WOW this homemade liquid dishwasher soap lasts a LONG time!

 SIX months ago I made up this $3 batch of homemade liquid dishwasher soap..... I am just now finishing it up!  That means that it cost me a grand total of 50 cents a month!  I run the dishwasher at least once and a few times a week I run it twice a day.  I have been using this recipe for several years, but I never kept track of how long a batch lasted till now.  I am officially pleased by not only how well it works but how long it lasts.  

A penny saved is a penny earned! 
Have you tried this recipe, yet?
Hope it woks well for you!


Have a BLESSED day,
BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Choosing Simplicity..... Homemade Liquid Dishwasher Soap

I just whipped up another batch of  dishwasher soap this week and it got me thinking about the fact that my second all time most  read post here on this blog is about the homemade liquid dishwasher soap I use.  Isn't it funny what posts become the most popular??  I never would have thought dishwasher soap!  LOL!

I started using homemade liquid dishwasher soap back in 2009 and I enjoy being both frugal and environmentally kind.  I had used a homemade powder dishwasher soap for a long time before that.  I prefer the liquid kind.  We have "hard" well water and I must use a rinse aid (either vinegar or purchased kind) and I have to hand wash our drinking glasses every now and them because no matter what kind of dishwasher soap I use (home made or purchased) a film develops.  This recipe is a keeper in my book, so thought I would post about it again (since it has been a while).

This batch that I made this week will last me about 4 months.  Note that I marked the jug with the date... I like to keep track of usage data... it is the nerd in me!   I run my dishwasher at least once a day and a few days a week it gets ran twice a day.  For a cost of $3 I would say that this is very cost effective!

Homemade Liquid Dishwasher Soap
(This makes 1 gallon. It costs me approximately $3 to make. I store it in 2 1/2 gallon jugs.)

Ingredients:
16 cups of water, divided
1 1/2 cups WASHING soda (this is NOT baking soda)
1 cup borax
1/2 cup Dr. Brenner's Pure Liquid Castile Soap (fragrance of your choice)

Directions:
1) Bring 8 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in washing soda, borax and liquid castile soap until dissolved.
2) Stir in remaining 8 cups water and allow to cool.
3) Pour cooled dishwasher soap into containers of your choice. It will "gell" up over next 24 hours.

To use:
give dishwasher soap a good shake to make sure everything is mixed well and to make it easy to pour out. I only put a small amount ( approx 1 rounded TBL) in the closed soap dispenser. Experiment with the amount you will need... I have found that it takes very little of this soap.  This batch will last a long time!

 I hope you like it... Let me know if you try it. I enjoy making as many of our cleaning products as possible... I especially like this homemade multipurpose cleaner.  My 7 year old son is the chief bathroom cleaner and he sprays down the sink with this cleaner every day.... love that I don't have to worry about my child cleaning with harsh and dangerous chemicals!  Safe and effective and of course money saving!  :)


****Update*****  This batch I made in January lasted me SIX whole months!!  I run the dishwasher at least once a day and several times a week twice.  I posted about how frugal and happy I am with this Homemade Liquid Dishwasher Soap here.   *****

Have a BLESSED day,
BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Choosing Simplicity.... corraling plastic bags

What to do with all those store bags??  When you forget more often than not to take the reusable cloth bags to the store like me..... but you probably always remember to grab yours!!

I use them to line our trash cans in the bathrooms so I keep a stash of them under each bathroom sink and under the kitchen sink.  I have found that an empty tissue box works GREAT!!   Compact storage and easy to pull one out at a time.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING! Heather

Choosing Simplicity in household management for those of us not born organzied......

I will be the first to admit what anyone who knows me in real life will tell you...... I am not the most detail oriented person you will ever meet!  I am a big picture person, a creative person, an idea person.  However, life with a family requires ME to keep everything together (well except I have given up on the basket of mate-less socks)!  I've give up on being like my super organized, detail loving sister who always has all her socks matched up.....  It just causes me too much stress.

I am who I am because it is how GOD made me!!  YOU are who you are because GOD made you!  He did NOT make a mistake!!!  YOUR strengths were give to you as part of your divine plan and purpose.  Rather than fight who I am I choose to embrace it!  ENJOYING what I love about me and working to overcome the areas where I struggle.  Each of us has a specific set of strengths and weaknesses.  We use our strengths to overcome our weakness.  God wants us to operate withing the DNA He gave us!  That to me is so freeing!  I don't have to be like anyone else.... they don't have to be like me!

Since I am not born organized, as flylady calls it, and details elude me, I have to WORK to stay organized.  I need systems to guide me without restraining me.   I tend to go in spurts.... really focused for a while on keeping the house clean and de-cluttered and then giving up.  Neither is going to work for my family in the long run.  I need balance.  I have been seeking God on this subject for so long that I wonder how he can even stand to listen to me anymore!  LOL!  However, God is faithful and has brought me oh, so far!

