Food Storage Recipe for May

This months Food Storage recipe is going to be for Non Food Items.

I have used these recipes for 6 months now. They are easy to make and really does not take up that much time.

FABRIC SOFTENER:
6 cups hot water (hot tap water is fine)
3 Cups White Vinegar
2 Cups Hair Conditioner

Add Water (hot) into container, add conditioner, mix up, add vinegar, mix well. Put into resealable container. Like your old fabric softener bottle. Add the same amount you would normally use in the rinse cycle. Yes you can use this in HE washers, As that is what I have. Shake before each use.

You can buy cheap hair conditioner, any smell you like. Works good.

LIQUID LAUNDRY SOAP:

1 bar of Soap (Fels Naptha)
1 cup of Borax
1 Cup of Super Washing soda
2 cups of water
4 gallons of water
5 gallon bucket with lid
old cheese grater, old pot, old wooden spoon, old whisk.


Grate soap bar using an old cheese grater, add to a pot, add 2 cups of water. heat on low, mix and stir unitl soap is melted and combines with water.

Pour Borax, and Super washing soda into the bucket and mix up. Add the hot soapy water from the pot and quickly mix and thoroughly. Add 1 gallon of water at a time to the mixture and stir, until you add 4 gallons. Mix up well. Cover and let sit OVERNIGHT! Uncover in the morning, mix up with a spoon or whisk until well blended and the "big" chucks are small. Add to smaller containers, like old laundry detergent bottles. Shake to mix up before use! Use only 1/2 cup per load! It will not suds up! You can use in HE washers as it will not hurt it, and you use less detergent for a load. 5 gallons of soap will last me 3 months, for less than $3.00.

(DO NOT USE BAKING SODA! WRONG ITEM!)

Thrifty Tip for May

We all try to save a little money here and there. We all want to make every dollar count. Here are a few tips I got in an email and thought I would post them here along with a few of my thoughts added in. 

The best way to save money is not to waste anything!

• Don't use more water than you need (saving you the cost of the water and the heating of it). Turn the water off, fix leaky faucets, take quick showers, do only full loads of dishes and laundry.
• Don't waste food. For everything you throw out you are throwing dollars out the door. Use up left overs, or simply to not make too much food to be put in the fridge and left to be forgotten. Buy what you eat and eat what you store. Rotate your food, and nothing goes to waste.
• Don't run your car longer than it needs to be run (wasting gas). While waiting to pick someone up, do not just sit in the car with it running. Turn it off and wait. Most cars do not "need" to warm up before you drive other than a minute or two. No need to let it run for 5 or ten minutes to "warm" up. wear a coat if it is cold out!
• Do only full loads of clothes and if you use dryer sheets cut them into thirds. They still work the same but you save money. You can even make your own fabric softener for pennies. ( recipe to follow in another post)
• Same with laundry soap. Don't use more than you need and if you have to wash a smaller load of clothes adjust your water level and your soap amount. again make your own for pennies (recipe to follow in another post)
• Don't overfeed your pets. Don't overfeed yourself either. Follow your Vets advise on how much to feed Fido and Fluffy. Cut back on the treats too. Cut the treats in to pieces if you give treats. Dogs do not care how much they get, only that they are getting something.
• Turn out lights not being used and turn off tv's and stereos not being used. Turn off ceiling fans, and unplug appliances that you do not use that often.