Homemaking

Have you ever made homemade laundry detergent? It's really simple and a little goes a long way. Detergent is so expensive, and for just a few dollars you can make 2 gallons of detergent without all the chemicals. Here's how...

I purchased this soap at my grocery store. This one bar will make three batches of 2 gallon detergent.

You'll also need to buy these two items which are easy to find at most grocery stores.

 

The first step is to grate about 1/3 of the soap bar into a large pot.

 

 

 

Next you add 2 quarts of water (8 cups), and heat on medium until the shavings dissolve.

Next add 1/2 cup of the washing soda, and 1/2 cup of Borax and stir until it dissolves into the water.

 

 

Turn off the heat and add 2 more quarts of water to the pot.

 

 

 

Divide this between 2 gallon jugs (I reused vinegar jugs). Fill each about 1/2 full and then add 2 more quarts of water to each jug. The consistency will be thinner than store bought detergent, but you will only need to use 1/2 cup for regular washers, and 1/8 cup for HE washers per load.

I always shake the detergent a little before I use it for a load of laundry.

Just so you know, vinegar is a great rinse agent and fabric softener in laundry,

and your clothes do not end of smelling of vinegar.

There are several different recipes for homemade detergent that are easy to find on the internet.

Give it a try!