Super easy homemade laundry detergent with review

I made a batch similar a couple of years ago and then never got around to making more.  I still really liked it, I just got caught up with life.  I decided to keep up with it again and hopefully make this homemade detergent permanent in our life!

I got the recipe I am using here. 
I used:
One 4 oz bar of Dove soap.  It can easily be found in almost every soap aisle of any grocery store.
1 cup Borax, found in the laundry detergent aisle.
1 cup Washing Soda, found next to the Borax.

Shave the soap into very small particles, and then mix together all of the ingredients for about 5 minutes, until very well blended.
Side note: I have heard some people have issues with soap residue being left on the clothes after the wash.  Some suggestions for that is to make the soap particles even smaller by a blender, or using vinegar in the rinse cycle (NEVER with bleach though!) and that helps remove the residue.  I didn't do either of these tricks, and no soap residue was left. 

I then poured my mixture into a box I had on hand.  (Girl scout cookie time! YES! Want any Girl scout cookies? Hit me up, my girls would love you forever.)

Then use 1 tbsp on a normal load of laundry.  I have an HE front load washing machine.  Just pour the tbsp on top of the clothes, unless your washing machine has a slot for dry detergent.

My review:
To really see how clean everything got, I took some of Mr. Supportive's strong smelling deodorant and caked it onto an area of an old T-Shirt.  After running the washing machine with the detergent and then drying as normal, I can smell nothing but the detergent freshness from the old shirt (and all of the other clothes).  I am very pleased!  I did not use any fabric softener for this load, by the way.  I wanted an accurate assessment of the detergent. 

So there you have it!  When you divide out the cost of the supplies with how much is used per detergent container, this detergent cost only about a dollar to make, and is good for about 30-45 loads.  Not too shabby!

Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Review

I went to clean the toilets this morning and remembered I had just used the last of our toilet bowl cleaner. I found THIS recipe online, and decided to try it out myself.  Commercial toilet bowl cleaners are filled with harsh chemicals that are toxic and can pose a threat to children and animals, so I have been wanting to try this natural homemade method for awhile.

All you need is:
3/4 cup Borax, found in the laundry aisle at most grocery stores.
1 cup white Vinegar
10 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops lemon essential oil.  I get my essential oils from the Three Rivers Co-op Natural Grocery here in Fort Wayne.

I thoroughly cleaned my empty toilet bowl cleaner container and used that to put the mixture in.  It filled it up about half way.  I closed it and shook it to mix everything together and then I gave it a go!

My review:
I used it immediately and it seemed to really work.  My toilets weren't too scummy though, so I don't know how well it would work on tough stains.  I used the "Heavy Duty Toilet Formula" so I imagine it would work really well no matter what the toilet looks like!
By the way, it smells so good!

The week of wonderful things!

What an awesome way to start out our Monday: My kindergartners finally got to experience their first two hour delay. It's crazy that they made it this long! Mr. Supportive and I were talking last night about how we had them left & right when we were younger. Plus it's nice for mommy not having to rush around and get 4 kiddos ready to leave the house by 8:30.
 Some other exciting things on the list this week:
 I only have ONE more thing to turn in for my CNM application. I am applying to Frontier University. I have had to write two essays, a resume, an application, 3 reference sheets filled out by two professional supervisors (my supervisor at work, and my old OB instructor who is a CNM) and one professional peer (another RN at work), and all of the transcripts from previous colleges attended. I have gotten two of them, just waiting for the last one and they are all ready to be sent it! I will have to wait awhile to find out when/if I start, but I am so excited to have all of that finished at least.
I applied and interviewed for a new position to coexist beside my current PRN position, so I am waiting to hear from them this week. I love the facility and I really, really hope I get the job. They had 3 people interview me and I think they liked me. I was really nervous because of how badly I want the position, but they made me feel comfortable to talk to and gave off a positive vibe towards me.
Now, my weekend summary: Worked Friday night, went to a Chinese buffet Saturday night. Waste of money for me since I can really only eat fruit & salad, but Mr. Supportive and the kids love it. So it was worth it. :) Yesterday we had friends over all day with their kids and then went to the Circus. The kids had a ton of fun, if you don't believe me you should see the toy room! Before: Completely cleaned and vacuumed. After: There's a floor in here somewhere?

My lesson on common sense.

Oh my dearest loving children... there is this thing in life called common sense. It means: if you knock down the hand towel, put it back up. If you use the last kleenex, throw the box in recycling. If I tell you to do something and you say you have to pee, and twenty minutes later you are "still peeing" either you are just playing in the bathroom to get out of working, or you really need to see a doctor. Please remember these things as I pick up after you all day long. If you need more examples, I would be happy to share. Love you always, Mom.