Homemade Laundry Detergent

It seems like the cost of everything is up which can be a bit of a pain especially when it is something you use almost daily if not everyday, like laundry detergent.  A friend of mine turned me onto making my own laundry detergent after my oldest was born.  We were always looking of ways to cut costs.  Both my boys and myself included have super sensitive skin.  We cannot have anything with perfumes, dyes, or harsh chemicals because they are so irritating for us.  Free and clear detergents and baby detergents can run into some real coin.  When my friend showed me how easy and cost effective making my own detergent was I was willing to try.  Of course the first thing that I wondered was does it work though?  I was amazed to find out it does and even more amazed at my savings.

Here is what you will need:

1 – 55 ounce box of Arm & Hammer® Super Washing Soda = $3.99
1 – 76 ounce box of 20 Mule Team® Borax = $4.99
1 – 10 pack of 4.5 ounce bars of Dove® Sensitive Skin Bar Soap = $15.99 or $1.60/bar (This is what I use.  You can use anything though. Other brands of commonly used bar soaps include Pure & Natural®, Ivory®, and did I mention it is really up to you?)

So in total I spent $24.97.  With 10 bars of soap this will make 10 batches of detergent.  Per batch that breaks down to roughtly $4.99 a batch with about 65 loads in each batch.  That ends up being $0.07 a load!!!! 


So how do you make it? 

For dry detergent (powdered)

• 2 bars of shaved bar soap (use a cheese grater or for an easier way use a food processor to shave it)
• 1 cup of borax
• 1 cup of washing soda

Put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly for about 5 minutes to make sure it is mixed well.  Store in a container.  Use 1 Tbsp per load or 2 for heavily soiled loads.

That's it.

For liquid detergent.

• Same items above
• 2 empty gallon jugs
• water

Fill a large pot with water and place on the stove.  While heating add the shaved soap flakes.  Continually stir the flakes until they are dissolved completely. Once boiling remove from heat and place in the sink (there is a good chance of boil over).  Quickly stir in the borax and baking soda until dissolved.  Using a funnel divide the detergent in the pot between the gallon jugs.  Fill the remainder of the jug with water.  Place the cap on and store.  You will use 1 cup of the homemade detergent per load, 1 1/2 for heavily soiled loads.

It really is that easy and cheap :)

Applique Tie T-Shirt

If you would like an adorable shirt for your little ones that you could customize for any occasion appliques are a wonderful way to accomplish just that. For this project I appliqued a tie cutout onto a plain white t-shirt to create a shirt they could wear for Valentines Day.  I used the $0.99 bandanas from  Hobby Lobby to save money on the fabric.  I created 2 t-shirts for less than $10.  The highest cost was buying the fusible webbing which I have plenty left over for future projects now.

For this project you will need:

• a t-shirt
• fusible webbing (I used Steam-A-Seam 2)
• scissors
• Tie template (best if traced onto cardstock or thin cardboard)
• Iron (be sure to follow the manufacturer's directions.  If using Steam-A-Seam 2 your iron will need to have a steam setting)
• Writing utensil (marker works best)

Step 1:
Create a template for the tie.  You will want to make sure it will fit the shirt you are using.  You dont want it to be too short or too long. Its best if you use cardstock or thin cardboard.  You will want a sturdy edge to make tracing on the fusible webbing easier.



****From here make sure you are following the manufacturer's instructions for the fusible webbing.  The following instructions are for the Steam-A-Seam 2 fusible webbing****

Step 2:
Using the sturdy template trace it onto the backing with the webbing.  You will want to pull back the corner to see which side the webbing sticks to.

Step 3:
Cut around the tracing leaving space around it.  This is so you can easily cut the shape out once the webbing is pressed onto the fabric.

Step 4:
Peel off the backing on the cutout and press it onto the fabric.

Step 5:
Cut out the tie along the lines carefully.  Once cut out peel off the backing leaving the webbing exposed.

  
Step 6:
Position the applique onto the shirt.  It is repositionable so you can peel it off if you place it wrong.  Next iron on the applique using the heat setting for the fabric you are using and be sure your steam is on.  Press for 10-20 seconds.

Now you have a cute t-shirt!  Here is my son modeling his new shirt (and making a silly face).

Again you can use any shape or any design.  A cricut would allow you to create almost anything and you can easily cut fabric using it as well.  Let your imagination run wild.