Homemade Laundry Detergent

I believe I love this one so much because of all the homemade things I wanted to attempt this year, I wanted to this one to work so badly that when it did, I was just elated! It is such a money saver and so super easy to make! You can easily do double, even triple batches at a time! I will give you the powder recipe I use, but I will also give you the liquid (gel) recipe in case you wash all your clothing in cold water. The powder recipe calls for you to wash on “warm cold” or “hot” setting. The shaved soap will not dissolve properly in cold water if you use the powder recipe…yes, in fact, I did learn that from experience…(wink!)

The recipe for the powder is just the same as the liquid with the exception of one ingredient and one step – water being the ingredient and melting the soap into the water in a boiler being the step.

Let's get started!

Homemade (Powder) Laundry Detergent

The below items can be purchased at your local grocery store:

• 1 – 55 ounce box of  Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda - $2.19 - $.32/batch

·     1 – 76 ounce box of Twenty Mule Team Borax ­- $4.29 - $.45/batch

• 1 – 10 pack of 4.5 ounce bars of Ivory Bar Soap - $4.40 - $.44/batch

Batch Total: $1.21 for 32-64 loads! That is $.02 a load for normal wear loads and $.04 a load for heavily soiled loads! See! It really is a HUGE deal!

Each batch yields approximately 32 ounces. This makes for 32-64 loads depending on how much you use. For normal wear clothes, I use only a tbsp. full. For heavily soiled (work) clothes, I use 2 tbsp.

Here’s the recipe:

• 1 bar of shaved bar soap (Ivory, Zote, Fels Naptha, Dr. Bronner’s, etc.) – You can use a microplane, cheese grater, food processor grating blade, etc. to shave your bar soap.
• 1 cup of borax (Twenty Mule Team)
• 1 cup of washing soda (Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda)

Thoroughly stir together for 5 minutes and there you have it, your very own homemade powder laundry detergent!

*This is a recipe that works in all types of washing machines ranging from top load to HE front load.*

Now, above is the basic recipe I use, however I prefer a little citrus scent in mine, so I add 2-4 drops of citrus essential oils to the batch and stir once more. Do not add any more than that or it will stain the clothes in the wash. You can use whatever scent you like; lavender, lemon, peppermint, etc.

Soap/Detergent cost breakdown & savings

Prior to making our own, we were using a variety of liquid detergents. Here is the breakdown in cost analysis:

• Arm & Hammer® liquid 100 ounce detergent – $6.79 – 32 loads = $0.21 per load
• Tide® with Bleach powder 267 ounce detergent – $20.32 – 95 loads = $0.21 per load
• Our homemade powder 32 ounce detergent – $1.21 – 32-64 loads = $0.02-$0.04 per load

So, whether you prefer liquid or powder, you are saving the same $.17 to $.19 per load. This really adds up!

I do hope you’ll give it a shot! I absolutely love how well it works! My husband works in a place where he comes home with very heavily soiled clothes daily and this stuff works perfectly on his dirty, dirty clothes!

If you are interested in the liquid version of this detergent, check out this recipe:

Homemade (Liquid) Laundry Soap

1/3 bar Fels Naptha or other type of soap, as listed above

1/2 cup washing soda

1/2 cup borax powder 

You will also need a small bucket, about 2 gallon size with a sealing lid.

Grate the soap and put it in a sauce pan.  Add 6 cups water and heat it until the soap melts.  Add the washing soda and the borax and stir until it is dissolved.  Remove from heat.  Pour 4 cups hot water into the bucket.   Now add your soap mixture and stir.  Now add 1 gallon plus 6 cups of water and stir.  Let the soap sit for about 24 hours and it will gel.  You use ½ cup per load.

-The finished soap will not be a solid gel.  It will be more of a watery gel that has been accurately described as an "egg noodle soup" look.

-The soap is a low sudsing soap.  So if you don’t see suds, that is ok.  Suds are not what does the cleaning, it is the ingredients in the soap.

