DIY Powdered Laundry Detergent a Penny Per Load

Over the years I have used many different recipes to make my own laundry soap.  I converted from regular liquid soap you buy in a store to liquid soap I made on my own.  Most call for a good bar of soap, borax (toxic yuck) and washing soda.  I have been on the look out for a good simple recipe for a few years now.  It wasn't until I started cleaning homes for people the all natural non toxic way that I had a epiphany.  Baking soda and vinegar is all you need to clean a home. Bingo! 

Ingredients you will need: 

Baking soda 3lbs

I gathered free samples of soaps from Whole Foods and used them in my soap. Free!

Bar of soap your choice 1/3 the bar per 3 lbs of baking soda 

I recommend using a non oily soap. Moisturizing soaps can leave oil on your clothes. The point of this soap is to clean and deodorize.

Tools: Small grater, container to put your powder soap in and a fork to stir with.

Step one-grate the whole bar of soap or as much scent as you can handle. I use an all natural soap because we have many skin allergies but you can use anything you want.  

Step two-Mix in baking soda

How to use: 1 tablespoon per load for any washer. 

Thats it. Your done. I'm not kidding. It's that simple. 

My cost

I bought a 5 pound bag of baking soda for $3.85 and the soap were free samples. There is about 72 tablespoons in one pound, making there 360 tablespoons in 5 pounds of baking soda and that equals out to a little over a penny per load of laundry.  Possibly more if you use less than one tablespoon.  Cheap huh? My thoughts exactly.

I have a HE washer and have been using this for a year now. I don't have any powder build up but if you find you are having any just use less powder per load of laundry. 

Questions

What if our clothes are stinky stink bombs?

I have 2 kids in sports and trust me when I say I know how your feeling. Simply soak the clothes in a bucket of water with 1 tablespoon of this soap. Soak for 30 minutes then toss in your washer and wash as usual. Baking soda is great for getting smells out of clothes.

What do you use for bleach?

I don't use bleach because its toxic. Instead I use hydrogen peroxide in its place.  I have a HE washer with a preset amount I can pour in. If you don't have a preset amount just put 1/2 cup in your wash of whites. Soak if needed.

Can I use this powder mixture to clean anything else?

You bet you can! For hard to clean ring around your tub get a small bowl and add in a 1/2 cup of this powder mixture and add just enough hydrogen peroxide into it to make a paste.  Scrub your bath tub with this and it will get any stain and oil off your tub.  Works wonders! You can also sprinkle it into toilets and scrub with a toilet brush to clean your toilets. This can be used to even clean your kitchen sink!

Can I use this on dark clothes and whites?

Yes you can use it on both. I have never had any clothes discolor or get ruined. 

So as you can see this really is a simple, easy and frugal way to wash your clothes or home. My favorite part is that you can make it smell like any scent you want or just use baking soda alone. Totally catered to your specific needs. That my friend is awesome!

Cloth Diapers?

Looking for a recipe to use with cloth diapers? The Eco-Friendly Family has a great recipe here to try.

Want to use soap nuts but like powdered soaps? The Eco-Friendly Family has that as well! Check the recipe out here. 

Borax Free Recipe?

Ecokaren has a great borax free recipe here. 

She also has a great recipe for Non Toxic and Cheap Homemade Laundry Detergent.

If you have a front loader (like me) she also wrote a great post on Front Loading Washer Maintenance. 

Disclaimer-Use at your own will.  This has worked for me but test it out before you use it on all your clothes. I'm not responsible for anything that might happen to your clothes. This is just helpful tips and idea's that hopefully will work for you.

Garden Sights

 My neighbor Julie took these amazing photos of my garden. Enjoy!

For more information about Julie take a peek at her site.  You will see more of my garden goodies in her vegetable category.  

www.gingersnap.smugmug.com 

I love my handy husband!

A few years ago some friends had a tree cut down and gave us all the wood. There was a very large piece that I thought would be a perfect planter but the idea never came to life. Until today!!  My husband is working in it and  I'm planning where it will go and what's in it. I love that man! 

Green Review Miessence Haircare

The Miessence Difference

Miessence is proud of the fact that they are the world's first extensive range of internationally certified organic products for skin, hair, body, cosmetic, oral and nutrition. Their certified organic products are grown and processed without the use of synthetic chemicals, fertilizers or genetically modified organisms otherwise known as GMO's.  You had me at organic.

You can read about Miessence organic certification here.

Their supply chain, manufacturing processes and freight distribution is 110% certified carbon negative.  That means they offset MORE than they emit from manufacturing, transportation and promotion process. MORE!

