This weekend I made homemade laundry detergent and homemade dishwasher detergent. I got the laundry recipe from Raleigh Brigg's Book and I got the dishwasher recipe from a friend.
All-Purpose Laundry Soap
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup castile soap bar
1/4 cup washing soda
1/4 cup borax
Use 1/2 cup per load. This recipe makes enough for 3 loads, but I doubled the recipe. I used a bar of castile soap, grated it and then ran it through the food processor to make it a little finer. I couldn't find washing soda. Guess what? You can substitute soda ash for washing soda. Soda ash is a sodium carbonate and can be found in the pool supply section. Washing soda is also a sodium carbonate. They are one in the same...so my friend, Mrs. Jones says. She's a hospital worker and likes to research stuff. Mix it all together. You can also add a few drops of essential oil to scent your laundry soap. I put mine in a tupperware bowl and put a label on it of how much to use...so that my husband can still do laundry.
Dishwasher Soap
1 cup borax
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup salt
Mix together. Use a 1 Tbsp. per load. I put it in a labeled tupperware bowl under the sink. Use distilled white vinegar in the rinse / jet dry section.
*I just found this DIY household cleaner post for Spring Cleaning.
Your so thrifty...;-) Does it work???
ReplyDeleteooh, this is good! love it and thanks.
ReplyDeleteJanet,
ReplyDeleteYes, it works! I washed about 6 loads Saturday. I also used the dishwasher recipe on my dishes! I think it's fabulous and economical AND non-toxic!
I am just about to run out of dishwasher soap, and I have all these ingredients! Gonna give it a try! So excited, cause it would save me a BUNDLE and be so much more 'green', which is always a good thing. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this, I'm going to try! :)
ReplyDeleteKristi-
ReplyDeleteIs this less expensive than buying Tide? Better for skin? I'm just curious about what your reasons for doing this are....not to be nosy or anything, but i guess I am. ;)
I am definitely gonna try the dishwasher soap. I also bought that book "Make your Place" you posted about and was pleasantly suprised. Let us know if the laundry soap works. Thanks for sharing these recipes.
ReplyDeleteOops, ignore my question just read your comment.
ReplyDeleteI have been making my own laundry detergent for a while. I love it and I love the way is smells. So fresh and clean. I use Fels-Naptha Soap. You will never go back to buying Laundry Soap again.
ReplyDeleteI also make my own fabric softener!!
Mandiegirl,
ReplyDeleteplease be nosy:0) I have been trying to detox my family from all the chemicals in soaps, shampoos...everything we use. We've gone to a sulfate-free paraben-free shampoo. When i read on the jug of dishwasher det. that if a kid ingests it, you should call poison control...makes me think that maybe we shouldn't be using it in the first place. We've also been trying to convert to REAL food and not any processed convenience foods. Although, my husband came home with toaster strudels the other day. I had to reprimand him;0). I'm trying to eat more organic. It is more expensive, but I find my grocery bill is almost the same because I'm not buying all the processed convenience junk. With all that being said...sometimes nothing quenches a thirst like a big 'ol glass of coke!
I too have been using this recipe for laundry det. ♥♥♥ it! Do you find your clothes to be softer yet? I also do the dish det. but find it makes my dishes cloudy after a couple of washes.
ReplyDeleteWow, you go girl! I might have to get the Make your place book ... it sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteMy 4 year old and I normally have a "garden". Even if it's nothing more than a couple of tomato plants a squash plant and some basil. We have a great time planting and harvesting!
Thanks for the "how to make a ruffle" video. I thought ruffles were hard! I had no idea how simple it was to sew a ruffle. Thanks a million!
i've been making the washing powder for about a year now. i love it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this brilliant idea. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteI've made my laundry detergent for over a year now using this recipe:
ReplyDelete1 bar Fels-Naptha soap, grated to powder
1/2 c Borax
1 C washing soda
Use 1-2 Tablespoons, depending on size (and dirt level!) of load.
Everyone I know is hooked on it now! You don't need fabric softener - the Borax does it for you. And it smells so CLEAN!
Found another recipe for dishwasher detergent that is supposed to be better, due to the citric acid. Mixed it up last night - we'll see how it does:
1/2 C borax
1/2 C washing soda
1/4 C kosher salt
1/4 C citric acid powder (can substitute unsweetened LEMON kool-aid to equal same amount)
Use 1 Tablespoon, and add vinegar to rinse agent reservoir.
Sneaking around, looking at slipcovers, and see this! I make my own too - using recipe I found thru Tip Nut, similar, no regular soda, just washing soda. But I only use 2 TBSP per load, as was the going recommendation after reading thru hundreds of comments and several other blogs. I hope I am using enough - maybe you can use less and make it more economical or do I need more??
ReplyDelete