Cleaning & Organizing

Homemade Laundry Soap

09/07/2011 10:02 am · 23 comments

This is a post my friend Lori did on her blog Moms By Heart. She has a great blog out of Texas, make sure you check it out. She has great ideas, she even makes her own laundry soap. I have many friends that do this. They all swear it works great, and it is super Thrifty!
Homemade Laundry Soap

With a family of seven, laundry is a big part of my life. Despite the fact that I have a huge high efficiency washer, I’m still  doing an average of two loads per day. So when it was time to trim the fat from our budget, laundry soap was one of the first things I looked at for savings.I found several recipes, and most sounded pretty messy. As much as I want to save, I have no interest in standing over a stove stirring big batches of soap. But finally I came across this recipe that sounded pretty easy and decided to give it a try. I’m happy to report that I’ve been using it now for 9 months, and I give it a two thumbs up!

Here’s what you need:

2 Cups finely shredded bar soap (about one 4.5 oz bar)
1 Cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1 Cup 20 Mule Team Borax

Each batch makes 4 cups laundry detergent and costs approx $.95-$1.00 to make. I use 2 tablespoons per load – yielding me 32 loads per batch ($.03 per load). This is for a super capacity washing machine!!! I make about 8-10 batches at a time so I don’t need to bother with it very often.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:
- Stock up on bar soap when it’s on sale. My favorite is the Walgreens Gentle Bar. This goes on sale occasionally for $.25. It shreds nicely and doesn’t have an overpowering scent. I have also used Ivory and Fels Naptha.
- The Washing Soda and Borax are usually found on the top or bottom shelf in the laundry aisle (never at eye level). In my area, Washing Soda is $2.99 for 55 ounces. Borax is $3.59 for 76 ounces. I find both at Wal Mart.

Wanna save even more? Recently I sent an email to Borax HERE complimenting them on their product and asking for coupons. They sent me 10 coupons for $1.00 off! Doesn’t hurt to ask!

My 6 year old was put to work today shredding soap! This is the most unpleasant part of the process because it can be a bit messy. It also produces a strong soap smell – don’t worry, your clothes won’t smell like this. Luckily this detergent lasts so long that I only need to make it every 3-4 months.

Find a plastic container with a tight-closing lid to store your detergent. This one use to hold my household file folders!

If you try this, I’d love to have your feedback! I don’t miss the store brands at all!
Although I must confess that I do miss the smell of Downy Liquid fabric softener. It’s one of the things I miss the most since revamping our budget. If anyone has a recipe for this, I’m happy to give it a try!

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Time is Money

09/06/2011 11:02 am · 6 comments

toiletThanks to Jennifer for this Thrifty tip,

Over the past month since I started using coupons, I have been able to save quite a bit of money on the groceries and products that my family uses every day. I also believe that my time is valuable. I have a time saving idea for your readers. My husband and I have 4 children and the 6 of us share 2 bathrooms. I hate cleaning the toilet with a passion and when I was told about a way to keep my toilet clean WITHOUT having to clean it, I didn’t care what it cost I was willing to try it. To my surprise, it works! I have only had to clean the inside of each toilet bowl ONCE in the past 2 years – and they are clean. All it takes is about 30 seconds of my time twice a month. In the pool and spa section at WalMart, Target or Fred Meyer (or any other store that carries pool and spa supplies) there is a container of brohmide or brohminating tablets. I purchase one every summer at WalMart for around $14. I know that sounds like a lot but you get quite a few tablets. To use, make sure your toilet bowl is clean to begin with. Take the lid off of the tank and flush the toilet. Drop 2 tablets in the upper right hand corner away from the working parts in the tank. Replace lid and you’re done. I put new tablets in twice a month (I do it on the days I get paid to help me remember). If the tablets are almost gone I will put another 2 in the tank but if they are only about half gone, I will only add one additional tablet. One container lasts me an entire year or longer. If you want to break down the cost, it’s around $1/month or in the case of my family, less that 3/100th of a cent per flush. Plus I have the joy of not having to put on rubber gloves and scrub!

