How I convinced my husband to help me foot the bill.

[winointraining]

Did you find a source for bottles? Also if you hit yard sales you may find carboys, they are kind of rare but have seen some.

 

[JohnT]

Duh, he's an accountant =)

Well, actually no, I am not an accountant. But I do believe that there is a little accountant in us all..


Jojabri, So what do you use for laundry detergent??

 

[sour_grapes]

Well, actually no, I am not an accountant. But I do believe that there is a little accountant in us all..

And I have been trying for years to get that little bastard out!

I think that tonight I may try and drown him with another bottle of red wine....

 

[wineforfun]

tearing the credit cards up;

Totally disagree with this. I make a fair amount of money of using my credit card. 1.5% cash back on every purchase, with no annual fee.
With that said, it is ALWAYS paid off each month. It defeats the purpose of having it, if it is not. I do realize that most people probably aren't as OCD as I, and that is how they get into trouble with the credit card issue.

 

[jojabri]

Did you find a source for bottles? Also if you hit yard sales you may find carboys, they are kind of rare but have seen some.

Kind of. I finally got my cousin who works at a winery to keep some back for me. Last visit she brought me almost 5 cases. Yay! I also found a booth in a local flea market that had a few cases, selling at a quarter per bottle. They said check back they will have more.

I'll probably still have to keep buying clear ones for a while as it seems the bulk are either green or brown. It's a shame to put some things in dark bottles. And some things would look downright dreadful in a dark bottle. For example, my blueberry candy cane in a brown... ewwww!

I keep browsing yard sale ads and sites. No luck yet. I'm guessing this isn't a very popular hobby here.

 

[jojabri]

Well, actually no, I am not an accountant. But I do believe that there is a little accountant in us all..


Jojabri, So what do you use for laundry detergent??

Bar soap, Borax Laundry Booster, Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, and water. http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm

Despite what the recipe says, you can use whatever soap you like, I like using a lavender for me and my daughter and something more manly for hubby and the boys. They prefer Old Spice Swagger.

Either way, I spend about $12 per year on laundry detergent for a house of 5.

I also make our own body wash with a similar method using bar soap, water, and glycerin: http://madamedeals.com/domestic-diva-homemade-body-wash/

 

[ffemt128]

Kind of. I finally got my cousin who works at a winery to keep some back for me. Last visit she brought me almost 5 cases. Yay! I also found a booth in a local flea market that had a few cases, selling at a quarter per bottle. They said check back they will have more.

I'll probably still have to keep buying clear ones for a while as it seems the bulk are either green or brown. It's a shame to put some things in dark bottles. And some things would look downright dreadful in a dark bottle. For example, my blueberry candy cane in a brown... ewwww!

I keep browsing yard sale ads and sites. No luck yet. I'm guessing this isn't a very popular hobby here.

If there are any wineries in your area check to see if you can have their empties from their tasting room. I know there are wineries in this are that sell the empties for anywhere from $2.00-$4.00 Per case.

 

[ffemt128]

Bar soap, Borax Laundry Booster, Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, and water. http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm

Despite what the recipe says, you can use whatever soap you like, I like using a lavender for me and my daughter and something more manly for hubby and the boys. They prefer Old Spice Swagger.

Either way, I spend about $12 per year on laundry detergent for a house of 5.

I also make our own body wash with a similar method using bar soap, water, and glycerin: http://madamedeals.com/domestic-diva-homemade-body-wash/

We've made the laundry detergent with that recipe. Works very well. I wasn't aware that you could use any bar soap. I'll have to let my wife know. I used a different recipe because it didn't make that much and the recipe we made only called for using a tsp of detergent. Same ingredients though.

Here is the recipe we used...

http://www.budget101.com/myo-household-items/whipped-cream-super-laundry-soap-3993.html

 

[jojabri]

If there are any wineries in your area check to see if you can have their empties from their tasting room. I know there are wineries in this are that sell the empties for anywhere from $2.00-$4.00 Per case.

I called around today.

The one closest to me recycles them.

The next I called does not.

The third, I found said they either give them away or trash them. I asked what day would be best to come pick up, he said Saturday or Sunday. There is also a local Groupon for this one, half off wine and gifts. Looks like I'll get a groupon, then some wine and free bottles. Win-Win-Win. YAY!

 

[JohnT]

Bar soap, Borax Laundry Booster, Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, and water. http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm

Despite what the recipe says, you can use whatever soap you like, I like using a lavender for me and my daughter and something more manly for hubby and the boys. They prefer Old Spice Swagger.

Either way, I spend about $12 per year on laundry detergent for a house of 5.

I also make our own body wash with a similar method using bar soap, water, and glycerin: http://madamedeals.com/domestic-diva-homemade-body-wash/

WOW... Can you spend some time with my wife? Perhaps some of this may wear off on her??

 

[ffemt128]

I called around today.

The one closest to me recycles them.

The next I called does not.

The third, I found said they either give them away or trash them. I asked what day would be best to come pick up, he said Saturday or Sunday. There is also a local Groupon for this one, half off wine and gifts. Looks like I'll get a groupon, then some wine and free bottles. Win-Win-Win. YAY!

Glad you hear it was somewhat of a success.

 

[ffemt128]

WOW... Can you spend some time with my wife? Perhaps some of this may wear off on her??

John,

The soap does work and is relatively easy to make..

 

[jojabri]

We've made the laundry detergent with that recipe. Works very well. I wasn't aware that you could use any bar soap. I'll have to let my wife know. I used a different recipe because it didn't make that much and the recipe we made only called for using a tsp of detergent. Same ingredients though.

Here is the recipe we used...

http://www.budget101.com/myo-household-items/whipped-cream-super-laundry-soap-3993.html

Instead of a half bar of Fels Naphtha, I substitute a full bar of regular body soap. I never particularly liked the Fels Naphtha smell.

The only one that I've found that doesn't work is Oil of Olay. Maybe because it has extra oils involved?maybe?

So yeah, just about any will do it.