Powder and Liquid Recipes
For the majority of my adult life, I have been a management
professional and have been in charge of the profit, loss,and operations
of multi-million dollar companies. When baby number 5 came along, I
realized that it was time to step back. I became a work from home mother
and began devoting my time to my family's profit and loss! I quickly
realized that we had been spending too much money buying things for
convenience! I never would have accepted that from myself while
operating other people's businesses so why start now?
I began
looking into ways to save money and to get healthy. I began making all
of my own noodles, breads, and pastries from scratch. Sure....it took an
extra minute from my work day BUT it was priceless quality time spent
with my children and much healthier for us all. That part was easy.
So...I had eliminated costs (and gotten a little greener) there but what was next.......after my first
trip to the grocery for cleaning supplies, I saw the next challenge. I
had already began looking into ways to eliminate chemicals from
every-day items and trying to use all-natural cleaning supplies but
YIKES was that expensive! The all-natural products on the shelf were
almost double what I used to by. So...inspiration struck (and my
cheapness...I mean frugality) and I was going to make my own
cleaning products!
I didn't jump into
green cleaning supplies
all at once. I started with one product then worked my way through the
cleaning cabinet. Once you buy just a few ingredients, they are able to be used
in most of your green cleaning products so it is so easy to keep adding
to the list of what you homemake. They are so much better on the pocket
(usually 1/4 the cost or less than what you buy at the store) and better
for you!
I finally made my way to laundry detergent. To me this
was a leap of faith. I have used the same thing for years!! This is the
most labor intensive of all of the homemade cleaning supplies which is
why it was last. It works fantastically! Don't be scared that it doesn't
suds up. The suds aren't what does the cleaning in traditional
soaps...most of us think it is though! It is also safe for HE machines!
Homemade Laundry Detergent:
The larger batch cost (depending on store purchased and deals):
- 1 box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Powder – $3.15
- 4lb box of Baking Soda – $2.12
- 1 box Borax – $3.39
- 3 bars Fels-Naptha – $2.91
Total for large batch $11.57. It lasts for about 180 loads, that will be $0.06 per load!
If your family isn't as big as mine, you can make a smaller batch (about 30 loads)
- 6-8 oz. Fels Naptha or other soap
- 1 Cup baking soda
- 1 Cup Borax
- 1 Cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
Instructions:
grate
the soap and place in blender or food processor. Once it is to a
smaller texture...mix it with the other ingredients in a large bucket.
Make sure you mix it well and some will suggest that you wear gloves.
You will use 2 tablespoons per load.
If you prefer liquid detergent-
Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent
1/2 bar of Fels-Naptha (if you use Ivory soap usea whole bar)
1 cup borax
1 cup
washing soda
2 gallons of water, divided
Also need:
a grater
a large saucepan (8 cups or larger)
large bucket or container with lid
liquid storage containers for finished product
If you like fragrance---you can add some essential oil! Use whatever you like, lavender, orange, etc
Directions:
1. Grate 1/2 a bar of Fels-Naptha into a saucepan.
2.
Cover shavings with 4 cups of water and heat on low and continue
stirring often until the soap is melted. Usually about 10 minutes
3.
Remove from heat. Add the borax and washing soda (and essential oils if
you choose)and stir in another 4 cups of water. Mixture may look like
pudding!
4. Pour mixture into a bucket or other container with a
lid., add another 24 cups (or 1 gallon + 8 cups) and stir well.This may
be a bit tricky but some people use a whisk or immersion blender.
5. Let mixture set overnight.
6.
The next day, the congealed soap will have settled to the top. Stir it
back in and pour into storage containers.You can use old laundry bottles
or any container with a lid. I like to use a square container.
Use 1 cup per load!
Or...if you are ready to DIY...
Grab your ingredients at Walgreens online and get FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $25!
Fels-Naptha Heavy Duty Laundry Bar Soap
20 Mule Team Borax Natural Laundry Booster & Multi-Purpose Household Cleaner
(this is a 4 lb box so you get almost 800 loads out of it!
Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
Arm & Hammer Super Wash Soda, Detergent Booster
( a 4 pound box)
