Raining Hot Coupons

Money Saving Deal Blog

3 Ways To Clean and Sanitize Legos

This Raining Hot Coupons deal was posted on at MST Leave a Comment

3 Ways To Clean & Sanitize Legos

lego

*Get more FRUGAL Articles, tips and tricks from Raining Hot Coupons here*

Repin It Here

3 Ways To Clean & Sanitize Legos

Most of everyone loves Lego as it has been around forever and is still a current, fun toy. However, this usually means that Lego is being passed down from family and friends, it’s been stored for a long time or you managed to score a deal at your local garage sale. No matter where your Lego came from, at some point it’s going to need a good wash and sanitize. There are a few easy ways to do this and it will guarantee many more years of Lego fun! Check out the list below for 3 ways to clean and sanitize Lego:

  1. Soap & Water: This is the easiest method of them all, as all you need is soap and water! Simply, fill a bowl with warm water and soap and let your bricks soak for at least an hour. Once they have soaked, give the extra grimy ones a scrub with a toothbrush. From there rinse all the Lego blocks with cold water, leaving no soap behind and dry with a towel or cool hair dryer.
  2. Dishwasher Or Washing Machine: That’s right! You can wash and sanitize Lego in the washing machine and or the dishwasher. You will need a mesh bag to hold on the Lego, making sure none will fall out between the holes. Make sure the appliance is on a gentle, warm (not hot) cycle before washing the Lego. For the dishwasher keep the bag on the top rack. After one cycle, your Lego will good as new!
  3. Magic Eraser: If you have white Lego pieces that have started to yellow over their time of use, try this trick! Grab a magic eraser and give each white block a good scrub. This will remove the yellow coloring or residue and leave them looking brand new. Make sure to rinse after scrubbing and let air dry before playing!
This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content, read our Disclosure Policy.

12 Uses For Baking Soda

This Raining Hot Coupons deal was posted on at MST Leave a Comment

12 Uses For Baking Soda

1

*Get more FRUGAL Articles, tips and tricks from Raining Hot Coupons here*

Repin it Here!

12 Uses For Baking Soda

Baking soda is an important ingredient in any household. It can be used in baking, cleaning, crafting and even in beauty routines, so why not have it on hand at all times right? Well, if you are looking for a bunch of uses for baking soda, look no further! Check out the list below for 12 different uses for everyday baking soda:

  1. Freshen Mouth: Looking to freshen your mouth quickly? Pop one teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water,swish and rinse.
  2. DIY Deodorant:  Use baking soda as a replacement deodorant. You can simply pat some powder in your underarm area for all day freshness. Reapply as needed.
  3. Freshen Sponges:  Soak grimy sponges in warm water and baking soda for an instant refresh.
  4. Oven Cleaner: Simply, spread some baking soda on the base and walls of the oven and spray with warm water. After an overnight soak, clean out the oven for sparkling results.
  5. Fridge Deodorizer:  Next time your fridge is smelling less than lovely, leave an open box of baking soda in the back of the fridge. This will soak up and deodorize the smell.
  6. Freshen Stuffed Animals: Stuffed animals looking a little sad? Freshen them with baking soda. Simple sprinkle some on the dirtiest areas and leave for 15 minutes. Once it has rested, brush off lightly.
  7. Clean Produce: Take a damp sponge, sprinkled with baking soda and scrub! Once you have scrubbed, rinse off the produce and it will be ready to eat!
  8. Burn Care: Apply a small paste of baking soda and water to minor burns. This will not only take down the swelling, it will reduce pain.
  9. Hair Cleanser:  To cleanse hair of unwanted product build up, simply add a small amount of baking soda to your shampoo. Just make sure to rinse well.
  10. Bath Soak: Add baking soda to your next bath for a healthy soak. By adding a 1/2 of a cup of baking soda you will wash away all oils and perspiration left on your body from the day.
  11. Whiten Teeth: Apply a small amount of baking soda to your toothbrush next time you brush. Brush as normal and follow-up by brushing with your toothpaste. Your teeth will
    naturally start to whiten with a few rounds.
  12. Acne Defender: Defeat small acne bumps with a paste of baking soda and warm water. It will dry out the pimple and leave you with a fresh face.
This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content, read our Disclosure Policy.