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THRIFTY CLEANING AND ORGANIZATION TIP OF THE DAY 4/28

04/28/2011 1:00 pm · 1 comment

Each day we will be posting our readers “Thrifty Cleaning and Organization Tips”.  At the end of the month, one of you will win a $25.00  Gift Card For all the details click here.

HILARY
I make my own fruit and vegetable wash/spray. It’s super easy and really inexpensive AND works better than most you would find for $3++ a bottle. Just spray this on your fruits and veggies, leave for a couple of minutes, then rinse with clean water.

1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
20 drops grapefruit seed extract (available at health food stores for about $7-8 bottle– one bottle will last you YEARS!)

The secret is the grapefruit seed extract. The vinegar washes dirt off, but the grapefruit seed extract kills bacteria, virus, fungi and all sorts of nasty stuff NATURALLY with no chemicals. It’s so effective, some hospitals use it to sterilize their operating rooms!

Cindi
I hung an over-the-door shoe organizer on the inside of our coat closet to store all of our gloves, scarves, hats, and umbrellas. I love how everything is easy to see and find now.
Paige L.
My most favorite cleaning tool would have to be Hydrogen Peroxide. I use it for EVERYTHING!!! From cleaning and sanitizing my kitchen and bathroom to using it as a pesticide and fertilizer for my garden! It helps clean and enrich my fruits and vegetables and keeps the bugs away! Hydrogen peroxide is also a great tool when it comes to sanitizing my child’s toys and even an aid in giving my dog a bath. I also use this great product instead of bleach when I’m washing whites in my washing machine. The trick is to know how and when to use it. At times it needs to be diluted with water and other home remedies. The most amazing book with all the tricks is “The Magic of Hydrogen Peroxide” by Emily Thacker. This is a cheap product that fulfills any household chore.
Kari A
I have attached one of those small mesh zipped laundry bags to each of my kids laundry hampers/baskets, that they put their socks and underwear in. When they drop them off in the laundry room they get a new one. The whole thing goes in the wash and matching and sorting are a snap! When they were babies I never lost a tiny little sock and still don’t!
Belinda
When the garbage disposal gets smelly, eat an orange and run the peal through the disposal with hot water. Not only will it get rid of the unpleasant smell, but it will make the kitchen smell like oranges while you finish cleaning.
PreachersWife
Great tip: Use your swiffer mop to clean bathroom mirrors and windows. Just put a paper towel in the holes in the mop and use windex and it makes a great arm extension for those hard-to-reach places!
Morgan B
I use coca-cola to get any blood out of clothes. I know this sounds weird, but an scratched knees from kids, or cuts from hubbies, it works like a dream! Just pur some on the stain wash and its like it was never there. You can also pour it in your toilet bowl and it will clean your toilet!!
Lori
Just a few odds & ends that work for me ~

* White vinegar works great as a cleaner inside for countless things…did you know it can also “clean up” the outside a bit too? If your driveway and/or sidewalk has cracks where weeds love to grow ~ spray white vinegar on them & it kills them. Cheaper than all the special weed killers! Sometimes you can find the big jugs of vinegar @ the Dollar Tree store.
* Put your sponges in with a dishwasher load – or put in microwave for couple minutes to kill all the bacteria…they come out looking like new! You’ll get more usage out of them before having to discard. With finances being so tight, the more usage I get out of something before having to replace, the better!
* I can’t stand a messy kitchen floor, so the swiffer & the wet-jet swiffer are great for me. While talking on the phone, or waiting those last couple minutes for the oven timer to go off, I can do a quick “swiff” around the kitchen. If something sticky spilled, use the wet-jet swiffer instead. Sometimes when I leave the kitchen for the last time at night, I’ll use the wet-jet…love walking into the kitchen & seeing a shiny, clean floor. Both the dry & wet swiffer are quick – they don’t take but just a couple minutes. I extend the life of the dry swiffer sheets by turning them over & using the opposite side when one side is dirty.
* To get any remaining candle wax out of your holders, stick them in the freezer for a bit. Take ‘em out & the residue will pop right out with the nudge of a kitchen utensil (I use the bottom end of a spoon). No more grinding & prying trying to get the remains out!

