I've been using homemade detergent for over a year now and LOVE it! I've made liquid and powder. Both work really well, but who needs more than 5 gallons of detergent sitting around at once?! I find this smaller batch of the powder to be more than enough. It takes less than 10 minutes to make and lasts for over a month - and we do a LOT of laundry! I was able to find all of the ingredients at ACE hardware or my other local Hardware stores - sometimes the larger "box" stores don't carry the washing soda...if they don't that's just one more reason to go support the smaller businesses. :)
Homemade Laundry Detergent
What's In It:
1 bar Zote Soap or Fels Naptha Soap
1 1/3 c Washing Soda
1 1/3 c Borax
1/3 c Baking Soda
What To Do With It:
Shred soap using a cheese grater or just chop it up into chunks. Put soap into a food processor or blender to turn the soap into coarse crumbs. Combine remaining ingredients - I just shake everything together. Be sure to give the container a quick shake before each use.
I have an HE front loading machine and I throw in about a tablespoon and half into each load of laundry. I don't have any issues with stains, etc. and we are play in the dirt, wear our food, type of folk here at the Hive. :)
**Note, this detergent is not for cloth diapers. Please use this recipe for cd's.
Here are a few pictures to help illustrate the steps:
This is what your shredded soap will look like (for this batch I used Zote soap)
This is what the soap will look like after it's been run through the food processor
This is the finished product.
Looks Great!How much do you use per load.I make and use the liquid version.Ill probably never go back to store bought detergent.
ReplyDeleteI use a small scoop in my HE washer. I just measured it and it's about a tablespoon and a half. :) I agree - will never go back!!!
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