Jami's Homemade Favs ---

Those of you who follow me on facebook or twitter or Pinterest know that I have developed a love of making my own homemade detergents.  I admit the desire was started out of a need to save money.  Even after clipping coupons, laundry soaps and dish detergents are just to darn expensive.  And....they have yucky chemicals that we just don't need.

Now that I have been using them for a bit....I will never go back to purchasing detergents again - even if we somehow hit the jackpot (which we don't play) and don't need worry about finances as much.  I had to use some "real" detergent a few weeks ago b/c I had run out of homemade and hadn't had time to whip up some more.  Nothing smelled as clean and fresh as the homemade stuff!  I just think it smells really clean b/c there isn't any fake stuff or added chemicals!  I LOVE IT!  Our clothes are cleaner and whiter and brighter. 

Plus..I am enjoying teaching my children that they too can make their own when they get older and be frugal!

So...here are some of my favs that I have stolen or adapted :)  I hope some of you enjoy them!

Jami's Homemade Dish Detergent
(I normally double this)

1 cup Borax
1 Cup Super Washing Soda
1/2 Cup course sea salt
Lemon or Orange Essential Oil

If you are worried about spots -- just add regular white vinegar where you would normally put your rinse aid!  REALLY! 

I should add -- white vinegar is my new best friend :)


Jami's Favorite Powdered Laundry Soap -- this is my FAVORITE and it's so EASY!

 - again - I double (sometimes triple this) so I don't have to make it as often

1 bar of shaved soap ( i grate it with a cheap grater from the dollar store) - I use Fels-Naptha or Ivory -Fels-Naptha is in the laundry isle
1 cup Borax
1 cup Washing soda 

Thoroughly stir together for 5 minutes -- really stir it well -- mixing to a fine powder is the key. 

I also sometimes add some citrus essential oil drops or whatever essential oil I have on hand that smells good.  Right now I use Purify from DoTerra b/c it kills mold, fungus,  and yucky things and since I have so many great towels that come home from the pool locker room - I love Purify!

This recipe is GREAT for HE Washers b/c it's very low suds.  Safe for septic tanks b/c it contains zero phosphates or fillers!  Completely NON-toxic!



Jami's FAV fabric softener --- hold on to your hats ---

DISTILLED WHITE VINEGAR!!!!!

Yep -- fill an 8oz spray bottle and spray about 5-10 sprays into your wet clothes once in the dryer (or before hanging on the line).  I LOVE IT!  At first...I used too much and our towels did smell like vinegar.  I cut back and now I think our clothes smell so FRESH!  You can add some Eucalyptus Essential Oil too - just be sure to shake each time before you spray to mix the oil and vinegar!


Jami's favorite liquid dish soap recipe --

1 1/2 cups hot water
1/2 cup liquid castile soap (I use Dr. Bronners Peppermint liquid soap b/c then I don't have to add an essential oil)
1 Tablespoon white vinegar
1 tablespoon of Arm and Hammer's Super Washing Soda (helps thicken the soap a bit)
1/8th teaspoon tea tree oil (optional) - I didn't add this to my recent batch
1 tablespoon shredded bar soap (i used the same Fels-Naptha from above - but you can use Ivory or homemade soap too) - it really thickens it and helps with grease fighting!

Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl then add the very hot water. Whisk/stir this mixture until all ingredients are thoroughly blended and the bar soap if you added it is melted.
Allow to cool completely on the counter and stir occasionally
Store in any dish soap dispensing bottle and use as you would any dish soap!

I love my pepperming scent each time I clean dishes :)


Hope you enjoy!  Being Frugal and Naturally clean -- Jami :)