Laundry Detergent

If you are like me, you spend a lot of time browsing and pinning on Pinterest. And if you are also like me, you see lots of recipes for the crunchy mama movement. I have seen a lot of different recipes of laundry detergent. I've tried two go-s at powdered detergent recipes and just haven't been super pleased. All liquid detergent recipes are nearly impossible to make smaller since they all require a 5 gallon bucket. And truth be told, what if you don't like it after all that work? Thankfully, I found a recipe to try on Pinterest that is also easily halved. Granted, I haven't tried it yet, but am excited to check it out and wanted to share. It calls for: 2 cups hot water 1 cup Baking soda 1/3 cup salt 1 cup castille soap 10 drops of chosen essential oil (opt) I used lavender. I cut this recipe in half. It calls for 1/4 cup to be added to each laundry load. The full recipe can be found here: Have you ever made your own detergent? What works for you?

Lazy Laundry

With a household of four people and a puppy, it seems as thought laundry is never ending. And with the chaos that is working motherhood, it is hard to keep up. I learned from a blogger years ago her trick (while it seems slow) is never to start another load in the washer until the one in the dryer is done to keep from forgetting about what is wet. Normally, this idea works well for me. Unless I get super backed up. Then I have it running non stop. Until I forget about a load in the washer because the one in the dryer took three goes to get fully dried. I now have a load of the kids clothes that has been sitting in there since Saturday night or Sunday morning (can't actually remember which day). And, oh the smell. Because it is Tuesday now. I've always been told to use vinegar to neutralize the odor but just adding it to the washer doesn't seem to be enough, nor does adding it to the bleach section or fabric softener section. Today I added a full strength detergent (hate to do that on the little clothes...but) and some drops of lemon essential oil. I'm hoping this helps! Does anyone have any tips for smelly forgotten laundry?

Introduction

Just wanted to start out with a big old "Hey Y'all"! I decided I needed a new outlet for a new phase in my life. I've been on the road to becoming a more crunchier mama and a better homemaker and helpmeet to my wonderful husband while wrangling two sweet little girls - my Love Bug and my Sugar. I've always been in love with baking and cooking from scratch - and now I've got to transition into also incorporating Love Bug into helping, since she is all about that! Having two small ones and a new puppy, green cleaning has become a priority. I'm not gonna knock bleach, because it definitely has its place! But I have been on a road to trying new recipes to find what works for us and I can't wait to share what I have found and am learning. Also on my mind is using essential oils instead of medication on my children, as well as myself since while breastfeeding Sugar, I have limited options for relief for various ailments. Being a better helpmeet to my darling husband is a priority, since it is easy to put your spouse on the back burner instead of being the #2 priority they should be in your life (I strive for my priorities to be God, my husband, my children, my family, my church, and then all else). Come join me on this journey!