Homemade Laundry Detergent is Terrific!

I adore homemade laundry detergent. The first time I read about homemade detergent was in a book written by Jim and Michelle Duggar of 19 Kids and Counting. In theory, it sounded good, but I never got around to making any. Later, I came across a detergent recipe on the blog Sugar Pie Farmhouse. After reading the many positive comments, I decided it was time to give it a try. By the way, if you have never read Aunt Ruthie's blog, you must stop by. WARNING: Have lots of time on your hands, because you will be enthralled.

I was just in the beginning stages of developing this blog when I made my last batch of detergent, so didn't think to take a picture of all the necessary items; therefore, the borrowed picture of..

The Starting Lineup...


(Sugar Pie Farmhouse)

Best Ever Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe:

1 - 4 pound box of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda

1- 4 pound box of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda

1- 4 pound box of Borax

3 bars of Kirk’s Castile soap–Shredded (other choices are Fels Naptha, Zote, or Ivory soaps)

Mix well in a large container.

Add two heaping tablespoons to each load of laundry. That's it!

I used Fels Naptha for my first batch. It is yellow in color and when shredded looks like shredded cheese! For the last batch, I ordered Zote soap from Amazon. It has a pretty pink color! It came in a set of three huge bars, so I only shredded two bars in my last recipe.

For shredding, I have a couple of recommendations. First, I recommend purchasing an extra Parmesan cheese grater to have on hand just for shredding soap. For my first batch, I shredded the soap on a regular hand shredder...it was a workout! Second, shred the soap so that you end up with finely shredded soap. This is the way I like the soap to look...finely shredded.

I also began using plain ole vinegar as a softener. Commercial softener tends to build up on towels and bath cloths and also causes build up in your washer and dryer. That build up prevents detergent from getting into the fibers of your laundry, thus preventing it from getting perfectly clean. The vinegar is fabulous and cuts the build up leaving you with clean smelling laundry! Also economical!

Give homemade detergent a try. I think you will love it! Happy Wash Day! Remember to Whistle While You Work!

A Trip Down Memory Lane

I had planned to share my new front door decor, but alas, like many residents of the MS Gulf Coast, all loose outside objects have been secured as we await the arrival of Hurricane Isaac. Instead, I thought I would share with you a set of my favorite dinnerware. I began collecting Memory Lane ironstone many years ago, but my love of the pattern began when I was just a little girl. My Grandma Mercer had one dinner plate. I imagine that she picked it up either in a box of laundry soap or as a reward for shopping at the IGA of Chattahoochee, Florida. I came to love her one plate. My grandmother would make sure that my food was served on that plate no matter what other dinnerware pattern was set on her table! When she passed away, I was blessed to receive her dining room set which included a lovely buffet with glass knobs along with the matching table and chairs. I also received my Memory Lane plate. During my search for more pattern pieces...

Quarantine Reno: The Butler's Pantry/Laundry Room

Good morning everyone! I wanted to share with you a major renovation which Mr. Still Woods and I accomplished during the quarantine. I have been feeling a huge push to simplify not only my life, but our home as well. I started with reorganizing room by room and donating items we no longer use. After that was accomplished, I began thinking. My husband says that my thinking is always dangerous and usually means a lot of work for him! So let me tell you how this all started. I have a large pantry in the kitchen with pull out drawers and deep shelves. While it holds tons of pantry items, I was always complaining because items tend to meander to the back of the shelves. When you need a flashlight to see what's in your pantry, you know its too large. So I decided that I wanted to relocate our pantry into a free standing, shallow unit. We sat down and drew up a plan we were both happy with. As with most plans, our plan got altered along the way. What was to ...

Patriotic Tablescapes

I was perusing the internet for a little 4th of July tablescape inspiration. Wow...are there some wonderful ideas for any Yankee Doodle Dandy table. Let's take a look! I love the blog Between Naps on the Porch. She has a gift for setting a beautiful table. This one is set with solids of red, white, and blue. The tall lanterns also lend a patriotic flair and really make the setting cozy. I love the entire setting in this photo from The Gathering of Friends. The house and yard phtograph beautifully. Those red chairs really pop! Looks like a great place to entertain and watch fireworks. Tampa Homebody has incorporated some of my favorite glassware into her table setting. American Fostoria and blue Cape Cod glass make this a festive display. Doesn't this make you want to pull up a chair? The centerpiece is simple, but quite lovely. I am crazy about checkered prints. Super cute from Stone Gable! This is just prec...

Still Woods Farmhouse

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