DIY Garbage Disposal Cleaner

This Raining Hot Coupons deal was posted on at MST Leave a Comment

DIY cleaner

DIY Garbage Disposal Cleaner

*Get more FRUGAL Articles, tips and tricks from Raining Hot Coupons here*

repin it here 2

follow me

DIY Garbage Disposal Cleaner

Garage disposals can be a real life saver in the kitchen. It makes for a no mess clean up and makes working in the kitchen a breeze. The only downfall is that disposals can produce an odor that can be pretty gross if it is not taken care of regularly. Luckily, there is a great solution for clean your disposal and it won’t take more then 5 minutes! Check out this quick, DIY recipe for cleaning your garage disposal in a flash!

Print
DIY Garbage Disposal Cleaner

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Heat the lemon juice in the microwave for 30 seconds or until heated.
  2. Add in the baking soda and mix while combining. The mixture should start to bubble.
  3. Once you have combine your ingredients, turn on your disposal and pour mixture down the drain.
  4. Rinse disposal with hot water, the odor should be gone!
  5. Do this weekly if odor tends to linger.
http://www.raininghotcoupons.com/diy-garbage-disposal-cleaner-6/

tips

5 Unique Uses For Lip Balm

How To Make A Reusable Dryer Sheet

Remove Rust Spots From Silverware and Knives

How To Use Walnuts To Remove Furniture Scratches

How To Soften Hard Brown Sugar

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Lemon juice
1/2 cup Baking soda

Directions:

Heat the lemon juice in the microwave for 30 seconds or until heated.
Add in the baking soda and mix while combining. The mixture should start to bubble.
Once you have combine your ingredients, turn on your disposal and pour mixture down the drain.
Rinse disposal with hot water, the odor should be gone!
Do this weekly if odor tends to linger.

This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content, read our Disclosure Policy.

Coupon 101 For Coupon Newbies!

This Raining Hot Coupons deal was posted on at MST Leave a Comment

Learn How to Use Coupons!

I’ve had this posted in the “Coupon 101” tab in green up top but I’m not sure how many of you have seen it. It’s just some information on Coupons for “coupon newbies”. So enjoy….

Welcome! If you are new to using coupons then you’ve come to the right place! Here I am going to give you some tips and teach you what I know about using coupons and saving lots of money doing so! After reading through my guide, I suggest heading on over to the FAQ section!

First of all, what is “couponing”?

A lot of people don’t understand how you can take a $0.50 off coupon and save so much money, get things for free, or even make money! It’s possible, I do it all the time, and you can do it too. Here is the basic concept that has to be applied when using coupons: Only use a coupon when paired up with a sale! Here’s an example of what this means:

If you have a coupon for $0.50 off Libby’s Green beans and you take that to the store and pick up a can that is priced normally at $1.00, then you are going to pay $0.50 and therefore you will have only saved $0.50. NOW, lets say that you wait until you see those green beans go on sale for $0.50 (and they most likely will) then after your $0.50 coupon, you will get these for FREE! Also, if your stores double coupons, you will have just made $0.50 to go towards the rest of your order! So really, that’s the secret to using coupons. I help make this easier for you by providing you with free lists of sales matched with coupons and post any good deals I find at stores with coupons.

You will find that you won’t have to pay for many different necessities again! Such as, toothpaste, razors (even the nice ones), toothbrushes, deodorants, soaps and more! I remember when I first heard this and thought to myself “say what”?! Yes, this is very true and the stores you will be getting them for free from are Rite Aid, Walgreen’s, & CVS!

Where do I get my coupons you ask?

Well, there are MANY different places to get coupons…

· Sunday Newspaper – These are the mega coupon papers! You will want to get one (or more) every Sunday. They will have coupon inserts in them including Red Plum (RP), Smart Source (SS), Proctor & Gamble (P&G). Occasionally you will get bonus inserts including, General Mills (GM), Target and more.

· Printable Coupons (from the Internet) – My favorite sites to print coupons from are Coupons.com, Red Plum, Smart Source, and Target (yes, they have coupons)!

· Magazines – All You Magazine is a great one to get. You can find these at Walmart or you can get a subscription here. It is full of manufacturer coupons. Also, the Parents magazine is a great one that has good coupons for parents such as, Gymboree, Amazon diapers and more.

· Products you purchase – Keep in mind that on a lot of boxes of items you buy, there are coupons! For example, my box of Tide Laundry Detergent had $4 in coupons in the inside cardboard.

· Tear Pad or Blinkie – these are found in the Grocery stores and have coupons on them that you can take.

· Peelie – Coupon sticker found on the outside of a product.

· Catalina – These will print on the back of your receipt or with your receipt and usually for an item similar to something you purchased.

· Coupon Trains – Consider circulating and trading coupons via mail with family & friends.

Tips before hitting up the stores!

· Start out slowly and don’t plan on getting in on every single deal or it will all feel overwhelming! When I first started, I would find a good deal and go out and get it but I found I was doing this way too often and really just using a lot of gas. Understand that you don’t need to get every deal.

· Be organized! I shop one day a week and the night before my shopping day, I get my lists ready and coupons together. I choose Sunday because you will see that on Saturday I post the coupon matched lists and Sunday is when the new ads start (for drugstores where you will find a ton of great deals).

· Figure out a way that best suites you to organize your coupons. This is so important because if your coupons are not organized, you are going to get stressed out when you can’t find certain coupons and using coupons to save money is going to take a lot more time.

· Print out Store Coupon Policies, (which you can do here) and I highly recommend this in case you have a problem with a cashier honoring your coupons. If you have your store policy with you, you can just pull it out and it will make things a lot easier for you. Not saying you will have problems, but sometimes there are cashiers out there that feel like they are doing something wrong when you are getting items for free or close to it.

· Get your store’s weekly ad circular. You can also view it online or it will come in the mail so that way you can match the items on sale with your coupons.

· Only purchase the items on your list!! Doing this alone will always save you money….unless of course you find a freebie!

· Here’s an important one…Sometimes a smaller sized item is a better deal! Some coupons don’t have a size restriction (these are my favorite) so therefore you may be able to get that item in the travel section for FREE and if you have several coupons, you can stock up!

· Brand Loyalty is a no-no! Be willing to try out new products that you have coupons for. I use to never do this before using coupons and now that I do, I have actually found a lot of things I really like that I normally wouldn’t have tried.

· Overage = AWESOME! Understand what overage is and that it can dramatically lower your grocery bill. Lets say a product is on sale for $1 and you have a coupon for $2/1 for that item. After using your coupon, you will get $1 in overage, which will then be applied to the balance of your order! Do you see how that can really lower your balance…it’s like getting paid to shop! Note: Some stores don’t allow for overage.

There are a lot of times when I will refer to something as 11/28 RP, and you new coupon users out there will say “huh?!”. So I’ve compiled a list of different abbreviations often referred to in the coupon world. If you can think of anything else you’d like me to add to the list, please let me know!

  • ECB– Extra Care Buck (CVS store credit voucher that will print when specific items are purchased)
  • RR– Register Rewards (Walgreens store credit voucher that will print when specific items are purchased) – these do not “roll”, meaning if you purchase the same item you received the voucher for, another one will NOT print.
  • +Up– Rite Aid store credit voucher that will print when specific items are purchased – these DO “roll”!
  • P&G-Proctor and Gamble
  • SP-Stockpile
  • SS-Smart Source coupon insert
  • PG-Proctor and Gamble coupon insert
  • RP– Red Plum coupon insert
  • Peelies-sticker like coupons found on products.
  • ECB-Extra Care Bucks (CVS money)
  • RR– Register Reward (Walgreens money)
  • MQ-Manufacturers Coupon
  • OOP-Out of Pocket Expense
  • Q or CPN-Coupon
  • YMMV-Your Mileage May Vary (A deal may work for someone else, but may not for you.)
  • TMF-Try Me Free offer
  • FAR-Free After Rebate
  • CAT-Catalina coupon (Manufacturer coupons that print out from a machine at the register depending on what you uy.)
  • B1G1F, B2G1F-”Buy one get one Free”, “Buy two get one Free”
  • TEAR PAD– A pad of refund forms or coupons hanging on a shelf at the store.
  • BLINKIE-A machine that spits out coupons.
  • UPC-Universal product code (those black straight lines with numbers under them)
  • POP-Proof of purchase (like a product label or UPC)
  • DCRT-Dated cash register receipt
  • GC-Gift Card

 

This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content, read our Disclosure Policy.

