Homemade Laundry Soap

It started with homemade all purpose and window cleaner, now I make my own laundry soap. I got this recipe from a friend, who got it from a blog, who got it from another blog. Not sure where it originated but I love it and will probably never go back!

Homemade Laundry Soap

1 (4 lb 12 oz) Box of Borax

1 (3 lb 7 oz)  Box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 

1 (3 lb) OxyClean

2 Bars of Soap

1 (4 lb) Baking Soda

1-2 (55 oz) Bottle if Laundry Crystals

 

 

Grate soap and add all ingredients into a large trash bag to mix. I keep mine in a big bucket with a lid.  It smells awesome and you only need to use a little per load. Cheap(er) and awesome!

Step One in Achieving Serenity

Frank Costanza -  "SERENITY NOW!"

Hubby and I went on a weekend trip last week for our anniversary. He surprised by picking the best hotel ever. It was a like a B&B but we had our own bathrooms (a must!). Just a handful of rooms that each had a different theme, free snacks and drinks (wine!) all day long. It was simple and quiet. Everything was clean and cool. I didn't want to leave. It really felt like you were in someone's guest bedroom and not a hotel room. It was wonderful to just hang out with Hubby in a peaceful place.

Then we come home. I pretty much instantly started feeling down. I couldn't really figure out why. I mean, yes, it is great to just have one on one time with the spouse, knowing the kids were safe with grandparents, but there was something else. I finally figured out that my house is not peaceful. When I come home, I see chaos. There are toys here, papers there, stuff everywhere. I just can't seem to keep on top of it. I need a system. I need a home for everything so it's not just sitting somewhere.

SO. That is my goal. I will go room by room and make it peaceful. My first room is our bedroom. I really think it makes me the most crazy. It tends to be the catchall room. My dresser is typically littered with school papers and stuff that no one knows where to put  it. "Hey, let's just put it on Mom's dresser, SHE will deal with it." Also clothes. Clean clothes, but not put away clothes. It's just simple things that don't get done that would make a big difference. So I am starting there today. SERENITY NOW!!!

Clean Up Clean Up

I know this is basically a food blog. However, cooking/baking makes messes, so it will also be a cleaning blog too. Thanks to Pinterest, I have removed "most" of the chemicals from my cleaning up. It saves money, and it is better for us. My absolute favorite so far has been the glass cleaner. It cleans so well, and doesn't leave streaks whatsoever.

Glass Cleaner
1/4 c. white vinegar
1/2 t. castile soap
2 c. water

~ Mix in a spray bottle and clean away!

My second favorite is the All Purpose cleaner. It works very well on stuck on food! I use it on, well everything. It is All Purpose, you know....

All Purpose Cleaner
 1/2 t. washing soda (found in laundry isle)
2 t. Borax
1/2 t. castile soap.
2. c water (I use warm to help dissolve everything)

~Mix in a spray bottle and clean away! 

In order to make and All Purpose cleaner into and Antiseptic cleaner is to add 1t thyme or lavender essential oil... Remember NOT the scented oil like you find at Walmart, it needs to be actual essential oil. I haven't actually done this yet, but will as soon as I remember to pick some up.

Now, onto floors. I. Hate. Cleaning. Floors. Seriously, it is my worst chore ever. I don't mind the vacuuming/sweeping part, but mopping. UHG! I hate it..... Because I hate it, I don't do it nearly as much as I should. My friend posted about a floor cleaner that she thought was just wonderful, so I thought I would give it a go. I basically have new floors! I could NOT believe how well this cleaned. I have a white tile floor, and my grout is well, disgusting. It's pretty dark, and I hate it. I am pretty positive that after a few mopping sessions, it will be completely clean. Even with no bleach! I was really, really amazed by this.

Floor Cleaner
1/4 c. white vinegar 
1 t. liquid dish soap 
1/4 c. washing soda 
 2 gallons tap water, very warm 

~ Place all the ingredients into a bucket and mix well until sudsy, and mop away.
*You will need to go over with a plain water mop after or it will leave a bit of a film. Worth it! Seriously clean!

I think that is it for now. Happy Cleaning!