Saturday, May 2, 2009

Can't leave out the dishes...

So, now that we're figuring out how to save money in the laundry room let's move on to the kitchen. =) In retrospect I probably should have started there. It is a little simpler to make and would have helped you see that you CAN do it and it WILL work as good, if not better, than the expensive stuff with all the crazy chemicals etc. Blech. But, you all know I never do anything the way I should. *wink*

Here's the 'recipe':

1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda
3-5 drops of tea tree oil*

I put it all in an empty plastic container and shake it up. I put one tablespoon in each compartment (for a total of 2 tbsp per load).

*Optional-I did add this. I bought the natural 100% tea tree oil in the health food dept of Fred Meyer. It was about $10 for the little bottle but, it will last forever and has a ton of household uses. Everything from an all natural antiseptic for cuts/wounds to blemish control for your face and some companies add it to their shampoo to help keep the scalp as clean as possible and promote healthy hair growth. So, there you have it. =)


Now, if you love your rinse aid or have wanted to use one but, refused to spend even more money on detergents etc (like me) it's your lucky day. Remember the huge jug of white vinegar we bought for the laundry? Now, you can pour it in your rinse aid dispenser in your dishwasher. Trust me...you will be a happy little homemaker. =)


Now that we've saved so much money...what will we DO with it? Bwa ha ha ha. =) *snort*

5 comments:

Gabriell said...

Ang...

Woke up thinking about you this morning then went to my closet to find something to wear that will still fit me (I keep gaining weight, damn cookies) and one of my journals fell to the floor. The page it opened to was one that said, "Do you believe in magic?"

I am not sure what I believe in anymore but it seems a little significant. I send you love every time I see a lady bug, a Disney Princess, or hear something totally random and funny I think you would appreciate.

I read many of your posts today. I get the daddy-mommy-grief thing. Steve and I are the same, maybe handling it in a less healthy way but I have the same feelings.

The transition is hard.

Steve watches me move through days, sometimes plow through them and thinks that I am somehow getting "Over it" What he would like is a little more of me and a lot less sadness.

Too fucking bad.

He can't understand, not because he doesn't grieve but because he has never been a mother and he wasn't there for the messy parts.

He is a good guy but...

Will you be making your way out to California this summer? We should plan some kind of family event, let the kids swim, bring your mom out, maybe Kelly...what do you think?

I keep wishing I had something to teach you, or some way to make all this easier but the bottom line is that you have always lead the way. You are an amazing woman Miss Angela, if I were your mama I would be the proudest one of all.

Have a beautiful day,
G

Jess said...

Angela, I am so going to try this! I use chemical free stuff in my dishwasher, but haven't found one I love and it pretty expensive! Have you tried this in your dishwasher yet? Do you get spots?

As far as the vinegar and tee tree oil...I love them! They are a permanent staple in our house. It feels great to clean your house for pennies and end up with a fresh smelling house (not one smelling chemically). I buy my tee tree at trader joe's and I think it in like $6-7. The only bad thing is that it is in a clear bottle so I had to get a dark brown bottle (I think form whole foods) to keep it in (it makes it last longer).

I look forward to more of these fabulous recipes! Thanks!

FoxFamilyFive said...

I have been using the dishwasher detergent and the laundry soap and I love them both. My dishes are spotless my clothes smell clean and feel great. I am a happy mama. =) My towels etc are even way more absorbent since switching from fabric softener to vinegar. I LOVE it (especially since I've recently ended my love affair with paper towels. Chemo moms get quite attached to those expensive little devils *wink*)

Pam said...

Just thinking of you and your family this Memorial Day. There hasn't been a post for so long.

Kelly said...

Great info! I'm going to try out all of your "receipes"! So nice to find your family blog. I have been following your sweet family and watching all you've been through on Hadley's site for a number of years. Keep writing!

Kelly
idloveadullmoment.blogspot.com