Powdered Laundry Detergent

Top load machine

1   Fels-Naptha soap bar

1  Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*

½  Cup Borax

-Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered. Mix all ingredients. For light load, use 1 Tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 Tablespoons. Yields: 3 Cups detergent. (Approx. 40 loads)

*I make this recipe for my grandma.  I've found processing several bars of soap at once and storing in an air tight container is more practical.  

*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" -  Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!

TIPS FOR LAUNDRY SOAP: I have only used Fels-Naptha  bar soap in the homemade soap recipes, but you can use Ivory, Sunlight, Kirk's Hardwater Castile or Zote bars. Don't use perfumed soaps. We buy Fels-Naptha by the case from Amazon. Washing Soda and Borax can often be found on the laundry or cleaning aisle. Recipe cost approx. $2 per batch.

Liquid Laundry Soap

I made this on a whim one day after watching an episode of 19 and Counting. Say what you will about large families like the Duggars but they have the best money saving tips.  Most of my inspiration has come from large family bloggers like the Duggars. Our household has been on homemade laundry soap since 2010 and I just  made batch number in March.  Little did I realize when I made my first batch how incredibly easy it is and inexpensive.  The recipe and instructions are outlined below with a few lessons learned along the way.

 Front or top load machine-best value

hot tap water

1  Fels-Naptha soap bar

1 Cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*

½ Cup Borax

- Grate 1 bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted. I found a used food processor at a yard sale and use the "S" blade to grind my soap.  Much faster and less labor intensive.  The amount of water you use here really is not that important.  You really just need enough to melt the soap and dilute the other ingredients in the next step.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir again, cover and let sit overnight to thicken. I have found the best thing to stir is a power drill and paint/grout paddle.  

-Stir again and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (it will continue to gel)

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)

-HE Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!

I did a cost comparison when I first made this and it came out to 1/2 of 1 cent per load.  

I've since stopped using fabric softener all together.  We only use white vinegar.  Not only does the vinegar keep your machine clean but it removes any soap buildup in your fabrics.

http://duggarfamily.com/ 

Chest Rubs

Late last year in the midst of flu and cold season I was asked if I'd ever made a chest rub? Never thought about, I'm rarely sick.  Besides that $2.00 jar of Vic's isn't chalked full of much right? What I never knew or though about is Vic's is a petroleum based product.   


There are three sites below that I frequent often and all had varying recipes. If I make this again next year I'm going to branch out and try the Keeper of the Home recipe using beeswax.  Anytime I am sourcing out a new product I use the rule of 3's and see what and how everyone else is doing it and go from there.   


This is so easy you'll wish you did it sooner.


Start with a base oil, I liked coconut because of the solid consistency, but olive oil works too.  There is no real measuring, scoop out a spoonful into an air tight leak proof container. Mix in 5 or so drops of Eucalyptus essential oil.  Use more or less to your need and tolerance to the scent and severity of stuffiness.  If you are using this for a younger child start with less is more.


No sooner I finished up this recipe my whole household came down with upper respiratory infections.  I pulled out the little container and slathered it on me and Alora's chest and nose. My funny guy husband wouldn't use it until he knew this stuff wasn't going to make his feet fall off or something.  Nonetheless everyone in our house still has feet and he applied it to Alora's nose and chest throughout most of the winter. 


Replace your humidifier vapor packs with drops of eucalyptus.  As you get more comfortable in mixing essential oils mix it with other scents for added effectiveness. Some mixes are a science and others are just preference.    


http://wholenewmom.com/recipes/homemade-vicks-vapor-rub-natural-decongestant-chest-rub/
http://adelightfulhome.com/kiss-vapo-rub-goodbye-–-diy-chest-rub/  
http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2011/11/homemade-herbal-vapor-rub-to-relieve-coughs-and-congestion.html

Refresh your mattress

When I arrived at my current deployed location I dropped my bags next to the twin bunk bed I would call mine for the next six months and tried to block out the number of people who had previously slept on that bed over the years.....gross, gag, yuk.... I had planned ahead knowing I was not lucky enough to find a new mattress in my room so I took out my premixed mattress fresh mix and prepped my bed.  I repeat this every week when I change my sheets.

Mix 1 cup baking soda and 5-8 drops of Tea Tree essential oil and allow to dry.
Put in a shaker
Shake on desired amount

When you change your sheets shake the powder onto your mattress for a refresh.  Tea Tree oil is antimicrobial and antibacterial.  

At home use the scent of your choice.  Just make sure it's something you want smell while your in dreamland.

Publishing Day

At the request of all my Facebook friends, new and old I'm publishing this blog just for you.  My goal is to publish one new "Clean N' Green" recipe and idea a day for you.  So you to can reap the benefits of a toxic free home all while keeping your hard earned money in your hands.  For the time being I'm deployed someplace in Southwest Asia so my accessibility to ingredients is limited to what I can get mailed  from Amazon or pick up locally on morale trips.  Bare with me if the common ingredients listing gets redundant.  After all there are a thousand uses for Basking Soda!

