This past weekend, I mixed up my homemade laundry detergent. I once had someone ask me why I would take the trouble to do that when I could just grab a bottle or box off the shelf. This individual had a valid point. However, I originally started it because it made me feel close to my ancestors and the ways of old. There are many other benefits, though. I know everything that is going into my homemade laundry detergent, and my sensitive skin appreciates the lack of harmful chemicals. Also, it cleans really well. My recipe is adapted from one in the book Clean, Naturally by Sandy Maine.
Homemade Laundry Detergent
8 c. baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
8 c. washing soda (sodium carbonate)
12 c. borax
8 c. soap flakes
3 T. essential oil in scent of choice (optional)
Combine all ingredients with a wire whisk. I saved a plastic measuring scoop from a box of store-bought powdered detergent and use that as my measure, using a full scoop for a full load.
Before adding clothes or water to the washer, I pour the detergent in where the spray of water will hit it. Then, I turn the water on and use my hand to mix the detergent and water well, before adding the clothes.
Notes:
1. You can buy soap flakes from Sunfeather Soap (Sandy Maine's company), which I did when I first started out. You can also make your own by grating soap with a box grater. I have used both pink Zote and plain Ivory with success. Fels Naphtha is another laundry bar that probably would work well, although I have not tried it.
2. To keep the soap from creating a residue over time in the washer or clothing, I always add white vinegar to the rinse cycle as you would liquid fabric softener. In fact, I do not use a separate fabric softener because the vinegar also works really well at softening clothes. Even with store-bought laundry soap, your clothes will be softer and fluffier. Try it!
3. I usually do not add the essential oil because I did not find that the scent lingered that well.
4. This recipe does not work for washing in cold water as the soap flakes will not dissolve well.
5. Do not expect to see a lot of sudsing with this formula.
Homemade Laundry Detergent
8 c. baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
8 c. washing soda (sodium carbonate)
12 c. borax
8 c. soap flakes
3 T. essential oil in scent of choice (optional)
Combine all ingredients with a wire whisk. I saved a plastic measuring scoop from a box of store-bought powdered detergent and use that as my measure, using a full scoop for a full load.
Before adding clothes or water to the washer, I pour the detergent in where the spray of water will hit it. Then, I turn the water on and use my hand to mix the detergent and water well, before adding the clothes.
Notes:
1. You can buy soap flakes from Sunfeather Soap (Sandy Maine's company), which I did when I first started out. You can also make your own by grating soap with a box grater. I have used both pink Zote and plain Ivory with success. Fels Naphtha is another laundry bar that probably would work well, although I have not tried it.
2. To keep the soap from creating a residue over time in the washer or clothing, I always add white vinegar to the rinse cycle as you would liquid fabric softener. In fact, I do not use a separate fabric softener because the vinegar also works really well at softening clothes. Even with store-bought laundry soap, your clothes will be softer and fluffier. Try it!
3. I usually do not add the essential oil because I did not find that the scent lingered that well.
4. This recipe does not work for washing in cold water as the soap flakes will not dissolve well.
5. Do not expect to see a lot of sudsing with this formula.
