Lately, I've been online a lot less and doing a lot more! (I sound like a Home Depot commercial). I haven't even been able to keep up with reading any of the blogs that I love, which is a bummer. There are so many projects in the works that are almost done and I just can't wait to show you! Including the first installment of the girls' bedroom progress. