Favorite DIY/homemade money saver...

[tampabrat22]

Originally Posted by michelleh1

Are you adding water or something else to the recipe? 1 T versus 1/2 cup is a big difference in the amount being used. Thanks!

Yes, the recipe I use is:
1 cup washing soda
1 cup borax
1 bar of Fels Naptha
2 gallons of water

I shred the soap with a dollar store cheese grater, and add it to a gallon of boiling water. Once it is all melted, I add the borax & washing soda. I let it cook for about 3-5 mins, then remove form heat and add another gallon of water and stir well. It yields 2 gallons and we use 1.5 to 1 full cup for each load depending on the soil level of the laundry.

The other posters recipe is for a dry powdered version that is much more concentrated (I think). And it has never faded our clothes, I wash all of our clothes with it, being plus size my work wear is pricey (from Avenue & Lane Bryant) and my kids wear mostly Justice, Hollister & Abercrombie which are all too expensive to risk ruining. But if you do have concerns, maybe try it on older clothes, blankets & towels for a while before you decide to use it on your nicer things.

[The Princess]

Just made the "margarine" oh my goodness so good

[Fueledbycoffee]

A friend of mine gave a recipe for powder laundry detergent that I'm going to try. It has Oxy clean, baking soda, washing soda, borax, fesp bars & castilles soap. Kinda a master concoction of cleaners.

[nhmommy]

I make my own cloth diaper covers quite easy if you can sew and you get to pick the features you like the most.

[goodfood4ursoul]

Originally Posted by abcboys

This is just what I was getting ready to post that I do to save money. I cut my younger 2 boys hair at home. We probably save over $100/year.

I have been cutting my husband's hair since July 3, 1993...
We bought an Oster hair clipper set (DH likes a short cut on the sides and a little longer on the top) and the clipper has guards in different lengths so you can't have any Ooops! bald spots moments.

Seriously- this thing is idiot-proof

I have been cutting DS's (born in 1993) hair since his first hair cut.
He took a hiatus from Mom haircuts during his high school years, when he wanted longer hair and a cut with scissors,
but now that he is in college and prefers a short cut again, he actually asked me to bring my clippers when I visited campus the last time.

Gave him a haircut in the dorm laundry room

I figure we've saved over $3,000 in haircuts.

[dpswift]

BUMP

This thread is to good to lose!


My dog would not leave us alone when we made the pumpkin/peanut butter bisquits

[cjnix29]

Originally Posted by pocomom

Almost forgot my favorite, replacement for stainless steel wipes! With my cleaning rag (which was DH's undershirt, then a tie dye shirt for me for crafts, and now cleaning rags) and my vinegar based window cleaner I wiped down the appliances. Then I use a tiny bit- less than a capful of cooking oil on a clean rag and polish them. Very quick, healthy, works great, streak free and SUPER cheap !

THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!! I hated looking at my stainless steel appliances because they never looked clean, even after I cleaned them. Just did this, and can't believe how great they look!!!!!

Ok, does someone have a recipe for a GOOD homemade oven cleaner? Just used the last of my easy off, and would love something more natural that actually works.

[pocomom]

Originally Posted by cjnix29

THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!! I hated looking at my stainless steel appliances because they never looked clean, even after I cleaned them. Just did this, and can't believe how great they look!!!!!

Ok, does someone have a recipe for a GOOD homemade oven cleaner? Just used the last of my easy off, and would love something more natural that actually works.

Haven't tried this yet but so far most of the site's ideas have worked for me.
http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/...n-cleaner.html

[mommy22pumpkins]

Love the spray bottles filled with 50/50 water - vinegar. Works just as well if not better than Windex- no streaks and sparkly clean. And no harsh chemicals. I'll never buy another window cleaner again

[ckmommy]

Tried a homemade cream soup recipe yesterday and liked it a lot!!

I always cut my boys and husbands hair. We do mot household repairs on our own. My husband does the car repair.

I also have a homemade chai tea latte mix I use alot. Love it!!

[MEM]

Originally Posted by ckmommy

Tried a homemade cream soup recipe yesterday and liked it a lot!!

I always cut my boys and husbands hair. We do mot household repairs on our own. My husband does the car repair.

I also have a homemade chai tea latte mix I use alot. Love it!!

Care to share your chai recipe? All the recipes I've seen are missing that critical chai ingredient - black pepper!

[DizMe]

I've copied several of these ideas/recipes!

For static control, I tear off a strip of foil, wad it up and toss it in the dryer with the clothes. It works really well.

I also make my own yogurt once a week.

I make a very simple dry cereal by toasting oats for 15 minutes in the oven. I then add chopped, toasted almonds and that's it. You can add part steel cut oats for texture. To toast almonds, just put them on a cookie sheet and toast in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15-17 minutes. You can do them at the same time as/mixed with the oats if you prefer.

[ckmommy]

Chai Tea Mix:

1 c. Non fat dry Milk
1 c. Non dairy Creamer
1 c. Non dairy French Vanilla Creamer
2 c. sugar or Splenda
1 1/2 c. unsweetened instant tea
2 t. ginger
2 t cinnamon
1 t. cloves
1 t. Cardamon
1 t. nutmeg
1 t. allspice
1/4 t white pepper

Mix in blender 1 cup at a time-
To make Chai Tea:
Stir
2 T mix with 12 oz hot water.

[kelcoppens]

Originally Posted by annsteere

I make a lot of our greeting cards. I am NOT an artist and I don't spend hours and hours like a scrapbooker.

I bought a package of card stock at Office Depot. Cut in half and folded you get a card that will fit a standard envelope. I cut and paste pictures and add my own words to make relevant cards.

It can be a mini hobby to do this. It saves money. Most of all, I can create cards in just minutes that are ideally suitable rather than just choose among the mass-produced.

Just FYI, the dollar tree sells greeting cards 2 for $1.00. Just saying that some things are worth buying if you are saving time. Another example, growing corn on the cob .... At least in PA and NJ, its only between .10 to .20 per ear during the summer at the store.
On that note though, noone has mentioned having a fruit/veggie garden. Definitely a money saver there!

[100AcreWood]

I use a lot of 409. Any homemade ideas for replacing 409? I need something that disinfects the kitchen counters.

Thanks!