I am obsessed with Thieves.  I swear it is the only reason I didn't catch the bug that the rest of my family had a few weeks ago.  I put a drop of Thieves under my tongue every morning and I have it in a roller ball with coconut oil that I rub on the bottoms of my feet and back.  

If you aren't familiar with Thieves let me drop some knowledge....

• It's sold by Young Living Essential Oils... (yes, I am signed up as a member.  no, I'm not going to push you into joining as well.  but you should.) 
• It's a combination of Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus Radiata, and Rosemary essential oils.
• Rich, spicy aroma.
• It's versatile!  It is great for keeping your body healthy and your home clean.

I wanted to start cleaning with it, so I went ahead and purchased the Thieves Household Cleaner.  It's pricey... but one bottle can make you MANY MANY MANY bottles of cleaner.  It should last me awhile!  The cleaner also has lemon oil in it, so it smells even more amazing!

The recipe isn't something I created. It says what to do right on the bottle and their website.
I did have to use my brain a little bit to figure out the right measurements for the size of bottles (16 ounces) I wanted to use.

• I poured 2 cups of distilled water into my pretty spray bottle I bought from Amazon,
• Followed by one tablespoon (or cap) of Thieves Household Cleaner.
• Put the top on and shake.

That is LITERALLY IT.
I use it on everything and have yet to find something it doesn't work on. BUT.. as a disclaimer, test it on an "inconspicuous spot before using." Does anyone really ever do that. Every cleaning product I've ever used says to do that. I have never listened. I do what I want. But I'm telling you to do it so you can't be mad at me if it doesn't jive with what you are cleaning.

ALSO.. if you have something with a little more grease, or needs a stronger cleaner, you will just up the amount of Thieves.

If you want to make a label like I did, I'll share the PNG file I created. ALL PURPOSE CLEANER LABEL

Again, I didn't create this recipe. I got it right off of Young Living's website.
I did bend the rules and committed an essential oil sin. I used oils purchased off of Amazon. I know. I know. You get what you pay for. But I'm on a budget and I'm really just using those oils for scent. AND... I do what I want.

• I poured 2 cups of distilled water into my spray bottle.
• Then add 3 teaspoons of Thieves Household Cleaner.
• Add 1 teaspoon of Vinegar.. truth be told, I think I accidentally did a Tablespoon... whoopsies. Still working beautifully.
• THEN.. if you are feeling froggy, you can add 5 drops of a fresh smelling essential oil. Like lemon! (I used grapefruit and lime- smells uhmazing)
• Put the top on and shake.

Here is the PNG file if you want to make a super cute label. GLASS CLEANER LABEL

I wanted to share some Thieves info with y'all.
THIS IS NOT MY EXPERIMENT! I've seen multiple experiments like this, none by me because I'm too lazy for that. BUT it makes me feel even better about my choice to use Thieves in place of harsh chemicals, THAT AREN'T EVEN AS EFFECTIVE!
A Young Living Distributer, Kristina Carter, did this experiment swiping the bottoms of her shoes.
(Now you know why I make people take their shoes off at my front door. Soo nasty).

Row 1:
Thieves Oil • Mrs Meyers • Control- no cleaner
Row 2:
Oregano oil • Lysol • White vinegar
Row 3:
Thieves Household Cleaner • Method all purpose • Clorox with bleach

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
So basically.. if you click on the links and purchase from Amazon, I will receive a small commission.  

I am LOVING using my easy peasy laundry detergent.
Now, to make my own fabric softener!  
I'm a real Martha Steward these days.

I made two different types of softeners because they were so dang simple.  Each softener is TWO ingredients!

I often start a load of laundry and forget to switch it to the dryer.  I'm talking, for DAYS laundry sits in my washer developing the most disgusting smell.  I learned long ago that washing it again doesn't begin take the stench out.  Vinegar is the only way I've found to fix my laundry blunders.  
Vinegar.  It's magical, it can take odor away (which is mind blowing for my simple mind because it stinks) and it can freshen and fluff stale towels.

