How to Make Homemade Soap

We all use soap. In the old days, most people made their own. Today, we are much more likely to buy it from the store. There are lots of brands to choose from, and each brand has various formulations and scents.

But making your own soap has some definite advantages. One of the most significant is the price. We can make soap much cheaper than we can buy it. Making it ourselves also gives us complete control over the ingredients, so we can create a soap that's perfect for our skin type in a scent of our choosing.

Making soap is much easier than you might think. It is, however, important to take certain safety precautions. Here's a basic recipe:

Ingredients

* 12 cups lye crystals

* 5 cups softened water

* 6 pounds lard

Instructions

1. Put water in a glass or plastic bowl. Carefully pour lye into water, stirring constantly with a plastic or wooden spoon. This should be done outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, because it produces caustic fumes.

2. Mixing lye and water produces heat. When the lye is completely dissolved, set the mixture aside to cool.

3. Place lard in a stainless steel or enamel pan. Melt over low heat.

4. Allow both the lye solution and the lard to cool to room temperature.

5. Slowly pour the lye solution into the lard, stirring slowly and constantly with the plastic or wooden spoon.

6. Continue stirring after all of the lye solution has been added. Drizzle a small amount of the mixture into the pot periodically. When the soap keeps its shape for a moment before sinking into the mixture, you can add scent, color and herbs.

7. Pour the soap into a mold greased with Crisco. Wrap in a towel, and let set for about 18 hours or until completely cooled. Uncover and let set for 12 more hours.

8. The soap may now be unmolded and cut into bars. Let the bars cure for 3 to 4 weeks before using.

Customizing Your Soap

There are lots of different ways you can customize your soap. To make the best soap for your skin type, you may want to use different oils. Some that are commonly used include olive oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter and shea butter. The correct amount varies depending on which oil you use, so look for recipes online or in books until you get the hang of it.

Essential oils have therapeutic properties and add fragrance. Oatmeal, cornmeal and other grains can be added as exfoliants. And skin-safe colorants may be used to produce the desired color. These ingredients should be mixed together and added to a cup of the soap mixture, then stirred into the rest of the soap mixture immediately before pouring into the mold.

Making your own soap is easy, and it can be lots of fun. Coming up with the perfect concoction for your skin is rewarding, and sweetly scented homemade soaps make wonderful gifts for any occasion. 

I despise the heat. Seriously, I'm like, melting during the summer.

I like it somewhere between 70 and cold enough for a robe and furry slippers! At the same time, however, I am NOT rich by any means, in fact, I'm cheap. My husband calls me "frugal" but let's be honest, I prefer spending as little as possible on everything and anything. So I decided to get those things that go over the air vent and point it out toward the middle of the room, you know, these: 

But even though it LOOKS cheap- you're going to need like, fifty of them for your house, and that's the "add-on with Prime" price, so who knows how much shipping is.
Which is why I MADE SOME.....
Now, I made mine from an empty cereal box and shaped the sides more like the plastic one I have in the bedroom (see above) but the image below works too. And what do you do if the kids get extra excited and break one? Chop up another box. BAM- instantly cooler in any room and it didn't cost a thing. Of course, if you REALLY want, you can click the pic above and buy them....

SIXTY USES OF VINEGAR

1. Arthritis tonic and treatment; 2 spoonfuls of apple cider
vinegar and honey in a glass of water several times daily.

2. Thirst-quenching drink: apple cider vinegar mixed with cold
water.

3. Sagging cane chairs: sponge them with a hot solution of
half vinegar and half water. Place the chairs out in the hot
sun to dry.

4. Skin burns: apply ice cold vinegar right away for fast
relief. Will prevent burn blisters.

5. Add a spoonful of vinegar to cooking water to make
cauliflower white and clean.

6. Storing cheese: keep it fresh longer by wrapping it in a
vinegar-soaked cloth and keeping it in a sealed container.

7. Remove stains from stainless steel and chrome with a
vinegar-dampened cloth.

8. Rinse glasses and dishes in water and vinegar to remove
spots and film.

9. Prevent grease build-up in your oven by frequently wiping it
with vinegar.

10. Wipe jars of preserves and canned food with vinegar to
prevent mold-producing bacteria.

11. To eliminate mildew, dust and odors, wipe down walls with
vinegar-soaked cloth.

12. Clean windows with vinegar and water.

13. Hardened paint brushes: simmer in boiling vinegar and wash
in hot soapy water.

14. Clean breadbox and food containers with vinegar-dampened
cloth to keep fresh-smelling and clean.

15. Pour boiling vinegar down drains to unclog and clean them.

16. Clean fireplace bricks with undiluted vinegar.

17. An excellent all-purpose cleaner: vinegar mixed with salt.
Cleans copper, bronze, brass, dishes, pots, pans, skillets,
glasses, windows. Rinse well.

