Suds Up

I will be the first to tell you that I am no Susy-Homemaker. In fact, I love the cleaners, keep the bakeries in business and would hire a housekeeper if our finances permitted. But due to a few factors, I have made recent efforts to change my ways of thinking and my factors of convenience. 

When I went to college at Texas Tech, I had never done a single load of laundry. Saying I was a bit spoiled and sheltered would be an understatement.  

My roommate (who had also never done laundry) and I were quite a site the first time our laundry baskets runeth over.  We wore the same underwear for a few days weeks and then decided it was time to dive into this scary world of l.a.u.n.d.r.y.  

Her mom had been kind enough to make 3x5 note cards that told what color clothes to wash together, the type of cycle setting and water temperature to use with each load. We laid all of the note cards around the room and then began to take each garment one by one and find it's corresponding card.  

And then, and then, and then there were the daunting machines. We were lost in the big basement of washing machines trying to figure out how to actually use them without flooding our dorm.  Let's just say that I will show my children this small necessity before sending them off to fend for themselves! 

Recently I posted about my efforts to cut cost and go green here.  At the end, I posted a recipe for home made laundry soap.  I was really excited to try the cost-cutting recipe and so I searched the town over looking for Washing Soda but never had any luck. The only place I could find it was on the internet. I debated about ordering it because after adding shipping to the cost, I would not be saving as much money.  I had finally decided to place an order and then Amy brought me a sample of the laundry soap she had made using the same recipe but replacing the Washing Soda with Baking Soda. The internet research I have found points out the differences between the two (basically saying Washing Soda consumes two equivalents of acid while Baking Soda consumes one...simply put; Washing Soda is stronger), but I decided to cancel my order for Washing Soda and first try the recipe using Baking Soda. 

I've been very pleased with the soap and it cost me a small amount. All of the items cost me less than $6 and this will make at least 6 batches of detergent. 

The entire process took me less than 15 minutes and was super easy. 

I am using this recipe.

Supplies Needed: Borax, Washing/Baking Soda, 1 bar of soap your choice (I used Dove Sensitive because 1. I love Dove,  2. I thought the sensitive would be mild on my kids skin and 3. I had it!

Heat 4 cups of water to a boil 

While the water is heating grate your bar of soap. You can also use a knife to cut it into small pieces, but grating it was easy and fast.

After the water is boiling reduce the heat to low and as it is simmering, add small handfuls of the soap. Stir the water and soap. As it dissolves, add more soap until all is dissolved.

Fill a large container with 3 gallons of warm water (or 48 cups for you non-mathmaticians). 

To the warm water add: 1 cup of Washing/Baking Soda, 1/2 cup Borax (This is optional. It makes the soap stronger. I like it.), and the soapy water mixture. 

Mix thoroughly, cover and let the solution set for 24 hours.

The color and consistency will vary depending on your soap choice and water. My detergent is a liquid and white, but any consistency will work. 

Use 1 cup of laundry soap per load.

I've kept an old laundry scoop for using with the liquid. 

If I tell you something is easy, you can guarantee it really is easy. This was simple, works great and is very cost efficient. The math on the recipe I used shows that if done 6 times one will save over $70. I can think of many other things to do with $70 other than buying laundry detergent!

If you can find Washing Soda, I would suggest using that and if you do please pass along where you found it. 

Are you going to try it?

Dive in, clothes and all.  Because you never know, you may come out a bit cleaner (and richer).