Fitness Friday: Freshen Up Workout Clothes

Well, it is that time again that my workout clothes need a little freshening up. I was in Zumba class and was a sweaty mess and could smell that I was not so fresh and was really hoping that I was the only one that could smell me. If you workout often, like I do, then you know exactly what I am talking about. They start to smell funky once you start sweating in them again. I find that it is worse with my sports bras, which absorb most of my sweat since it is the first layer. I also find that it is the items that have the highest cotton content that retains that funk the longest and easiest.

It takes just a little planning ahead, but it sure beats feeling the need to replace perfectly good workout gear and absorbing that cost. All you need to do is dissolve 1/2 C borax in some warm water in the bottom of a bucket. Then fill the bucket the rest of the way with cold water. Add your workout clothes and allow to soak for 30 minutes. Then wash as usual, but add another 1/2 C borax to your wash.

Hopefully you will find this helps you too. Borax is a great cleaning and laundry aide that is inexpensive and should be with everyone's cleaning and laundry supplies.

Try It Tuesday: Make Crystal Snowflakes

This is a fun & simple project that you start seeing results in a coupe of hours, although best results are if you wait for 24-48 hours before removing.

All you need is a glass jar, some borax, a pipe cleaner, hot water & a pencil.
The first step is to take your pipecleaner and twist it in to a snowflake (or any other shape you desire) and attach them to a pencil that you will balance over the top of the jar and keep it from falling in.

The second step is to put 3 T of borax in the bottom of a glass jar. Then add 1 cup of boiling water to the jar and stir until the borax is completely dissolved. If desired you could tint the mixture with some food coloring, but I don't find that necessary if you have colored pipe cleaners.

You final step is to insert your pipe cleaner sculpture and let it sit for 24-48 hours. You should start to see crystals forming after a few hours.