My Thoughts on Homemade Laundry Soap -- Part 2

If you missed just scroll down to the previous post.  Now on to business......

I have never been a fan of the traditional homemade liquid laundry soap.  Having to grate the soap, cook it, and the slimy mixture.  I've done that once, and never again. Granted it was a long time ago, back when the boys were little, but I just didn't like it at all.  The only time I made it I didn't think it cleaned well at all.  Maybe it was just that recipe, or maybe the soap I used (I think I used dial or something like that because that's all I had at the time).  Not to mention now I really don't have the time or space to make it right now.

The beginning of this month, May, I decided to buy some store brand green apple scented dish soap and try it.  My thought was Cheap, Bubbles, and Good Smelling.  I washed a few loads with just the dish soap.  It had some bubbles, which I liked.  The clothes, especially the socks and underwear, had a hint of green apple smell after they were dry, which I liked.  I also added a mixture of borax, washing soda, and store brand oxy-clean to the load separately.  All the clothes had the same clean smell and feel to them.

Surely I could mix the powder and the dish soap together and make it work, right?  I got on Pinterest I think it was and started looking.  I found this recipe for a no grate liquid laundry soap.  I couldn't remember where I had found the recipe and I totally forgot I sent the link to myself in e-mail, so I winged it.  I remembered the 1/2 cup portions but that was it.

I had an empty gallon vinegar jug so I started with it.  I added my powder......borax, washing soda, and oxy cleaner, that I already had mixed up.  I have no clue what the ratio on those were as I didn't measure them in the first place I just poured them in an empty oxy container that I had, until it was half full.  I added half cup of dish soap to my jug and then filled with water.  That was a mistake as it made bubbles.  Next time I think I will mix it up a little differently.

The first week It worked really well and I had some bubbles and most of the clothes had a slight green apple scent.  Every time I used it though I had to turn the jug upside down to mix the ingredients.

This week I finished using the dish soap in a jug with the squirt lid.  I opted to swap containers.  I do like the new jug much better,  I noticed my vinegar jug was a bit bloated.  Probably from the oxy cleaner.  Also the powder ingredients were now all dissolved.  It had more of a gel to it, but it was still very liquid.  Most of my clothes has a slight apple smell.  I had a few bubbles, and everything smelled clean.

I didn't actually measure how much I used per load, but it was a small squirt or two depending on what was in the wonder washer.  I still have a lot left after about 3 washes.  (I wash about every 3-4 days)

I do plan on making this again,  Unless it gets used between now and the time I need to make more, I have some green apple dish soap left.  I will also measure next time for a better "feel" on how this recipe works.  I can always modify it.   I do like the idea of choosing my scent.  If I feel like lemon next time I can buy the lemon scent dish soap.  If I want something more "traditional" smelling, I can go with a name brand.

Here is the actual recipe from the website I mentioned above:

1/2 cup each borax, washing soda, and dish soap.  4 cups HOT water.  Add your dry ingredients and dish soap to your jug.  Add the hot water and mix.  Finish filling your jug with cold water.

On the oxy cleaner....I'm thinking I will start with 1/4 cup.  This was just an additive I already had in my powder mix I had made up.  It's seen a lot in homemade powder laundry soap.  I don't know if it's necessary but it is working for me so far.  This is quick, easy and appears to be a cheap recipe.  After I actually measure making a new batch and have an idea about how long it will last me, I will have a better idea.

When I make another batch and actually MEASURE the dry, per the recipe I found, I will let you know what I think and how this first batch worked for me.

Thoughts on Homemade Laundry Soap -- Part 1

Hey everyone I hope you had an awesome Memorial Day Weekend! It was a fun one for me.  I have some pictures to share and can't wait to get a post written up.  Watch for it in a couple days!   I've been working on a reasonable laundry soap for small loads and I think I have found something I like.  Here's part 1.  I will share part 2 tomorrow.

