Try this homemade wooden
furniture polish
125 g beeswax, grated
500ml raw linseed oil (for dark wood) or olive oil
(for pale wood)
1 tsp lavender or rosemary essential oil
- Melt the wax in a heat-proof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water.
- Carefully add the oil and stir over heat for 3 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and stir in essential oil.
- Transfer to a clean jar and allow the mixture to set.
- Using a soft cloth, rub sparingly into the wood, leave for 30 minutes, and then polish off.
Make use of your teens computer skills
Teens feel right at home on the computer. Help them make their whole home a little greener by finding the family information about recycling locations and eco minded businesses. They can bookmark sites for you in an eco-folder so when you need information, it’s at your fingertips
Windowsill garden pests
If insects try to take up residence in your windowsill garden, wash the foliage with warm, soapy water to kill pests without harming your plants. Let them air-dry.
Reuse, makes sense
Are the kids in your child’s playgroup all turning the same age this year? Consider buying a set of festive decorations to share among families.
Seasonal fruits all year round
Once your children are sold on smoothie snacks, keep some fresh fruit on hand for the colder months with the help of your freezer. Freeze sliced bananas, berries, and melon chunks in reusable containers, and whip up a flavourful out-of-season treat using seasonal ingredients.
A gift that goes on giving
Give a gift of reusable bags. Purchase several eco friendly shopping bags to keep on hand to give as gifts for all occasions. Fold up the bags and place them inside one opened bag, recycle a colorful ribbon from home and give a gift that makes errands easier and helps the environment.
Effective Ant deterrent the eco way
Try this effective ant deterrent. Mix equal parts jam and borax, place in jar lids and put in the ant’s path. If small children or pets are around, place the bait in empty 300ml or cut down milk cartons, tap the tops closed and pierce a few holes around the bottom so the ants can get to the bait.
Buzz Off!! Mosquito Management
Mosquitoes breed in still water; even the smallest amount will do.
Reduce breeding opportunities around your home by:
Remove stagnant water left in pots, buckets and plant saucers.
Make sure that water runs freely in your roof guttering, downpipes and open drainage pipes.
- Fit fine mesh screens over inlets to water tanks.
- Empty and renew your pet’s water bowl every day.
- If you have a pond, keep fish or frogs to eat mosquito larvae.
- If your garden has a water feature, run it on regularly to get the water moving and stop mozzies breeding.
tip of the month
Give a gift of reusable bags. Purchase several eco friendly shopping bags to keep on hand to give as gifts for all occasions. Fold up the bags and place them inside one opened bag, recycle a colorful ribbon from home and give a gift that makes errands easier and helps the environment.