If you have gutters on your house, and you also have flowerbeds, a backyard garden, or even just some potted plants, you really should have a rain barrel too! A rain barrel sits under one of the downspouts connected to your gutters, so the rain water that falls onto your roof is diverted into the barrel. Using the water from your rain barrel is a simple way to water all those flowers and plants in your yard, without running up your water bill. And aside from being good for your wallet, rain barrels are also good for the planet! Especially in regions that are currently suffering from periods of drought, collecting and using the water from your rain barrel can be a great way to conserve a precious resource.
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I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that making your own rain barrel is actually REALLY easy! It probably took me a half-hour to make this one (and that includes the time it took to take the photos!) And if you already happen to have a barrel or trash can that you can use for this project, you’re halfway done already! :-)
Disclaimer: Rainwater collection is prohibited in some areas. Check with your local authorities.
So here’s what you’ll need to make your own rain barrel…
- Power drill, and a drill bit matching the size of hole needed for your spigot
Once you have your garbage can or water barrel picked out, the next step is probably the trickiest (but I found a way to seriously simplify it, so bear with me.) Depending on what kind of spigot you get, you’ll need to drill a certain size of hole on your trash can to accommodate your spigot. Spigots are readily available a home improvement stores and online, but I was worried I wouldn’t be able to find a suitably sized drill bit (especially since I wasn’t looking to spend a lot of money buying a set of drill bits, just to have one that I was going to use once.)
So after a bit of searching, I managed to find this spigot kit on Amazon that included a drill bit that would make the perfect-sized hole. I highly recommend getting this kit (or something like it) because it made the whole process a breeze!
To drill the hole for my spigot, I put the drill bit into my power drill, measured about 4 inches up from the bottom of my trash can, and carefully drilled the hole.
Once the hole was done, I dropped the bulkhead fitting into the trash can, and pushed it through the hole so the washer was up against the inside of the trash can. Then I screwed on the nut part, so it was relatively tight, but not tightened all the way just yet.
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I applied the thread seal tape to the threaded end of the spigot, wrapping the tape around the spigot about 5 times. Then I screwed the spigot into the bulkhead, got the spigot to the correct angle, and tightened the nut piece the rest of the way with the help of some pliers.
The last thing I did was apply waterproof sealant to the spigot, on both the inside and outside of the garbage can, where the metal meets the plastic. The tube of sealant was inexpensive, so I used it for just a bit of extra insurance to make sure the spigot wouldn’t leak. Make sure to let your sealant dry for the recommended time before exposing it to water.
Now that my rain barrel had a functioning spigot, it also needed a lid. Having an uncovered container of standing water in your yard is basically an open invitation for all kinds of creepy crawlies and pests to breed there, so we really want to keep that from happening! Luckily, you can keep out most pests with just a couple of easy preventative measures.
First, you’ll want to cut a small hole for the water to flow into from your downspout. Once you know where you’re going to place your rain barrel, you’ll be able to see where the downspout is going to meet the barrel. Mark that area off with a sharpie, then use your utility knife to cut the hole into your lid.
The final piece of the puzzle is the screen. Most bugs will be deterred by a simple piece of mesh screening, like the kind you’d find on a screen door. Rolls of this material can be found at most hardware stores, and online too. Cut a piece that hangs a few inches over the edges of your barrel or garbage can, then put the lid in place over the screen to keep it in place.
Now place your rain barrel underneath your downspout and wait for rain! Oh, and pat yourself on the back for doing your part to help conserve water! :-)
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(Note: To make it easier to fit your watering can underneath your spigot, you can raise your barrel up a few extra inches by making a platform using bricks or cinderblocks.)
Yogurt has got to be one of my all-time favorite snacks, especially when frozen! Yogurt is packed with protein, probiotics and lactic acid…attributes that make it a healthy snack and a great ingredient in homemade health and beauty products. I’ve even found a few NEW uses for plain yogurt!
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First of all, let’s talk about choosing a yogurt. When making face masks and other beauty products, choose a plain, whole-fat yogurt. You want all of those fats and oils to treat your skin. If you’re looking for a snack, however, I would choose a plain Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt has nearly twice the amount of protein of regular yogurt. It also has about half the sugar, carbs, and sodium.
Whichever yogurt you have on hand…here are some creative ways to use it you might not have thought of before!
Heal Blemishes
This Yogurt and Honey Face Mask exfoliates your skin, heals blemishes and even brightens complexion. Plus, it’s made with only four ingredients that you probably have in the kitchen!
Fade Age Spots
Because of the lactic acid, plain yogurt is one of these 10 home remedies for age spots.
Treat Sunburn
Yogurt also makes a great remedy for sunburns! Spread a thin layer of whole-fat yogurt on your skin, let it sit for at least 10 minutes, and then take a cool shower to wash it off. The yogurt soothes the sunburn and feels cooling, while the probiotics and enzymes actually start to heal sunburns.
