Homemade Baby Wipes

Do you know what are in your baby wipes?  Even if you're using sensitive skin wipes, you'll probably be surprised by what you're putting on your baby's sensitive skin.

Good Guide rated 270 wipe products.  It's worth reading.

Even though my son is way too old for diapers, we still have baby wipes around the house.  After making these wipes, I think we'll stick with these.  I love them.

Here is what I used:

Two Containers
1 Roll Paper Towels (You can use cloth diapers / rags if you're going to be green.)
4 cups Purified Water (It must be purified, otherwise it will mold.)
1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil or Baby Oil
1/4 Teaspoon Baby Wash

Instructions: 

Lay the paper towels on its side and use a sharp knife to (carefully!) cut the paper towels in half.

Why dirty more dishes than necessary?  

Pour two cups of water into each container.  Stir in 1/8 teaspoon baby wash into each container (it's not an exact science, I guesstimated). Melt 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in the microwave (or use the stove top if you're fancy like that).  If you're using baby oil, please do not microwave it.  Or cook it.  Because, you know, it's already a liquid.

Pour half of the oil into each of the containers.

Stir.

Place the paper towels into each of the containers, cut side down.  Smoosh them down and secure the lids.  Tip them upside down for about five minutes.  Here's where you'll find out how secure the lids are.

After five minutes, flip them right side up.  Remove the cardboard tube and pull the wipes out from the center.

Primary Lesson 33: I Can Pay Tithing

Here is a coloring sheet for the children.  The first 10% has been set aside for tithing.  Have them draw pictures of things they'd like to spend the rest of their money on.  

Organizing Pots, Pans, and Their Lids

I should have taken a "before" picture.  But, I didn't.

But here is the after picture.

I did the same thing with my bowls.  Now, I don't have to pull everything out of the cabinet to find one lid.

Make Your Own Laundry Detergent

Original Post: 01/28/2012

^ ^ This is what you'll need ^ ^

I bought everything that I needed at Publix for less than $20.00.  If you count the cost of the container, it was less than $30.00.

1- 4 lb 12 oz box Borax

1 - 3.4 lb box of Arm & Hammer Super Cleaning Soda

1 - 4 lb box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda

1 -3 lb box of Oxyclean

3 bars of Fels Naptha soap

With the exception of the Baking Soda, everything was found in the detergent aisle.

Shred all three bars of Fels Naptha using your cheese grater.  Make sure you put your back into it and keep your knuckles out of it.

Stir in the rest of the ingredients, one at a time.

When you're ready to use it, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the detergent directly into your washer.  (I'm using an old NyQuil measuring cup.)  I have an HE washer and put it directly into the tub of the washer, do NOT use the soap dispenser.

If you're making your own Dishwasher Detergent, you could halve this recipe and use one box of the Super Washing Soda and one box of Borax for both projects.

(Disclaimer: Use this at your own risk.  I make no guarantee that any of this will work.)

The verdict is in!

I've completed one load of laundry using the homemade detergent.  (I used softener and a dryer sheet.)  The clothes smell clean and it even took care of the stains!)

09/01/2012 update: I have an HE front loading washer.  I've been putting the soap directly into the tub.  Though I've caught DH using the soap dispenser a couple of times.  So far, so good!  No damage done!

Make Your Own Dishwasher Detergent

^ ^ This is what you need ^ ^

I picked everything I needed from Publix.  This most expensive things were the 24 packs of Kool-Aid ($6.00) and the container ($8.99).  If you have a container, all of this will cost about $20.00.

The blog that I stole this idea from inspired me suggests stirring all of the items together and then pouring them into the container.  I dumped all of the items into the container and shook it really well.  

You'll need:

1 box of Borax

1 box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

3 cups of Epsom salt

24 packages of Lemonade Kool-Aid

Mix it all together.  Pour a tablespoon of the detergent into the dishwasher.  (I have an old cup used to measure NyQuil that I'm using to measure the detergent.)

Sprinkle a tablespoon of Lemi Shine in the bottom of your dishwasher before starting a load.

I googled a label and tada!

If you're making your own Laundry Detergent, you could halve this recipe and use one box of the Super Washing Soda and one box of Borax for both projects.

(Disclaimer: Use this at your own risk.  I make no guarantee that any of this will work.)

Stranger Danger Achievement Day Activity

Opening Prayer:

Scripture:

"Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God,

for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed

upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the

welfare and safety of his people."

Alma 48: 12

Song:

"Teach Me to Walk in the Light"

Children's Songbook Page 177

Activity:

Role Play

Person One:  “Hey, What is your name?”

Person Two:  “Samantha.  What’s yours?”

Did she do the right thing? 

Person One:  “Would like to go with me to see a movie?  It’ll be my treat.  I’ll buy you popcorn and soda.”

Person Two:  Shout “NO!” Do not go ANYWHERE with her, go to a place where there are other people and tell an adult what happened.

Did she do the right thing?

Person One: “I’m lost.  Will you walk with me to the corner of Second and Maple Street?  It is only a few blocks away.”

Person Two: “I’m sorry, but I’m not allowed to do that.  Maybe you should ask an adult for help.”

Did she do the right thing?

Person One: "Will you come with me and help me find my dog? I will give you $10.00.  I know my poor little dog is so scared."

Person Two: “I’m sorry, but I’m not allowed to do that.  Maybe you should ask an adult for help.”

Did she do the right thing?

Person One:  “Please help me!  I’m bleeding!”

Person Two:  “Mom!  Dad!  Call 911!”

Did she do the right thing?

Alternate Activity:

The Safe Side has DVDs that cover Stranger Safety and Internet Safety.  This is a touchy subject that can scare children, but John Walsh (America's Most Wanted) and Julie Clark (Baby Einstein) have put this fantastic presentation together.  It educates children without scaring them by teaching them the difference between "Don't Knows" and "Kinda Knows".

You can order the DVDs online, download them from iTunes, or do what I did and borrow them from the library.

Here's a Stranger Safety preview.

FHE lesson: Who Is a Stranger and What Should I Do? (Disclaimer:  this is not my file.  preparednotscared.blogspot.com uploaded it and it is a fantastic resource!  When the window opens, click on
 the green download button.)