Jill's money-saving tip #2- dryer sheets!

 

Last week I shared with you my money-saving tip about cleaning. You can read it here.

Today's tip is one that I mentioned in my last post. Years ago, I found a post somewhere, probably on Pinterest, about how to make your own dryer sheets. It is pretty easy, really. 

How to make your own dryer sheets:

Supplies: 

-an old (not stained) white t-shirt

-vinegar

-water

-essential oil (optional)

-quart-size canning jar with lid (plastic lid if possible, the metal ones rust...)

I took the old t-shirt and cut it up into 5" or 6" square pieces. It doesn't really matter how you cut it up, with seams, or whatever. You're going to use the whole t-shirt!

Take the canning jar and fill it 1/3 of the way with water. Fill it another 1/3 of the way with vinegar. Add 10-20 drops of essential oil. Mix it around a little. The oil may not mix well with the water, but that's fine. Message me if you want suggestions for which oil to use. Citrus oils are good.

Then take the cut t-shirt pieces and place them into the jar, 2 or 3 at a time! Squeeze them in as best as you can. Now they are ready to use. The fabric pieces soak up with vinegar, which is a natural static reduction agent. My sister does something similar with vinegar, in her wash load, I think.

I use one of my dryer sheets for a smaller load, and two for a larger load. That's it! I love this recipe because it's easy, frugal, and I know exactly what is in them!

Let me know if you try these, I'd love to hear what you think!

Joshua 4:18
And the priests came up out of the river carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord. No sooner had they set their feet on the dry ground than the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and ran at flood stage as before.


Psalm 63:1
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.


John 13:5
After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Jill's money saving tip #1: cleaning

 Over many years, I have found a few cleaners for home that I use often and relatively inexpensively. My sister sold Norwex for a while and I've always loved all of their products. I love and sell essential oils, so I use my company's products when I can. I've never been disappointed in using natural products.

These are my three essential cleaners: (not including Norwex cloths!)

1. Baking soda- I use baking soda for anything that needs scrubbing. I use it to clean my sinks, tub and shower floor, along with #2...        I also use it as a laundry booster, and add it to a load after my detergent. It gets out stains on the counter and sink too, like Kool-Aid, etc., I use this instead of products like Comet.

2. Dr. Bronner's Castile liquid soap- I do buy this one, and one 32 ounce bottle can least us a few months. They have several scents, including Peppermint, Lavender, Almond, Citrus Orange, Eucalyptus, and even Rose. They have bar soaps too, but I've never used those. I use this soap to clean sinks, the shower floor, and the tub. It has many, many other uses too.

3. White vinegar- I use vinegar to clean windows, wash dirty fruit, to make my own dryer sheets (that's another post!), to clean hard water stains including inside my electric tea kettle. We use it to clean our drip coffee maker too. It is quite versatile. 

I also buy toilet bowl cleaner, dish detergent and laundry detergent. I try to keep the last two more natural, but haven't found a dish washing detergent that I like.

Other wise I use Norwex cloths... for dusting instead of a product like Pledge.

... for window cleaning and mirrors...instead of Windex.

...for wiping counters, toilets, light switches and doorknobs...instead of Mr. Clean, Lysol or Clorox.

...for cleaning the leather in our cars, and the dash board too... instead of Armor All. (Sorry Dad, he loved Armor All!)

...for washing most of our floors...instead of Pine-Sol or Fabuloso. If I want a boost for washing a really dirty floor, I'll use dish soap. I have a Norwex mop and it is amazing! (Maybe I should sell Norwex?!)

This method reduces toxins in your home. I also will diffuse essential oils when someone is sick, and at night in our bedroom. I have an essential oil based cleaner with cinnamon, orange, clove, rosemary and eucalyptus that I spray on the sink after I scrub it. I use this same cleaner to boost the effectiveness of Norwex cloths when we've been exposed to a serious illness such as Covid-19.

What products do you use? I'd love to hear about them, especially a hand dish washing detergent!

I hope this helps! Stay tuned for more money saving tips... I think I'll make my tips a regular blog post.

Proverbs 13:11
Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.


Acts 3:2-6
Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (emphasis mine)

1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil...

Music Monday: "Still Waters"

This song was released last fall, and I have enjoyed it a lot. At times, Leanna Crawford reminds me of Amy Grant. Leanna was a part of the group called "All Sons and Daughters," if you're familiar with them. I enjoy the truths in this song, and the idea that "Anxiety hates Psalm 23." I also like any song that puts Scripture to music. It reminds me of my blog's theme: "Thy Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." You can listen to this song here:https://wfil.com/music/music-videos/leanna-crawford-still-waters-psalm-23-official-music-video

"Still Waters" by Leanna Crawford

Great Aunt Maurine said at a hundred and three
"Write scripture on your heart for when you need it
Cause anxiety hates Psalm 23
So just say it to yourself ‘til you believe it"
And I’m feeling like I’m needing it right now 

Chorus 1
The Lord is my shepherd
I shall not want
He leads me by still waters
‘Til my fears are gone
Though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death
Oh, I know You are with me
My Father, my friend


Your goodness and mercy
Will follow me all of my days
I know by Your still waters I’m safe

Verse 2
Lord, I believe You can set me at ease
Turn this broken piece in me to peace and quiet
I know there’s power in Your word
So I’ll say it over and over til my soul’s reminded

Chorus 2
The Lord is my shepherd
I shall not want
He leads me by still waters
‘Til my fears are gone
Though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death
Oh, I know You are with me
My Father, my friend
Your goodness and mercy
Will follow me all of my days
I know by Your still waters I’m safe

Bridge 1
Still waters run through
Any valley I could find
I’m laying fear down
Here at Heaven’s riverside
Your word has been true
In every season of my life
I believe, yes I believe

Bridge 2
Still waters run through
Any valley I could find
I’m laying fear down
Here at Heaven’s riverside
Your word has been true
In every season of my life
I believe, yes I believe

REPEAT CHORUS 1

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside still waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.


You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.