Blog - PGM

October 8, 2018 by Allie

How to Clean Your Essential Oil Diffuser

If you diffuse essential oils on a daily basis like I do, your diffuser is probably due for a good cleaning. Leftover water and essential oil residue can corrode your diffuser over time and may ruin it, so it is important to clean it on a regular basis to keep it running smoothly. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

When to Clean Your Diffuser

Ideally after each use, you should wipe out your essential oil diffuser with a clean cloth, and leave it open to air dry before filling it to use again. But I don’t do that, and I’m sure most of you don’t either…

So, about once a month (or when the diffuser starts looking gross inside and/or runs louder than normal), I give my diffuser a good cleaning.

How to Clean Your Diffuser

The following instructions are general cleaning tips that work for many diffusers. You should always follow the instructions included in your diffuser manual if you have it available. If your diffuser is under warranty, following this cleaning regimen may void your warranty, so check with the manufacturer beforehand.

Unplug the diffuser and dump out any water/oils that are still in the reservoir. (Be careful when you do this. If water gets onto any electrical components or into the motor, the diffuser will be ruined.)
Refill the water reservoir with clean water halfway to the fill line, and add a 1/2 teaspoon of white vinegar.
Plug the diffuser back in, and run it for about 5 minutes to loosen up any residue.
Turn off the diffuser, unplug it, and carefully dump the water out.
Use a q-tip dipped in vinegar or lemon essential oil to clean the sensor (usually located on the bottom of the water reservoir) and other tight spots, like the lid.
Wipe the lid and water reservoir with a damp cloth to remove any lingering vinegar or lemon scent.

Now your diffuser is clean and ready to use with your favorite oil or blend!

If you’re interested in learning more about essential oils, click here for more blog posts and book recommendations.

Disclaimer: The information contained on The Practically Green Mom represents the choices I have made to take charge of my own health and that of my family. Statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using these products.

{This post is not sponsored by any company or Amazon. It does contain affiliate links to Amazon. Purchases made through these links support The Practically Green Mom Blog. Please see my disclosure policy for my information.}

September 24, 2018 by Allie

Clove Essential Oil {EO Info Series}

Fall is officially here, and my Festive Fall essential oil blend is already in the diffuser. One of the oils in this blend is Clove, and it’s a favorite of mine this time of year! This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Clove essential oil (Syzygium aromaticum) is steam distilled from dried flower buds of a tree native to Indonesia. It has a warm spicy scent, that blends well with Cinnamon, Sweet Orange, and Lemon.

Benefits & Uses

Clove is popular in many fall and holiday blends. It is a well known anti-germ oil that boosts the immune system, and can be used for cleaning purposes. It also may provide relief for aching joints and the occasional toothache in adults. (See below for cautions in using Clove with children.)

Cautions

Clove is unsafe for use around pets (including dogs, cats, birds, and small animals). It can cause skin irritation if not properly diluted. Only use a max dilution of 0.5% for topical applications, and do not use topically on children under age 2.

If you’re interested in learning more about essential oils, click here for more blog posts and book recommendations.

September 10, 2018 by Allie

Schoolwork Storage Solution

A new school year has begun, and the kids are going to start bringing home all the schoolwork that they’ve completed (if they haven’t already.) So, how do you decide what to keep? And how do you store it? Continue reading to find out my system for keeping the paper clutter contained! This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Sorting

When my 1st grader brings his folder home each week, I pull everything out and sort it into three piles: definitely keep, maybe, and recycle. The first is self-explanatory. The recycle pile is almost always workbook pages that they completed in class that have no sentimental value. The “maybe” pile is papers (usually artwork) that I could keep, but only if my 7 year old really wants me to. So, we go through that stack together.

Storing

To store the papers I am keeping, I use hanging folders in a weatherproof plastic file bin. The hanging folders are labeled by age (for his daycare, preschool, and Pre-K years) or grade level. I’m not sure if one bin is going to have enough space for all of his school years, but we’ll see.

So far, this storage solution is working well and helps me keep on top of things. Sorting through the papers as they come into the house prevents stacks of clutter from ending up everywhere to be dealt with later.

Share your schoolwork storage solutions in the comments, and check out more organization ideas here!

