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I mix up my own laundry detergent, and I thought maybe other people might want t try it! It works really well and it's not hard to make at all. And it's SO MUCH CHEAPER.
Here’s what you need:
1 bar of soap, I use Dr. Bronner's Castile because it's vegan
1 box of washing soda. I use Arm & Hammer, and it's in the laundry section of my local co-op
1 box of borax - Optional, gives your detergent the cleaning power of store-bought stuff. 20 Mule Team is the brand.
1 five gallon bucket with a lid, found at a hardware store
4 cups hot tap water in a pot for heating on the stove
3 gallons of hot tap water
1 big spoon to stir the mixture with
1 measuring cup
1 knife, or a food processor
Fill your bucket with 3 gallons of hot tap water. Mark a line on the outside of the bucket where the water level is--that way the next time you make detergent, you don't have to measure it out.
Put your pan with 4 cups of hot water on the stove. Turn the heat to low/medium low. Using the shredding attachment of your food processor, shred your bar of soap. Then put the regular blade in and grind it as fine as possible. Add this to the pot of hot water. Give it a stir, then go do something for 15 minutes or so. Just make sure the water won't start to boil while you're away. Come back and stir, making sure the soap has completely dissolved.
(You can also whittle the soap with a knife, but this takes longer and my wrist hurt a bunch after I did it the first time. The food processor is way easier, and it's just soap, so it'll be extra clean when you're done!)
Add dissolved soap to your bucket of water. Mix well with a large wooden spoon. Add 1 cup of washing soda and 1/2 to 1 cup of borax, if using. Mix VERY well. I put on a song and just stir until it's over.
Place lid on your bucket let it stand overnight to cool. The next day you should have a lumpy, goopy gel that is your laundry detergent!
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You might want to write these directions in permanent marker on the actual bucket, so you don't have to look up the details again when you need to make another batch.
One batch of this stuff lasts us two months, but I don't do laundry as much as I should. It's WAY cheaper than store-bought, easy to make, and there's less waste from packaging. Just save your last laundry detergent bottle that you bought and keep refilling that so you don't have to dip into the huge bucket every time.
One box of washing soda should make 6 batches of detergent, and the box of borax will make more than that. You can use any kind of soap that you want, but I make sure I use castile soap because then I know it's vegan. You can pick scented soaps to give your laundry a clean, fresh scent. I like the lavender or the lemon the best!
Last edited by lolo (Wed 8/22/07 11:47 am)
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wow.
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this is awesome.
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Very excting. With a family of five cheaper (vegan) laundry detergent is music to my ears. All these ingredients look like they'd be safe for septic systems anybody know for sure?
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Q. Do you have any tips for washing in hard water?
A. Believe it or not, more than 85% of homes in the U.S. have hard water. Clothes that are washed in hard water tend to look dingy and feel harsh. 20 Mule Team Borax® works well for washing clothes in hard water. ˝ cup of 20 Mule Team Borax® will help soften water and prolong the longevity of clothes.
Q. Can I use 20 Mule Team® with bleach?
A. Yes, 20 Mule Team® and chlorine bleach can be mixed safely.
Q. How much 20 Mule Team® do I use in the wash load?
A. Add 1/2 cup 20 Mule Team® Borax to each wash load along with the recommended amount of soap or detergent.
Q. Is Borax safe for septic systems?
A. Yes.
Q. What is the shelf life of the Borax?
A. The shelf life of 20 Mule Team® is indefinite if stored in a dry place.
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Is Super Washing Soda safe for septic systems?
Super Washing Soda is all natural. It will work well with and is safe for any septic system.
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So, if I drop off a 5 gallon bucket at your place, how long should I plan on waiting for laundry detergent service?
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uits wrote:
So, if I drop off a 5 gallon bucket at your place, how long should I plan on waiting for laundry detergent service?
if you drop off a bucket, a bar of soap, and.. say.. $20, i'll have it done by the end of the day. i'll throw the borax, washing soda, and labor in for free.
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I can't wait to make some!
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This is awesome! I don't know that I have the space for this at the moment, but I'll definitely keep this in mind for the future.
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You domestic diva! I wanna try making this sometime!
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lolo wrote:
Q. Do you have any tips for washing in hard water?
A. Believe it or not, more than 85% of homes in the U.S. have hard water. Clothes that are washed in hard water tend to look dingy and feel harsh. 20 Mule Team Borax® works well for washing clothes in hard water. ˝ cup of 20 Mule Team Borax® will help soften water and prolong the longevity of clothes.
Q. Can I use 20 Mule Team® with bleach?
A. Yes, 20 Mule Team® and chlorine bleach can be mixed safely.
Q. How much 20 Mule Team® do I use in the wash load?
A. Add 1/2 cup 20 Mule Team® Borax to each wash load along with the recommended amount of soap or detergent.
Q. Is Borax safe for septic systems?
A. Yes.
Q. What is the shelf life of the Borax?
A. The shelf life of 20 Mule Team® is indefinite if stored in a dry place.
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Is Super Washing Soda safe for septic systems?
Super Washing Soda is all natural. It will work well with and is safe for any septic system.
Thanks you even saved me label reading...can't wait to try this
Last edited by gwgredux (Thu 8/23/07 10:39 am)
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this is wild. i miss borax soooooooo much........
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This sounds great, Lolo!
Not trying ot be Debbie Downer, and I know sometimes it it hard to find, but people may want to consider not buying from Arm and Hammer since they animal test. I buy Dollar General. That's the only place in town that I have found that doesn't have A&H as the only baking soda option.
I have no idea if there is another brand of washing soda.
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Guisto's is the brand of baking soda I buy to stay away from the A&H. It is available at natural foods stores. They have good flour too.
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ShellyT wrote:
Guisto's is the brand of baking soda I buy to stay away from the A&H. It is available at natural foods stores. They have good flour too.
Baking soda and washing soda aren't the same, and baking soda can't be used for laundry detergent! I've never been about to find a non A&H washing soda.
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lolo, yeah I have never seen washing soda that's NOT A/H. basking soda wouldn't work in your recipe, but you can add it to the wash and it brightens or something, I forget.
ha, I didn't see your new subnick. is it because of the salad?
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Pamela wrote:
ha, I didn't see your new subnick. is it because of the salad?
it is!
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B_A_D wrote:
It is wrong that I'm excited to make my own soap now?
no! I think this is awesome. There is another thread here with natural cleaners and stuff..the vinegar website...I did the clean-your-microwave thing and it totally worked.
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I've often seen the instructions for grating a bar of castile soap. Could you sub liquid castile soap and avoid the whole grate/boil step? I have a huge bottle of liquid pepperment castile soap that would love to put to use. Any ideas on if such a substitution is possible and what amount you would use?
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pensarepink wrote:
I've often seen the instructions for grating a bar of castile soap. Could you sub liquid castile soap and avoid the whole grate/boil step? I have a huge bottle of liquid pepperment castile soap that would love to put to use. Any ideas on if such a substitution is possible and what amount you would use?
Oh goodness, I have no idea. If I find some info, I'll be sure to let you know!
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Lolo,
Do you have any idea if this would work as a dishwasher detergent, or would it be too foamy or something?
I have this fantasy of one big bucket of homemade vichyssoise taking care of laundry and dishes...
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