Week 39 - All-purpose cleaner, Purchase person item

Week 39 – August 25

All-purpose cleaner: 

Mix 2 cups of hot water, 2 Tablespoons of white vinegar, and1 teaspoon borax or washing powder together.  Stir until the powder has dissolved completely. Add 2 Tablespoons of liquid soap and allow the mixture to cool. Pour into a spray bottle. To use, spray on a surface and wipe dry.

Home Food Storage: Purchase personal item you don’t want to be without.

Week 38 - Make Your Own Laundry Soap, Purchase Hand Soap

Week 38 – August 18

Make your own laundry soap.

There are many variations on the internet, but all use the same basic three ingredients in different amounts.  These ingredients will not create suds.

1)  Powdered laundry soap: 1 bar (or 4.5 ounces) of grated bar soap like Fels-Naphta (found in the laundry isle) and 1 cup of borax, and 1 cup of washing soda. Thoroughly stir together. Use 1 Tbsp per load (or 2-3 Tbsp for large or heavily soiled loads).

2)  Liquid laundry soap: 1/3 bar of grated bar soap like Fels-Naphta (found in the laundry isle) and 1/2 cup of borax, and 1/2 cup of washing soda.  Heat grated soap and 6 cups of water until soap melts.  Add borax and washing soda.  Stir until dissolved. Pour into a container that holds at least 2 gallons.  Add 1 gallon plus 14 cups of hot water (30 cups).  Stir well and let sit for 24 hours.  Mixture will become a watery gel.  Use 1/2 cup per load (or 5/8 to 3/4 cup for large or heavily soiled loads).

Home Food Storage: Purchase hand soap

Week 37 - Shampoo Substitutions, Purchase Toilet Paper

Week 37 – August 11

Out of shampoo?

1) Use one Tablespoon of coarse or kosher salt (regular table salt is too fine).

2) Use one Tablespoon of cornmeal.

Rub either item into hair and let set for 15 minutes.  Brush out.  This will be messy, so lean over the sink, stand on a towel, or do outdoors.  A natural-bristle brush works best for keeping the static electricity down.

Home Food Storage: Purchase toilet paper

Week 36 - Fabric Softener Substitutions, Purchase Favorite Canned Item

Week 36 - August 04
Out of fabric softener?
1) Wet and ring out a clean washcloth. Rub in about two teaspoons of hair conditioner, and toss it into the dryer along with wet clothes.
2) Add about one-half cup of white vinegar to the final rinse cycle or put it in the fabric softener ball dispenser.

Home Food Storage: Purchase your favorite canned item.