Easy Homemade Laundry Detergent

If you're like me, you had no idea that you could make your own laundry detergent. I thought it would be difficult, expensive and time consuming, but it's easy, cheap and quick. The recipe I have makes almost 2 gallons of powdered detergent and only takes 1 to 2 tablespoons of powder per load. It smells good and works really well. It doesn't suds up as much as store bought detergent, but it's free from harmful chemicals and doesn't damage your clothes. It's also good for sensitive skin. A lot of laundry detergent has chemicals that irritate sensitive skin. I have not had an issue with this detergent.
This detergent is good for HE washers, top load, front load or even bin and washboard. You can use it on delicates, denim, bedding and even kid's clothing. No more buying special laundry detergent for your needs.

Here is what you will need:

76 ounce box Borax

55 ounce box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

4 pounds Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (I bought a 13 pound bag from Costco)

800 grams Zote Soap 

(I used soap flakes for convenience, but you can grate 2 400 gram soap bars)

3 pounds OxiClean

2 gallon glass container with lid for storage

2 tablespoon metal scoop (1/8 cup)

5 gallon bucket with lid

Digital scale

Directions

1) Gather your ingredients.

2) Pour OxiClean, Washing Soda and Borax into 5 gallon bucket.

3) Put empty OxiClean container on scale and zero out weight.

4) Weigh out 4 pounds baking soda and pour into bucket.

5) Weight out 800 grams Zote soap and pour into bucket.

6) Put lid on bucket tight. Shake, rattle and roll until everything is mixed well. (This is the time to get the kids involved.)

7) Pour detergent into glass jar.

8) Enjoy!!!

Use 1 to 2 tablespoons per load. No need for bleach or fabric softener. Simply use 1/4 cup of white vinegar into the softener spot (your clothes won't smell like vinegar) instead of fabric softener. Use 100% wool balls with a few drops of essential oils as dryer sheets.

I spent a total of $27 and 30 minutes making this laundry detergent. I would typically spend $36 every 6 months on 1.5 gallons of laundry detergent and OxiClean. That doesn't include the dryer sheets and any fabric softener I used. I bought a 5 liter bottle of vinegar from Costco to use as fabric softener and to make other cleaning products.

I'll break it down for you.

Store bought laundry supply annual spend: $90

Homemade laundry supply annual spend: $23

Annual laundry savings: $67

Being more self reliant: PRICELESS!

I would consider this a win! I hope you try this for yourself. You can use whatever kind of bar laundry soap you want. The one I use is fragrance and dye free. If you want fragrance or color, you can do so. The best part of making your own laundry detergent is that the possibilities are endless. Add powdered laundry detergent if you would like. Add more OxiClean if you have set in stains. Make some with lavender fragrance for bedding. Whatever you would like. It's up to you! Leave your spin in the comments!

Meal Planning to Save you $$$

Once Cooper was born, I was trying to figure out ways to save money and become a bit more organized. I searched online to find ways to do that. I liked some of the ways I read about, but I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. So, I decided to combine pieces of ideas and create my own.
I have found that putting together a plan for meals for the week helps with grocery shopping and managing my time. I have stuck to this plan for a few months and the result has been amazing! I know what we have in the house, what we are running low on and what is for dinner every day.
I came up with an inventory list for my chest freezer, pantry and household items. I take a quick inventory of all the items while I'm putting together my shopping list. I have the inventory sheets posted on a clipboard in each area, so it's easily accessible and I'm able to update them quickly.
Organization is important to me, especially when it comes to food and household items. I want to make sure that we have the essentials and don't run out of things we need.

Here is what you will need to start your meal planning:

- grocery adds (paper or online)

- grocery shopping and meal planner list

 - pen (I prefer sharpie pens found on Amazon)

- reusable shopping bags (Most stores give you money off for bringing your own bag!)

- coupons (mPerks are my favorite, but you can also use the Sunday paper)

Process

1) Collect all the ads for the stores you shop at.
2) Gather up all the inventory lists.

3) Plan out the meals for the week.

4) Put together grocery list

5) Hit up the store(s)

(Most stores will honor prices from other stores, if you have the add)

Tips
Going through the adds helps me get the maximum savings and potentially plan future meals based on what's on sale.I prefer online adds, because normally they'll have the following weeks' ads as well. That way, I can make sure I'm getting the best deal. Most stores will also include any coupons available linked to their online ad. You can generally save these coupons on your loyalty card. I always make sure to go to the grocery store after I have eaten. There is nothing more costly than going grocery shopping when you're hungry.

Planning meals and putting together my grocery list based on those meals saves me quite a bit of money. I don't go to the grocery store multiple times a week and that helps me eliminate needless spending. I also will check on any generic brands on sale. The generic items are typically made by the name brand companies. They typically taste the same and cost a lot less.

Suggestions

- sign up for mPerks:

You get coupons (sometimes personalized), money off your trip by spending certain amounts and $10 off coupons for every 5 prescriptions you fill.

