Update: Homemade Green Tea

As I briefly mentioned in my first green tea post I really don’t like brewing my tea into/with plastic. Similar to my reasons for getting rid of our microwave over eight years ago, I just get the heebie jeebies these days about ingesting food or liquid which was surrounded by any kind of plastic especially if it was heated/cooked/brewed etc. in or around plastic. Because of my feelings on this matter, I am trying little by little to rid our kitchen of all plastic items which have inert alternatives.¹ So when the plastic pitcher which came with my tea maker broke yet again last week, I was forced with a decision: obtain yet another plastic pitcher by means of ordering a new one online², search thrift stores for a plastic pitcher with limited chances for success, buy a new whole machine at a poorly-lit discount store³ or search around for a glass or stainless steel alternative I could buy that day for the all important immediate satisfaction. I opted for trying to find a personally more preferable replacement.

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1. coffeemaker is next on the list [↩]
2. waiting over a week for delivery [↩]
3. all of which I have done several times [↩]

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Natural Dishwasher Soap

So, tonight I ran out of my regular dishwasher detergent unexpectedly. I loaded the dishwasher full earlier in the day but hadn’t realized I used the last of what was left in the box the day before. I usually use Seventh Generation brand which does a good job and they do provide coupons for their products but having run out and not wanting to go to the store for just one item I searched around for a natural dishwasher soap recipe. I found just what I was looking for at Nature Moms. This recipe calls for castille soap, water, white vinegar, tea tree oil and fresh lemon juice. I just happened to have all of these ingredients on hand except for the fresh lemon juice for which I substituted lemon essential oil. I really enjoy making other household cleaners and this one might just have to stick around. CAUTION: A low-sudsing soap like castille is the ONLY soap that should be used and NOT regular dishwashing liquid as it foams up way too much and you could end up with a mess on your hands (or rather all over your floor). I found several other recipes all using borax (washing soda) and baking soda and I plan to try these as well. I had no idea that such a simple and natural alternative to commercial dishwasher detergents lay inside my cabinets all this time.

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