9 Natural Remedies For Mosquito Bites

Some people kid that New Jersey's State Bird is the mosquito. Obviously, that's not true, but we do have a lot of those bloodsuckers here in the Garden State.  Every time my daughter goes out to play, she comes in with lots of mosquito bites. Granted, when I offer to spray her with diluted white vinegar (don't laugh – it works!), she blows me off and runs outside anyway. I know that later, she'll be lying bed, complaining about how itchy she is. That's when I reach for one of these:

9 Natural Remedies For Mosquito Bites

Aloe

1. Ice – Place some ice in a wash cloth and apply to the itch. It numbs the nerves that conduct the itching and subsequent pain. 
   
   
   
   
2. Lavender or tea tree oil. I keep tea tree oil because it serves a multitude of purposes (it's fantastic for cleaning) and itch relief is one. Dab a little on the skin.  Just be sure to check the label on the bottle first to make sure it's okay to use on skin. If you need to, dilute it with a little cooking oil.  Both lavender and tea tree oils contain anti-inflammatory properties that sooth what itches you.
   
   
   
   
3. Baking soda and water. Mix 3 parts baking soda with 1 part water and apply to the itch. Note: don't use if the skin is broken.. 
   
   
   
   
4. Apple cider vinegar. Dab a little on the bite and let the acid in the vinegar take away the itchies.
   
   
    
5. Lemon juice. Lemons have anesthetic and anti-inflammatory properties and can be effective against itches. Again, don't use if the skin is broken or if the child is going outside since lemon can react with the sun to cause blistering.
   
   
   
   
6. Honey. Long-known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, this “honey” of a remedy works well for mosquito bites.
   
   
   
   
7. Peppermint toothpaste. It's the mint in the toothpaste that calms the itch.
   
   
    
8. Aloe. I keep an aloe plant in the house for burns but it's also great for relieving bug bites.
   
   
   
   
9. Witch hazel. This drug-store staple is great for relieving those itchy welts. (Check back here soon for more uses for witch hazel).
   
   

If all else fails, I will reach for the Benadryl spray. Obviously I'm not a medical professional, but the above remedies, most of which you probably already have in your house, work great for me. 

Give them a try and let me know what works for YOU!

4 Easy, Effective Homemade Cleaners & One INCREDIBLE Fail

I love saving money with homemade cleaners. Years ago, when our dog was a puppy, I learned how effective diluted white vinegar was in cleaning up pee stains and neutralizing the odor. Soon after, I learned that white vinegar is great for disinfecting counter tops as well and it's now my family's FAVORITE cleaner. But there are others.

My FAVORITE cleaner - cheap and it has anti-bacterial properties.

Here are my four favorite homemade cleaners followed by one I tried which was a complete disaster.

1. Laundry Stain Remover: In a spray bottle, mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide, 1 part baking soda, and 2 parts water. Spray on stains, wait two minutes, then wash.
   
   
   
   
2. Drain Declogger: Before you reach for the Drano, try this first. Sprinkle one cup of super washing soda (find it in the laundry aisle) into the drain and then add two cups of boiling water (feel free to add more) down the drain to flush. This is great for drains that are slow and it's also great to do periodically to the kitchen sink to prevent clogs. 
   
   
   
   
3. Floor Cleaner: Mix 1 cup of white vinegar, 1 gallon of hot water, ¼ cup of liquid soap and 1 to 2 tablespoons of pine or lemon oil. Clean the floor with a mop or damp rag. Follow with a clean-water mop. 
   
   
   
   
4. Enamel Or Porcelain Cleaner: Mix 1 cup of baking soda or borax, some warm water, and 2 to 3 drops of liquid soap (I use Dawn). Apply to surfaces and let sit about 5 minutes before scrubbing with a non-abrasive sponge. Rinse and wipe off any residue.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Now about that epic fail...I've seen several recipes for homemade dishwasher detergent. Most include either borax or baking soda, maybe even super washing soda, as an ingredient. So I tried it on my GE Washer. BIG MISTAKE. The powder got into every crevice of the machine and coated the dishes. The heat cycle then baked that residue in. It effectively KILLED my $800 dishwasher. 

I also made a furniture cleaner with olive oil which left a nasty coating on my living room table. So what did I learn?

IF POSSIBLE, TEST THESE CLEANERS OUT BEFORE YOU USE A LOT OF THE STUFF.  Don't take my word or anyone else's.  No, there was no way of knowing the dishwasher detergent would kill my GE, but maybe if I'd tested the furniture cleaner out before using it on my table, it would have saved some scrubbing.

 

Happy Cleaning!