Homemade laundry and dishwasher detergent!

I got so excited the other day while looking for recipes for homemade laundry and dishwasher detergent. We're trying to get closer to being self-sufficient, to use environmentally safe cleaning products, to use products that are non-toxic, and to save money. Unfortunately, the Eco-cleaners in the grocery stores can be pretty pricey. So making your own is the way to go! And it's super super cheap!!!



Here's my favorite laundry soap recipe:



- 3 bars of soap grated as finely as you can (I use pure glycerin soap from the Guelph soap company - it's like a buck a bar)

- 2 cups of borax (a natural compound found in the cleaning section)

- 2 cups of washing soda (in the laundry section)



You mix it together and voila! Then you only need 1/4 cup for each load. I also add 1/4 cup of white vinegar into the fabric softer area. Clothes are clean! (And don't smell like vinegar!)

The best thing is that it's safe for high efficiency washers because it's non-sudsy!



I had a hard time finding a homemade dishwasher detergent because they all contain borax. Borax is natural but can be toxic if eaten in large quantities, so I feel more comfortable not using it for dishes. I found a recipe but ended up making my own to avoid soap scum. Here it is:



- 1 cup water

- 1/2 cup liquid vegetable glycerin

- 1/2 vinegar

- 20 drops of lemon essential oil



- you need to shake before each use since the oil settles on top.



OK!! I hope this is helpful! Kerri

Kids Volkswagen

The best thing is how rare these vans are! And to find one in good shape! The shirts are all in good shape, I have lots of sizes on etsy now! And of course, if you're into hitchhiking, you'd be hoping one of these beauties drives by! Beep Beep!

Tasty Olive

Olives are tasty. In fact, the only way to keep my toddler sitting during landing of an airplane is to continuously feed him green olive pieces. Well, at least it worked last time. So why not wear an olive shirt? And one with a volkwagen van is even better. Check out my etsy store to buy this shirt for 20 bucks and my website to see more creations...

Creativity Revival

Sometimes it is necessary to take breaks from arting. Then when you come back, it's sweet fun again! I never thought I'd say this, but if you're ever in a creative block...just do it! Doing strengthens the attitude, not the other way around. Then your doing stimulates more doing! I just bought a whole bunch of shirts, so more are coming...and soon, a brand new fish design!!

A good way to sell your craft..

A good way to sell your craft is to ask your friends to have parties! All they have to do is invite their friends over for a party. Then you show up and display your craft. And unlike a Tupperware party, the crafter doesn't convince people to buy stuff, or to have parties, or to become a Tupperware seller themselves! The crafter just hangs out, and answers questions if necessary, while selling to people who are interested. Then at the end of the night, the crafter offers the host 25% (or whatever percentage you want) of what was made at the party in free product! That way, no matter how much was sold, the host gets free stuff for having the party! And everyone is happy! And everyone shops local! And everyone supports OUR economy! And the crafter is happy! And the host is happy! Wheee! Check out some of my crafts on my website!

How to Convince People to go Green

Have you ever heard of those psychology experiments where they put a rat in a cage, it presses a lever, and gets a shock? Well, the theory behind it is simple. The rat performs a behaviour, gets punished for this behaviour, then never does it again. Funny enough, the same reasoning can be used to get people to go green. Are you laughing yet? Well, grocery stores have recently placed a cost on plastic bags...a punishment! And ever since then, just about everyone brings their own bags! Its genius. I myself do it for the environment. But for some, money talks.

Eco bags are even cooler when they're hand made and local! To check out my eco bags, see my etsy store!

Locally Made T-shirts

I recently wrote a blog about the importance of buying local. A few years back, a discovered a great line of clothing made right here in America called American Apparel! I can notice the better quality immediately. Buying locally made clothing helps our planet and keeps dollars in our economy. I've printed several T-shirts using American Apparel shirts, if you would like to see them, check out my etsy site or my website!