Laundry Detergent Recipe
This recipe was recommended by the Duggers on their TV show. I just made a different powdered version to try it out, but i will be making this liquid from now on. It is considerably cheaper to take the extra time and make the extra space for the liquid. Also from what I have read it is safe for baby clothes and diapers
Ingredients
- 4 Cups Hot Tap Water
- 1 Fels-Naptha Bar
(this being a laundry bar, it is best, but you can also use Zote or Ivory...avoid heavily scented bars because it can cause itching and/or oil spots. Found in the Laundry Isle)
- 1 cup washing soda
(This not the same thing as baking soda...it contains different chemicals (Sodium Carbonate) and will not work in the same way. It is found in the Laundry isle)
- 1/2 c. Borax
(Also in the Laundry Isle. I have made this with 1 cup before.)
- 5 gallon bucket with a lid
- Paint stir stick or wooden dowel
Directions
- Grate Bar of Soap and add to saucepan with the 4 cups of hot water. Stir constantly over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
- Fill the 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda, and Borax. Stir well with paint stick until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir again, cover, and let sit over night to thicken.
- Take a used, but clean laundry soap dispenser (or my personal favorite a gallon plastic pitcher with a nozzle in the bottom) and fill it halfway with homemade soap. Fill the rest of the way with water. Stir/Shake before each use. It will gel between uses.
Yields: 10 gallons (5 gallons concentrate + 5 gallons water)
Top Load Machine - 5/8 cup per load (Approx: 180 loads)
Front Load Machine - 1/4 cup per load (Approx: 640 loads)
Math: US average for Soap ($3.00), Soda (1/6 av. box which is $3 a box so for 1 c. around .50), Borax (1/16 box which is $3 so (.18 or about .20)
Total Cost of Ingredients around $3.70
Top Load Machine - 2 cents a load!
Front Load Machine - 1/2 cent a load!
On walmart.com Tide for regular washers is around $18 for 90 loads or....20 cents a load!
Over the course of 180 loads thats a savings of...$33
(180 loads = 2 $18 containers of tide Thats 2 x 18 = $36 worth of Laundry Detergent for $3.70
On walmart.com Tide for front load washers is around $12 for 60 loads or... 20 cents a load!
Over the course of 640 loads thats a savings of...$124
(640 loads = 10.67 $12 containers of tide Thats 10.67 x 12 = $128 worth of Laundry Detergent for $3.70
NOTE: Sometimes whites will become dingy after repeated washings with this detergent. That is because they are becoming "too clean" and actually washing away the ingredients added to whites to make them bright. This can easily be fixed by adding bluing. (I believe it too is found in the laundry isle)
Fabric Softener
Vinegar is one of the best household items! You can add it to your rinse cycle to work not only as a fabric softener but also as a color setter. Dark jeans hold their color longer when washed in vinegar.
Oh and it doesn't stink when it's finished washing! :)
Dryer Sheets
1 Container of Name Brand Fabric Softener (One time when you can't use vinegar)
4 Cheap Sponges
1 5 Gallon Bucket with Lid
Pour Entire container of softener into bucket. Then fill empty container with water 2 more times adding each filling to the bucket making the mixture 1 part softener to 2 parts water. Then toss the sponges into the mix.
Each time you need a dryer sheet squeeze extra mixture from a sponge and toss it in to the dryer with your wet clothes just like you would a dryer sheet. When done return to bucket for next use.
I have not completed a whole cycle of this yet, but when I do I'll post a comparison. I figure it will blow the raising cost of dryer sheets out of the water.
Dishwasher Detergent Recipe
This is a great recipe to make using the leftover ingredients from your laundry detergent.
1/2 c. Borax
1/2 c. Washing Soda
1/2 c. Citric Acid (Or you can use unsweetened Lemonade)
1/2 c. Kosher Salt
Combine ingredients and use 1-2 tbsp. in the dispenser.
For best results add vinegar either to the rinse cycle or in the "jet dry" dispenser. Way cheaper and actually more effective!
Got any great household recipes? Please Share :)
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Time Management
Once we got back from the trip, I have been struggling with time management on a whole new level. I can't seem to get anything done: the blog, my chores, going to the gym, mailing packages, knitting, spending time with friends, going to scheduled events, bible study, you name it! Gosh...I'm swamped. So rather than continue at this crazy pace...I've gone back to the basics and spent all day coming up with a solution. Its not that I don't have enough time; it's that I manage it very poorly.
