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Homestead Hack: Make Your Own Bleach + Master the Art of Quiet Confidence 🤫

Homestead Hack: Make Your Own Bleach + Master the Art of Quiet Confidence 🤫

Question of the day: What’s something about your lifestyle that surprises people?

Cedie Omaña
July 03, 2025

NOTICE: Formerly known as The Steady Homestead, we’ve rebranded to The Homestead Movement! Same great content, just a fresh new name. 😊

QUOTE FROM THE HOMESTEAD

"The garden is the purest of human pleasures"

Francis Bacon

HOMESTEAD TIP OF THE DAY

Cucumbers, beans, okra, and even squash piling up? Make quick pickles! In a saucepan, heat equal parts vinegar and water, add 1 tablespoon salt per cup, plus herbs or spices (garlic, dill, pepper flakes). Pour over sliced veggies in jars and chill. It should be ready in 1–2 days! These keep for a few weeks in the fridge and make great gifts. It's an easy way to preserve harvests without canning.

IN TODAY'S EDITION

Homestead Tip 🌱
Poll Results From Last Tuesday 📊
All Things Homestead: DIY Bleach Recipe That’s Safe + Simple 🧼
Personal Development: Quiet Power Moves Every Homesteader Needs 💚
Today's Top Picks 🛍️
Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

What If the Weeds in Your Backyard Could Feed Your Family?

I used to walk past wild plants thinking, "What’s edible? What’s poisonous? What would I even do with it?"
I wanted to forage… to feel confident in the wild, but I had no clue where to start.

And honestly? That felt scary. Especially as prices kept rising and I thought: What if one day I have to rely on this knowledge?

That’s why I love the Wild Plants Guide. It’s like a field guide meets survival cheat sheet. It’s filled with easy-to-understand photos, uses, and safety tips.

Perfect if you want to:

Learn what’s edible around you
Identify plants for medicine or meals
Build confidence before you need it

The end goal? Feeling prepared, connected, and self-reliant.

POLL RESULTS FROM LAST TUESDAY

You can magically add ONE feature to your homestead overnight. What is it?

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Greenhouse

🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️ Root cellar

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Solar power

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Year-round water source

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Something else? Tell us!

via @beehiiv polls

Feel free to participate in fun polls in our next newsletters! 😉

Also, follow us on our social media accounts for daily homesteading inspiration and updates.

ALL THINGS HOMESTEAD

DIY Bleach Recipe That’s Safe + Simple 🧼

Tired of bleach that smells like a science lab? This homemade version is easy to mix, budget-friendly, and won’t burn your nose hairs off.

We’re talking just 3 simple ingredients:
– Distilled water
– Hydrogen peroxide
– Lemon juice

Why Homesteaders Love It:

It’s safe for white laundry, countertops, and even baby gear.
No toxic fumes, no mystery chemicals.
It saves money and cuts back on plastic bottles.

Where to Use It:
✔️ Brighten linens
✔️ Disinfect sinks and cutting boards
✔️ Scrub grout
✔️ Sanitize bathrooms and kitchen counters

Want the full recipe + step-by-step guide?

P.S. This one’s a crowd favorite inside our Homestead Year-Long Challenge!

Seeking impartial news? Meet 1440.

Every day, 3.5 million readers turn to 1440 for their factual news. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you a complete summary of politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a brief 5-minute email. Enjoy an impartial news experience.

Join for free today!

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Quiet Power Moves Every Homesteader Needs 💚

There’s something powerful about the quietest person in the room. The one who doesn’t shout, but everyone leans in to hear.

Here are some quiet-power habits you can start using today to communicate clearly, even in the middle of a noisy barn, kitchen, or garden:

Lower your voice instead of raising it.
People tune in faster when the volume drops. It feels grounded, not frantic.
Let silence sit after you speak.
When you say something important, don’t rush to fill the gap. A pause gives others space to think—and speak.
Start with the main point.
Lead with the headline. If you’re giving instructions on harvest day, start with what matters most: “We start at 6 a.m. Bring gloves.”
Slow your pace.
You don’t need to rush. People will remember more and feel calmer when your words don’t race.
Address concerns early.
If you already know what might go wrong, bring it up before someone else does. “We might hit rain Tuesday—but here’s Plan B.”
Make eye contact one person at a time.
Even in a group, speak as if you’re talking directly to one person. It keeps things personal and honest.
Turn facts into stories.
Instead of “We harvested 15 pounds,” say, “That’s enough to feed all the kids at Sunday lunch—and make jam.”

Use the same words they do.
If your family says “coop” instead of “henhouse,” follow their lead. Speak their language to build trust.
Pause with purpose.
A quiet breath before a new idea helps others follow your thinking. It’s like spacing seeds so they have room to grow.
Cut weak words.
Drop “just,” “maybe,” or “kinda.” Clear words feel like strong tools—they work better.
Talk about what others avoid.
If a plan failed or a goat got out, bring it up with calm and care. That builds confidence, not conflict.
Name what you see before giving advice.
“I noticed the fencing is sagging near the back pasture…” leads better than “You need to fix that fence.”
Say why it matters.
Give context. “If we don’t close the gate at night, the deer will tear through the fall garden.”
Break ideas into steps.
No one wants to feel overwhelmed. “Step one: soak seeds. Step two: prep trays. Step three: label.”
End with clear next steps.
Don’t just stop talking—finish strong. “So tomorrow at 9 a.m., we’ll start on the east fence together.”

Start With Just Two

No need to try all 15 at once. Choose two that feel natural. Maybe you try pausing more or cutting filler words. The next time you gather your crew or have a heart-to-heart, see what shifts.

When your words carry clarity and quiet confidence, others listen differently.

And when they listen, things run smoother! Chickens stay penned, chores get done, and hearts stay soft.