DIY is so much better!

Any of you 'diy-ers' out there know that doing it yourself is so much better than store bought!

My example ~ laundry detergent and fabric softener. 

I felt like I was spending fortunes every week or every other week buying these household staples.  Last year when Damon was unemployed, I was looking for ways to cut costs and discovered you could make your own laundry detergent and fabric softener.  So I jumped on board with the idea and was so suprised at how easy and cost efficient it really was!  And to boot..they work just as well as the commercial stuff!

 

 

This is my homemade laundry detergent.  Granted, I was used to liquid detergent but since switching to powdered I haven't turned back!  I buy a box of Borax and the Super Washing Soda by A & H probably once every 2-3 months.  Each costs around $3.99.  The Fels-Naptha soap costs a whopping .98!  I make a double batch (usually) at a time, using 2 bars of grated soap and 2 cups each of the Borax and Super Washing Soda.  Then I process it in batches in my blender..but thats just for good measure.  I was afraid the flakes of the fels-naptha wouldn't dissolve properly (especially in smaller loads) so I just grind it to a powderey consistency just to be on the safe side.  Plus it gets my blender good and clean!

 

For homemade fabric softener, it couldn't get any simpler.  I buy a bottle of conditioner (the cheap stuff..like $1 or less), squirt the whole bottle in my leftover Snuggle bottle.  Then I add 3 cups of white vinegar and about 3 cups of water.  I usually don't measure the water, I just fill the bottle up until its full (btw, my Snuggle bottle is 75 oz.)..screw the cap on and shake!  Easy peasy!

 

And in case any of you are wondering, since Damon has returned to work, I still make this stuff!  Its saving us lots of $$$, so why not?!

 

Do you DIY?  If so, whats your favorite thing to make?