Doing small loads of laundry in my wonder washer doesn't require a whole lot of laundry soap per load.  A "load" usually consists of a couple t-shirts, or one pair of jeans.  It would be major overkill using the regular amount of laundry soap you normally would use.  Even for a regular size washer some laundry soap amounts I think are overkill.  I have discovered over the past few months it takes at the most, for a "load", 2 teaspoons of homemade powder laundry soap.  The homemade liquid I am currently trying out I use a little more than that, but I will explain in another post.  I haven't bought store bought commercial laundry soap since sometime last fall.  I do still have some, and it was given to my son.  I do still use it when I wash his clothes, and on very rare occasions on mine.  When I go to the laundromat (in another town) to wash blankets and coats I will use it as well. Some things I think are necessary in laundry soap:

• I do like bubbles!  To me that proves things are getting clean.  I know bubbles aren't necessary, but it's a visual thing for me.
• Smell. I want a nice smell to my clothes.  "Clean" is a smell, but sometimes I need a little more.
• My smell preference changes from time to time.  What and how I make my laundry soap with also changes with what smell I want.
• Something to help with the sweaty smell.  It is summer time now.  Just using something to "make bubbles" doesn't always help remove that smell.
• I like my clothes to smell like something after they are dry.

I had started out using just a grated bar of Zote laundry soap. It was amazing and I loved the smell.  I added a bit if store brand oxy-clean to the zote for extra cleaning.  It worked very well for me.  That lasted me about 2 months.  This didn't really create any bubbles, but by the way the clothes smelled and felt I could tell it was doing it's job.  The socks and underwear had a slight citronella smell, but it wasn't very noticeable.  (I was ok with this since I like the smell anyway) This was the first thing I used after stopping going to the laundromat every week.  I do still have a bar of Zote in the cupboard.  I will keep it as a back-up.

My next batch I wanted to try fels naptha. I love the smell if it also.  I tried it alone, and wasn't satisfied with how it, by it's self, cleaned.  I bought and mixed in some washing soda and borax along with some of the store brand oxy-clean.  This mixture was OK, but I stillwasn't totally satisfied.  It smelled good, but I didn't feel it cleaned my clothes as well as the Zote did.  This lasted me about a month and a half.  Absolutely no smell after they were dry.  This also didn't create bubbles, but I still had the same clean smell and feel to my clothes.

I'm always looking on pinterest and google searches and blogs for new ideas and easier ways or cheaper ways to do things.  Sometimes you hit on something really good, sometimes it's not so good.  I was wanting something besides the bar laundry soap.  The shaving pieces don't always dissolve all the way for me.  Sometimes if they got caught in the fold of the fabric they would still be somewhat whole.  Wasn't a big deal, but it just bothered me.  Not to mention having to grate the bar of laundry soap was time consuming.  Being a 2 full time business owner, time is something I don't have a lot of outside working.

I am happy to say I think I have finally come up with the perfect solution for me and my laundry. Come back tomorrow for part 2, and my current solution.

Just Some Random Things

Fuzzy got a front row seat for movie night.

Still working on the theater room, but we can watch movies and play games now.

Fuzzy hiding behind the curtain.

Um....Mom there's nothing between me and outside......

Recently paid the water bills

I freaking LOVE this thing!  Here's a snippet of my spin dryer spinning.  It spins really fast and does an amazing job!

HHM ~~ 5/22/17

As I look outside my window:::

Again this week......Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy.....It's beautiful and perfect!  The sun is shining, it's the perfect temperature and there is a slight breeze.  

 
Right now I am::: 

Listening to Guns n Roses.  I'm having a hard time getting motivated today.  Soon as hubby gets back from the job he went on I will probably go get lunch and one of my crochet projects to work on.

Something funny from this past week:::
Man, I try to remember something from the past week but this week everything escapes me.  I blame mobile technology. I used to not have any problem remembering things, now I'm lucky to remember what I ate for lunch yesterday.  LOL!

Currently Reading:::
still nothing on the kindle app

On my to do list today:::
1. Work on my Smelly Good Stuffs Page.
2. Crochet.  I started another project last night.  I know I need to stop starting new ones and finish the ones I have started now.
3. Need to make chili for The Castle

Today's Lunch:::
Deluxe cold roast beef sandwich and sweet tea

Preparing for Warm weather:::
Thankfully it hasn't been that warm yet.  There are 2 things I would like to do before the summer heat gets here. #1 like I stated last week I would like to get the son's window fixed and a screen put on it.  #2 I would like to buy him a new fan.  The one he has works fine but it's older and smaller.  The new one would be bigger and move more air.  I also want to move the laundry drying rack into a different room, so that the wet humidity doesn't directly add to the room we sleep in.  I will need to rearrange the stuff in a room.  I know where I would like to put it, just haven't had time to do anything.


What I am crocheting:::

Well.....I have the 2 ten stitch blankets and yesterday I started an entrelac blanket.  All 3 projects are tunisian crochet.

