Fall Musings

Fall Musings

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

I am always looking for a good natural laundry soap I can make at home and I think I found one I could use.  With my sensitive skin I have to be careful.  I only use cold water with my clothes.  I found this on The Thrifty Mama Website.  You can find this post here.


Homemade Laundry Soap: Liquid Detergent Recipe

by CRYSTAL COLLINS on AUGUST 30, 2012

liquid laundry detergent Homemade Laundry Soap: Liquid Detergent Recipe
Out of all the things I’m talking about this week in regards to laundry, this homemade laundry soap recipe is by far my favorite. It’s super easy to make, and is the cheapest out of all the laundry detergent recipes I’ve been sharing.
If you’ve got these ingredients and twenty minutes, then you can make your own laundry detergent, be more eco-friendly, and start saving a lot of money. Here’s what you’re going to need…

Ingredients and Supplies

  • 1 Bar Soap (I use this castile soap)
  • 1 cup Washing Soda
  • 1 cup Borax
  • Hot Water
  • Measuring Cup
  • Cheese Grater
  • 5 Gallon Bucket
  • Big Metal Cooking Pot
  • Long Wooden Spoon
  • Optional: 35-40 drops of essential oil (tea tree, lavender etc…) I chose tea tree oil.

Directions for Homemade Laundry Soap

Step One: Grate your soap with a cheese grater. This is probably the most work you will do in the entire process. But afterwards your cheese grater will be really clean!
laundry 1835 Homemade Laundry Soap: Liquid Detergent Recipe
Step Two: Bring big pot of water (about half full) to a boil, and then slowly stir in your grated soap.
laundry 1908 Homemade Laundry Soap: Liquid Detergent Recipe
Step Three: Once the soap is melted, reduce heat and slowly add in the Washing Soda while stirring with the wooden spoon. At this point a small reaction will occur, and your mixture will try to bubble over a little in your pot. This is where the wooden spoon comes in handy. Lay the wooden spoon across your pot, and then your mixture won’t boil over and make a mess.
laundry 1929 Homemade Laundry Soap: Liquid Detergent Recipe
laundry 1936 Homemade Laundry Soap: Liquid Detergent Recipe
Step Four: Add in your Borax to the pot while stirring. Once everything is blended and melted, remove from heat.
Step Five: Fill your five gallon bucket half-way with hot water. Add your soap mixture from the pot to your bucket of water.
laundry 1940 Homemade Laundry Soap: Liquid Detergent Recipe
Step Six: At this point you can add in your optional essential oil, and stir the mixture really well with your wooden spoon.
laundry 1948 Homemade Laundry Soap: Liquid Detergent Recipe
Step Seven: Once everything is well-blended, fill the bucket the rest of the way with water and then put the lid on. Allow to cool and sit overnight.
laundry 2011 Homemade Laundry Soap: Liquid Detergent Recipe
Step Eight: After sitting overnight, your mixture will become a gel-like goop, and that means it’s ready to use! At this point you can transfer some of the soap to clean and empty smaller bottles (old laundry detergent bottles or milk jugs), so that it’s easy to use every day. Shake/stir the mixture before using in your washing machine. Use one cup or less of “gel-like goop” per load.

laundry 2349 Homemade Laundry Soap: Liquid Detergent Recipe
laundry detergent Homemade Laundry Soap: Liquid Detergent Recipe
A lot of people come out with a really thick gloopy mixture. This makes it harder to use, so I recommend this specific recipe, as it is a little less gloopy and easier to use (mainly because of the soap brand I used). If it gets too gloopy, just add more hot water.
While these ingredients are non-toxic and eco-friendly, I recommend that you still keep them out of reach of children and they should not be consumed. Handle with care just like you would any  laundry detergent.

