How To Get Rid Of Chiggers Naturally: 9 Sure-Fire Methods

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Stand-Alone Rainwater Collector: A Revolutionary DIY Project for Sustainable Living!

Hey, Homestead Survivalists! We’ve stumbled upon an incredible DIY project that you’re going to love! Elizabeth Goetvinck, an industrial design student, has crafted a stand-alone rainwater collector that is nothing short of revolutionary. This project was initially designed for a community garden that lacked a regular water supply. But guess what? It’s so versatile that you can use it in your own backyard too! Check out the original blog post for all the juicy details.

Why This Project is a Game-Changer

  • First of its kind on Instructables: This isn’t just another rain barrel; it’s a complete rainwater harvesting system.
  • Independence: No need to rely on city water or even your own roof.
  • Multi-Functional: It’s not just a rain collector; it’s also a standing table and a parasol!
  • Affordable and Sustainable: Made from reused/recycled materials and costs around €70 or less.

What You’ll Need

  • PVC tubes of various sizes
  • Tube snaps, nuts & bolts
  • Impermeable fabric or canvas
  • Clothesline, tension straps, metal straps
  • Tabletop plate (preferably PVC or natural wood)
  • Industrial reservoir (1 m³ / 1000 l)
  • Tools like drills, handsaw, pincers, and more

How It Works

  1. Central Tube: Drill holes in a large PVC tube to help water flow into the barrel.
  2. Small Tubes: Attach smaller PVC tubes to the central tube.
  3. Canvas: Cut and sew the canvas to create a funnel-like structure.
  4. Wires: Use wires to secure the canvas and provide stability.
  5. Cover: Create a cover for the reservoir to keep the structure straight.
  6. Table Top: Add a tabletop to turn your rain collector into a functional table.
  7. Assembly: Put it all together and you’re ready to harvest rainwater!

Content Gaps and Additional Insights

  • Safety First: The original post warns that the water is not potable. However, it doesn’t delve into the types of materials that are safe for collecting drinking water.
  • Legal Considerations: Make sure you’re not breaking any local laws concerning rainwater collection.
  • Weather Conditions: The post could benefit from a section discussing how different weather conditions affect the system.
  • Maintenance: How do you clean and maintain this system? This is crucial information that’s missing from the original post.

Community Feedback

The community has been buzzing with ideas on how to improve this already fantastic design. Some suggest sinking it partially into the ground to serve as a patio table. Others have brought up the idea of adding a solar distillation unit for water purification.

So, what are you waiting for? This stand-alone rainwater collector is not just a DIY project; it’s a statement of sustainable living. Get your tools ready and let’s make a difference, one drop at a time!

Would you like to know more? Head over to the original blog post and get started on your rainwater harvesting journey today!

The Ultimate Guide to Soap Making: A Comprehensive Summary

Soap making is an ancient craft that has evolved into a fascinating modern-day art form. The original blog post by Practical Self Reliance is an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to venture into the world of soap making. It’s a comprehensive guide that covers everything from the very basics to advanced techniques, ensuring you’re well-equipped to create your own soap masterpieces.

Why Make Soap at Home?

  • Self-Sufficiency: Making your own soap is a step towards a more self-reliant lifestyle. It’s empowering to create something so essential from scratch.
  • Customization: The beauty of homemade soap is the freedom to customize. You can choose the oils, scents, and even the colors that suit your skin type or aesthetic preferences.
  • Quality Control: When you make your own soap, you have complete control over the ingredients. This ensures that your soap is free from harmful chemicals and preservatives commonly found in commercial soaps.

The Basics: Ingredients and Tools

  • Ingredients: The primary ingredients are oils (such as olive, coconut, and palm), lye, and water. Each oil brings its own unique properties to the soap, affecting hardness, lather quality, and moisturizing ability.
  • Tools: Essential tools include scales for precise measurements, thermometers to check the temperature of your oils and lye water, mixing bowls, and molds to shape your soap.

The Soap Making Process

  1. Safety First: Safety is paramount. Always wear protective gloves and goggles to protect yourself from the caustic nature of lye.
  2. Measuring: Precision is key. Accurately measure all your ingredients to ensure the correct chemical reaction between the lye and oils.
  3. Mixing Lye and Water: This is a crucial step. Always add lye to water, never the other way around, to prevent a dangerous reaction.
  4. Combining Ingredients: Once your lye water and oils have reached the desired temperatures, it’s time to mix them together. This is the stage where the magic happens!
  5. Adding Extras: This is where you can get creative. Add colors, essential oils, or even small items like flower petals or oatmeal for exfoliation.
  6. Molding and Curing: After mixing, the soap is poured into molds. It needs to cure for several weeks to complete the saponification process.

Advanced Techniques

  • Hot Process Soap Making: This method speeds up the curing time but requires constant attention to prevent the soap from burning.
  • Melt and Pour: This is a fantastic option for beginners who aren’t comfortable handling lye. It involves melting a soap base and adding your choice of colors and fragrances.
  • Adding Natural Fragrances and Colors: If you’re looking for a more natural approach, essential oils and natural clays can be used to add fragrance and color to your soap.

