One of the best ways to get involved with your local animal shelters is by donating whatever you can! Shelters are always accepting donations of all kinds. Aside from monetary donations, shelters often accept homemade crafts, pet food, and unused items you might already have in your house. Listed below are the best items to donate to your local shelter today! 

Things You Can Make 

Shelters often accept various home-crafted items. Be sure to check with your local shelter for what they will and will not accept before donating. For shelters that do accept homemade goods, compiled below is a list of easy-to-make toys and crafts that will bring joy and comfort to shelter pets. 

Crocheted dog mats 

Toys:

• Cat wands 
• Kitty cork toys 
• T-shirt knotted rope 
• Braided dog toy 
• Tug-o-war toy
• No-sew cat toys 

No-sew fleece blanket 

Bandanas 

“Snuffle” mat

Kennel mats for cats

Things You Already Have In Your House 

Many shelters will take items you already have lying around your house– however, they don’t accept just anything. Whatever goods you have stored in your home, make sure they are unopened, unused, or untouched by your and your own pet! Shelters will often accept items such as:

• Unopened dog and cat food 

• Cat litter 

• Unused toys 

• Newspapers 

• Towels and blankets 

• Leashes, collars, and leads

• Bandanas

It’s always a good idea to check with your local shelters before donating to see what their needs are, so that you can meet them! Many shelters will still accept whatever you take in for donation, but to be the most helpful donor you can be, always check first to see what your local shelter is in need of. 

Alexa Highsmith

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

The post Best Items to Donate to Local Animal Shelters appeared first on Lilly Brush.

What is static?

You might remember running around as a child with a balloon in hand, rubbing it on your head to see if it would stick to your hair, or trying to make it stay attached to the walls in your house. This fun little phenomenon is known as static electricity– both a terrifying and awesome force of natural physics. Terrifying, for example, if you’re out in an open field during a thunderstorm. Awesome, however, if you’re a kid running around your house with a balloon. 

Static electricity is caused by friction between two “insulators” (non-metals), when electrons are transferred from the surface on one object to the other. In case you were busy doodling or giggling with your friend during middle school science class instead of listening to your teacher (we’re all guilty of this at one point or another), here’s a little refresher for you.

How to Make your Own Static Guard

If static’s got you down, you’ve come to the right place. Static frequently plagues clothing and furniture on a daily basis, and sometimes, the only cure is static spray. Thankfully, there are many options for static spray, and there are even a few tools to help you along the way.

In some cases, it’s easier to DIY than to buy– and this is one of those cases. As long as you have a spray bottle on hand, you’re ready to go. There are a few different ways you could go about making your static spray, two of which are listed below. 

Method 1: 

2 Tbsp liquid fabric softener 

1 cup water 

Mix fabric softener and water in spray bottle and shake well before using. 

Method 2: 

1 cup witch hazel extract 

5 drops lavender essential oil 

Add witch hazel and essential to spray bottle and shake well before each use.

Both methods work on clothing and furniture. To use, shake the bottle before each use. Hold the bottle anywhere between 6-12 inches away from your garment or material, then spritz the area. 

If you’re dealing with pesky pet hair clinging to your couch, chairs, or other furniture, spray the area before using the Fluffy Pets Brush (portable version available here) to collect all of the unwanted fur and remove it from the material.

What to Buy

If you do choose to buy your static guard rather than make it yourself, these are the products we recommend. Be careful if this is the route you take– many commercial static guards contain harsh chemicals that are detrimental to you and your home.  

• Static Ex: natural and organic 
• Sprayway: Amazon’s choice 
• Static Schmatic: all-natural, toxin-free
• Tom & Sheri’s: Plant-based, travel-size 
• Static Guard: the original 

Alexa Highsmith

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

The post The Ultimate Static Guide appeared first on Lilly Brush.

Leather Seats

Leather seats are super easy, you can even use standard household cleaning supplies! Toothpaste is great for removing your stains and scuffs. First, you need to get any hair or dirt off of your seats. Use the Lilly Brush Mini Pet Hair Detailer to purge the car of all pet fur. Next, grab some non gel toothpaste and an unused toothbrush, and gently scrub wherever needed. Wipe off the excess with a damp cloth and dry with a towel. Voilá, just like that, your seats are clean! If you’re into DIY, but want to use the same tools as the pros, check out this link!

Cloth Seats

Cleaning cloth seats is hardly any more of a hassle. The only real difference is creating your own cleaning solution! Again, use a Lilly Brush to get rid of your lovely pet’s fur in your car. Next, mix ¼ cup of baking soda with a cup of warm water. Use a light layer of the solution and a toothbrush to scrub away the stain. If the stain is being stubborn, let it sit for a few minutes and then wash it off with a towel. 

We love our detailers, but you won’t always have the time to get your car cleaned professionally. We hope these quick tips help you get your car clean from the comfort of your own home.

Sincerely,

The Lilly Brush Team

old.lillybrush.com

Elsie Hamilton

old.lillybrush.com

The post Detailing Guide to Cleaning Your Car Seats! appeared first on Lilly Brush.