Did you know Stress can be a good thing?

Let’s rewind to the early 2000s—before “clean living” was trendy, before your feed was full of non-toxic swaps, and before I even knew what was lurking in everyday household products. Back then, I had a baby... and a problem. Every single laundry detergent I tried gave my sweet son a rash. I mean, I was ready for the sleepless nights, the diaper blowouts, the “I forgot my coffee in the microwave for the 3rd time” kind of days—but laundry detergent ? That one caught me off guard. At the time, “natural” or “non-toxic” products were few and far between—and crazy expensive. We were broke. I was lucky if I could afford Tide, let alone something with eucalyptus on the label. So I did what a determined mama does: I made my own. After years of tweaking, testing, and learning some things the hard way, I’ve landed on a laundry recipe that works. Like, actually works . It’s cheap, clean, easy to make, and has kept my family rash-free for years. Some Hard-Won Laundry Lessons: 💡 Skip the liquid DIY soap. Cooking it is a waste of time and space. The powder version works just as well and stores way easier. 💡 Don’t overstuff the washer. Max it out at ¾ full. If your clothes don’t have space to move, they don’t get clean. Period. 💡 Leave the washer door open. Always. Helps prevent mold and keeps your machine smelling fresh. 💡 Use an extra rinse. Especially if you have hard water like us. That buildup is real. 💡 Smelly clothes = still dirty. Clean laundry should smell like…nothing. If it stinks, it’s not clean (even if it smells like “Spring Breeze”). 💡 Ditch dryer sheets and liquid softeners. Full of junk. Instead, use 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar in the rinse cycle. Nope, your clothes won’t smell like a salad. Yes, it works like a charm. A Few Extra Laundry Boosts: Lemon essential oil – Brightens whites without bleach Lavender oil – Perfect for calming vibes on your bedding Tea Tree or Cedarwood – Use for dog beds or travel laundry to kill bacteria and bugs (yep, even bed bugs) Orange oil – A grease stain and post-gym lifesaver Okay okay, here’s the recipe you came for! ✨ DIY Laundry Powder Ingredients: 2 cups Borax 2 cups Washing Soda 2 cups Baking Soda (find in the baking aisle) 1 bar Fels Naptha Soap, grated Instructions: Grate the Fels Naptha bar, mix everything together in a big bowl, and store in a cute jar or container with a scoop. Use 1 tablespoon per large load. Don’t forget to add that 1 tablespoon of vinegar in the rinse cycle for an easy, toxin-free softener! From one mom to another: you can keep your laundry routine simple, clean, and budget-friendly—without sacrificing performance. I’ve been doing this faithfully for years, and it’s saved our skin (literally) and our wallets. Let me know if you try it! 💛 time to make some more!