Who can resist sipping ice cold lemonade and sunbathing, while listening to a waterfall? We love garden ponds and waterfalls, but the price isn’t always something to smile about. There’s a way for anyone to make their own pond on the cheap, just check out this easy tutorial!

Step 1:

Take your pond form and lay it where you would like your pond to be. Mark the area with spray paint and begin digging.

Step 2:

Once the hole has been dug, test it to see if the form will fit properly. Once you’re happy with the fit, place sand at the bottom to help level the form.

Step 3:

Choose stone that fits with your garden and arrange it to create your waterfall.

Step 4:

Purchase a pump that matches the gallon size of your pond. Larger tubing for the pump means more water flow, and smaller means less. Choose what fits with your pond.

Step 5:

The final step is to purchase and plant plants. Choose plants that are appropriate for the location of your pond, and take into consideration how much (or how little) sunlight they will be getting.

Photos and idea: Oh My Creative.

If you’ve had enough of dirty grout, we’ve got the solution! Choose from one of these 5 grout-cleaning recipes that are sure to get your grout looking good as new! Using only basic household ingredients, these recipes are great for people looking for a cheap and easy solution to cleaning their grout.

Recipe #1:

This recipe is mild, and can be used on all tile surfaces. You can also use it to remove stains from natural stone.

– 3 cups baking soda

– 1 cup water

Mix the baking soda until it forms a paste and apply it to the grout. Leave it to work for 10 minutes and rinse it clean.

Recipe #2:

Since this recipe uses vinegar, don’t use it on marble, limestone, or travertine.

– 1/4 cup salt

– 1/4 cup baking soda

– 1/4 cup vinegar

Mix the ingredients and apply it to the grout. Leave it for 20 minutes and make sure it doesn’t dry out. After the 20 minutes are up, give the grout a good scrub and rinse.

Recipe #3:

Use this recipe on light colored or white grout.

– 1/4 cup bleach

– 3/4 cup baking soda

Mix and apply to dirty grout. If you want to dilute the bleach, you can add water. The longer you leave the solution on, the brighter your grout will be.

Recipe #4:

This recipe works with all tile, except limestone or travertine.

– lemon juice

– baking soda

Mix into a paste and apply to dirty grout. Leave it for 20 minutes, then scrub and rinse.

Recipe #5:

Don’t use this bleach on colored grout, and test it first on marble surfaces.

– 3 parts baking soda

– 1 part hydrogen peroxide

Mix into a paste and apply it to your grout. Leave it to sit for 20 minutes and scrub well. Rinse with warm water. This mixture can also be used on poultice and natural stone.

Photos: Flooring Hunt, Deco Bizz, Skroutz On Deck.

We’re big fans of using vinegar to clean our home! With pets and kids running around, it’s important to minimize toxic cleaning solutions as much as possible. Vinegar does a great job with laundry, deodorizing, and removing rust. But, there are some things that should never come into contact with vinegar. Read the list to find out if you’re guilty of using vinegar on these items!

1. Stone Floor Tiles

Acidic cleaners are never good for natural stone. Lemon, vinegar, and ammonia are some of the acids you should keep away from stone. Stick to using a special stone soap, or you can use dish detergent and warm water.

2. Your Iron

Vinegar can actually damage the internal parts of your iron. If your iron gets clogged, make sure you empty it completely after each use, and follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.

3. Egg stain or Spill

The next time you drop an egg on the floor, or have an egg stain on your clothes, don’t reach for the vinegar. The acidity in the vinegar can cause the egg to coagulate, making it harder to remove.

4. Granite and Marble Countertops

Just like with the stone floors, granite and marble countertops should never be cleaned with vinegar. The acid can actually etch the stone. Use dish detergent and water instead.

5. Hardwood Floors

Some homeowners find that vinegar cleans their sealed hardwood floors well, and others say it damages the finish. To stay on the safe side, clean your floors with a cleaner specifically formulated for hardwood. If you would like to try vinegar, dilute it with water and try it in a corner or other hidden area before washing the whole floor with it.

6. Some Stubborn Stains

Grass stains, ice cream, ink, and blood won’t come out with vinegar alone. These stains set in the fabric quickly and don’t respond to acid. Instead, treat them with a pre-wash stain remover and wash them with a detergent that contains enzymes.

Photos: Innovative Living, Ironing Services Tamworth, Fine Art America, AP Granite Countertops Orange County, Wood Floors by Ace, Jump Reports, Frugal Living Now.