Dryer sheets can get pretty pricey, and they also make a lot of garbage. If you’re looking for an alternative to store-bought dryer sheets, this is for you! Keep your clothes smelling great and soft to the touch by making these homemade dryer sheets! All you need is a kitchen sponge and fabric softener to make these babies, and you’re ready to go! Take a look at the easy tutorial below and make your own today!

Supplies:

1) Fabric softener of your choice

2) A few kitchen sponges

3) A plastic container with a lid

4) Water

Step #1:

Fill the container about 2/3 of the way full with two parts water and one part fabric softener.

Step #2:

Take your sponges and cut them in half. Place them inside the container to soak up the fabric softener.

Step #3:

Place the lid on top of the container. Store your homemade dryer sheets in the fridge to prevent mold from forming.

Photos: Hometalk.

Looking for that extra special touch for your next party, baby shower, or wedding? These flowers are just the right thing to add that extra pop of color! Arrange a blue rose or two amongst white roses for a unique twist on a traditional bouquet! This works with any white flowers, although some take longer to pick up the color than others. The secret to getting the flowers a beautiful color is in something we all have lying around – food coloring!

Supply Checklist:

1) Vases, glasses, or jars

2) Scissors

3) Food coloring

4) White flowers (roses, daisies, carnations, etc.)

Step #1:

To begin, trim off the ends of your flowers. Cut them at an angle. This helps the flower absorb the water better, thus helping it absorb the color.

Step #2:

Fill your glasses or vases with water.

Step #3:

Add a few drops of food coloring to each vase and place your flowers in as well.

Note: Some flowers take longer to change colors than others. Roses can change color overnight, but daisies can take up to two weeks. Plan ahead if you want to use these for a special event.

Photos: Growing a Jeweled Rose, Dream a Little Bigger.

Looking for the perfect detox drink after these crazy holidays? We’ve got the best detox drink around, and it requires no blender or special equipment! Infused waters are all the rage these days, and for good reason, too! They’ve been proven to be extremely healthy, and are a tasty alternative to store-bought sugary sodas and artificially flavored iced teas. This detox drink is loaded with ginger, mint, cucumber, and lemon. Drink up!

Fresh and Healthy Detox Drink For the New Year!

Photos: Thinspiration, Housewife Glamour.

Make sure your garden and yard are pet-friendly this summer! We’ve got 10 tips on how to keep your dogs safe in your yard all summer long!

1. Supervise

If dogs are left alone in your backyard without you, they’ll quickly find something to amuse themselves with. It could be tearing up your plants, or digging a hole. You need to be with them in the yard and give them structured exercise to prevent them from getting bored.

2. Obedience Training

Make sure your dog knows basic obedience training. You can do this by enrolling your dog in a training class. This is a great way for you and your dog to bond, and your dog gets some well-needed socialization with other dogs as well.

3. Latch Your Gates

Make sure your gates have strong latches to prevent your dog from escaping your yard. Locking the gate will also prevent children or delivery people from opening the gate and accidentally letting your dog out.

4. Build a Fence

If you can’t keep your dog away from your flower beds, consider building a low fence. Even a low fence is enough of a visual deterrent for your dog to stay away.

5. Toys

Keep a basket of toys handy in your garden. These can be toys that your dog can play with only in your garden, and in time, he’ll look forward to going out so he can play with his special toys. Keeping your dog occupied is key in preventing him from looking for trouble.

6. Shelter

Even if your dog lives indoors, he’ll appreciate having his very own space in the garden to relax. Build or buy him a nice and comfortable doghouse where he can retreat for some quiet time.

7. Build Pathways

Create garden paths in your backyard from brick or gravel to keep paws dry. Your dog will quickly learn to stay on the path so you lawn won’t become packed down.

8. Container Gardening

If your dog can’t seem to stay away from your garden, try planting flowers or vegetables in pots or planters. Many plants do well when planted in a pot, and they are less likely to be trampled by your dog.

9. Water

Provide your dog with fresh water in your garden for when he gets thirsty from playing. You can also add in a small kiddie pool for him to cool off in. If kiddie pools aren’t your thing, a small pond can be made on a budget that can match the rest of your garden decor.

10. Get to Know Your Breed

Some breeds are more prone to digging up plants and making holes than others. Make sure your dog has plenty to keep himself occupied with so he doesn’t turn to your garden. If your dog loves digging, consider giving him his own corner of the yard to dig in. Always provide plenty of praise and treats when he uses it!