Cost of Homemade Laundry Soap (Liquid)

  • 1 bar soap = $3.49
  • 1 box Washing Soda (55oz) $3.19 – Cost Per Cup = .46 cents
  • 1 box Borax (76oz) $4.49 – Cost Per Cup = .47 cents
  • Optional Essential Oil: Tea Tree Oil (1oz) $8.99 – Cost for 40 Drops = .72 cents
Total Cost for 5 Gallons or 80+ loads of Laundry Detergent = $5.17
Total Cost Per Load: Approximately .06 cents
*Note that prices are common retail. Watch for a sale or deal at an outlet for even cheaper cost per load!
And there you have it! You’ve got your own homemade laundry soap that costs you mere pennies to use, and it’s eco-friendly! This is by far my favorite way to make homemade laundry detergent. It’s super cheap, and it washes all of my laundry really well.  I’ll be back tomorrow with a recap of all the laundry recipes I shared this week, and have a video response to answer your questions. So if you’ve got some questions, let’s hear ‘em!

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Moonalisa's Summer 2013 Sale Order Info

I have fallen in love with Moonalisa's 4-in-1s as shampoo.  So I ordered 3 during her May/Summer sale.  I also ordered more conditioners.  I had just received my Easter order and didn't really need anything else.  I had received 5 detanglers.


QtyItemOptionsPrice
14 in 1 Gel 8oz
Item # 35479689
Option: Snozzberry Fizzy Lifter!$10.95 USD
14 in 1 Gel 8oz
Item # 35479686
Option: Jello Shots$10.95 USD
14 in 1 Gel 8oz
Item # 35479716
Option: Tangerine & Coconut Crunch!$10.95 USD
Amount $32.85 USD

QtyItemOptionsPrice
1Hair Conditioner (NOT WHEAT FREE) - 4 oz ~
Item # 35481000
Option: Blackberry Jam Cake$7.95 USD
1Hair Conditioner (NOT WHEAT FREE) - 4 oz ~
Item # 35481015
Option: Jello Shots$7.95 USD
1Lip Butter ~
Item # 35444595
Option: Tangerine Coconut Crunch$3.95 USD
1Lip Butter ~
Item # 35477871
Option: Cantaloupe Cooler$3.95 USD
Amount $23.80 USD


Snozzberry Fizzy Lifter:  Snozzberries smell like Snozzberries ;) Juicy red and purple berry blend with effervescence and a teeny touch of a secret floral , just a tad to give it enough freshness, but barely detectable.

Jello Shots:  Strawberry , Rhubarb, Tangerine EO, Passion Fruit and Guava. (Drive Thru Moo)

Tangerine Coconut Crunch ~ aka Christmas Coconut:  Vanilla Bean infused Coconut with Tangerine EO

Southern Blackberry Jam Cake:  Big fat, juicy Blackberries smother this buttermilk rich , slightly spiced cake. An old Southern tradition!

Cantaloupe Cooler:

I will do a review once I get my order!  Can't wait as always!

Friday, May 3, 2013

Chemical Free Jewelry Cleaner!


I found this on facebook and had to share.  I love my jewelry and am always on the look out for chemical free jewelry cleaner.  I am definitely going to try this!  Try this at home and let me know how it works for you too!

NEVER BUY JEWELRY CLEANER AGAIN!

1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon dish detergent
1 cup water
1 piece aluminum foil


Directions:

1. Heat water in the microwave for 1 or 2 minutes.

2. Cut a piece of aluminum foil that roughly covers the bottom of a small bowl (like a cereal bowl).

3. Pour hot water into bowl. Place salt, soda, and dishwashing liquid into bowl. Place jewelry on top of foil and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse jewelry in cool water and dry jewelry completely with soft cloth. Discard solution after use and make a new batch next time.

4. According to wire-sculpture.com, "this works well for gold-filled, brass, german (nickel) silver, and sterling silver. I have even cleaned jewelry with freshwater pearls, shell cameos and mother of pearl with no problem.".

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Click the link below for more awesome recipes, tips, ideas, and more!
www.facebook.com/groups/carrieshealthyfriends/
NEVER BUY JEWELRY CLEANER AGAIN!

1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon dish detergent

1 cup water
1 piece aluminum foil


Directions:

1. Heat water in the microwave for 1 or 2 minutes.

2. Cut a piece of aluminum foil that roughly covers the bottom of a small bowl (like a cereal bowl).

3. Pour hot water into bowl. Place salt, soda, and dishwashing liquid into bowl. Place jewelry on top of foil and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse jewelry in cool water and dry jewelry completely with soft cloth. Discard solution after use and make a new batch next time.

4. According to wire-sculpture.com, "this works well for gold-filled, brass, german (nickel) silver, and sterling silver. I have even cleaned jewelry with freshwater pearls, shell cameos and mother of pearl with no problem.".

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Yves Rocher Daily Exfoliating Cleanser and 24 Hour Intense Hydrating Gel Cream Reviews

This is the time of year when I have to change my facial routine again and go back to my tried and true Ponds Cold Cream.  With oily skin I have 2 skin care routines that I use during the year:  Ponds during the warmer months when I need just an oil based cleanser and no moisturizer and for the colder months when I need a cleanser and a water based cream.


Last winter I used Burt's Bees Sensitive Skin Cleaner and Daily Moisturizing Cream.  I liked the cream but hated the cleanser.  See my review of this duo here.  I am a very loyal Yves Rocher customer and would prefer to give my money to them if they have a similar product.  Plus YR gives rewards and free products.  I switched over to Yves Rocher's 24 Hour Intense Hydrating Gel Cream and Daily Exfoliating Daily Cleanser in Mid-December when the temps started to drop.

Cleanser:

My Review:  YR's Daily Exfoliating Cleanser is a great product that not only cleans but also exfoliates the dead skin cells that are left by the cold and windy weather.  This cleanser does not dry my skin out which is big for me since dry skin equals more oil.  I really hate when i wash my face and it  drys out then over night it becomes oily.  I like a balance where once I leave the bathroom my face is comfortable.  I will be purchasing this again next year when the weather cools down.  I like how it gentle exfoliates my skin and removes the flakes from the wind yet doesn't scrubs off the top layer of skin and makes it raw.  The scent is very pleasing and not over powering like some.  I bought a tube of this for my sister-in-law to use as well for the winter as she was looking for a new cleanser as her's was discontinued after eight years.

Here is some info on the cleanser from Yves Rocher's website:

Daily Exfoliating Cleanser

Purifies skin
The exfoliating cleanser for acne-prone skin with botanical micro-beads:
- Eliminates excess sebum,
- Purifies skin and clears pores, 
- Prevents the reappearance of skin problems with its exfoliating action.

The Plus: Its soap-free formula, which won’t dry skin
Paraben free formula.

4.2 fl.oz. Tube / 125 ml



















Gel Cream:

My Review:  I am on the fence about the 24H Intense Hydrating Gel Cream.  It worked fine.  It hydrated my face nicely during the winter and didn't make my face oily.  I don't really know why I am not in love this this product.  I prefer Biotherm's Aquasource Deep Hydration Replenishing Gel to this gel moisturizer.  It's not a bad product.  It does what it says it does.  I think it is just the texture I don't like.  It absorbs quickly but it is thick for a gel product.  I like a more runny gel like product.  I would give this a 4 out of 5 stars but only due to the thickness compared to other gel moisturizers.  I would recommend this to others who have oily skin and at the price it can't be beat.  The Biotherm product is close to $50 and expensive for me at this time.
Here is some info on the Cream from Yves Rocher's Website:


24H Intense Hydrating Gel Cream

Skin is filled with water, essential for lasting hydration!
The 24H Intense Hydrating Gel: 
Intensely and durably moisturizes skin for 24 hours,
- Leaves skin visibly resplenished, fresh and radiant.

For Normal to Combination Skin
Formula tested under dermatological supervision

Botanical-based ingredients: maple sugar, organic agave sap, betaine, organic witch hazel water.

1.6 fl.oz. Jar / 50 ml

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