Sunday, 13 October 2013

Another Summer Project

Homemade laundry detergent was another thing I'd placed on my summer projects list. This is a joint effort between my sister and me. It seemed to me that just about everybody was making their own, and I wanted to see if it was really that good before I committed myself to getting the ingredients to make it. The recipes call for washing soda and we only have baking soda, so I thought I'd have to buy that in the US. Since our venture, I've read that you can make washing soda by baking baking soda. Maybe a bit more complicated making it, but I'm used to finding substitutes. When I run out of what I brought back, I'm going to use Lagarto soap, which is a very mild soap with lots of uses. It's a soap I'll use for washing my face.

As you can see from my label, I've written two tablespoons per load. I've seen some recipes that suggest one tablespoon per load, so if you want to use only one, I imagine that's sufficient. The important thing is you're saving money and not harming the environment with harsh ingredients. You also feel good about having made something useful. One of my friends' birthday is at the end of this month and I'm going to give her a tub as part of the package I'm making up.

Having said I'll be making more when what I have is finished tells you I really like it. Do you make your own laundry detergent? You can find the ingredients in the detergent aisle of the supermarket. We used Fels Naptha soap, but I've seen other brands mentioned and even Ivory soap. We made a big batch and used 3 soaps. The recipe we used is as follows:

  • 1 cup finely grated Fels Naptha soap
  • 1 cup washing soda
  • 1 cup borax
 Next I'll be making dishwasher tablets.

Autumn is definitely here. I haven't put the heating on yet, but I'm thinking it's a wonderful afternoon to do some baking. I'll hold off on the washing soda until I need it though. Hope everybody has a good week.



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5 comments:

  1. Anonymous13 October 2013 at 12:05

    No, I don't make my own laundry soap (or any soap), but I do enjoy the hand-made soap many people are making these days. I will be interested in how you will make dishwasher tablets!

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    1. brendainmad14 October 2013 at 13:20

      I'll be sure and post the tabs when I make them. I forgot to mention that my nephew who had the motorcycle accident is doing a lot better. He's still wearing a neck brace, but hopes to have it off this week.

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  2. Forgetmenot52517 October 2013 at 16:12

    I used to make my own but then then it became impossible to buy genuine borax here, you can buy stuff called 'borax substitute', but it really doesn't work as well. Apparently someone decided it was dangerous, or poisonous, or something that made it unsafe in the hands of silly people like myself. Sometimes I just hate this nanny state. I'm sure your own laundry powder will be lovely and work very well, you'll have to let us know how you get on with it. :-)

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  3. kathyinozarks19 October 2013 at 09:44

    I love making my own laundry soap-have done so for at least 3 years now-love it. I do make the powder with fels napha soap but only for use as a soak for very dirty laundry-mechanics clothes, rugs etc. I feel the fels napha is really too harsh for everyday laundry. a mild pure bar of soap is much better.
    for my wash I make more of a gel in a 5 gallon bucket-really love it-and works much better than store bought. I was making my own bleech but did not feel that worked as well unless during the summer I was hanging my laundry outdoors in the sun. so I have gone to a safe dry bleach when I need a little extra.
    for fabric softener I used to make my own too with baking soda and vinegar but I have switched to just using vinegar-easier and still rinses well and softens the clothes. I go threw allot of gallons of vinegar in a month-lol use it for cleaning and disenfecting too.
    saves so much money-and I love the results-I am just about out-so will be making up a fresh batch of laundry soap soon

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  4. brendainmad19 October 2013 at 13:21

    Thanks for your tips, Kathy and I'll let you know how my next batch turns out when I make it, Loretta..

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