Homemade Laundry detergents

[silly_sammy]

I thought maybe we could share recipes.

The one I make is:

two cups grated soap
Two cups washing soda
One cup Borax

My secret is using a pestle and mortar to get a fine sand texture.
Also, a teaspoon of vinegar once the wash starts :)

[diggernotdreamer]

Hi Sammy, how many washes does this do?

[happyhippy]

For mine you need a big container with a handle and lid.
Mix 2 cups of soap flakes with 4 cups of water,and heat on stove gently.Fill a coffee mug with soda crystals,and pour on boiling water,stirring.When disolved carefully add this to the soap mixture.Keep stirring and it will thicken quite alot.When mixed,pour this into your big container and then use the pot to top up with hot water.Initially this mix will be quite thin looking but once left overnight,it will go thick again.Use one cup per load of washing.

[silly_sammy]

Hi Sammy, how many washes does this do?

I dont know how many exactly, but it lasts ages as you only use around a tablespoon per load.

[silly_sammy]

happy hippy, I would love to give this a go! Do you ever have problems with it not washing through? Do you put the detergent in the drawer or machine? I used a recipie once that called for putting it in the drum and came out with residue still left

[southeast-isher]

you could try adding some soapnut into the mix

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapindus

[happyhippy]

Silly Sammy:No residue on clothing.I use one cup per load in the drawer of the washing machine,It also keeps the limescale down on your machine.I had a front loader and it lasted 10 yrs without any maintenance/problems.I only brought a new machine because I had mine in an out house and it went rusty.When we moved house,I could'nt tolerate looking at the rust so replaced it lol You can use white vinegar to soften clothes and also essential oil for a nice smell.