6 Ways To Fight Dry Hair

This Raining Hot Coupons deal was posted on at MST Leave a Comment

6 Ways To Fight Dry Hair

dry hair

*Get more FRUGAL Articles, tips and tricks from Raining Hot Coupons here*

Repin It Here

6 Ways To Fight Dry Hair

Let’s admit it: Winter is cold and hard enough as it is without fighting the battle against dry hair! Cold temperatures and wind can really do a number on your hair as the low temperatures will actually pull moisture from hair. So how do we fight against the effects of winter? Well, there are a few preventive measures we can take to keep hair looking smooth and silky. Check out the 6 ways below to fight dry hair:

  1. Wash Once Every Two: Washing our hair once every two days can really help fight dryness. By only washing once every second day, you will lock in healthy moisture and nutrients to keep your hair looking great!
  2. Warm, Not Hot: Another way to prevent dry hair is to turn down the shower water temperature. A super hot shower can strip the moisture from your hair and leave it feeling lifeless and dry. Try a warm shower instead to help hair retain moisture.
  3. Brush Less: It may sound strange to brush your hair less, but it does help when preventing dry hair. If your hair is already dry to begin with, excessive brushing can make it fall out at a faster rate! Make sure to be gentle when brushing hair and let hair dry before brushing through the strands. If you are brushing your hair while wet, try to use a wide tooth comb instead.
  4. Blow Drying: If you blow dry your hair on a regular basis, try this trick to avoid drying out your hair in the process! Blow dry on a low heat or a cool heat as the hot heat can damage hair easily and cause the strands to fray. Also, make sure to gently brush out hair when using heat to avoid damage.
  5.  Hair Breaks: It is important to remember to give your hair a break. Much like our skin, our hair needs a break from treatment and styling. Try to give your hair at least a one day break in between styling and salon treatments to avoid breakage and damage to your hair and scalp.
  6. Egg Treatment: It may sounds strange,but eggs can do wonders for dry hair! Wash damp hair with a few egg yolks , let sit for 2o minutes and rinse as normal. Once you have rinsed the egg out completely, shampoo hair as normal. The egg with restore moisture and leave you with a silky shine!
This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content, read our Disclosure Policy.

20 Uses for Lemons (Health, Beauty, Cleaning, Eating and More!)

This Raining Hot Coupons deal was posted on at MST Leave a Comment

lemon

*Get more FRUGAL Articles, tips and tricks from Raining Hot Coupons here*

 

repin it here 2

follow me

tips

How to Clean Your Tub and Bathroom with Grapefruit!

How to Easily Clean your Washing Machine!

How to Easily Store Jewelry!

How to Make Your Lettuce Last Much Longer! (Very Easy Tip)

How to Get Super Silky Shaved Legs without Using Shaving Cream!

There are so many uses for lemon that I bet many of you have not heard of. They are great for cooking, adding to a drink, cleaning and more. See the list below for a ton of unique ideas on what you can do with lemons.

  1. Sanitize your cutting board – Cut a lemon in half and wipe it over the cutting board, leave on for 10 minutes then rinse!
  2. Clean your microwave – Add 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice to 1 cup water and microwave for 7 minutes. The steam will help clean the stuck on grime, just wipe down with a warm, wet towel or sponge!
  3. Eliminate browning of fruits or veggies – sprinkle a few drops of lemon over air exposed fruit!
  4. Whiten your Fingernails – Cut a lemon and rub it on your fingernails
  5. Deodorize Garbage disposal – place a cut up lemon with peels in disposal and run with hot water for 30 seconds.
  6. Clean sponges – you can leave sponges in this mixture until you use them each time (mix 1/2 cup lemon juice with 1 cup water) leave in bowl next to sink and your sponges will stay stinky free and clean!
  7. Keep ants out – if you see where ants are entering through cracks, just squeeze some lemon juice in them and the ants will go the other way.
  8. Lighten blonde hair – mix 1 part lemon juice to 2 parts water and spray on your hair then lay out in the sun and let the lemon juice and sun lighten and brighten your hair!
  9. Keeps guacamole green – squeeze a slice or 2 of lemon into your guac to keep it from browning!
  10. Keep rice from sticking – pour a small spoonful of lemon juice into boiling rice water to keep your rice from sticking.
  11. Cleans outside or fruits and veggies – this will help any remaining pesticides from getting into your mouth, fill a spray bottle with 1 part lemon to 2 parts water and spray your fruit and veggies after washing them.
  12. Sore throat – gargle with a little lemon juice mixed with salt and warm water to help relieve a sore throat (you can leave out the salt if you want).
  13. Smelly Garbage? – Any time you use a lemon, cut off the peel and place them under your garbage bag to eliminate nasty smells.
  14. Make Soggy lettuce crisp again – add the juice of half a lemon to a bowl of cold water. Put the soggy lettuce in and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  15. Lighten age spots or brown spots on skin – dab with pure lemon juice and let sit for 10 minutes every day. Then rinse.
  16. Clean and exfoliate face – take a mix of 1 part lemon juice to 1 part water and wash your face with it. Do this 2 times a week. It will help exfoliate and deep clean (helps with acne).
  17. Disinfect cuts – squirt some lemon juice directly onto the cuts and scrapes to help disinfect a new wound.
  18. Soften elbows and knees – mix lemon juice with baking soda until you create a paste and run into your elbows and knees every couple days to exfoliate and soften dry skin.
  19. Healthy skin, nails, and tummy drink – drink a glass of 16 ounces of water mixed with half a lemon every morning to improve you skin, nails, hair and it helps get rid of bad bacteria in your stomach. There are so many benefits of drinking lemon water every morning.
  20. Boost your Laundry Detergent  – add 1 cup lemon juice to large washing cycle. Lemon juice has a natural bleach which wil help brighten your clothes without ruining it, makes it smell good and helps remove stains!
This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content, read our Disclosure Policy.

