Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

I am always trying to find a way to save money, but keep our quality of life the same or better.  I found this recipe for Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent and decided to take a try.  Here is what you do:
Buy:
~1 box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (baking soda does not work; it must be sodium carbonate)
~1 bar of Fels-Naptha
~1 box of Borax
(All found at Walmart around the laundry detergents).
~5 Gallon Bucket (Found at Home Depot)

RECIPE:
1 bar of Fels-Naptha
1 Cup of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Borax
Hot tap water


Start by grating the soap







This is the most time consuming part, but only takes 5-10 minutes.

Add soap shavings to a saucepan with water.  Stir continually over low-medium heat until soap dissolves and is completely melted.
Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water (2.5 gallons = 10 quarts).  Add melted soap, washing soda, and Borax.  Stir well until all powder is dissolved.  Fill bucket to the top with more hot water.  Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.




For top loading machines, the detergent will take 5/8 cup per load.  5/8 cup= 5 oz. or 1/2 cup + 1/8 cup.  Also, if you have a Tide liquid jug, the top cup equal 5 oz. to the very top.  I took all of my empty detergent bottles and measured the caps of each bottle to figure what makes 5/8 oz.  Example: Purex bottle takes 1 cap full + fill to the 2nd line = 5/8 oz.  I wrote each measurement on each bottle, since each measures different.
For front loading machines, the detergent takes 1/4 cup per load.
 


Next Day
Stir, but know that it is normal to have a gel like consistency.

Fill used but clean laundry soap dispenser half full with soap.
Then, fill the jug to the top with additional water.

Shake well before each use.
Tip:  I tend to start my load with hot water for only a few seconds so that the soap will quickly dissolve.
Yields: 10 Gallons

My Opinion: I have washed all clothes and towels using this recipe and it seems to have worked great.  The scent is light but clean when just using soap.  I do, however, use drier sheets and that adds a stronger scent to the clothes.  I noticed the soap does not make suds, but I had read this before I made it.  I would recommend trying this recipe.  It's super cheap and worth the try.


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