Vinegar!

     As I grow older and wiser there are many changes I have decided to make in my life. These start as small as buying generic items, and can be as big as changing my diet! Some of the smaller in-between consist of trying to recycle, conserve water and energy, and even be more organic in my everyday life! When I began trying to cut out all of the harsh chemicals in my life, i began to realized how many options there really are for natural cleaners! I've learned most of them here on this blog from my fellow bloggers. :) Since gaining the interest to make these changes, you wouldn't believe the time that I spend on the computer researching new ways to clean and/or create things for my home. I not only enjoy knowing that I am handling things without the use of chemicals, but I also enjoy expanding my knowledge on the topic! One of the best universal cleaners I have discovered is: Vinegar. It's an amazing little tool that I never thought had the capabilities that it does! Here at AZUMA Leasing we all know our favorite topic is Laundry! So here's a few reasons why you should use this god sent item in your laundry room!

     First, lets talk about your clothes. We all know that wash after wash the colors become dull, and that is something we all dread! Just by adding 1/2 a cup to the rinse cycle, will keep your clothes bright and looking brand new! No more faded jeans! This, my friends, is priority number one in my book! At the same time we're not only brightening our colors, but fabric softener won't be needed!  That's right! Vinegar is a great substitute for softening your fabrics!
      Have you ever forgotten your clothes in the washer because you got busy, or even fell asleep, and when you return they smell gross?! All you need to do is throw a couple cups of vinegar into the washer and run through a rinse cycle - once completed, wash them again with detergent. Your clothes will be fresh like they never sat over night forgotten in your washer! Vinegar also works great to remove perspiration odors AND stains! Spray a little bit of vinegar on the stain or 'smelly location' before throwing the item into the normal wash and you'll be covered. :)
     Any pesky residue from walking around after it rains that sticks around and leaves your shoes looking dull, can be easily removed by wiping them down with an equal part solution of water and vinegar. Not only does it clean the stains from your garments, it is also great for cleaning the washer, itself! Run a load in the washing machine without any clothing, and add a few cups of vinegar with hot water. This will clean out your washing machine and keep it fresh for your clothing! Not only can it clean the washing machine, it is also great for your iron! We all know that starch, and all sorts of funk can build up on the iron over time. In order to clean it and keep it working well, take equal parts vinegar and water and use this mixture in your iron. Fill it up, let it heat up and steam upright for about 5 minutes, then let the iron cool. Once cool, rinse and fill back up with water. This keeps the mineral deposits from building up in the steam vent and spray nozzle! This cleans the inside of the iron, for the outer surfaces, you can use the same mixture with warm water to scrub the residue off of the heat plate itself (when cool, of course)!
     Vinegar is an amazing substitute for bleach! Add 1-2 cups of vinegar to a pot of boiling water, then add your whites to the pot (socks, dingy rags, etc), then let it soak over night, you'll be amazed at the difference! Not only can it whiten those dingy whites, but it also works great as a spot treatment! Take a spray bottle with equal parts water and vinegar and apply mixture to the stain and rub it in. Then throw it in the wash, and watch the stain disappear! Last but not lease, lets talk about our towels. Are your towels not absorbing as much as they used to? Run then through a warm wash with 2-3 cups of vinegar. This strips all of the extras that get absorbed into your towels, causing them not to do their job!

     If this didn't convince you to run out to the store and buy some vinegar for your laundry room, I don't know what will! From your friends at AZUMA Leasing - until next time, keep it clean! :)

Take a Hike!

This is such a beautiful time of year and in most parts of the country, the weather is perfect for some outdoor fun and activities. Why not take a hike? There are lots of state and national parks that are just waiting to be explored. What? Never been hiking, you say? Well then, let me give you some basic pointers because, even though it may seem that you are simply walking outdoors on a trail, there are a few pieces of knowledge that will make the experience so much more enjoyable and safer.

• Don't travel alone. There is truth to the old adage about safety in numbers. If you hike with a partner, there is someone to help should you become injured, ill or if you become lost. It just makes good sense to have a friend along for the hike PLUS it will make it a more fun experience.
• Know where you are going. Maps and field guides are essential when hiking in a place that you have never visited before. Most state and national parks have a headquarter office where you can pickup a map on the way into the park. Take a few minutes before you begin your hike to do some map reading to familiarize yourself with the location.
  
• Take basic gear. A few essential items to have in your backpack are matches (preferably waterproof) or a lighter, a knife or multipurpose tool (like a Swiss Army knife), first aid kit, flashlight, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, a hat, a rain poncho, extra clothing and an extra pair of socks. I personally take along some emergency blankets (you've seen them - they look like giant pieces of tinfoil). A cell phone or GPS is also good to take along.
  
• Take basic provisions. Water, water, water. In case you didn't get that, take water with you. The last thing you want is to get dehydrated while out on the trail. You will want to pack foods that won't spoil. Things like dried fruit, granola, trail mix, crackers or pretzels, peanut butter, jerky, tuna (in vacuum packed pouches, not the canned stuff), carrots, apples, bananas and cheese sticks are all good options.
• Always carry out what you carry in. Take an extra plastic bag with you so that you can put trash in your pack. The last thing you want to do is litter the beautiful trail you are on. Keep your trash with you and dispose of it properly when you return to the headquarters.
  
• Pace yourself especially if it's your first hike. You will be eager to take in the views along your hiking route but you should guard against using all of your energy early into your hike. It's always good to take things slow and conserve energy because you don't know what you are going to encounter along the trail (you might need to run from a ferocious squirrel!!). Let the slowest person in your group be the lead hiker and set the pace. Keeping the slower hiker in front helps in terms of keeping your hiking group safe and to ensure that no one gets left behind. Be sure to take breaks as needed.
• Exercise common sense. If you don't know what it is - don't eat it. If you don't know what kind of animal or insect it is or whether or not it's poisonous- don't touch it. If you are tired - stop and rest. If you are hungry or thirsty - eat or drink a little. Think before you act and you will be fine.
  
• ENJOY!!!!! There are very few things that are quite as awe-inspiring as getting back to nature and realizing what a great place we are fortunate enough to call home. Take in a deep breath of fresh air and enjoy the wide open spaces.
  

Until next time, keep it clean!!!