Green Home Means Less Green House

 

5 Minute Homemade Laundry Detergent

When I first considered making my own laundry detergent, I felt overwhelmed. The idea of grating soap or buying expensive ingredients was unappealingly and I worried about my clothes not feeling as clean. Then I found a 5-minute DIY laundry detergent and realized I never need to buy my own laundry detergent again. I have also saved a lot of money. The 3 ingredients cost less than a bottle of Tide and will make so many batches of detergent. The final product is much more liquidy and not as heavily scented as store bought. Make sure to shake it up before using and consider adding essential oil drops to increase the scent. All you need in Borax, Washing Soda, Dawn dish soap, and water (some heated to mix ingredients together). A quick Google search will give you many easy-to-follow recipes.

Wool Dryer Balls

Dryer sheets are helpful in reducing static but are terrible for the environment. It seems a little wacky but for under $12 on Amazon you can get a 6-pack bag of balls made of sheep's wool. They work as a much more sustainable and equally effective option to dryer sheets. Use 3 balls for a normal sized load.

DIY Cleaning Spray

You can quickly make an effective cleaner without all the harsh chemicals from store bought cleaners. The cleaner is safe to use on all kinds of surfaces including windows. All you need is a spray bottle, vinegar, water, and a few drops of essential oil. A Google search will give you lots of recipes to choose from.

Reusable Sponges

Before I switched to reusable, I spent about $12 a year in sponges. I was able to get a 2-pack for just a few dollars about 4 years ago and still use the same pair every day! One side is rough for scouring and other smooth. When they get dirty just throw them in the wash. No more sponges in landfills and no more dealing with a stinky sponge smell. I can't recommend them enough!