I've used tide most of my life. It may not be as frugal, but it does not make my excema worse. I want to try the home masde, but I CANNOT FIND FELS NAPTHA or washing soda for that matter. I want to try a homemade dishwasher stuff too. Anyway. My questions: Those of you who wash in cold... Do you use cold when your little boys spills spaghetti on his shirt? Or tempra paint? Or once every 4 months when he wets the bed, do you wash those sheets in cold? I guess I'm asking, if you usually wash in cold, what do you make an exception for? And in the winter when cold water = icy water, does it still clean as well? I will continue to wash socks in hot as we are trying to keep away athletes feet, but I am wondering about my other wash. Thanks, in advance, for your input.
Tami - The Tightwad Gazette, she has three out now, sometimes you can find it as a 3 in 1, Not Just Beans and Miserly Moms.
Leasmom - Oh I wish your cleats would fit him, but he wears a 1 1/2. Thanks for the offer though, that was sweet of you!
I'm not sure what I'll do today that is frugal. I'll share something my dh and 16 yr old Jacob are doing. They are building this funny van. They bought one van for $35, and yesterday they got some bucket seats for free. They need another van and a motor. This weekend they are going to cut the van down. Here's a picture my dh made on the computer. I think ds will have a lot of fun with this van thing!
Carol
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Everyone who has ever taken a shower has had an idea. It's the person who gets out of the shower, dries off, and does something about it that makes a difference.
- Nolan Bushnell
Tami, I have recently switched to homemade laundry detergent. I never "prewashed" in the washing soda. Did not have any problem!!! But, I do keep nonchlorine bleach(generic) on hand in case anything starts to look dingy. I also keep a tub of the generic oxyclean. Just in case, for the big stains!!!
As far as books are concerned, I like the "Tightwad Gazettes", those are the best ones!! I have each volume I, II, and III. I re-read them often just for inspiration!! I don't know if you are interested in frugal cooking books or not, but Eat well For $50 a week is a good one for that. Awhile back there were some listed. I know I like several but off the top of my head I can not think of the others.
MKS, I usually wash the bedding in warm water, as well as, living room items (i.e. pillow throws, sofa covers, and such) Also, I usually use warm for less washed items like winter coats, and spring jackets. I am not sure where you are from but have you checked Wal Mart for fels-naptha and washing soda? I believe someone said they get those items at their local Wal mart.
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Karen
When I was young, I always said I wanted to be someone...I guess I should have been more specific!
I make my own detergent and have for a year or so. I did not wash my clothes with washing soda first, I just started using the homemade stuff and have had no problems. If my kids stain their clothes I try to pretreat it or let in soak in warm water for awhile before washing. I do wash in warm water not cold... I know that will make some of you cringe. My daughter and I suffer from eczema sometimes severe and the homemade stuff has never irritated our skin.
I don't want to get in trouble for talking about hometowns again. But, I know Wayne too. My dd's father lived there for a short time. We're from Detroit originally.
OKAY, SHAWN I'm THROUGH TALKING ABOUT IT!-LOL!
I love Salvation Army. I've needed there services too and I always try to shop there and donate to them. Some people love JCPENNY's or Even Walmart...I love the Salvation Army.
If you type it in under search on the net, it will bring up several places that sell it via mail. It's a little more expensive but that stuff last forever. I don't use mine much. We only have a cold and warm cycle on my washer and although I grated it "fine" it didn't dissolve good enough in cold water. I just buy what is on sale, like this week "Arm & Hammer" liquid 64 oz. is on sale w/ cpn. for $1.50. I only use about 1/3 of what it calls for unless it's heavily soiled, then I pull out the Tide but only use half of what it calls for. Spaghetti, blood, etc. I soak in the homemade detergent then clean as usual in cold water. Btw, in my homemade I use powdered bleach mixed in with the Felsnaptha, Borax, washing soda mix.
Anna
__________________ We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
I have a bar of Felsnaptha soap, I rub it on stains after wetting the fabric. It works really well. Another thing I found with washing in cold water, if the clothes are really soiled or stained, I let the washer agitate a little, then turn it off to soak for half an hour, then wash as regular. My new washer has a soak cyle, and I just love it!
Carol
__________________
Everyone who has ever taken a shower has had an idea. It's the person who gets out of the shower, dries off, and does something about it that makes a difference.
- Nolan Bushnell
Cook beans to use for refried beans and other dishes.
Buy plastic ware for dd's lunches
Buy a few veggies...the ones on sale
Buy a bulk can of fruit ****tail for dd's lunch and snack
Pay all my bills today, even the ones due 2 wks from now.
Shred leftover roast for bbq sandwiches
Pay for Dd's bday cake
Buy dd's undies/socks on sale for birthday
Buy the Ear Piecer today
Buy a few little gifts at Dollar Store for dd
Buy Muffin tin and baking sheet at the Thrift store
Review my budget and adjust it.
That's my day today...I'm tired just thinking about it. Dd gets out of school every Friday at 2:00, so I have to drop her off at the Boys and Girls Club so I can shop.
My goodness, you do have a full schedule today! I will be re doing my budget today too. Dh refuses to turn the ac down and our end of year electric bill was over $200! They were nice enough to roll it into our new bill plan but it's now 25 more a month than what I budgeted. It's so cold in our house you almost need a sweater.
Anna
__________________ We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
Special Member of the Family
They were nice enough to roll it into our new bill plan but it's now 25 more a month than what I budgeted. It's so cold in our house you almost need a sweater.
