Healthy on a budget, Homemade Laundry Soap.....

In case you haven't notice, there are MANY people talking about their budgets lately. The economy, the price of everything, and how they will ever survive. Trust me, we have felt it too, being a family of almost 10.... it hurts! So I have decided to share a few tips and tricks that keep this houseful afloat!


Homemade Laundry Detergent

This really is easy! I was in the middle of washing, Mt. Washmore yesterday... and ran out of our first round of homemade soap. What did I do??? I made more!! I loaded the washer, started it with the last of what I had, and then made more within maybe 15-20 minutes. The kids always get a kick out of making our own laundry soap! There's something "fun" to a kid, about it. It's so easy, I usually have a few helpers.

UPDATED~ 2 Cups of baking soda {see update below}
2 bars of Kirks Castile soap OR Fels Naptha Soap bars
2 cups of washing soda
2 cups of borax
{all of which I have found at our local grocery stores... interesting, you use to only be able to find the borax local!}
Water

Grate the soap, this is probably the hardest part.... and trust me it's not hard. Add 2 quarts of hot water to a large pot. Place on the stove on a low setting. Add the soap, stir continually until dissolved. Add borax and washing soda. Stir until thickens, over low heat.
Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full with hot water. Add the soap mixture. Add more water to fill not quite full.
Funnel into recycled detergent bottles {or vinegar bottles, as I use!}
Shake before use.


I also add vinegar to my rinse cycle as a fabric softener.
When I wash our cloth diapers, I add 2-4 or so scoops {about 1 tablespoon each} baking soda to the wash.
If I am washing something that could use an extra boost to help with stains, I add a little more borax to the wash too.
This doesn't sud up like other detergents, but it still cleans just as well.

UPDATE~
I think I found a better recipe! This last batch I used Fels Naptha bars, and added 2 cups of baking soda. I also add Oxi clean to the beginning cycle. By the way, this makes bubbles, there's just something about bubbles in the washer!!!! Along with those, I do the same directions as above.