I've been working on a new schedule. Hourly break downs of what I should be doing when and where I will be when. Once I complete my publisher file on time management, I'll see if I can link it. Maybe you guys are having problems with time management as well.
So I apologize for not posting anything, but a blog, even though it hopefully helps others, is easier to push aside. But in my new schedule I've set side time every day to work on it as well as most of Monday to post your couponing matchups!
Be praying for me as I try to tackle my new schedule! Hopefully you'll see a new, less stressed Shawntee' emerge!
I've been working on a new schedule. Hourly break downs of what I should be doing when and where I will be when. Once I complete my publisher file on time management, I'll see if I can link it. Maybe you guys are having problems with time management as well.
So I apologize for not posting anything, but a blog, even though it hopefully helps others, is easier to push aside. But in my new schedule I've set side time every day to work on it as well as most of Monday to post your couponing matchups!
Be praying for me as I try to tackle my new schedule! Hopefully you'll see a new, less stressed Shawntee' emerge!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Back from vacation
I'm back from vacation! What a wonderful time we had!
I will start the new drugstore coupon match-ups next week, but I will begin posting deals and freebies as soon as I see them!
Thanks for being patient with my site while I was gone. :)
I will start the new drugstore coupon match-ups next week, but I will begin posting deals and freebies as soon as I see them!
Thanks for being patient with my site while I was gone. :)
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Vacation Drug Store Deals
I am currently at home in AR on vacation, so I will not personally be doing the ad match-ups this week. You can click the link below to see the drug store deals. I would also check them for Black Friday deals as well.
My Frugal Adventures Walgreens post
Moms By Heart CVS Post
For the Mommas RiteAid Post
These are not local NY sites so they may not match up. Also, sometimes they post deals that really aren't that great as far as drug stores go, but they are great sites! Generally I pull the best of several sites plus what I find into this blog. The best of all combined into one!
Miss you guys and be back soon!
My Frugal Adventures Walgreens post
Moms By Heart CVS Post
For the Mommas RiteAid Post
These are not local NY sites so they may not match up. Also, sometimes they post deals that really aren't that great as far as drug stores go, but they are great sites! Generally I pull the best of several sites plus what I find into this blog. The best of all combined into one!
Miss you guys and be back soon!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
This week's FREE stuff!
After couponing at CVS, Walgreens, and RiteAid these are the things that I got for FREE! Not mail in free, or a rewards coupon, or anything. I PAID nothing! I didn't have to spend a dime to get these for free! Instant free stuff!
This is $58.18 worth of free stuff!!
(I got a tube of lipstick I forgot to take a pic of)
Not only that, but it's stuff I would normally buy. I use soap, deodorant, moisturizer, shampoo, and bathroom spray! Now when I run out...I refer to my stockpile to replenish for free!!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Walgreens Ad Coupon Matchups Nov. 14 - Nov. 20
Walgreens Ad Coupon Matchups Nov. 14 - Nov. 20
Cheez Its, Pecan Sandies, Club Crackers, Austin Crackers (single serving) - .69
Use $1/2 Keebler Crackers from 11/14 RP
(Check the box size restrictions)
Total: .19 ea.
Vicks Nyquil or Dayquil 2/$10
Get $5 Register Reward (RR)
Use (2) $1.50/1 from 10/31 PG
Total: $1 ea.
