homemade laundry detergent review

So, I finally finished off my
10 gallons of homemade laundry detergent!

Here's what I think about it...

the pros
*I liked not being worried about running out for a loooong time.
*It was fun to play with different essential oils to adjust the fragrance.
*We saved money.

the cons
*I wound up using more than 1 cup per load
because it seemed like 1 cup wasn't quite doing the job.
So, it didn't go as far as I had hoped.
*It did not get stinky, sweaty, workout clothes clean,
no matter how much I used.
*One little guy in our house thought it was applesauce
and kept wanting to eat it.

So, the  question is...
Will I make another batch?
Yes,
but I'll keep a box of Tide on hand
for really stinky, dirty loads.

And, as for using vinegar
as homemade fabric softener...

First of all,

I definitely don't recommend using just vinegar
if it's something you hang to dry.

Here's what I did;
I realized I really like the Downy fragrance,
so I added a cap full of Downy to a bottle of vinegar.

It's the best of both worlds...
our clothes are super soft and Downy fresh,
and the vinegar is also softening our clothes
and cleaning our washing machine with each use.

I'd love to hear from those of you
who've tried it.
Let me know what you think!

linked to:

Frugal Girls

we need s'more

I've been waiting to post this 

because I didn't want to spoil the surprise.

I fixed these up for our end-of-the-year teacher gifts!

These super cute labels from domesticatedlady are free!!!

homemade fabric softener

I've had such a good response
from my post on  homemade laundry detergent
that I thought I'd do one
on homemade fabric softener.

You'll have to pay close attention
because it gets complicated.

Wait for it...

That's it....
all you need is vinegar...
1/2 cup per load.

You can add essential oil for fragrance if you want,
but it is not necessary.

OK, so, I know you're skeptical...
believe me, I never thought this would work.
And, I really didn't want to take a chance on
my clothes smelling like vinegar,
so I used it on a load of my husband's clothes first!
(don't tell him about this, either)

It worked!
I was a little worried when I opened the washing machine
and got a little whiff of vinegar,
but it goes away completely in the dryer.
Our clothes are drying faster,
and it helps to clean the washing machine.

Are our clothes Downey soft?
Well, not quite, but close enough for me.
I'll probably still throw a dryer sheet in
with the towels and sheets,
but overall, I'm very satisfied with the results.

The cost...
about 6 cents per load.

homemade laundry detergent

*4 cups hot tap water
*1 fels-naptha soap bar
*1/2 cup borax
*1 cup washing soda
(all items can be purchased in the laundry aisle of Kroger)

*grate the fels-naptha bar...

(Looks like grated cheese)

*add grated soap to hot tap water
*simmer and stir on med-low
until all of the soap bar is dissolved
(Now, I'm thinking beer-cheese soup.)

*fill 5 gallon bucket half full with hot tap water
*pour melted soap, borax, and washing soda into bucket
*stir until all is dissolved

*fill bucket with hot tap water and stir some more
*cover and let sit overnight to thicken

*the next day stir again
(it has a jello-like texture - so keep stirring)

 

*fill a clean, empty container
(laundry detergent bottle, milk jug, etc.)
half full of laundry soap
*fill the rest of the way with water
*optional:  add several drops of your favorite essential oil
*shake it before each use
*1 cup per load

I'll do the math for you -
10 gallons of laundry detergent
160 loads of laundry
less than .06 cents per load!

...and I still have plenty borax and washing soda!
So, grab a bucket and a fels-naptha bar and come on over!

(recipe courtesy of: Brandy Hand)