I Make Soap

Yep, I make soap.  Not bar soap, although I am planning on getting to that soon, but Laundry Soap.  It's really not hard, and I'm sure I've posted about it before, but I gotta tell you, if you don't make you're own, you're missing out.

Of course, I had to use up all my store bought laundry detergent before I started making my own, so it took me awhile to get there, but now, I hate it if I run out and have to use my backup bottle of store bought laundry detergent.  I try my best to make sure that doesn't happen, but, you know how it is when you're a busy mom, sometimes you forget or just don't have time.

So, because I love my laundry soap so much, I wanted to share the recipe I use, which I found on my friend Caitlin's blog.  She got it from someone else, and it's basically the same recipe all over the internet.  This is definitely not my original concoction, just something I love.

You will need:

Castile Soap (I use Kirk's Coco Castile)
Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
20 Mule Team Borax
Cheese Grater
Large Containers to store supplies in
1 cup measuring cup
Wide Mouth Funnel (only if you're messy like me)

This is how I do it.  I buy a bunch of castile soap all at once, usually 3-4 bars or so.  I grate all of it with the small grate side of a box grater and keep it in a glass jar with a sealed top.

I transfer the washing soda into a glass jar with a sealed top and I transfer the borax into a glass jar with a sealed top.  I do this because I find that these products tend to get hard and clumpy if I store them in their boxes, but if I put them in a sealed jar, they stay fresh and fluffy and they're easier to work with.

Once you've prepped all your stuff it becomes really easy to mix up a batch of soap.  All you do is use a 1:1:1 ratio.  This is how much I make at a time:

2 cups Grated Castile Soap
2 cups Washing Soda
2 cups Borax

You don't have to be perfectly exact, just close and don't worry about packing it down either.  This is elementary science not rocket science, it's meant to be a little inexact after all.

I keep my laundry soap in a sealed glass jar, but as long as you have a container that closes tightly, you're good to go.  A tightly closed container helps greatly with the next part, and it keeps your detergent fresh longer.

Seal your container and Shake It Up, Baby!  That's it, you've got the best laundry soap ever invented.  If you want a scented laundry soap, go for a scented Castile Soap like Dr. Bronner's instead of Kirk's which is unscented.

I am planning on learning how to make my own castile soap soon, and I'll make sure I post all about it when I've tested it out a few times.

Happy Creating!

Kristin

Make Your Own Laundry Soap

Hey, I'm back briefly, to share something super cool with you.

I was reading a friend's blog today when I found this recipe for Laundry Soap.  I've always stayed away from making my own for 4 reasons.

1.  I have never found a recipe that wasn't too complicated.

2.  I am lazy.

3.  Many of the recipes I've found have ingredients that my sensitive youngest daughter is allergic to.

4.  I have been concerned about if it would be okay with my cloth diapers (youngest daughter is allergic to most disposables.)

So, I haven't ventured out on this endeavor just yet.  I did find this recipe inspiring and am going to try it as soon as we move and I have a home of my own again. 

I hope you like it as much as I do.  If you have other recipes that are simple and work well, link them up in the comments.  Head on over and check out Caitlin's blog, you'll be glad you did.

Thanks Caitlin!

The Fix-It Basket

I personally prefer to get as much use out of something as possible.  So when something rips or breaks, or a seam pops open, I want to fix it, instead of getting a new one. 

Now that I've got my sewing room (yea!!!) I have a system for taking care of these things in a timely manner.  It's called my Fix-It Basket, and I wanted to spotlight it for anyone who might be frustrated with their system or who would like to start "fixin' it."

Basically, this is all it is:

I have a basket sitting at the end of my sewing table.  Anyone who wants something fixed can put it in the basket, and let me know what they need done (unless it's self explanitory) and then as I have a few minutes here and there, I can grab something out and fix it.

As you can see, I have nothing in the basket today, but it seems that since I've started the Fix-It Basket, there's been at least one thing in it every day.

For any of you that are like me, the Fix-It Basket is a motivator.  It's almost like a check list (which I love, by the way).  As things get fixed they leave the basket, and I feel a sense of accomplishment, especially when the basket is empty.

So try it around your house.  Whether it's a ball that needs blowing up or a pair of shorts that the seam has ripped out of, or a princess crown that needs a little superglue, you and the Fix-It Basket will keep your house in good working order.

Happy Fixing!