One of the items I use everyday, sometimes, twice, thrice that I make myself is my own mouthwash. I make my mouthwash up with equal portions of water and that of Hydrogen Peroxide (3% Topical Solution). The cost? Not dollars, but pennies. You do save.

HOWEVER, rather than provide you with formulas to make products so as to save money and stretch that dollar — we will do that — please forget the now, and let’s return to then. Blog4Brains.com will, in the interest of nostalgia, provide you these easy-to-prepare concoctions that may no longer be needed, nor are they similar to any store-bought products that reside on today’s retail shelves. Some products you can make may still be useful, but maybe only for you. They are selected in the quest for some laughter and for some serious application for our Blog4Brains.com readers.

The product formulas are from The Formula Manual, Second Edition by Norman H. Stark (long, long out of print).

The products provided with their formulas were once as popular as to testimony to Ben Franklin’s adage: “A penny saved is a penny earned.” Some are even useful today. Maybe Ben’s adage should be updated to: “A dollar saved is a dollar earned.”

Here’s a selected list of still products with their formulas:

ANIMAL EAR MANGE TREATMENT
1) Glycerin 1 cup
2) Cresol 2 Tablespoons
3) Carbolic Acid 2 Tablespoons
Mix together. Swab ears with cotton-tipped applicator.

ANIMAL DANDRUFF TREATMENT
1) Salicylic Acid 1 Tablespoon
2) Glycerin 3 Tablespoons
3) Denatured Alcohol 1 Quart
Dissolve 1 into 2 and 3. Rub into coat against hair direction. Allow to stay on skin for 5 min. and wash with soap and water.

ANIMAL SPRAY DEODORANT
1) Cedar Oil Emulsion 1 Teaspoon
2) Water 1 Quart
Mix 1 into 2 and spray.

AUTO WINDSHIELD INSECT REMOVER
1) Denatured Alcohol 1/2 Gallon
2) Water 1/2 Gallon
Mix 1 and 2. Add 2 cup to windshield washer container.

BAROMETER
1) Cobalt Choride Crystals 1/4 Cup
2) Water 1/4 Cup
Mix 2 into 1 until a paint-like consistency is attained. Apply mixture to any surface, such as, paper, plastic or metal. Increased atmospheric moisture will turn the surface a deeper pink color; decreased atmospheric moisture causes the surface to turn blue.

BED BUG EXTERMINATING POWDER
1) Powdered Alum 3/4 Cup
2) Boric Acid (Powdered) 2 Tablespoons
3) Salicylic Acid 2 Tablespoons
Mix 1, 2 and 3. Sprinkle in infested area.

CAT LITTER BOX DEODORANT
1) Commercial Cat Litter or
Shavings 3 Pounds
2) Bicarbonate of Soda 1/2 Pound
Mix 1 and 2. Sprinkle in litter box. Will absorb odor causing liquid.

CRYSTAL “FLOWER” GARDEN
1) A Porous Brick
2) A Shallow Pan or Transparent Bowl
3) Sodium Chloride (Table Salt) 12 Tablespoons
4) Water 12 Tablespoons
5) Laundry Bluing 12 Tablespoons
6) Household Ammonia 2 Tablespoons
7) Red, Blue or Green ink 8 Drops
Place 1 in 2. Mix 3, 4, 5 and 6 thoroughly;. Saturate brick with solution. Add choice of 7 to top of brick. Capillary action will cause solution to migrate to surface of brick where colored crystals will “grow.”

CLAY (MODELING)
1) Corn or Wheat Starch 2 Cups
2) Bicarbonate of Soda 2 Cups
3) Cold Water 1-1/4 Cups
Mix 1, 2 and 3 in cooking pan. Heat with constant stirring until a dough-like consistency is attained. Place mixture on flat surface and cover with damp cloth. Allow to cool. When cooled, knead and model. Allow to dry. Finished piece may be decorated with water based paints and coated with clear lacquer for permanency.

COCKROACH EXTERMINATING POWDER
1) Borax 4 Tablespoons
2) Flour 2 Tablespoons
3) Cocoa Powder 1 Tablespoon
Mix 1, 2 and 3. Spread on runways.

DISINFECTANT (SHOES)
1) Formaldehyde 1 Tablespoon
2) Water 1/4 Cup
Mix. Swab inside of shoe with mixture. Repeat three times, allowing to dry thoroughly after each application.

ETCHING FLUID (ALL PURPOSE)
1) Zinc Sulfate 1/2 Teaspoon
2) Copper Sulfate 2 Tablespoons
3) Sodium Choride (table salt) 2 Tablespoons
4) Water 1/2 Cup
Mix 1, 2 and 3 into 4. Safer than acid but slower.

FINGERNAIL STAIN REMOVER
1) Tartaric Acid 1 Tablespoon
2) Water 3 Tablespoons
Dissolve 1 in 2. Apply to stains.

FURNITURE SCRATCH REMOVER
1) Ground Pecan Nut Meat 1 Tablespoon
2) Mineral Oil To make paste.
Add 2 to 1. Apply with cloth.

GLASS SCRATCH REMOVER
1) Iron Oxide (Jeweler’s Rouge) 1 Ounce
2) Glycerin 1 Ounce
3) Water 1 Ounce
Mix into paste. Apply with pad. Flush was clear water.

GREASE SPOT REMOVER
1) Fuller’s Earth
Sprinkle on spot. Brush in well. Remove with damp cloth.

HAIR PIECE & WIG CLEANING POWDER
1) Talc 1 Cup
2) Zinc Oxide 1 Tablespoon
3) Calcium Carbonate 2 Tablespoons
4) Boric Acid 1 Teaspoon
Mix 1, 2 and 3. Add 4 and mix. Dust on wig. Brush to remove.

LEATHER CLEANER
1) Water 1-1/2 Cups
2) White Vinegar 1/2 Cup
3) Denatured Alcohol 3/4 Cup
Mix 3 into 1. Stir in 2. Apply with cloth and sponge.

MOSQUITO REPELLENT POWDER
1) Eucalyptus Oil 2 Tablespoons
2) Talc 4 Tablespoons
3) Corn Starch 1-3/4 Cups
Mix 2 and 4. Add 1. Dust areas to be protected.

OXYGEN FOOT POWDER
1) Sodium Thiosulfate 1/2 Ounce
2) Sodium Perborate 1/2 Ounce
3) Sodium Borate 3 Ounces
4) Sodium Bicarbonate 6 Ounces
Mix. Use 1 ounce for 1/2 gallon hot water as foot bath. Released oxygen has a soothing effect.

PERSPIRATION STAIN REMOVER
1) Sodium Perborate 2 Tablespoons
2) Water 2 Cups
Mix. Test on small area for color fastness before applying to stained area.

REMOVING WATER SPOTS FROM FURNITURE
1 Lemon Oil 10 Drops
2) Denatured Alcohol 1 Pint
Mix. Dampen cloth and rub on spot. Wipe dry with soft cloth.

STAIN REMOVER (COFFEE AND ALCOHOL)
1) Ammonium Chloride 1 Tablespoon
2) Glycerin 1 Tablespoon
3) Denatured Alcohol 1 Tablespoon
4) Water 1/6 Cup
Mix. Apply to spot. Rinse with water.

SUPPLY SOURCES —
Ward’s Natural Science Establishment
http://wardsci.com/Default.asp

Fisher Scientific Company
www.fishersci.com/wps/portal/HOME?LBCID=02849393

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