LAUNDRY - MAKE YOUR OWN DETERGENT
Laundry, it's a never ending task. Whether the laundry pile at your house is of mountainous proportions or a small amount, the price of laundry detergent, stain remover, and softener can really add up. Sometime during the past year we were introduced to the idea of making our own laundry detergent.
At first, we were more than a little hesistant. After all, this wasn't something we had ever considered before. However, after spending time searching this topic online, we discovered that making your own laundry detergent really isn't as "out there" as we originally thought. Many people make their own and have been doing so for a long time.
Several recipes were experimented with before settling on one that works best for our family and water hardness. We will share our recipe with you, but you may want to google homemade laundry detergent and try some of the other versions to find one that suits your home best.
HOMEMADE LAUNDRY DETERGENT
2C. Borax
2C. Washing Soda (NOT BAKING SODA)
1 bar finely grated Castile Soap (Ex. Fels Naptha, Zote, Kirk's)
Mix ingredients together and use 2 T. per load. If you have an extra large capacity machine, more may be needed.
Now for the cost comparison. When compared to the largest available box of commercial powdered detergent at $17-21, the detergent we made at home cost approx. $6-7 for the same amount of loads. That has provided a savings of $22-23 a month--just in laundry detergent.
We have also been able to save each month by using alternative stain removers. For non-oil based stains, a gently washing with regular soap, a rinse, and soak in the sink have been sufficient. Oil-based stains such as shop grease and cooking oil splatters have come out beautifully by rubbing in Dawn dish detergent. Actually, they have come out much better than when using a commercial stain remover, especially the cooking oil. Probably any dish detergent would work as well. The articles we have read tended to mention Dawn the most so that is what we have used. Less expensive dish soaps may work wonderfully. We have used Ivory brand dish soap with great success as well.
Fabric softener hasn't been left out either. This one is so simple a person wonders why they didn't think of it themselves. White distilled vinegar. That's right, vinegar. Just add it to the rinse cycle exactly like you would commercial softener. No, your clothes do NOT smell like vinegar. Vinegar's distinctive odor evaporates just as it does when used as a cleaner in other applications. If you find that a pleasant scent is essential to your laundering process, a few drops of essential oil can be added to either the detergent mixture or the vinegar. One of the best things about using vinegar, besides the amazing savings, is that vinegar is also a fungicide. Not to mention that it is unsurpassed at eliminating soap residue. For those whose laundry includes baby clothes and/or cloth diapers, vinegar is a perfect choice to soften the laundry.
Viola! The laundry has been washed and softened naturally, without chemicals and harsh additives. PLUS tremendous financial savings have been accomplished. Now, we get to experience one of the richest treasures of homemaking bliss, hanging clothes out on the clothesline. If this is something you've never had the privilege of experiencing, then by all means, don't miss out any longer. Not only will hanging out the laundry save electricity and therefore money, it also provides a busy homemaker with a few moments of uninterrupted (unless you have small children and pets) peace. When you lay your head on those fresh smelling sheets at night, you will be glad that you took the time to hang the laundry out. Nothing else is quite like it. Hey, it could even count as "activity" aka exercise.
Need a thrifty use for dryer lint? Check out our new Woodstove page and find out an actual use for the stuff. Until tomorrow...Blessed Mama
At first, we were more than a little hesistant. After all, this wasn't something we had ever considered before. However, after spending time searching this topic online, we discovered that making your own laundry detergent really isn't as "out there" as we originally thought. Many people make their own and have been doing so for a long time.
Several recipes were experimented with before settling on one that works best for our family and water hardness. We will share our recipe with you, but you may want to google homemade laundry detergent and try some of the other versions to find one that suits your home best.
HOMEMADE LAUNDRY DETERGENT
2C. Borax
2C. Washing Soda (NOT BAKING SODA)
1 bar finely grated Castile Soap (Ex. Fels Naptha, Zote, Kirk's)
- HINT: soap grates easier if opened and allowed to dry for several days first. The longer the drying time, the easier the grating process will be.
Now for the cost comparison. When compared to the largest available box of commercial powdered detergent at $17-21, the detergent we made at home cost approx. $6-7 for the same amount of loads. That has provided a savings of $22-23 a month--just in laundry detergent.
We have also been able to save each month by using alternative stain removers. For non-oil based stains, a gently washing with regular soap, a rinse, and soak in the sink have been sufficient. Oil-based stains such as shop grease and cooking oil splatters have come out beautifully by rubbing in Dawn dish detergent. Actually, they have come out much better than when using a commercial stain remover, especially the cooking oil. Probably any dish detergent would work as well. The articles we have read tended to mention Dawn the most so that is what we have used. Less expensive dish soaps may work wonderfully. We have used Ivory brand dish soap with great success as well.
Fabric softener hasn't been left out either. This one is so simple a person wonders why they didn't think of it themselves. White distilled vinegar. That's right, vinegar. Just add it to the rinse cycle exactly like you would commercial softener. No, your clothes do NOT smell like vinegar. Vinegar's distinctive odor evaporates just as it does when used as a cleaner in other applications. If you find that a pleasant scent is essential to your laundering process, a few drops of essential oil can be added to either the detergent mixture or the vinegar. One of the best things about using vinegar, besides the amazing savings, is that vinegar is also a fungicide. Not to mention that it is unsurpassed at eliminating soap residue. For those whose laundry includes baby clothes and/or cloth diapers, vinegar is a perfect choice to soften the laundry.
Viola! The laundry has been washed and softened naturally, without chemicals and harsh additives. PLUS tremendous financial savings have been accomplished. Now, we get to experience one of the richest treasures of homemaking bliss, hanging clothes out on the clothesline. If this is something you've never had the privilege of experiencing, then by all means, don't miss out any longer. Not only will hanging out the laundry save electricity and therefore money, it also provides a busy homemaker with a few moments of uninterrupted (unless you have small children and pets) peace. When you lay your head on those fresh smelling sheets at night, you will be glad that you took the time to hang the laundry out. Nothing else is quite like it. Hey, it could even count as "activity" aka exercise.
Need a thrifty use for dryer lint? Check out our new Woodstove page and find out an actual use for the stuff. Until tomorrow...Blessed Mama