Good Morning! New day, new blog!
As it says in the all about me, I am a 46 year old wife, mother to 4 and grandma to 5. I live in the suburbs (yuck) with the love of my life Joel. Actually he is the reason I live here. If I had my way about it, we'd be in the country, but the house is paid for so we are stuck here for a bit.
My grandpa always told me to make the best of every situation, so that's what I am doing. Just because I live in the city, doesn't mean I have to live like it; much to the dismay of my hubby. I still make everything from scratch and try to live as self-sufficiently as possible.
I am hoping that this blog will be a chronicle of my life and a way for me to help others to enjoy the simple life. Since today is washday, I thought I'd share my recipe for homemade washing powder.

HOMEMADE LAUNDRY WASHING POWDER

2 c. baking soda
2 c. grated soap (I use Dr. Bronner's, but have used Ivory before)
2 c. borax
2 c. washing soda
10 drops lavender essential oil
Mix all ingredients well and let sit for a few days in a tightly covered container. Add 1 - 2 T. per load. Shelf life is 12 months.

HOMEMADE LAUNDRY SOFTENER

Take 1 gallon of vinegar and add a handful or two of lavender and close up tightly. After a couple of days, it smells wonderful! Just strain and use as any commercial fabric softener. This is good to remove the soap scum that builds up on clothes.

You can also use this scented vinegar in this recipe:

LAUNDRY SOFTENER 2

2 c. scented vinegar
2 c. baking soda
4 c. water
Com,bine slowly and carefully over the sink. The baking soda and vinegar will fizz. Pour into a plastic bottle, cover and shake. *HINT* Reuse your "Downy" bottle.
Use 1/4 c. in the final rinse or in a "Downy" ball.

For bad stains, I use this:

ALMOST OXI CLEAN
Mix 1 c. hot water, 1/2 c. baking soda and 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide. Soak the clothing in it for 20 minutes to overnight, then wash as usual.

Then the Dryer. Since Joel has been bad about putting up a laundry line at this house, I am still using the dryer :( BUT am nagging daily for him to get one up....so hopefully that will pay off soon.

I usually just throw in a sachet I made from an old washcloth and some lavender into the clothes. When they start to not smell so good, I add a few drops of lavender essential oil.

Another idea for the dryer is to take some of your homemade laundry softener and put it in a jar on your dryer. Cut up a sponge into small squares and throw them in the jar. Then grab one, squeeze out excess and throw it in the dryer. If you insist on using commercial fabric softener, this will also work for this idea. But, why do you want to put all those chemicals in the clothes you just washed?!?

Well, that's enough for today. I have to run to the church to open our Manor House for guests and stay till they are done to lock up. After that, I'm gonna come home and fry up some fish.
Have a Blessed Day!
Kelly