Dying Easter eggs using plant-based dyes is a tradition in Eastern Europe. It’s so easy to do, and everyone should give it a try at least once! To create these gorgeous eggs you need some herbs and colorful veggies. You can use spinach leaves, beets, red cabbage, or onion skins for the dyes. As for the designs, herb leaves work well, or you can go outside and look for interesting leaves and plants. What better way to welcome spring than with some natural Easter eggs decorated by Mother Nature herself? Let’s get started!

Supplies:

1) A dozen eggs

2) Vegetables, fruits, and spices (red cabbage, spinach, carrots, onion skins, blackberries, blueberries, paprika, and turmeric are dyes that work well)

3) About 1 1/2 cups of white vinegar

4) Salt

5) Leafy herbs or fresh leaves that you’ve found outside

6) Two pairs of sheer stockings, cut into tubes

7) Pots (each dye will need its own pot)

Step #1:

The first step is to make your dyes. To make a green dye, add about 5 cups of water to a pot with 1 pound of fresh spinach leaves. Add in a pinch of salt and bring it to a boil. After it starts boiling, turn down the temperature to a simmer. Allow the dye to simmer for 1 hour. If you would like an orange dye, add about 5 cups of water, 10 carrots, 5 tbsp of paprika, and a pinch of salt to a pot. As before, bring it to a boil and then turn down the temperature to a simmer for 1 hour. For a blue dye, do the same using 1 whole red cabbage. If you’d like a reddish-brown dye, use onion skins (you need about 5-6 onions worth of skins). For a pink dye, use beets (about 3 cups). If you want your dye to be yellow, use turmeric (2 tbsp). When your dyes are ready, strain the vegetables and fruits, leaving only the liquid. Pour your dyes into a measuring cup to see how much dye you have. For every cup of dye, you need 3 tbsp of white vinegar. When you’ve measured out the amounts of dye, pour the dyes back into their pots and add the required amount of vinegar.

Step #2:

Once you have made your dyes, it’s now time to decorate your eggs! Rub a paper towel soaked in vinegar over each of the eggs. Place an herb leaf on each egg and arrange it any way you want. Take a stocking tube and place the egg inside the tube. The stocking will hold the leaf in place. Tie the ends of the stocking and repeat this process with all your eggs.

Step #3:

Place your eggs in the dye pots and boil them for 10 minutes. When the 10 minutes are up, take them off the heat and allow them to cool completely. Place them in the fridge overnight. If you’d like them to be a pale color instead of a vibrant color, keep the pots in the fridge for 1 hour.

Step #4:

When the eggs have reached the shade you like, you can take them out of the stockings and place them on a wire rack to dry. When the eggs have dried, you will notice that the colors may not seem so bright. To make them shiny, you can rub a tiny bit of oil over them to bring out the beautiful colors.

Photos: Adventures in Cooking, Craft Hubs, Indulgy.

If you’re distressed over cleaning your windows, don’t worry! We’ve got the secret to getting them shining bright and clean! The secret mixture to getting your windows super clean contains ingredients that almost everyone has in their home. Let’s get started!

Secret Window Cleaning Mixture Ingredients and Supplies:

– 1 16 oz. spray bottle

– measuring cup

– sieve

– whisk

– juice of 1/2 a lemon

– 1 tbsp cornstarch

– 1/2 cup white vinegar

– 1/2 cup water

– newspaper

Step #1:

Juice the lemon and strain the juice using the sieve into a measuring cup. The lemon juice not only helps cut through grease and grime, it will also give our mixture a fresh smell.

Step #2:

Add in the vinegar and cornstarch. Whisk the ingredients together.

Step #3:

Pour the mixture into the spray bottle and add in the water. Shake the bottle to mix the ingredients.

Step #4:

Grab your newspaper and crumple it. Spray the window thoroughly with your mixture and wipe it down with the newspaper. Don’t worry if you notice a chalky film! Add a little elbow grease and you’ll soon see a sparkling window emerge! Store what’s left of your window cleaning mixture in the fridge for future use.

Photos: Gardenista.

We’ve got 3 easy ways to get your burnt pots looking new! We’ve all been there, not knowing what to do when our nice stainless steel pots are caked in burned food. Try one of these simple solutions to getting rid of burned food off of your pans with little to no scrubbing!

