If you are like me and are hesitant to use a strong insecticide that has been labeled as "Hazardous waste" according to the MSDS, this is a Borax-free laundry detergent recipe. The only purpose of the Borax is to be a fabric brightener and deodorizer, and what white, non-toxic powder do we know that also does that? Yes, baking soda! :-D So, this recipe simply replaces the borax with baking soda, no biggie.
You will need:
*1 five gallon bucket
*1 cup (Aprox. 1 bar) of an all natural or organic bar soap, shredded
*4 cups water
*1 cup washing soda (Or you can use "pH Up" found in the pool supplies section of stores during the summer, same thing, sodium carbonate.)
*3/4 cup baking soda (or borax if you feel comfortable using it)
*aprox. 16 ounces of an essential oil for fragrance if desired and afforded
*HOT tap water
Directions:
1- Heat the shredded soap and 4 cups of water on the stove, stirring constantly, until all soap solids have dissolved.
2- Add washing soda and baking soda to the hot soap mixture and stir until dissolved. Turn off heat.
3- Fill the five gallon bucket with HOT water, then add the soap mixture, stirring until blended.
4- Cover the bucket and let sit overnight (8-10 hours). It should be the consistency of a liqui-gel when it is done setting.
5- Fill your soap containers halfway with the solution. Fill the rest of the way with cold tap water and shake it up really well.
*Note: If you do not want to have to fill another container and dilute, you can make it a concentrate by just leaving it in the bucket and using half as much per load. Usually, about 1/2 cup per load concentrate for really dirty clothes. That's what I do, it's easier. :-)
Ok, so I did this and it came out a little clumpy! There was sort of a thick residue on the top of the 5 gallon bucket....I'm using it anyway...will let you know how it turns out :)
ReplyDeleteYes, there should normally be thick, gel-like clumps on the top if it, and it can also look kind of powdery too. Just stir it in really well, should work fine. :-) That's the way mine turns out each time. :-)
ReplyDelete*powdery coating on the top.
ReplyDeleteok,I did this for the first time tonight just got finished and I am letting it sit over night. I did as follows only thing I did is add 1/3 of a bar of the Fels Naptha soap bar. Looks like chicken broth right now?
ReplyDeleteok I just found this lastnight and i made it tonight, just got finished. I did as above only thing I did different is add 1/3 Fels Naptha soap bar. Look like chicken broth right now. Does that sound right so far?
ReplyDeleteThat sounds about right. Let me know how it turns out in the morning. Should be a liqui-gel like consistency after you stir it in well.
ReplyDeleteok thanks. I will let you know in the morning :)
ReplyDelete16 OUNCES of essential oil?!!! Is that right? Where do you find essential oils in that quantity?
ReplyDeleteThat is correct because this is a concentrated recipe, but you can alter it as you need to, or opt not to use it. I get my EOs from www.camdengrey.com
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