Photos: Rogue Hydro, Pet Resort Willow Wood, Hillside K9 Academy, Seegar’s Fence, Plow Hearth, Maxi Sciences, Millennium Land, Urban Food Warrior, Hunt ‘Em Up, Dog Behaviour Advice.

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 ever had trouble cleaning your oven door glass, you’re not alone! We know what a pain it can be, and no one has time to scrub it! Save your hands and put your mind at ease with this easy cleaning solution!

Ingredients:

– water

– baking soda

That’s it! Mix equal parts baking soda and water until it forms a paste. Spread the paste over your dirty oven glass and leave it to sit for 30 minutes. When the 30 minutes are up, simply wipe away!

Here is the dreaded before picture:

With the baking soda and water paste:

And after! Squeaky clean!

Photos: DIYHSHP, Ikea Fans.

Making your own non-toxic cooking spray is easier than you think! Store-bought cooking sprays are full of harmful chemicals, and tossing all those cans in the garbage can’t be good for the environment. Learn how to make your own at home with only a few basic items.

What you will need:

– a spray bottle

– olive oil (or any other kind of oil, except coconut because of its low melting point)

– distilled water (you can use boiled or filtered, the important thing is that it’s sterilized to prevent bacteria growth)

The first thing you need to to is sterilize your spray bottle to kill any bacteria that might be in it. Put 1 part olive oil to 5 parts water in the spray bottle. You might need to test it out a few times to adjust the spray to your liking. Shake the spray bottle well and use! Remember to only make small batches at a time, since this spray will be good for 1 week. Make sure you store it in the fridge and don’t use it on a hot pan!

Photos: Sweet and Savory Food.

This DIY is perfect for people who are on a budget, but still want their windows to offer some privacy. It’s also great for renters, because the fabric peels right off the window when you’re ready to take it down, or just want a change! We’ve teamed up with Fairclaims Roofing to help give us some tip on this easy window privacy idea!

What you will need:

Fabric of your choice, water, cornstarch, scissors, ruler, a piece of paper, and a paintbrush.

Step 1:

Measure your window that you want to cover and cut out a piece of paper to the exact measurements. Iron your fabric to remove any wrinkles, and lay the paper flat on the fabric. Cut the fabric out to the size of the paper.

Step 2:

Mix equal parts cornstarch and hot water and brush it onto the window with a paint brush. Smooth out the fabric so it covers the window from end to end.

Step 3:

To remove, simply peel the fabric off the window and wash the window with warm water.

Photos and idea: Anna Belvita.

A watery palette is a very neutral, versatile way to decorate your home. From pillows to walls to accessories, decorating with these lovely blues and greens is sure to bring a touch of beach to your home! Read on for some water-inspired decor ideas!

We’re loving this living room! To spice things up a bit, the designer loaded up the coffee table with unique accessories inspired by the ocean: a carved wooden bowl filled with sea shells, and a beautiful green bottle which also doubles as a vase. The artwork on the walls was grouped together to form a collage of natural landscapes, perfectly complementing the watery blues found in the pillows and rug. To keep from overwhelming the eye, the sofa and walls were kept to a neutral beige hue which made way for the eye popping blue accessories.

Looking to keep cool this summer? Try settling on a cool, blue hue for your room. This living room was washed down with blue from ceiling to floor! I love the watery color palette in this room which seems so relaxing and subtle. The different shades of cool blue works well together and is super easy on the eyes, especially after a long day from work. To keep things balanced, the designer chose to keep symmetry on their side: two matching side tables and lamps on either end of this sofa keep things from looking too busy and wrap the room up perfectly. The white lampshades and creamy white carpet keep things interesting and stick to the water colored theme.

For a subtle way to add blues to your home, try adding blue curtains. The blue curtains in this bedroom are highlighted by the gold curtain rod, and the light blue wall makes them stand out.

These candle holders are to die for! Their milky blue tone would be perfect on a worn, light coffee table. Definitely a must-have for any beachy home!

When adding blues to your home, you can’t go wrong with pillows! We especially love these sea creature pillows and their bold blue piping which perfectly frames them. Pair them with neutral colored furniture and walls to keep your living room from looking too busy and make them pop!

Photos: Decor Decoration, Sheilazeller Interiors, Locushire, Houzz, Coastal Home Pillows.