HOMEMADE LAUNDRY POWDER

In an attempt to be a bit more frugal, I've decided to try making a few things I use around the home.

I don't know about you, but I've noticed the price of groceries has gone up crazily!

I have a budget that I stick to, but I'm finding it's not buying as much as it used to- and I'm the type that spends at least an hour in the supermarket making sure I have the lowest prices and best deals! I remember being able to spend $200 and have a bulging trolley, now it's not so bulging!

It also seems that when we're out of one cleaning product, we're out of them all.

Cleaning and beauty products can be quite pricey especially when buying a few- it can eat up a large chunk of the shopping budget.

The first thing I decided to try was laundry powder.

I did a bit of research and saw quite a few different recipes for this.

I put together a recipe from a few of the most common products that I saw used, but one thing I saw a lot of debate about was Borax. I decided to use bi-carb soda instead to avoid the nasties.

If I'm gonna go to all the trouble of making the powder then it may as well be as people friendly as I can make it!

So here's what I used:

2 cups washing soda

2 cups bi-carb soda

1 bar goats milk soap, finely grated

1 bar of Sard, finely grated

All you do is mix it all together in a bowl.

You can leave it as is but it's recommended to give it a quick go in a blender to chop the soap bits up fine so it dissolves better in the wash.

Also at this point I added a few drops of lavender oil to give a lovely fragrance.

You only need 1 tbsp per load, so it's very concentrated.

This batch makes up around 1.lkg and cost me $7.50.

That didn't seem like I was saving at all when I first looked at it, but when I saw the difference in how much you need per load, that's when it clicked.

1/2 a scoop of a store bought powder is approx 30ml, where the home made one is only 15ml.

So there you go.

I've also worked out each load to cost 12 cents, which seems pretty good compared to others.

Easy hey?

I've done a couple of loads and so far so good!

Next I'm trying fabric softener, I'll let you know how it goes.

Do you make any of your cleaning products?

I'd love any suggestions or recipes x

A BELATED CHRISTMAS POST

I can't believe that Christmas has been and gone already!

Such a big build up for just one day, it seems crazy.

The usual suspects gathered at the folks in the afternoon and settled in for a big couple of days.

We were joined this year by my Nan & her husband, my Uncle, his partner & 3 giant teenage cousins.

We played baseball which the kids loved, and later on after quite a few beverages

(and once the littles were in bed), we cracked out the karaoke and sang the night away.

Highlight of the night:

10 adults doing the Gangnam style dance.

Nan was confused and unimpressed!

Hilarious!!

We had planned on taking lots more photos like this past Christmas, but didn't end up doing it.
You know how sometimes you just get caught up in the moment and forget? Yeah, that happened.
There was a few more shots from later in the night but they are a bit messy!

How did you celebrate Christmas?
Did anyone else have a family game of baseball?

A CHANCE TO CHANGE

When I was asked recently if I had any new year's resolutions I promptly replied

"Nope. Pretty happy with how things are."

But as we have started this year, I can't help feeling that there is a few things I would like to change, or rather veer in the right direction.

It just feels like there is an opportunity to start afresh.

So here's my little list.

Have a healthier attitude to food.

Things get off track too easily in our home, we get busy so quick, easy (not-so-healthy) meals

are whipped up.

I need to get more organised so this doesn't happen. Plan ahead.

I need to spend more time with Ben.

Too often I get caught up in the kids, work, housework, and my own projects and 'us' time goes out the window. Got to change.

Ben told me I should spend more time with my friends. I think that's a good idea too.

Oh and there's the regular lose weight and save money resolutions! Of course!

Do you have any new year's resolutions?

Are you good at sticking to them?