When I mention to my family and friends that I started making my own laundry detergent AND fabric softner, they put the brakes on and say "How do you do that?" I've posted some information before, but this is a more detailed entry.
If cruising the various blogs and tip sites, you will definitely find a plethora of recipes for this- that's how I found mine. I did, however, experiment, and through trial and error I have come up with the most awesome cleaning duo. My clothes smell so fresh and trust me, smells and stains DO come out :-)
Here's my ingredient list (all found here locally in Louisville):
Not pictured is a 5-gallon bucket (yes I said 5 gallons!) For the laundry detergent you will need:
Borax
Washing Soda
Fels-Naptha Laundry Soap
Favorite scent (I use Soapy Clean from Brambleberry)
Water
Grate the laundry soap into a saucepan of 2 cups of water. You want to melt the soap into a liquid but don't let it boil- you will get lots of bubbles. While that is happening, fill your 5 gallon bucket with warm water til its about 3/4 full. Add 1 cup of Borax and 1 cup if washing soda. Stir that up and when the Fels-Naptha soap has liquified, pour that into the bucket and add your scent (as little or as much as you'd like).
Snap the lid on and wait for about 2 days. You will be so surprised how it gels up. It will still seem clumpy but that's okay! I use about a cup per load and will sometimes scrub some into the fabric if I think there's a difficult stain. Since November 2010 I have made 3 batches and I'm not even half way through my third batch.
My bucket o' love
Now that I think about it, this looks like grits :-)
Now on to the fabric softener. This is so simple you'll want to kick yourself in the butt for not trying it sooner:
32 ounces of white vinegar
Baking soda
Favorite scent (optional)
In a bowl (because of fizzing action) mix the vinegar with 1/2 cup of baking soda. After it calms down, pour it back into the vinegar bottle. It's not all going to fit, so I myself am looking for a bigger bottle to keep it in. Add the fabric softener as you normally would.
How easy it this? You'll be making your own before you know it!
If cruising the various blogs and tip sites, you will definitely find a plethora of recipes for this- that's how I found mine. I did, however, experiment, and through trial and error I have come up with the most awesome cleaning duo. My clothes smell so fresh and trust me, smells and stains DO come out :-)
Here's my ingredient list (all found here locally in Louisville):
Not pictured is a 5-gallon bucket (yes I said 5 gallons!) For the laundry detergent you will need:Borax
Washing Soda
Fels-Naptha Laundry Soap
Favorite scent (I use Soapy Clean from Brambleberry)
Water
Grate the laundry soap into a saucepan of 2 cups of water. You want to melt the soap into a liquid but don't let it boil- you will get lots of bubbles. While that is happening, fill your 5 gallon bucket with warm water til its about 3/4 full. Add 1 cup of Borax and 1 cup if washing soda. Stir that up and when the Fels-Naptha soap has liquified, pour that into the bucket and add your scent (as little or as much as you'd like).
Snap the lid on and wait for about 2 days. You will be so surprised how it gels up. It will still seem clumpy but that's okay! I use about a cup per load and will sometimes scrub some into the fabric if I think there's a difficult stain. Since November 2010 I have made 3 batches and I'm not even half way through my third batch.
My bucket o' love
Now that I think about it, this looks like grits :-)Now on to the fabric softener. This is so simple you'll want to kick yourself in the butt for not trying it sooner:
32 ounces of white vinegar
Baking soda
Favorite scent (optional)
In a bowl (because of fizzing action) mix the vinegar with 1/2 cup of baking soda. After it calms down, pour it back into the vinegar bottle. It's not all going to fit, so I myself am looking for a bigger bottle to keep it in. Add the fabric softener as you normally would.
How easy it this? You'll be making your own before you know it!
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This is great! I bet it saves you loads of money!
ReplyDeleteI get an allergic rash when I use anything but Tide, when you make it yourself is it pretty gentle on skin?
I found you on Blog Frog! Glad I came and took a peek!
@ Jessie- Both of my kids have/had eczema problems. The have not had a breakout in them because of this.
ReplyDeleteYou could always make a batch and try it. You won't be out too much money- the bucket was the most expensive item! I have saved TONS of money making my own and it's fun to get the kids involved too :-)
hehehe - I love these posts. People forget that once, not long ago, you HAD to make your own supplies! I have used the same recipe for laundry soap several times :)
ReplyDeleteHi! I have been making my own soap for awhile now and it has saved so much money! I do the liquid and the powder. Luv it!
ReplyDelete