Cheap Fabric Softner

I received a lot of positive emails and facebook comments from my post about homemade laundry detergent, so I decided to try a new fabric softener too. To be honest, the only time I ever use fabric softener is when one of my kids has an "accident." One of my children has severe allergies and so we don't use anything scented; however, I typically need a little "extra" when laundering those accidents out. Previously, I used scent-free dryer sheets but I heard that they may contain chemicals so I switched to dryer balls. The balls are okay, but everything comes out full of static. So my Mom mentioned an alternative to the Downy I had been using, but I wasn't convinced. I figured my clothes would smell funny. Have you guessed? Have you tried it? It's VINEGAR! I used it today on 5 loads of laundry and I think the clothes are actually softer than with the Downy. I used around 1/4 cup per load and everything came out smelling clean and fresh! There is still some slight static cling out of the dryer but it was much better than when I don't use anything but the dryer balls. I'm sold and plan on keeping a gallon of white distilled vinegar in the laundry room from now on! :)

Happy Laundering!

Homemade Laundry Detergent!

I love finding homemade alternatives to items I previously purchased in a store...my new favorite one is homemade laundry detergent. The soap recipe I used is found in the book, The Duggars: 20 and Counting! Now, here is where I reveal how clueless I am. :) One of the ingredients is "washing soda" and I had no idea what it was. I actually thought it might even come carbonated in a bottle!!!! I hope that some of you reading this can relate to me right now, and secretly don't have a clue either! I would imagine that there are others laughing at me right now - it's all good, I love to learn new things! Anyway, after doing some internet research I found out what washing soda was and how it is similar to baking soda. So after searching all over town and realizing that no one had washing soda, I found that I could substitute baking soda. Since I was so clueless in my initial endeavor, I thought I would share how to make laundry detergent and describe it as simply as possible. Therefore, I decided that I would try to take after my sister-in-law and post pictures with instructions...Katie, I hope I do you justice! :)

Needed: 1 Fels Naptha Soap Bar, grated

1 Cup Washing Soda (I used Baking Soda)

1/2 Cup Borax

5 Gallon bucket with cover

Grater

Small saucepan

That's it! That's all you need for (...wait for it...) 10 GALLONS of laundry detergent! No kidding, you will seriously get TEN GALLONS of laundry detergent!!! The best part, is that the whole things costs LESS THAN $2.00 to make! I even saw that Wal-mart is now carrying the Fels Naptha soap bars so they're easy to find and cheap - around a buck. Okay - so here's how to make it:

Grate the soap bar into a small saucepan. (notice the thumb? Hee-Hee)

Mmmm...this Thumby Mummy thinks it looks yummy enough to eat...but DON'T DO IT! - remember it's soap! :)

Cover the soap with hot water.

Cook over medium-low heat, stirring continually until soap completely dissolves.

Put washing soda (I used baking soda) and Borax in a 5 gallon bucket.

Pour in the hot, melted soap mixture. Stir well, until all the powder is dissolved.

Fill the bucket to the top with hot tap water.

Stir, cover securely and let sit overnight.

The next morning, stir the mixture.

Mix equal amounts of soap concentrate and water in a smaller laundry detergent dispenser or container.

(Each of my containers used 6 cups of detergent and 6 cups of water)

Store the additional detergent and use as needed.

I now have containers neatly stored in my laundry drawers and enough laundry detergent to last a LONG time!

Before each use, shake container. Top Loading machine requires 1 Cup per load and Front Loading (High Efficiency) machines only need 1/3 Cup!

I should add that I laundered several loads in my front loader machine before putting the instructions on my blog. I washed sheets, stinky socks, clothing, winter coats, hats and mittens - everything came out clean and fresh!

Good luck - I promise it's easy to do!