Here, I'm quoting the famous Becky Ransey email that circulated the internet recently extolling the use of
peroxide as a bleach alternative. Here goes:
1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. (I do it when I bathe.) No more canker sores, and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash.
2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of peroxide to keep them free of
germs.
3. Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters.
4. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.
5. I had fungus on my feet for years until I sprayed a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.
6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine but was healed by soaking in peroxide.
7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.
8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, plugged sinus. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes, and then blow your nose into a tissue.
9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.
10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through You will not have the peroxide-burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, faddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually, so it's not a drastic change.
11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.
12. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour it directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.
13. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors. There is no smearing, which is why I love it so much for this.
To keep your breath kissably fresh, carry Hint Mints, the original designer mint. These mints come in sleek, curved tins and come in handy when you need a subtle hint to give friends fresh breath. $20 for a pack of 12 at Amazon.com.
Are you the type to nibble as you cook, and by the time the meal is done you're not even hungry? According to Martha White in Real Simple magazine, some peppermint fragrance in the kitchen will help you curb the habit. Time to run out and get a peppermint candle or peppermint essential oil home fragrance kit...
Looking for another way to protect against harmful UV rays? Just add Rit Sun Guard to your wash cycle, rinse and dry as usual. Recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation, using this can raise clothing's SPF to almost 30, and works even if your shirt is wet! I'd still slather on the sunscreen for added protection. It's available from Amazon for $20.00, and contains enough for 6 loads.
Brushing teeth used to be a chore for my 3 year old, but no more! I got her the Little Mermaid Oral-B Power Head toothbrush and I have to limit her brushing to 3 times per day -- no kidding. She does it all herself, and I can rest assured that the small rotating head will work it's way all around her teeth. For $6.99 and a small Duracell battery, it's worth every penny.
If you're trying to get pregnant, and instead getting frustrated, please don't give up before reading this book. Taking Charge of Your Fertility is packed with good information that you typically don't get from your doctor, or in sex ed class! What I learned in this book worked for us - twice! - and I've recommended it to many friends. It's available on Amazon for $15.09. (By the way, it's also a good read if you're trying to avoid getting pregnant, too.) Good luck!
There's no need to pay department store prices for excellent skincare products these days. Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer, from your local drugstore, comes highly recommended by dermatologists. It's lightweight, moisturizes well, and protects skin from both UVA and UBV rays - something even some more expensive moisturizers can't claim. Best yet, you can get it on sale for $9.99!
Ever thought it possible fight cancer and aging in one fell swoop? Well, the makers of POM Wonderful pomegranate juice have introduced POM Tea, a tea-based pomegranate beverage with the same free-radical fighting, antioxidant powers. Heck, even if it doesn't live up to it's superhero status, it just tastes so good!
I'm always game to try natural remedies, so when my Dad suggested I try this Tropical Traditions organic virgin coconut oil as a moisturizer, I gave it a shot. With it's velvety texture and natural antibacterial properties, it sinks right into your skin. Perfect for soothing winter-damaged skin, hair and nails. (By the way, it tastes great in your oatmeal too!) Thanks, Dad.
Every time I sit warming my toes by a fireplace, I a.) enjoy the toasty feeling b.) wonder what noxious gases I'm inhaling. It might be the pessimist in me. Nonetheless, in a study done by NASA it was found that the common Spider plant removed 96% of carbon monoxide from the air. Hooray for houseplants!