My journey to simplicity all started from a feeling of living life overwhelmed... all... the .... time!  Always feeling like I was ten steps behind where I needed to be.  This journey has taken me so far and I am so thankful I am NOT where I was!  I learn daily to walk in grace and mercy.  I focus to live out the life GOD predestined for me!

Soooo.... how does this all come together for simplicity in household management??  Well, first let me say that I have to make it a daily priority.  There are HUNDREDS of things I would rather do than wash dishes or fold laundry.... hundreds.  It takes that big  scary "D" word....... discipline!  Some days I truly rebel and let the dishes pile up only to need a double dose of discipline the next day to get them done.  yuck!

In proverbs 1:7 it says that a fool hates wisdom and discipline.... ouch!  I don't want to be a fool!  I want to be wise and walk my days here on earth embracing discipline. 
After really seeking God (again.....) on how to better embrace wisdom and discipline in the area of home management He has lead me to a plan that really works for our family.  I'm not saying it is the plan for you because we are all different, but I wanted to share it with you in case you are like me and need a little guidance in this area.

Basically, all it boils down to is getting some BASIC things done EVERY DAY!!  Using discipline in my life to get theses things DONE before anything else!  I love to get sidetracked doing things I enjoy (like being on the computer, reading a book, picking flowers, taking pictures, visiting my chickens, talking with a friend, hanging out with my kiddos and husband.....).  This plan gives me FREEDOM because when these everyday things are done everyday there is MUCH LESS stress in my life!  I can then enjoy other things without the guilt of knowing the dishes are piling up!

I made up a chart and hung in to the fridge.  I gave everyday tasks to each of my children (after all we are a family and all have a role to play).  If they complain about their tasks I will gladly trade them!  I haven't had any takers on that one yet.... darn!

I don't force myself to do these things in the same order every day.... I just can't fit that tight into a mold.  However, I have found a good flow of one leading into another that works really well.  My kiddos do there duties after school.  I try to get mine done first thing in the morning, but sometimes have to finish up in the evening on days I work (a couple of days a week).  Ya know what??  It is amazingly wonderful how doing these simple things everyday really does keep the stress level down and our home running much smoother!  I know... shocker!  Remember.... I'm not born organized like you! 

Mom	Wes	Robyn	Ethan	Nate
Everyday	Everyday	Everyday	Everyday	Everyday
·      Wipe down Master Bath ·      Dirty Laundry ·      Make Bed ·      Tidy Check Bedroom ·      Tidy Check Living room and wood stove room ·      Unload/reload dish washer ·      Hand wash dishes ·      Prep supper ·      Do laundry ·      Chicken chores ·      Zone task	·      Sweep: Living room and wood stove room ·      Dirty Laundry ·      Clean Laundry ·      Tidy Check bedroom	·      Sweep: Kitchen and Dining Room ·      Dirty Laundry ·      Clean Laundry ·      Tidy Check bedroom	·      Take out trash in kitchen and bathroom ·      Clean floor and wall by trash can in kitchen ·      Tidy Check bedroom	·      Wipe down bathroom ·      Sweep bathroom floor ·      Tidy Check Bedroom

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING! Heather

I've been cleaning with this recipe now for FOUR years!

My love affair with this home made cleaner just keeps going!! I keep a spray bottle with this cleaner in each of our two bathrooms and in the kitchen. It is used daily. It costs so much less to make than buying commercial cleaners and it is environmentally friendly.

Home Made All-Purpose Cleaner (it is also a great glass cleaner... we have used it to clean every window in our house in addition to lots of other places)

• 1 spray bottle (I just use the bottle I had from the last time I purchased a windex)
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/2-2/3 cup scented rubbing alcohol (I use up to 2/3 cup if I am going to use it all for windows)  *** or just use plain rubbing alcohol and add in several drops of your favorite essential oil.  I am using lavender right now, but if my husband could handle the smell of tea tree oil I would use that for the natural antibacterial properties it has.
• Fill the rest of the bottle up with water.

The rubbing alcohol comes in wintergreen and citrus... you will find it with the other rubbing alcohol in the pharmacy section of your favorite store. Our dollar store sells it. The alcohol really speeds up dry time... no more streaks! It also completely covers the vinegar smell and leaves a wonderful mint or citrus fragrance. (I am NOT a fan of the vinegar smell... it is what prevented me from using other home made recipes.) I use this to wipe down my bathroom EVERYDAY! I also use it anywhere I would use windex and on my kitchen counters (I alternate days with bleach water).
Anyway, save a ton and help the environment!

Do you have a favorite home made cleaner you would want to share with me??

