Norwexing your Thrift Store Finds

How To Fill Your Home At A Bargain
(Author: Guest Aimee Lyons of DIY Darlin)

Want to enjoy being surrounded by unique furniture pieces that will not break the bank? Two words: thrift store! Bargain shoppers already know that buying used can save tons of cash, but there is also something satisfying about snatching a deal and then turning it into a part of your home. When you do, you’ll want to clean up your new-found treasures and Norwex is the perfect solution. Here are some great tips on shopping outside of traditional retail to make people’s trash your personal treasures, and using Norwex to clean and refresh those new ‘finds’.

Taking care of your thrift store snags

You’ve no doubt heard stories about once-in-a-lifetime finds. While we won’t all stumble across a hidden fortune, we can extract maximum value out of the things we do bring home.

Let’s start with the basics. If you buy a cozy blanket for the sofa, wash it first using Norwex laundry detergent and Norwex dryer balls. Doing this makes sure the find is clean and ready to use, no matter what it is! Toss these mini marvels into the dryer with a quick rub of essential oils, which will help eliminate any lingering thrift store scent.

Start with a mix of Norwex detergent (liquid or powder), stain remover, odour eliminator and water in the eco-friendly Norwex Forever spray bottle. Use an enviro cloth for scrubbing power. This is great to spot clean any items, including for example an upholstered piece such as a sofa.

If that doesn’t do the trick bring in a professional. If the cost is low enough, the extra $100 to $300 you’ll spend on cleaning will give you a like-new piece for a fraction of the cost of new living room seating. Your total cost will vary depending on the size and material of the piece and how much you paid at the thrift shop.

What to buy used

You may be wondering “What are the best things to buy at a thrift shop?”. While there’s no definitive answer to that question, there are a few things to keep consider when you are out and about. Furniture is the big one. In addition to sofas and upholstered items, you can find tables, chairs, and desks aplenty. You can use your Norwex Household Package Plus to dust and remove dirt and grime from glass, stainless steel, chrome, and more. Insider.com asserts that a quick coat of paint can take your used pieces from drab to fab.

Picture frames are another excellent acquisition. Buying antique wood or metal frames can help you create a unique photo display. Vintage dishes and coffee mugs, candlesticks, and mirrors also make excellent additions to your eclectic decor. Clean them all with Norwex enviro cloth and/or Norwex dishwashing liquid.

When Is ‘New’ Better?

While there are limitless possibilities for the fun things you can find at your local thrift shop, there are a few things that are best bought new. Mattresses and pillows are good examples. If you do decide to purchase a used mattress at the store, look for a tag that shows that it has been sanitized, and confirm that it is legal for the retailer to sell a used mattress in your state. As a final refresh for a ‘new to you’ mattress you’ve brought home use the Norwex Mattress Cleaner, and continue to use it monthly to help keep the dust mites at bay.

Thank you Aimee Lyons for this valuable information!

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Cleaning Hack – Fireplace Doors

It’s March, time to spring clean all around the house right? Well maybe not – I’d rather be outside enjoying the warm weather! One job I can get done really quick is cleaning my fireplace doors. I use a Norwex basic package, some water and Norwex Ultra Power Plus laundry detergent (UPP).

Watch how I clean my fireplace doors in less than 5 minutes!

Here are written instructions

1. Spray bottle of UPP – Add about 1 teaspoon of UPP to an 8 oz. spray bottle, fill with water. Shake to dissolve.
2. Put a wet enviro cloth under the door to be cleaned, this will catch the drips.
3. Spray fireplace door with the spray bottle of UPP. Let it sit for about 2 minutes. (The creosote will start to run off the door when the liquid starts to work. This is where your enviro drip cloth comes in handy.)
4. Now take your enviro cloth and wipe the door clean.
5. You may have to repeat the process if your door is really dirty.
6. Use your Purple Polish (Window) Cloth to dry the door to a streak-free shine.

NOW – go take a break! You deserve it for being so smart!

What’s in your Household Cleaner?

Do you know what’s in the cleaners you use in your home? Think about this…do you REALLY know? Unless you’re making it yourself you don’t. Here’s why…

In the United States there is no federal mandate to tell you what is in the cleaning products you purchase. So even if you see an ingredient list on the product, know that it most probably isn’t a complete list. There are going to be unlisted chemicals in those cleaners. And even worse…there aren’t any testing requirements for chemicals in cleaners!!

The Environmental Working Group has an entire article about the lack of federal oversight.

Now let’s talk about Norwex. Do you need a list of ALL the ingredients in our products? Norwex doesn’t put it on their products, but they do publish those lists for their consultants to access. And I can send any of those lists to you! All you need to do is Ask Me. YAY Norwex!

Cleaning Hack – Laundry Detergent

Norwex Ultra Power Plus Laundry Detergent (UPP) is awesome! But you probably already know that. And don’t forget it is 100% biodegradable, not tested on animals, free of dyes and fragrances, free of fillers, no phosphates or sulfates. In short – it just cleans without harm.

BUT – there are soooo many more things you can do with UPP than just the laundry!! Here are some of the things I do with UPP at my house:

• Put 1 tsp. in an 8 oz. spray bottle and fill. Make sure it’s dissolved and use it for:
  • laundry spot pre-treat
  • all-purpose cleaner around the house
  • clean creosote from your fireplace doors
  • spot treat carpet stains
• Carpet cleaning solution (be sure to check manufacturer’s recommendations)
• add to hot water and clean your stove fan filters
• deep clean your Norwex cloths

Do you have any hacks for using Norwex UPP? Reply below…