Solution #1: Baking Soda and Vinegar

Fill the bottom of the burnt pan with a little bit of water and add in 1 cup of vinegar. Bring the pan to a boil and add in 2 tbsp of baking soda. You should start to see little bits of black lifting off the pan. Empty the pan and use a scouring pad to get rid of any black bits that have been left. You should be able to scour them off easily. If you have any stubborn spots left, make a paste from baking soda and water and apply it to the spots. Leave the paste on for as long as you like and the burnt spots should lift easily.

Solution #2: Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda

Pour a generous amount of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda into your pan. Use a spoon to mix the ingredients. Allow it to sit for 4-6 hours and you’ll notice all the burned bits have been lifted off the pan!

Solution #3: Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap With Tea Tree

Pour soap into your burnt pan and allow it to sit. The burnt parts should lift easily with a scouring pad.

Photos: iHerb, Green Idea Reviews, Apartment Therapy.

We’re trying to use less chemicals in our home these days, and sometimes all you need are basic things you can find around your house! To make these stains you probably have everything you need already!

The stain you’re going for depends all on the ingredients you use in your homemade wood stain. Copper, vinegar, and coffee are some of the ingredients in these wood stains. Here are our favorites!

1. Apple Cider Vinegar and Steel Wool

This stain is perfect for those who want a ‘grey weathered look’, and all you need is steel wool and apple cider vinegar. Soak the steel wool in the vinegar and allow it to sit for at least 24 hours.

2. White Vinegar, Pennies, and Hydrogen Peroxide

These ingredients produce a beautiful green-blue shade. Make sure the pennies are from the 1960s! If you can’t find any pennies from the 60s, you can always use copper wire.

3. White Vinegar, Coffee Grounds, Tea, and Steel Wool

This mixture creates a beautiful, worn, rich color. This is great if you want a warmer stain on your wood.

How to Use:

Always leave the mixtures to sit for at least 24 hours. If you want a richer stain, allow it to sit for up to 1 week. Apply the stain with a paintbrush, and don’t forget to seal your project!

Photos: DIY Network, 500 SQ, One Fine Gardener, Upcycled Treasures, Kindred PDX.

If your brass knobs aren’t shining like they used to, and you’re not sure how to clean them, we’ve got a simple solution. All it takes is some salt, flour, and vinegar to make them sparkle again! Here’s how!

Step 1:

Remove the handles from the door using a screwdriver to remove the screws.

Step 2:

Add 1 tsp of salt to 1/2 cup white vinegar in a bowl and stir until dissolved.

Step 3:

Add in flour, 1 tbsp at a time, until the mixture thickens. The mixture should be thick enough so that it can coat the back of a spoon without dripping.

Step 4:

Place your knobs into the bowl and allow them to sit (completely covered in the solution) for at least 10 minutes.

Step 5:

Rinse the knobs in warm water and buff them using a lint-free cloth.

Step 6:

Screw the knobs back onto the doors and admire their new shine!

Photos: Simplified Bee, Style Carrot, Juxta Post.

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.

We love using home-made cleaning solutions! The store-bought chemicals can irritate your throat and nose, and they’re not safe to come into contact with your skin, either. Using only a few simple and cheap pantry ingredients, you can create your very own cleaning solutions for cheap. Give the environment (and yourself!) a break and try these recipes.

White Vinegar

Vinegar dissolves dirt, soap scum, and hard water deposits. Although it’s a tough acid, it’s gentle enough to use on hardwood floors. White vinegar is also a natural deodorizer, and absorbs odours instead of masking them. If you’re worried about the smell, it goes away completely when the vinegar dries. If you have sensitive skin, vinegar is great as a fabric softener. Add 1 cup of vinegar to your rinse cycle instead of regular fabric softener. For hard water deposits on your showerhead, simply place 1/2 cup vinegar in a sandwich bag and tie around the showerhead with a rubber band. Allow it to sit overnight and rinse in the morning. If you’re looking for an all-purpose spray cleaner, simply mix 1 cup vinegar and 1 cup water in a spray bottle. This is great for countertops, backsplash areas, and floors.

