Here is the recipe:
-
1 bar grated soap (any kind you prefer). I used Fels Naptha for this batch, but you can also use Zote or Dove.
- 1 cup Borax (found in the laundry detergent isle)
- 1 cup Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda (found in the laundry detergent isle)
- 3 gallons of water
Supplies needed:
-
A BIG pot that holds 3-4 gallons
- A grater
- A funnel
- A long handled spoon (or something long to mix with)
- 3 empty one gallon containers
Grate bar of soap.
We have a grater with a container in the bottom to catch the
shreds. There are still some that escape so I put a paper towel in a dry side
of the sink. For any shreds that end up on the paper towel, just dump them in
the pot. It makes for a really easy clean up.
Or you can grate the soap right into the pot you will be
making the laundry detergent.
Turn the stove on medium-high. Add a gallon of water to grated soap in pot. Stir occasionally. Cook until soap dissolves.
Add the Borax and washing soda. Bring to a boil. The mixtures
will turn a semisolid when it cools.
Turn off the heat. Add 2 gallons of cold water to the pot.
Mix well.
Pour 1 gallon of detergent into each container. A funnel
will really help for this. If the pot is too heavy, I used a measuring cup with
a pour spout and transferred the detergent mix until the pan was easy enough to
pour.
Now you have 3 gallons of homemade laundry detergent. I use ½
cup per load.
I get an estimated 608 loads per one box of Borax and washing Soda (about 12 batches of soap that make 3 gallons each = 36 loads per gallon = 72 loads per recipe using 1/2 cup of made detergent per load. So that's 608 loads for about 10 bucks!
I get an estimated 608 loads per one box of Borax and washing Soda (about 12 batches of soap that make 3 gallons each = 36 loads per gallon = 72 loads per recipe using 1/2 cup of made detergent per load. So that's 608 loads for about 10 bucks!
My thinking was since I was making liquid detergent, instead
of using gallon containers I found this 2.5 gallon container with a handle and
pour spout at Walmart. This detergent ends up being really thick so, genius me,
the spout tends to get clogged very easily and end up shaking the container and
cleaning the spout every time I want to do a load of laundry. A bit more time
consuming then I want to deal with. So I may end up switching over to some
sturdy gallon containers and labeling them.
If you have a he (high efficiency) front loader or top
loading washer, this detergent works just fine in it!
If you find the detergent is still too thick, use a ½ bar of
soap (instead of a whole bar) on the next batch.
As with all cleaning products, please keep out of reach of
children, especially when using recycled containers.
Happy laundry!
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