DIY Laundry crystals

This one is super easy. DIY crystals to make your laundry smell amazing! It's a cleaner version of the chemically loaded store bought version. Plus, you can customize the scent and there are endless combinations! In this batch, I just used eucalyptus because it was a cheap bottle my husband could grab on the way home. The store we bought it from didn't have a huge selection of scents I want on my clothes, but I will be ordering some soon to make a bunch of different ones! No need to use your good, therapeutic, and expensive oils for this either. Just find something cheap. Because this is only for scent, quality of oil isn't a huge issue. You don't want bottom of the barrel, but it doesn't have to be great either. Which will also save you money!

What you need:
-Epsom salt
-essential oil(s)
-container

You want to use between 10 and 15 drops of oil per cup of Epsom salt. I used 13 and this gave a strong, but not overpowering scent. The problem I have with store bought crystals is that they can be way too strong. So, add what you like. It will still smell fairly strong, but this will be diluted in the wash.

I added 2 drops of washable dye per 3 cups of salts. This is only to make it fun for my daughter and to make sure the oils are distributed evenly. This is NOT a necessary step. However, as I get more scents, I will continue to do this so I can have a few different options that are easily distinguished from one another.

Once the salt is thoroughly mixed with the oil, just place it in a container for storage and you're good to go! I used an old bottle from the store bought version because it's super convenient and the lid came off easily. Way easier than running to the store and much cheaper! The store bought version is around $5. For the equal amount (which varies by essential oil costs) comes out to roughly $1.10! Because I'm super cheap, this makes me super happy!

Due to the fact that it is also in my detergent, I only add 1/8 of a cup. Otherwise, add 1/4 for a large load.

Dishwasher tabs

Another favorite of mine is dishwasher tabs. When dishes are being unloaded/loaded, putting away dishes that go in low cabinets, loading her dishes, and putting in the detergent are jobs that belong to my daughter. She LOVES these jobs. She yells at me if I do them without her or do them while she is napping. Sometimes, its a pain to deal with her getting distracted every two seconds, but she tries her hardest to help. I can't complain about that. Because powder and liquid can be messy in the hands of an 18 month old, I started making these tabs. Now, I hand her two and she puts on in each compartment. It is so easy and makes her feel like she is doing grown up stuff.

What you need:
-1 container lemi-shine or 12 oz citric acid- I prefer lemi-shine because its cheaper than the equivalent amount of citric acid and does a better job in my opinion.
-1 1/2 cups washing soda
-3/4 cup baking soda
-3/4 cup kosher salt- to soften water. Use less if you have soft water.

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. This often hardens even in an airtight container. So, to avoid ending up with one huge block, make it all into tabs the same night. Using a tablespoon, scoop one level spoonful into an ice cube tray or silicone mold (this makes a lot, so using a few ice cube trays is best). This CAN solidify on its own, but I feel like it takes FOREVER. Depending on humidity levels, it can take well over a week.... So, spritz it with some water. DO NOT mix it with water prior to putting it in the molds. The water reacts with the citric acid and it becomes useless if it all reacts. Allow it to sit for 12 hours. Tabs should easily pull away from tray sides. If it does not, spritz with a little more water and let dry.

Almost 70 tabs in 10 minutes!

Once they easily pull away from sides, they are ready to be removed and used! Once removed, place in an airtight container for use! If a few crumble when taking them out, this is completely normal. Just throw the powder in your jar and add it to the next batch you make. It isn't likely to harden in your container as it has already been exposed to water and has formed its own little clumps.

We have a small vase full sitting on our counter with the majority sealed and kept hidden in the cabinet away from eager toddler fingers.

DIY Laundry detergent or tabs

I have been on a huge DIY kick lately. As some of my posts have let on, I'm in love with DIY cleaners. Mostly because I'm super cheap (I HATE spending unnecessary money). I have been dying to do my own laundry detergent, but had stockpiled a few months ago and waited to run out. I'm allergic to almost every detergent, so I was super happy to try this! Its SO cheap (like me) and my daughter LOVES the tabs. You could leave it as a powder, but the tabs don't take much more work and I like the convenience of them.

This is a SMALL fraction of the batch I made. I filled a one gallon jug and this jar with tabs! Definitely worth it!

What you need:
- 5.5 oz grated soap- My husband goes on many trips for work so we have a huge stockpile of hotel soaps. I used these and they worked great. If you're buying some, buy Fels Naptha. I've seen posts saying you can microwave it and crumble it. I tried this and the heat from the bar cracked my pyrex bowl :( So, try at your own risk!
- 3 cups borax
-2 cups washing soda
- 4 1/2 cups oxygen bleach
- 2 cups washing crystals- home made or store bought. I will be posting a recipe for those soon because I'm cheap!

Mix everything together! Keep in an airtight container and use 1-2 tablespoons per load! For tabs, mix a small amount of water with a small amount of detergent powder (it can dry out while forming tabs and you want some dry in case you add too much water). Once its a wet sand consistency, it is ready to mold! There are a few options for this. I use a cookie scoop and scoop it onto wax paper. I also make some with a tablespoon for the mold. I use the larger ones for super loads and the tablespoon size for the smaller loads. You can also scoop one tablespoon into an ice cube tray. Then, throw in 2 for large loads and 1 for smaller loads. Let sit for 24 hours before storing in an airtight container. Super easy! Plus, they smell amazing and they are hypoallergenic!