- get a Target Redcard

You will get 5% off every purchase at Target (in store and online. Plus, you will get free shipping for every online purchase. There are 2 options: debit (linked to your checking account) and store credit (only use at Target)

- get a credit card that rewards you for shopping

Nordstrom Visa: get a $20 Nordstrom Note (like a gift card) for every $1,000 you spend, plus reimbursed clothing alterations and no annual fee

Costco Citi: earn cash back with your Citi card and Costco membership no annual card fee

Discover card: earn cash back on every purchase with no annual fee

Getting a credit card to use just for groceries and gas will help build your credit and give you some cash back and savings. You can pay it off every month and have an emergency card for unexpected expenses.

This has helped me and I hope it helps you too. Post any ideas you have found helpful in the comments below.

Happy shopping!!!

Depression and Anxiety

I had my baby, a house to unpack and 14 weeks off work. What to do with my time? I thought taking care of a baby would be a breeze. I was so naive. Cooper slept a lot, but I was afraid to sleep when he slept. I was worried that I wouldn't wake up if he needed me. I spent my time unpacking moving boxes (we moved in October 15), watching movies and trying to recover from surgery.

I tried to find constructive ways to fill me time. I wrote thank you notes, started selling Tupperware and cleaning. I was tired all the time, couldn't sleep, couldn't eat and longed for my life before I had a baby. I had gotten a bad cold and my milk supply had dried up. I felt like a failure, because I couldn't feed my baby.
We celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas, which were nice, but I didn't feel right. I was getting cranky and getting upset more easily. I chalked it up to having a new baby and not sleeping well.

In January, I went back to work. It was nice to be out of the house and not take care of a baby for a while. It was right after holiday time, so I was able to ease back into work slowly. After a couple weeks, I wasn't feeling normal. I had trouble concentrating and I felt like a bad mom. I decided to start seeing a therapist. She believed I was developing some post-partum depression. That didn't seem right to me. I wasn't thinking of drowning my child in the bathtub or crying for no reason. I kept seeing her, because I enjoyed talking to somebody.
For the next 6 months I talked to her every week. I had gotten promoted at work and was making more money and I started feeling better, but I still felt off. I woke up one day to get ready for work and couldn't stop crying. I got dressed and felt fat. I put on my make up and felt ugly. I left Paul and the baby, so I could get to work. I cried the entire way to work. I thought about how much of a bad mom I was because I was working instead of staying home with my child. I felt like I had no time for myself. I was constantly taking care of everyone.
I didn't talk to a single person at work that day. I cried at my desk the entire day. When I got home, I laid down and went to sleep. This didn't feel right. I was sad all the time and didn't want to move or talk to anyone. I had terrible thoughts of harming myself or my baby. I didn't enjoy any activities I would do. I wasn't eating and I wasn't getting quality sleep. I was quick to anger and crying. I didn't want to take care of anyone, not even myself.
That Monday, Paul got up and went to work. I was off at day, so I stayed home with Cooper and Paul's daughter. I couldn't get myself out of bed. I just wanted to sleep. Riley wanted to play a game on the XBox and I snapped at her when she asked for permission. Cooper started crying, because he was hungry. I had a complete panic attack. I sent Paul a text saying "I can't handle today." He came home to find me laying in the closet, curled up under a blanket. I don't remember going in there. He decid d to work the rest of the day from home.
After Paul was done with work, we went to the behavioral health hospital. I sat in a room with one of the nurses while she asked me a bunch of questions. She felt that I should be admitted into the psychiatric hospital. I was given a sandwich to eat and a few minutes to say goodbye to Cooper and Paul. I was thenescorted to the psychiatric hospital. I was so scared and unable to process what was going on. After changing into an exam gown, I was looked over by the nurses for any scars, marks and tattoos. They took me to get my vitals taken and supplies for my stay.
I saw so many people and I was nervous. I was given a bed, but I couldn't sleep. I didn't have my phone, book, notebook or anything else to help me fall asleep. There were strange noises and smells. I only slept for about 3 hours. Over the next 4 days, I woke up at 6, took a shower, ate breakfast, group, lunch, group, dinner, group and bed by 10. I was constantly being evaluated and was given medication to help me sleep and deal with my anxiety and depression. Paul and Cooper came to visit on Wednesday. I was able to call Paul and my mom a few times. I found ways to deal with my anxiety and depression And I was starting to feel better. I was discharged on Friday.
On Monday, I started an intensive outpatient parinatal program.  It was like group therapy, but I was able to bring Cooper. I was in that program for 9 weeks (even though it typically is only 4 weeks). I learned to take care of myself and Cooper, how to handle my anxiety and started to feel like a better version of myself.
I am still dealing with depression and anxiety. I have my coping skills and meds to help me. I have a strong support system. That is my story. It's a long one, but I hope it helps you or somebody you know. I'm not perfect. Sometimes I make mistakes as a parent, but I want to share with you what I have learned during my parenting journey. 

