Are you using too much soap?? Take the Challenge!!

I just came across a fabulous article about the overuse of soap!  The link to the full article is http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/your-money/13shortcuts.html.

Let me share a few tidbits:
We use too much soap in our dishwashers and washing machines!  Too much soap is actually ruining our appliances and our clothes.
As far as my dishwasher goes, I think I am fine with my homemade dishwasher detergent.  I am happy with my formula.  As far as my clothes go, I still haven't found the "perfect" laundry detergent.  My homemade laundry detergent is great for saving money, but I am finding myself supplementing it with other detergents to get my clothes cleaner and fresh smelling.  Maybe I just am using too much detergent, regardless of what kind.

He offered a simple test to determine whether you are indeed using too much laundry detergent. 
"Here is Mr. Schmidt’s test to determine if you’re oversoaping. Take four to six clean bath towels, put them in your front-loading washing machine (one towel for a top loader). Don’t add any detergent or fabric softener. Switch to the hot water setting and medium wash and run it for about five minutes.
Check for soap suds. If you don’t see any suds right away, turn off the machine and see if there is any soapy residue. If you see suds or residue, it is soap coming out of your clothes from the last wash.
“I’ve had customers that had to run their towels through as many as eight times to get the soap out,” Mr. Schmidt said, who lives in Indiana. He offers other handy advice on his Web site, refrigdoc.com."



So, here is the challenge at 2 Make Ends Meet....I am going to try this today and post my results in the comment section.  I would like you to try the same.  Wash your clean bath towels without soap and post your results in the comment section also.  This will be fun!!! Pin It

FREE Coupons for Seventh Generation products

I enjoy using Seventh Generation products.  I use their dishwashing detergent.  I love the lavendar scented version.  When I don't feel like making my own dishwasher detergent and want to splurge a little, I like to use their dishwasher detergent gel.  I have signed up on Seventh Generation's website and can print good coupons.  If you would like to do that just go here. Pin It

Frugal Homemade Hand Sanitizer

After reading several different recipes to make your own hand sanitizer, I came up with my own version.  I like the results better than the first recipe I tried, which used only aloe vera gel and alcohol.  I think the glycerin is an added benefit because it softens your hands too.

Here is what I did:
Homemade Hand Sanitizer
3 T. glycerin
3 T. aloe vera gel
10 T. rubbing alcohol
Mix ingredients in an 8 ounce bottle (I reused an old hand sanitizer bottle).  I put the cover on and shook the bottle to mix the ingredients. 
This is a fun recipe to make with your kids and this is so easy to do! 

You can play around with the amounts, but just know your alcohol content must be at least 60%. Pin It

Frugal Homemade Liquid Hand Soap

A couple of years ago, when I started making my own laundry detergent and dishwasher detergent, I had hopes of making my own liquid hand soap.  I never did get around to trying it until yesterday.  A dear friend of mine asked me if I had a good recipe for it.  I said I had never tried one, but thanked her for the reminder to try making it!  One of my favorite websites to go to for natural recipes is The Family Homestead.  Naturally (no pun intended), I went there first.  Of course she would have one!  :)  I used Crystal's recipe and also read a few other recipes on the web and got a few ideas about making it.  I was so excited when I was finished (and figured out how inexpensive it was to make), that I had my husband give me a "high five"!  LOL!!!  :)

Here is what I did:
You can view the basic recipe at The Family Homestead.

I used one bar of Trader Joe's Oatmeal & Honey Soap (which is pure vegetable soap) cost $.75
3 tbsp. of glycerin (8 oz. for $4.99 at CVS)--cost in recipe approx. $.93
8 cups of water (basically free) :)
I did not add any essential oils for fragrance, as the soap had a nice fragrance to it already.

After following Crystal's recipe and the soap had coagulated (the best way to describe it, I guess), I took the advice of another website and whipped portions of the soap in my blender (she did it while she was making it, I whipped it after it was all finished).  It got so smooth and  I was having so much fun!  :)
My efforts made 88 oz. of liquid hand soap!!!  :)  It only cost $1.68 for the ingredients.  That comes out to $.15 per 8 ounce bottle of soap!  Wow!!!!!!

Now, I had to test it out, of course.  I would say that this soap isn't as "sudsy" as other soap, but it was very smooth and got my hands clean.  I am looking forward to experimenting with other bar soaps in the recipe.  Trader Joe's has a peppermint bar soap that I think would be fun to use!
Let me know if you give this a try.....remember, it's helping us "2 Make Ends Meet"!  (and having a little fun while we are doing it!)  :) Pin It

Homemade Laundry Soap

Now, you might think I am crazy, but I sometimes make my own laundry detergent!!!  I have made it several times now and 1.  Think it's kindof fun! and 2.  Know that it saves a TON of money!!!  Laundry detergent is expensive.  (If you choose not to make your own, at least know that you really don't have to use as much as the package tells you to use.  Remember, they are in the business of making $$$$, not really trying to help you!  LOL!  :)) 
Anyway, for those of you that would like to be a little daring....try one of these recipes.  The 3 main ingredients are Borax, Super Washing Soda, and Fels Naptha laundry bar soap.  These two recipes are identical in the ingredients used, they just use a couple of different methods and amounts.
 Duggar Family website or The Family Homestead

I used the Duggar recipe last night and cut it in half.  I made a 2.5 gallon bucket of soap.  I then will fill an empty juice container or old laundry soap container half full of soap and half full of water.  Shake it up and use!!!  Think of how CHEAP this is.....it will last a LONG time!!!  Yay!  :)

This is a project your children might like to help you do!!!

Happy soap making!!!

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me!

Updated 1/22/10:  I think it is important to use a good laundry soap like FelsNaptha.   This soap is designed to pre-treat stains.  I remember my mother having a bar of it in the laundry room when I was growing up.  When used as part of this recipe, it works well. Pin It

Frugal Dishwasher Detergent

Just wanted to share a "recipe" for easy to make dishwashing detergent.  I discovered the formula on the internet a few years ago so can't give proper credit where credit is due.  Sorry!  Anyway, I have used it many times and have always been happy with how it cleans our dishes.  Here it is:
1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda
Mix.
To use:  Add 2T. to dishwasher.
Run dishwasher!  It's that easy!
It is so inexpensive and works good too!
Let me know if you try it and it works for you. Pin It