Cleaning and Saving Money

Lately I've been cutting back and trying to use more natural products.  Just when something we regularly use is almost done I scour the internet to read the latest on do it yourself and homemade remedies.  
Last month I made deodorant for my tween by filling up the empty deodorant stick container.  After spending about 30 minutes looking through all the ways you can do it, I used this:

1/3 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup arrowroot powder
4 tablespoons cornstarch
essential oils 

Essential oils is optional but to please my teen I used her favorite scent, rose.

Mix baking soda, cornstarch, and arrowroot powder in a bowl.
Add coconut oil and use a fork or pastry cutter to blend into the dry ingredients.
Add 5-10 drops of your chosen essential oil (I used tea tree oil).

It was enough to fill up her deodorant container and lots left over.  The rest I let it rest on wax paper inside a glass container (like the kind you use to pour your pudding).  

My husband tried it and liked it very much.

Today I ran out of Ajax so I used this:

1 tbsp baking soda  
1 tbsp borax
1 tbsp kosher salt  

Mix it up and shake it onto the counter.  

If you want something with a scent a really great idea is to boil some water and throw in some citrus peels.  I great idea I like to do is when the kids peel their citrus fruits I put it in a ziplock bag and throw in the freezer until I am ready to use.  Also another idea is to put some grow some herbs and other plants on your windowsill.  I had a tomato plant in the kitchen and just watering it made my kitchen smell so fresh.

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DIY Dishwasher Detergent

I have been playing with the idea of making my own dishwashing detergent.  As prices get higher and money getting tighter I decided to do my research and figure out how to make my own using ingredients that are easy to find in my local supermarket.
Recently, I have become a huge fan of the Live Well Network but more specifically the show Deals.  The host just happened to be discussing with the Coupon Contessa how to make your own cleaners using 5 ingredients.
ONLY 5?!?!?!
Everything from laundry detergent to cleaning your counters.
This week I was specifically looking for DIY dishwasher detergent.  I was down to my last four tablets and decided to hit Smart and Final.  I found everything I needed except the washing soda.  Washing soda is apparently the most sought after product that is difficult to find.  I called Ralphs Supermarket and hoped I can just pick up a box on the way home from the gym.  The "manager" didn't know what I was talking about and after giving him the UPC number from the Arm and Hammer website, he said it was invalid and was a bit rude when he hung up.  I decided to go myself because how can they not have it, right?  After calling Arm and Hammer, turns out they did indeed have it.
Being a little pissed off for being treated with rudeness, I went to the store and found it as soon as I walked into the laundry aisle I found it right away next to the borax.  I did bring it to the attention of another manager and let her know the situation.
Last night I did stop in to Costco and although they had a larger container of baking soda but they did not have Borax, washing soda or bar a of laundry soap.
Last night I used the last tab of dishwasher detergent.  I am reusing the plastic container it came in and mixed 3 cups each of borax and baking soda.  Since I run the dishwasher about twice a day, it should last me a month.
YAY ME!