What I am wearing today:::

Jeans, a dark blue button up shirt, and tennis shoes

From the camera:::
Sunday lunch.....Sometimes owning a restaurant is convenient  ;-)

Something I Recently Made:::

I haven't finished anything since last week, but here are my 3 WIP's

Praise/Prayer List:::
PRAISE the sun is shining today!
PRAISE  It's still been cool enough we haven't had to run the AC *too much at the castle and not at all at the lockshop yet.


Prayer business
Prayer My Uncle. He has not been feeling well

Sorry for any confusions last week with the linked web address.  Hopefully this week I get it right.  I did submit a corrected one last week.

I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for HHM.  Go visit her and the rest of those who have joined in. 

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. 

P.S. Probably won't be participating in HHM next week since it's a holiday.  You all have a safe one!

I'm Not Good At This.....

Goodness the weekend has been busy. That's a good thing. Here's a post I was going to share on Friday. Better late then never, right?  I'll see you tomorrow for HHM.  😊

Hubby had a t-shirt that the under arm was ripped out.  It's one of the few t-shirts that he wears at The Castle.

It's ripped pretty good, but thankfully just where the seams were.

Meh it's not pretty but it's working

All sewed up.  Don't look bad at all huh?

Looking at it from the outside of the shirt it looks pretty normal to me.   I don't know how ling my stitching will last, but at least the shirt will look decent to wear.

Mystery Ball of Yarn Update

The Mystery Ball Of Yarn that I shared about the other day?  Here are a couple updates on the progress.  I had to dig for more scraps because I'm getting close to the end of that ball.  The blanket isn't anywhere near big enough.

I'll share another update soon.

One Screen Down ~~ Preparing for Warm Weather

We finally got one screen made.  We bought a roll of aluminum screen at Home Depot.  I didn't want the nylon screen because, well......we have Fuzzy, and I know what cats can do to screens. 

Hubby laid the screen out on the bed and measured how much he needed with the little boards he cut to fit in the frame.

Fuzzy is like "Woah! There is nothing here between me and outside!"  Notice her tail is outside the window.

"Mom did you know there is nothing there?" Note the tail is still outside the window.  

Yah I was a little nervous that she would go out on the ledge. It wouldn't be the first time.  

If you note in the picture above with Fuzzy, we have a 2x4 frame that is there to hold the top window up.  Hubby nailed the screen to that and then along the bottom of the window.  He did trim the screen also, so we could open and close the window.  

This is amazing!  I am very thankful and happy to have a screen.  Hopefully it cuts down on the little green grasshopper like bugs and the rest of the scary summer time bugs that like to hang around the street light.  It also allows us to open and close the window easier, and we can actually open it wider now.  Plus, unless fuzzy starts doing a lot of leaning on the screen (like cats like to do) I feel safer having it open.  We had been using metal shelving shelves and they didn't fit real good.  It was better than nothing though.

I do believe Fuzzy approves of the new screen.  

Next window is in my son's room.  It will require a lot more work.  The top window is broken out and we need to cover that more securely than we have it now, and we want to build a frame like we have in this window to help hold the top window up.  We will install the screen the same way.  I will share pictures when we get it accomplished.

The Mystery Ball of Yarn

This is my mystery ball of yarn.  It i leftover bits and pieces.  Mostly acrylic yarn but I do know there is 2 sections of cotton yarn and a section that I believe is a wool/acrylic mix.  This ball started out to be a market bag.......well I frogged that idea.  Now it's in the works to be another 10 stitch tunisian crochet blanket.  I'm keeping the ball in a plastic bag that's tied up so I can't see what's next until the next knot comes out.

I'm liking this much better than my browns 10 stitch blanket.

I'll keep you posted on the status of this blanket.

I Relocated My Yarn

Those of you who had trouble finding me yesterday from my HHM link on Diary of a Stay at Home Mom's page, I do apologize. I went to check it out and sure enough I made an error in entering the link in the linky.  It looks like I tried to enter it twice and didn't get all the first address erased.

Now that that's taken care of.  We are starting to work on the back a the castle.  The back is where we want the "big kitchen".  The one with the grill and fryers, so we can make even yummier food.  Anyway part of that process is to finish the ceiling in the area we want to store our dry goods.  That was where I had my crochet corner.  I didn't think to take a picture before I moved my chair, but here is where it was before.

My chair was sitting in the lower left hand side of the picture.  My yarn tote was there in front of the blue lawn chair.  I also had a few bags and a couple boxes in the corner too.  So where did I move it to?  See that red area at about the top center?  That is hubby's tool box.  I now have the corner just to the right of the tool box.  It is now in the CC-TV (Cosmic Castle TV) area.  My corner is MUCH smaller now.

