Homemade Laundry Soap

The 4 laundry baskets in the house are overflowing. It's time to declare this day Laundry Day. I throw the first load in the washer and begin adding the laundry soap. It sputters and spits and laughs in my face.

Later that day, my sweet friend, Amanda, generously handed over a huge baggie of homemade laundry soap just in time.

Why have I waited so long to join the homemade soap world?

I had some trouble with the Fels-naptha dissolving in my front loader so I decided it was time to do some research and make up my own once payday finally arrived. Amanda sent me the recipe she used, I read through a million comments on that blog and several others, and decided on this...

Ingredients:

4lb box borax
55oz box super washing soda
4lb box (or, in my case, 3 boxes that equal 4lbs) baking soda
2 canisters oxi clean
3 bars ivory soap (only 2 are pictured)
1 bottle Purex Crystals for scent

Microwave the soap one bar at a time for about 2 minutes. The kids and I enjoyed watching it turn from this...

to this...

Then to make sure it would have no trouble dissolving, I stuffed the puff into the food processor til it looked like this...

I'll tell ya, it was annoying cleaning out the microwave and food processor but I've had no trouble with this soap dissolving!

Throw this and the rest of the ingredients into a huge bucket and stir.

All I use is 1Tbsp per load that I throw directly into the drum before the clothes. I have been very happy with the results so far! 

And best of all, I spent a total of $24.01. 6-8 months of laundry soap for 24 bucks?? Yes, please.

I don't have a cute jar with "laundry" printed on it because we're broke. But that will come eventually!

Feel free to ask me questions or visit the blog with the original recipe and read through comments for answers.

Thank you, Amanda!

UPDATE (3-12-13): I recently put together my second batch. I left out the Purex crystals because of my daughter's skin reaction, and because it wasn't strong enough to leave the clothes smelling fresh once they were cleaned and dried.
I also decided to try Fels Naptha again, this time putting it into my food processor to make sure it was small enough to dissolve well. So far so good! I needed something stronger than the ivory soap, especially for Derek's work clothes!

Easter 2012

This was our second year hosting Easter and we loved it! When we bought this house, we committed to God that we would use it to bless others. So we hope others were as blessed as us when they came to visit on Resurrection Day!

This year we wanted to put more of an emphasis on why we were celebrating. I found this idea on pinterest...

Source: motherhoodonadime.com via Derek Lindsay on Pinterest

Here's our version...

It was perfect for our little hunters. The poem that goes with it is short and sweet. And the kids enjoyed finding what was inside each. Definitely doing it again next year. Make sure you check it out if you have toddlers hunting!

We had 30 adults and kids in our home! It was wonderful. I did a terrible job of taking pictures but here are a few highlights...

My hunters. The most important people in the world to me.

This was Jack's first official year hunting and he did great!

Notice the flowers Derek bought and planted for me! Excited to see them bloom in July!

Enjoying (and sharing) the spoils!

Natalie Ruth, my newest niece.

We enjoyed all varieties of food (at least 2 dishes were pins! haha) and fellowship and reflecting on our Savior conquering death on our behalf!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! 1 Peter 1:3

Around the House {Guest Room}

Don't you love when you find something super cheap at a garage sale, not sure exactly what you want to do with it, but it ends up being just the perfect thing? Makes up for all those things you end up selling again in your own garage sale.

I found this last year for just a couple bucks.

I thought I would paint it and put it in Marie's room but there just isn't a good place for it. So we've had it down in the guest room.

It just hit me the other day that the color we used in Jack's room would match the guest room perfectly. So I sanded this little baby down, whipped out the foam paint roller, and transformed it with a simple couple of coats of beautiful navy blue.

I love it! But I had a cool idea after I finished that I can't do now. Underneath the old blue color was red. You can kinda see it in the pictures. I shoulda really sanded this baby down so more red was showing, then painted the navy, then distressed it. It would have looked amazing in the Americana guest room! But it's okay. I'm pretty stinkin' happy with the results. Here it is in its home...

Comfy, cozy, little corner of the guest room.

We're praying for a full size bed so couples can comfortably stay. We'd also love to get rid of this...

(Just the bowflex, not the trampoline or light in the background! Sorry for the horrible pic). I've been holding on to this baby for much too long. It's in excellent shape bc it's barely been used! We're asking $400 if you know anyone interested! ;)

When we get this puppy outta there, and get a full size bed, we'll center it in the room and it will be a much more complete look. But for now, I'm happy with the American pride in the corner :) Which, by the way, is made up of all garage sale purchases except the bed itself.

Gotta love garage sales!!

The Power of the Cross

Father, help us to be overwhelmed with the power of the cross this Easter. How undeserving I am! And yet You love me this much.

Thank You.

Pin Projects

I'm not much of a project person, but oh.my.word. Pinterest is so inspirational! I've officially accomplished 3 pins.

Here's the pin...

Source: pattyschaffer.typepad.com via Derek Lindsay on Pinterest

Here's a horrendous iphone pic of my recreation...

It took forever to make and cost way more than if I had just bought a completed wreath, but it is my favorite wreath attempt thus far. It makes me happy.

Pin #2...

Source: picky-palate.com via Derek Lindsay on Pinterest

Mine turned out pretty ugly but stinkin' delicious! Even Jack loved them. Of course Marie and Derek wouldn't touch them but that is no surprise.

I made them for my future sis-in-law's bridal shower. See more about that HERE.

3rd pin...

Source: happyhomefairy.com via Derek Lindsay on Pinterest

Jack, Marie, and I made them with Tay. Love craft time! And we got to talk about what the cross represents.

Lots more that I cannot wait to try! The recipes are incredible. I think this is next on the recipe to-do list...

Source: laurenslatest.com via Derek Lindsay on Pinterest

Pinterest is like the greatest invention for someone like me. I used to get all overwhelmed with the desire to try everything! Then when I was ready to actually try something, I couldn't find anything to do! Now I can organize all the amazing ideas and do things I never thought I could.

What pins have you accomplished so far?