Living Simply

(I want to amend the recipe below as, by trial and error, I have found a MUCH better and MUCH cheaper method of washing my dishes...I found the citric acid in the previous recipe was causing the detergent to not just "clump" but harden completely, making it useless. So I found a recipe for only half, yes, half the ingredients and it worked beautifully---and the best part...it costs a penny a load!! That means you could wash dishes once a day for a full year at $3.65!! Who wouldn't be thrilled with that!?) 

Homemade Dishwashing Detergent

I wanted take a few days to share some of the changes we are attempting to make in 2011 before Baby Ella gets here. These changes for our family are in order to become more frugal, more eco-friendly, and  become less dependent on sales/coupons as we are slowly starting to see more and more policies in place that do not help the honest couponing person. Coupons are wonderful and have been such a help to my family, however, I wanted to begin incorporating ways of life that wouldn’t be solely dependent upon a good sale, perfect timing, rain checks, etc. I wanted to begin incorporating ways of the past, if you will, that have stood the test of time and won’t pass away with this fad and that.

Below are some of the things my husband and I have tested and are slowly making a way of life. I encourage you to check them out over the next few days if all things homemade interest you. Of course, for my husband, he is thankful mostly for the frugality of it all. I will provide a cost analysis for each of the homemade ideas that will show you how you can’t get a better deal, even with coupons! Hopefully some of these ideas will empower you to become more frugal and self-sufficient as it has my family!

Homemade dishwasher detergent (soap) recipe

• 1 cup Twenty Mule Team Borax
• 1 cup washing soda (Arm and Hammer is the preferred/easiest-to-find brand)

Fill rinse agent compartment with 1 Tbsp white vinegar.

Find detailed instructions, cost breakdown, and sources for ingredients below…

5 SIMPLE INGREDIENTS

• 1 – 55 ounce box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda = $2.19 - local grocery store
• 1 – 76 ounce box of Twenty Mule Team Borax = $4.29 - local grocery store
• 1 – gallon of White Vinegar = $1.79  Yet another excellent use for a nearly universal cleaning agent.

COST BREAKDOWN & SAVINGS

Prior to making our own, we used Finish Quantum Power Ball Tabs that we got a great deal on using coupons. However, we still get a better deal by using the homemade. Here is the breakdown in cost analysis:

• borax - 76oz = 4.29 | 8oz=.45/batch
• washing soda -55oz = 2.19 | 8oz=.32/batch
• total for 24 oz (yields 48 loads) = $.77/batch (UNBEATABLE!!!)
• white vinegar (as rinse agent) | 1gal = 1.79 | 4oz=.06/fill

(**note** you only need to use 1 rounded tablespoon of this homemade detergent per load.  If you feel it necessary… you may use a heaping tablespoon, but I do not.)

• Finish Quantum Tabs Can be purchased w/ coupons at $1.75 for 10ct = $.18 per load. (So you see, even with coupons, the homemade method cannot be beat.)
• Our homemade powder – $0.77 – 48 loads = $0.01 per load

Here are the cost savings for a homemade rinse agent that goes along with this recipe. We are satisfied with the result of the cleaner alone and do not feel the need for a rinse agent, however I have posted a cost analysis below in the event that you prefer a rinse agent:

• FINISH® JET-DRY® Rinse Agent 4.22 ounce solution – $3.99 – 1 fill = $3.99 per fill
• White Vinegar as a Rinse Agent 1 gallon solution – $1.79 – 1 fill = $0.06 per fill

If you choose to use a rinse agent, that is a savings of 6650% on an effective rinse agent! 

Give it a try! You just may be surprised how much money you’ll save by incorporating small changes here and there. I store my detergent in a small plastic container and keep a tbsp scoop inside for perfect portions every time. These are just items I had already lying around. There is no need in going out to buy a special container for this. Happy Homemaking!!

Stay Tuned….

Tomorrow I’ll be writing on: Homemade Laundry Detergent - This is my favorite of all the homemade items I have begun making for our family! It’s easy, using two of the same ingredients the dishwashing detergent does, it’s “green”, and saves so much money! See you tomorrow!

It's A Girl!!