How To Quickly Clean Your Blender

This Raining Hot Coupons deal was posted on at MST Leave a Comment

How To Quickly Clean Your Blender

blenderclean

*Get more FRUGAL Articles, tips and tricks from Raining Hot Coupons here*

*Get more RECIPES from Raining Hot Coupons here*

Pin it below:

Follow me on Pinterest

Repin it here:

repin button

How To Quickly Clean Your Blender

Being an avid smoothie drinker, I know first hand blenders are not the easiest appliances to clean. Food and liquids get stuck in the small corners and it can make washing a real pain! But there is a better way to clean your blender and get it done in half the time it would normally take…

After you have finished blending, hold the blender container upside down over the sink and give it a good rinse.  After it looks mostly clean on the inside fill the blender 1/5th of water and add some dish soap. Put the lid on and blend as normal, the water will start to bubble quite quickly. Once it is full to the top with bubbles, rinse and you will have a sparkling clean blender.

This is such an easy and fast way to clean your blender, you will save so much time! If you find your blender needs a better scrub, add ice with your soap and water to get a deeper clean.

This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content, read our Disclosure Policy.

What to Buy at the Dollar Store (And What Not to Buy!)

This Raining Hot Coupons deal was posted on at MST Leave a Comment

What to Buy at the Dollar Store (And What Not to Buy!)

*Get more FRUGAL Articles, tips and tricks from Raining Hot Coupons here*

repin it here 2

I spent some time…actually a lot of time at Dollar Tree and scoped out the “Good” and “Bad” buys. I also asked for YOUR opinions on the Raining Hot Coupons Facebook page and so many of you gave me some great tips on items you love and items you don’t really care for from Dollar Tree. Thank you all for your tips. Below you will learn what to spend your money on at Dollar Tree (this may apply to other dollar stores as well since they all kinda carry the same stuff). Enjoy…Also, I would love to read any other tips you have in the comments!  🙂

I am going to break it down into categories and different sections of the store. 

Household Cleaning:

cleaning 1

cleaning 4

Things to Buy:

  • ANY of the L.A.’s Totally Awesome products – I had a TON of readers says that they are like magic. The spot remover works awesome and the oxygen power cleaner works as good as the other expensive brands. I recently purchased the Orange cleaners from them and it really is wonderful and quite awesome.  😉
  • Fabric softener – believe it or not, this stuff smells great, comes in a big bottle for a buck and is perfect for refreshing couches, rugs, and even pets!
  • The Works cleaner – I have not tried this but a lot of readers swear by it. I can’t wait to try it!
  • Palmolive Dish soap – there are often coupons available for these so you will get a great deal.
  • Sun detergent or dishwashing soap – again, these often have coupons so keep an eye out and if a coupon pops up, you will score a nice deal.

cleaning 2 cleaning off brand

Pass on these:

  • Brooms – the handles often break on these
  • Garbage bags – a TON of readers had negative things to say about the garbage bags, the rip and tear easily.

Health & Beauty:

HEALTH

HEALTH 2 HEALTH 3

health nos

Things to buy:

  • Pregnancy Tests – these work really well and have always worked for me as well as all the readers who also recommended them! 
  • 3 pack loofah sponges (these are perfect for kid’s baths)
  • Hair bows, ties, bobby pins, headbands
  • Shaving Cream – this stuff really does work and smells pretty good! I love it for just $1!
  • Close-Up mouthwash – this is the only brand I would recommend (the others are not so great)
  • Triple Antibiotic ointment
  • Hydrocortisone Cream
  • Scotties tissue – these will often have coupons so you will get great deals
  • Cotton pads
  • Name Brand make-up – I have spotted Elf and Maybelline and once again Maybelline always has coupons!