18. Make your catsup and other condiments last long by
adding vinegar.

19. To clear up respiratory congestion, inhale a vapor mist
from steaming pot containing water and several spoonfuls of
vinegar.

20. Apple cider vinegar and honey as a cure-all: use to
prevent apathy, obesity, hay fever, asthma, rashes, food
poisoning, heartburn, sore throat, bad eyesight, dandruff,
brittle nails and bad breath.

21. When boiling eggs, add some vinegar to the water to prevent
white from leaking out of a cracked egg.

22. When poaching eggs, add a teaspoon of vinegar to the water
to prevent separation.

23. Weight loss: vinegar helps prevent fat from accumulating
in the body.

24. Canned fish and shrimp: to give it a freshly caught taste,
soak in a mixture of sherry and 2 tablespoons of vinegar.

25. Add a spoonful of vinegar when cooking fruit to improve the
flavor.

26. Soak fish in vinegar and water before cooking for a tender,
sweeter taste.

27. Add vinegar to boiling ham to improve flavor and cut salty
taste.

28. Improve the flavor of desserts by adding a touch of vinegar.

29. Add vinegar to your deep fryer to eliminate a greasy taste.

30. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to fruit gelatin to hold it
firm.

31. Steep your favorite herb in vinegar until you have a
pleasing taste and aroma.

32. Use vinegar instead of lemon on fried and broiled foods.

33. To remove lime coating on your tea kettle; add vinegar to
the water and let stand overnight.

34. To make a good liniment: beat 1 whole egg, add 1 cup
vinegar and 1 cup turpentine. Blend.

35. Apply vinegar to chapped, cracked skin for quick healing.

36. Vinegar promotes skin health: rub on tired, sore or
swollen areas.

37. Reduce mineral deposits in pipes, radiators, kettles and
tanks by adding vinegar into the system.

38. Rub vinegar on the cut end of uncooked ham to prevent mold.

39. Clean jars with vinegar and water to remove odor.

40. Avoid cabbage odor by adding vinegar to the cooking water.

41. Skunk odor: remove from pets by rubbing fur with vinegar.

42. Paint adheres better to galvanized metal that has been
wiped with vinegar.

43. Pets' drinking water: add vinegar to eliminate odor and
encourage shiny fur.

44. For fluffy meringue: beat 3 egg whites with a teaspoon of
vinegar.

45. Pie crust: add 1 tablespoon vinegar to your pastry recipe
for an exceptional crust.

46. Half a teaspoon per quart of patching plaster allows you
more time to work the plaster before it hardens.

47. Prevent discoloration of peeled potatoes by adding a few
drops of vinegar to water. They will keep fresh for days in
fridge.

48. Poultry water: add vinegar to increase egg production and
to produce tender meat.

49. Preserve peppers: put freshly picked peppers in a
sterilized jar and finish filling with boiling vinegar.

50. Olives and pimentos will keep indefinitely if covered with
vinegar and refrigerated.

51. Add 1 tsp. vinegar to cooking water for fluffier rice.

52. Add vinegar to laundry rinse water: removes all soap and
prevents yellowing.

53. After shampoo hair rinse:
1 ounce apple cider vinegar in 1 quart of distilled water.

54. For a shiny crust on homemade bread and rolls: just before
they have finished baking, take them out, brush crusts with
vinegar, return to oven to finish baking.

55. Homemade sour cream: blend together 1 cup cottage cheese,
1/4 cup skim milk and 1 tsp. vinegar.

56. Boil vinegar and water in pots to remove stains.

57. Remove berry stains from hands with vinegar.

58. Prevent sugaring by mixing a drop of vinegar in the cake
icing.

59. Cold vinegar relieves sunburn.

60.When boiling meat, add a spoonful of vinegar to the water to
make it more tender.

Bonus:

61. Marinate tough meat in vinegar overnight to tenderize.

62. A strength tonic: combine raw eggs, vinegar and black
pepper. Blend well.

63. Douche: 2 to 4 ounces of vinegar in 2 quarts of warm water.


Need more? Try this: Vinegar: Over 400 Various, Versatile, and Very Good Uses You've Probably Never Thought Of

The winter season is a perfect time to explore different activities for families to do together. Just because it may be cold outside and the days seem shorter is no reason to not spend precious time enjoying each other's company. Finding things to do in the winter time may be considered more difficult than spring or summer, but with a little planning there's plenty you can do as a family!

1) Get out the winter gear and head outdoors It may not snow in all parts of the world, but there is one commonality during the wintertime, and that is the colder temperatures. This is a perfect time to take out the cold weather clothes, bundle up, and head outdoors if the weather is nice. If it is snowing outside, the entire family can participate in making a snowman or even having a fun game of a snowball fight. If you live in an area that is cold, but doesn’t snow, you can head out on a nature hike taking in the beauty of the season, and the different wildlife/ plants. Spending time outdoors together as a family is a great way to increase the bonding amongst all members.

