Homemade Laundry Detergent

Recently I have become interested in the idea of using homemade cleaning products.  Vinegar seems to be as useful as anything else.  It kills mold, sanitizes, acts as a fabric softener...the list goes on and on.  I am having tons of fun (weird...I know) using Borax in my cleaning as well.  AND don't get me started on the benefits of Baking Soda!! 

I got curious about making homemade laundry detergents and wanted to give it a try,  Many of the liquid recipes seem somewhat involved to make.  Then the detergent is goopy and will separate...really not something I want to invest a ton of time into while I'm trying to figure this process out.  However, I found a recipe for powdered detergent (although I'm not usually a big fan of powdered detergents generally) that seemed reasonable and is easy enough to throw together.  I got my recipe from www.tipnut.com and I highly recommend the site.

So here's the recipe:

Powdered Laundry Detergent
2 cups Fels Naptha Soap (finely grated)
1 cup Washing Soda
1 cup Borax

• Mix well and store in an airtight plastic container.
• Use 2 tablespoons per full load.

BTW- with a little research I learned that the soap should be finely grated for better dissolving but I did find someone who uses a regular cheese grater and has it in larger pieces.  She says that it works well for her.  I found that the soap doesn't mix as well in bigger shreds with the Borax and Washing Soda which are both incredibly fine powders.  So I recommend that you finely grate them.  I mixed up the batch and have the first load in the wash.  I will be curious to see the results.

ANOTHER BTW- don't worry about keeping a tablespoon near your washer.  Simply use your old dispenser cup from your last bottle of detergent...that cute little line that has a number 1 by it equals about 2 tablespoons.  I checked it...it works. 

YET ANOTHER BTW (ok this will be the last one!)- be sure to use washing soda rather than baking soda.  They are two totally different products and work completely differently...you can add a small amount of vinegar (1/8 cup) to the load to act as a fabric softener but I read some conflicting information about still needing a dryer sheet...I'll check this one out in more depth as we get into winter and things get really staticy around here...lastly, you can add a few drops of essential oils to your recipe to help with scent....PHEW, I think it got it all in!!!

I know, more silly information....but I am having so much fun doing this and I just want to share it all with you!!!  Have fun organizing!!!

oh AND...check out www.vinegartips.com!  It gives you 1001 ways to use white distilled vinegar!