Here's the disclaimer upfront: 99% of the things I post I have learned from other Crunchy's and I've tweaked it to my liking or needs.  If another blogger has variations I'll provide them, always giving credit where credit is due.  Not all cleaning products will work the same depending on your water quality and cleaning surfaces.

Advice from a self proclaimed crazy.....Don't feel like you have to dump everything in your house in the trash all at once.  Make small changes daily, weekly, monthly and within the year you'll be amazed at the outcome.  I made my first batch of homemade laundry soap the summer of 2010 and the rest is blog history!    

Replacing Baby Powder

Cornstarch is a great replacement for baby power.  It has been used for years to combat perspiration and chaffing.  Most of our parents if not grandparents used it on our bottoms.


I'll try to leave my rants about big business and government regulations out of my posts.  The Internet is full of  information so take a minute after you read each post and research for yourself the ingredients in commercial products so you can make your own decision to switch.  


Talc or Talcum is the main ingredient in commercially produced powders, again I'll let you do your own research....it should concern you. If it doesn't read the MSDS.  Even commercially products "cornstarch" formulas contain other active ingredients that do not benefit you.


Use it plain or dress it up with your favorite essential oil.  If you've never used essential oils before there are a couple links below to get you started.   


Blend desired amount of cornstarch with essential oil of choice
Pour contents into a shakable container (old spice shaker) lined with a piece of tulle. 
Note: the tulle provides a finer powder sprinkle)
Whatever you use doesn't have to be fancy, just a way to shake out the powder.
Allow the mix to dry up over a couple days and shake away.


Mix 5-8 skin safe essential oil drops depending on the type of oil and amount of cornstarch used.

http://www.naturesgift.com/

http://www.essential-oil-mama.com/

Your new powder is ready for your whole family. 


Cost Savings 
Johnson &Johnson Baby power costs $3.48 for 15oz
Argo cornstarch costs $1.98 for 16oz

Basic Shampoo & Conditioner

I wholeheartedly believe that what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in it.  This concept became undoubtedly clear a couple summers ago while grooming my horse a local stable.  One of the other horse owners annoyed with the flies in the dead of summer doused herself with Pyranha fly spray.  This particular spray is an industry leader and contains some of the worst chemicals.  For years I've sprayed my horse repeatedly throughout the summer months with various sprays never giving any real thought about how it was being absorbed into the skin, after all our skin is porous and our largest organ.  That leads me to today's post about homemade shampoo and conditioner.

I've been using homemade shampoo/conditioner exclusively for two months now and the results amazing; strong, silky, and thick hair. Today I noticed golden strands gleaming in the summer shine.

The first few washes I mixed roughly 2 teaspoons baking soda with water and worked into my scalp and spritzed with apple cider vinegar.  After the fizzing stopped I worked my hands through my hair making sure all my hair was coated.  Then rinsed like normal.  I did this every couple days for maybe a week.  You want to allow the baking soda to strip the build up of hair product and artificial oils from your hair.  Just be cautious that baking soda will dry your hair out if you are using too much.

Over the week you may notice your hair becoming oilier then normal this is because your natural oils are coming out and are no longer stripped from commercial shampoos.  If you notice this reduce the amount of baking soda and increase the vinegar.  You can also use a small dab of vitamin E or apricot oil after your final rinse.

Now that I am past that and feel free to skip the previous stage if you'd like. What I use daily or every other day as needed.    

Seeing how I am deployed my measurements are estimates.  Using a water bottle I took good size drink and for hydration and made my mix.

Mix 1 tbsp baking soda & 2 tbsp Dr. Bonners castile soap dilute to a bottle of water and shake. Add your ingredients to a spray bottle.  I use a spray bottle to apply.  The castile soap gives the shampoo and nice texture for working a lather into your hair.  Depending on the type of hair you have and damage you might decide adding additional castile soap is right for you.  

Apple cider vinegar is great for leave in or rinse out conditioner.  The smell disputes while your hair dries.  Not only is apple cider vinegar a great conditioner it is a natural detangler.  

From time to time, I use a dot of vitamin E or apricot oil to add additional hydration to my hair.  I'm currently in a high humidity climate so these treatments are few and far between.  

I'll post additional shampoo variations in later posts.

Cost Savings: 

Apple Cider Vinegar: 16fl oz $2.22

Baking Soada: 13.5lb bag $6.00 (Costco)

Dr. Bonners Castile Soap: 32fl oz $14.99

Take a look at this site for a list of commonly used shampoo ingredients. 

http://www.savvyskin.com/shampoo-ingredients-to-avoid 

Pyranha MSDS: http://www.pyranhainc.com/pdf/ZERO-BITE%202011%20MSDS.pdf