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather
What is for supper?? Eliminate this daily stress from your life! http://www.simplefamilysupper.com

Update on my homemade liquid dishwasher soap

I posted way back in the fist week of January about my homemade liquid dishwasher soap. (You will find the recipe at that post) I appreciate when other bloggers post updates on their homemade/frugal attempts... did it really work?? This time it really worked!!

I used this batch all of January, February and finished it up yesterday. Almost three entire months running the dishwasher at least once a day and many times a week it gets ran twice a day. Not bad for $3!!!! It cleans the dishes extremely well and with all that savings I am completely happy! One thing I did find was how LITTLE of this I actually need to use for the dishes to come out sparkling clean!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Homemade liquid dishwasher soap

In my quest to be frugal and more environmentally responsible I have tried several recipes for homemade laundry soap... without results that pass my criteria. The last batch I made was with borax, washing soda and Dr. Breener's liquid castile soap...... it didn't pass the test, either. What to do with all this liquid laundry soap?? I HATED to see it go to waste. I read the castile soap bottle and it said it can be used with dishes!! I have been using homemade powdered dishwasher soap (with washing soda and borax) for the past 4 years so when my batch ran out I used the liquid "laundry soap" I had made. Results?? LOVE it!!!! It might not meet the mark for laundry, but it does an excellent job in my dishwasher.

Since then I have made 3 more batches with equal success. I don't know if it will work for everyone (our water is VERY hard... we use a softener... and is extremely high on the ph scale) but I am very happy with this recipe. I thought that I would pass along my recipe in case anyone wants to try it. You could easily make a smaller batch to give it a shot the first go round. Dr. Brenner's Castile soap is extremely versatile... can be used in so many ways!

Homemade Liquid Dishwasher Soap
(This makes 1 gallon. It costs me approximately $3 to make. I store it in 2 1/2 gallon jugs.)

Ingredients:
16 cups of water, divided
1 1/2 cups WASHING soda (this is NOT baking soda)
1 cup borax
1/2 cup Dr. Brenner's Pure Liquid Castile Soap (fragrance of your choice)

Directions:
1) Bring 8 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in washing soda, borax and liquid castile soap until dissolved.
2) Stir in remaining 8 cups water and allow to cool.
3) Pour cooled dishwasher soap into containers of your choice. It will "gell" up over next 24 hours.

To use:
give dishwasher soap a good shake to make sure everything is mixed well and to make it easy to pour out. I put it in both of my dispensers. Experiment with the amount you will need... I don't completely fill up my dispensers.

I hope you like it... Let me know if you try it. I enjoy making as many of our cleaning products as possible... I especially like this homemade multipurpose cleaner. I am very bummed that I haven't found a laundry soap that works for us.... If you know of any recipes I am willing to try them.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Chooisng Simplicity.... every little thing counts!

"Stuck on" food in a dish or pan?? In my quest for a simpler life I have made several changes. One thing that works for us is making our cleaners. I have found a dishwasher recipe that is fantastic with our water (hard, we use a softener, with a VERY high PH level) AND it is the BEST solution to stuck on dishes that need hand washed! Many people do not find that home made dishwasher soaps works well with their water in their dishwashers, however this recipe is PERFECT for soaking stuck on dishes! Works like a dream.... No more frustration!

Home made Dishwasher soap AND "stuck on" eliminator:
Ingredients
2 cups WASHING soda (I know that our Meijer and Kroger carry this found next to the Borax in the laundry soap section)
1 cup BRORAX
1 pkt lemon flavored koolaid (non sweetened)

Directions:
Simply mix all ingredients in an air tight container and store for use. For dish washing I use 2-3 tsp in my closed lid soap dish. That is all. To get "stuck on" food off of a pan or dish I just put 1-3 tsp of the mix and fill up with hot water. You can add a little bit of dish soap, but it isn't necessary. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes and wash.... so EASY!!!!!!!!! For REALLY stuck on things I just let it soak over night and in the morning everything just RINSES of!!!!

My husband and I are continually looking for ways to become more self sufficient and less reliant on store bought items. We are learning new things all the time. Go here to read about our experience last weekend butchering our first PIG! Go here to read an encouraging article by the Eclectic Farm. They are completely OFF GRID!!! I actually could do that.... now to convince the hubby! For more Frugal Friday tips go to Biblical Womanhood!

One BIG thing that simplifies life is having a menu plan and saving money at the grocery store. Visit my other site, Simple Family Supper!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

What works for me???
My FAVORITE, frugal, all purpose, home made cleaner!!! Now say that 10 times as fast as you can!!!

I have been using this recipe for about 2 years now and LOVE it!!! I have saved a ton and have been kinder to the environment at the same time. It also makes the house smell great!!!

