Self-sufficient households; help!

[me&thegals]

I just started one under the "Egg, Chicken, & Other Favorite Recipes" Section. Titled "Self-Sufficient Homemade Recipes"

Post all your homemade recipes there. Hope this helps curb some spending for some.

Cool beans! Thanks so much! I don't think it would hurt to point out that different people have different reasons for making their own stuff.
*saving money
*saving packaging and shipping
*being more environmentally gentle
*being self sufficient
*etc.

So, I might cringe at someone spending shipping $ to get washing soda, but maybe their reasons are different than mine

Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now, pun intended (groan)

me&thegals

 

[2dream]

me&thegals :


Cool beans! Thanks so much! I don't think it would hurt to point out that different people have different reasons for making their own stuff.
*saving money
*saving packaging and shipping
*being more environmentally gentle
*being self sufficient
*etc.

So, I might cringe at someone spending shipping $ to get washing soda, but maybe their reasons are different than mine

Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now, pun intended (groan)

me&thegals

Thanks to thechickcrew for starting the recipe thread -

me&thegals - you are correct in different reason for people doing things. Plus with the cost of fuel these days - shipping cost (within reason) are welcome by me if it saves me from leaving the house.
It use to be cheaper to go hunt somethings - now it is cheaper to just pay postage.
I just ordered a new gasket for my pressure canner. After calling 6 places locally and none of them could guarantee they had what I needed I said to heck with it. $5.20 in shipping cost is cheaper than 2 or 3 gals of gas running around looking.

I can't wait to try all these household recipes.

I use vinegar and water to clean with. Works great on my stove, windows, countertops. I mix differently for different jobs. I don't have any recipes. I just guesstimate all mixtures. I also pour vinegar into my wash. It really helps whiten.
Spray bottle with 1/2 vinegar 1/2 water - spray counter top or stove - wipe off. Again, no rinsing required.
I try not to mix up much more than I will need over a couple of days because the vinegar seems to lose its strength.​

 

[hdchic]

I know I'm being a worrier here, or even over analysing...but only 2 teaspoons per load on the laundry detergent? My brain is having a hard time understanding that I put more sugar in my coffee than detergent in my wash..

I thought "ok, surely that is Tablespoons"...can someone just beat me in the head and say "yes, its TEASPOONS!!"

 

[Acre of Blessings]

hdchic-- if you just wear your clothing and not do any extensive work you really don't need detergent at all for the wash because the clothes aren't really dirty so goes the fact you only need a couple teaspoons.

Now, if you do hard work and get dirty I, myself, would advise that you use more of the detergent for a better cleaning of the clothing.

Hope this helps

 

[BearSwampChick]

I agree, I think there are several factors you have to consider. The size of your machine, the level of dirtiness of the clothes and the hardness of the water. I have a large machine and our clothes don't get extremely dirty, so I used 3 teaspoons (or 1 tablespoon). For my kitchen towels which I always bleach, I will probably still use Tide, but first I will give the HM detergent a try.

 

[hdchic]

Ok, thank you so much for clearing it up for me!! LOL...its way to early for my brain to be working this hard, LOL

 

[The Chicken Lady]

Save old clothes and turn them into quilts for your family. Quilts become heirlooms (much more special than something storebought), and nine-patch quilts are really easy to make.

 

[Balding Eagle]

Quote:
Okay, here's my worry-- the Naptha Laundry Soap. That stuff contains Napthalene and that stuff is lethal!

I know it's a small amount, but still... So I'm wondering if Ivory Soap might work as a substitue? -- I have all of the ingredients on hand if the Ivory Soap works as a substitute. Anybody else tried this?

 

[morelcabin]

Quote:
Okay, here's my worry-- the Naptha Laundry Soap. That stuff contains Napthalene and that stuff is lethal!

I know it's a small amount, but still... So I'm wondering if Ivory Soap might work as a substitue? -- I have all of the ingredients on hand if the Ivory Soap works as a substitute. Anybody else tried this?

Can you find Sunlight bar soap where you are? You know you CAN try Ivory...after all it IS 99% pure soap...I'd definitely try it if that's what you have on hand. I've actually been thinking about trying Baby's own because I LOVE that smell.

 

[amyquilt]

I have always used homemade soap in my laundry soap. Just grate it up as you would the FN.

If you don't make your own soap, there are many on this group that do, and maybe they would sell you some. Or maybe you'd want to learn to make it yourself anyway