That Was Easy! {Homemade Laundry Soap}

There are a few things that I have tried lately that leave me saying, "Well, that was easy!  Why didn't I do that sooner?!  Why did I put that off for so long?!"

Perfect example...Homemade Laundry Soap.

I didn't have the need to make my own for a while as we had gotten a large supply of soap "free" when we purchased a water-softening system for our home in Oklahoma.  I had run out shortly before we left Texas, but knew the movers would not move any liquids, so I just did store-bought the last few months. 

I was hesitant to try it since moving over here.  Not to mention that they don't even carry all the ingredients you need at the Commissary (and there's only 3 to choose from!)  My friend, Marque, though had already ordered what was needed and she shared the wealth!  I went out in search for 5 gallon buckets and was only able to find 2.5 gallon buckets.  But, it actually worked in our favor since we don't have a lot of extra storage space for a 5 gallon bucket and I can pick up the 2.5 gallon bucket!!!

I had previously marked my friend's blog for her recipe to use when I was ready, but since Marque had all the ingredients, she just measured out what I needed, wrote down her recipe for me, and I did the rest.

Even after having it handed over to me like that, I put it off for probably another week and a-half/two weeks.  I like to take my time on projects...especially when trying something new.  I'm always afraid I'm going to miss a step and mess something up.  I had other projects that required my full attention during nap time/after the boys' bedtime, so this one kept getting put off.  Finally, one Monday morning I told myself I'd just do it.  It probably took me about 15 minutes total!!!  Leaving me saying, "Well, that was easy!"

Here's the recipe we used (Keep in mind this is for 2.5 gallons!! So if you have a 5 gallon bucket just double it, or use the other recipe I listed)....

1 bar soap, grated  (A lot of other recipes will say Fels Naptha, but they don't carry that here so we used a bar of Ivory soap.)

1/2 cup washing soda  (they don't have that here either.)

1/2 cup borax

Easy enough...

1. Melt all your ingredients in a pan in 3 cups of water over medium heat
2. Pour into bucket and add water to make 2.5 gallons.  Stir.
3. Let it sit overnight to thicken.
4. Stir.  Fill empty bottle half full with detergent and half full with water.
5. Shake bottle well before each use.
6. Use 1/2 cup per load.

Makes about 180 loads!!!!

I've used it for the last two weeks and it seems to be working great! 

Homemade {All-Purpose Cleaning Solution}

I finally did it!!!  I have mixed my own all-purpose cleaning solution!  I originally saw the idea just over a year ago when my friend posted the link on her blog here.  I have used straight vinegar water for cleaning in the past, but I loved the added benefits of the lavender and thyme. 

(Photo credit)

I had bought a bottle of all-purpose cleaner from the Commissary soon after we arrived here.  It was supposed to have a lemon fresh scent...but to me it seemed to resemble urine.  Gross.  I was ready to make this happen!  The original recipe is found on Herb Mentor News here.  I took the article's suggestion and ordered what I needed here from Mountain Rose Herbs.  My husband has never been fond of the vinegar scent and I wasn't sure how he would feel about the other two scents I would be adding, but I decided to go ahead and order some Lime Peel Extract as well to add to it.  I also loved that on Mountain Rose Herbs they gave explanations of the uses of each of the extracts as well as what other scents they blended well with.

I received the box about two weeks after I made my order.  Not too bad for shipping overseas.  The recipe states that you need 1 cup of the lavender and thyme, but I wasn't 100% sure on how much to order from Mountain Rose Herbs.  I ended up ordering the 8 oz bag of each and it was plenty!  I can easily get about five more rounds out of them (I think).  (I'm assuming they will last that long.  I have no idea if they come with an "expiration date".  I'm new to this.)  I paid right around $25.00, including shipping.  I'm sure if you look around your area you could find what you need local.  There are some things though where my time is more valuable than my money.  For me, paying the shipping was worth it!  For future use though (as long as it doesn't expire), I would probably even order the larger bags.

I have been using the cleaner for everything!!!  The vinegar smell was still super strong for Tim, so I watered my mixture down a bit and it still does a great job of getting all sorts of messes up.  I have already come to love the smell and easily associated it with my house being clean!  To be easy on my husband though I try to do most of my cleaning during the day when he is gone that way it doesn't bother him.  There are some times that I can't avoid it when he's home, but I'll just try and crack a window in the room and the smell doesn't linger long.

I was having trouble with major streaks on our bathroom mirrors using this solution though.  I'm not sure I strained the liquid well enough before putting in the spray bottle, which might be the problem.  I didn't want to fret over it though, so I just picked up another small spray bottle and just mixed some plain vinegar water and I've been using that for our mirrors/windows. 

One other thing I love about this is that it is a great encouragement to ideas realized!  Seriously.  I marked this ONE YEAR ago as something I wanted to do!  There are still many things on my list of things I want to try...homemade laundry soap, homemade bread, wood projects, vegetable garden, etc.  Not all of them will be accomplished tomorrow, but hopefully, over time, I will get to them.