RECIPES FOR COMMON HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

Use the following as a guide to saving you money by using natural, inexpensive products that you may already have around the house!

LAUNDRY SOAP- 1 bar of Fels Naptha (Or Linda's), 1 cup Washing Soda, 1 cup Borax. GRATE FULL BAR OF SOAP, COMBINE WITH WASHING SODA & BORAX. USE 1 TBSP PER LOAD.

FABRIC SOFTENER- 6 cups HOT water 3 cups white vinegar 2 cups Hair Conditioner (I used Suave, but you can use any that you like the smell of) Whisk the hot water and conditioner together. Make sure that the conditioner is completely mixed with the water and there are no clumps.Then mix your vinegar in--this is actually the softener, the conditioner is just for scent :) Use the same amount as normal fabric softener when doing a load!

NO MORE DRYER SHEETS- Soak a hand towel in fabric softener, then hang to dry. The drying process may take up to 3 days, but it MUST be fully dry before use. When ready, throw it in your dryer as an alternative to dryer sheets or using liquid softener--it can be used for up to 40-50 loads!

LIQUID DISH SOAP -1 ½ cup of hot water -½ cup liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bonner's) -1 tablespoon of white vinegar -1 tablespoon of Arm&Hammer’s Super Washing Soda (used to thicken the soap) -1/8 teaspoon of tea tree oil (optional) MIX ALL INGREDIENTS TOGETHER, THEN ADD THE HOT WATER--WHISK TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE ALL WELL-BLENDED. THEN ALLOW TO COOL BEFORE USE.

DISHWASHER DETERGENT- 1 cup Borax 1 cup Baking Soda 1/4 cup Table Salt 2 packets Lemon Kool-Aid Mix all the ingredients in a tightly sealed container and use 1-2 tablespoons per load of dishes.

THE *BEST* TUB CLEANER- Heat 1/2 cup of vinegar in microwave for 90 seconds, then pour in spray bottle and add 1/2 cup BLUE Dawn dish soap. Shake to mix well. Spray on surface and leave for at least 2 hours. No scrubbing involved as you can just wipe and rinse afterwards! (Great for shower doors too).

OXYCLEAN- 1 cup water, 1/2 cup peroxide and 1/2 cup baking soda. MAKE SURE TO ADD INGREDIENTS AS THEY ARE LISTED. Voila!

WEED KILLER- One gallon of apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup table salt, 1 tsp dish soap. Mix and pour into spray bottle. If you dont need as much, just half the recipe.

***DOES YOUR PET HAVE FLEAS?? Do not spend money on expensive Flea shampoos--all you need to do is wash your pet in BLUE DAWN dish soap. This will also prevent your pet from attracting the bugs again! Also, sprinkle BORAX (found in the laundry aisle of your local grocery store) in discreet areas in your home (ie. corners of rooms, under couches, etc).
***CLOGGED DRAIN?? Pour 1/2 cup of BAKING SODA down your drain followed by 1 cup of white vinegar then plug quick while the solution fizzes. Wait 2 minutes, then pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain. Repeat if necessary. If after two attempts the drain is still clogged, chances are an object is stuck and requires a 'snake' or a professional to do the job!