Pass on these:

  • Q-tips (this isn’t the brand but pass on them) they bend and are not strong and the cotton on the end is very fuzzy
  • Off Brand Lotions
  • Perfume and Cologne

Birthday Items:

BIRTHDAY 2 BIRTHDAY 1

birthday 3

Things to buy:

  • Wrapping paper – I am shocked at how much wrapping paper has gone up in price so the $1 store paper is a great deal and you can get a few different designs!
  • Gift Bags
  • Cards
  • Candles
  • Streamers (these come with 2 so they are only $0.50 each!)
  • Cups
  • Birthday decor (party hats, balloons, invitations, favor bags, etc)
  • Mylar balloons
  • Tissue paper

Pass on these:

  • Plastic utensils (they break easily although I do recommend the table liners which is in the same section)

Food and Candy:

FOOD CANDY

drink

seasoning

Things to buy:

  • Movie candy – stop by on the way to the movies and pick up the boxes of candy for just $1! You may be able to find these at Walmart for $0.97 but if you’re closer to a Dollar Store then you may want to stop there instead!
  • Candy for Pinatas and Party favor bags – they have several bags of candy that have individually wrapped pieces so this is perfect for Birthday parties! For example, ring pops, suckers, avengers candy pieces and more.
  • Popsicles – These have $1/1 coupons which makes them FREE!!
  • Soda Pop – I love these, they are off brand but they are huge and perfect for Birthday parties. In my opinion they taste like Shasta.
  • Popsicle Molds – a pack of 6 for just $1 – that’s awesome!
  • Hormel Pepperoni – Once again, there are often coupon for $0.50 to $1 off which makes them only $0.50 or FREE!
  • Drink mixes – these are fabulous, just add 1 to a water bottle and it flavors your drink…they even have sugar free.
  • Seasonings – can’t go wrong for $1!

Pass on these:

  • Check expiration dates on all the food items…sometimes they tend to have things that go past that date.  😐

Kitchen and Bath:

BATH 2 BATH KITCHEN 2 KITCHEN NOS KITCHEN

Things to buy:

  • Tupperware
  • Tubs and Bins for organizing
  • Glass Vases
  • Foil baking tins (perfect for Thanksgiving and way cheaper than other stores)
  • 3 pack kid’s toothbrushes – there are often coupons that make the kid’s toothbrushes free and sometimes the come with travel cases and covers
  • Bathroom Decor – for just $1, that’s a steal!
  • Shower curtain – I have heard of people painting these and coloring them for the kiddos bathroom!
  • Shower curtain hanging rings (not sure what they are called exactly but they hold up the curtain and are normally very pricey)
  • Kid’s bubble bath – this stuff works great and lasts a long time!
  • Hefty plastic bags – normally coupons for them which makes them a great deal
  • Napkins – they come with a ton and work great
  • Tupperware – can’t go wrong with these packs
  • Mason Jars – you can do recipes in these, cookies jars, gifts, crafts and more!
  • Plates, Cups, Mugs, bowls – this is great if you need to just get a few or want some variation in colors
  • Kitchen Towels and Mits – look how cute these are in the picture above..I love the green and purple and for just $1!

Pass on these:

  • Pie Tins (these are not good for baking because they tend to rust) ALTHOUGH, they are good for kids crafts and play.
  • Candles – they don’t smell that good and even if they do in the store, the scent doesn’t last once lit in my opinion
  • Coffee Mugs – I have heard from several readers that these leak and the lids don’t stay on
  • Toilet Paper – this is usually very thing and doesn’t work all that well.  😳

Art and Supplies:

ART PINS SAY NO SCHOOL

Things to buy:

  • Large Activity Coloring books – these are very big and the kids will have a blast with them (some even have stickers)
  • Teacher corner – there are great tools here for not only teachers but homeschoolers, preschoolers or just if you want to teach some fun stuff to your kids. They also have sticker books which would be great for chores!  😉
  • Sewing kits with bags – $1…enough said!
  • Pom poms, felt, foam board, craft supplies
  • Safety pins – I hear these run out often so if you see them, snatch them up!
  • Vinyl Decals for decorating and for kid’s rooms – these are SUPER cute and can totally change the look of room or bathroom for just $1…I say yes!
  • Poster board

