Comments on: Frugal Friday – Naturally

By: MotherHen

MotherHen — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 04:24:37 +0000

Hi Jill,
I have read that about the fels, so I am staying away.
I also had some filthy jeans that didn’t come clean, 3 pair, so I added vinegar and my laundry detergent to the water and let those jeans soak over night in the washer. In the morning I started the washer and let it go all the way through both the wash and rinse cycles. Then I washed ‘em again just for good measure. Those nasty jeans came out clean as a whistle.

By: Jill

Jill — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 04:09:56 +0000

I’ve been doing that same laundry detergent recipe for over a year. Its great at getting out any odors. Not good for getting out tough dirt stains. So I’m forced to use some spray and wash if I want to get out deep down dirt. And keep some packaged detergent on hand for busy times when you can’t even spare a few minutes for making it. Oh, and don’t use fels naptha, just some regular soap. I used fels once and it smelled like poison when melting in the water! Seemed to negate any of the good part about making you’re own detergent.

By: MotherHen

MotherHen — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 16:54:42 +0000

I know. I feel like I'm pulling myself in two different directions. I wanna do the CVS and Wag's thing, but I also don't wanna continue to use many of those products. So, I guess my CVS and Wag's freebie shopping will be limited to paper products and candy (hurt my feelings, not). And good for you on the diapers. We used the cloth diapers for most of my diapering career, and I think they are the very best for baby. Our quickest trainers were wearing cloth full time. That's enough incentive for me. But the frugality of it is enormous. Good for you! And your baby. Did you happen to read the debate going on at Life in a Shoe? It's not a debate really. But my friend KimC has asked for input on the topic. I think she needs a nudge.

By: Monica

Monica — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 15:36:20 +0000

I struggle with going natural and using all my free products from CVS. It has seemed like such a luxury to get all the high priced good smelling soaps and shampoos free!
However, I have done some research on these chemicals and think it is great that you are going to try to remove then from your household.
I am much more careful about what my younger kids use and we use cloth diapers.
I try to get only the free and clear laundry soaps and use only a couple of tablespoons in the wash.
Looking forward to hearing how it goes!

By: MotherHen

MotherHen — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:57:11 +0000

Hi Ivory, I am soooo looking forward to having a healthy scalp. Thanks for all of your help.

By: Ivory

Ivory — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:42:22 +0000

Oh, and my hair didn’t go through a “greasy phase” with the change to soap shampoo. It actually went through a dry, fly-away phase, until my head got used to not being stripped. Then, once it re-balanced, it started getting greasy again. That’s when it was time to take out the oil from the poo. If it’s greasy right off, then omit the oil from day one.

By: Ivory

Ivory — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:32:55 +0000

After my hair got used to my homemade shampoo, it started to get greasy with the super-fatting…so now I just use a bar of Ivory and rinse with the apple cider mixture. But for the first month or so, I’d recommend doing the blender method you linked.

By: MotherHen

MotherHen — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 23:49:24 +0000

Wow! Thanks for the link. I had no idea so many people did this. I bought my ingredients for the laundry detergent today, and I think I’ll have time to make it tomorrow. I don’t have a food processor so I will just do it by hand. Thanks for your help.

By: MotherHen

MotherHen — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 23:43:56 +0000

No, I’m not giving it up. Not yet anyway. Didn’t you read the quote? I don’t wanna know how bad it is for me. Not doing that research yet.

By: SM

SM — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 23:29:52 +0000

Sugar – I love and will keep, LOL!! I do make my own dry laundry soap and it’s great. It’s cheap, cleans really well and there’s not scent or irritation for my Dh and kids. Here’s a photo tutorial from my blog:
http://deuteronomy6.blogspot.com/2008/07/homemade-dry-laundry-soap.html