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Handy Tools Ease the Pain
Manufactures have been making a name — and a profit — for themselves creating tools and gadgets to help consumers get a "better grip" on countless household tasks. And I'm not knocking it. But I love it when I don't have to …Read more.
Let the Decluttering Begin
I know it's time. It's been time for at least five years, possibly longer. I need to clean my kitchen. Now, before you send the Health Department to my address, let me explain. What I mean by "clean" is that I need to clean out and …Read more.
A Glimmer of Hope to Cling To
Think back to a low point in your life. Don't struggle with this, just try to recall when you were going through a difficult season and life seemed bleak. Now recall that first glimmer of hope you clung to as you could see that things were beginning …Read more.
Homemade Solutions Are Budget-friendly
Dear Mary: Do you have a homemade recipe for bathroom air freshener refills? I have Air Wick brand, and I'm wondering if there is an easier and cheaper way to refill it when it runs dry. — D.R., California
Dear D.R.: Four to eight drops of …Read more.
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DIY Laundry Detergent: Cheaper and BetterWhy on earth would anyone want to make laundry detergent, you ask? Several reasons come to mind, such as allergies, environmental issues associated with phosphates and the need for special, high-efficiency, low-sudsing detergent for front-loading washers. But perhaps the most compelling reason is the cost: You can make your own laundry detergent for as little as $.02 a load. Two pennies! I have recipes for both liquid and powdered laundry detergent. The liquid will be cheapest to make. The powdered version is quicker to make, and a bit easier to store and dispense. In both cases you will need the following ingredients: 1. Fels Naptha Laundry Bar soap 2. Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (do not use baking soda) 3. 20 Mule Team Borax Liquid Laundry Detergent 3 pints water 1/3 bar Fels Naptha soap, grated 1/2 cup Super Washing Soda 1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax 2-gallon bucket 1 quart hot water Mix grated Fels Naptha Laundry Bar Soap in a large saucepan with 3 pints hot water and heat on the stove over low heat until dissolved. Do not allow to boil. Stir in Super Washing Soda and Borax. Stir until thickened. Remove from heat. Add 1 quart hot water to 2-gallon bucket. Add soap mixture, and mix well. Fill up bucket with some additional hot water, leaving a few inches at the top, and mix well. Set aside for 24 hours, or until mixture thickens. Use 1/2 cup of mixture per load. Note: This recipe multiplies well, but you'll need a 5-gallon bucket. Powdered Laundry Detergent 1 cup grated Fels Naptha Laundry Bar Soap 1/2 cup Super Washing Soda 1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax Mix and store in airtight container.
Note: To make a large batch, grate 6 bars of Fels Naptha Soap and then add 3 cups of Super Washing Soda and 3 cups 20 Mule Team Borax. Mix well and store in a covered container. Tip: These recipes will NOT make suds in your washer, so don't be alarmed. Fels Naptha is a pure soap, which makes it perfect for use in high-efficiency (HE) washers as well as traditional washers. The only proof you'll need of how well this laundry product works is to take a look at the dirty wash water. You may also notice the need to either reduce your laundry softener or even eliminate the use of softener completely. Resources: Some supermarkets still carry these products in the laundry aisle. But they are quickly disappearing for lack of interest. Check online sites like www.amazon.com or www.SoapsGoneBuy.com. You can find dozens of other ideas and recipes for making your own household solutions in the handy eBooklet, Cheapskate Solutions. Order the eBooklet online at www.DebtProofLiving.com, or send $7 for the paper booklet to Debt-Proof Living, Dept. CS, P.O. Box 2099, Cypress, CA 90630. Or call 800 550-3502 M-F, Pacific. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com, a personal finance member website. You can email her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2099, Cypress, CA 90630. To find out more about Mary Hunt and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2012 CREATORS.COM
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