9lbs of Laundry Detergent

.....for under $15!

So, on my quest to save money, I have been trying to think of things we need, but spend a lot of money on.
Laundry detergent instantly came to mind.

We typically spend $12 on Laundry detergent and $8 on farbic softener for our clothes.This lasts us usually a month or so.

Then another $10 for unscented for Rowen's clothes and $30 for her diaper detergent. This has lasted about 3 months.

So lets do the math for 3 months of detergent:
   (12*3)=36 for detergent
+ (8*3)=24 for fabric softener
+10 for Rowens clothes
+30_for diapers
$100

It cost me $15 to make detergent that *should* last for the same amount of time. The plus side is that we can now use one detergent for all of our laundry, including the diapers.
As for farbic softener.. Im going to try wool dryer balls...but thats for another post :)

So here is what you need to make the detergent:
3lbs Oxiclean ($7 at Walmart)
3lbs Borax($4 at Walmart)
3lbs Washing Soda**($4 at Walmart)

Then all you do is mix it all together. Use 2 Tablespoons per load of laundry and Voila!

I will update on how long it actually lasts, when we get to that point.

** Cant find washing soda?
 Just bake baking soda at 400 until it becomes washing soda! You will be able to tell because baking soda is smooth. Washing soda is grainy. It took about 30 minutes for me.

What to Expect

Since having Rowen, I have become very concerned with stretching our budget as far as we can Colin being able to stay home with her, while I finish up school is very important to me.

Cloth diapering started the revolution for me. After seeing how much I could save a month, I wanted to find other ways to live more cost effective... Then came cloth wipes.. But it didnt stop there.

A few women in my mommy group are amazingly self-sufficient. From making their own cleaners to making their own laundry detergent.

Through them and the wonderful website Pinterest, I have found awesome ideas for living cheaper! I am so excited, that I wanted to be able to share it with you all too!

Also, since having Rowen, I have had to lose weight for the first time in my life. In order to do this, I have been trying new, healthier recipes rather than just making the same old stuff. We have actually found some really good thigs, all of which I would have never in a million years thought about making!

This blog will be a mixture of not only cost effective living, healthy recipes, but Im hoping to do a bunch of really cute DIY projects for Rowen that I will post.

Im already working on my first actual post. I hope you guys find all of this information as useful as I have!