Homemade Laundry Soap & a bread question...

[PaperHeartandInk]

Went to an Amish event in ohio this weekend and learned how ti make a FANTASTIC homemade laundry soap. Just wanted to share:

1 bar Fels Naptha soap
Arm and Hammer Washing Soda
20Mule Team Borax

Grate or process Fels Naptha. Mix with 1.5 cup each of other two ingredients. Store in jars. Use 1 tbsp for small load or light soil. Use 2 tbsp for large or heavy soil.


Now can anyone share tips for homemade bread. Do I have to have a machine to make healthy homemade bread? I have learned to can this summer and am,eager to learn more natural living tips. Sorry for the ramble :)

Thanks

[Former_Member]

Gotta love our amish neighbors!

As for bread... no! you don't need a machine! the best tip is to use White Whole Wheat flour. It is a different variety of wheat. The flour is finer and fluffier than regular whole wheat and makes for a smoother texture, higher rise, and it's still 100% whole wheat! King Aurthur sells it and you can find it most anywhere. I replace all white flour in a recipe with this flour. And if a recipe calls for 50/50 all purpose/wheat, use ALL white whole wheat.

Other than that... you just need to google up a nice recipe and go to it! homemade bread is not hard to make! And what can beat the smell when it's baking? ha.

Karly

[Former_Member]

Thanks for sharing! =) I am using this laundry soap- same ingredients but mixed and melted in water to make a gel. It works GREAT!

I also know that the bread recipe in the Better Homes and Gardens, red checkered cookbook is great! =) I grew up on home made bread and I LOVE it. =)

[Anhoki]

The great thing about laundry soap is the ability to make all of it yourself. I make laundry soap with CP soap I make. I made 5# of bar soap back in February and still have a ton of it left. Being able to add your own scent to it also helps. I just don't like commercial laundry detergent. It's too scented not everyone wishes to smell like Lavender or Grandma Mabel. :~)

[PaperHeartandInk]

Thanks for the bread tips! I just bought Hodgson Mill Natural All Purpose zflour. It is unbleached and unenriched, no preservatives. Then I went to town making banana muffins, apple~cot muffins and apple spice bread. Maybe it was just me but the fkavors and textures were soo yummy.

I am thrilled with the amish recipe for my laundry. It works perfectly. One thing... You dont get foamy suds like store bought so just keep that in mind.
Cheers!

[Anhoki]

No bubbles is a good thing. This kind of laundry soap works great for the HE washers.

[PaperHeartandInk]

Yes, if only I could convince my friends.