I hope you enjoy it!

I'm in labor???

My due date was September 28. My last day at work had been September 25. My maternity leave had started and I was getting a little bored (haven't been bored since!). At this point we were staying at Paul's sister's house. We had been looking for a new place and hadn't had any luck. We would like a place, but rent was too expensive. We would look at one we could afford, but it would be in a bad neighborhood. We would reach out to the leasing office to view an apartment, and nobody would get back to us. We did find one place we liked, was in a good neighborhood and we could afford, but we were denied. I was getting frustrated. But I didn't let that get me down. I knew we would find a place.
Without my job and the baby still not here, my days were getting boring. I was hot all the time, I couldn't get comfortable and I was done being pregnant. I couldn't be without a bathroom for long. On my third day of maternity leave (which also happened to be my due date), I had enough of being bored.  I cleaned, searched for an apartment, set up baby furniture, put together the car seat and stroller (I guess I started nesting). I viewed a few apartments by myself. We were beginning to feel our welcome had run out.

Labor Day!!!

On September 30 (my nephew's 1st birthday), Paul worked from home. We had an appointment to view a property at 5 pm. I was so uncomfortable! My feet and legs were so swollen that it hurt to walk. I couldn't fit into tennis shoes, let alone get them tied. I honestly had no idea how I was supposed to occupy my time. I decided to go grocery shopping and run some errands. Once I got back, I was so exhausted that I took a nap. Around 4, Paul and I walked to the bus stop to pick up his daughter. She told us about her day at school.
It was 5 pm. Paul and I met the landlord and viewed the townhouse. It was nice, in a good neighborhood and a good commute for both of us to get to work. After leaving, Paul and I talked about the property. We decided that we wanted to live there. I reached out to the landlord to get the process started for renting. I was excited! We would soon be in our own place again.
The rest of the day went without incident. Paul's daughter went to bed and we went to our room. When I laid down, my hips and back ached. I chalked it up to all the walking I had done that day. Paul fell asleep while we were watching a movie. I was getting sleepy, but decided I needed to go to the bathroom before going to sleep. (Even though I knew I would wake up at least twice during the night anyway.) I went into the bathroom and felt something weird. I heard fluid hitting the water, but I didn't feel like I was urinating. I was confused. Then it hit me.... MY WATER JUST BROKE!!! I'M IN LABOR!!!
I woke up Paul and sat back on the toilet, just in case. Paul grabbed the go bag and we got in the car. I was surprisingly calm during the entire 30 minute drive to the hospital. I called my OB to let them know my water broke. I called the hospital to let them know we were on the way. Paul kept asking how I was doing. I wasn't in pain. It just felt like cramps. I was nervous about the delivery part, but for the most part I was calm.
We pulled up to the emergency room at 11 pm. And I was put in a wheel chair. We were taken to the labor and delivery unit of the hospital. I was changed into my gown and hooked up to machines to monitor everything. The cramps were getting worse, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle. Paul slept on the couch. I was exhausted, but I couldn't sleep. I was nervous about the next part. The nurses kept asking if I wanted an epidural, so I could sleep. I was 5 cm and I could still breathe through the contractions. I finally agreed, because I just wanted to sleep.
The anesthesiologist came in to give me the epidural. I made the mistake of looking at his tray of tools (as much as you are tempted, don't look at it!). I felt the local anesthetic and then lots of pressure. By the time he was done (only took about 10 minutes), I couldn't feel my contractions. The excitement of the day's events finally hit me and I was exhausted. I was able to sleep (if you can really get sleep in a hospital) for a couple hours. I woke with a start and knew I was about to vomit. I had a cup that I was able to grab. A nurse came in and asked how I was doing. I told her I vomited and she grabbed a few bags and some ice chips. Eventually the vomiting stopped and I was able to sleep a bit.

Delivery Day!
At 9:20 am, the nurses and doctors told me that Cooper's blood pressure wasn't stabilizing and they recommended a c-section. I was at 8 cm and hoped to avoid surgery. I agreed to the surgery. Paul was given his scrubs and he took our things to the recovery area. They wheeled me into the OR. It was freezing!!!! I heard the doctors and nurses get paged and there was a flutter of moving bodies. A nurse came over to me Andy said we needed to get the baby out NOW! His blood pressure had plummeted. Next thing I know, I'm drape  with a bunch of sheets and the surgery team is rushing into the OR. I started shivering, because all of my organs were just taken out.
At 9:42, I heard the baby crying. He was alive and breathing. Paul had been holding my hand and then he was gone. I saw him coming around the sheets holding a little bundle of  blankets. My baby was here and I couldn't wait to hold him.
I was sewn up, covered with warm blankets and taken to recovery with my new bundle. I was exhausted and couldn't wait to take a nap.