Monday
Aug102009
Yup, this working mom makes her own laundry detergent. Woot!
Monday, August 10, 2009 at 8:00AM
I started this posted back in May, when I first made my own laundry detergent. Why did I decide to do this? Well, it's crafty and seemed fun. It's like cooking without the heat. I get to make something, and the result is (a) cheaper and (b) greener than buying laundry detergent off the shelf at Kroger.
I researched laundry detergent recipes online for a few weeks. I was intrigued. There are lots of recipes out there for both powdered laundry detergent as well as liquid laundry detergents.
Upon review of the liquid recipes, all of seemed putsy and involve boiling the detergent - I decided making powdered laundry detergent was the way to go for me. My desire to be green and crafty is easily quashed if it's just too much effort.
Throughout my research - the recipe for laundry detergent seems pretty consistent - however you'll find that some of the sites below do reference different recipes you may wish to try.
The ingredients I ultimately chose for my homemade laundry detergent are as follows:
Large Batch Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe:
Small Batch Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe:
Put all the ingredients into your chosen container and mix them up. Shaking works best, but stirring is fine. Make sure all ingredients are well incorporated. Once mixed, store in an airtight container.
Suggested Amounts to Use:
Ratio Recipe - This allows you to chose how much you want to make.
I used the Microplane 39005 Rotary Grater with Coarse and Fine Blades
with the "fine" blade. I purchased off Amazon.com, which you can do as well via that link. I LOVE this grater. I wash well after using to grate the Fels Naptha, and it does a wonderful job on cheese as well.
More to come on this topic: other laundy soap making sites, where you can buy the ingredients, and the price comparison.
Other places to read about homemade laundry detergent:
http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/
POST AMENDMENT: I think it's important to note that I can't recommend this as a "kid craft" or even "kid recipe". While better for the environment than phosphates or petroleum derivatives - Borax and Washing Soda are not "kid friendly". They are chemicals and should be handled cautiously, by a responsible adult. You can find the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) for all listed ingredients here at www.msds.com. As with anything, use your good judgment and take all safety precautions before making your own laundry detergent.
Did you use this recipe? Or, do you have one of your own? Let me know!
I researched laundry detergent recipes online for a few weeks. I was intrigued. There are lots of recipes out there for both powdered laundry detergent as well as liquid laundry detergents.
Upon review of the liquid recipes, all of seemed putsy and involve boiling the detergent - I decided making powdered laundry detergent was the way to go for me. My desire to be green and crafty is easily quashed if it's just too much effort.
Throughout my research - the recipe for laundry detergent seems pretty consistent - however you'll find that some of the sites below do reference different recipes you may wish to try.
The ingredients I ultimately chose for my homemade laundry detergent are as follows:
Large Batch Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe:
- 1 bar (~6 cups) Fels Naptha Soap (grated finely)
- 3 cups washing soda (Arm and Hammer)
- 3 cups Borax (20 Mule Team)
- (optional) 3 cups Oxyclean
Small Batch Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe:
- 1/3 bar (~2 cups) Fels Naptha Soap (grated finely)
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1 cup Borax
- (optional) 1 cup Oxyclean
Put all the ingredients into your chosen container and mix them up. Shaking works best, but stirring is fine. Make sure all ingredients are well incorporated. Once mixed, store in an airtight container.
Suggested Amounts to Use:
- (1) Small/Light load - 1 TB
- (2) "Normal" loads - 2 TB
- (3) Heavy loads - 3 TB
Ratio Recipe - This allows you to chose how much you want to make.
- 2 parts Fels Naptha Soap (grated finely) - NOTE: 1 bar = ~6c grated Fels Naptha Soap
- 1 part Washing Soda (Arm and Hammer)
- 1 part Borax (20 Mule Team)
- (optional) 1 part Oxyclean
I used the Microplane 39005 Rotary Grater with Coarse and Fine Blades
with the "fine" blade. I purchased off Amazon.com, which you can do as well via that link. I LOVE this grater. I wash well after using to grate the Fels Naptha, and it does a wonderful job on cheese as well.More to come on this topic: other laundy soap making sites, where you can buy the ingredients, and the price comparison.
Other places to read about homemade laundry detergent:
http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/
POST AMENDMENT: I think it's important to note that I can't recommend this as a "kid craft" or even "kid recipe". While better for the environment than phosphates or petroleum derivatives - Borax and Washing Soda are not "kid friendly". They are chemicals and should be handled cautiously, by a responsible adult. You can find the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) for all listed ingredients here at www.msds.com. As with anything, use your good judgment and take all safety precautions before making your own laundry detergent.
Did you use this recipe? Or, do you have one of your own? Let me know!
Reader Comments