Shirt Drawer Organization

I saw this organization tip on Pinterest not long ago and decided to try it out. And this one works...for me. So I'm gonna pass it along to you.

How many of you get frustrated after you fold clothes and put them neatly in your child's drawer only to find that they've destroyed them looking through them trying to find something to wear?!! This has solved that dilemma.

I have started folding all 3 of my children's shirts this way and I love it for several reasons.

• The kids (and I) can actually see what is in the drawer rather than digging through them. This has helped with independent dressing. When they know what they have to wear, and have easy access to it, they are more likely to want to dress themselves
• More space. There are 24 shirts in this drawer. I could never fit that many when they were stacked on top of each other.
• It just looks nice. Sometimes that's a good enough reason, right? I like to open a drawer that looks neat. It makes my heart happy.

 Now you make be thinking, "I couldn't get my drawer to look that neat."  But most of you are probably already folding your shirts the same way and you only have to add one step. I am not trying to insult anyone by showing you how to fold a shirt. I understand that we all know how to fold (I hope!). But for the sake of those who do not fold THIS way, I need to show you this.

  (I couldn't resist using her TX Longhorns shirt as my example)

Lay your shirt flat. Or you can hold it up. But for the sake of picture taking, I am laying it flat.

Fold the sleeves in.

Fold in half.  This is how I used to fold my shirts. And when I'm sorting them, I still do.

Fold in half again. This is the last step. I do this as I'm putting away.






Have fun organizing your drawers...dresser drawers that is. I don't want to know if you have a wedgie or anything. But feel free to let me know how your shirt drawer organization goes!

Make your Own Laundry Detergent

As I was getting ready to do a load of laundry this morning, I realized that I was almost out of detergent. About a year ago, that would mean picking up another expensive bottle of fragrance free detergent (because of Charlie's eczema we can't use harsh chemicals on his skin) at my next trip to the store. But not today. I shared with you back on my mop day post that I make my own floor cleaner. Well, I have also learned the secret to making my own detergent as well. It only involves 3 ingredients that you can find at Wal Mart right in the laundry detergent aisle.

I know making your own detergent isn't for everybody, but for our family it works. I like knowing exactly what is going on Charlie's skin. For those of you who have kids who suffer with eczema-or suffer yourself- you know what a nightmare this can be!

I also like that this is less expensive. I read on this blog. That it costs $.075 per load using this method. Not too bad.

Now for the details.

 These are the ingredients:

2 cups Borax
2 cups Super Washing Soda
1 bar Fels Naptha



Measure out the first 2 ingredients and pour into container. For the Fels Naptha, you can cut it in cubes and put it in your food processor. I don't have a food processor, so I use my magic bullet. It works just fine.

You'll want to get that to a real fine consistency. If you do have a food processor, you could  add the washing soda and borax with your fels naptha and process altogether. Everything won't fit in the bullet so I do it separately.

 This is what the fels naptha will look like after processed. After that step is complete, go ahead and stir everything together. You can double or triple and make a big batch if you like.

Note: You will use 2 Tbsp per load.

I keep my detergent in a clear plastic shoebox tub from the dollar store. (I do keep a lid on it it- just took it off for the picture.) I also usually make more than this but was short on borax. Looks like I'll be making a trip to the store anyway.