Homemade cleaning supplies easy on the budget and earth friendly :)

Well today is dishwasher detergent making day... Normally I make my laundry soap but haven't tried making dishwasher soap so here we go. I have been buying the big thing of tablets from Costco because well its easy and not too horrible on the budget but today Im out and Im not going to Costco because well when was the last time you went there and just got one item? thought so... so on to making dishwasher detergent with stuff I already have around the house. Ok you might not have all this just laying around but if you can and have extra stuff in the laundry room I bet you have most of this!

Ingredients:
2 cup All Natural Borax
2 cup washing soda (if you don't have this I know some people use baking soda)
1/2 cup Citric Acid.. I have lots of this from canning season (fyi: don't buy this in the little shaker thing on the canning isle of the grocery store or you will kick yourself in the butt with the price... I go down to our local DIY Beer Brewery supply store and get a nice size bag of it for $5 and you get a lot more) any whoo where was I ... if you don't have any two packets of kool-aid works too (I don't ever have this in my house)
1/4 cup salt... I used canning salt some say use kosher salt... I improvised :)
1 tbs lemon zest I like it for the smell thats all
white Vinegar


Ok take a bowl mix all the powders together mix well.. pour into mason jar serve one tbs to dishwasher with each load! done! White vinegar is for the spout where you normally pour out $4 or $5 for Jet dry or.... Spend $3.75 at Costco and get two big jugs of white vinegar and have a life time supply of natural alternative to Jet dry.. Im just saying.

Crunch numbers and it comes out to be about.... wait for it..... $0.06 per load :) much better than what your buying at the store right?!

Oh and don't forget if your leaving this out on the counter or window put it in something pretty to look at or a old large yogurt container works well for under the sink.

Ready set.. GO

Well we closed on our new home back at the end of December but they get to rent back for two months now we are almost ready to move! 27 days to be exact but who is counting? The garden layout has been planned, heirloom seeds ordered, heirloom fruit trees ordered, good bugs like praying mantis in with the seed order ohh a greenhouse for a Christmas present from hubby (no it didn't fit under the tree). I am very excited to present to you my new blog for Back to Roots Farm. I am also going to have an etsy shop where I will be selling seeds this coming fall, handmade seed screens (since I can't find them anywhere without costing an arm and a leg!) and home canned goodness!

I have always wanted property this home is on an acre its a great home and will be great for our family for many years. Then maybe down the road 5 to 10 acres but all in time I can only maintain so much with a 4 year old, 2 year old and 6 month old in toe :)  but I wouldn't have it any other way. The number one reason why I do this is I love gardening with my kids. Watching them play in the flower beds or mud all over their clothes if we get to plant a few seeds between mud pies and playing with worms is what its all about.

On here I hope to have canning recipes, updates on the heirloom garden frontier and tips on saving your own seeds and updates about what surplus fruit and veggies I might have available for local foodies. I will strive to grow food the way it was intended to be made from God starting with the seed no GMO no Hybrids just 100% open pollinated heirloom seeds. I wanted to do heirloom seeds because I like the idea of taking a seed from what you eat put it in the ground and get the same plant again seems simple enough. I want food that I know where its coming from in my fridge, freezer and pantry and that I know is safe for my kids. Plus with heirloom plants I am rediscovering tons of fun looking even dare I say beautiful vegetables that I never knew existed example, look up a Casady's Folly tomato you will never want a boring Roma tomato for your pasta sauce again its just purdy!

Ok more to follow on the start up of Back to Roots farm! See yeah later folks God be with thee or (Goodbye)