How thrifty are you?

[Josie]

I want to try to live without a fridge. DOes anyone know how to convince hubby that this is a brilliant idea?

 

[jhill1440]

Quote:
Here is the recipe for laundry detergent that my wife made. She got it off some website I can't remember, but it is posted on our family blog, it also has pics of the process (link in sig. post date april 6, 2008)

1-Buy laundry soap bar (regular ol' ivory soap works too---one guy even uses Lever 2000--any bar soap), washing soda (not baking soda) and borax. This involves a *slight* investment (about the same as one bottle of ready made laundry detergent), but the ingredients last you a LONG time.
2-If you have laundry soap, use 1/3 of the bar. If you use regular soap, use the whole bar. Grate the soap (just use a regular cheese grater). I missed a pic of this part because the camera batteries were recharging. Mix soap with 4 cups of water over medium high heat until soap *completely* dissolves
3-Mix in 3/4 c. of Borax and 3/4 c. of washing soda. It gets kinda thick at this point. Stir to dissolve completely
4-Put 4 cups hot water (just the hottest from the tap) in an appropriate sized bucket. Stir in your detergent mixture, then add another 1.5 gallons (6 quarts) of hot water. Stir and let sit. You're done!

It works great and is way cheap.

peace
josh

 

[PulletSurprise]

Quote:
Here is the recipe for laundry detergent that my wife made. She got it off some website I can't remember, but it is posted on our family blog, it also has pics of the process (link in sig. post date april 6, 2008)

1-Buy laundry soap bar (regular ol' ivory soap works too---one guy even uses Lever 2000--any bar soap), washing soda (not baking soda) and borax. This involves a *slight* investment (about the same as one bottle of ready made laundry detergent), but the ingredients last you a LONG time.
2-If you have laundry soap, use 1/3 of the bar. If you use regular soap, use the whole bar. Grate the soap (just use a regular cheese grater). I missed a pic of this part because the camera batteries were recharging. Mix soap with 4 cups of water over medium high heat until soap *completely* dissolves
3-Mix in 3/4 c. of Borax and 3/4 c. of washing soda. It gets kinda thick at this point. Stir to dissolve completely
4-Put 4 cups hot water (just the hottest from the tap) in an appropriate sized bucket. Stir in your detergent mixture, then add another 1.5 gallons (6 quarts) of hot water. Stir and let sit. You're done!

It works great and is way cheap.

peace
josh

Now, I take it this recipe for a top loader washer....will the soap work the same and how much do you use for a front loader washer?

 

[Zookeeper9000]

I only have a few things to add tot he great ideas on this thread

I use the Toliet paper rolls and the paper towel rolls as starter pots for my garden plants.
I also collect everything I can to use as winter sowing pots for all my plants (if ya got time search winter seed sowing it is very interesting)

I use to raise Great Danes and always used the popcorn tins as a food dish raiser. I would watch for them at rummage sales and would offer a quarter for them (most people didn't say no) and then put stainless steel bowl in them perfect. The best thing about it was that the tins come in all kinds of holiday and seasonal stuff and you could change them for the holiday or season.

One ? though what are red wiggley beds sorry don't know ya have to ask.

Thanks again for the great sharing

 

[Aneesa's Muse]

Wow! This is a great thread!

I compost, recycle, bake, can, freeze, sew and make one trip for errands ..twice a month ........and we live in the city! If I had a bigger backyard, I'd have some goats and more chickens ...for meat, milk and more eggs.

Thanks for all the great ideas ..I'm gonna try that pvc feeder deal for my new coop/run... and now, I'm convinced that I need to make my own laundry detergent!

 

[jhill1440]

Quote:
Here is the recipe for laundry detergent that my wife made. She got it off some website I can't remember, but it is posted on our family blog, it also has pics of the process (link in sig. post date april 6, 2008)

1-Buy laundry soap bar (regular ol' ivory soap works too---one guy even uses Lever 2000--any bar soap), washing soda (not baking soda) and borax. This involves a *slight* investment (about the same as one bottle of ready made laundry detergent), but the ingredients last you a LONG time.
2-If you have laundry soap, use 1/3 of the bar. If you use regular soap, use the whole bar. Grate the soap (just use a regular cheese grater). I missed a pic of this part because the camera batteries were recharging. Mix soap with 4 cups of water over medium high heat until soap *completely* dissolves
3-Mix in 3/4 c. of Borax and 3/4 c. of washing soda. It gets kinda thick at this point. Stir to dissolve completely
4-Put 4 cups hot water (just the hottest from the tap) in an appropriate sized bucket. Stir in your detergent mixture, then add another 1.5 gallons (6 quarts) of hot water. Stir and let sit. You're done!

It works great and is way cheap.

peace
josh

Now, I take it this recipe for a top loader washer....will the soap work the same and how much do you use for a front loader washer?

You are right it is for a top loader. It should work fine for a front loader, although you will want to use less. We use 1/2 to 1/3 cup per load I think so maybe try 1/4 cup to start and go from there. It is low suddsing (sp?) So I don't think that will be a problem.

For dishwasher detergent we use equal parts borax and washing soda mixed up. If you use it put straight vinegar in the rinse compartment because the mix has been known to leave some spots, but the spots are cut with the vinegar. It is ultra cheap compared to cascade or even store brand detergents.

peace
josh

 

[GRAM49]

I have so enjoyed this thread! We reuse when we can, the milk jugs are great feeders for the chickens and disposable when they get messy. My husband is an unbelievable packrat and is just in his glory now that we have chickens. He build a huge pen from wood scraps and chicken wire (seconds from his job at a steel mill 20 years ago!) Almost every day when I get home from work he has some new idea. The chickens benefit and it keeps him busy! Keep up the great ideas. Gram

 

[Acre of Blessings]

Laundry Detergent and Fabric Softner posted on page 7

 

[Acre of Blessings]

Quote:
I'm not sure if I want to go that far yet. You need a way to keep milk and dairy products cold.

 

[Ace_king_brahma]

I use empty feed bags as trash bags. I do the milk jug waterers (not pretty but work and cheap) plan to do the milk jug killing cones as well. All garden scrapes go to the chickens and other assorted poultry, goats, rabbits, mealworms, earthworms and crickets instead of the trash bin.