September 4, 2018 by Allie

Son #1 – 7th Birthday Interview

When my son was three, I decided that it would be fun to do an interview with him every year to see how his likes change as he grows. 🙂

His answers are in bold, my comments are in parentheses/italics. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

How old are you?: seven
What makes you happy?: “you guys” (family) and my iPad
What is your favorite animal?: a wolf
What is your favorite color?: gold
What is your favorite thing to eat?: ice cream cake
What is your least favorite thing to eat?: raw carrots without ranch dressing, but I like cooked carrots
What is your favorite thing to do?: play with you (Mom)
What is your favorite TV show?: Hero 108
What is your favorite movie?: Avengers
What are you really good at?: multi-tasking, like watching my iPad and drawing at the same time
What is your favorite song?: Radioactive
What do you and Mom do together?: hug 🙂
What do you and Dad do together?: play games
What is your favorite book?: No, David! by David Shannon
What do you want to be when you grow up?: A cashier, so I can collect money

Previous interviews: six / five / four / three

August 28, 2018 by Allie

Happy 7th Birthday to my Firstborn!

Son #1 –

Last week, you turned SEVEN. And yesterday, you started first grade. I know I say this every year, but I meant it…The days are long, but the years are short.

You are wild and crazy, but in the best way. You are full of energy, and talk all the time. You still love to play Minecraft and Skylanders. You are a great reader, but you prefer math and science. I know you’re going to have a great school year, even though you think “first grade isn’t as fun as Kindergarten”.

I’m so proud of you, and I love you so much!

– Mommy

Current stats:

weight: 52 lbs.
height: 4′ 2″

Shorts: size 7
Shirts: size Small (6/7) or Medium (8/10)
Shoes: size 1

Foods:
Likes – anything sweet, cheese, bread, carrots
Dislikes – most meats (but turkey and chicken are ok sometimes)

Birthday interview coming soon!

August 6, 2018 by Allie

How to Fill your Home with Positive Energy

Your home is where you rest, where you relax, and where you spend some of your most important time. If it’s full of negative energy, then it’s no wonder that you might feel tired, depressed, low on energy, and even have negative thoughts about yourself. Use these tips to fill your home with positive energy instead, so that you can turn things around. Many thanks to PGM reader Melanie for this guest contribution!

Clean it all out

When your home is cluttered with unnecessary things and everything is a mess, it’s hard to get on top of things. You can’t clean properly, so you’re surrounded by dust and grime as well. How do you expect to feel positive with all of this in your environment. Get rid of old equipment and electronics that no one uses, clothes that no one wears, toys that haven’t been played with – they are just filling space. Clear it all out and start afresh, with a more open space that feels comfortable and tidy.

Make a relaxation zone

Because your home is your place to relax and destress from the day, you should work on making it a really soothing place. Create a relaxation zone in at least one room will help with this – perhaps the bedroom, so you can relax before sleep. Take away electronic devices where possible, scatter some candles around that you can light for a nice scent and glow, and use comfortable textures and fabrics in your furniture and décor. When you’re ready to destress, just lay back with a good book and you’re all set.

Celebrate everything

Is your home filled with reminders of your successes? Because it really should be. When you celebrate your achievements, you remind yourself that everything is possible. It’s so easy to focus on failure or the things we haven’t done yet, but when you stop and think about what you’ve achieved so far, it can really help you to build that positive attitude. Put up photographs of those you love and things you’ve done, display certificates and trophies, and fill your house with love and appreciation of yourself and other members of your family.

Make it fresh

Fresh flowers and plants make us feel alive. You can brighten up a room with a bouquet of flowers in a prominent position, which will make the space feel airy and put out a nice scent. It’s even better to place living plants in your rooms, and make sure to water them daily so that they grow and flourish. This will really add positivity to any space, and the great news is that you’re also helping the earth by cleaning the air and helping things to grow. Seeing new flowers burst into life on a plant that you have nourished is a great reward.

Bring in the outdoors

If you can throw open your windows, do it! Letting in light and air is so important for making a positive space. These natural elements make us feel healthier, help us to let go of stress, and are so necessary for our lives to feel positive. Have you ever been trapped somewhere for a long while, like in an airplane, and then felt so relieved to get a breath of fresh air? Make sure you don’t feel this way at home by using natural light and letting in air wherever possible.

Creating a positive energy is not just about the way you decorate your home. It’s also about the attitude and energy you bring into it in the first place. Add a positive approach to these tips and you’ll have a home bursting with joy and hope.

