I love it when something works

We have a naughty kitty.  Well, not naughty, exactly, but he pees and poops inappropriately due to a medical issue from a few years ago.  Unfortunately, he has peed all over a futon mattress.

I have cleaned that mattress several times, with several methods;  Nature's Miracle, vinegar, ammonia, using my steam cleaner...  It would be better, but not great.  I felt awful when I had to use it, and covered it with a mattress topper, which helped keep any residual smell down, but never assuaged my guilt over using it.

When I found an entry on Pinterest for how to get urine out of a mattress, I figured it couldn't hurt.  It also was not an expensive thing to try.

• Hydrogen Peroxide, 8 oz ($0.99 for 24 oz, so about $0.25)
• Baking Soda, 3 Tbl (let's say $0.05)
• A squirt of dish soap (I'm calling it a penny)

This is basically homemade Oxiclean, because the peroxide and soda react to release oxygen.  It's important to make sure your ingredients are not expired, because they won't work if they are.  Many peroxide bottles have an expiration date, so check that.  Also, you have to use this mixture immediately, it cannot be stored!  The oxygen releases and then, like leaving a soda bottle open, all the fizz is gone and it's not as good!

Note:  peroxide can bleach in some cases.  Always check for color fastness before attacking a large area.

So...  I mixed the three together in a spray bottle and went to town on the stains.  I opened the window a bit, because the peroxide was a bit strong and I have cats and toddlers.  It took only 5 minutes or so to use up the whole bottle and drench the spots.  Then, I walked away.  That was it.

A few hours later, I checked it and was amazed.  The large section was clean!  There was a slight peroxide smell, but that dissipated quickly.  Also, there was some powder that dried on the mattress, but that came up easily.  I did a second application of the solution to the cracks and crevices, and when I came back later, it was not quite as good as new, but I will no longer be embarrassed to use this futon!

Verdict:  success!  I would try this on anything stinky (and have heard it does wonders on a skunked dog).  Just remember to check it on a small area first, in case it bleaches.

Now, I've learned my lesson and covered my (now clean) futon with a shower curtain to keep naughty kitty off!

More Time for Mommy

I had an idea today, to publish a few posts about how I try to put my very limited time to the best use.  With twin toddlers, I have such narrow windows to clean, cook, and just get things done, that I need to be smart so there is more ME time.

Today, I vacuumed the stairs.  With a 3 storey townhouse, that is a chore and I was sweating by the end of it!  I used my handheld and to help get the cat hair stuck to the runners, I used a lint brush.  That sounds so simple, but man, it was so much easier with that lint brush!

Then, I cut up a watermelon for the kiddos.  They love melons!  My trick for that is to cut it on a cookie sheet (one with a lip on all sides), with a plastic mat to protect the cookie sheet.  That way, all the juice doesn't go all over my counters.  I also save that juice, pop 3 cups or so of watermelon chunks into the blender and the strain it.  Mmmmmm... Watermelon juice!  It's a great way to use up melon that may go bad.  (And, watermelon margarita.  Need I say more?)

Everyone deserves time for themselves, even busy mommies!