DIY Laundry Detergent
Making your own laundry detergent requires very little effort and only a few basic ingredients that are easily obtained from your local supermarket. Homemade laundry soap also makes an effective alternative to store-bought detergents for individuals with allergies to fragrances and dyes. This do-it-yourself formula leaves clothes and linens clean, bright and fresh without the use of unnecessary ingredients. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 1 bar laundry soap
- Cheese grater
- Large mixing bowl
- Spoon
- Measuring cup
- 1 cup borax
- 1 cup washing soda
- Plastic or glass container with lid
Instructions
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1
Grate the laundry soap with a cheese grater until you have about 1 cup of fine soap shreds. Transfer the shreds to a large mixing bowl.
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2
Add the borax and washing soda to the soap shreds and stir to thoroughly combine all of the ingredients. Break up any lumps in the borax or washing soda.
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3
Pour the laundry detergent into a heavy plastic or glass container and secure the lid. Store in a cool, dry place.
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4
Add the mixture to the washing machine as it fills with water before adding clothing. Use 1/2 cup for average loads, 1/4 cup for light loads and about 3/4 cup for heavily soiled loads.
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Tips & Warnings
Bars of laundry soap, borax and washing soda can be found in the laundry aisle of your local supermarket. If you cannot find a bar of laundry soap, use 1 cup of soap flakes instead or grate a bar of plain, unscented body soap.
This recipe yields enough laundry soap to wash about six average loads. You can easily double or triple the recipe, as long as you stick to the basic formula of 1 part soap, 1 part washing soda and 1 part borax.
Do not substitute baking soda for washing soda. The substances do not perform the same task. Washing soda softens the water and allows the soap to more easily penetrate fabric, resulting in cleaner, brighter clothing and linens.
References
- Photo Credit laundry image by samantha grandy from Fotolia.com
