I made up my first batch of laundry soap this week! Thanks Melissa G. for giving me the recipe, it was super simple. She pointed me to the Well Tell Me forums, which has lots of natural living great info on it!
I bought a box of borax for about $2, a box of washing soda for $2.89 I think, and I got the soap from my SIL. I can make up something like 25 or so gallons of laundry soap, and I use 2 cups per load. (lots of baby stains and work stains on our laundry!) This ends up being pennies per load.
Grate 1 bar of soap into a saucepan with water. You can use any natural soap, Fels Naptha is popular. I used soap from my SIL becasue I know it doesnt irritate our super ultra sensitve excema prone skin. (plus I want to support her shop!)
Heat over low heat until the soap is dissolved in the water.
Fill a 5 gallon bucket with hot water and add soap. Stir to combine, then add 1 cup of washing soda (not baking soda) and 1 cup of borax. Mix well.
The soap can be used right away, and has a lovely silky color to it just like other free and clear laundry soap I have bought in the past.
I think the next time I make this, I will use half the water, and instead use half the amount of soap per load, making a more concentrated laundry soap.
If anybody local is on the fence about handmade cleaners, I would be happy to share some with you :)
Does anybody have any handmade wood cleaner recipes? Something that doesnt leave my wood tables looking so dull?
5 comments:
I need to get off my tookas and make some soap also. So many ideas... so little time!
I'm going to give it a try. Does it work ok in front loaders?
I found your blog about a month ago, and pop in from time to time. My students are making environmentally sound fabric softener for a service project (all 5th graders are making something different). We got our ideas from Green Clean: The Environmentally Sound Guide to Cleaning Your Home by Linda Mason Hunter and Mikki Halpin This books has a LOT of recipes broken into household areas. I went and purchased one because I liked it so much. Kelly in SC
You're welcome!
A -Check on the WTM site, I can't remember what they say, I think it's okay for front loaders.
I have a WONDERFUL all-purpose cleaner/disinfectant, I can post if interested.
I'm still looking for a good dusting recipe myself too.
i use to have a really pretty cutting board handmade by a friend and i used a mineral oil on it to quench the woods thirst and give it a little shine
i am going to be curious to see how this experiment goes...
i would really love to make my own washing soap, but i am so afraid my skin wont have it!
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