DIY: Laundry Detergent

I'm so excited about today's post! This is something that I have wanted to do for a long time, but I was waiting until my stockpile of store-bought detergent was gone. I love my new detergent and want to show you how it's done! 

 Some want to make their own laundry detergent because it can be made without all of the harsh chemicals in most store-bought detergents. Others  (like me) like the cheap price that DIY detergent offers per load.

If you want a "greener" detergent with fewer chemicals, then leave out the optional items that I added to my detergent. You'll still get wonderfully clean results!

Step 1: the supply list

Here's what you will need:

• 1 box of Borax (4lbs. 12oz.)
• 1 box of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda (55oz.)
• 1 box of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda (4lb.)
• 3 bars of Fels-Naptha soap
• Oxy Clean (3lb. tub) *Optional
• 1 small jar of Downy Unstoppables *Optional
• Grater

Step 2: grate

Grate the 3 bars of Fels-Naptha soap. I bought a cheap grater at Wal-Mart so that I didn't have to use my nice food grater. You can use the large grater or the finer grater. Above you can see the difference. I chose to use the smaller because I felt it would mix more efficiently. 

Step 3: mix it up

I lined a small trash can with trash bag, put everything in, and stirred, and stirred, and stirred, and stirred. It's important to make sure that everything is evenly and well-mixed. 

After everything was mixed well, I poured it into the large glass jar that I bought to hold the detergent. 

Step 4: scoop and wash

Keep your supply in your washing machine and use 1-2 tablespoons per load. Works great even in cold water. 

I decorated my jar with vinyl cutouts from my Cricut!

Pretty easy huh? I thought so! Enjoy the freshness!

Tuesday Tune-Up: Chair Makeover

Meet my office chair. It's gorgeous, antique, and weathered, and I love it!
BUT, I didn't love the fabric on it. What to do? I went searching for leftover fabric from my son's nursery accents, and Voila! I found barely enough blue chevron fabric to cover the cushion! I am in love with my chair's new look! It makes me want to sit in it...haha!

How about you? Is there something around your house that could use an upholstery face lift? Here's how to take on this relatively simple project.

1. Remove the cushion. 

Most cushioned chairs are screwed in on the bottom side. This chair just had four screws I needed to remove.

2. Remove existing fabric. 

Since this piece of fabric was stapled in well, I used a flat-head screwdriver to pop out the staples. You'll want to remove them all to ensure a nice, tight fit for the new fabric. 

3. Prepare new fabric. 

I used the old piece of fabric as a pattern for how much of the new fabric I would need. Cut the fabric and place it face down on the floor. Next, center your cushion face down on the fabric. Make sure it is centered to ensure that your fabric will cover correctly. 

4. Start Stapling. 

To adhere the fabric, all you need is a staple gun. So much fun by the way! Pull the fabric tight and even while stapling every 3 inches. On the corners, you will create one fold - remember, pull tight! 

5. Finish the product. 

After you have completed the stapling, trim the excess fabric, leaving about one inch around the staples. Secure the seat back to the chair and VOILA! You've successfully covered your cushion! 

Here's my new chair! 

 I love love love it! Definitely more fun to sit in a cute chair!

Additional Suggestions:

You could always find a cheap goodwill or thrift accent chair and spruce it up for a fabulous touch in your home!

Add an accent pillow and you are speaking my language!

If you have a chair that needs additional padding, be sure to cut the padding so that it overlays around the edges. If not, you'll be feeling a little bite from the wood's edge every time you sit down :)

Linked up with notjustahousewife, and howtotuesday