With inflation rising steadily, we are all looking for ways to cut costs. An average bottle of laundry detergent can cost .20 cents per load. Here’s a recipe for making your own laundry detergent that costs less than half that amount. At around .06 cents per load, you can save over $100 a year!

• 3 bars of Fels Naptha soap
• One 36 oz. box of Borax detergent
• One 3lb box of Arm & Hammer Laundry Booster Super Washing Soda
• 2 cups of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
• 1 of the 3 lb tubs of Oxi Clean
• Scent Beads (any scent – optional)

If you don’t like these brands for any reason, here are other options:

• FOCA detergent (instead of Borax and Arm & Hammer)
• Castille or Zote Soap (instead of Fels Naptha)

Directions: Grate or chop in food processor all bars of Fels Naptha soap. Add box of Borax and box of Super Washing Soda, 2 cups of baking soda, 3 lbs of Oxi Clean and optional scent beads into a large container or clean plastic trash bag and mix all ingredients together well. Use 1 tablespoon per small load or 2 tablespoons per large load.

NOTE: I have heard that the Fels Naphta may not disintegrate unless finely chopped in a food processor or melted by using hot water in your washing machine while washing clothes.

Want some Free Printable Laundry Labels to put on your jar of detergent you’re making? Get 12 Free Printable Labels here

Q&A

Is this safe to use in HE washers?

Check your owners manual but yes, it is safe to use in mine and should be safe for most if not all HE washers due to the low suds quality of the detergent. If you want to be safe, fill up washer first and add to water

Does it get your clothes clean?

YES! It gets out grass, mustard, ketchup, mud stains, etc and works really well

What about sensitive skin?

As always, test first if you have sensitive skin and research ingredients but we have a person with eczema in our household and have no issues.

These DIY little Christmas trees will brighten up your Christmas decor this holiday season! They are so easy to make and cost under $25. Each one took me around an hour to put together. Here are the materials you’ll need to get started.

• Tomato/Plant Support wire cage (Mine were 36 inches in height and I bought them at Lowe’s)
• 150 feet artificial garland (I bought mine at Dollar Tree and they were 15 feet in length each and I used 10 of them for each tree)
• Rubber band or twist tie
• String of lights
• Roll of ribbon
• Artificial poinsettia flowers or other decorations for the tree

Instructions:

1. Place the wire cage with the largest ring on the floor. Use a rubber band or twist tie to secure the top wires together, creating a point at the top.
2. Next, begin wrapping the garland around the wire cage starting at the bottom and working your way to the top.

3. Once the garland is secured all the way around the cage, start adding a string of lights beginning at the top of the tree and working your way to the bottom. Then, the electrical plug should be at the bottom of the tree.

4. Next, begin placing strands of ribbon down the length of the tree.
   
5. Finally, add a bow to the top of the tree and artificial poinsettia flowers or any decorations you’d like around the tree.

And you’re done! Aren’t they so cute? Let me know if you try this for Christmas this year!