Baking Soda

Baking soda has a mild abrasive action and has natural deodorizing properties. It’s a great replacement for harsh store-bought scouring powders. Sprinkle baking soda on your sponge for bathtub rings, vanity units, or removing food deposits from the kitchen sink. For tough stains and grime, make a paste of baking soda and water and leave it to stand for 10-20 minutes until the deposits have softened and can be removed easily. To keep drains running smoothly, pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain and a little hot water to wash the baking soda down. Allow it to sit overnight, and don’t use it on blocked drains.

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is great on windows, mirrors, and hard-surface ceramic tiles. It’s also good to put it into a spray bottle and spray on points of contact to kill germs (door handles, steering wheels, toilet handles, toilet seats, etc.).

Ammonia

Ammonia is a strong window and all-purpose cleaner, and it’s stronger than vinegar. For a tough cleaning solution, mix 1 tbsp ammonia, 1tbsp dishwashing liquid, and 2 cups of water.

Photos: Trusper, Modern Survival Online, Good Ideas and Tips, Kendricks Stationers, DIY Life.

Who needs store-bought salad dressing when home-made is way better? Here are 4 salad dressing recipes that you need to know by heart! Use them as dressing, or as a dip. Our home-made Italian dressing can even be used to marinade fish or chicken! Making your own home-made salad dressings are super simple and quick to make, even if you are short on time.

Easy Ranch Dressing

This dressing is best when made fresh, but it can sit for up to 3 days in the fridge. This recipe makes enough to dress 1 salad.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp buttermilk
• 1 tbsp mayonnaise
• salt and pepper
• 1/2 tsp rice vinegar (optional)
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder (optional)
• 1-3 tsp finely chopped fresh chives, mint, or parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. Whisk together buttermilk and mayonnaise. Season with salt and pepper.
2. If you like, whisk in rice vinegar, garlic powder, and herbs.
3. Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Blue Cheese Dressing

This dressing is perfect as a dip, or drizzling over iceberg lettuce topped with bacon bits. This recipe makes about 1 1/2 cups of dressing, and can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Ingredients

• 1 cup blue cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• salt and pepper

Instructions

1. In a bowl, use a fork to mash mash the cheese and sour cream together until a chunky paste is formed.
2. Mix in buttermilk, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Taste and season with salt and pepper

Balsamic Vinaigrette

This balsamic vinaigrette is a salad staple that every cook should know. Really simple, this barely even needs a recipe. With only 4 simple ingredients, this dressing is simple to make but big on flavor. Makes about 1 cup of dressing. This dressing will keep on the counter for several weeks, but refrigerate if you add any fresh ingredients

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• salt and pepper
• Extras: mustard, shallots, garlic, fresh/dried herbs, honey or brown sugar.

Instructions

1. Mix olive oil and balsamic vinegar in a jar or other air-tight container.
2. Add a big pinch of salt and a little bit of black pepper to taste. Screw on lid and shake well.
3. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

Italian Salad Dressing

Red and white wine vinegar add plenty of punch to this salad dressing. The mustard adds the perfect tanginess and also thickens the dressing, while the honey helps balance all the ingredients. This dressing is not only for salads, but can be used as a marinade for fish and chicken, too. You can also use it as a veggie dip. This recipe makes 1 1/2 cups of dressing, and can be stored in the fridge for several weeks.

Ingredients

• 1 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 garlic clove, pressed
• 2 tbsp finely chopped shallots
• 2 tbsp finely chopped red bell pepper
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp salt (add more to taste)
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp dried marjoram
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Combine all the ingredients in an air-tight jar or container.
2. Shake well until the mixture is well-combined and until it has thickened.
3. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

Photos: The Kitchn.

Scratches on wooden furniture is inevitable. Whether it’s from kids, pets, or making you doubt that impulse wooden chair purchase from the thrift store, we’ve got the secret solution to make it look good as new! This method is cheap and easy, plus you can repeat it as many times as you like, since it’s actually good for the wood!

This is what you will need: 3/4 cup olive or vegetable oil and 1/4 cup white or apple cider vinegar.

Mix the ingredients together and using a clean cloth, dip it into the mixture and rub it over your wooden furniture. This solution will get rid of all those little nicks and make it look new! This is great for the wood, so repeat as often as necessary.

Check out the results!

Before:

After:

Photos: Lily and Thistle.