The Homemades Post (plus the pie Linda wanted)

So, back before "Bay Greta" was born I mentioned I was going to start trying to make some homemade around the house products. Here is the follow up on the good, the bad, and the "my husband said we can't use that anymore" of it.

Laundry Detergent - WINNER

1 cup Sals Suds

2 cup hot water

1/3 cup salt

1 cup baking soda

Mix until dissolved. Pour in 1 gallon container and top off with water. 1/4 to 1/2 cup per load.

Test: It gets our nasty dinner napkins clean and Joseph's underwear doesn't smell like pee.

Dishwasher Soap - MY HUSBAND SAID WE CAN'T USE THIS ANYMORE

Actually I think his exact words were, "We have too many people over for meals to serve them on dirty dishes." He was right. Even the Seventh Generation stuff doesn't really do the job. Some things you just need chemicals for. I actually us the SG and then every 3rd time or so I buy Cascade to get things good and clean for a while (and open up the kitchen window and close the doors to the kitchen...because once you have taken a break from using that stuff, you really smell how horribly strong it is.

Dish soap - WINNER

This is what the dishwasher soap became and it works great as a kitchen sink hand and dish soap.

1/2 cup Sals Suds

1/c cup water

1 tsp lemon juice

3 drops tea tree oil

1/2 cup white vinegar

Mix all and then dilute about 1/4 cup with water and save the rest for refill. I've also been adding some drops of grapefruit seed extract to it since I read what a great anti-bacterial it was - for kitchen counters, raw meat, etc. (And you know if I read it, it had to be true.)

Diaper wipe spray - WINNER

Baby mild castille soap (Dr. Bronners)

water

few drops each of tea tree oil and lavender oil

I spray this on a cotton ball because let's face it, unless she poops, using a wipe EVERY time I change a diaper is totally a waste. I still use wipes for the big jobs and in my purse. I've cut up some old flannel baby blankets (thank you Northside Hospital) to use as wipes in the future...we'll see how that goes.

Once our kids soap is out, I will start using this in the bath tub on them as well.

Shampoo - LOSER

I just can't do it. My hair felt too nasty. However, my scalp (which has itched since I hit puberty I think) quit itching. So I don't know what to do. Plus, my hair is so stinkin' thick...I couldn't get a brush or my fingers or anything through it. I might revisit this...

Hand soap - WINNER

Castille soap (baby mild)

few drops of tea tree oil (it is an anti-bacterial...I read that)

few drops of lavender

dilute with water (so it is about 1/3 mixture, 2/3 water)

NEXT:

This week I am going to make my own chapstick...or lip lips as we call it.

And, diaper cream that will also double as a hand lotion...because if you can't put it on your bum why not rub it into your hands?!

Now for the pie. Linda, I am almost embarrassed at how easy this is.

Make or buy your crust.

Mix: 3 cups copped apples (green or red, I used both and threw in a pear when I ran short)

2 cups cranberries (I just threw in the whole bag because I really like them.)

1 cup sugar (I use less if not using green apples.)

2 T flour

3/4 t ground cloves

Throw it in your crust and back at 400 for 40 to 45.