I put my chair in the corner by the railing.  The chair belonged to my mom. Yes it's missing an arm.  We have it somewhere.  It also is near being wore out and doesn't rock without making a terrible squeaking noise.  It's still super comfortable though.

Directly in front me my chair, and kinda under a table,  is my yarn tote (pink tote) and my pattern books and hooks, etc (tote with the box of unfinished projects on top)  You can see the corner of my chair there at the bottom left.

To my right, under the costume rack, is a box of bags for plarn, some wool yarn I was given, and the needle/hook tote.

I have some really awesome guys to hang out with and the best part is there is a plug in right by my chair and the wifi router is across the room, so my wifi is the best in the house.

See where that clock is in-between the two aliens? That's where the hood is going to go one of these days.  The grill will be there below it and the fryers to the right where the window is now.

It's a little squishy but I'm ok with that.  At least I have an area for all my stuff.

Thanks for coming by.  Check back tomorrow......we got one of the 2 screens put up upstairs, and I'm pretty sure Fuzzy approves.  

HHM 5-15-2017

As I look outside my window:::

Again this week......Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy.....It's beautiful and perfect!  The sun is shining, it's the perfect temperature and there is a slight breeze.  Makes me want to go camping.  LOL!

 
Right now I am::: 

sitting at my laptop, at work, writing this, crochet project in my lap and trying to wake up.

Something funny from this past week:::
Hubby's dental surgery day....He was a hoot for a few hours afterwards.  I am happy to say though all went well. He hasn't been in too much pain, and he is recovering nicely.

Currently Reading:::
still nothing on the kindle app

On my to do list today:::
Well......Laundry will need to be washed tonight.
We got some screen so I want to start working on the windows upstairs tonight
Work on my Smelly Good Stuffs Page.  I have been trying to post something each day and add someting for sale each day.
crochet


Today's Lunch:::

Preparing for Warm weather:::
We bought a roll of aluminum window screen yesterday! Hopefully This week we can get one window with a screen on it.  I would also like to do the window in my son's room.  It will take a bit more work but I'm sure he would appreciate it being done.


What I am crocheting:::

Last week's picture The pink crochet thread and blue beads, was made into a pair of barefoot sandals.  This week I have started 2 new tunisian blankets.  One is just random scraps tied together in random order that I am making a 10 stitch blanket out of.  The other one is a camouflage and bright orange simple tunisian blanket.  My goal is to use all my yarn (I have quite a bit) so I have a legit excuse to buy more. ;-)

From the camera:::

Something I Recently Made:::

The barefoot sandals 

Praise/Prayer List:::
PRAISE the sun is shining today!
PRAISE  It's still been cool enough we haven't had to run the AC *too much at the castle and not at all at the lockshop yet.
PRAISE hubby's dental surgery went well


Prayer business





I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for HHM.  Go visit her and the rest of those who have joined in. 

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. 

I've Been Concentrating

I've been concentrating this past week on getting my Smelly Good Stuffs stuff back online.  Incense, crochet goods, and general information.   Maybe it's just the content, I'm not sure, but that page has seen more traffic in the past week than this page has ever seen on a good post day.  Makes he happy!  Also I have discovered I must make more YouTube videos.  I do plan to, but I've been sick the past couple weeks.  Well, just sick for about a week but I've had the annoying after cough for over a week now.  Kinda hard to make videos when talking makes you cough!  Hopefully I can work on one this coming up Monday.  I have a few crochet projects to share to my YouTube Family.

Wishing you all a groovy weekend!

Laundry Alternative Spin Dryer and Wonderwasher Washing Clothes by Hand

Watch my Laundry Alternative Spin Dryer and Wonderwasher Washing Clothes by Hand video on YouTube!

I so love this thing!  Makes washing clothes by hand so much easier to dry!

HHM ~~ 5-8-17

As I look outside my window:::

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy.....It's beautiful and perfect!  The sun is shining, it's the perfect temperature and there is a slight breeze.

 
Right now I am::: 

in the dreaming and checking things out on pinterest for camping out ideas ahd hacks.  hubby and i agreed that instead of taking a week off and driving to see something cool and driving home (and spending a bunch of money) maybe we will take several couple day camp out trips.  no sleeping in a tent for me.  it's going to be the mattress in the back of the van and a box fan to stay cool.....because we are going to make sure to camp where we have electric hook ups.  if you know of any amazing camping spots in the immediate 4-state area (kansas, oklahoma, missouri, arkansas) let me know.  I already have a few spots I would like to venture out to, besides just camping locally.

