Cleanliness is next to godliness

Those of you that know me, know that I'm a bit on the OCD side of cleaning and organizing my house...it's an obsession, but at the end of the day, I love knowing that there's a place for everything and everything is in it's place.  With the start of the New Year, Curt and I have been on a mission to get rid of 16+ years worth of clutter and junk.  We've been following some time honored organization rules, rules that I use most everyday, rules that I'd like to share with you as you try to clean up your clutter!

*  Have you used/worn said item within the last month?  If not, odds are you aren't going to.  Donate it or put it in the garage sale tote.  If said item is dirty/torn, etc....well, send it to the burn pile or the trash can.

*  For every new item you bring into your house, one old item must go.  Trust me, this works!

*  As you sort through items, remember....remove your emotional attachment to said item.  Just because your Mom/Grandma gave you that item 20 years ago, it doesn't replace your memories or that person.  Cling to photos and memories, not bags and boxes of stuffed animals, clothing, etc.  Items cannot and will not ever replace memories or people.

On the cleaning note, today's recipe is for my new fave....Homemade Laundry Soap.  You have got to try this!  It's the cheapest soap ever, takes little time or effort to mix up, and best of all...it works GREAT!!  You can find the items needed in your laundry soap aisle at most stores.  I've been able to find all the items at both Wal-Mart and Meijer.  I made my first batch in October, and just had to make another batch last week.  The Borax is usually about $3 a box, the washing soda is about $2.25, and the Ivory is 1.15 for 3 bars!  You can also use Fels Naptha soap, but I prefer the fresh, clean scent of Ivory.  Try it...you'll kick yourself for wasting money on premade soap!!

Homemade Powdered Laundry Soap

1 bar of grated Ivory Soap
1/2 cup Borax
1/2 cup Washing Soda ( I use Arm & Hammer)

Mix all items together in a gallon bag or large gladware container.  If desired, you may add any essential oil scent you'd like.  Essential oils can be found at Wal-Mart in the candle section for about $2 a bottle.  The first batch I made, I used lavender & vanilla oil, just enough to scent it, about 1 teaspoon.  To grate the soap, I use a fine, handheld cheesegrater.  I've seen these at the Dollar Tree, they're what you'd use to grate parmesan.  For each large load of laundry you do, use 2 Tablespoons of the powdered soap mixture, 3 T. if the load is heavily soiled.  Try it...I know you'll like it!