Desi
To clean that dirty microwave, place a cup of water in and microwave for about 2 minutes, it loosens everything up.

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THRIFTY CLEANING AND ORGANIZATION TIP OF THE DAY 4/27

04/27/2011 1:02 pm · 0 comments

Each day we will be posting our readers “Thrifty Cleaning and Organization Tips”.  At the end of the month, one of you will win a $25.00  Gift Card For all the details click here.

Natalie
We have a chore box. It is full of chores for my kids. Each day/time we are cleaning as a family they get to “pull a chore” or two. The chores are: vacuum the stairs, dust one room (mom’s choice), clean out under one bed (mom’s choice), dust base boards in one room (mom’s choice), clean all mirrors in house, clean back slider door, wipe down lower kitchen cabinets, clean off bathroom counters, gather all laundry….etc :) The kids love the luck of the draw and I love a clean house!
Lina
Even when I use a water softener, our toilets get rings around them because of the hard water. To get rid of the water rings, I use a pumice rock (super cheap @ Lowe’s $2.50?) and they come right off!
Desi
To clean that dirty microwave, place a cup of water in and microwave for about 2 minutes, it loosens everything up.

Campbell (Via E-mail)

A thrify and ‘green’ tip for the wash – there have been a lot of studies recently on the side effects of using fabric softener. I’m not sure which are true and proven yet, but in the meantime rather than take any risks – I use the only all natural fabric softener I know of – White Vinegar. I pour it straight into my fabric softener dispenser for nearly every wash (except darks- should be safe, but just in case). It smells when you pour it in but clothes come out smelling fresh and clean with no ‘vinegary’ smell at all. It’s good for the environment, can’t hurt you, and for $2.50 a gallon, MUCH cheaper than any fabric softener you can buy at the store. Try it – I’m totally hooked!

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THRIFTY CLEANING AND ORGANIZATION TIP OF THE DAY 4/26

04/26/2011 1:00 pm · 2 comments

Each day we will be posting our readers “Thrifty Cleaning and Organization Tips”.  At the end of the month, one of you will win a $25.00  Gift Card For all the details click here.

Dannette Ritzert
When I clean my bathtub/ shower I use a broom. I scrubs hard to reach places and take little effort compared to bending over in the tub. It works great and saves you from having back aches later
Jennifer
Aerosol hairspray removes permanant marker from just about anything. Have a 2 year old that colors on everything. Most important is that It does not harm wood. My 2 year old colored all over my wood table and some of my cabinetry. Worked like a charm. Sprayed on the hairspray and used a baby wipe to wipe it away. Does require a little scrubbing but not much.

My husbands aunt gave us the greatest gift for christmas. Is a little spendy but well worth it in my opinion. She gave us a Roomba robot vaccuum. Every night we make sure the floor is clear and then just hit the button. Vaccums the carpet for us over night. It will clean all floor types, wood, vinyl carpet. You can have it clean 1 room or just different areas, even has a spot button for if you have a spill it will clean just that area. Will not clean up liquids however. Love it.

Meri
A plumber friend once suggested I use extra fine waterproof sandpaper to remove the ring from my toilet instead of pumice stone to prevent scratching the porcelain. Works great!
Carol
I recently discovered myjobchart.com, it’s a FREE site that organizes and motivates kids to do chores. It uses a points system and the kids earn rewards (that you set up) by doing chores. It keeps track of everything and emails you when your child finishes daily chores or is ready to cash in for a reward. My children went from whining and complaining about every little chore to literally begging me to give them more to do. My 7 year old cleaned the bathroom!

 

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THRIFTY CLEANING AND ORGANIZATION TIP OF THE DAY 4/25

04/25/2011 2:55 pm · 2 comments

Each day we will be posting our readers “Thrifty Cleaning and Organization Tips”.  At the end of the month, one of you will win a $25.00  Gift Card For all the details click here.

