I wanted to record this recipe and thought I'd go ahead and write a blog in case anybody else was also curious about the process and results.
I'm always looking for ways to make my life easier. I know what you are thinking...making laundry detergent...how is that easier than just buying it? Well, if this works, I think this little canister should last me 5- 6 months. Plus, sensitive skin runs in this family and I kinda like knowing what's in it. You know those "soap people" have me wondering. Why do the containers have to be so large and heavy? What is in it? Why is the cap/scoop so much larger than the amount you really need? Hmmm....you know what I think, I think it's because they lye. :) Quite possibly my worst Mom joke ever. Let's be real here, I just can't afford the space/weight in my Prime Pantry box during winter hibernation!
I altered the recipe slightly that I found on this site. I am making a half batch this first time around. I was not able to find OxiClean Baby at Walmart or Target, so I went with the regular Oxi Clean. It doesn't rate as high on the environmental scale but decided since it is the first time making it to use what I normally have on hand. I also used a different brand of castile soap - Dr. Bronner's Unscented Baby-Mild, which I found at Whole Foods. If you want your detergent to be scented they have a large variety of scents there. I got the washing soda and baking soda at Walmart, check the laundry aisle where you normally buy your detergent...it should be there.
Ingredients:
Arm & Hammer Laundry Booster Super Washing Soda 3 lb. 7oz. box - use 1/2 box
Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda 4 lb. box - use 1/2 box
5 scoops Oxo Clean Versatile Stain Remover (which is half the container)
2 - 5 oz. bars Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castille Soap Unscented Baby Mild
Makes approx 11-12 cups detergent
*Here is how I mixed it. I hand grated the baby soap just like a block of cheese. Then I mixed about a cup or so of the grated soap with a cup or so of the baking soda into my mini-Ninja processor. I pulsed it for just 20-30 seconds or so until it was very fine powder (resembling the baking soda), then dumped it into a large pot. (*I have no idea what grating soap will do to your kitchen tools so if you are concerned you should do some research first. I think it made mine cleaner?). Continue that process with the remaining grated soap and baking soda. The rest of the ingredients you just dump into the pot and stir together. It took about 30 minutes to make because AJ was helping. :)
Then you just get yourself a container and 1 Tbsp scoop. Use 1 Tbsp per load, maybe 2 at most if you have a super dirty load. I know what you are thinking "ONE Tablespoon?" How can that possibly be enough when I normally use about 1/2 cup of liquid detergent. I'm also curious! I'm hoping it's as much success as switching from dryer sheets to dryer balls was!
Wish me luck! (& stay tuned for an update!)
amy
PS. While on the topic of laundry, I recently finished painting my laundry closet. The third time it's been painted in 10 years and I landed on (drumroll please) .....WHITE! Hee hee got to love the irony in that. And yes I painted two coats (again, er I mean for the third time) behind the washing machine and dryer. I think I may have had some sort of breakthrough this time though because I actually wast wondering while crouched under there paintbrush in one hand, flashlight in the other, where my mind has gone. I mean I still had to do that second coat though. But I love it! So fresh and so clean clean. Let me just enjoy this moment without thinking about how many loads of laundry are stacked up...
