Homemade Laundry Detergent

I thought I would share with you today our recipe for homemade laundry detergent since I was out and needed to make more.

 

I first discovered this recipe from one of the Duggar family books a couple of years ago and have been making my own detergent ever since. We really like the way it cleans and it saves our family a ton of money.

 

The recipe: 4 cups (or I use a large stock pot) hot water

1 Fels-Naptha Soap bar

1 cup of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda

1/2 cup Borax

 

 

 

Fill stock pot with water and put on stove top. 

 

 

 

 

Grate the Fels-Naptha Soap Bar (you can do this in several different ways, we have used a food processor but I find it just as easy to grate it by hand.)

 

 

 

The grated soap will resemble grated cheese.

 

 

 

Add the grated soap to the pot of water.

 

 

Stir continually over medium-low heat until the soap dissolves and melts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water.

 

 

 

Add Borax and Super washing Soda. Stir until dissolved.

 

Add melted soap and stir again (some people may want to add essential oils here of your favorite scent. That is totally up to you. Honestly I really like the smell of the Fels-Naptha soap. It has a clean smell and the scent is not too overpowering.) 

 

 

Fill the remainder of the bucket to the top with hot tap water. Stir and Cover.

Let sit overnight to thicken.

 

 

 

 

The next day the detergent will be thick and gelatinous. It is supposed to be :D .

 

 

Give it a good stir to break up the jelled liquid.

 

 

The last step is to fill your containers half full with the soap mixture and fill the rest with water.

 

 

Give it a good shake before each use.

 

We use old detergent bottles or fabric softener bottles to store the ready to use detergent in. That way we can store the large 5 gallon bucket in a closet out of the way until needed.

 

When I first began making this I probably only made it twice a year. (Remember we have a family of 8 so it should last a regular size family a bit longer. ) But recently we have been sharing the detergent with my Mom so I have been making it a little more often. Maybe 3 to 4 times a year.

 

Have you ever tried making your own detergent? If so how do you like it?

 

 

 

Blessings,

 

Amy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

I WON!!!!

I am not exaggerating when I say that I never win anything!!!

I must have the worst luck.

Anyway I was so surprised to get an email from Sarah Over at My Joy Filled Life informing me that I actually won the beautiful Nature Bible for kids by Tommy Nelson.
 

 

Isn't it so sweet!!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the fact that it zips up to keep it safe when traveling to and from church and the colors are adorable as well.

 

 

I know a little boy that is going to be so thrilled to wake up on Christmas morning and find this under the tree.

 

 

This guy right here....

 

 

I know Christmas is still like 3+ months away but with 6 kids we find ourselves shopping year round for gifts.  It keeps us from being so stressed out during the Holidays  running around trying to get everything on their list, and from becoming so broke.. LOL!!!  When we shop year round it seems we are better able to sit back and enjoy the season. 

 

Anyone else shop year round??

 

A Bible was #1 on this little guys list.  Makes a Mommy proud... :D

 

I wanted to jump up and down when I got the email from Sarah telling me I had actually won!!! Thank you Sarah for this wonderful giveaway!!! My Joy Filled Life is a great blog that I love to read.  If you haven't already you should check it out!

 

I'm so happy that this is one item I can check off our shopping list... now like a Bazillion more....

 

If you would like to get one  of these wonderful Bibles for the little guy or gal in your life you can find it on Amazon here.

 

Thanks for stopping by my friends!!! 

 

I hope you have a Blessed rest of the day!!!!

Blessings,

Amy 

Something We Have Always Wanted

We love music! There is just something about the sound of music drifting through the house that makes it feel more homey. Don't you agree?

 For the longest time we have been wanting a piano. When Megan-Ann was around six or seven she took piano lessons for only a few weeks before her piano teacher moved and we never found a replacement. Not sure why we never pursued it... she was young and was not that interested in it, she hated the practice it required so that was that.

Well, a few weeks ago my Dad called and asked if we wanted his upright piano. They purchased a farm a couple of years ago and the piano was bought along with a lot of other antiques at that time from the previous owner who was down sizing. No one plays the piano at my Dad's house and they figured we might use it. WHY OF COURSE WE WOULD!!!

Megan was thrilled!!!!  So this weekend we went and picked it up along with a few other pieces I am excited about. (I'll get to those in another post...)

Isn't it pretty??? It is old but in great shape.. Not sure how old.. I need to do some research.

Can you tell that Megan-Ann is just like her Momma she could not wait to decorate the top of this beauty.  I think she did a pretty good job don't you?  I think the statues on the sconces are quite fitting and add a nice touch to our little music area.

 

(There are a few scratches you  can see on the bench seat... a mishap while it was being transported from my Dad's home to ours...eek!! My Dad won't be too pleased....but I am just glad it got here in one piece.)

Anyway as soon as it was moved in and decorated properly it was show time... We were serenaded with a lovely rendition of Hot Cross Buns.. (the only song she remembers from her previous lessons..HAHA!!!)

Of course my littles could not wait to get their hands on it as well.

I am anticipating the day of Mozart, Beethoven, old Time Hymns and Christmas Carols  playing on this piano!!!!

Blessings,
Amy