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.

Getting crafty . . .

 Awhile back we began redoing our laundry room.  It isn't a completely finished masterpiece, but I will say that I adore it.  I'm working on getting some of my favorite quotes and things up on the walls, but first up was my "crafty corner".

After perusing Pinterest, stopping at JoAnne Fabrics, and roaming IKEA with one of my best shopping partners for inspiration, I landed on a few things that I am crazy about.

Aren't these adorable?  I can't take credit, I saw the whole thing somewhere else, but a quick trip to JoAnne Fabrics was all I needed to make it happen.  The letters are maybe 12" inches high (I'd go measure, but that would entail getting up right now.  Not happening.) and originally a "paper bag" brown.  I think I paid $4 each?  I picked up a can of silver metallic spray paint for another $4.  I had some 3M command strips, which worked perfectly to adhere these lightweight little guys.  The whole thing easily cost less than $25.  I did two lightweight coats on the letters, but wanted to give them a little bit of a "rugged" appearance anyway, so I wasn't too careful to get every tiny nook and cranny.  They are completely covered, but I wanted the look of sort of battered metal . . . viola.  Love them!  I cut the 3M command strips into two pieces each and adhered them first to the letter and then stuck the whole thing on the wall.  They are attached well and definitely one of my favorite things in the space.  I purposely put them near the doorway so that I can admire them whenever I walk by!

Another favorite thing in this space is my "crafty corner" . . . I have filled three cupboards with crafty things like scrapbook paper, tiles, felt, cork, modge podge, glues, spray paint, cards of all kinds, various hole punches, you get the idea.  I used some IKEA inspiration to hold smaller items and spray painted a letter K (same as the letters above) and two Mason jars in a fun green that compliments the blue on my walls.

The metal board on the left is from IKEA.  $12.  I also purchased the little magnetic containers that are on the board ($4 maybe?) and the rods and hanging baskets and cans at IKEA (maybe $15 total for all of the rods, baskets, and buckets you see hanging there below the K).  I store my Sharpies, paints, brushes, pens and pencils, scissors, hammer, screwdrivers, etc. there.  I have cutting boards to work on in one of the lower cupboards (also an IKEA purchase . . . 99 cents each?)

I need something to put in the space next to the K . . . I was thinking I'd craft up a clock using some of the fun materials I saw at Michael's the other day, but on second thought I'm not sure I want a clock in this space.  Live on the edge, right? ;)

Finally, my most recent completion is the wrapping paper station under the cupboards on the right.  I.love.this.  It was completely Pinterest inspired and since I was cleaning out my messy storage room anyway, a great way to get rid of that clutter in the storage room and put it somewhere useful.  I had the hooks (though they could be found at any hardware store for cheap) and picked up the wooden dowels for 89 cents each.  I did tie each of the wrapping paper rolls with a bit of curling ribbon to clean it up a bit.  Easy to deal with when I need to use the paper, and I have copious amounts of it in the cupboard above, so not a big deal to keep up with either.  

The sweet girl you see sleeping there is my old cat . . . and she's on a stool that I refinished from our kitchen and couldn't bear to part with.    The teal canvas thingy there is another project that I "finished" but want to fix up a bit before adding it to my classroom.  You can see one of the coasters I made at a girls' Pinterest weekend last year too . . . works well for holding my beverage of choice while I work on stuff.  Feeling uber-crafty these days!  This space helps!  I have several projects waiting in one of the lower cupboards.  Like everyone else "spare time" is a dream around here, but I've found that, like everything, it is all about priorities.  If I want to get something done, I do . . . I just have to carve out time where I can.  It's sort of stress relief, I guess.  I don't really watch TV much and since we're in the middle of a Minnesota winter, this is a great place to go to hang out when I need a few minutes to myself.  I love having the devoted space since it means I can start and pause projects without worrying about having them all over the house. 

Love my space!  Shout out to my fabulous hubby who helped make it happen.  Next up?  My Diva Den (aka library, comfy zone) . . . and no, I'm not kidding.  I live with three males.  This is a necessity!  Good inspiration for cleaning out the junk room in the basement too!