DIY Cloth Diaper Detergent

EEEEK! I am so elated to say that our cloth diapers have FINALLY arrived.. They are washing as we speak :) I can't wait to have a cloth diaper butt. So with that being said, I was of course researching and found one :) Kind of adapted my own. lol.

• 3 Cups Washing Soda
• 1 Cup Oxi Clean
• 1 Cup Baking Soda

1-2 Tbsp. per load.

Wash in cold cycle. Then for extra dirty loads, then wash in a hot load after the cold wash (1 Tbsp. detergent, each load).

Thanks for letting me share :P

Packing Tips!

Well, most people know that we purchased a new house and are moving in the upcoming week and a 1/2. I wanted to share a couple packing tips.... 


1. If you have little ones... and they have a 2+ piece outfit, fold the pants inside the crease of the shirt. Comes in hand for packing and also for traveling. Not only that but if you put them in a dresser, makes it cake to find that outfit. Frees up a few minutes in your day. :P


2. Pillow case & sheet sets.... Pack the sheets inside the matching pillow case and stack. WA-LA!! Easy peasy! Also makes a great way to store them in that messy old linen closet. I can't wait to organize my new linen closets. Yes that's plural! I have TWO! I am pumped. :P lol. Oh the little things.


Tis' all for now :P

DIY Laundry Detergent

Those that have asked how I liked it!! I LOVE IT! Seriously, I have done like 6-7 loads so far and so far so good. Plus it smells pretty scrumptious as well :P Refer to yesterdays post for the recipe, if interested. It was easy peasy to make and lasts a long time. I am gonna take some of my leftover materials and make some Dish Detergent.


Another no-brainer recipe:
Equal parts Borax and Washing Soda. BOOM! Done! I am gonna 2 cups and 2 cups. 1-2 Tbsp. per load of dishes. Add 2-3 drops of soap for scent and to reduce spotting.


As a rinse agent, use VINEGAR! Yes vinegar. :P Instead of the $5-$6 rinse agents that last like 2 seconds and are an arm and a leg in cost. 


Vinegar also acts an awesome fabric softener from what I have heard. I am not a fabric softener person, myself, but I am sure some are.


Recipe adapted from: The Burlap Bag


^^Yes, this has now become my fave. website/blogging site.

Stop Using BLEACH!

I stopped using bleach, two or so months ago, and instead am using regular Baking Soda. Put two tbsp's or so in your largest load of whites, and wa la....super white, whites. Super inexpensive, lasts a long time. It also acts as a stain remover and it's not harsh like Bleach is. :) 

Return of the Money Saving Mom..

Wow, it's been too long since I last posted. Been a busy little bee. Since I last posted, we bought a house. Well actually, we are having one built. So with that being said, it's ALMOST done. We move in in 2.5-3 weeks. How exciting? We are thrilled, of course. Well... with that being said, I have been trying to find ways to keep money in our pockets. So here are some things, I have been up to since I last posted:


*Making my own baby food, for the last 3 months. I am using the "Magic Baby Bullet." And boy do I love it. Lucas (my youngest), loves it too. We recently, tried jarred food, and he gagged. Thought it was repulsive. Nothing like the real thing, I guess. Not to mention full of a lot of nothing with a side of preservatives.


*Just ordered a stock (22 diapers/inserts + a diaper sprayer) of Cloth Diapers. I am beyond thrilled for these bad boys to get to our door. I scored an awesome deal on eBay for some ALVAbaby diapers. The whole lot was $84.99 for 20 solid colored diapers, then I snagged two additional diapers for $6/each. I have heard rave reviews from friends and online about these diapers. That's a whopping $4.24/diaper. CHEAP! Plus from what I understand, the quality is pretty amazing. Plus, they come with inserts.


*Today, I got stuff to make my own laundry detergent. EEK! I am beyond excited to start using it. Got home from the store and whipped up some scented and some non-scented stuff. Non-scented b/c my oldest has severe eczema and needs everything 100% dye and scent free. 

• 3 bars of soap- $3.97
• Fals Naptha- $0.97
• Borax- $4.99
• Washing Soda- $3.97
• Dispensers to hold detergent- $4.97/each
• Total: $23.84

Recipe adapted from: The Burlap Bag

1 Bar of Soap (your choice) or Fals Naptha

1 Cup Washing Soda

1 Cup Borax

Yields: enough for 64 loads. 

You use 1-1.5 Tbsp. PER load. that's all.

The boxes will makes me probably 5 gallons or more. That is quite the savings. So I am pretty excited about that.

*Also, making my own homemade hand soap. :)

• 8 Pack of Bar Soap- $6.99
• Glycerin- $2.97
• Total: $9.96

Recipe adapted form: The Farmer's Nest

1 bar of soap

1 gallon water

2 Tbsp. Glycerin 

Actual DIY Handsoap

*Been making my own Bisquick too. And let me tell you, not only does it save you money which is amazing, but it's seriously super delish, as well. :P

Recipe adapted from: DIY Home made Bisquick Recipe

Up Next:

• Homemade cleaning solutions
• Homemade Sewn Baby Wipes
• Bodywash
• Baby Body Wash
• Dishwasher Detergent
• Felted Wool Dryer Balls

Also, I plan to make all of curtains and upholster chairs and such in our home. :P LOVE the simple, inexpensive lifestyle. It's so nice to save money, especially with two little ones. :P

A place to put my ideas/thoughts..

My brain is overworking right now and is filled with so many ideas/thoughts. I need a place to organize them. These are the things I want to make:


A toybox for the boys.
A Laundry Basket Organizer
Shelves
A breakfast buffet (repurposed furniture)
Boxes/Baskets for organization of toys


etc.

How are you saving your family, money?

Here are some solutions I can come up with, quick...

• Get the Sunday Newspaper, it's full of coupons.
• COUPONING!!
• Planning your meals! Breakfast, Lunch, Dinners, Snacks, for each family member.
• Buy in bulk!!!
• plan your shopping list in advance.
• Repurpose old furniture
• design on a dime or make things yourself.
• buy clearance items
• buy generic brand food if you shop at a local grocery store. i say it that way b/c we shop at an air force base, commissary.
• put a little money away a week, such as $5, $10, whatever you can spare.
• start a savings at a young age for children.
• do all your seasonal shopping for the next season as one season ends and things get clearanced out.
• look for internet coupons.
• make a monthly budget.
• ALWAYS balance your pocket book.
• If you can and have time, CLOTH DIAPER your little ones.
• Pass clothing and essentials down from child to child, if you can.
• Swap babysitting services with a friend/family as needed.
• Keep a change/money jar and cash it in at the end of the year.
• cut back on a bad habit: ie: smoking, drinking, chewing tobacco, coffee drinking, energy drinks, chewing gum. put that money you would have spent into your money jar.
• make your own baby food.
• if you are able to, BREASTFEED your children.
• Eat in instead of eating out all the time.

If you can come up with others, please feel free to share. :)