Pioneer Woman at Heart

One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!

One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

Adopted Motto

"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Laundry Soap ~ Stitched Cards

A few asked how I make my laundry detergent.  I simply grate a bar of unscented homemade goat's milk soap (you can use a bar of Zote as well), add 8 cups of water, and heat until melted.  I then add 1 1/2 cups borax and 1 1/2 cups washing soda, and continue to heat and stir until dissolved. . .


In a 5 gallon bucket, I pour in about 8 cups of hot water first, then pour in the heated mixture.  Stir until combined.  Then I continue to add hot water until my bucket is about 2 inches from being completely full.  Stir, and cool 24 hours.

When I am ready to use it, I open my bucket lid, and use a whisk to stir it.  I simply bought a dollar store whisk, and keep it in a recycled coffee can next to my bucket of laundry soap.  Then I measure about 1/4 cup for my front loading washer (it uses less than a standard washer).  

There are many other recipes for liquid and dry (homemade) laundry detergent, so this is not limited.  I tried a few until I found one I liked.  I don't like to use a powdered mix due to us using a well for our water).

This helps eliminate all the carcinogens in regular manufactured laundry detergent (and allergens).

I also make my own dishwasher detergent.  I mix 1 cup of borax and one cup of washing soda.  I mix this in an old food processor to break down all the hard clumps.  I store it in a recycled container under my sink.  I put 2 tsp. of the dry mixture in my dishwasher, and pour about 1 cup of white vinegar into the inside (bottom portion) of the dishwasher.




I finally got a tutorial written up on how I make the stitched note cards.  You can read it over at my S.C.R.A.P. Blogspot


 Enjoy your day today!

8 comments:

Mama Pea said...

I appreciate getting your laundry soap recipe. The camping pics were fun to see. (You look like you're about 16 years old!)

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Ha ha! Mama Pea, I'm far from 16, ha ha!

Susan said...

Wonderful photos! I would love to see your stitched notecard tutorial, but the link didn't work...

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

I will double check the link for you and fix it.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Okay, I fixed the link to the cards. Let me know if it still does not work for you. Sorry about that.

Michelle said...

I love homemade soap. We have been making our own for 3 years now. Not only is it cheaper. It works so much better then the stuff in the stores.

Sam I Am...... said...

What a cutie you are! I agree with your other commenter...you look about 16!
Thank you for the "liquid" laundry detergent recipe. I've made my own for years but powdered. Also, I needed a dishwasher detergent recipe and I LOVE the stitched cards. They are so cute!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Youngest is the one who braided my hair. It's actually french braided too.