Original Source: How to Fold a Shirt
Original Source: DIY Laundry Detergent
1 Box (4 lb 12 oz) Borax- Found in the detergent aisle
1 Box (3 lb 7 oz) Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda- Found in the detergent aisle
1 Container (3 lb) OxyClean- Found in the detergent aisle.
2 Bars (14.1 oz) Zote Soap or Fels Naptha, grated- Found in the detergent aisle
2 Boxes (2 lb) Arm & Hammer Baking Soda- Found in the cooking aisle
1-2 Bottles (55 oz) Purex Crystals Fabric Softener- Found in the detergent aisle (This is 100% optional. Like I said, my laundry detergent must smell good and I really like soft towels)
The hardest part is now over and all that’s left is to mix everything together. I used a very large bucket that I got from my Father-in-Law and took a layering approach to mix it easier. I took a small amount of each ingredient and layered it on top of each other, then I grabbed a large mixing spoon and mixed it together. I did this probably 5 times but it was so much easier than dumping all the ingredients in at once and then trying to mix it well.
This batch makes A TON! Now for probably the best part…you only need 1-2 Tablespoons per load depending on the size…I’ll give you some time to re-read that since I’m sure your in total disbelief…recover yet? That’s right, you only need 1-2 Tablespoons per load! Now here comes the stroke of genius, if you opted to put the Purex Crystals in your batch, you can scoop the detergent right into your bottle and use the cap as your measuring spoon. There are 3 lines on the side and the middle one is approximately 2 Tablespoons…genius right?
Me: I have done this before and it works great. So inexpensive, and it lasted forever! I used Fels Naptha before, but this time I chose to use the Zote Soap because…wait for it…it’s pink! LOL If you know me, you know I LOVE pink! So pink laundry soap just makes doing laundry that much more fun!
I used my Bosh mixer to grate the soap. Much, much faster than hand grating. And it cleans off really easily. I mean, it is just soap!
I have read comments about people being worried about using this soap in cold water, because how is the Zote/Fels Naptha going to melt. Really? Melt? Soap doesn’t melt, it dissolves. And it dissolves in cold water just fine.
So looking at this picture, you can see that I filled both bottles, I filled the OxiClean container, and my bucket is almost 1/2 full. This will last me for months, and I do about 4-5 loads of darks every week. I don’t use this for my whites and towels, I use Tide with Bleach for those. But this is an amazing way to save money. Try it out!
Original Source: How to make your own microwave popcorn
First you need a plain brown paper sack-- the kind you put a lunch in works great. And a 1/2 cup of raw popcorn-- open the sack so that it will stand up, and pour the popcorn into the sack. Fold the top down on the sack and put the sack in the microwave standing up straight. Cook for 2 minutes- just like you do the store bought packages. After it has popped, you can eat it plain- or add any topping you like. There are lots of different ways you can flavor it-- and I promise you won't be able to tell the difference between this & the store bought packages. It's a lot cheaper too- so that is always a plus!!
I know it blurry, but I had to show you that the bag is full! Yes, 1/2 cup of popcorn filled the lunch bag! It popped perfectly! Then we just used “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” spray, which is zero points and it’s the perfect snack! I am never spending money on microwave popcorn again! Whoo Hoo!
Original Source: Streak-Free Window Cleaner
3 1/2 ounces Jet Dry
4 Tablespoons rubbing alcohol
1/4 cup ammonia
1/4 cup powdered dish-washer soap
2 Gallons of Hot Water
Squirt windows with hose.
Use long handled brush (we used one of those car washing microfiber thingies) to dip in solution and scrub windows thoroughly. Then spray windows thoroughly to rinse.
Just LOOK at that sheeting action!!
A little while later….the windows will dry to an even shine with no wiping or squeegeeing! A SHINY, STREAK-FREE WINDOW! Just as “advertised”! :-)
Me: Confession time. We have lived in our house for 8 years, and I have never cleaned the outside windows. I know, shameful. So I was excited when I read about this. Skeptical, but excited. I figured if it works, great. If it doesn’t, at least I will have cleaned them. I went out and bought the scrubber from Wal-Mart. It’s the exact same one, and was very inexpensive. I followed her instructions, but I doubled the recipe, because I was going to do all the windows. I didn’t need to. I had plenty to do every single window, with lots left over.
I enlisted the help of my children, who lugged the bucket around, sprayed windows, and even climbed ladders and washed the 3 highest windows for me. When we were done, we went back to the first window, and guess what?
It was GORGEOUS! It truly was streak and spot free! I was amazed! And it was so fast. We did all the windows in just about an hour. And that included taking the screens out and spraying them off and spraying down my vinyl siding to get all the dirt off.
I did learn that when rinsing the window after scrubbing it, spray it really good from the top down to get all the soap off the window. I will definitely be doing this over and over again!