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Ease Tummy Troubles
Because yogurt has probiotics, eating it regularly will keep your digestive system regular and your immune system strong. Click here to learn more about probiotics.
Canker Sore Remedy
The bacteria in yogurt helps fight canker sores, so eat just a few spoonfuls of yogurt everyday to keep canker sores away!
A Tasty Snacks For Kids (And Kids At Heart!)
Add just a few simple ingredients, and freeze the yogurt in little dots for a quick, healthy and tangy treat! Get the recipe here.
Frozen Yogurt Blueberry Kabobs
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Skewer some blueberries, roll them in yogurt, and freeze the whole stick for a healthier take on a popsicle – the blueberry kabob!
Quick & Easy Fruit Dip
Mix Greek yogurt with your favorite chocolate syrup for a quick and easy fruit dip.
Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
Peel a cucumber, slice it lengthwise, and scoop the seeds out. Dice the cucumber, add it to 1 cup of yogurt, some minced garlic, a bit of fresh dill, and squeeze in some lemon juice to make your own tzatziki sauce! It’s a great veggie dip, chicken marinade, or even a spread for sandwiches!
Make Cheese!
To make your own cheese with yogurt, place some plain yogurt in a colander with 4 sheets of cheesecloth, and put it in the fridge overnight. In the morning, it should be the texture of a soft cream cheese – it makes a delicious spread for crackers!
Mayo Substitute
Choose plain greek yogurt for your creamy topping instead of sour cream or mayonnaise. You’ll hardly notice the difference, but you’ll be avoiding a lot of fat! Check out these other 15 swaps for a healthier diet.
Make MORE Yogurt!
Interested in making your own Greek yogurt? Check out my foolproof recipe here! You can also make your own yogurt out of coconut milk!
Edible Fingerpaint!
And last, but not least, you can finger-paint with yogurt! Just add a drop or two of food coloring to about a 1/4 of plain yogurt to make your paints. Set up on a sheet of wax paper and get coloring! It’s a fun afternoon activity, but I wouldn’t suggest keeping the yogurt-drawings.
How do you use plain yogurt?
Even though we have a dishwasher in our kitchen, I always keep a couple of sponges under the sink because the standard kitchen sponge can do much more than just wash your dishes! Here are some super creative ways to use sponges that will have you running to the store to buy more!
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You probably already know that a couple of Alka-Seltzer tablets can be your best friend when you've over-indulged in food or drink. But did you know ... Continue Reading
Use a sponge to make simple ice pack for treating swelling and bruising. Soak a sponge in water, place it in a sealed plastic sandwich bag and freeze until solid. As the sponge thaws, the water will stay sealed up in the bag without getting all over.
Sprinkle a damp (not wet) sponge with baking soda and place it in your fridge. It will absorb odors, and you’ll able to stretch a box of baking soda over a longer period of time.
Tape or rubber band a sponge to the end of a chopstick to clean and dry narrow vases and containers.
You can use a couple of sponges as kneepads when scrubbing floors, gardening, or doing repairs.
Attach small pieces of sponges to the bottom of your decor, furniture legs, or on picture frame stands. The sponge pieces will prevent scratching when these items are moved around.
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Protect your hands when shoveling or raking by wrapping a sponge or two around the handle. Secure the sponges with a couple of rubber bands.
Before planting a flower in a pot, cut a piece of sponge to fit snugly in the bottom of the pot. The sponge will soak up water and help keep the roots of your plant moist!
Cut up a sponge into small squares to use as “toe-separators” for at-home pedicures.
If you’re planning on sending a big batch of letters at once (like “Thank You” notes, invitations, etc.), save your tongue by using a damp sponge to moisten the envelope seals.
You can use a damp sponge to sprout seeds! Select fast-growing seeds like flax, radish, watercress, alfalfa, or mustard. Place your seeds on a damp sponge and place the sponge on a plate. Cover the plate with an upturned glass bowl and place in a sunny spot. When the seedlings have sprouted, you can either enjoy the sprouts as is, or transfer them to a pot to grow!
Use the scrubbing side of a kitchen sponge to remove pills from sweaters or furnitures.
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Bonus Tip: Quickly get rid of pet hair of lint on your clothes by using a damp sponge to swipe them away.
Use a sponge to make a nail polish remover jar. It’s the easiest and cleanest way to remove your nail polish! (Get all the details and instructions for making a nail polish remover jar.
Cut a few different colored sponges into smaller strips to make safe and and quiet building blocks for your little ones.
Place your bar soap on top of a sponge in between uses. It will allow the soap to dry out quickly, minimizing the mess and making your soap last longer!
Original article and pictures take www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com site
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