ASHLAND — Many women are making their own laundry detergent, fabric softener and dishwasher detergent. Everyone I have asked loves it, and making your own is much cheaper than store-bought.

I tried making my own dishwasher detergent from the “One Good Thing by Jillee” website. The dishes were sparkling, and I couldn’t have asked for a better result. The cost is 13 cents a load.

Dishwasher

Detergent

1 cup washing soda (Kroger or Walmart has this in the laundry detergent aisle)

1 cup Borax (Kroger or Walmart detergent aisle)

¼ cup kosher salt (canning section)

¼ cup citric acid (canning section)

Mix well and put in a plastic container.

Yield enough for at least two months of heavy use.



When you start the dishwasher, put 2 tablespoons of the powder mixture in the detergent dispenser. Put 2 tiny drops of blue Dawn dish liquid in the bottom of dishwasher; more will cause too many suds in the machine. Put ¼ cup of white vinegar in the bottom of the machine. I use white vinegar instead of Jet Dry because it is nontoxic and leaves a brilliant shine on the dishes.

Cost breakdown: washing soda is $3.29 at Kroger, white vinegar is $1 at Dollar General, Borax is $4.49 at Kroger, kosher salt is $1.49 and citric acid is $1.29. The boxes are still nearly full, so I have an idea about what to do with the rest of it.

Sabra’s Couponing Club will meet at 5 p.m. Monday in the King’s Daughters Medical Center Café. We will learn how to make detergent, liquid or granulated. I’m told you can safely use it in a high-efficiency washer because it does not make suds. Using the ingredients above, and a possible Fels Naptha bar soap, you will have most of the ingredients for making your own detergent. Come join us. It’s free. Bring unused coupons to trade.

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Whenthedinnerbellrings.

com is a new website. Thank you to LeighAnn Doolin for recommending it. I love it! There are many great recipes here, as well as tips about freezing food in containers and using it later to make a meal at greatly reduced cost. We learn this concept in couponing classes.

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This week I saw something I have never seen: two RedPlums and two SmartSources coupons in the same newspaper. This is another great week to buy more than one newspaper. Coupon matchups: A buy one, get one free Fusion Gel coupon, plus a $1 Fusion gel coupon from last week’s P&G ad. There are also food coupons this week.

LOWEST THIS WEEK

Kmart

Angel Soft Toilet Paper: $4.97 for 24 regular or 12 double rolls minus 45-cent coupon equals $4.52.

Fix It and Forget It Diabetic Cookbook: another great reason to cook at home.

Bic Soleil Razors: $5.99 coupon, buy one, get one free.

Colgate: $1.25 minus 75-cent coupon equals 50 cents.

Rite Aid

StayFree Pads: two for $5, $2 UP Use coupon, buy one get one free. You pay $2.50 and get a $2 UP Reward.

Mach 3 Disposable Razor, package of three: use two $3 coupons. This is why we buy extra newspapers.

Venus Disposables: buy one, get a second for 50 percent off. Use two coupons for $3 off (one on each).

7 Up: three for $12, $3 UP, 25 cents a can.

CVS

Listerine: 500 ml, $3.99. Get coupon at ExtraCare Coupon Machine for $2. Use $1 coupon in today’s newspaper (stacking) equals 99 cents. Limit one.

Tom’s of Maine Deoderant: 2 for $6, $3 EB on two, limit two. Tom’s of Maine makes natural products considered safer for breast cancer patients or anyone who wants chemical-free products.

Simple: Spend $15 and get $5 EB. Use $3 coupon on one Simple Moisturizer or $2 off Simple Cleanser.

Covergirl: Buy one and get one at 50 percent off. Buy two Covergirl Outlast Nail Gloss and use $1-off coupon and $3- off coupon on two Covergirl products.

Bounty Paper Towels: two for $20, $5 EB. This is 83 cents a roll, and $5 EB back; better than the Dollar Store deal. Limit one means it’s a great deal.

Schick Hydro Silk Razor: no stated price, limit one, $5 EB $2 coupon, expires Jan. 13.

You could potentially have $18 in EB at this point. You may want to spend it in the food section or on coffee. This is how I buy my Keurig coffee. CVS has Green Mountain, Starbucks and many other name-brand Keurig coffees.

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My friend, Debra, told me about Ebates.com. Here’s how to use Ebates. Search for the name of the store you want to shop. If your store is registered with Ebates, it will tell you the percent you will get back from your total.

Click on the store from the Ebates website. Get a tracking ticket and take it with you to the store. If you make a purchase, Ebates tracks it and you will be credited your percentage every three or four months either in check form or through a PayPal account.

Debra says she has an extra $315 by shopping this way.

Why do stores offer Ebates? To bring them business. Why do we use Ebates? To save money.