Pass on these:

  •  Glue sticks – they tend to be dried out or dry out fast after opened
  • Frames – these usually break when you are trying to even just put the photo in… see what I mean?
  • Garage sale signs – I say no because you can easily look across the aisle and find the BRIGHT colored poster board priced at $0.69 then cut them in half and you’ve got 2 signs so just about $0.35 each instead of $1.
  • Crayons – they don’t work… weird huh? No really, the color is super dull.
  • Playdough – this stuff is usually dried out….if you find one that’s not, you’re lucky!
  • School supplies – you can usually always get better deals from places like Staples, Office Max etc as long as you buy at the right time…starting in about July and August they offer $0.01 deals, freebies and more. Just watch Raining Hot Coupons and I post them all Summer long.

Miscellaneous:

PASS 2 PASS YES 2 YES

Things to buy:

  • 3 pack socks that makes each pair about $0.33 each!
  • Disposal bags for when walking pets – you get a ton for super cheap
  • Big bottle of Bubbles – lots of Summer fun with these!
  • Flip Flops – now I can’t say these are going to last but I’ve found that most $1 flip flops anywhere you get them don’t last long. They are great for public pools, the beach, etc so you don’t have to worry about someone taking them.
  • Puzzles – great for the kids or even party favors or Birthday party game gifts
  • Pack of Littles Toys – I LOVE to use the packs of insects, glowing stars, dinosaurs, erasers, etc for Pinatas! They work out perfect because you get quite a few for just $1.

Pass on these:

  • Toy Cars – these tend to be very cheap and break (the plastic is flimsy)
  • Outdoor lights – this may seem like a great deal but they don’t last long at all
  • Lighters – don’t really work long
  • Goggles – the water seeps through  😐
  • Batteries – don’t last
  • Anything electronic – according to many readers opinions and my own, anything electronic never last long.

Hope that helps….do you have anything to add to the list?! I would love to hear….

This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content, read our Disclosure Policy.

Frugal Homemade Cleaning Solution Recipes

This Raining Hot Coupons deal was posted on at MST Leave a Comment

*Get more FRUGAL Articles from Raining Hot Coupons here*

“PIN IT” If you like it (by clicking the button below)…

repin

Follow me on Pinterest:

Follow Me on Pinterest

It’s no secret that creating your own household cleaning solutions can save you lots of money, but how do you make them? Do-it-yourself cleaners are also great because they don’t have the harmful chemicals that store-bought cleaners tend to. As an added bonus, if you make your own cleaning solutions with things you already have on hand, you’re not going to have to worry about running out!

All Purpose Cleaner

  • 2 tablespoon vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Borax
  • Hot water
  • a few drops of a mild dish detergent
  • about 10 drops of essential oils
  • Mix ingredients together in a spray bottle and use to clean any hard surface.

    Floor Cleaner

  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1 gallon warm water
  • Mix together in your cleaning bucket and use this to clean floors.

    Wood Floor Cleaner

  • 1/2 cup vinegar
  • 1 gallon water
  • Dip your mop into the mixture and squeeze until it is almost dry, then mop.

    Oven Rack Cleaner

  • hot water
  • 1/2 cup Dawn dish soap
  • 8 dryer sheets
  • Soak oven racks in bath tub with hot water, 8 dryer sheets and 1/2 cup Dawn dish soap overnight. You can use the dryer sheets to scrub off any remaining gunk.

    Furniture Polish

  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • Shake well and apply a small amount to a cleaning cloth. Spread over surface and then dry with a separate cloth.

Window Cleaner

  • 1/2 teaspoon mild dish detergent,
  • 3 tablespoons vinegar
  • 2 cups water
  • Combine ingredients and pour into a spray bottle. Use just like you would use Windex.

    Tub Cleaner

  • baking soda
  • water
  • Combine ingredients to make a paste, apply to the tub, and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Wipe off with a wet cloth.

    Glass Shower Cleaner

  • 1/2 of a lemon
  • kosher salt
  • Dip the lemon into a bowl of kosher salt and scrub the glass shower walls. Watch the magic!

    Toilet Bowl Cleaner

  • 2 cups of vinegar
  • Pour the vinegar in your toilet and let it sit overnight. Clean with toilet bowl brush and flush.

    Carpet Deodorizer

  • baking soda
  • Just sprinkle it on your carpet and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then, vacuum it up.

