Homemade Outdoor Cat Shelter - For Those Free Spirited Kitties

 I have 2 cats.  One is perfectly happy indoors 24/7 but the other one, we inherited as he just showed up at our back patio door one day and has adopted us!

He comes in the house, is litter trained, and neutered, but he still loves to go out at night no matter how hard we try otherwise.  It is either he goes out or none of the household sleeps!  But with our Ontario winters, it is super cold outside.

I found this awesome cat shelter that you can make yourself.  After a recent move we had those inexpensive foam coolers to move the refrigerator contents and now are simply sitting under the stairs.

Check out this video to see just how quickly you can make them.

It really doesn't take much to make these.  

I am making the foam one, and just need to get straw from my local pet supply outlet.  Remember, NO pillows, blankets, newspaper or other bedding as the cat will make it wet and then it will freeze.  Straw wicks away moisture.

PUT A WEIGHT ONTOP

If like me, this will sit somewhere where the wind could take it away, especially the foam ones, find some bricks to keep it weighed down, or a more sheltered area.

YOU CAN ALSO GET PRE-MADE CAT SHELTERS ONLINE IF YOU PREFER BELOW:

These do look cuter, and do a wonderful job of keeping kitty out of the weather.  I also find by keeping the shelter close to the house, you will deter other critters.  

I hope this gives you some inspiration to keep your "free spirited" kitty warm this winter.

Homemade Car Interior Cleaning Solutions - All Natural

 Has your car interior seen better days?  Is the sun shining through the filthy windshield and highlighting the dust, dirt and grime on the dashboard?

This is the sad state of my car.  I didn't want to go and buy and car cleaning products, so I researched on how to clean the car interior, especially the dashboard with products you use everyday.  Check it out.

To Clean the Dashboard and All Vinyl Surfaces

What you will need:

White vinegar

Water

clean cloth

Method:

Mix equal parts white vinegar with warm water into a spray bottle, and spray on your dashboard and then wipe off with the cloth.  If super greasy and dirty, let it sit for a few minutes.

Vinegar is the best cleaner for the vinyl and dashboard since regular household cleaners are too harsh and tend to leave a film.

THIS WORKS!

Now condition the surfaces.

How to Condition the Dashboard and All Vinyl Surfaces

What you will need:

Olive oil

Clean cloth

Method:

Take your clean cloth put a LITTLE olive oil on the cloth and then wipe onto the surface and then rub in and wipe off. 

You don't need much olive oil.  You will get a feel for the right amount, best to start with a tiny amount.

Car Upholstery and Carpets

If your upholstery is looking sad and stained...

What you will need:

1 x cup of white vinegar

2 x drops of dish soap

1 x gallon of warm water

Method:

1.  Vacuum the seats and carpets first to get rid of crumbs and debris.

2.  Take a cloth or soft scrubber brush and dip into the water/vinegar/ dish soap solution and dab and scrub at the stains.  Don't over saturate, the idea is to just get rid of the dirt and stains.

3.  Let dry.

Hopefully the above were helpful hints to clean and bring the inside of your car to life on the cheap, without having to risk your health in a store.

Then there is always new car mats or seat covers you can buy online if the dirt has simply gone to far!!  check out below for ideas.

STAY SAFE EVERYONE!