Make your own laundry soap!

I have seen many recipes lately on the Internet, but they were all basically the same. This is the way I made mine!

Heat 4 cups of water on the stove to almost boil
Add 1 bar of soap shredded I use Dove
Heat until bar is dissolved
I use a 5 gallon bucket (with a lid)
Add 3 gallons of hot water to bucket
stir in soapy water from stove top
stir in 1 cup of arm and hammer washing soda
stir in 1 cup of borax
Let it sit overnight to cool. I usually wait 2 days.

I bought a large pack of soap, borax, the washing soda, metal shredder, and bucket. All of it cost me under 15$. I don't know how much money I have saved but it is a lot!

I reuse the jug from the last bottle of detergent I bought, and just refill it from the bucket. I will have to keep track this time to see how many times I refill the jug. I know the jug cost me around 5 dollars. I have already saved more than enough to pay for the supplies listed above.

I have not noticed any difference using my detergent versus the store bought. (I still have problems with stains, I have 2 toddlers! I don't know if I will ever get rid of all their stains!) If you have any hints on that let me know! If you like scented stuff you can add oils to the mix, but I don't know how much since I haven't done that yet. I am thinking about using lavender! I love the way it smells.

I have no idea why I didn't start doing this before. I still have tons left to make more! This is so easy and fun! Evie helped me this time. She was so happy to help cook! I measured the water then put it into a large bowl. I gave her a measuring cup and she put the water into the pan before I cooked it! Then she helped stir at the end!

Couch Crummies!

Evie was standing on the couch this morning when one of the cushions slipped, revealing the nasty mess of what can only be called "crummies". She looked down and the face she made was priceless. I wish I had been video taping! She exclaimed, "Oh, Gross Mommy! Clean it up!"

What could I do? I cleaned it up! In fact I cleaned the entire couch! Thanks drill sergeant Evie! Sometimes you just need a little motivation to get you moving! I have been cleaning all day now, only stopping right now to post while the tots eat lunch!

Christmas Aftermath!

Three days after Christmas and I still haven't fully recovered. The tree and all the decorations are already put away. I had to we needed the space for all the toys. This is no exaggeration our house could give toys "r" us a run for their money. We are swimming in toys. I need a new set of shelves to have a place to put all the toys. Santa visited our house and both grandparents house. Apparently nobody got the message that they didn't need toys, but really needed clothes. I guess next year we will give clothes and let everyone else buy the toys.

I have a ton of laundry to do. All most 2 weeks worth. We spent 5 days in Michigan at my in-laws, but due to the blizzard the pipes to their washer froze and we couldn't do laundry. Then we were to busy with Christmas so the pile keeps growing and growing. I don't want to even try to mess with it now it is so bad. It is going to take me forever to fold it all! What a Christmas present!

The worst part is the more I clean the more I have to clean because no one is watching the kids when mommy is busy cleaning. I don't know what daddy is doing so don't ask. I think football is on. Football is always on! So once I clean one thing I go back to clean up, pick up toys, toys, and more toys. You wouldn't even think they could play with so many toys, but some how they play with all of them in a very short period of time. Thank God everything is basically organized now! I still need a new shelving unit. I want something 3 feet high with 3 shelves and about 6 feet long. That way the toys can be within reach, but at the same time have a place where they belong! Wish me luck.