Something funny from this past week:::
I noticed that the green blanket that was up over one of my son's windows was in the middle of the floor. I asked him if he had put it out for fuzzy to sleep on.  he said no......she put it there herself. It has been on the floor for some time, since we uncovered the windows when it warmed up a few weeks ago.  He said he watched her do it and it was rather cute. I'm sure I can't begin to describe the cuteness but I will do the best I can.  he said she was scratching at it and then she would pick it up in her mouth and pull at it doing her cute squeaky mew, mew, mew, scratch at it a bit more, etc.  She did a good job, it is stretched clear across the floor between the wall and the door in between his room and ours. she sits on it quite proudly too.  

Currently Reading:::
still nothing on the kindle app

On my to do list today:::

i need to check with the dentist office about hubby's appointment tomorrow
i need to pay a bill online since I don't recall getting a statement from them

Today's Lunch:::

it was mcdonalds *sigh*  I need to figure out something amazing for supper though

Preparing for Warm weather:::
we have come up with a plan "b" for getting screens on the windows.  We still need to do much of the work I have mentioned before (in my Preparing for warm winter entry on this post), but the newest idea, so we can open our window all the way and keep kitty safely inside and birds out, is to just staple screen on the inside of the 2x4 support we have already built for the upper window.  Right now I only open it the width of a 2x4.....so maybe about 4 inches?  nothing between the inside and outside.



What I am crocheting:::

my next project is being made with these colors.  fuchsia crochet thread and metallic blue beads.

From the camera:::

This silly drawing was drawn on the wall in the room that we made into a theater room.  I'm guessing one of the college students that lived up there in 1968-69 school year drew it.  I'm not sure who "Pat" was.  From what we can tell there were at least 3 maybe 4 guys living upstairs and none of the letters, school papers, etc we found had the name "pat" on them.

Something I Recently Made:::

I created this hippie chic boho bracelet over the weekend.  I posted about it in my previous post

Praise/Prayer List:::
PRAISE the sun is shining today!
PRAISE  It's still been cool enough we haven't had to run the AC *too much at the castle and not at all at the lockshop yet.
PRAISE I'm feeling 99.9% better than last monday.  Still an occasional annoying cough but that's about it.  Son is doing much better too.


Prayer hubby's upcoming dental surgery tomorrow morning, bright and early




I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for HHM.  Go visit her and the rest of those who have joined in. 

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. 

Beaded Crochet Bracelet

Yes, yes, yes!  This was a "being sick" idea (I've been sick all week, but feeling much better today) and it turned out much better than I imagined it would!  Took me a couple hours or so to complete it.  Looking forward to making more.  I did buy a big bag of crochet thread for $1.75 at the flea market the other day when I went to check on our booth.

Now all I need is more beads.........

I will be selling them so be sure to check my business blog Smelly Good Stuffs.  There are already a few crochet things there and I plan om adding more as well, including the stick incense I make.

Thanks for coming by!

Follow Me Friday ~~ Making Incense Part 2

Watch my Follow Me Friday ~~ Making Incense Part 2 video on YouTube

Hello 😊

HUMMMM....this is a "lost post".  I found it in my drafts folder.  It was written June 26, 2016.  Enjoy a blast from the past from me.  Sounds like it was a pretty good day.  

It's been an interesting weekend. Friday and Saturday were both busy days.  In-between customers I have been looking at twiddle muff ideas.  I have started a few times and frogged. Still not sure what I want to do. I may have to follow some sort of pattern. I'm not always good at winging it.

We went out of town today. Oldest son went too. We introduced him to our favorite burger place. Mmmmm they have good food. He liked them as well and thanked us for inviting him.

Hubby and I stopped at a flea market while we were out.  I found a jar of buttons for a good price. I was needing buttons to finish a bag I made several months back.

The jar had several visible buttons about the size I thought I wanted to use. Once I started sorting them I changed my mind on what I wanted. I chose these red bead like buttons. Now I just need to find my sewing kit and sew them on. 

Since it was supposed to rain tonight we decided not to do any painting outside. 

Instead hubby started working out the new sign for The Castle.  

I didn't go to the laundromat today. I'll do that tomorrow night.

Thanks for stopping by 🌈