DIY: Home Made Laundry Detergent

Around our home we make our own cleaning products. We have made a serious effort to rid our home of toxins/chemicals and to be more environmentally conscious.

Did you know that laundry detergents contain elements that can cause liver damage, irritate and/or burn skin, eyes, mucous membranes and the respiratory tract. 

Another benefit is that I barely spend ANY money on cleaning products. 

Why make your own products?

• Save money
• Avoid chemicals, toxins and fragrances that are in your store bought detergents and fabric softeners
• Quantity; you will have enough to last you a looooong time
• Cleaner, brighter clothes!

 For those of you who were able to attend my Green Living Workshop (more details here) you may recognize this recipe. Several of you have asked for this so without further delay- here it is!

I opted to make the recipe half, this is more than enough for our family of three.

 What you need:

2 Cups Borax Powder (available at most grocery stores in the detergent isle)

2 Cups Washing Soda

2 Cups soap flakes, or grate your own bar of soap

34 Cups of Water

Essential Oil- option

  Borax Powder, Washing Soda, Soap Flakes- all read to go! 

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add Soap flakes and mix on low heat until dissolved. Stir in Washing soda and Borax, add remaining water. 

Store completed detergent into separate containers or giant container. Mix well before use. You only need 1/4 cup per load.

Wordless Wednesday: Pregnancy around the World

In Indonesia

 

In Africa

 

 In Pakistan

 

 

Activities on a Budget

Happy Friday from our family to yours. I apologize for missing from the blog front, I was feeling a bit under the weather. Alhumdulillah, I am starting to get back into a routine.

 

My little helper Mashalalh! 

If you want to give your toddler something to keep him/her busy this is the activity to try!

What you need: 

A step stool

A safe plastic container or play kitchen set to wash

A sponge 

Apron or Old shirt to wear

Washcloth or towel to dry 

Fill up the sink with water about half way and let your little one explore. Mashallah my little guy jumped right in. He knew exactly what to do! He has been observing me with the dishes daily and was imitating me. This is a simple activity to teach muscle coordination and give children a sense of achievement in doing household chores. The best part was that afterwards when I was cleaning up some spilled water my little guy wanted to help.

Sorting buttons

What you need:

Buttons in different colors and sizes

A dish or container for sorting

(Mix up all the buttons in one container. When I left him with the buttons for imaginative play, interestingly he naturally sorted thru them).

Show your little one how to sort colors in individual containers. We had a separate container for each color. Zakariya sorted thru the buttons and would identity each container as only llelow (yellow), only red, only balue (blue). You can change up this activity by counting the buttons, separating by size or adding different colors to the mix. Your child will be able to identify if buttons have been misplaced and then he might say "No Mama that one only llelow one."

=)

Birth by the Numbers

Cost of a physician attended vaginal birth in hospital: $2,486

Cost of a hospital birth with forceps or vacuum: $3,484
Cost of a hospital birth by c-section: $4, 863
Overall provincial c-section rate: 28.4%
Midwifery c-section rate; 15%
World Health Organization (WHO) recommended c-section rate: 15%
Number of c-sections in Ontario 2008/09: 22,254
Total cost to the health care system: $108,221,020


Saving to the health care system by achieving WHO recommended c-section rate: $50,863,879
Figures and financial information located at CIHI Patient Cost indicator. htt://www.cihi.ca/CIHI-ext-portal/internet/en/document/spending+and+health+workforce/spending+by+category/pce# 


What this means? We could potentially save HALF of what we spend in the health care if the overall provincial c-section rate was decreased. Not only would leave more money for those battling cancer and other life threatening diseases, it would ensure that half of these women could avoid having major surgery.

LOVE all things handmade

Warmth. These are the cuttest pair of organic wool mittens. A gift for my little guy from a dear friend. If you would like to order custom knit items, she is the go to person. Contact me for more details.

Hira meets felt and the blanket stitch. My handmade ball for my little guy! The ball is stuffed with wool and some lavender to give it a soothing scent.

 

My handmade headband made by one of my favorite stores on Etsy Raynajaye. Not only does Rayna have the neatest craftsmanship I have ever seen, she is super trendy in her designs.