Really, we have changed the way we do things around our house over the past few years. If we can make it, have time and it's a better financial decision, then that's what we do.
Laundry Detergent- I have been making our detergent for about 8 months now. And I LOVE IT!! It is so terribly easy and a great financial decision. Before making our own detergent, I was spending about $10-$13 every month or so. Now I think we spend about 1-3 cents per load. Crazy! I find the basic ingredients at our local grocery store- Borax, Fels Naptha and Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soad. Some people substitute the Fels Naptha with whatever soap they have on hand (Ivory, Dial, etc). I have tried this and it doesn't seem to fight the stains as well for me.
The detergent is even fabulous for getting out those super tough stains. I keep a toothbrush in my laundry room to dunk into the bucket whenever a stain needs some extra tlc. Just scrub the detergent directly onto the stain and poof!
Instructions-
1. Grate entire bar of Fels Naptha into shallow pan (easy for the kids). Yes, I use my cheese grater. It looks a bit like cheese, too, so you can trick someone by offering them a bite.:) Add a cup or 2 of water and simmer on low until ALL SOAP HAS DISSOLVED. The dissolving part is very important for the end result. Stir frequently as not to burn.
2. While the soap is dissolving, fill a 5 gallon bucket about 1/2 full of HOT water. Mix in 1 cup of Borax and 1 cup of Arm and Hammer Laundry Booster. You may add more or less of either of these to your liking. I usually add a bit more.
3. When soap has fully dissolved, add it to your bucket concoction. Stir well. Finish filling 5 gallon bucket with hot water. Viola! You are finished!!
Now, I have used the detergent immediately. Some people say to let it sit overnight. I haven't seen a difference in effectiveness. Also, the detergent will be ugly- a slimy, lumpy goo. That's perfect! You know you did it right when it looks like this. And I guess you should stir it occasionally. I remember to sometimes.:)
Oh, and I use 1/2 cup per load of laundry (add a little more if you have some extra nasty clothes).
My girls enjoy helping me make it, and I enjoy letting them be my stirrers!
Baby Wipes- We were blessed when our youngest angel was born with these beauties. My SIL, Markana, sent them to us just before we left to pick him up. I LOVE THEM!! We use them primarily for diaper changes, but also for washcloths at bathtime.
Yes, I still use the disposable wipes for dirty, dirty diapers and for time away from home. While I'm getting these lovelies wet with warm water, I also rinse out the disposable wipes. That way any chemicals that come with the disposables go down the drain. And I can trash the yuck in the disposables!
I'm sure these are super simple to make (just flannel fabric squares), but mine are from Moo Cow Momma. She makes them in hundreds of different fabrics and colors. Our's are a variety of cute boy fabrics.
Homemade Baby Food- I don't buy any premade food. I just don't like it. It is so incredibly easy to mush up some fruits and veggies and a whole lot more nutritious, I'm sure.
Also, we started our sweet boy on organic cereal but there was really no need to continue after a short time. First, he is formula fed and gets plenty of iron from the formula. Second, cereal is really only on the market to assist in getting babies ready for eating "real" food- you can water it down or thicken it up as much as you need. And third, our sweetie spit it up. He wasn't (and isn't now) a spitter upper unless he had eaten cereal that day. Cereal no more!
In order to make his food, I simply mush up his meal for the day. This photo is of sweet potatoes and banana.
I have been just using a fork to do the mashing but did break down and buy a baby food grinder yesterday. I'm not sure how it is going to work because it was super cheap and mostly plastic. The fork may be our best bet. With the fork, I simply mush until I get the consistency I want.
The food never resembles the liquified food you find in baby food jars- it's thicker and does have some teeny, tiny chunks. Baby has never had a problem with it, and I hope this makes it easier on him later trying more textured foods. He has been such an easy one to feed- no spitting or gagging at all. And super clean!
To date we have tried sweet potatoes, bananas, apples, mango, avocado, carrots, green beans, prunes, pumpkin and peas. I had a harder time with the peas because the skins didn't want to cooperate. Baby is not at all picky and doesn't mind his foods mixed. Sometimes it's even apples and avocado for breakfast!
A tip about apples- skin, slice and boil them. They will turn super soft and perfect for baby. If you feed your angel cereal, save the water you boiled the apples in. It is natural apple juice and would probably taste scrumptious mixed with cereal.
Also, I have considered making baby food in bulk and freezing it in ice cube trays. My only delimma is that I'd have to remember to get it out with enough time for it to thaw before a meal. But it would be the perfect portion size and easy to store. Still thinking about this one.
A great site for info about making your own food is Wholesome Baby Food.
This sweet boy sure does like it!! This is his new high chair. Look how tiny he looks in it!
Of course, this isn't a very delicious picture of them, but I promise they are so good!
Phew. That was a long post. I hope each of you have a blessed weekend!
In Him,
E
6 comments:
E- Thank you for the reminder. I was going to try this about a year or longer ago. We couldnt find Fels Naptha in any local stores. I did find it on the internet but just didnt get around to purchasing it. (BTW- Baby boy is just cute as a button!)
Thank so much for that very helpful post. I am definitely going to have to try the liquid laundry soap next! Mine is powder.
Hugs
A
Yes We too make our own deterdent. Im now looking for a how to homemade powder detergent. Your little one is growing so fast and he is just beautiful!
Thank you for all these recipes! I've been wanting to try the homemade laundry detergent. Is it really time consuming?
Hugs,
Traci
on the detergent, our daughter has extreme excema and we have to use dye free, scent free everything. Do you think this would affect her skin ? I have been buying tide free because it doesn't affect her skin but it's EXPENSIVE even at BJ's. :)
I'm going to try the laundry soap! My question is this, do you keep it in the big bucket or pour it into something else?
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