Never-ending tasks….
Laundry day…it is much more fun in the summer yet it continues to be an un-ending task that many moms loathe.
I have found that I can save money by simply running the dryer less, at the local Amish store I got a large drying rack for only $39.99, it is worth it’s weight in gold. I also use any extra hangers I have to pull out shirts that are going to be hung and dry them on the shower curtain rod.
Also making my laundry detergent was much easier and much less expensive than purchasing the eco friendly one I love so much! Seventh Generation is a wonderful company and they take so much time to educate and make sure their products do not leave an ugly footprint behind them. I will most likely never depart from their Lavender and Blue Spruce fabric softener.
The recipes are tried and true and I’d love to share them with you!
maglia roma
DIY Detergent
1 bar of Castile soap, shredded (I prefer DR. Bronner’s Lavender)
A & H Washing Soda
Borax
Add 2 cups of washing soda and 2 cups of Borax to a large bowl and mix. (protect your nose, it’s dusty) Next I add in the shredded soap and stir that in well.
I took and extra step and ran the final mix through my food processor, this made the powder finer and more easily dissolvable.
Use 1/8 to 1/4 cop to a load, increase for dirtier ones.
Stain Remover
2 parts warm water
1 part peroxide
1 part washing soda
Mix all together in a bowl, make sure soda dissolves. Pour into a sprayer and keep in the dark for best results.
DIY Non-Toxic Bleach
Gallon Jug
1 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide (I use 3%)
1/2 cup pure lemon juice
10 to 12 drops leom essential oil (if desired, does not affect cleaning ability)
Distilled water to fill the jug.
Simply mix everything in the jug, label and use 1 cup per load of whites.
Lastly…
DIY Fabric Refresher (Febreeze without all the toxic crap)
32 oz sprayer
30 oz. distilled water
1/8 cup liquid fabric softener (I use my beloved 7th Gen Lavender and Blue Spruce, amazing)
2 tbsp. baking soda
Mix in a large bowl and make sure soda dissolves. Put in sprayer, label it and use, shaking before each time.
I took the incentive to use a sharpie and just write the recipe on my containers, this makes it very easy to replenish.
Also, distilled water is really just water that is boiled down. After every cup of tea there is something left in the teapot, I stopre this under my sink in a jug just for my cleaning recipes!
Enjoy!
I am curious about the use of Borax in your laundry detergent recipe. Do you consider it safe to use? I’ve read different reports arguing for and against Borax. On the EWG website it says it is highly toxic, but someone else told me that is only if you ingest it. What are your thoughts? I would like to make my own laundry detergent to save money, but have been uncertain about using Borax. thanks!
I found this very good description about Borax and where it comes from…some boring scientifica data but worth the read. It is not stored in the body and it naturally occurring, I am not eating it just washing in it so I feel safe. Read on and see what you think…
http://www.crunchybetty.com/getting-to-the-bottom-of-borax-is-it-safe-or-not
Ok thank you. I will look at the article!