Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent

A couple of people have asked me about powdered laundry detergent.  Here is the recipe:

1 cup grated Fels Naptha Soap (I use the fine side of a hand grater for this to be sure the soap fully dissolves)

1/2 cup washing soda

1/2 cup 20 mule team borax

Mix together and store in a container.  Use 2 Tablespoons per load.  A lot of powdered drinks come with a 2 T. scoop that you could use.

I do not use the powdered detergent very often because it is not as cost effective as the liquid, but it is great for camping or traveling when you don’t want to have to lug a big bottle of detergent along.  I have never used any other soap than the fels-naptha for this (I bought a case), but you could always try it with castille or Ivory soap.

Jan. 08, 2009

I finished my apron for the Sassy/Flirty apron swap today! I am pretty happy with the way it turned out, but I am also pretty sure I won’t be using the pattern again. All of the seams are encased in 1/4″ double fold bais tape–what a pain! It may have been easier if the bias tape was wider, but I had to take apart seams a couple of times because the fabric had moved out of place and was sticking out where it didn’t belong. Overall I do think it looks pretty good, the colors are off in the picture.

Sugar and Spice Apron

I also finished TWO UFO’s. I finished a pair of flannel pj pants and a pair of wrist warmers, both for my semi-spoiled daughter. At least she shouldn’t be cold!

I also managed to make up a batch of homemade laundry detergent and to sprout some wheat berries for some sprouted grain bread I want to try and am just waiting for it to dry back out so I can grind it. Hopefully, I will be able to get it made tonight and can post a picture tomorrow.

A Birthday and some accomplishments

Today was one of those rare days when the kids had completed all of their schoolwork by 10 am.  It is also Joel’s 15th Birthday.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON!!!!!

The Birthday Boy!

 

 

I took advantage of the extra time today to get some stuff done that I have been wanting to do.   I made some french bread to go with the spaghetti dinner that was requested by the birthday boy.  I made 4 loaves, but only three made it in the picture, the fourth mysteriously disappeared while I wasn’t looking.

 

I made some more homemade laundry detergent, a batch of shaving soap, and a batch of soap I am affectionately calling “the darn soap” batch.  It was supposed to be a peppermint soap with a hint of lavender, but when I added the lye to the tea water it turned a bright orange color-yikes.  So after looking at it for a while I decided to make it an orange spice soap-I  carefully measured my oils into a little plastic cup and went about the process of cooking my soap when I realized that the oils had eaten through the plastic cup-UGH!!!  I only had a little orange oil left, so I added some clove oil to the bottle and decided to call it good enough.  Now I just had to wait for the soap to finish, only it seemed to completely skip a stage and go right to stiff goo!  I added the oil and packed it into the mold, but I have no idea if it will turn out or be usable.  It looks like really bad pumpkin pie filling mashed up.

orange goo soap?????

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also made some mulling spices/simmering potpourri.  It smells yummy!  I have some muslin bags that I can package it in for gift giving.

Mulling Spices

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mulling Spice Recipe

      3 ounces whole cinnamon sticks

      8 whole nutmegs

     1/3 cup chopped dried orange peel

     1/3 cup chopped dried lemon peel

     1/4 cup allspice berries

     1/4 cup whole cloves

      3 Tablespoons finely chopped, crystallized ginger

Preparation:

Place cinnamon sticks and nutmeg into a heavy freezer bag. Hit the spices with the bottom of a small heavy skillet to break them into small pieces. Place in a bowl and stir in orange peel, lemon peels, allspice, cloves, and ginger.  Use about 2 tablespoons per bottle of wine or half gallon of cider.

 

Now I am going to take a break, enjoy some mulled wine and contemplate what else I can get done today.