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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: Jan 26 2013 at 4:20pm | IP Logged
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SeaStar wrote:
I would love to stop buying dishwasher detergent. I don't like all the chemicals- and who knows how much really gets rinsed off in the final rinse?
I like Seventh Generation brand, but it's expensive.
I've never been successful at making my own, though- or laundry detergent either.  |
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I tried that, and switched back to the real stuff. The natural stuff worked fine at first, but my dishes started developing a haze and never seemed to get clean. I have also heard that repairmen recommend sticking with name brand stuff for your dishwasher for their long term maintenance. I hate having stuff around that is so scary for little ones to get into, so we keep it in a tall cabinet. But still, I agree about the chemicals. 
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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AmandaV
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| Posted: Jan 28 2013 at 8:45am | IP Logged
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SeaStar wrote:
I would love to stop buying dishwasher detergent. I don't like all the chemicals- and who knows how much really gets rinsed off in the final rinse?
I like Seventh Generation brand, but it's expensive.
I've never been successful at making my own, though- or laundry detergent either. |
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I'd love to make my own dishwasher detergent but it is hard to find a recipe anyone has any confidence in, even those who make their own laundry detergent.
That said, we have been making our own laundry detergent for about 4 months and its been great. I found a recipe using smelly soap on Milehimama, but I didn't want to use fels naptha and already had Dr. Bronner's. So I looked up a recipe for using dr. bronner's.
Homemade Laundry Detergent HE compatible
This one has been great. My only problem is finding a way to buy the soap in bulk. It had been 2 for 1 a few months ago at my local grocery but I only bought 6. So the price has gone up for us for now, but still less than some and I love that I know what is in it, and I can make it when we are out rather than run to the store. Oh, and I don't blend it, just stir every so often to make sure the ingredients are distributed evenly.
For all of you who use cloth napkins, what has been your best bet for stocking up? How many do you need? We either buy paper or don't have them and that's no good, so I need a solution. :) I saw Marshall's. I've thought of goodwill. Any other suggestions? I still need to learn to use my sewing machine, and then that is an option.
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Amanda
wife since 6/03, Mom to son 7/04, daughter 2/06, twin sons 6/08 and son 7/11, son 1/2014
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: Jan 28 2013 at 9:08am | IP Logged
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Most of our cloth napkins have come from garage sales. I don't actually garage sale that often, but when I have, I've always found some inexpensive cloth napkins!
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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LLMom
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| Posted: Jan 28 2013 at 10:23am | IP Logged
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I use lots of homemade household products. I started slowly and added more as I could.
I don't buy:
napkins
paper towels
dryer sheets
laundry detergent
household cleaners
fire starters
sponges
scrubbers
I wrote a whole post on how I do this if you are interested.
Homemade household products
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Lisa
For veteran & former homeschool moms
homeschooling ideas
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ctrivette
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| Posted: Jan 28 2013 at 1:42pm | IP Logged
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Do you have problems with the powdered/dry laundry soap in cold water? I wash almost everything in cold and have always used liquid because I thought dry wouldn't dissolve.
We don't buy paper napkins, scrubbies, dishclothes, breadcrumbs, bisquik-type mix, dryer sheets. We have a fig tree so I don't buy those either. I only buy one or two rolls of paper towels a year...they get used for really nasty cleaning.
I hope to stop buying eggs, tomatoes, peppers, squash, and herbs once we move. I need to spend more time at Goodwill so I can say I don't buy most clothes new either.
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Aingeal
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| Posted: Jan 28 2013 at 5:45pm | IP Logged
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Interesting!
We don't buy:
paper plates or napkins, unless for a larger event. We use cloth napkins daily and for dinner gatherings.
bottled water, juices, or smoothies
cards for family birthdays. Crafting time! 
tissues for daily use...we use t.p. for nose blowing, or a hankie. If someone has a cold, I'll buy a box of the real stuff.
Baking mixes. Always make from scratch
As to the "eco" dishwasher stuff, I've never used it successfully. Things always have a film or seem hazy. I'm pretty loyal to Cascade packets:)
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In Christ,
Angela
Wife to DH of 9 years and Mama to DD (7) and DS (5)
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Jan 29 2013 at 5:28am | IP Logged
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ctrivette wrote:
Do you have problems with the powdered/dry laundry soap in cold water? I wash almost everything in cold and have always used liquid because I thought dry wouldn't dissolve.
We don't buy paper napkins, scrubbies, dishclothes, breadcrumbs, bisquik-type mix, dryer sheets. We have a fig tree so I don't buy those either. I only buy one or two rolls of paper towels a year...they get used for really nasty cleaning.
I hope to stop buying eggs, tomatoes, peppers, squash, and herbs once we move. I need to spend more time at Goodwill so I can say I don't buy most clothes new either. |
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I do have trouble with a powdery film, especially on dark items, when I use powder in my washer. But I use Borax powder or AH washing soda as a booster, and I don't have a problem with either of those in cold. Weird.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Kristie 4
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| Posted: Jan 29 2013 at 7:51am | IP Logged
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I am ditto everything Aingeal said.
I often use the Seventh Generation dishwasher powder- it works even better than the commercial stuff, but it is expensive.
I made laundry soap, the liquid on from the Duggers site, for about half a year. It made my washing machine STINK, even though it was so low suds. My dh and I decided to stop using it, as much as I loved making it (and saving money) and went back to a plain old no scent liquid and we are had a much better time with the machine.
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Kristie in Canada
Mom to 3 boys and one spunky princess!!
A Walk in the Woods
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Things you never buy... or
