Thursday, October 7, 2010

Home made laundry detergent

Yes, you read that title right!  I have saved SO MUCH MONEY just by making my own detergent.  For less than $10, you can make 2-4 batches of this detergent.  It cleans very well, smells great and one bucket usually lasts me at least 3 months! (safe for Hi-E washers, mine is an LG steamwasher)
The following recipe is a variation of the recipe found at  www.duggarfamily.com--- don't knock it til you try it!)



Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value
4  Cups - hot tap water
1  Fels-Naptha, Ivory, unscented Dove or Kirk's Castile soap bar
1 Cup - Arm and Hammer SUPER WASHING SODA (not baking soda)-- I buy mine at Giant
½ Cup Borax

1. Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with 4 cups hot tap water. Stir continually 
over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
2. Fill a 5 gallon bucket 1/2 to 3/4 full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing
soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot 
water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
3. Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest 
of the way with water. Shake before each use. ( I usually keep it in the bucket with a lid, and
just stir it)
4. Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has 
cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load and High Efficiency Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

Domestic Overload

      Apparently, the cool, crisp Autumn weather causes my brain to go into domestic overload!  Baking cookies, cooking warming meals and plunging headfirst into a quilt making endeavor are just the beginning.  I decided to save myself some money and make Jack's first birthday invitations and all of the decorations except for the balloons and streamers.  What have I gotten myself into? I just can't help myself!
     Now, some may think I am weird, but Autumn makes me realize how much I love how cozy my home is, the warm inviting smell of the pumpkin candles or freshly baked cookies, and snuggling on  the sofa under a quilt with my little guy to watch Sesame Street!  And I can't wait to decorate my house with Autumn cornucopias and pumpkins!  Anyway, I have decided to blog about being a mom on a budget who tries to be as green as possible while sticking with my traditional way of life.  I will blog about ways to save money, crafts I have tried or will be attempting, recipes and ways to re-use what is laying around the house or in the thrift store collecting dust.  I hope you all enjoy this blog as much as I enjoy living it and writing about it every day!

Amber