Category: Family Preparedness

Ok, you may have notices the weather turning. Before we know it its going to be winter and being prepared is the first thing to do on our list.

Last winter thousands of families were stuck in a harsh winter without electricity. This year is the year your going to make sure your family is prepared.

Winterize your home!

-Install weather stripping, insulation, and storm windows.
-Insulate water lines that run along exterior walls, don’t forget your outdoor faucets!
-Clean out gutters and repair roof leaks, you don’t want to have to fix this when winter is in full swing.

-Check your heating systems.
-Have your heating system serviced professionally to ensure it is clean, working properly and ventilated to the outside.
-Inspect and clean fireplaces and chimneys.
-Install a smoke detector. Test batteries monthly.
-Have a safe alternate heating source (fire places- wood, generator- gas or propane, space heaters(oil)- uses less energy) and alternate fuels available, store gas and propane.
-Prevent carbon monoxide (CO) emergencies.

-Install a CO detector to alert you of the presence of the deadly, odorless, colorless gas. Check batteries regularly. Learn symptoms of CO poisoning: headaches, nausea, and disorientation.

Here is a list of things you’ll need to be Prepared:

1. Energy Source

We need to think about how are we going to keep our families warm and how are we going to prepare meals- this means time to look for a Generator! Every year most people push it off till its to late, but having an alternative energy resource is very important in keeping our families safe and healthy

2. Food Storage

Stock food that needs no cooking or refrigeration and water stored in clean containers. Don’t forget to stock up on pet food.

3.Keep an up-to-date emergency kit, including:

-Battery-operated devices, such as a flashlight, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio, and lamps
-extra batteries
-first-aid kit and extra medicine, you don’t want to be stuck sick in a winter storm without medicine and first aid supplies for your family
-baby items( diapers, Formula, baby food, baby medicine)
-cat litter or sand for icy walkways, and keep a snow shovel out and ready to use.
-glow sticks, kids enjoy using glow sticks for a night light if the power goes out

Leave your comment below what your family does to prepare for winter.

 

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This is a modified recipe I found on Budget101.com (Original source) When I first found this recipe and read all the reviews and how much this cost, I was so excited. I didn’t have a traditional blender that they used for their recipe so I tried a few different ways to make it work for our family. I was so surprised on how this worked better than all the different types laundry soap I have bought. My family have sensitive skin that get itchy and bumpy when we use tide or other harsh detergents. Most “free and clear” detergents couldn’t get the smell of 2 little boys out of their clothes and bedding. After using this recipe for over a year, I’m still surprised what else I clean using this recipe. With a small cost of $1.76 for 128 loads this can help your family be more frugal and budget savvy.

I’ve used this on:

• Laundry

• Pre-Wash soakings

• Carpet spot cleaner

• Micro Suede Couch cleaner

• Dinning Chairs cleaner

This is the original recipe :

1 bar Fels Naptha Laundry Bar

1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax

1 cup Super Washing Soda (not baking soda)

4 Cups of HOT water

To make a large quantity at once you can double or triple the recipe:

2 bar Fels Naptha Laundry Bar

2cup 20 Mule Team Borax

2 cup Super Washing Soda (not baking soda)

8 Cups of HOT water

STEP 1: I start by putting the 8 cups of hot water in a large stock pot, bring it to a rapid boil. By using a stock pot this will save you time from clean up if you accidentally over boil the Fels Naptha bars.

STEP 2: While the water is heating up I dice up my 2 Fels Naptha Laundry Bars into pieces that will fit into my favorite Food processor (Ninja kitchen system).

You can also use a cheese grater if you do not have a food processor.

 

STEP 3: Add your finely grated Fels Naptha Bars to the 8 cups of boiling water and stir constantly. Reduce heat down to medium to reduce the chance of over boiling. Within 10-15 minutes your Fels Naptha Bar should be all melted. The original recipe say you can melt the bars over low heat, but I do NOT recommend this. This has a strong smell that does not smell good if you accidentally burn it.

It should be a rolling simmer that doesn’t boil over. You will need to keep stirring to make sure the mixture doesn’t foam over the sides.

 

 

 

 

 

STEP 4:After your Fels Naptha Laundry Bar is all melted turn off the stove and add your 2 cups of 20 Mule Team Borax and 2 cups of Super Washing Soda. Mix Well

 

 

STEP 5: Add 2cups of water for every 1  Fels Naptha Bar used. So in this recipe it will be 4 cups of water mix well and let it sit for 4-5 hours. The mixture will separate and cause crystals to form.

 

 

 

STEP 6: Mix well with a immersion blender or a hand mixer. I love using my immersion blender to lower the chances of splattering.

 

 

STEP 7: Find a cute container to store your laundry soap. We reuse large pickle jars to save money. You can find large plastic storage containers at the dollar store, these can be used for home welcoming gifts too!

 

Free Printable!

Home Made Labels

 
Made with love labels

 
DIY Laundry Soap Printable

To use, just add 1TBSP to your laundry

I have an HE front load washer so I just add 1 TBSP on top of my dirty clothes.

My mother has a top loading machine so she puts 1 Tablespoon in first before she loads the machine. She has done it before or after loading the machine and she sees no difference. She thinks it dissolves better doing it first when using cold water.

Here is the equipment I used: