Laundry

   
   You probably already know about the Fels Naptha Laundry soap, and maybe you are using it too. It is just as good as any soap I've ever used, and I tried several (even the more expensive brands) the last while searching for a better deodorizer, and they are all about the same, so I had to give in to a wee bit of fabric softener for Bryon's work clothes. It pays to do this when your washing diapers too. It is fairly simple to do, the kids take turns making it for us.
   This is just another way to help out in frugality. I just noticed the other day that Walmart is now carrying washing soda (under $3.00 a box), and right on the shelf above were the bars of Fels Naptha ( 97 cents a bar) and they have always had Borax ( $3.36 a box).
Equipment:
       2 gallon container with a lid
       Grater for grating the Fels Naptha
       saucepan for melting the grated soap
Supplies and Recipe
       Borax           ( 1/3 cup)
       Super Washing Soda (1/3 cup)
      Fels Naptha    ( 1/3 bar = approx 1 cup grated, loosely measured)
       Water

I just use my potato grater on the largest hole.

In a medium saucepan add 2 pints of water and 1 cup of the grated bar. Over med. heat allow to dissolve/melt- it takes a few minutes, stir now and again.

Then add 1/3 cup washing soda and 1/3 cup of Borax. Stir over heat until it has dissolved.

Pour mixture into 2 gallon bucket ( I usually rinse the saucepan and grater into this as the bucket is filling) and add enough warm water to fill. Stir well.

Set aside in a convenient place near the washing machine. When this soap has cooled it will gel. The kids love to squeeze it up to make it easier to measure. For 1 load I usually use 1/2 cup. I also use this to mop and clean toilets sometimes.

It's piled high but it's clean!

      The supplies cost no more than $7.50 to get started and you'll have enough on hand to make many batches ( buy a few extra bars of Fels Naptha and you might not need to think about buying soap for months). The soap barely costs pennies a load.
     Oh, and I love my clothes line. I don't know if it makes me crunchy to hang my clothes out, but my towels are, there isn't a better back scratcher than a fresh line hung towel.