Skip to main content

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.

Comments

  1. that is pretty cool. i might have to try it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have seen that exact brand of liquid castile soap. I am thinking of purchasing some and using it next. See I have a new baby about to be born, and was thinking that might be a lot easier!!!
    I have seen people use baking soda instead of washing soda. I use both! I add the baking soda to the wash, especially if it's towels and cloth diapers! The baking soda is amazing for anything stinky!!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sugar, oh sugar!!!

okay so as i have stated, we don't eat sugar. This being said, we do eat natural cane {also known as turbinado} sugar, honey, stevia and agava. I do try to limit this. I figure to some degree sugar is sugar, and not good, even in it's natural state. I don't want to get into a "sugar fight" with anyone! So all I am going to say, is it's quite common knowledge that sugar isn't good for you. I am a sugar lover! Always have been, I'm sure. I have a very, very, very sweet tooth. Sugar was hard for me to give up. Which is why I am so thankful for so many natural sweeteners! The reason we stopped, was knowledge, we started studying sugar, and learning about it, and we had to stop. As for our family, we had to give it up all or nothing, we are a cold turkey kind of family!!! We have tried to give up sugar, oh I don't know around 100 times!!! This time it finally stuck. The more I read, the more I study the more I am so thankful for that decision. So how di...

Winter/Seasons/Snowflake Bentley Unit

I am preparing, gathering and getting ready to begin {again} our unit with the littler A's about Seasons/Winter/Snowflake Bentley and Balto! I haven't gotten anything yet on Balto, he's later into our unit, so I am not there yet!! We started it the day I purchased it, I was so excited to do it!!! However I decided I better take a few moments and plan what we will be doing!!! SLOW DOWN!! I just wanted to put a few links here I have found. Since I believe in giving credit, where credit is due.... I will link you directly to the posts I stole, or I mean took my ideas from! {someone help, I forgot how to cross out words on my blog??!!??} I started with this, Download and Go Winter Wonders We are planning on extending these to the max!! Some days, might go 2-3 days, some might go a week or more. Alot will depend on the kids, and my ability! Then I found some more fun ideas Spell Out Loud, is doing the same download and go activities, and she has some wonderful links, mostly for...

and that's why we don't eat sugar.....