homemade detergents

[1healthylady]

Do you use it for CDs only, or for all the family laundry? Can you share your recipe? How does the cost compare to buying detergent? TIA!

[tootsy_toes]

Hi, I make my own detergent using the following recipe.

1 bar Fels-Naptha Soap (I purchase mine at Ace Hardware)
1 Cup Borax
1 Cup Washing Soda

I have an old fashioned salad master grater (c. 1970's). I grate the soap using the smallest holed grater cup and then use a tiny electric food processor to break up into smaller pieces. If you have a larger food processor, you can use it. I just use what I have. Then, I add the borax and washing soda and shake to mix. I use 2T for a regular soiled load and 1/4C for heavily soiled loads and diapers. I use this for all my laundry. One batch generally last me one month and I wash between 2-3 loads per day, Monday through Saturday. I do not wash on Sunday. One batch, as listed above, costs me around $14.

You can double or triple the recipe as needed. I just tripled the batch I made this morning and it fit nicely into a plastic Folgers coffee can.

Have fun!

[umajo]

I was using soap flakes and washing soda for diapers for a couple of weeks. I just wanted to try it out. I ended up with barnyard stink in the diapers. I know pure soap isn't usually recommended for cd's because it tends to leave a residue. I have hard water.

[NikiG]

1 cup Washing Soda
1 cup Baking Soda
1/2 cup Borax

I use 2T per load and occasionally throw in some Oxy powder too. I've only been CDing for a couple of weeks, but so far so good. No stink, but a bit of light stains. I can't sun them yet, and I don't mind stains.

[tootsy_toes]

Another thing I wanted to add, is that this detergent recipe rinses very clean with one rinse for regular laundry and two for diapers. I did not have buildup or odors in my diapers, once I learned how much to use. I had to play around with it until I got the right amount. I currently have a HE frontload washer, but I'm getting a new toploader next week. Yay!

Also, the Fels-naptha is an excellent stain remover when used in bar form with a little water, rubbed directly on the stain. I have gotten old stains out this way. Everything from blood to chocolate to poop. The borax is great for hard water, our water is moderately hard. Borax has other uses as well, they are listed on the box.

[1healthylady]

Thanks for the recipes! It's almost time to buy laundry detergent, so I'll start trying these out now. We're expecting our first LO in August, so if I decide to use homemade I'd like to have that down before he/she arrives. tootsy toes - is it ok to use the same food processor we use for our food, it'll clean out ok?

[tootsy_toes]

I have no problem using the same processor. Since it is soap, it rinses clean. It's just like washing it with soap.