fabreeze {recipes on the cheap}

I'm all for saving some cash and when this stuff costs almost $4 for one bottle, I'll try anything once. 

what you'll need:
1. spray bottle, 28 oz ( I reused my original bottle, why not it was $4)
2. 1/4 cup of fabric softner, use what smells good to you.  We had Downey so that's what is goin in.
3. 2 tablespoons of baking soda
4. hot water

Pour the fabric softner in the bottle
I put my baking soda in the measuring cup and added some hot water to it and mixed it up.  then poured that into my bottle. 
fill the rest with the hot water, put the lid on and shake it up.  I sprayed this everywhere!! Smells AWESOME!  I did read on Pinterest that it's about $0.15 per bottle!!!  You sure can't beat that price!!!  Not sure who thought of this one but they ROCK!!

laundry soap {recipes on the cheap}

Yes, that's right.  I made our own laundry soap!  Fully tested and family approved!!  I've found several on Pinterest and other blogs and figured I'd test one.  I loved this one I found and will have to find her site and give some kudos!!

our participants



1. (1) 4 lb 12 oz Box of Borax
2. (1) 3 lb 7 oz Box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (totally different from baking soda and make sure the box says "washing soda")
3. (1) 3 lb Container of OxyClean
4. (1) 17.1 oz box of Zote Soap (if you can't find the box of soap already grated, you can use 2 bars of soap and grate them with a cheese grater.  someone even used Ivory Soap)
5. (1) 4 lb box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
6. (2) 55 oz Downy or Purex Fabric Softner Crystals
7. (1) Large bucket with a lid
8. large spoon for stirring

I found all the above at Walmart.  The cute bucket has lime green handles. :)

The easiest thing to do is add a little of each ingredient and mix well.  I did half and mixed it up and then added the other half.  I suggest doing it outdoors because of the dustiness but if you don't mind that, you're good.  Walmart was out of the Downy Crystals but I think I'll go to my HEB and pick up a container and add it to my mixture.  Store air tight and on a flat surface.  I wouldn't put it on the dryer or the washer because it will all settle and you'd have to stir it up again.  It took a good 10 minutes of stirring but totally worth it.

finished product: (forgive the horrible photos but my laundry room has yuck for lighting.)  I used the little scoop from the OxyClean.

See my green handles and look how much we have!!  One scoop per load.  Also uses less water to rinse your clothes. 

Facts:

1.  Yes, you can use this in HE washing machines

2.  Yes, you can add additional fabric softner to your wash

3.  Yes, ONE scoop is all you need.  It's about 2 heaping tablespoons

4.  Yes, it smells great!