Jul. 17, 2005 - I'm a Frugal Mom: Part II Homemade Laundry Detergents
Well, Ive finally done it! I made my own laundry detergent. I saw some posts about making detergent on a homeschooling message board several weeks ago, but it took me a while to finally try it. What took me so long? I was intimidated by locating the ingredients, finding a storage container, and finding the time. Could the finished product possibly be as effective as the expensive, commercial stuff? When I finally committed to just doing it, I was pleasantly surprised by the results.
The Ingredients: Locating the ingredients for homemade laundry detergent seemed like a difficult task. However, when I finally gave in to the idea of actually looking in my grocery store I found the ingredients quite easy to locate. They were all available in one store! If you cannot locate ingredients, see the website Soaps Gone Buy. Even with the shipping charges you will save money in the long run.
The Recipes: Below are recipes for both powdered and wet detergent. I have new front-loading, high-capacity, energy efficient washers and needed to make sure that the recipe I chose yielded little suds. It turns out that all of the recipes claim to make little or no suds. My experience with the powdered detergent showed no suds at all, which is normal the detergent is quite effective even with the absence of suds. (I have not tried the wet version but I have heard that it also yields low suds)
The Process: Hmmmm. Perhaps the easiest part was actually making the detergent. All I did was throw all the ingredients into a food processor and voila! Detergent! Hint: Save the measuring cups from your current detergent to use for both measuring ingredients and scooping the finished product.
The Storage Container: For now I am using a Ziploc bag and an old detergent measuring cup. These work just fine. To be fancy though, I ordered an old fashioned one-gallon jar with a screw top lid. The jar is clear so I can easily see how much detergent I have left.
The Cost: Oh how I love to report this! For about $8 I was able to buy all the ingredients. I cannot give an exact period in which these ingredients will run out, but let me say that they will last a long, long time. I will do better measurements next time I make a batch and report an estimate on how far my $8 will go.
Washing: I use my homemade detergent just as I did commercial detergent except I use it in much, much smaller amounts. For a large load of laundry, I add 2 tablespoons of homemade detergent. Our clothes come out smelling, looking, and feeling clean. My husband did not notice a change at all even in our sheets.
RECIPES These and additional recipes can be found at the Frugal Shopper.
Powdered Laundry Detergent
1 Cup Grated Fels Naptha Soap
1/2 Cup Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Borax
For light load, use 1 tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 tablespoons.
See HERE for the canisters in which I store my detergent.
Liquid Laundry Detergent
3 Pints Water
1/3 Bar Fels Naptha Soap, Grated
1/2 Cup Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Borax
2 Gallon Bucket
1 Quart Hot Water
Hot Water
Mix Fels Naptha soap in a saucepan with 3 pints of water, and heat on low until dissolved. Stir in Washing Soda and Borax. Stir until thickened, and remove from heat. Add 1 Quart Hot Water to 2 Gallon Bucket. Add soap mixture, and mix well. Fill bucket with hot water, and mix well. Set aside for 24 hours, or until mixture thickens. Use 1/2 cup of mixture per load.
See HERE for the canisters in which I store my detergent.
Comments
Jul. 17, 2005 - Hmmm....
Posted by redmom
You've got me considering it. What is "washing soda"?
Jul. 17, 2005 - Interesting...
Posted by crewchief
This is very interesting. I may have to give it a whirl. I've never heard of some of that stuff, though. I'm with the commenter above me...what is washing soda?? And you just got this stuff at your regular store?
Jul. 18, 2005 - Keep Us Posted!
Posted by DandelionSeeds
I use Shaklee laundry detergent for the simple reason, it really works on stains! I got permanent marker (the stain had been there for over a year!). I'm always looking for a deal though, so let me know how it works on stains, and how is it for those allergic to other dertergents?
In Him,
Amy
Jul. 18, 2005 - Way to go.......
