Saving Money on Household Products

Household cleaning products can quickly drain your budget, not to mention they are filled with harmful cancer-causing chemicals. I'm so thankful that I discovered how to make my own cleaners cheaply and more naturally. Here are the cleaners I use in my home.

Laundry Detergent
I have always used the powder version of homemade laundry detergent, but I would love to try the liquid form--it seems like it would last longer and be better. But the powder is quick and easy and works great, so I will keep using it for right now. Yes, I still use it in my front loader and yes, it is awesome for cloth diapers, too!

1 bar Ivory (or Fels Naptha) soap, grated
1 cup Borax
1 cup washing soda

Mix together and add 1 or 2 tablespoons to each wash.

I have been using a powdered stain remover like OxiClean, but it's an off brand (Sun) that costs less than $2. It is wonderful on stains--I never have to spray each stain now. Right now I'm adding a small amount to each load, but next time I'm thinking of just adding it into the detergent itself. I think this will make a superior homemade laundry detergent!

Fabric Softener
I have found something that really works in place of fabric softener. Dryer balls. However, I have found that just two does not do the trick. The more balls you use, the softer your clothes will come out. I use six when I dry cloth diapers and they come out so soft and yummy--even bamboo! Wal-Mart now sells these where the laundry boards and irons are for less than $5 for two. If you buy a pack every month for 2 or 3 months, you will never have to waste money on fabric softener again. I am really in love with them because since you cannot use fabric softener on diapers, my diapers were always stiff and crunchy, even using vinegar. Dryer balls are great--once you can convince the kids they aren't for playing with! (I have also seen these at Dollar Tree!)

Dishwasher Detergent
I had to experiment to get this to work for me. The original recipe uses only Borax and baking soda. But this left a white film all over my dishes, even when using white vinegar as a rinse aid. My water is either too hard or too soft--don't know which!--for it to work. The recipe I use is not all natural, but it is definitely cheaper and better for you than regular.

1 cup Cascade Complete
1 cup Borax
1 cup baking soda

Mix together and add about a teaspoon to both compartments.
Fill up the JetDry dispenser with white vinegar periodically.

Household Cleaners
I used to use a lot of vinegar and baking soda around the house, but have since found something better and cheaper. It's called Basic H2 from Shaklee. It come in a concentrate that comes to about 25 cents per gallon once diluted! On the bottle are recipes for glass cleaner, all purpose cleaner, and even a degreaser. I use this on every surface in my home--even wood furniture and all the floors.

I admit I sometimes give in to a bottle of Pine-Sol to mop my floors for that wondeful clean smell, but most of the time, I go green. I love my Basic H2. I bought mine over a year ago and still have 2/3 of the bottle left!