This year is the year to decrease our family from relying on store bought items. We have gone to no shampoo and no fabric softener sheets. Now we are making our own laundry detergent. Not only does this save money, it is better for the environment and our bodies.
I am a frugal person and I don't like to spend money if I don't have to, however I also don't like to spend a large amount of time doing something to save money either. I have seen all over the web that people have made their own laundry detegent. I bought the items to make it awhile ago but was unsure of my abilities to do it correctly. Sometimes this kind of thinking will get in the way of accomplishing what you want....don't think that way (I say to myself).
Yesterday I had a load of laundry to do and ran out of the store bought detergent. I watched a few youtube videos, and then I just did it!!!!
I made a small batch because I wanted to make sure I didn't waste the ingredients if I did it wrong.
So I grated 1/3 of a bar of fels-naptha soap, and measured 1 liter of water. I boiled the water on the stove and slowly added the grated soap, stirring. I then put 1 gallon of hot water in a large bucket . When the soap on the stove was melted I added it to the bucket and stirred. I then added 1 cup of Super Washing Soda, and 1/2 cup of Borax stirring after each. I let it rest for a few hours. you are suppose to let it rest overnight. It thickens to a gel. I then added another gallon of hot water and mixed and stirred any clumps. Then used a funnel to put in the bottles that I saved for storage.
Some say to fill the storage bottles 1/3 with water then add the detergent. Not sure if this weakens the detergent. I did two bottles this way. It is a preference I guess, also you can put an essential oil for fragrance. I did not do this step. I put 1/2 cup in each load. My clothes seem fine, they smell and look clean. I wash my clothes with cold water. Once a month I was my washcloths and delicates with warm water and I will continue to do that.
As an update the dryer balls have gone well with my adjustments see earlier post.
No shampoo has also gone very well see this earlier post for an update.
Check another item off the grocery list!
Stopping by from the Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways Wednesday Blog Hop! http://queenofsavings.com
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DeleteThank you for stopping by.
DeleteWe've been making our own laundry soap for over a year. We are a family of nine....the money we have saved has been HUGE! And I don't think it's all in my head--but I think our clothes are actually lasting longer!
ReplyDeleteThat is great to know. I can't imagine that I would buy it now. The homemade detergent works, smells good and I look forward to the savings.
DeleteThank you so much for sharing this with us on Natural Mothers Network's Seasonal Celebration. You're from Maine, I travelled around Maine 2 years ago with my family- what a beautiful part of the world!
ReplyDeleteWarmly, Rebecca x
Love it! I too am trying to make my own instead of buying from the store more often. It is just empowering!
ReplyDeleteI've made my own detergent for years. I don't like the liquid form...too messy and takes up too much room!!
ReplyDeleteI make it in powdered form in my food processor. I can make a years supply in one afternoon. I use 1/8 cup per load. It keeps just fine when sealed in plastic containers.