This past winter, I wrote a post suggesting you save your plastic containers for the children to use this summer. If you have a collection of these plastic necessities, hand them over to your children and watch their imagination soar.

My children helped me compile this list of ideas on how they like to use plastic containers in the summer.

• Grow your own mini garden.

• Make giant ice cubes for the pool.

• Use the bowls to hold paint and water and paint pictures outside.

• Make buildings and other things in the sandbox or at the beach.

• Use the bowls as a swimming pool for a doll/ action figure.

• Use the bowls to make boats in the pool.

• Mudpies. Yep, I had to include it. This was my son’s idea.

• Collect bugs and rocks.

• Make stilts with the sturdier dishes and strings. My husband made a different version of stilts when the children were younger and they loved playing and balancing. This link shows how to make them from coffee cans.

• Use as another way to drench your “enemy” in water fights.

I think my children did a great job! What other ideas do you have for using plastic containers for Frugal Summer Fun?

A while back, I heard about using hydrogen peroxide as a cleaner and gave it a shot.  I have to admit, it didn’t work for me. However, last week I tried again and I love it! When I used this spray in our bathroom, I was pleased with the results. It tackled hairspray where some commercial cleaners will not and left a non-streak shine on the faucets and mirrors. I tried it in the kitchen and was equally as pleased.

Honestly, I started looking for other places to clean so I could use it more. I know, a bit odd, but the surfaces in our home benefited from it! I discovered a few pointers that made the difference in making hydrogen peroxide one of my new favorite cleaners.

The two tips I suggest to make this cleaner most efficient:

• First, use a spray bottle. It must be in a dark bottle because light will affect the solution. I found the spray bottles at Walmart in the First Aid Section. I purchased one to keep on hand for injuries and a separate one for cleaning. The regular bottles go on sale for roughly .39 at drug stores, so you can refill the dark bottles,  making this very economical.

• Second, paper towels are fine for counter tops, but use a microfiber towel for surfaces that need to shine or be streak free. I found the hydrogen peroxide/ microfiber towel to be a fabulous combination for mirrors, appliances and windows.

I enjoyed playing with this new discovery so much that I intend to find out what else it can do in my home. What about you, do you use peroxide for cleaning or have other ideas that I could try?

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Then, a few weeks later when I stop in to see if there are any new bargains that my family needs, I do not request the cash or a check for the items that she has sold. I simply let her keep it in my account and whenever I need to buy something, she simply deducts it from what she owes me. I have only had to pay out of pocket a few times.
The deal is even sweeter when I stop by on the sale and clearance days. At the end of the season, she clearances items for $1 and I buy ahead for the next season, all from the account I have built up.

You could shop for free too, just check with your local shop and ask about their policies. If you stop by the store regularly, you will build a rapport with the staff and will be aware of any store policy changes.
For more tips, visit Works for me Wednesday at Rocks in My Dryer.