Baby Wipe Solution

I made my own baby wipes a few days ago.  Here's a quick solution to wet them.  I like the simplicity of it and the fact that it is easy to modify to use the soap and oil that you like.

1 cup hot water
2 squirts baby soap
1 teaspoon baby oil

Mix well in a wipes box.  Drop your stack of wipes in and shake to wet all of the wipes.  Keep sealed to prevent them from drying out.  Wash with your cloth diapers!

Need to know how to wash cloth diapers or just washing wipes?

Check out How to Cloth Diaper Your Baby #3 Laundry!

Linked at http://frugallysustainable.com/ and http://www.jillshomeremedies.blogspot.com/

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

I hate that cleaning products cost so much.  I hate that cleaning products are so toxic.  I have been seeing a lot of recipes for homemade detergents and I think I'm ready to try some.

I decided to make my own dishwasher detergent first.  It was a simple recipe and it was modified to work with hard water.  We have very hard water here.

I've used this a few times and my dishes come out sparkling clean!  This is especially impressive because I am not one of those people who rinses off dishes really well before I wash them.  I put them in there dirty.  And I often leave the food to dry onto the dishes.  Good job detergent!

Ingredients:
1 cup baking soda
1 cup borax
1/4 cup fruit fresh
1/4 cup salt

Put the baking soda in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes.  You are turning it into washing soda by doing this.  Alternatively, just use washing soda.

Mix all of the ingredients together.  I put them in a peanut butter jar and shook it up.

To wash your dishes, put 2 tablespoons detergent plus 2-3 drops dish soap in the detergent cup.  Add 1/2 cup vinegar to the dishwasher and run it.  All done!

Linked at http://www.littlenaturalcottage.com/ and frugallysustainable.com

Braided Headbands

I have been making braided headbands. 5 piece braided headbands actually.  I found the idea on Pinterest from make it and love it.  Lets be real, I love it.  For these awesome headbands all you need is an old t-shirt as many t-shirts as you can get your hands on and either a hot glue gun or a needle and thread.  I used a hot glue gun because I just bought a new one.

Luckily Husband just went through his t-shirts and made a big give away bag full of them.  He meant give to me right?  I have already made two for me and two four for Little.  I'm addicted.  They are quick, easy, and free as long as you have an old t-shirt.

I have been wearing them all the time.  They would be great for doing your make-up or going to the gym.  Or wearing everywhere.

Each t-shirt seems to make three or four headbands, depending on how thick you want them.  I have made thinner ones for Little and thicker ones for myself.

Start by cutting your t-shirt into strips.  You will need 5 strips, each long enough to go almost twice around your head.  I made the strips about 1 inch wide for me and about 1/2 an inch wide for Little.  I just cut around the bottom of the t-shirt and that was easily long enough (half of that worked for Little).

Put the ends of your strips together and glue them.  Pull on each strip of fabric so that they curl on the edges. If you're not sure its curled enough, pull harder.

Now its time to braid.  I clipped the glued end of my braid to a clipboard to make it easier to braid.  Separate your strips so there are 3 on the left and 2 on the right.

Working with the left group only, bring the left strip to the middle, then the right strip to the middle.  Now bring the new right strip to the right group.

Working with the right group only now, bring the right strip to the middle, then the left strip to the middle.  Now bring the new left strip to the left group.  Repeat.

When your braid is long enough (make it a little short since it will be stretchy) glue the end and cut off the extra strips.  Glue both ends of the braid together and cover with a small piece of t-shirt.  I glued some fabric do-dads to Little's headbands but I left mine plain.  All done!

Linked on http://frugallysustainable.com/ and http://www.iheartnaptime.net/