I have been using a homemade laundry detergent for about a year to year and a half. I was using a dry powder and recently decided I didn’t want to “cheese grade” the bar soap anymore. So this is my first attempt at a liquid non toxic laundry detergent that I am hoping will be baby skin friendly!
I split this recipe below in half and I choose to not use borax. I choose to use baking soda. Check out the site on environmental friendliness of borax. http://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/2507-20MuleTeamBoraxNaturalLaundryBoosterMultiPurposeHouseholdCleaner
I also chose to use the baby dr bronners castile soap as I will soon be washing our little bundles items.
You may also use some essential oils for scent if you would like!
Author: Sara – My Merry Messy Life http://mymerrymessylife.com/2012/03/diy-homemade-laundry-detergent-cheap-and-green-free-printable-2.html
Recipe type: Laundry Detergent
- ¾ cup Castile Soap
- ½ cup Super Washing Soda
- ½ cup 20 Mule Team Borax OR substitute with Baking Soda
- Take your two gallon bucket and pour lukewarm to cold water in the bottom of it, about an inch high of water
- Add the dry powders (baking soda, super washing soda, borax (if using borax)
- Add more water if necessary to cover the powders then take your hand mixer or immersion blender and blend the powders for a few minutes, or until it is fully blended and there are no clumps.
- Fill your two-gallon bucket up almost all the way with tap water (the temperature doesn’t matter).
- Add the castile soap (this helps it not to bubble up), and stir with a long-handled spoon.
- Using the funnel, pour into your containers.
I have seen a lot of discussion on the use of vinegar in the rinse cycle vs fabric softener. Here is some info from a helpful site I found but again please do your own research on these and some say the vinegar will do some damage to the hoses.
Also check this site out! http://www.thebeardediris.com/2012/10/09/white-vinegar-laundry-secret/
http://cleaning.lovetoknow.com/Vinegar_for_Laundry- for the blip below.
Vinegar for laundry has been tried and true for decades. In fact, this one simple product can replace many other laundry products, at a fraction of the cost.
Vinegar for Laundry
Vinegar has many used in the laundry room. It is effective to use as a fabric softener, static reducer, stain pre-treater, fabric brightener and even to clean the washing machine. For all of these applications, you can use distilled white vinegar for laundry. It’s a good idea to purchase your vinegar by the gallon jug. When you see how well it works for so many things, you will find daily uses for it.
Fabric Softener and Static Reducer
To soften fabrics, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar to the final rise cycle of your washing machine. There is no need to use additional fabric softener or to use dryer sheets, which are not good for your dryer anyhow. You’ll also find that static is reduced when you add vinegar to the rise cycle.
If you are washing blanket and comforters, add two cups of vinegar to the last rise. You blankets will be softer and more snuggly.
You will also have softer, fluffier sweaters when you use vinegar this way. Even sweaters that are hand-washed will benefit from a final rinse with white vinegar.
Lint and Soap Residue
That same half cup of vinegar in your rise cycle to minimize lint. You’ll find less lint on your clothes and even pet hair will find your clothes less appealing.
Using vinegar for laundry will also remove that ugly soap residue that accumulates on your dark clothing. Just add a cup of vinegar to the rinse water and the soap will be totally dissolved and rinsed away.
Brightens Laundry
Add a half cup of vinegar to your wash and you’ll have whiter whites and brighter colors. Vinegar is a great laundry booster that will help your laundry work more effectively.
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