Ok not a tasty treat but I thought I would give the Duggar Laundry Detergent a try!
I think it turned out quite well and my first loads of laundry are clean and fresh!
the first batch lasted me a good 3 months with 3 little boys having a very dirty summer!!!
Second Batch I modified a bit!!! Look for Edits in RED
Overall I think the second batch came out better, feels a little more "commercial" thickness
Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine
4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*(second batch I used 1.5 cups)
½ Cup Borax(second batch I used 3/4 cup)
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*(second batch I used 1.5 cups)
½ Cup Borax(second batch I used 3/4 cup)
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water.
Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved.
edit for 2nd batch. I added the melted soap, borax and washing soda to the bucket FIRST and dissolved the powder before adding any water, then added 1/2 bucket of water, mixed well, then filled it. It seemed to distribute MUCH easier and started thickening IMMEDIATELY! And i felt there was less clumping of the borax...which I found to be an issues as I neared the end of the first batch
edit for 2nd batch. I added the melted soap, borax and washing soda to the bucket FIRST and dissolved the powder before adding any water, then added 1/2 bucket of water, mixed well, then filled it. It seemed to distribute MUCH easier and started thickening IMMEDIATELY! And i felt there was less clumping of the borax...which I found to be an issues as I neared the end of the first batch
Fill bucket to top with more hot water.
Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap(EDIT AUG 2010--I fill it about 2/3-full and fill it with water from there)
and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)
-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
EDIT AUG 2010--- I used about 50 drops to up the scent!!!
-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)
*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased at Alice.com
Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!
You are the BEST! AS if you didn't know that already. I've been looking for something like this for awhile! I'll try this out when I get a chance!
ReplyDeleteI doubled the essential oils and I am thinking of adding even more. The scent is just a little TOO mild. I LOVE good smells!
ReplyDeleteGood smells are..well good :) ha. I just have to find somewhere to store this stuff. Does it work well on good stains? My kids are masters at making them. There isn't a laundry that I like yet, maybe this will be it!
ReplyDeleteOddly enough my boys are not big stainers....but so far I think it is cleaning pretty well. The Fels Naptha soap is an excellent stain remover....
ReplyDeleteAlso everyone please note that this detergent does NOT suds up like commercial stuff. That is why it works so well in HE machines. It also is quite a bit thinner than commercial detergents. I found that cutting it 2/3 and 1/3 water instead of 1/2 and 1/2 made it feel a little more like "regular"
ReplyDelete