Status Quo
Yes I still feel like hammered dog shit. My mouth hurts and I didn’t sleep for shit last night.
Blah.
In an effort to become more cash wise and such, I am now reading Domestic Servitude. I want new ideas for my home and family in a way and I want to cut costs where I can. I’ve added it to my Google Reader (the bible of the internet designed JUST for me) and plan on extracting tons of good ideas from it religiously.
Sure, I’m no slave and I don’t really do domestic servitude. Hell, I’m not even in a bdsm relationship where I can be remotely submissive, but I like the idea of getting the house and myself running better, regardless of my situation.
I was reading the thread on Fetlife in the Domestic Servitude group and found a recipe for homemade laundry soap. Keeping in mind that I do probably 7 loads a week with a variety of clothes and household goods in them, I’m trying to decide if I should undertake doing this or not.
For those that have tried it, what are the key things I should avoid? What are the little tips that you’ve tried that have worked for you? I’m going to buy a 5gal bucket from work for storage (I think) or use one of the pails from our kitty litter that has a top on it. I’m trying to wrap my head around this so I can try to cut corners. I’m always looking for good inexpensive solutions to common household problems.
Ok back to resting. I have to work today at 2 and frankly I’m dreading it. I have to work with the one manager that is highly tempermental. I never know which part of her personality I get to deal with each time I walk in the door. I’ll be packing my cross and holy water today, just in case.
The dry laundry soap is wonderful. I have used it since February. I’ve never tried the liquid version but kaya from underhishand.com uses it and swears by it. VERY cost effective.
Honestly, I have tried it and no offense to kaya, it was just easier to buy a cheaper laundry detergent. We have a smaller family of only three, so it kinda tended to harden before I got to use it. Partly because we both work full time and laundry is not an every day thing nor do we think to shake the detergent bucket. I am sure it does work quite well for some, but people who are hardly ever home not so much. Just my opinion.
I’ve never had it harden like Adrianna mentioned, unless she’s talking about how it gels up. But then I do laundry every day so I’m constantly in the bucket stirring it around, so it’s not an issue for me.
If anything, I’d advise you to find and use the Fels Naptha bar soap when/if you make it. Though I previously used whatever soap I had on hand, I finally ordered Fels off the net and have found it to make a much better product.
I wash everything but whites in cold water and have no complaints about the cleanliness of the clothes. Vinegar makes a terrific fabric softener, for extra cost effectiveness (and won’t make your clothes smelly), or if you use dryer sheets, cut them in half (they work just as well and last twice as long).
I haven’t tried it yet, mainly due to being unable to find the soda/powder..whichever one it was. We called everyone in town, and no one had it. So we looked it up on the net, and the cost combined with shipping? Might as well have just bought detergent from walmart and moved on with life. Its a great deal if you can get all the ingredients, tho. We wash tons every day, and spend way too much on detergents. When or if I ever get around to it, I will most likely make the powder version. Me and kitchen science experiments do NOT mesh.