Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Don't Steal Tide...Try This!

I just saw a news story about a rise in the theft of Tide laundry detergent.  Apparently laundry soap can be quite expensive...I haven't bought a bottle of laundry detergent in over 3 years.  My family is not wearing crunchy, crusty, smelly clothes that haven't been washed in 3 years...in fact their clothes are more clean then they were when I was buying laundry detergent!  I have been making my own laundry detergent.  I have a front load washer and the soap is better than any other I have ever used.  It is FAR cheaper and lasts so much longer.  I make a 2 gallon batch ever few months (I have a family of 5 and do at least one load of laundry every day)

Recipe:  You will need; a "soap" pot* (I bought mine at Goodwill), a cheese grater* (also from Goodwill), a large bucket, Fels Naptha Bar, 20 Mule Team Borax, and Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
*These items only be used for soap making.  Not for food!

Grate 1/3 of the Fels Naptha bar and place into pot with 2 quarts of water and simmer on low until fully melted
Then put 1/2 cup of 20 Mule Team Borax and 1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda into pot slowly until mixed in (soap will begin to thicken)
Remove from heat and pour into bucket with just under 2 gallons of hot water
Let the mixture sit over night and then it is ready to use!
Mixture may separate (especially in cold temps) just stir or shake and it is good to go.

TIPS:  ~ I collected some empty laundry bottles and pour my homemade soap into the bottles for easy pouring.
~I cut the Fels Naptha Bar into 1/3's and grate each portion and place them into snack size baggies so they are ready to use.
~Pre-measure the Borax and washing soda into baggies so they too are ready to use.

This laundry soap is dye free and perfume free for sensitive skin.  It is very very affordable!  One box of Borax and Washing soda has lasted 2 years.  So give it a try...you won't be sorry :)

 

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