Time to make detergent
I am on my last jug of laundry detergent, so it's time for me to make more. Yes, I make my own.
For about $30 I can make 30 gallons and I don't have to worry about sounding out the ingredients!
Tools I use:
5 Gallon Bucket
Pan
Metal Bowl
Cheese Grater
Measuring Cup
Whisk
Strainer
Old Laundry Jug
Ingredients:
Water
Borax
Washing Soda
Bar soap
My Process:
I measure out 1 1/2 cups of Borax and 1 cup of Washing soda put it in the bucket and set aside I put a pan of water on to boil, while waiting I use the cheese grater to shred the bar of soap and put the shreddings in the metal bowl. By now my water is boiling and I set the bowl on top of the pan and add just enough tap water to cover the soap and I whisk until the soap is foaming. Next I remove the bowl from the pan and pour the boiling water into the bucket and whisk the borax and washing soda until dissolved. I use the strainer to pour in the soap in order to catch any large chunks which may not have melted. I whisk all ingredients together then add hot tap water, whisking with each gallon I add. Once the bucket is full I cover and let set overnight. In the morning I wisk and look to see if the detergent is at the consistency I want. If not I dissolve another 1/4 cup borax, add it to my bucket and let set again. Once it is to my liking, I fill an old laundry jug half full of detergent and half with hot water, shake and use.
Notes:
Borax is what gives the detergent its form, and may look clumpy or soupy, which is normal. Always mix detergent in bucket before making adjustments or adding to your jug.
You can use any bar soap you like, my personal favorite is Dr. Bronner's Organic soaps.
If you like scented detergents you can add essential oils to the finished product.
DIY Homemede Laundry Detergent kcmaice
Image Credit » Mine kcmaice
Comments
momluvz2knit wrote on June 12, 2014, 11:14 AM
Thanks for sharing! I would like to try this. Is the resulting detergent gentle? All three of us are extremely sensitive to many soaps and detergents. It also sounds like a really fun process!!
kcmaice wrote on June 12, 2014, 11:23 AM
It is Very gentle, if you have a bar soap that all of your family members can use, it would be great in this recipe. I think it is fun o make, it only takes about 20 minutes to complete before the set time :)
Ruby3881 wrote on June 12, 2014, 6:47 PM
I admire you making your own laundry soap! I don't think I'd want to go to the effort.
kcmaice wrote on June 12, 2014, 7:26 PM
Thank you Ruby3881 The best part of doing this is that it can be used for more than just the laundry It can be used for everyday household cleaning!
rusty2rusty wrote on June 13, 2014, 4:59 PM
I have thought about making this. I have used some that was made by someone else. It works well on sensitive skin.
kcmaice wrote on June 13, 2014, 6:45 PM
It sure is great for sensitive skin rusty2rusty and is very simple to make in my opinion ;)
ohcaroline wrote on June 28, 2014, 2:04 PM
It would be a great alternative for those with big families. thanks for sharing.
tinamarie wrote on July 17, 2014, 11:48 AM
I am going to try this. I have very sensitive skin and have to purchase dye free and sent free soaps and the ingredient lists is way to long.