I think everyone today would like to save money. Let's face it our economy sucks right now! and if we can save a couple bucks on anything we are going to try our hardest. I know with my family of 4 we have a tight budget and scrimp where we can. So what better way to scrimp..on household products! I have been researching on making my own household products such as laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, fabric softener, and household cleaners, what always kept me from doing it was, how hard is to find these products, Is it worth it? Yes, yes it is so worth it!
In this blog I am going to give you my review on all the products I have made. And most supplies can be found at Walmart or the Commissary.
Laundry Detergent
*Safe for HE machines*
What you will need for this is
1. 1 bar Fels-Naptha Soap (found in the laundry isle) (you can also you any other bar soap of your liking...I used Ivory bar soap)
2. 3 cups washing soda ( found in the laundry isle)
3. 3 cups Borax ( found in the laundry isle)
4. 1 teaspoon essential oil ( I found this at Whole Foods)
5. Container
Grate the bar of soap. Pour in the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
* Use 2 tablespoons per load*
My review: This works very well. I used an orange essential oil and it gave the clothes a subtle hint of orange. You can use which ever oil you prefer. The detergent cleaned the clothes as well an commercial laundry product. *I have not used this product on heavily stained or soiled clothes*
Prices
Borax: $3.38 at Walmart ( 20 Mule Team)
Washing Soda: $2.99 at Walmart (Arm and Hammer)
Fels-Naptha Soap: $1.12 at Walmart
Or if you choose Ivory bar soap: .97 at Walmart
Essential oil: This will vary with which ever oil you choose, but the orange oil: $3.59 ( Whole Foods)
Fabric Softener
You will need
1. 6 cups water
2. 3 cups white vinegar
3. 2 cups hair conditioner
4. 1 gallon container
Mix all ingredients
* Do not shake*
My review: I was worried when I first used that my clothes may have a vinegar smell to them. Do not worry you can not even tell when you clothes are dry that you used vinegar. Works very well not static on any of my clothes including my fleece sweat shirts.
Prices
White vinegar: $2.00
Hair conditioner: Will vary with which one you pick
Dishwasher Detergent
You will need
1. 1 box Borax (76 oz)
2. 1 box Washing Soda (55 oz)
3. 24 packages UNSWEETENED lemonade
4. 3 cups Epsom Salt
5. Container
(Note: In the picture on the container it say 1/2 tablespoon, this is wrong use 1 tablespoon)
Mix all ingredients evenly
* Use 1 Tablespoons per load*
My review: This works extremely well. My dishwasher was on the fritz and I ran this through it with no dishes and it is now working way better. The dishes came out very clean.
Prices
Epsom Salt: $5.00 at Walmart
Borax: $3.38 at Walmart ( 20 Mule Team)
Washing Soda: $2.99 at Walmart (Arm and Hammer)
Antibacterial Spray
1. Water
2. Lavender Essential oil
3. Spray bottle
Fill spray bottle with water and add 60 drops of oil.
My review: I like this cleaner. It doesn't leave you surfaces oil or grimy.
Prices
Lavender oil: $14.99 at Whole Foods (price may vary)
(I did not have Lavender, so I used my Orange since it does a lot of the same things that Lavender does.
All Purpose Cleaner
1. 1 teaspoon Borax
2. 2 tablespoons Vinegar
3. 1/2 teaspoon Washing Soda
4. 1/2 teaspoon Castile Soap
5. 20 drops tea tree oil
6. 2 cups hot water
7. Spray bottle
Shake all ingredients together
My review: This works just as well as any commercial cleaning product.
Price
Borax: $3.38 at Walmart ( 20 Mule Team)Washing Soda: $2.99 at Walmart (Arm and Hammer)
Vinegar: $2.50
Castile Soap: $9.99 at Whole Foods
Tea Tree oil: $6.00
Bath, Sink, & Tile Cleaner
1. 2/3 cup baking soda
2. 1/2 cup Castile Soap
3. 2 Tablespoons White Vinegar
4. 1/2 cup water
5. a few drops tea tree oil
Mix all ingredients together in a container
My review: This works just as well as any commercial cleaning product.
Prices
Baking Soda: $1.00
Vinegar: $2.50Castile Soap: $9.99 at Whole Foods
Tea Tree oil: $6.00
