So, a friend introduced me to a new website and I'm officially hooked. It's called
http://pinterest.com/ and it's basically a site where you can create your own pinboards to save your favorite links around the web. You can also follow other peoples' boards and get new ideas on virtually anything. I have boards for recipes I want to try, kids crafts, ideas for my future house, and a bunch more. It's a lot of fun, but it's also inspired me to be more domestic. I am going to start making my own laundry detergent (I have all the ingredients except washing soda) when my current stash runs out. I am also going to try my hand at making homemade bread and tortillas.
I got my laundry soap recipe from thefrugalgirls.com
What You’ll Need: {check your local store’s laundry aisle}
- 1/2 Cup: Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda {not Baking Soda}
- 1/2 Cup: Borax {print a coupon here}
- 1/3 Bar of Fels-Naptha Soap {you could also use Ivory soap, but if using Ivory… use the whole bar}
- Bucket {2 gallon size or larger}
- Empty laundry detergent containers or bucket with lid to store detergent.
What You’ll Do:
- Grate 1/3 bar of Fels-Naptha Soap over large pot or saucepan…
- Add 6 cups of Water.
- Heat over medium-high until soap dissolves and melts.
- Add Washing Soda & Borax, and stir until dissolved.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
- Pour 4 cups Hot Water into bucket, then add Soap Mixture.
- Stir, then add 1 Gallon + 6 Cups of additional water. Stir.
- Transfer to a bucket with a lid, or pour into empty laundry detergent containers.
- Set aside, and let it sit overnight, or up to 24 hours, to thicken and gel up.
- Consistency and color will vary depending on your soap & water ~ it may be lumpy and watery… kind of like a watery gel, but it works great!
- Stir or shake before each use, as it will continue to gel.
- Good job… you did it!
- Don’t forget… to save more money, you can cut your dryer sheets in half and make Homemade Fabric Softener!
- Borax, 76 oz. box ~ $2.98 at Wal-Mart
- Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, 55 oz. box ~ $2.99 at Kroger/Fry’s.
- Fels-Naptha Bar of Soap ~ $1.79 at Kroger/Fry’s.
- Total Cost to make around 2 gallons: About $1.00!!
- This amount filled up my large empty Tide container from Costco and a smaller Purex container!
There are many recipes for homemade detergent, and this is one that works for me. Give it a try, and see what you think!!
As soon as I give it a try I'll let you know what I think.