Folgers 11.3oz Coffee - $2.50
Use $1/1 Folgers Product from 11/07 RP
Total: $1.50
Kraft Sandwich Shop Mayo - $1.99
Use $.50/1 Kraft Sandwich Shop from 11/14 SS
Total: $1.49
Stouffer's Lean Cuisine, Hot Pockets 2/$5
Get $1 RR
Use (2) $1/1 Sideshots coupon from facebook
Total: $1 ea
DiGiorno Pizza 2/$10
Get $1 RR on 2
Use (2) $1/1 Digiorno Pizza from 11/14 RP
Total: $3.50 ea
Gain Dish Soap - .89 with in ad coupon
Use $1/1 Gain Dish from 10/31 PG
or use $1/1 Gain Dish from PG Rebate Coupon Book
Total: FREE
Ziploc Bags $1.99 with in ad coupon
Use $1/2 from 11/14 SS
Total: $1.49 ea
Walgreens foil 20ft .69 with in ad coupon
Wisk Laundry Soap - $6.99
Get $2 RR
Use $2/1 Laundry Detergent from 10/24 RP
Total: $2.99
Energizer 10pk Batteries - $5.99
Get $1 RR
and use $1/1 Energizer Batteries from 10/03 SS
Total: $3.99
Scotch Magic Tape (3pk) - $1.99
Use $1/3 Scotch Magic tape from 8/08 SS
Total: $1.66 ea. (or .55 a roll)
M&Ms 4/$10
Get $5 RR Back
Use $1/1 Facebook Coupons (if pretzels M&M are included)
or use $1/2 from 11/14 RP
Total: as low as .25 a bag (depends on how many coupons you can print)
Total: 1.25 w/out coupons! Still good!
Mint Meltaways or Cherry Cordial 4/$10
Get $5 RR
Total: $1.25 ea.
Buy 3 Participating Items at $6.99 and Get $7 RR Back
- Olay Cleansers or Moisturizers $6.99
Use $2/1 Olay Facial Cleanser from 11/14 RP
or Use $1/1 from PG Rebate Coupon Book
- Gillette Simply Venus Razors $6.99
- CoverGirl Clean Foundation, Shineblast Lip Gloss, Lashblast Mascara $6.99
Use $1/1 CoverGirl Product from 10/31 PG
or use $1/1 from PG Rebate Coupon Book
DEAL IDEA
Buy 3 Olay at $6.99
Use (3) $2/1 Facial Cleanser from 11/14 RP
Get $5 RR Back
Total: $9.97 for 3 or $3.32 ea.
Infusium $5.99
Get $3 RR
and use $1/1 from 11/14 SS
Total: $1.99
Colgate Maxfresh, Total, Maxwhite, or Enamel Strength Toothpaste - $1.99
Use $1/1 Select Colgate Toothpaste from 10/31
or use .75/1 Colgate Toothpaste from 10/31
or use .71/1 Select Colgate Toothpast froom ALL YOU Oct
Total: as low as .99
Kids Eeze Cough and Cold Drop - $4.99
Get $4.99 RR
Total: FREE
True 2 Go Blood Glucose Monitor $9.99
Get $9.99 back from mail in rebate on box
Total: FREE
Enfamil Powdwer $21.99 with in ad coupon
Use $5/1 Printable Coupon
Final Price: $16.99
Ecotrin 45ct $1.99 with in ad coupon
Use $2/1 Ecotrin Asprin Product from 10/10 RP
Total: FREE
Nabisco Crackers 2/$5
Use $1/2 Walgreens coupon book (in store next to ad)
and use (2) $1/1 Wheat Thins Coupons from Facebook
Total: $1 ea.
AirWick imotion or freshmatic 50% off
Use $4/1 Air Wick Printable
or use $2/1 Air Wick Freshmatic Compact Imotion Kit from 10/24 SS
Total: Possibly Free (imotion)
Campbell's Gravy (in a can) .50 with in ad coupon
Use .50/4 from 11/7 SS
Total: .38 ea.
Betty Crocker Box Potatoes .99 with in ad coupon
Use .50/2 Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes from 10/03 GM
Total: .74
French's Fried Onion 2.8oz .99
Use .50/1 Printable
or .50/1 Frenchs French Fried Onion 11/07
Total: .49 ea.
Campbell's Cream of Mushroom or Chicken Soup - .80 ea
Use $1.50/3 Printable Coupon
Total: .30
CVS Coupon Match-Ups week Nov. 14 - Nov 20
$1/1 Mentos Gum from 10/3 SS
Total: FREE
iTunes Gift Cards -
Spend $25 get $5 ECB (extra care bucks - coupons on your receipt for next time)
Oral B Vitality - $23
Get $13 ECB
$10/1 Oral B-Toothbrush from 11/14 RP
Total: FREE
Stove Top Stuffing - 6oz - .88
$1/2 Stove Top Products (I couldn't get it to print)
Total: .38 ea.
