Sunday, July 31, 2011

Homemade Laundry Detergent? Really? Yup!

Well we've embarked on a new level of crunchy in the Smitty household. 


 I started using homemade laundry detergent. All it took was a bar of soap, washing soda, Borax and a grater! While I know Dove isn't a true soap, it's what I had on hand and I looked up reviews on using it for this purpose and most people didn't have any problems with it.

The Washing Soda was $3.39, the Borax was $4.05, the Dove bar was something I had in the pantry, but a bar usually costs about $1.50 and at only $0.50, the grater was a steal in the PX dollar bins. 

Grating the soap was the most difficult part. After about a quarter of the bar, the grater got clogged and wouldn't shave anymore. I ended up having to clean the grater 3 times before I was done. Not a huge problem, only time consuming. 1 cup shaved soap, 1 cup Washing Soda, 1 Cup Borax. I mixed the ingredients for a few minutes, poured it into a storage container, labeled it and was done!

I've already done a load of the kids clothing and a load of hubby's uniforms straight from the field. A half cup of distilled white vinegar in substitution of traditional softener and my laundry came out smelling like nothing! No scent, no residue, no funk. I have clean laundry and it was way cheaper than conventional laundry detergent! Toddler and Baby Girl have both worn clothing cleaned by this detergent and neither have had any skin reactions either! 

Now that I know it works, I want to try a few drops of essential oil to add a soft scent. Should I try Tea Tree Oil or Grapefruit? I don't have anything else on hand at the moment. And it will take a while for me to trust the detergent enough to try it on my cloth diaper stash. For now I'll stick with RnG as I've never had a problem with stink, stains or skin reactions with it.

Edited to add: I only used a tablespoon of the mix for a large load of laundry and half a cup of vinegar in the rinse cycle for a softener. 

Little BGCG and His Mama Review It's Cloth Diaper Week

Little BGCG and His Mama Review It is having a Cloth Diaper Week from August 8-15th!

Get extra entries into these giveaways by spreading the word and posting the event button before August 8th!

Little

Emani Minerals Giveaway {Momma Told Me}

Momma Told Me is giving away an Emani Minerals Starter Makeup Kit!


Enter HERE!
Ends August 4th!

Rockboard Scooter Giveaway {Outnumbered 3 to 1}

Outnumbered 3 to 1 is giving away a Rockboard Scooter!

Enter HERE!
Ends August 8th!

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Thursday, July 28, 2011

InStep Double Stroller Giveaway {Mama B}

Mama B is giving away an InStep Double Jogging Stroller!


Enter HERE!
Ends August 15th!

Blastos Mini Bubble Blaster Giveaway {Have Sippy Will Travel}

Have Sippy Will Travel is giving away Blastos Mini Bubble Blasters!


Enter HERE!
Ends August 14th!

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Boba Carrier Giveaway {Crazy 4 Fluff}

Crazy 4 Fluff is giving away a Boba Carrier!


Enter HERE!
Ends August 6th!

Alva Baby Pocket Diaper Giveaway {Adventures in Fluff}

Adventures in Fluff is giving away an Alva Baby Pocket Diaper!


Enter HERE!
Ends August 6th!

Not Even Remotely Wordless Wednesday 7/27

Toddler Showing Off Her Mickey
Notice the shiner on her eye? She had an argument with her bedroom doorknob and lost. Poor little girl was so angry at the door. The Stuffed Mickey and Mickey Ears Hat are part of a Disney Goody Bag I won from Raising Three Savvy Ladies. She loves anything Mickey so we had a happy toddler!

Baby Girl Succeeding at Tummy Time
Baby Girl is now 2 months old! She's a very happy, active baby who is eager to be on the move. It's too early for me, but she's decided to scooch around her crib when she wakes up from naps and roll from tummy to back already. Her limbs are always moving unless she's in a post-breastfeeding coma. 
I absolutely LOVE her smiles and giggles!

BabeeGreens Diaper Giveaway {Anderson's Angels}

Anderson's Angels is giving away a BabeeGreens Diaper!



Enter HERE!
Ends August 3rd!

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Monday, July 25, 2011

Christmas in July Giveaway {Sarah's Blog of Fun}

As part of the Christmas In July Blog Hop Giveaway, Sarah's Blog of Fun is giving away:
A Mamas & Papas Trip Stroller in Blueberry!

 A Libre Glass 'n Poly Large Loose Leaf Tea Glass!

A Pretend & Play Ice Cream Shop from Learning Resources!




And a $25 Gift Card to Teavana!

Enter HERE!
Ends July 31st!

Smartipants Diaper Giveaway {Twice The Fun}

Twice The Fun is giving away a Smartipants Cloth Diaper!
Enter HERE!
Ends July 28th!

Sunday, July 24, 2011

GEN-Y Diaper Cover Giveaway {Cloth Diaper Contests & Giveaways}

Cloth Diaper Contests & Giveaways is giving away a GEN-Y diaper cover from Cushy Tushy!


Enter HERE!
Ends July 30th!

bambinoBUMS Diaper Giveaway {Cloth Diaper Contests & Giveaways}


Cloth Diaper Contests & Giveaways is giving away a bambinoBUMS OS Pocket Diaper from Calgary Cloth Diaper Depot!


Enter HERE!
Ends July 27th!

PlanetWise Sports Bag Giveaway {Because It's Fun To Win!}

Because It's Fun To Win! is giving away a PlanetWise Sports Bag!