So, I know I said I'd come right back with a post once we found out Baby Chandler's gender...I just got lost in "all things girl" on the way back to tell you! :) We are indeed having a girl! She will be named Ella Marie Chandler after two of her great-grandmothers. We will call her Ella. Danny, Ella's sweet daddy, has been hard at work transforming his office into Ella's nursery and building a new office for himself downstairs. I'm so thankful for such a hardworking husband! It makes for one happy pregnant lady!

Just An Update...

So...You may wonder where I've been. I'll save you the details of what was the "yuckiest" February and March I ever want to experience and just share the joy of why it was "yucky." Introducing...

BABY CHANDLER!

We are currently in our 16th week with him OR her and we will find out May 12th what the gender is! Everything is developing right on track for an October 4th due date! Our next ultrasould will be the big one where we get to count fingers and toes and do all it's little measurement checks and such! Baby Chandler has been much kinder to me as of late. I have more energy and actually get stuff done at home now besides laying on the couch all day...(which is actually what I am currently doing, ironically.) I think Danny and I are both anxious and excited at the same time, as new parents probably should be. I'll leave you with a 3D image we received last week at our 2nd check-up. I'll be back with an update soon!

Corn Chowder

The first Sunday of each month my husband and I have our parents and siblings over for "Family Lunch." We are so blessed that our families love one another and desire to fellowship with one another. Today was February's "Family Lunch." A friend was gracious enough to share a recipe for Corn Chowder that is so very simple, yet so delicious! (Thanks, Jillian!) The recipe may be tweaked to your preference. I left out the celery and substituted celery salt and also left out the carrots. If you like a creamy and hearty soup, this one is for you! Serving it with a side of cornbread can't be beat!

Corn Chowder
1/2 pound bacon - sliced in small pieces
2 stalks celery - chopped (optional - may substitute celery salt)
2 small onions - diced
2 tablespoons butter
1 (14.75 ounce) can cream-style corn
1 (15.25 ounce) can whole kernel corn
4 cups chicken broth (2 14.5oz cans)
2 cups milk
6 small potatoes - peeled and cubed
2 carrots - chopped (optional)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Fry bacon in bottom of soup pot until almost done.

Add onions and celery and saute until lightly browned.

Add cream-style corn, kernel corn, butter and broth. Add carrots and potatoes. Cook for 15 minutes.

Mix together flour and a little broth from pot to form a paste.

Add milk and flour paste. (You may add more flour paste to suit how thick you prefer.)

Simmer for 30 minutes or until you are ready to eat. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy!

Keeping A Nest (No Matter Where Life Has You)

nest (n): a snug retreat or refuge, a resting place, a home.

Your nest is your home. Your nest may consist of  you, you and your spouse, you, your spouse and children, you and a roommate, you and extended family members...oh, the options are really endless. It matters not who dwells there, what matters is how you keep it and seek to serve one another in the place each person has chosen to call their haven.

My father-in-love has always held to the rule that for his wife and children, their home is their haven. No matter what problems the world throws at them, no matter who is against them, they know that they can come in, shut the door behind them, and rest in the love and security that is found inside the home that has been made for them. It is a place where they can put down their guard, talk freely, love freely and enjoy being a family with no worries of ulterior motives surrounding conversations. For me, it is a perfect definition of a nest. It is a retreat, refuge and resting place.

Keeping a nest is not about keeping a spotless home, keeping a nest is not about cooking a fancy 4-course meal for the neighborhood, keeping a nest is not about remodeling or decorating to today's standards and keeping up with those infamous Joneses. Keeping a nest is about creating a place that you feel is the most condusive to serving your family and others in your community as needs may arise. Keeping your nest is about being willing to throw random leftovers in the oven and have a "spontaneous potluck" all because it means that you get a special unexpected meal with your family and friends to share with one another what life is for you at this point. Keeping a nest is about much more than bricks and mortar. It's about relationships and serving one another. We are called to serve one another humbly in love. (Galatians 5:13) Let us strive toward this goal together, because no matter what path life has us going down, service is always in season.

I do hope you'll follow me on my journey as I learn how to better "keep our nest" and strive to serve others in love as our Father in Heaven loves us.