So about this "Castile Soap" . . .

If you want to be green AND clean, I have a favorite little tip for you.  Pick up some Castile soap.  I prefer Dr. Bronner's, but there are other versions, you will just want to be sure that they are natural and simple, assuming that is what you are going for.  (I've found some with added junk, just so you know.  Same price even.  Not worth it.)

Here is what we use Castile soap for at our house . . .

• foaming hand soap (just put a couple of ounces in a foaming bottle, fill will water; viola)
• body wash (foaming is good here too)
• shampoo (especially for the sub-five footers that live here)
• dish soap (ditto on the foam, but you don't have to)
• laundry detergent (add to a DIY recipe)
• DIY cleaner (will post a recipe for our favorite later)
• . . . I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things.

Anyway, it's quality stuff.  Buy the big 32 ounce bottle and you can get quite a few products out of it.  Super quick, easy to use, good for you and the environment too.  I've purchased it at Target, Walgreens, and Amazon.  You can usually get the big bottle for right around $15-16.  If you want to be frugal, think of all the products you can get out of one bottle.  If you use about 2 ounces per product, you can get about 16 out of one bottle . . . that equates to $1 a product in Castile.  Sometimes that is all you're using (hand soap, body wash), which means it is crazy cheap AND healthy.  Sometimes you'll be adding a few things to it (DIY household cleaner), but all of those are simple, cheap ingredients as well, so it's a clear win-win.

https://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/category/LIQUIDSOAP.html

PS My favorite is the peppermint scent!

DIY: Liquid Laundry Detergent {my favorite}

Several people have asked, so I'm blogging this bad boy.  We found a version on Pinterest and modified it just a bit.  I can't say if it was because it was just easier to remember or something else, but our final product works well, is much better for Mama Earth and our health than most store-bought version, and is crazy inexpensive, which is always a perk.

{You'll need . . .}
large container(s) - we use two of those 200+ oz.containers that we saved from our detergent-buying days
borax - found near detergents at the store
super washing soda - harder to find, but same spot in the store; both also on Amazon, but cheaper in-store
soap - you can use Castille soap or Dawn dish soap; we've been using Dawn because, frankly, we need to degreasing power with two boys and a hard working hubby (I realize this isn't completely green, but without phosphates and with biodegradable surfactants, it is better than lots of other options)
warm water
a small funnel is helpful
tablespoon

{Ready?}

1. Fill your container(s) about 1/4 of the way full with warm water.
2. Measure 4 Tablespoons of each (borax, super washing soda, soap) into the container.  The funnel is handy here!
3. Put the cap on and shake.
4. Fill with more warm water until bubbles appear at the top.  This is where I let it sit for a while (could be hours, whatever time you have is fine) until the bubble settle down.  Fill with more warm water.  If you fill slowly, the bubbles won't be as crazy.  You don't want the bubbles to run all over, try to keep the soap IN the container.
5. Use a capful or two, depending on the cleaning power you need.

{Another tip . . .}

I don't love fabric softener.  It is chemical filled and clings to clothes in a way that grosses me out.  Instead, we use vinegar in the softener well in the wash.  Works like a charm and you don't smell it after everything is dry!  If you love the smell of fresh laundry though, you can use regular softener with your DIY detergent.  I usually have a bottle on hand for those times when I'm craving warm, scented sheets on my bed.  I've also tried to add essential oils to my detergent with mixed results.  I'll probably try again, but haven't found anything that I love or a scent that lasts after drying.

All-Purpose Cleaner

I can't even begin to tell you how much this cleaner rocks my socks.  Works on everything.  Everything.

3 Tablespoons distilled white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Super Washing Soda
1/2 teaspoon liquid castile soap (we love Kiss My Face Grassy Mint!)
2 cups hot water

Combine in a spray bottle.  There will be a mild reaction between the soda and vinegar, so it is best to combine over a sink.

laundry detergent

Laundry.  A necessary evil, but one that doesn't have to hurt.  A little organization and preparation goes a long way, or so I've heard.  I currently have a "laundry basket dresser" on my hubby's "honey-do" list (man, I love him), so we're working on that organization bit, but this laundry detergent sure has helped in other ways.  It's lacking a whole lot of those nasty chemicals found in so much of the store bought stuff and the price?!  Cheap as beans.  I haven't figured it all out down to the load, but knowing what goes into it and what I spend for those supplies and how long they last . . . let's just say that I'm confident it is far less than most people are paying for chemicals and water in large, plastic, orange bottles.

I also want to preface this with: I WAS A POWDERED DETERGENT HATER in my past life.  No lie.  In my quest to simplify this part of my life, I whipped up various versions of homemade laundry detergent.  Some felt like a full time job to create, some just didn't work like I desperately wanted them to.  And then came this beautiful powdered version that started out fabulous (when I convinced hubby to be my certified "soap-grating-man") and turned out amazing (when I was gifted a mini-food processor that I now realize I shouldn't have attempted to live without).  Give it a shot if you're interested, even if you're anxious about the whole "powdered" thing. 

For those of you wondering if it works . . . I have two messy little boys who play hard, a hubby who sometimes comes home from work with mysterious stains on his clothing (come ON . . . minds out of the gutter, peeps), and lots of sweaty, smelly workout clothes from the hubs' and my frequent workouts.  Our clothes are clean and fresh, I promise.

POWDERED LAUNDRY DETERGENT

Ingredients:

1 bar Fels Naptha soap, finely grated  (I've heard you can use castile bars too, just haven't yet)

1 cup baking soda

½ cup Borax

½ cup washing soda

Mix well in a large container.  (Will remain powdery.)  Use approximately 2 Tablespoons per large load of laundry. 

NOTE:

I begin filling my top loading washer with water, add detergent, and gently stir once or twice.  Then I add a splash of vinegar to the tub and an additional splash in the "beach" well.  This serves as a softener agent as well!  For the "BUSY" in all of us, do yourself a favor and make a couple of batches of this at once.