Homemade Laundry Detergent

I made my own Liquid Laundry Detergent today for the first time. I used the recipe from Down-To-Earth and it was very simple.

Here are the ingredients:



You can buy the sunlight laundry soap anywhere, and the borax is relatively easy to come by, but I did have a job finding the washing soda. I got mine in Wal-Mart, along with the Borax. The total of all three ingredients including taxes was just over $14.00

Here is the recipe for the liquid detergent:

Ingredients :

1½ litres water
1 bar Sunlight or generic laundry soap or any similar pure laundry soap, grated on a cheese grater
½ cup washing soda – NOT baking or bicarb soda
½ cup borax

This is what the soap looks like when grated:

Method:

Into a medium sized saucepan add 1½ litres of water and the soap. Over a medium heat, stir this until it is completely dissolved. Make sure the soap dissolves properly or the mixture will separate when cold.Add the washing soda and borax. Stir until thickened, and remove from heat. It sort of resembles a very thin lemon pudding mix now.



Pour this mixture into your 9-10 litre bucket then fill the bucket with hot water from the tap. Stir to combine all the ingredients.

The laundry liquid will thicken up more as it cools. When cool, store in a plastic container. Use 1/4 cup of mixture per load or monitor to see what works well for you.

I had to buy a container so spent another $8 there. However for the amount of ingredients I used I will get pail upon pail of this detergent for very little money.

Here is the recipe for the dry mix:

CONCENTRATED LAUNDRY POWDER

4 cups grated laundry soap
2 cups borax
2 cups washing soda

Mix all the ingredients thoroughly and store in a plastic container with a lid. Use 2 tablespoons per wash. This powder will not make suds and this is perfectly okay.

*****Evelyn asked about Borax and Septic Systems, as we don't have a septic system it's not a concern for me, so have no idea about that. I did look up on the Internet and came up with a couple of things.

From this site: • Use mild detergents or baking soda, borax, vinegar or rubbing alcohol rather than the stronger and potentially system-damaging chlorine and commercial household cleaners.

From this site: 20 Mule Team® Borax is made of 100% Borax, a naturally occurring mineral composed of sodium, boron, oxygen and water. 20 Mule Team® Borax is not harmful to washing machines, plumbing or septic tanks and does not contain phosphates or chlorine.

From this site: Consider using biodegradable alternatives for routine cleaning chores. Oxidized bleaches, borax, vinegar, and baking soda are less hazardous alternatives to common household cleaning products.

Hopefully this will help you make up your mind. :0)