Melanie Saunders is a blogger and content manager at 1300 Rubbish – experts in the field of rubbish and junk removal. Personally, a huge fan of sustainability and green living.

July 30, 2018 by Allie

How to Get Cash Back on your Back to School Shopping

August is just around the corner, which means the kids are heading back to school soon! Whether you’re shopping for clothing, lunch items, or school supplies, you can make cash back on purchases at your favorite stores! This post contains referral links, and I may receive compensation if you sign up for these programs via those links.

Ebates gives you cash back when you shop online at over 2,500 stores, including Target, Carter’s, and The Children’s Place. Before you visit a retailer’s website, log onto Ebates and search for the store’s name. If you click the store link through Ebates, you can earn anywhere from 1 to 25 percent cash back on your online purchases. (Some stores even have DOUBLE cash back for Back to School!) You can move your earnings (as long as the total is $5 or more) into your PayPal account every 3 months.

Ibotta is one of my favorite rebate apps. It gives you cash back on everyday purchases at stores like Walmart, Kroger, and CVS. Before you head to the store, visit the Ibotta app to find rebates on the items you typically buy. After your shopping trip, take a picture of your receipt and you’ll earn cash back on your purchases. When you reach $20 in rebates, you can move the money from Ibotta into your PayPal account.

We all know that every little bit helps, so use these rebate programs to make cash back on purchases you’re already making for back to school! Have a great year, and happy shopping!

{This post is not sponsored by any company, but does contain referral links. Purchases made through these links support The Practically Green Mom Blog. Please see my disclosure policy for my information.}

July 16, 2018 by Allie

Clary Sage Essential Oil {EO Info Series}

Though I don’t care for the strong aroma of Clary Sage on its own, it blends well with several of my favorite oils (like in this Stormy Summer diffuser blend), and it can be especially beneficial for women’s health. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Clary Sage essential oil (Salvia sclarea) is steam distilled from the leaves and flowers of the Clary Sage plant. It has a strong, earthy, herbal scent that blends well with Bergamot, Lavender, and Roman Chamomile.

Benefits & Uses

Clary Sage oil is often used topically with a carrier oil to increase circulation and relieve discomfort during a woman’s menstrual cycle. When diffused, it promotes joy and confidence. It is safe for use around children and dogs.

If you’re interested in learning more about essential oils, click here for more blog posts and book recommendations.

{This post is not sponsored by any company or Amazon, but it does contain affiliate links to Amazon. Purchases made through these links support The Practically Green Mom Blog. Please see my disclosure policy for my information.}

July 9, 2018 by Allie

Stormy Summer Diffuser Blend

We’ve been stuck inside because of the rain quite a bit this past week, so I had a chance to try out some diffuser blends with an essential oil I don’t use very often, Clary Sage. This combination is my current favorite! This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Fill your diffuser with water (as directed) and add:

1 drop Lavender
2 drops Bergamot
2 drops Clary Sage

Clary Sage is different than most of my usual oil choices. It has a strong herbal aroma which is, in my opinion, pretty overwhelming on its own. But in this blend, the floral scent of Lavender and the freshness of Bergamot balance it out very well. All oils in this blend are safe to diffuse around children ages 2 and up.

July 2, 2018 by Allie

Toys They Still Love 6 Months After Christmas

When “Santa” brings new toys, they tend to get played with for 5 minutes before they end up collecting dust on a shelf in our playroom. But this year, there are a few toys that have remained in the boys regular rotation, even 6 months after Christmas! This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Green Toys Train – My now 2.5 year old LOVES trains. And he has plenty of them. But even with his large Thomas and Friends collection, this Green Toys train is still one of his favorites, probably because it’s large enough to actually put stuff in. (It usually ends up carrying sand inside from the sandbox…)

Play Kitchen – I initially bought this to give the 2 year old his own kitchen to play in (and hopefully keep him out of mine.) It worked fantastically, especially with the realistic pots and pans. Even my 6 year old enjoys playing with it from time to time.

Crayola Silly Scents Markers – Art supplies are a huge hit at our house. We go through a lot of markers! These silly scents markers are so much fun for my 6 year old. He loves to bring me random markers and play “guess what this smell is”. Somehow, I always end up with a nose full of pickle or dirty socks. Lol

Wiggle Cars – These were a gift from my in-laws and the boys ride them around the house constantly! They were easily the best gift of Christmas 2017!