Janessa
Advice from my grandma (and there is plenty of it) was to spray my shower doors with Rain X (you know, the stuff you spray on your car windshield to help during rain storms?) to prevent water stains. It really works and nothing but nothing sticks to my glass doors. I have to wash them much less often now.
Kathryn
Baking soda is awesome for cleaning tons of things – great on stovetops or anything greasy and I love the fact that it is safe for the kids.
Ashley
The best advice I have ever got was make a schedule and stick to it. Example Monday: Mop floors; Tuesday: Vacuum; Wednesday: dust and so on. If I stick to my list my cleaning doesn’t pile up on me.
Liz
Baskets, baskets, baskets. We have 2 very active boys. I’ve found that one of the best ways to organize many of their things is the baskets that have nice sized holes for ventilation. All of their swim trunks have a designated basket. All of their baseball pants, t-shirts, and socks have a basket to call home. All those slippery clothes refuse to stay nicely folded. Pop them in a basket and they are easy for the little guys to find just what they’re looking for.
Jennifer Rawles
With boys in the house our towels tend to get stinky!! I can wash and wash them but they stink. So I will through “clean towels” in the washer with all purpose ammonia. Wash as normal and you will get clean fresh towels. The ammonia takes the oil from your skin out which regular detergent can not do.
Melinda
My Hubby had been asking me to go to WalMart Auto Center to get the headlights restored for $40. We thought that was a thrifty deal, compared to replacing them for $80 each. I went in a few times, but the line was over 2 hours long and I just could never spare the time to get the job done. Fast forward a few months and I’m detailing the car before a road trip. Since a recent sale at Walgreens on Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, they quickly became my favorite cleaning tool. I was using my favorite new tool to get the grime off the door jambs of the car. The project was done and we were standing back admiring our “New” car. I had the Magic Eraser in my hand and asked my hubby about getting those headlights restored. I asked him again how they do it. He said they use a fine abrasive cream to sand down the surface and then polish them with a lotion. Hmmm…I took that damp little Magic Eraser to the surface of the headlights (they are plastic, mind you) and rubbed. It was worth a try–they couldn’t get any worse. Wouldn’t you know, it worked! They looked clearer. Even after they dried. Now, I just needed a “lotion”. I read recently of the thousand uses for WD-40. So, I sprayed them with a little WD-40 and polished them up. We took the car for a drive, and couldn’t believe what a difference it made, even in the rain when the wet ground seems to absorb the light. After a few weeks and a 1,200 mile road trip, they look great. So, my thrifty little cleaning tip: A Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and a few squirts of WD-40 and I have refurbished headlights for just $0.35 compared to WalMart’s $40 and 2-hour job! Now, THAT’s a Thrifty Deal!

 

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THRIFTY CLEANING AND ORGANIZATION TIP OF THE DAY 4/22

04/22/2011 1:00 pm · 1 comment

Each day we will be posting our readers “Thrifty Cleaning and Organization Tips”.  At the end of the month, one of you will win a $25.00  Gift Card For all the details click here.

Tonya
Got Grease Stains? Have you ever cooked and grease splattered all over your clothing? Have you ever spilled baby oil on a pair of jeans or your favorite shirt? I’m pretty sure we all have had some kind of spill with any type of oil… Well, Baby Powder does the trick everytime! I have been doing this for about 6 years and I haven’t been disappointed! Once you have the spill or if it has set for sometime, just sprinkle on the powder covering the spot completely… Let it set and wash. Stain is all gone!
Danielle
This is NOT my idea but I use it and love it. With this economy and me being a stay at home mom, I look for any way to save money. I bought some liquid fabric softener, poured it into a large container and added water. 2 parts water, 1 part softener. I then bought some cheap sponges (minus the brillo on it) and cut them in half. When I’m ready to dry my clothes, I grab a sponge, dip it in the softener, wring it out and put it in the dryer. A CHEAP FABRIC SOFTENER!
Kelli
If you have permanent marker on your walls believe it or not, use a dry erase marker to take it off. You use the dry erase marker to write on top of the permanent marker and wipe off.
Tiffany
My husband and food and fabric allergies and with our newborn son, we are realizing that he takes after Daddy. So, instead of paying the high price of baby detergents, my mother in-law passed on some advice of using white vinegar instead. It works great, it’s cheap and your clothes don’t even smell like the vinegar itself! It also helps preserve the color in your clothes!
Stephanie
I keep swiffer dusters in my van… i have a full time demanding job along with 3 kids and household to clean up… so when i’m sitting at a stop light or have a few minutes, I find it to be the perfect quick pick up for all the dust :) It also does great to clean the vents out. I live in Kansas where there is dirt everwhere!! Especially in the summer and the high winds
Angela
My favorite cleaning tool is the magic eraser…….greatest thing, can use it in every room of the house and with coupons, they don’t cost a fortune. I like the fact that I don’t spray harsh chemicals for me or my “little buddies” in the air…a great tool and a must have for all moms. It takes permanent marker, crayon, soap scum, etc. off of surfaces. If you have a stain, try it. It will surprise you.

