! I've scrubbed and soaked and name a cleaner and I've tried it. Thanks to this book, however, I have a very UN-grimy shower and it's even white! What did I use??

(Insert drum roll here)

A rag with vinegar poured on it and baking soda sprinkled on the rag and then I scrubbed it off. I couldn't believe it. Yeah it smelled like a pickle for a bit but when the vinegar dries the smell goes with it and leaves a clean fresh surface and no smell! I have made some spray bottles of vinegar and water and been cleaning everything with it and my counters are even whiter. It even took old coffee rings and stains up. The only thing it doesn't recommend using the vinegar on is tile because it eats the grout and marble surfaces. Another great recipe is for laundry detergent. It has the consistency of a snot but works great so far. And what to use as fabric softener? Vinegar. I'm not even kidding. I was skeptical too but had some time off this week and thought I'd give it a try. And before anyone says so, we are not walking around smelling like pickles I promise. The vinegar gets the excess detergent out of the clothes and when you get them out of the wash you can't even tell there was vinegar on them and they are soft. It's crazy but it works. Give it a try for yourself and see or don't. Just thought I'd share with anyone that was interested.

Laundry Detergent

1 bar ivory soap, grated

2 cups Arm & hammer washing soda (laundry isle)

2 gallons hot water

Place grated soap in a saucepan with enough water to cover. Cook on low stirring frequently until melted. Pour hot water into a large bucket or pot. Add melted soap and stir well. Add washing soda and stir until combined. Use 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup per load.