For those wanting to be more self sufficient...

[Henrietta23]

Quote:
Fosterchick, I am sure I got washing soda at either Big Y or Stop and Shop. If you have one near you and you haven't tried yet you may have luck there. I shop at the Big Y in Mansfield, the S&S in Willimantic and the Walmart in North Windham. I got some within the last 2 months at one of those places.

 

[blb]

Wow, I love this thread. I'm going to try the laundry det.

I had 4 kids in a little less than 5 years. I always had a couple kids in cloth diapers! I would have old plastic bags from the grocery store for the soiled diapers in the baby bag. I just put them in the diaper pail too but I had to wash them just about everyday. I would put them outside to dry when I could or just use the dryer.

I don't think the cloth diapers were much more work than the others. I think once you are in the mode you get used to it.

 

[cknmom]

I used cloth diapers for my youngest. I would simply use a warm washcloth to wipe her with , if the diaper was poopy, I would rinse in the toilet then plop it into my washer that I had filled 1/4-1/3 full with HOT water. I would continue that way through the day (unless it was a laundry day) and that night I would finsh filling the machine, throw soap in and wash them. It worked great!

I spent a couple of hours recently on a website www.make-stuff.com they have recipes for all kinds of products, you can access even more if you pay a subscription fee.

I no longer use chemicals if I can help it. I now use mainly borax, baking soda, vinegar and ammonia (sometimes) for all my cleaning.

I still use tide for laundry as DH had bought me new HD machines when we moved to our ranch in dec. 05. When we bought them it came with a coupon book for HD tide. They expire dec.08, I am trying to use up the coupons. I had read that when using the homemade detergent it works well in the HD machines but that if you use the powder you HAVE to wash in hot water or it won't dissolve and it will muck up the machine. I use powder and cold water, so when I start making detergent I will have to make the liquid.

Does anyone know a recipe for dishwashing detergent? I have been looking all over for one. I read that you can also use the laundry det. in the dishwasher, but am unsure about that.

Monica

 

[cknmom]

I make all of our baked goods including crackers and dog cookies, spice blends, onion/garlic powders, ketchup etc.

When I had babies years ago, I bought some baby food in different size jars, about 2 -3 doz. Then I washed them, made my own baby food and put them in the washed jars. I just took what we ate and puree'd it in my blender or food processor. I would prepare fresh veggies/fruit or even use frozen or canned and do the same thing.

I have a cookbook called Make Your Own Groceries By Daphne Metaxas Hartwig I have used this book for almost thirty years. It is great! One copy got so worn out, I needed to buy another one!

Monica

 

[lacyloo]

kewl stuff yall

 

[BJ]

Okay....so I just made the gel (yesterday) and I have done a few loads. I'm not quite sure I like it. Maybe there is something to be said for today's "technology" and "chemicals" added to detergents, because it seems like the homemade stuff is just a tad too week. It might be better for delicates only or very lightly soiled laundry. I will use it up because I don't want to waste it...but I doubt I will make it again.

Has anyone else tried making the laundry detergent (gel or powdered)??

 

[1acrefarm]

I did not read all the posts. Did anyone mention using a solar powered clothes dryer?(Clothesline)

 

[Redfeathers]

Quote:
Hmmm.... I think I remember my grandma having one of those.

 

[1acrefarm]

I will be putting one up soon. Dryers are great in the winter because they are a heat source. When its summer at 90-100+ degrees and the ac can't keep up heat sources are bad. Clothes smell so much better line dried too. Most of my cooking will be done outside over the summer too. I plan to try to take advantage of natural cooling in the house this summer with help from two solar attic exhaust fans. I am gonna use one to replace my old exhaust fan that locked up the other I am temp mounting on top of chimney to pull air up both flus to help pull air from lower level of house. I am screening all my windows so I can open them. May even cut a few vent holes in floor to get some cool air from crawlspace. The vents will be covered on the underside with insulation in winter.

 

[Southern28Chick]

Quote:
My DH is a HVAC tech and can get his uniforms very dirty at times. I make my own detergent using the recipe I posted and it works GREAT!

Did you make it right?