"You. Make. Your. Own. Laundry. Detergent?" And then, I got a blank, but wide-eyed stare.
Yes I do. I just started about two weeks ago and so far, so good.
It's so simple and it works like a charm. It smells really nice, gets our clothes clean, and, best of all, it's fantastically cheap.
This is the powdered version. I think it works best in warm water. I have a high efficiency, front-load washer, and I've found that it doesn't completely dissolve out of the dispenser in cold loads. So, I'm going to make the liquid version as soon as my bottle of liquid runs out. I'll let you know how it works. My prediction? I'm sure it will be just fine.
I think we have become a society of people who have become used to having things made for us. Things that our Grandmothers would never have dreamed of purchasing, we do, without a second thought. As well, our purchased laundry detergents are filled with unpronounceable chemicals. Do we really need to add more to our environment?
Powdered Laundry Detergent
1 cup grated Fels Naptha Laundry Bar Soap, Zote also works well (grate in your food processor-- don't worry, it will wash completely clean, it's soap after all!)
½ cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
½ cup 20 Mule Team Borax
Mix and store in airtight container or bag. For light loads, use 2 tablespoons. For heavy loads, use 3 tablespoons.
Note: To make a large batch, grate six bars of Fels Naptha Soap, and then add 3 cups of Super Washing Soda and 3 cups 20 Mule Team Borax. Mix well and store in a covered container.
Tip: These recipes will not make suds in your washer, so don't be alarmed. Fels Naptha is a pure soap, which makes it perfect for use in the new high-efficiency washers as well as traditional washers. The only proof you'll need of how well this laundry product works is to take a look at the dirty wash water. You may also notice the need to either reduce the amount of laundry softener you use or even eliminate the use of softener completely.
This great recipe and many wonderful soaps are from http://www.soapsgonebuy.com/
Fels Naptha is a fantastic stain remover. I always keep a bar handy in the laundry room.
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This sounds fabulous...where did you get the bars of soap though...hope we have them here! Thanks for sharing this gem...I pay a lot for Nellie's All Natural Washing soda and I am sure this is just as good.
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I'm going to try this, I buy seventh generations, EVERYTHING! And it's quit pricey.
ReplyDeleteEspecially since I do about 3 loads of laundry a day :) I'll let you know how it turns out...
I am too lazy to make my own soap, and also pretty happy with the stuff I use already, called Charlie's Soap. If you ever get tired of making yours, check them out. I love it.
ReplyDeleteA low cost, green eco friendly, healthy natural way to make a homemade liquid soap is from soapberry which grows on the Chinaberry tree and has been used for thousands of years. It works very effectively.
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