Homemade Laundry Detergent

We started using homemade laundry detergent recently and found significant savings in doing so, and our clothes are just as clean as ever. The consistency is way different than store bought, but believe me, it works great!

1 quart water (boiling)

2 cups bar soap, grated (I use Fels-Napha)

2 cups Borax

2 cups washing soda

Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water and stir until melted.

Pour the soap into a large, clean pail and add the borax and washing soda. Stir well until all dissolved.

Add two gallons of water, stir until well mixed. Cover pail and use 1/4 cup for each load of laundry. Stir the soap each time you use it as it will gel.

You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil (per two gal.) to your laundry detergent.

grated Fels-Napha

melting down the soap on the stove top

adding Borax and washing soap to mixture in pail

finished product

Can This Be Said About Me?

~ Even when others wrong her, she turns it over to God and doesn't seek revenge. Self is the last thing on her mind. God's love gives her patience.

~She believes that jealousy is disastrous, and that all are made wonderfully by God - including herself.
~She desires the best for others, and never brags or takes credit for abilities or gifts. Her greatness is revealed in what she doesn't say. (she is humble)
~She is not arrogant or intellectually puffed up. She believes that our opinions should be from the Word of God. (genuine humility)
~She is never boorish, inattentive, rude, inconsiderate. She says things the right way at the right time - always. (temperance)
~She doesn't grasp for her own rights.
~She doesn't become irritated or touchy. She never loses her temper.
~She is never vindictive or retaliatory. She never keeps a record of wrongs.
~She doesn't delight in exposing others weaknesses.
~She's not gullible, but charitable.
~She's always active, never passive.
~She never views failure as final, because God is pruning us for the future.
~She knows that she can't be conquered by evil because she lives in Christ.
~She has a calming presence in all circumstances; not leaving a trail of tension.
~She is gentle and kind.
~She counts on God in every situation.
~She is committed to doing what is good.
~She approaches discipline and conflicts with gentleness and God's Word.
~She is not thrown by the remarks of others, but seeks only God's praise.
~Her face reflects Love, Joy, and Hope; and her whole being shines with the truth that our future is with Jesus.
~Her character and high standards are above reproach - she has God's standards.
~Others can see Jesus in her eyes.
                                                        Author Unknown


Can you imagine the blessed influence and sanctification every daughter would have in her home if she could live her life just like that? It has definitely been a real challenge in my own life, and by no means have I obtained to it, but is something I continue to strive for. Perhaps this list here would seem impossible to live up to, but I believe that the more we are living in Christ Jesus, the more we will become like Him; it is a sanctification process. Will we make mistakes along the way? Of course we will, we are human, but let's be like Paul who has said:
    Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after... I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil.3:12&13)
    God's blessings to you as you strive to become more like Him.

Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead. 

                                                                                          Louisa May Alcott