Posted by Cherese
I have been making our laundry detergent now for about 1 year! And my family has yet to complain about their clothes! Something I have learned, vinegar in the rinse cycle is a good fabric softener, and a piece of foil balled up in the dryer helps with static....the foil can be used over and over and over! Good luck, and keep us updated!
Jul. 18, 2005 - Thanks for this!
Posted by Anonymous
Thanks for the recipes and the fact that you did try it and like the results! I've been curious as to how to make my own (I'm really wanting to become more frugal), so tomorrow I will go and try to locate the ingredients and give it a shot! Thanks!
Mar. 19, 2008 - Homemade Laundry Detergent
Posted by Matt Johnson
Soap Nuts (Soapnuts) The Environmental Detergent
Have you ever thought about all the chemicals that we pour down the drain daily? What impact do they have on our environment? What does this mean for our childrens future? How can we minimize the harmful chemicals we use & save the environment at the same time? Soap Nuts are the answer.
What are Soap Nuts?
Soap Nuts are not actually nuts at all, but berries (also known as soap berries) that grow on trees in India & Nepal. They contain high concentrations of saponin, which acts as a natural soap when it comes into contact with water.
What can I use Soap Nuts for?
The most common & easiest use of soap nuts is as a laundry detergent. Just place three or four half-shells of soap nuts in a muslin bag (provided with most soap nuts orders) and throw it in with your laundry instead of regular detergent and you are on your way to becoming environmentally friendly. When using soap nuts in your laundry, you do not even need a rinse cycle, thus preventing gallons of water from unnecessarily going down the drain. If you want to expand your soap nuts into a multi-purpose cleaner, simply boil 100 g of soap nuts in 12 cups (3L) of water for 30 minutes. Fish out the shells, throw them in your compost, & you are left with a highly concentrated, natural, liquid detergent. For more applications, visit http://SoapNuts.Wordpress.com
How does the use of Soap Nuts affect Grey Water?
Soap nuts are antimicrobial. After their detergent goes into the sewer system, it helps break down the grey water into a more usable form. The use of soap nuts actually benefit the environment, rather than hurting it as the harmful chemicals we use do. Because of their unique antimicrobial properties, soap nuts are also used in aid of soil restoration.
What harmful chemicals are found in my regular laundry detergent?
Regular laundry detergents may contain any or all of the following:
Enzymes Are a skin sensitizer, but may cause dermatitis and allergic reactions
Sodium Hypochlorite Causes lung irritations, bronchial or respiratory reactions, cardiovascular damage, as well as eye and skin damage.
Nonylphenoxy Ethoxylates Is an edocrine disruptor, and can cause an activation of cellular estrogen receptors (even at low levels) This is implicated in causes of a rise in breast and prostate cancer, infertility issues, a decline in amphibian populations and the reversal / feminization of birds, fish or reptiles.
Are Soap Nuts Gentle on my skin?
Yes. Soap nuts contain no chemicals, and are therefore non-allergenic. Many people (myself included) who suffered from eczema and other skin irritations have seen their problems diminish after switching to soap nuts as a laundry detergent.
How does my Purchase of Soap Nuts affect India & Nepal?
Your purchase of soap nuts is beneficial to both the economy & environment of India & Nepal. In these two countries, there are many poor people. Because soap nuts are plentiful, they become non-saleable locally. Therefore, soap nut trees become more valuable & marketable as firewood than for the environmentally friendly soap nuts that they grow. When soap nuts are marketed overseas, it employs local residents to harvest them, which in turn, stimulates the economy. At the same time, it makes the trees more valuable living than dead. This helps save our tropical forests.
Soap Nuts are the Environmental Detergent.
The use of soap nuts reduces the use of harmful chemicals, helps in restoring our polluted earth, and saves our tropical forests. Isnt it time you did your part in painting a greener future for our children?
For more information on soap nuts & pricing visit http://Stores.HotterThanHealth.com
