Homemaker Gone Natural

…live life naturally!


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Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

I was very excited to stop using the chemicals in my laundry detergent as well.  I must tell you that before finding this recipe, I just bought some soap nuts and was washing my clothes with those.  I didn’t really care for them.  I thought the clothes smelled worse coming out than they did going in.  So I added some essential oils to the bag containing the soap nuts and this helped, but not enough for my liking.  I went online and scoured the internet for homemade natural laundry soaps.  There are A LOT out there.  I knew I wanted one that was not a powder*, so that helped narrow it down.  Finally I found one I liked using simple ingredients.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

Heat the water, washing soda and borax in a large pot.  Once the powders dissolve, take it off the stove and add the castile soap.  You may add this directly to your gallon sized container or you may wait for it to cool.  We use about 1 cup per load.  We use this in our ‘he’ washer with no problems, but we put it directly in with clothes not through dispenser.  In the dryer, I use the dryer balls they sell at Wal-Mart (they are blue with spikey things all over them)  and I put EO on a rag and toss in, these combined give me a chemical free, wonderful smelling, static free load.

* I have switched to a powder version.  I really thought I wanted liquid because that was what I was used to, but I have since switched to powder because the prep is easier and it works just as good if not BETTER. Here is my dry laundry detergent recipe.


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Homemade Liquid Dishwasher Detergent

Another homemade product I have begun using in my efforts to be frugally natural is dish detergent for my dishwasher.  I really enjoy this recipe*see bottom of post, the only flaws I have found is that you still need to add something for hard water and you have to shake it before each use as it separates as it sits.  I originally got the recipe from here

Homemade Liquid Dish Detergent:

•16 cups Water, halved

•1 1/2 cups WASHING soda

•1 cup Borax

•1/2 cup Dr Bronner’s Pure Liquid Castile Soap (I used Orange scented)

Bring 8 cups of the water to a boil.  Remove from heat and stir in washing soda, borax and liquid castile soap.  Continue stirring until completely dissolved.  Stir in remaining 8 cups of water and allow to cool.  Pour cooled dishwasher detergent into container of choice.  It will ‘gel’ up over the next 24 hours.

Prior to using, shake up detergent.  I use approx 2 Tbs in the detergent dispenser, but experiment to see what works best for you.  This lasts a VERY long time.

*editing on 6/6/13 to say: This was a great starting recipe for me to use, however, since then I have begun using the Natural Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Tabs with much greater success.  I honestly don’t see me using anything else but these in the future.  They work better and they are both easier and cheaper to make.


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Poo-Free “Shampoo/Conditioner” (Homemade)

Yes, I have made the plunge into trying to make my own body care products and household cleaners.  I was a little skeptical of some of the recipes wondering how they could possibly work, after all I love my Herbal Essences Shampoos and Conditioners and the thought of giving those up was sad.  BUT after 2 weeks now of using my new “shampoo” and “conditioner” that I made tweaking the recipe I found here, my hair is softer and easier to manage! I love it! So, I thought I would share.  Keep in mind, it is okay to think I’m crazy because well, I thought this was crazy too, but I tried it anyway, I guess because I’m crazy like that. 🙂

SHAMPOO MIX:

• 4 TBS Baking Soda

• 32 oz Water

• 5 drops of Essential Oil (I used lavender)

CONDITIONER MIX:

• 4 TBS Apple Cider Vinegar

• 32 oz Water

• 5-10 drops of Essential Oil (I used lavender)

I put these each in a large spray bottle and I just thoroughly spray in the “shampoo” until my hair is saturated then wash my hair and rinse.  Repeat with the “conditioner”


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Homemade Natural Air Freshener

In my search to eliminate harmful chemicals from my everyday life, one of my favorite, feel good finds is the way to replace my love for all things Febreeze.  Its easy and simple.  Works on most fabrics too.

Homemade Air Freshener

  • 1/4 cup vodka (you can replace with rubbing alcohol)
  • 3/4 cup distilled water
  • 40 drops of essential oil(s) of your choice

 Combine the essential oils and the vodka in the bottle and allow to sit overnight to intensify the scent.  Add distille water the following morning, shake and spray