Home Made All-Purpose Cleaner (it is a great glass cleaner... we have used it to clean every window in our house in addition to lots of other places)

1 spray bottle (I just use the bottle I had from the last time I purchased a windex)
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2-2/3 cup scented rubbing alcohol (I use up to 2/3 cup if I am going to use it all for windows)
Fill the rest of the bottle up with water.

The rubbing alcohol comes in wintergreen and citrus... you will find it with the other rubbing alcohol in the pharmacy section of your favorite store. Our dollar store sells it. The alcohol really speeds up dry time... no more streaks! It also completely covers the vinegar smell and leaves a wonderful mint or citrus fragrance. (I am NOT a fan of the vinegar smell... it is what prevented me from using other home made recipes.) I use this to wipe down my bathroom EVERYDAY! I also use it anywhere I would use windex and on my kitchen counters (I alternate days with bleach water).
Anyway, save a ton and help the environment!

Have a great day!
Heather

Once that kitchen is clean, keep it that way by making SIMPLE suppers for your family!
www.simplefamilysupper.com

Making your home a haven

Making your home a haven as hosted by Biblical Womanhood:

It has been BEAUTIFUL the last THREE days!!! Spring has been slow coming to our neck of the woods. We made our home a haven by cleaning up the yard from all the twigs and random things that accumulated on our 3 acres over the winter. Our yard looks great.... now I am just ready for flowers.... the bulbs are about 4 inches tall!!! YEAH!!!

I have the gardening itch! Plans, plans, plans.... ready to get dirt in my fingernails!!!!! I have to admit, in the last three days of being OUTSIDE, my house is a mess! I have to get it in order tonight! Oh, well, spring only comes around once a year... I have been couped up all winter.

Have a great day! Enjoy Spring!!!!
Heather

Spring is the time to break out the grill again.... the April menu has grill recipes!!! www.simplefamilysupper.com

Tipster Tuesday!

Tipster Tuesday as hosted by becentsable:

What to do with all those plastic store bags??? I use them to line my bathroom trash can. I found a nifty way to store the bags under my bathroom sink (makes it easy to grab one to change the trash every day after I "swish and swipe" my bathroom. (flylady term)
I store my bags in an empty tissue box.... you can fit a ton of bags in there and they pull out easily!!!

Have a great day!
Heather

It is 5 o'clock.... What is for supper???
To end this daily stress join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com

Simply overwhelmed to simply overjoyed in 15 minutes!

OK,
I am going to be very honest here....
When we got home tonight from all of our Easter activities this is what I faced in the kitchen!!!! YUCK!! I am no where near born organized and I chose to take an Easter afternoon nap rather than clean up the kitchen before we headed over to my in-laws..... So my procrastination has landed me here!
BEFORE:What am I to do? I have a sore arm, am tired, and have "mom's group" Bible study meeting at my house in the morning! YIKES! So, I decided to just put flylady to the test.... I chose to simple give it my all for 15 minutes and see if I can make a dent. What do you think:

After 15 minutes (I set my timer!):


Now that is simply amazing! If I ever doubted simply getting busy I won't again!
Simply giving my kitchen 15 minutes gave me this result! What else in life could I tackle 15 minutes at a time???? Now I don't feel overwhelmed and can go to bed with peace!

Heather


One thing I do tackle is my menu....
It is 5 o'clock.... What is for supper???
To end this daily stress join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com

Spring Cleaning

I am participating in Spring Clean 2008 as hosted by The Homespun Heart.
For me, it is a little early to be doing "spring cleaning" because we literally have to do the historical cleaning.... we burn wood to heat our home. If you have ever been around wood heat you know how DIRTY it is. Between the bark and stuff that comes in when carrying in the wood and the ash and smoke that escapes the stove we have a constantly dirty floor and DUST everywhere! I almost didn't sign up to participate since we will still be heating for the next 1-2 months. However, as soon as the wood is done the farmers will be in the fields that surround our home so there really isn't a good time for "spring cleaning"! I might as well jump in with the rest of you!!!!

Today I

• Dusted down the walls and got rid of cobbwebs and tons of DUST in the entire down stairs (living room, dining room, family room, master and our only bathroom).
• Mopped the living room and dining room hardwood with a strong vinegar wash.
  
• Moped the kitchen and bathroom.
  
• After the mopping had dried I applied 3 coats of this AMAZING product to the hardwood! I do believe I have a new floor.... it does work as good as the pictures. I took some pics.... I will try to get them up, but for now here are the pics they have on their web site. I have been using this product for 4 years.... it really is wonderful. I had gotten behind on this.. I generally apply it every 6 months, but it has been a year. I was able to buy it for buy1/get one at walgreens a couple of weeks ago.
  

It is 5 o'clock.... What is for supper???
To end this daily stress join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com