Tips for Success

  • Soap Calculator: Before you start, it’s a good idea to double-check your recipe with a soap calculator. This ensures that the ratio of lye to oils is correct, making your soap safe for skin.
  • pH Testing: It’s crucial to test the pH of your finished soap to ensure it’s skin-safe. A pH between 7-10 is generally considered safe for skin.
  • Oil Experimentation: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different oils. Each oil brings its own unique properties to…

5 Tasty Sweet Potato Tots Recipes Perfect For Snack Time

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40 Uses for Wood Ash: Practical Home & Garden Tips

Have you ever wondered about the countless uses for hardwood ashes, especially fireplace ashes and woodstove ashes? They can be used as an effective fire starter. This versatile substance, fireplace ashes, left behind after burning wood in a woodstove, has been utilized for centuries and continues to offer practical applications in various aspects of our lives. Hardwood ashes are known for their powdery texture. From cleaning to gardening, there are numerous ways to make use of wood ashes, a natural resource that works wonders for our food supply and crops due to its valuable nutrients.

Wood ash, often overlooked as mere residue, holds immense potential. Charcoal, potash, acorns, and ashes are all valuable components found in wood ash. Charcoal, potash, acorns, and ashes are all valuable components found in wood ash. Potash, derived from wood ashes, is a good addition to soil, enriching it with essential minerals that can enhance plant growth and yield. Its nutrient-rich composition makes it valuable for the overall health of plants. Baking soda, wood ash works, and potash can help neutralize acidic soils, creating a more favorable environment for a wide range of plants.

But the benefits of wood ash, charcoal and potash extend beyond the garden. Baking soda, charcoal, potash, and wood ashes are excellent natural cleaners for surfaces like glass or porcelain due to their abrasive nature. It can also be used as an ingredient in homemade soaps or detergents, utilizing potash, wood ashes, charcoal, and soda. Furthermore, wood ash, also known as potash, can act as a deterrent against pests such as slugs or snails when sprinkled around vulnerable areas. Additionally, the use of charcoal and acorn ashes can have similar effects.

Intrigued by the possibilities? In the following sections, we’ll explore some creative and practical ways to incorporate wood ashes, charcoal, potash, and baking into your daily life. Discover how wood ashes, charcoal, and potash can have a significant impact on your cleaning routine, gardening endeavors, and more. Find out the best way to utilize this humble byproduct.

Cleaning and Repelling with Wood Ash

Using Wood Ash as an Abrasive Cleaner

Wood ashes, also known as potash, are a great way to utilize the remnants of a fire. They can be effectively used in different cleaning tasks. One of the remarkable properties of potash is its ability to act as an abrasive cleaner, particularly for tough stains on surfaces like metal or porcelain. Wood ashes can also be used as an effective abrasive cleaner for difficult stains on various surfaces. When mixed with water or combined with soap, wood ashes form a gritty paste that can effectively scrub away grime and dirt.

Imagine you have a stubborn stain on your favorite stainless steel pot that just won’t budge. Have you tried using wood ashes? Have you tried using wood ashes? Instead of reaching for harsh chemical cleaners, consider using wood ashes as a natural alternative. To remove stains, simply sprinkle some clean wood ashes onto the stained area and gently scrub it using a damp…

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Vegetable Rennet for Homemade Cheese

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How To Freeze Blueberries In Your Home

How To Freeze Blueberries In Your Home | Homesteading tallest) { tallest = thisHeight; } }); group.height(tallest); } equalHeight($(“.dg-grid-shortcode .dg_grid-shortcode-col”)); $(window).resize(function() { equalHeight($(“.dg-grid-shortcode .dg_grid-shortcode-col”)); }); }); ]]> Sorry, this product is unavailable. Please choose a different combination. ]]>

5 Best Quail Breeds To Raise At Your Homestead

5 Best Quail Breeds To Raise At Your Homestead | Homesteading tallest) { tallest = thisHeight; } }); group.height(tallest); } equalHeight($(“.dg-grid-shortcode .dg_grid-shortcode-col”)); $(window).resize(function() { equalHeight($(“.dg-grid-shortcode .dg_grid-shortcode-col”)); }); }); ]]> Sorry, this product is unavailable. Please choose a different combination. ]]>

Step-By-Step Guide on How to Make Rich, Cheesy Homemade Mozzarella

Step-By-Step Guide on How to Make Rich, Cheesy Homemade Mozzarella tallest) { tallest = thisHeight; } }); group.height(tallest); } equalHeight($(“.dg-grid-shortcode .dg_grid-shortcode-col”)); $(window).resize(function() { equalHeight($(“.dg-grid-shortcode .dg_grid-shortcode-col”)); }); }); ]]> Sorry, this product is unavailable. Please choose a different combination. ]]>

7 Must-Know Tips When Growing Lettuce In Summer

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