 

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THRIFTY CLEANING AND ORGANIZATION TIP OF THE DAY 4/21

04/21/2011 1:00 pm · 0 comments

Each day we will be posting our readers “Thrifty Cleaning and Organization Tips”.  At the end of the month, one of you will win a $25.00  Gift Card For all the details click here.

Cheryl
Not sure if you have a septic or not but we do… AND recently had it pumped (maintenance) we were told that it is very bad to use the powder detergent for your laundry or dishwasher because it does not break down all the way and then prevents the good bacteria from forming in your septic which is needed to breakdown solids. He said we should only use half of the recommended soap per load of clothes. To confirm this I filled up my washer with water, and let it agitate for a min. (I put no clothes or soap in) I had bubbles GALORE! Fabric softner is a really bad no no too. He also informed us that charmin is terrible for septic (any quilted t.p) because it does not breakdown either.
Kleengal
Cleaning the microwave can be a chore, especially with teenagers that refuse to cover the items they are heating up. So to clean it fast and without effort, put a bowl of water in the microwave and let it come to a good boil. 5 mins or so. Then, I just wipe everything off!
Kim C
I have made both liquid and powder laundry detergent and I must say that I much prefer the powder. It seems to work better when it comes to cleaning clothes. The powder is simple to make, store, and is not messy to use. I made mine using a bar of Zote, Washing Soda, and Borax. Your detergent will be a pretty pink and white and will have a wonderful lemon smell thanks to the Zote. Good Luck!!!!

I stopped using this when I got my front loading washer and dryer, has anyone used homeade laundry detergent like this in a front loading washer?

Holly R
I stretch my dishwasher detergent with the following recipe , It can also be used as paste for all purpose cleaner

DISHWASHING DETERGENT

1 C BORAX
1 C BAKING SODA
1 C SUPER WASHING SODA
1 C CASCADE DISHSOAP

MIX TOGETHER AND PUT IN SEALED CONTAINER USE 3TSP IN DISHWASHER
OR FOR ALL PURPOSE CLEANER 1 T MIXED IN ONE QUART OF WATER.

I HAVE A RECIPE FOR LIQUID LAUNDRY SOAP BUT GENERALLY FIND THE BEST DEALS AT THE CASE LOT SALES AND BUY 1 YR SUPPLY AT A TIME

Brittany
My thrifty top for dusting: Don’t throw away your old fabric softener sheets after they come out of the dryer! These are great for dusting and they are disposable when your done.

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THRIFTY CLEANING AND ORGANIZATION TIP OF THE DAY 4/20

04/20/2011 1:00 pm · 1 comment

Each day we will be posting our readers “Thrifty Cleaning and Organization Tips”.  At the end of the month, one of you will win a $25.00  Gift Card For all the details click here.

