Monday, December 28, 2009

Living Abundantly-Homemade Laundry Detergent and Fabric Softner

I have been making my own laundry soap for years. I used to make a liquid soap, however, several months ago I have found a recipe for a powdered version. I like this one A LOT!!!
Here are the ingredients:
2 cups Bar Soap (finely grated)
1 cup Washing Soda
1 cup Borax
Now, you can use any bar soap that you would like. Recommended is Fels Naptha, Zote, and Ivory. However, if you have a favorite bar soap, use it! You can use chemical free soap, or traditional soaps that you find at the local grocery store. I have used all of the soaps listed above, and some others!
First I grate the soap into a bowl. Then I measure out the portions and add them to the food processor and mix until it becomes a fine powder. I store mine in an old ice cream tub. Use 2 tablespoons per load. We have been using this recipe for a couple of months and it works very well!! Here is my container and finished product!



When I found the powdered laundry soap recipe, I also found a recipe for fabric softener. We have been using this for a couple of months as well. Here is the recipe…
2 cups hair conditioner
3 cups white vinegar
6 cups warm water
Optional, few drops of essential oil of choice.

I purchased a plastic ‘cookie jar’ from the dollar store (see photos below) to keep it in. And I actually make it right inside the jar. I pour in the conditioner, then the vinegar and then the water and then whisk
it with a whisk. I have not used any essential oil. You would only do this if you want more fragrance.


I really do not smell any fragrance when the clothes come out of the dryer. They are soft and have no static clean. I purchased a bag of small sponges at the dollar store and I use two at one time. One
stays in the jar, while the other one is thrown in the dryer with each load. When putting it in the dryer squeeze the excess liquid out then put into the dryer.

6 comments:

  1. Could you send me the recipe to the liquid laundry detergent you said you make. My daughter is allergic to borax so this one does not work for us.

    You can send it to: dbennett20@aol.com

    Thanks, Donna

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you sooo much for sharing. I have been wanting to make my own for some time. The problem is all the recipes I found require the Fels Napa; which is no where to be found in my area!!!!!!


    Thanks. Would it be ok to add a link from my site to this post? I know a lot of people would like this recipes

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dear charles0322,

    Sure, you can post a link back to this post!

    Thanks!!!

    Jennifer

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for sharing your recipe for fabric softener. It looks simple and I think I have enough of everything already in the house.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks! These recipes look really simple. I love experimenting with making my own laundry soap. These are some of the easiest recipes yet!


    Thanks again,

    Lisa from the Crew

    www.homesteadblogger.com/wyldhousehomestead

    ReplyDelete
  6. A lady in our homeschool group recently shared this recipe with us for dishwaser detergent.

    Homemade Dishwasher

    Detergent~

    ½ cup borax

    ½ cup washing soda

    ¼ cup citric acid, (food

    Grade)-you can find it

    In a shop that sells

    brewing supplies or you

    can use lemon flavored

    Kool-Aid-1/4 cup is between 10-13 packets.

    I’m sure you can get it online too, I just

    haven’t looked yet. ¼ cup kosher salt.

    I then use vinegar as my rinse aid.

    ReplyDelete