Homemade Laundry Cleaner Recipe

 After reviewing many recipes, I’ve settled on the following one.  It seems to work best with our hard water, large loads and our front loading machine.  It is really easy and makes enough for about 150 loads.  Some complaints are that it is “goopy” and that it is a bit difficult to manage such a large amount.  While these are valid, I believe the incredible savings – nearly $30 per batch, based on an equal number of loads of regular HE detergent – more than offset the inconvenience.  All of the ingredients can be found at our local grocer, but not at Wal-Mart.  If you have soft water, reducing the amount of washing soda and borax might be better for you.  I have seen recipes with as little as 1/2 cup of each.  Experiment a bit to find what works for you.

Note:  I have only use laundry soap, but some recipes say that a “natural” bar soap can be used.  Be sure it is one without “moisturizers”.  These oils will leave a residue in clothes.  I am recording this here in case I cannot find laundry bar soap and am in a pinch.

Ingredients: 

Hot Water

1 Laundry Soap Bar like Zote or Fels Naptha (I sometimes have difficulty finding Fels Naptha, but like it better).

2 cups Washing Soda (Arm & Hammer - not the same as baking soda)

2 cups Borax Laundry Booster

1 cup Thieves household cleaner (optional - for spot removing/disinfecting)

*Grate the bar of soap and add to a large saucepan with hot water.  Stir over low heat until the soap dissolves completely.

*Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot water.  Add the melted soap, washing soda, and borax.  Stir very well until all the powder is dissolved.  Add Thieves, if desired, and top the pail with more hot water.  Stir well.  Leave open until thickened.  The longer you leave it open, the more it will gel. 

*Ladle into a clean old laundry detergent container (I use an ice cream bucket).  Store the rest covered in the bucket.

*Use ½ cup per load, shaking (or whisking) before each use.

Homemade Dryer Sponges

This is really easy, but saves a lot of money.  Buy your favorite liquid fabric softener for the washer.  Dilute the softener with twice as much water and store in a covered container.  Soak a sponge in the liquid and squeeze gently.  Add to wet clothes in the dryer and then dry as usual.  Use the same sponge again and again.  Softens clothes and leaves them smelling fresh for a fraction of the cost.  My only suggestion is to be careful tossing your soaked sponge in a dryer full of white clothes.  I once had downy blue spots on my white shirt.  They did wash out, but I just thought I would let you know. Live and learn :-)