MaryJanes FarmGirl Sisterhood

I met MaryJane Butters at Where Women Create two years ago. I had been reading her magazine for several years and admire her not only for her passion for living the organic lifestyle, but that her magazine always highlighted other women.  I had also read about her FarmGirl Sisterhood and decided to join.

A few months later I finally downloaded the catalog of Farmgirl "merit patches" (*Girlscouts for big girls), and was surprised to see there is also a catalog for boys and girls 6-13. What a great way to teach my granddaughters about the environment, sewing , cooking, and a variety of other skills. They too can earn their own merit badges.

Now, what to do first?


I decided on the "green living" and one assignment was to make my own laundry soap and share the recipe. So here you go!

1/3 bar Fels Naptha Soap
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax powder
2 gallon bucket

Grate soap and put in sauce pan. Add 6 cups water and heat until melted. Add washing soda and borax, stir until dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour 4 cups hot watet into bucket, add soap mixture and stir. Add another gallon plus six cups of water. Let sit 24 hours to gel. Use 1/2 cup per load.

I used the whole bar and doubled the rest, including water, and made 5 gallons. The extra bar soap helped it gel more. You can also add 1/2 ounce to 1 ounce of essential oil per 2 gallons of detergent to fragrance.

The above photo is taken from the FarmGirlSisterhood website. http://www.farmgirlsisterhood.org/