DIY Fabric Softener in 5 minutes

One of my favorite things about this softener is getting to choose the scent! I don't know about you, but I love the smell of clean laundry! What I don't love: paying buckoo bucks for the scent. This fabric softener is very cheap and easy to make and a little bit goes a long ways!

What you need:
2 cups Hair Conditioner (cheapest you can find in a scent you love! I use Sauve and V05)
3 cups White Vinegar
6 cups Hot Water
Several Drops of Essential Oils (this is optional, sometimes I add it, last time I didn't)
Large Mixing Bowl
Whisk
Measuring Cup
Bottles to hold the Fabric Softner (I re-used some old detergent bottles)

Whisk hot water and conditioner together in bowl until fully incorporated.

Add in vinegar and essential oil (if using). Mix until combined.

Pour mixture into container of choice (I like to re-use an old fabric softener bottle because then I can use the measurement cap).

We add half a capful to each load of laundry.

Super easy and super cheap with a customize-able scent (I love mixing Lavender and Vanilla conditioners together)! What scents would you use?

Easy DIY Super Concentrated Laundry Detergent

We've been making and using our own laundry detergent for about 6 months now. I got sick of paying $8-10 per bottle and was determined to find a cheaper way. The internet is loaded with various recipes, most of which are pretty similar. We started out by making the regular strength detergent. The first gallon was such a success that I made a batch big enough to fill about 5 gallons worth. I made the 5 gallons in September and we just ran out this week (in February). During those 5 months, I stumbled across a few recipes for super concentrated laundry detergent.

The only thing I didn't care for with my old detergent recipe was that it would separate and we would have to shake it up really well before each load. Not to mention, housing 5 gallons of laundry detergent does take up a bit of space. The advantage with the concentrate is that it can be stored in a single quart sized mason jar. Another thing I loved is that both recipes use the same ingredients, so I didn't have to go out and buy something new! I went off of this recipe. As usual, I tweaked the recipe a bit to fit my needs and what I had on hand.  

What you need:

1/2 bar of Fels Naptha Laundry Soap

2/3 cup Super Washing Soda

2/3 cup Borax

3 cups Hot Water (plus a little more for later)

Bowl

Soup Pot

Grater
Wooden Spoon or Wisk
Measuring Cup
Quart Sized Mason Jar
Blender

Heat 3 cups of water to boiling. Meanwhile grate the bar of soap.

Mix the Borax and Washing Soda together in a bowl.

Once the water is boiling, pour in the grated soap and stir till all melted. This will take about 10 minutes.

Take soup pot off the heat and pour in the powder mix. You want to make sure the powder fully incorporates or else the detergent will be grainy. Stir until you don't feel any more grit on the bottom of the pan.

Pour mixture into the mason jar. Fill the jar with warm water till its about an inch or two from the top.

Cap and set upside down on the counter. Let sit for about 4 hours.

After 4 hours, pour into a blender and whip. The consistency should look like mayonnaise. Pour back into the jar and label.

We've been using 2 teaspoons per load (plus our homemade fabric softener) and its been working great!

Check back later this week for our DIY Fabric Softener recipe!

DIY Reusable Household Cleaning Wipes

One of my first DIY home cleaning projects was reusable wipes. I'm a sucker for things like Clorox wipes and used them to clean everything from the kitchen to the bathroom. When the budget is tight however, I really can't afford them and that's when I went searching for something I could make myself.

There are lots of ideas and recipes for DIY wipes. Some people use paper towels and pine sol, but that sounded too expensive to me. Plus I wanted something a little more natural. Then I came across the idea of using old cut up t-shirts to make reusable wipes.

I found some old holey undershirts that were ready to be tossed and cut them up. I wasn't too precise on the size; I mostly wanted to get as many wipes out of the shirts as I could. I got about 40 wipes out of 4 or 5 (man size) tank tops.

Sanitizing Wipes

What you need:

2 cups water

1 cup white vinegar

3 1/2 tbsp dawn dish soap

1 large container with a lid (I used a Glad-ware container)

Place a stack of cloths into the container. I put about 20, but you could easily put more. Then measure out your cleaning ingredients and mix well (a glass measuring cup works well for this part).

Pour the mixture over the towel. I try to pour some around the edges, as well as the middle because it helps coat everything more evenly. Then put the lid on and give it a good shake. 

They are ready for use! I usually give each wipe a little squeeze over the container before using it just to drain the excess liquid. I designated a little basket in the laundry room for used wipes. When we're running low on wipes or the little basket looks full, I just toss them in with my towels. 

This amount of mix will last for more than one batch. After the wipes are washed, I just put a little stack together, stick them under the existing wipes in the container, and give it a good shake so that the cleaning mix permeates the new wipes. We typically use these wipes to clean up the kitchen counters and stove.

Disinfectant Wipes

What you need:

2 1/4 cups water

2 1/4 cups method antibac

1 reusable container

Along with the sanitizing wipes, I also wanted to make sure I had something that I trusted to get rid of germs from raw meat and for wiping down things like the toilet. I didn't want a super harsh or smelly chemical like bleach (which I'm allergic to) or pine sol. So I just looked through the cleaning products I had on hand. When I came across the method antibac (which has a lovely, gentle spearmint smell), I was hooked. 

The process is the same as with the sanitizing wipes. Put a stack of wipes in the container, mix up your cleaning solution, pour cleaning solution into container, and then give it a couple of good shakes with the lid on. 

This amount of solution will also make more than just the initial amount of wipes. The first time I made them, I stuffed 18 cloths into my container. Since then, I've probably refilled it with cloths 2 or 3 times and haven't had to add solution. I also find it handy to just write the recipe on the back of the container, that way you never forget and if you're not around, someone else can refill the container themselves. =)