Stephanie

My husband works for the oil fields and is always getting gressy and muddy. But i have found that if you buy dishwaher detergent i get from the dollar store and dish soap and pour it on his coveralls when getting washed and a half of can of coca cola and they come out nice and clean. also i find it hard to clean everyday with my two little kids so i have a schedule where i do laudry one day and then clean bathroom and so on.
Tiffany
To break up cleaning tasks I do something everyday ie bathrooms one day, dusting the next etc. that way it never piles up.
Anita
Mini Blind Magic! I used to hate cleaning mini blinds. At times I wanted to throw them out and buy new ones. However, a friend taught me a great method. I take the blind down, take it to my tub and hold it while I spray both sides with foamy bathroom cleaner (like Scrubbing Bubbles). I just let it sit for a few seconds and then rinse. If you have a hand held shower spray it is super easy, or just use a small pitcher of water to rinse. You might have to fill the pitcher a couple of times, but it works great. No wiping, and from taking it down to putting it up, clean and fresh only takes about 10 minutes!
Becky
For organizing our linen closet, I purchased photo boxes from Michaels when they were on sale for 3/$5. I organized my small items into those boxes and labeled them. I also purchased cheap magazine storage boxes for taller items such as hairspray, etc. and labeled those as well. I seem to have so much more room in that closet now with those boxes and everything is easy to find.
Cathy
One time, my toddler got a hold of a permanent sharpie marker and colored ALL OVER my piano…wood and keys! After bawling my eyes out for about 30 minutes, I pulled myself together and google searched out answers. One of them worked great! Simply sprinkle some baking soda on the permanent marker. Then wet a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and scrub a little. I have found this works to remove permanent marker/paint/grape juice stains from wood surfaces without damaging them, plastic, wood and laminated flooring, walls, etc. Basically any hard surface. With 3 little boys and a 4th on the way, this bit of knowledge has been a lifesaver!
KELLY
“The Saturday Box” was started at my house when I got tired of the kids leaving their stuff out. If I had to pick up their stuff (shoes, clothes, movies etc.) it went into the Saturday Box. They could have it back on Saturday or do an extra chores to get it back sooner.

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THRIFTY CLEANING AND ORGANIZATION TIP OF THE DAY 4/19

04/19/2011 1:00 pm · 0 comments

Each day we will be posting our readers “Thrifty Cleaning and Organization Tips”.  At the end of the month, one of you will win a $25.00  Gift Card For all the details click here.

Mandy
What to do with used dryer sheets? I save them to use when I’ve burnt something in pan or crockpot, let sit over night and it loosens food off of pan/bowl. It’s like magic!!
Dawn
I love Clorox & Lysol cleaning/disinfecting wipes, they work great with little effort. I also like Magic eraser, they are pretty amazing. Resolve, to spot clean on the carpet, is one of my favorites also. My little ones like to use the Swiffer duster & to help vacuum. Music definitely helps break up the monotony of cleaning, plus burn a few extra calories LOL
atherine
Our kids have a lot of toys and since we don’t have a dedicated room for them we have found that if we rotate their toys out occasionally it really helps to keep things a little cleaner and it helps to make it easier to clean up. We put most of their toys away in containers and keep a few toys out for them to play with. When they seem to get sick of those toys we put them away and get a few different toys out and it is like those toys are new again.
Tyree
My favorite cleaning tool is an old toothbrush, I keep one in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room. In the kitchen it is great for cleaning around the glass top (wierd lip area) and around the sink and faucet, in the bathroom around sink and faucet, in laundry room use with clorox 2 on stains (best thing ever for yellow baby poo) but will take out almost any stain, even set in stains, it make not look like it, but get it out after the wash and you’ll be amazed. I hate cleaning in general, but hope to find a way to make it not so imposing and impossible seeming.
Kalie
If you happen to get pine sap in your hand, you know that washing them doesn’t take it off, and they remain sticky, if you will just wash you hands with lotion instead, using it just as you would soap it will take the sap right off your skin.
Mellissa
WD40 gets crayon off of walls and furniture (not fabric), hairspray will remove ink stains on clothing.
Laura
I have heard that lavender oil is great for a disinfectant. I have lots of dried lavender from the festival in Nampa last year. So I crushed some and threw it in my floor-washing water- a great smell and safe for the baby to crawl on. (I also used it for “spa day” when we soaked all our feet during Spring Break). A little goes a long way! Also- buying local!
Betty
Hydrogen Peroxide to clean shower tiles and grout. It works really really well, no hazardous fumes, and is very inexpensive.

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