Non-toxic, non-leaching packaging meets the standards for organic certification? Swoon!

Miessence Ingredients

100% guaranteed integrity – all their products are certified to independent third-party organic standards (ACO, USDA, BFA).

100% pure - no toxic synthetics in any of their products.

100% beneficial – every ingredient is beneficial for you, your skin and the planet.

100% potent – 100% active ingredients, no fillers or bulking agents.

Cold formulation – protects the potency, vitality and freshness of our ingredients to ensure bio-available nutrients are delivered to your skin for maximum effect.

No tap water – they use organic aloe vera juice as their base.

Hand made fresh monthly – delivered directly to your door.

That just blew my mind. 

You can read about how they compare typical ingredients in products compared to their ingredients here. I can't believe how much junk is in products and came away with a whole new appreciation for Miessence after reading that. 

My Experience 

I received a full size bottle of 86% Organic Shine Herbal Hair Conditioner and Desert Flower Shampoo.  Also a few small sample packs of facial cleanser, conditioner and moisturizer.  I also received a sample pack of hand cream. 

I decided to review the hair wash/conditioner because I'm struggling with trying to find a product that works for my hair. My children are doing just fine with what we are using currently so this is why I decided to review these.  

I'm a mother of four daughters so you can just imagine how much hair wash we go through.  Since my girls don't use hair dye/hair sprays they will not be using this product.  I am happy with their current product and its results. But I do use a natural hair dye and on rare occasions I use organic hair spray.  

I have long straight hair but my long straight hair is a big frizz ball. Who would of thought that could happen? Certainly not me. Because of this I have a hard time with finding products that will work on my hair.  Over the years I find that once a week I need a good moisturizing hair wash to give my hair a added boost of shine.  Ive learned to just accept my frizz and usually just keep it up or flat iron it. 

Wash 1

My hair was wet and I added the shampoo.  It has a nice light scent which I appreciate very much. Unlike most people who like really good smelly hair I on the other hand cannot stand it. I'm super sensitive to strong smells and they make me physically feel sick after a while. This was a really nice light scent that I enjoyed.  The shampoo didn't lather but I made sure I rubbed it in all over every part of my hair.  I didn't lather much but this is something you get used to when you use organic or natural products. Its the toxic stuff that makes your hair lather! Also your hair is still coated with toxins from your other products you were using.  Takes time for all that to get out but once its gone your hair will lather up nicely.  Rinsed my hair and wow did it feel squeaky clean. So squeaky that I was a bit worried,

Next I added conditioner.  Once again it has a very lovely light scent.  It was very thick so I made sure to spread it over my hair making sure to get everything.  It recommends to leave it on as long as possible. Since I have a cast iron tub that means only a few minutes before my water starts to get cold.  I rinsed it out and again my hair was squeaky clean and not super moisturized like a average product would do.  Again I was worried.  

By the time I got out of the tub, dried off and put a towel on my hair I felt a difference.  My hair was fluffy soft. I didn't have any trouble using a pick to comb my hair.  It didn't have a overwhelming smell just a nice lovely scent.  I got dressed and did my daily routine.  After my hair was air dried I went into the bathroom to inspect.  

This is what I found

My hair was a bit more shiny. No more dull hair! 

My hair was not as frizzy but still a bit frizzy. Its my natural hair so it does what it does no matter what product I use. The fact that it was less frizzy totally made my day.

My hair was unbelievably soft!!! From top to ends amazing. 

I didn't need to wash it for 3 more days. Saving me water and energy!  

It didn't take much product to wash my long hair. I can get at least 16 or more washings out of one bottle.  

My review-Good bad and the ugly.

Good

I'm in love with this product. Really really love the results I'm having after each washing.  I get a feel good response every time I use this product or even think of it. 

Bad (maybe)

You cannot buy it in any retail store. You can find it online only. So shipping cost is a factor. I would keep an eye out for free shipping if they ever have it. I have a hard time with this because I like to buy most my items locally.  If and only if I cannot find it local will I buy online.  But for some people buying online is a only option so this might be a good thing for you. I'm a stay at home mom so I have the time to go to the store. I understand most people cannot and this is a only option. 

Ugly

Price. As I stated before I have 4 daughters and we go through plenty of hair wash and body products.  Me personally I couldn't afford to buy these for my whole family to use.  I could see myself once in a while splurging to buy these for myself only. But if you don't have a troop of kids like myself then you can easily spend the money and buy yourself an amazing product.  If you used this daily you would have the most amazing looking and feeling hair ever.  I wish I could have a endless supply of Miessence products. Anyone have a extra wish not granted? I would totally ask for this! Heck I would love it for a Christmas or birthday gift. No joke. Hint hint. 