2) Sit by a cozy fire or heater So it’s cold and raining or snowing and you don’t feel like going outside – grab some warm blankets and comforters and create a cozy spot near the fireplace or heater. This cozy spot for everyone can be a great place for family activities to emerge. You can get out that family game that you haven’t played together in years, or sift through some old movies that you haven’t watched in a long time, make some popcorn and hot chocolate and enjoy time together. It can be surprising how fun those old games and movies that you forgot about can be.

3) Go to an indoor ice or skate rink Many towns have indoor activities, such as ice or skate rinks that can be fun for the entire family. Even if it has been awhile since you all skated, this can be the perfect time to laugh and enjoy the company of each other. This activity relates to the season and has a way of bringing a smile to anyone’s face. Many ice or skate rinks allow you to rent skates, so there is no need to spend that extra money on purchasing an item that you will only use a few times a year. Save your money and enjoy a nice hot cup of cocoa with your children after circling the ice or wooden rink a few times. There is no need to sit in front of the television or computer during the winter season and feel trapped by the cold. This is the season where you just need to be a little creative to engage the entire family in activities that will allow everyone to reconnect.

I love cleaning wipes. Being able to just grab a wet wipe, swipe it across whatever surface needs cleaned, and throw it away.
Aaaah. Clean.
And fast too- too bad they get a bit pricey.
I mean, really? Five bucks a canister? Are you kidding??? See, if I'm gonna get a can of those and then use two or three in the kitchen each day (more depending on which kid helped cook), at least two in the bathroom each day (since hubby CANNOT seem to clean the hair out of the sink when he shaves AND the kids will inevitably leave toothpaste dribbles) and then one on the kitchen table, probably one on the coffee table- at a few cents a pop it really adds up. Really. I can go through at least one canister each week if not more. And the dollar store wipes? Don't get me started. The dollar store is ONLY a deal when the product is worth MORE than a dollar. Otherwise you're getting what you pay for and I don't buy trash.
But, I digress.
My point is, for like, a tenth (or less) of the cost of brand name cleaning wipes, you can make your own. Oh, and homemade ones won't kill you with all the chemicals in the other ones. So, here's the basics:

DIY Disinfecting Wipes:
2 containers to hold your wipes (they'll need to be half the height of a roll of paper towels and big enough to hold the width.)
1 roll of the best paper towel you can get (Bounty seems to be everybody's fave here- cheapest if you get it bulk)
Non-serrated knife (serrated tends to make a mess)
2 c distilled or filtered water (especially if you have lots of calcium in your local water like we do)
4 Tbs white vinegar
1 Tbs your fave dish soap (of course mine is Dawn- and you can't use Castille with vinegar so don't even try)
10-20 drops your choice of oil: eucalyptus, tea tree, lemon, orange (these are all antibacterial/germ killing and smelly goods too!)
Cut the paper towels in half the short way.
Put the cut paper towels in your containers and twist out the cardboard (if you can't yet then just wait till it's wet in a minute)
Mix all wet ingredients and pour half on each mini roll of towels.
Now take the tube out, put the lid on and turn it upside down to get everything wet.
Then, um....clean! These are great on just about any surface. Really. I keep one under the bathroom sink and one under the kitchen sink for quick afternoon cleaning sprees. :)

I used to love playing with play dough and clay and silly putty...pretty much anything squishable! So imagine how much fun it was when I had kiddos who liked playing with dough too- the only thing is, it dries out or smells bad or just gets hard to play with. Till I fond this recipe for SUPER DUPER SOFT DOUGH! Remember, this isn't for eating, so...yeah.
SuperSquish Soft Dough
1 Part Corn Starch
1 part generic conditioner
Food coloring (as desired)
Ok, ready? Mix it all up! You might need a bit more or less corn starch depending on how runny the conditioner is- you'll know when you've got it right. It's uber soft and squishy and smells good too! OH! And if your little princess likes all things glittery- superfine glitter (like for scrapbooking) works really well here.
But while we're at it with the corn starch....
HOMEMADE BOUNCY BALLS
(Again- not for nomming).
4 Tbs HOT water
1 tsp Borax (yes, the stuff you use in detergent)
2 Tbs school glue
2 Tbs corn starch
Food coloring
Plastic container/spoon to mix and a zip bag or other airtight container to store it.
Mkay...here's the science-y stuff!
In one container, mix the corn starch, glue, and food color.
In the other container mix the HOT water and borax.
Take about 1 tsp of the borax/water and put it into the other cup with the colored goop. Let it sit while kiddo counts to 30 and STIR!!!
When you pretty much can't stir anymore, take it out and roll it into a ball.
BOUNCE, BOUNCE, BOUNCE!
This won't go super high like the ones you trip over all the time, but it still bounces real good and YOU and kiddos made it, which is awesome.
If it gets all nasty or whatever, you can just pitch it and make more!
Have fun!