Fiber One Chewy Bars, 5ct - $3.99
$3 ECB (limit 1)
.50/2 Fiber One Chewy Bars from 11/14 GM (you would have to buy 2 and you won't get the second $3 ECB)
.50/1 Fiber One Chewy Bars Printable Coupon
(I couldn't get this to work either...but $1 a box is awesome!!)
Total: As low as .49!
Unilever Products
Best Foods Mayonnaise 2/$6, Lipton Teas 2/$5, Skippy 3/$5, or Ragu 3/$5
Spend 10 get $3 ECB
.60 Lipton from 11/14 RP
.75/2 Skippy Peanut Butter from 11/14 RP
Free Pasta wyb 2 Ragu Pasta Sauce from 11/14 RP
DEAL IDEA
Buy 6 Skippy Peanut Butter at $1.66 ea.
Use (3) .75/2 from 11/14 RP
Get $3 ECB
Total: $4.75 or .79 ea!
Blistex
Five Star, DCT, Complete Moisture, Lip Medix, Herbal Answer or Medicated Oinment
(Lip Medix is 2.29)
Earn $1.50 ECB (Limit 1)
Use $1/2 Blistex from 11/14 SS
Total: $2.08 for 2
Heinz Gravy, 12oz - .88
Total: .55 ea.
Oral Care Products
Spend $10 get $5 ECB (limit 2)
- Aquafresh Iso-Active (4.3oz) or Sensodyne (4oz) - $4.99
.75/1 Sensodyne Product from 9/26 RP
- Polident or Poligrip - $5
$1/2 Polident or Super Poligrip Products Printable
$1/2 Polident or Poligrip from 10/31 RP
- Aquafresh Toothpaste (5.6-6oz) - $3
.50/1 Aquafresh Premium Toothpaste from 10/31 RP
- Biotene Toothpaste, Mouthwash, or Sensodyne Iso-Active (4.3) - $6.50
$1/1 Aquafresh Iso-Active Foaming Gel from 10/31 RP
$1/1 Biotene Product
Kellogg's 2/$4
Raisin Bran, Corn Flakes, Corn Pops, Apple Jacks, Froot Loops, Cocoa or Rice Krispies
$2 ECB wyb 2
$1/3 Kellogg's Ceral from 11/14 RP
$1.50/3 Kellogg's Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, Froot Loops, or Frosted Flakes from 11/14 RP
$1/2 Kellogg's Rice Krispies or Cocoa Krispies Cereals from 10/17 RP
Total: as low as $1 ea!
Buy a Maybelline Eyeliner or Volume Express Mascara get a Cosmetic Bag Free
$1/1 Maybelline New York Mascara from 10/10 RP and 10/31 RP
$1/1 Maybelline New York Eyeshadow or Eyeliner from 10/10 RP
Rimmel B1G1 50% off
Buy 1 Shadow Get 1 Free from ALL YOU, Nov.
$3/1 Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara, from ALL YOU, Nov.
$2/1 Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara from ALL YOU, Oct.
$1/1 Rimmel Lash Accelertor Printable Coupon
$1/1 Rimmel Foundation from 8/2
Spend $25 on select Olay Facial Care get $10 ECB
+ Get $20 rebate wyb $50
Olay ProX - $8
Olay ProX Kit - $59
Various Olay Moisturizers
Olay Definity Facial Care $24
RiteAid Coupon Match-Ups Nov. 14 - Nov 20
RiteAid Coupon Match-Ups Nov. 14 - Nov 20
My Favorites!
Aussie or Herbal Essences - $2.99
Get $2 UP+
Use $1/1 Select Aussie or Herbal Essences from 11/14 RP
or use $1/1 from PG Rebate Coupon Book
Total: FREE to .50
Pepsi 12-pk - 3/$12
Get $3 UP+ when you buy 3
Total: 3/$9 or $3
General Mills Cereal or Nature Valley Granola Bars - $2
Get $1 UP+ wyb 2
Use $1/2 Select General Mills Cereals from 10/31 SS
or Use .75/1 Select Fiber One Cereals from 10/10 SS
DEAL IDEA
Buy 2 Cinnamon Toast Crunch for $4
Get $1 UP+
Total: $1 ea.
