We try to do things as naturally as possible both in our home and on the farm.  We raise our chickens & turkeys on pasture without added hormones or antibiotics, grow vegetables without using chemicals, wash with ivory soap, and even have our natural hair color {yes, my gray highlights are real}. 

So when a friend mentioned that she has started making her own dishwashing and laundry detergent with natural ingredients it peeked my interest.  When she added that it is actually cheaper than store-bought I was sold. 

I tried the laundry detergent first. I use the recipe from DIY Natural listed below, they also provide great Q&A and step-by-step instruction with photos.

• 1 bar (or 4.5 ounces) of shaved bar soap       (a homemade laundry bar, Dr. Bronner’s, Ivory, ZOTE, or Fels-Naptha)
  
• 1 cup of borax
• 1 cup of washing soda

Thoroughly stir together for 5 minutes and enjoy the results! Use 1 Tbsp per load (or 2-3 Tbsp for large or heavily soiled loads).

You can find both borax and washing soda in the laundry detergent aisle of your grocery store.

I hate to grate so I use my slicer/shredder KitchenAid attachment to shave the soap; it takes less than 30 seconds. 

I used ivory soap and I doubled the recipe to save some time.  I also added 1-cup baking soda (equal parts to washing soda) and I was happier with the results.  I read in other recipes that you should add 1/2 cup white vinegar to your rinse cycle and when I did I think it helped the clothes to smell fresh and there was not even a hint of a vinegar smell.

I’m happy with the results and feel confident that if this natural, cheap alternative could get a farmer’s clothes clean it’ll come through for you as well. 

Give it a try and share your results with us! 

Let’s just cut to the chase; I love to shop.  But to be specific, I love to discount shop.  

I had a friend once tell me that if I ever had sons I should name them TJ, Marshall, and Ross. 

I think if I have a 4th he will have to be named Harbor. 

I should clarify; I love to shop for things I enjoy buying.  That in mind, hardware stores are not my forte.  I liken shopping at Lowe’s to going to the dentist; a place where I am forced to spend money on things I don’t even want to own…like cavity fillings and PVC pipe. 

So the fact that I am willing to name my 4th born after a hardware store is rather telling. 

Harbor Freight Tools is like Home Depot meets Hobby Lobby meets TJMaxx.  Who knew buying tools could be so much fun when they are ridiculously cheap?

Here’s a good example: 

Rotary blades at Wal-Mart: 2 for $6.10

Rotary blades at Harbor Freight: 2 for $1.99

And that’s before the 25% off coupon that's consistently available!






As farmers, tools are basic necessities and budgets are as well.  Not everything at Harbor Freight is of top quality and this we acknowledge.  To quote my friend, Mr. Steinmetz, “You buy cheap, you buy twice.” And we agree.  But, some things, like rotary blades, which you buy constantly no matter the quality, cheap is so much better.  And for this, we thank Harbor Freight and whether you are a farmer, homeowner or crafter, we recommend you check it out for yourselves.