Laundry Detergent

mrsbooboo

Talk to me about homemade laundry detergent. I know nothing.

Recipe?

What kind of container do you use?

Can you do anything to make it smell good? Like add lemon or peppermint oils (couple of drops).

BlueMnM

my recipe:

 - 1 bar of dr. bronner's scented soap. (right now i am using lavender, next batch i a trying citrus)

- 1 cup baking soda

- 1 cup washing soda

- 1 cup borax

mix them all together and get out the lumps. use 2 tbsp. for each load.

the amount is for a crappy washer. i don't know if you could use less for a better one.

i store it in an old yogurt tub.

i also have tried the liquid detergent, which i liked but it was time consuming and the recipes called for such a large amount to be made and i don't have that kind of storage.

i will never go back to regular detergent.

ETA: i also fill the fabric softener compartment with white vinegar.

Tara415

I'm trying to go all natural (basically through the help of Whole Foods), but I'm finding a lot of the products don't make me feel as clean. Maybe I'm used to the chemical feel, but it's been a challenge. I also have a husband who gets really dirty outside. Do you feel that the homemade stuff works as well to clean?

 

Thanks!

katie4253

I used:

1 bar Mrs. Meyers soap (ground in coffee grinder)

2-2.5 c. Washing Soda

2-2.5 c. Borax

Mrs. Meyers bars are HUGE.  About the size of 2 bars of regular soap.

BlueMnM

Jennybeeb:

katie4253:

Mrs. Meyers bars are HUGE.  About the size of 2 bars of regular soap.

Where do you buy your bars and Washing Soda?

I was in Whole Foods today, but didn't see Mrs. Meyers...Although I may have just missed them.

washing soda is in the laundry aisle in my grocery store. don't know about mrs. meyers b/c i use dr. bronners.

and for the question about getting the clothes clean. yes it does. my DH is very dirty and works outside a lot so sweaty in the summer. that is part of the reason i use 2 tbsp. of detergent. when our clothes come out of the dryer they smell fresh and clean.

doglove

You can also get washing soda at Ace hardware as well as your local grocery stores. Target/Walmart don't seem to carry it.

 

another KT

Do the dry recipes dissolve when you wash in cold water?

Pescalita

I use 2c grated Kirk's Castille bar soap (much less expensive than Dr.B's), 1c washing soda, 1c borax.

I use 1oz/load for my front loader, with white vinegar in the fabric softener compartment.

I store it in an old empty OxyClean container, and use an old laundry scoop. I store the leftover grated soap in an old empty Method dishwasher tab container. I have a shelf in the garage where I keep old containers like this. I also store oxygen bleach in an ice cream container, with a peanut butter jar with 1/4 c for dissolving for use in a cold load.

pixieprincss

Here is what I use (recipe and container)http://moregreenforlessgreen.blogspot.com/search/label/Laundry%20Soap

I don't care for scents, but if that is important to you yor best bet is probably a few drops of EO on a cloth during drying. Adding scent to the detergent or wash seems to just wash away unless you use artificial fragrance (which we avoid).

madladybride

JennyBeeb,

I have been able to find washing soda in the laundry aisle of Safeway's in Baltimore city.  (I've not actually seen it in county stores, but rather the more 'urban' locations.) I've also bought it at Mars Supermarkets. They may have it at Shopper's. I thought Mrs. Meyers was a Target brand?

I use Kirt's Castile Soap that I buy when I go visit my family in Pittsburgh...

 

ETA: DH has some REALLY dirty clothes and we will just add a few scoops of Oxyclean and use the heavy soil cycle on our front loader...