Huggies Diapers - $8.99
Get $3 UP+
and use $1 Video Values Coupon (you'll have to login/create account)
Total: As low as $1.99
Luvs Diapers - $16.99
Get $3 UP+
Use $1/1 from PG Rebate Coupon Book
Total: $11.99
Arm & Hammer Spin Brush - $8.99
B1G1 Free
Use (2) $2/1 from 8/22 SS
or Use (2) $2/1 Printable Coupon
Total: $4.99 or $2.49 ea.
Colgate Total Advanced or Wisp or 360 Toothbrush - 3 for $6.99
Get $2 UP+ wyb 3
use $1/1 Colgate Total Product Rite Aid Printable (you'll need to create an account/login)
use $1/1 Colgate 360 Toothbrush Rite Aid Printable (you'll need to create an account/login)
Deal Idea:Buy (2) 360 Toothbrush
Buy (1) Total Toohpaste
Use $1/1 Select Colate Toothpastes from 10/31 SS
Get $2 UP+
Total: FREE FOR ALL 3
Right Guard or Dry Idea - B1G1 Free
Use B1G1 Right Guard or Dry Idea from 10/31 RP
(Yes you can combine a store deal w/ a manuf. deal - it's in their policy)
Total: FREE!
Gain Dish Detergent - $.89
Use $1/1 Gain Dish Liquid for 10/31
or use $1/1 Gain Dish from PG Rebate Coupon Book
Total: FREE!
Betty Crocker Potatoes - $1.50
Get $1 UP+ wyb 2
Use .50/2 Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes from 10/03 GM
Total: .25 ea!
Charmin Basic 12pk - $4.99
Get $1 UP+
Use .25/1 Charmin Product from 10/10 PG
or Use $1/1 from PG Rebate Coupon Book
Total: as low as $2.99
Cheer/Gain Laundry Detergent - $4.99
Get $1 +UP
Use $2/1 Cheer Product from 10/10 PG
or Use $1/1 Gain Laundry Detergent from PG Rebate Coupon Book
Total: As low as $1.99
Ghiradelli Pouches, M&Ms, Holiday Kisses - $2.50
Get $1 +UP wyb 2
Use $1/2 M&M Holiday Product 11/14 RP
Total: $1.50 ea.
Bounty Paper Towels 8pk - $4.99
$1 +UP
Use $1/2 Bounty Product from 10/31 PG
or use .50/1 Bounty Product from 10/31 PG
or use $1/1 from PG Rebate Coupon Book
Total: As low as $2.99 (only .37 a roll!)
MAKE-UP MATCHUPS
Almay Makeup - B1G1 50% off
Get $4 wyb $10
Revlon Cosmetics & Color Tools - B1G1 50% OFF
Get $4 +UP when you buy $10
$2/1 Select Revlon Make Up Items Rite Aid Printable from October
$1/1 Revlon Beauty Tool from Marie Claire, Sept
Covergirl - 30% off
Get $1 +UP Reward
$1/1 CoverGirl Product from PG Rebate Coupon Book
$1/1 CoverGirl Product from 10/31 PG
$1/1 CoverGirl Simply Ageless Product from 10/10 PG
Maybelline - B1G1 50%
Get $3 wyb $10
$3/1 Maybelline Foundation from 11/07 RP
$1/1 Maybelline Products from 11/07 RP
$1/1 Maybelline Mascara from 10/31 RP
$1/1 Maybelline Mascara from 10/10 RP
$1/1 Maybelline Eyeshadow or Liner from 10/10 RP
and ad to these RiteAid
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Walgreens, RiteAid, CVS, and Price Chopper to come!
You're weekly coupon matchups will be here soon!
Next week I am going on vacation and I don't think I'll have any time to post. With that being said I'll provide you links for each store so you won't miss out on a thing!!
Also, I will try to post black friday sales! (Hoping for a tree!)
Anything you are hoping to find on sale black friday? I'll see what I can find for you!
Next week I am going on vacation and I don't think I'll have any time to post. With that being said I'll provide you links for each store so you won't miss out on a thing!!
Also, I will try to post black friday sales! (Hoping for a tree!)
Anything you are hoping to find on sale black friday? I'll see what I can find for you!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Try Artisian Rolls for Free!
Apparently you can try the new Pepperidge Farm Artisian Rolls for free! They have a pull tab on them that you mail in! (Make sure to see if you have to mail in your receipt and if it has to be in cash)
Thanks Jeanne!
Thanks Jeanne!
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