For my softener I purchased these cute little Easy Cap Beer Bottles to store my softener.  Love the lids.  Love the glass. Just love it.
I designed a snazzy label and cut it with my Cricut Explore.  I'm pretty nice, so I will share that file with you. fabric_softner.png

• Fill your bottle with vinegar.
• Then add some drops of your favorite essential oil.  I feel like I should tell you to do just 10 drops or something conservative.  I, on the other hand, minimally added 18ish drops.  I love how these oils smell!!!!  I used 9 drops of lavender and 9 drops of orange essential oils.
• Shake your bottle and you are good to go.  Also.. be sure to shake it before each use.

Add 1/2 cup to your laundry before the final rinse. ​

Since the first softener was such a piece of cake, I decided to make another kind. 
This one is equally as easy.  Two ingredients that you probably already have.

I made a small batch, since I wasn't sure if I would like it.  Next time I'll double or triple my recipe.
I used coarse salt, but you could use epsom salt as well and my favorite essential oils.
Simply pour your salt in the bowl and add your oils.  I used the ratio 1 cup of salt:10 drops of oil.
Stir well and funnel it into your jar.  (these are the funnels I use.  perfect size)
And you guessed it... I made a vinyl decal for my jar and I'm sharing the file with you.  laundry_salt.png
Add 2-3 tablespoons to your laundry during the rinse cycle.

Having my child diagnosed with Leukemia has made me more aware of things I could be doing to get away from chemicals and products that have ingredients that have been proven carcinogens.  They are everywhere and it’s a little bit creepy.

Where should I start first?  Easy.  
What’s something that occupies every day of my life, haunts my dreams, and drains my wallet?  LAUNDRY!  

Now, let me address this first:  Does washing your laundry with store bought detergent cause cancer? 
HECK NO!  At least I sincerely don’t think it does.  
I have always wanted to try making my own cleaning products, ESPECIALLY LAUNDRY DETERGENT, because I didn’t like the looks of the ingredients label and, if I’m being completely honest, detergent is flipping expensive!  

After Grace’s cancer diagnosis, I felt like I needed to be doing something.  It’s such a helpless feeling watching your child suffer.  Whether this makes any impact on our health, I can’t say for sure.  BUT it sure can’t hurt and it will save me money!  So why the heck not?

​
****Please know that I am not a doctor, chemist, scientist, laundry expert, I don’t even have my masters. I’m just sharing my experiences with you***

ALSO - this post contains affiliated links. If you purchase any of the products I mention via the links provided, I will get a small commission. You could go search them separately, but why not just click the link and help a sister out? I made you a cute printable recipe. I thought that meant something.

Homemade Laundry Soap Recipe
(click here for a cutesie printable recipe)

• 2 cups Hot Water
• 1 cup Baking Soda 
• 1 cup of Castile soap 
• 1/3 cup Salt
• 10 drops of your favorite essential oil (I like to uselavender)
• Bottle to store detergent

I heat my two cups of water on the stove, you could use your microwave, but I feel more scientific when I do it on the stove. There isn’t any other reason I have for that. Don’t boil it, just get it warm.
​Add 1 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of salt to your hot water.

Funnel your mixture into your glass jar. Make sure your glass jar is securely sealed and shake it up.

Add 1 cup of Castile Soap and 10 drops of your favorite essential oil.

This detergent is safe for High Efficiency washers. Woohoo!

Depending on the size of your load of laundry you will use a little less or a little more.

1/4 cup is plenty for a standard load. (what’s standard??? I don’t know… Like I said, I’m not an expert at anything)

One last thing! SHAKE WELL!!!!!!! The ingredients will separate but after a good shake, you are ready to roll.

I made some snazzy labels for my glass containers.  If you have a die cut machine, these files should work!  
I use Cricut Explore. 
laundry3.png
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