Pinterest Week 1: All-Natural Laundry

Ya know how people write about stuff they've tried on Pinterest? Well, I figured I would start it up because I use a lot of the homemade tutorials I've found on Pinterest.

This week I decided to pick laundry. I make my own detergent and I would never go back to regular detergent. Mostly because I save a TON of money. And no liquid mess! There are tutorials for liquid homemade detergent, if you'd like. But I feel like it takes up more space and is harder to clean up. Not to mention you might have to get a pot specifically for making your detergent if you go liquid. As for me, I just put it in a huge Mason jar and use about two tablespoons every load. (I work at a factory, my clothes get really dirty and gross.) I love that it's more natural too. You know exactly what's going into it. Here's the recipe I use:

http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-laundry-detergent-soap/

I also use my own fabric softener! This is an even bigger money saver. Fabric softener costs quite a bit for how little you get. I will admit though, this softener starts to smell more like vinegar as it sits so I'll probably make a little less next time. The conditioner I used was strawberry scented (from Suave) so that might also make a difference in how the vinegar reacts to it. I keep mine in a pitcher with an airtight top. Here's the recipe for fabric softener:

http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/homemade-fabric-softener-picture-tutorial

One more thing; dryer sheets. There's another tutorial using sponges and an airtight container that is easier than this one, but I'm weird about sponges. You can even use the softener you just made! Here's a tutorial got coffee filter dryer sheets:

http://www.budgetsavvydiva.com/2012/10/diy-dryer-sheets/

If you would like to look up the other tutorials I've mentioned, feel free! These are just the ones I use that I find good for me. Thanks for checking it out! Next week I have a shaving cream/exfoliator for you to try. :)

DIY Sock Snowman

You can make this guy an ornament or just a little guy who sits somewhere. :) I made this guy a girl since I couldn't find a red sock for the hat. And I also had some flowers laying around, so I put that instead of a pom pom on top. Either way, it's super cute!

What you need:

White toddler-size tube sock and matching thread

Polyester fiberfill (or cotton balls, which is what I used)

Buttons (small, two black, three others)

Fabric glue

Red child-size ribbed sock and matching thread for hat

Pom Pom

Black pipe cleaners for arms (I used white because that's what I had and I just wrapped it in black yarn)

Ribbon or a scrap of fabric for the scarf

Large embroidery needle

What to do:

Turn the tube sock inside out and stuff with fiber fill/cotton until full. Gather the sock at the top and sew closed. To form the head, tie off the ribbon/fabric. If you want to make his head larger, just tie of farther down the sock. Glue on the buttons to make the face. To make the hat, sew on the other sock, rib side down. To make a smaller hat, cut off the top of the sock and sew back together. Glue the Pom Pom on top of the sock hat. Thread the pipe cleaner onto the embroidery needle and push through, cut pipe cleaner and twist to make fingers.

Ta-da! All done! To make it an ornament, just thread through on the top to make a loop. :)