DIY Liquid Laundry Detergent
We’re a family of 8, which is gigantic according to modern day standards. So as you can imagine laundry is a large part of my life 🙂 Read one of my previous blog posts “Laundry Basket Mission Field” and you will see how I make the best of the loads and loads I do each week. One day I was watching one of my favorite TV families and they explained how they saved their family (which is triple the size of mine) money by making their own Landry detergent. I thought it was a pretty genius idea, and I decided to try for myself. Once I used up the last of my name brand $12 detergent and spent the money I would to replace that bottle to buy all the ingredients to make my own detergent. That was nearly 4 years ago now, and we haven’t looked back! I encourage you to also try the very easy DIY fabric softener/ dryer sheets. That recipe is listed below. Happy Laundry 🙂
6 Cups Water
1/3 Cup Zote Flakes or 1 Bar Fels Naptha Soap GRATED
2 Cups Borax
2 Cups Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
1 Cup Ammonia (optional)
5 Gallon Bucket With Lid
Old Liquid Detergent Bottles
In a large pot boil 6 cups of water. Once there is a good rolling boil add in Borax and washing soda, and Zote flakes gradually alternating between the three ingredients. Stir until evenly combined, dissolved, and melted all together and there is little to no “grit” at the bottom. Then pour contents into 5 gallon bucket and add ammonia. Stir until well combined, the fill bucket with tap water until full. This mixture must sit overnight before use! It is best to transfer your solution into containers immediately, to prevent a more difficult transfer after the detergent has started to gel. Fill each container a little less then half full with more water before adding in our detergent solution. Store in the a cool place over night, or at least 12 hours.
Use 1/2-3-4 cup for each load depending on how soiled your laundry is.
DIY Fabric Softner / Dryer Sheets
I’ve been making my own laundry detergent, and fabric softener for our family of 6 for over a year and I will NEVER go back to store bought. Even if I wanted to I’m convinced Erick wouldn’t let me because it simply saves so much money! It takes me roughly 15 minutes to whip up a batch that lasts our family easy 2 months! If you’re new to DIYing then here’s an easy recipe for fabric softener to get you started. I promise it won’t be long and you’ll be wanting to make everything yourself once you discover how easy and fun it is!
3 Cups white vinegar
1 Bottle hair conditioner (12.5 oz)
6 Cups HOT water
Bowl
Whisk
Container (with lid) for storage
Pour entire bottle of conditioner into bowl and quickly whisk in hot water until there are no clumps. Add in vinegar until well combined and smooth. Pour into old fabric softener bottle. If you prefer dryer sheets like I do pour into plastic food storage container and cut regular kitchen sponges in half and put them into the container to soak. These “sheets” can be reused over and over and over again! Just toss 2-3 into the dryer with your clothes the same as you would store bought dryer sheets 🙂
DIY “Jet Dry”
3/4 Cup vinegar
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 old rinsed out dish soap bottle
Liquid measuring cup
Using liquid measuring cup pour both ingredients into dish soap bottle. Shake well to combine. Shake well before each use! Squirt into your dishwasher rinsing agent compartment. The results will blow your mind and since most homes already have both these ingredients this is essentially FREE!!! And if it’s free is for ME!
My Titus 2 life 