I like the Bumble Dot Print!
Enter HERE!
Ends TONIGHT July 24th!

itti bitti tutto Giveaway {Cloth Diaper Geek}

Cloth Diaper Geek is giving away an itti bitti tutto!


Enter HERE!
Ends TONIGHT July 24th!

Cutiepoops $15GC Giveaway {Bedfordnomics}

Bedfordnomics is giving away a $15 GC to Cutiepoops Cloth Diapers!


Enter HERE!
Ends TONIGHT! So Enter NOW!

Britax Frontier 85 Carseat Giveaway {In The Know Mom}

In The Know Mom is giving away a Britax Frontier 85 Car Seat!


Enter HERE!
Ends July 30th!

GoGreen Pocket Diaper Giveaway {In The Know Mom}

In The Know Mom is giving away a GoGreen Champ Pocket Diaper!
Enter HERE!
Ends TONIGHT July 24th!

Dandelion Baby GC Giveaway {Mommy & Me Giveaway}

Mommy and Me Giveaways is giving away a $100 GC to Dandelion Baby!


Enter HERE!
Ends July 30th!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Tandem Jeep Stroller Giveaway {Living the Life of Rylie...}

Living the Life of Rylie... and Bryce Too! is giving away a Kolcraft Jeep Wrangler Twin Sport All Weather Stroller!


Enter HERE!
Ends August 1st!

Cool Gear Waterbottle Giveaway {Mommy & Me Giveaways}


Enter HERE!
Ends July 28th!

Crazy For Bargains PJ Giveaway {Monkey Tales}

Monkey Tales is giving away a $25 GC to Crazy For Bargains Pajamas!

These Heart Thermal Toddler Pajamas are only $8.99!
And these Pink Woodland & Friends Toddler Pajamas are only $4.99!!
Enter HERE!
Ends August 10th!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Teething Bling Giveaway {Turtle Man's Mama}

Turtle Man's Mama is giving away a Teething Bling Necklace!

The NEW Shimmer Necklaces are now for sale!
And the Vanilla Bean Scented Necklace is awesome!
Enter HERE!
Ends July 28th!

Block Set Giveaway {Turtle Man's Mama}

Turtle Man's Mama is giving away a Set of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Blocks from Peaceable Kingdom Press!

Enter HERE!
Ends July 24th!

Lovely Pocket Diaper Giveaway {Mommy Kat & Kids}

Mommy Kat & Kids is giving away a Lovely "Rave" Pocket Diaper!
Another Lovely COW Print! And this one is fuzzy!
Enter HERE!
Ends August 7th!

Inch Blue Soft Soled Shoes Giveaway {Home Grown Families}

Home Grown Families is giving away a pair of Inch Blue Soft Soled Baby Shoes!

The Love Shower Applique is my favorite!

Enter HERE!
Ends August 14th!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Hayneedle Giveaway {Mommy of 1 & Counting}

Mommy of 1 and Counting is giving away a Hayneedle $100 GC!

I'd like to acquire some storage space in our yard with the Suncast Saxon Storage Deck Box with Wheels!




 (ARV $115)

Enter HERE!
Ends July 23rd!

Cheeky Cloth Soaker Giveaway {Cloth Diaper Contests & Givewaways}

Cloth Diaper Contests & Giveaways and Cheeky Cloth is giving away a set of 4 of their super soft organic bamboo velour soakers!


Enter HERE!
Ends July 20th! That's TOMORROW!

BG Artist Series Diaper Giveaway {Happenings of the Harper Household}

Happenings of the Harper Household is giving away a BumGenius Artist Series Diaper!


Enter HERE!
Ends 8/1

Black OS Fuzzibunz Giveaway {Nicki's Diapers}

Nicki's Diapers is giving away a Black One Sized Fuzzibunz!


Enter HERE!
Ends July 21st!

Genius Baby Giveaway {Love You Always & Forever}

Love You Always and Forever is giving away a $50 GC to Genius Baby!


Enter HERE!
Ends July

Monday, July 18, 2011

Diane Lai Skincare Giveaway {Natural Mommie}

{Natural} Mommie is giving away a set of luxe, chemical free set of Diane Lai skincare!

All of the Diane Lai products are hypoallergenic and contain none of the following:
Zero Parabens
Zero Sulfates
Zero Lanolin
Zero Phthalates
Zero Formaldehyde
Zero Artificial Fragrance
Zero Artificial Colorants
Zero Retinols
Zero Petro Chemicals
Zero Oxybenzone

Enter HERE!
Ends July 24th!

Sophia's Style GC Giveaway {Marvelous Mommy}

Marvelous Mommy is giving 3 $30 GC to Sophia's Style!

I'd love to get the Flapdoodles Navy Striped Floral Set for Toddler!
Enter HERE!
Ends July 25th!

Seasons UV Giveaway {MommyGaga}

MommyGaga is giving away a Swim Suit, Sun Hat, Sun Glasses & Sun Screen from Seasons UV!

Toddler was born with both Mommy and Daddy's fair skin, freckles, blond hair and skin prone to sunburns in under 15 minutes. This year, she has a UV swimsuit and tshirt, but I still have to slather her arms. I'd LOVE to get the Graffiti Love print Long Sleeve and BoyShort Set for her. 


Enter HERE!
Ends July 25th!

BabyLegs Grab Bag Giveaway {Familylicious Reviews}

Familylicious Reviews is giving away a BabyLegs Grab Bag!


I love the Cow Print Warmers!

Enter HERE!
Ends July 24th!