    What’s your best DIY cleaning solution recipe?

This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content, read our Disclosure Policy.

10 Uses for Baking Soda

This Raining Hot Coupons deal was posted on at MST Leave a Comment

10 Uses for Baking Soda

baking soda

*Get more FRUGAL Articles, tips and tricks from Raining Hot Coupons here*

*Pin it* by clicking the PIN button on the image above!

REPIN it here!

Below is a HUGE list of 10 Uses for Baking Soda including mouth wash, cleaning and much more! Who knew Baking Soda could be used for so many things other than cooking and deodorizing the fridge right?! 😉

#1 – Car Surface Cleaner: You love your car, right? It gets you from point A to Point B and then back to A again at the end of the day. So naturally, you want the best for your car, so it can get you back to point B the next day. You can keep your car’s paint job nice and shiny by making a baking soda paste (There’s no specific amounts of powder or water you need, just make sure it’s a nice paste) and rubbing it all over your car’s dulling paint job. Let the paste sit for 5-15 minutes and then rinse your car off. Voila, now your Camaro looks as good as the day you bought it back in ’72.

#2 – Mouthwash: Have you checked out the price of oral care products lately (The kids’ college or some Agent Cool Blue? Choices, choices…). For those of us who decide that our kids getting fine careers in politics, law, or medicine is more important, your child no longer has to deal with minor tooth decay thanks to the advent of baking soda. If you mix a single tablespoon with half of a tall glass of water, you have some pretty effective mouthwash.

#3 – Skin Exfoliator: For those of us who strive for clean, smooth, baby-like skin, this trick will serve you all quite well. You can make a nice exfoliating paste for your skin by mixing 3 parts baking soda with 1 part water. When applying it, you should gently massage it on your skin, getting as much coverage as you want. When you’ve gotten it all massaged on, rinse it all off with some warm water.

#4 – Tougher Laundry Detergent: Maybe you’ve heard about using vinegar to brighten colors in your laundry before, but what can baking soda do? 1/2 a cup of the stuff mixed in with your detergent makes your detergent work much more effectively, making clothes cleaner and colors brighter. Is anyone wondering what would happen if we mixed the vinegar trick with the baking soda trick? Your clothes probably wouldn’t live through it, so I wouldn’t try it.

#5 – Homemade Clay: If you have an artist in the family (or maybe you are the artist), the following project could be a fun thing to do. If you mix some baking soda in with 1 1/4 cups of water and a cup of cornstarch, the result is something quite similar to store bought modeling clay. Afterwards you should go and find an air-tight tin to maximize its shelf life.

#6 – Deodorant: Stick or spray? You don’t have to pick either with baking soda; its magnificent quality of being able to make anything smell nice makes it an extremely viable option when choosing deodorant in the morning. No fancy steps at all to doing this: just firmly pat the baking soda under your pits and go about your day.

#7 – Toilet Cleaner: None of us want to do it. Not a single person in the house wants to deal with THAT one dreaded job. No one wants to deal with the dirty job of cleaning the toilet. Then you remember you have baking soda on your side. Dump roughly a single cup into the toilet bowl and let it sit for about an hour (I don’t know, maybe watch half a movie on HBO). After that hour has passed, go back and flush the toilet. You’ll now have a clean and odorless toilet.

#8 – Deodorize Your Home: Baking soda can deodorize just about anything. You can put an open box in the back of a fridge to keep odors bearable; you can sprinkle some across the bottom of your trash can before you put a new bag in to keep the smells at bay; and you can leave a snowstorm of the stuff on the carpet before you go to work and vacuum it all up when you get home.

#9 – Poor Man’s Foot Bath: For most families, it’s too expensive to buy a personal sauna for the entire family to relax in. So, if you still want their feet to experience the soothing sauna experience, our only friend is baking soda. For a nice foot bath, simply fill a tub with warm water and then add and stir in at least 3 tablespoons of our fine friend, Baking Soda.

#10 – Replacement for De-Icing Salts: We’ve all had that moment; we walk in from the cold winter air, dust our jackets off, and start the boring, monotonous task of getting all the salt off of our shoes. Would you believe that Baking Soda can also help you here? You can substitute a fine dusting of Baking Soda for all those salts you’re tossing onto your driveway and patio. Unlike all the other options available, Baking Soda provides you with good traction and melts the ice just as well as salt. Unlike salt, it won’t cause damage to your shoes or your floors.

This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content, read our Disclosure Policy.