My recommendation

For those mama's out there splurge and get yourself any of Miessence product you want. These are amazing and you get amazing results.  Their website is the most informative one out there. Have a question just contact them and they will explain anything you want fast. I recommend this company highly.  

P.S.

I also tried their skin care line. LOVE LOVE LOVE the results!!!!!! So if you already have a hair product you love and are looking for a good skin care line then I recommend trying them out. I can use any wash but moisturizer I am picky about. This is a nice thin moisturizer that made my skin feel so amazing.  You can find their skin care line here. 

May Food Budget $199.53

May Food Budget

The Meating Place

2 lb. Local Ground Pork ($3 per lb) and 1/2 lb local ground beef with bacon ($5.99 per lb) $9.00

New Seasons

4 organic oranges ($1.49 per lb)  $3.00

Organic Cilantro Sale .99 cents

Soy Creamer $3.39

TOTAL $16.38

The Meating Place-Ive been waiting for the place to finally open up for the public. Woot! I walked away happy for a few reasons.  All the meat comes from local farmers. The fact Im keeping our $$ in Oregon makes me happy.  I also asked for no plastic wrap and only paper.  The paper is just plain white paper with no plastic lining or wax. Woot!!! I also love how close it is to my home.  They sell everything from dozens of meats, bones, sandwiches and many local Oregon company products. They even sell my favorite Portlandia Foods Ketchup. Woot!

I had a coupon for 10% off my first order that they handed out to anyone who stopped by before they opened up. I used this and saved $1. Every little bit adds up!

Soy Creamer-I didn't want to pay the $4.49 price of my favorite coconut creamer. I also didn't want to drive extra miles just to get it at my Whole Foods price of $3.99.  So I decided to try this soy creamer out.  Lets just say I won't be buying it again. Yuck. Hubby and I didn't like it one bit. Never again. 

I will continue to update this food budget all month and adding in my total cost in the title.  At the end of the month I will know exactly how much I spent and see where I can improve it and where I'm spending too much. 

Grocery Outlet (185th location)

Coconut Bliss Ice Cream ($2.49 each) $9.96

Arrowhead Mills Cereal ($1.99 each) $7.96

Yellow Ring Peppers (not organic boo!) $2.49

Organic Apple Sauce ($2.39 each)$4.78

Organic Coffee ($5.99 each) $17.97

Miltons Multi Grain ($1.99 each box) $3.98

Total- $47.14

New Season's

Organic Kale ($2.49 each) $4.98

Organic Lemons $1

Organic White Rice (pictured below 2 bags $1.99 each) $3.98

Organic Watermelon ( .59 per lb) $5.90

Total-$15.86

Whole Foods (lost my receipt so going by memory alone)

Organic Tortilla Chips ($2.69 each) $5.38

Pretzels ($1.69 each) $3.38

Pesto ($2.99 each) $8.97

Organic Tomatoes ($1.49 per lb) $5.50

Organic Whole Wheat Noodles ($1.39 each) $5.56

Organic Bok Choy ($1.49 per lb) $3.00

Organic Celery ($1.49 per lb) $3.00

No Soy/Dairy butter $4.99

Organic Bulk Pepper ($15.84 per lb) $3.64

Coconut Creamer ($3.99 each) $7.98

Total-$51.40

Stopped by a different Grocery Outlet by my mama's place. Found these good deals 

1 case (12 count $1.99 each) organic, gmo free, corn tortillas $23.88

Kalamata Olives (6 jars $1.49 each) $8.94

Organic Brown Rice (2 lb bag 2 count)  $5.98

Total-$38.80

Costco

Organic Sugar 10lb bag $11.99

Organic Whole Wheat Pasta (8 pack) $8.89

Total $20.98

New Seasons

Heirloom Navel Oranges (4lb bags 3 of them) $8.97

Costco-My husband's work usually covers the cost of a Costco card and that is the only reason I have one or shop there.  Well in July it expires and his work had decided not to pay for them anymore. Organic sugar is expensive when bought in smaller bags and even when you buy it in bulk.  Because of this I will be buying a few more till July to last for a long time.  

Oranges-Normally I don't buy oranges in this netting but these were at a pretty good price and no fruit is on sale or so it seems. So until I can find a good seasonal sale on fruit these will have to do. I really just need them for my girls school lunches.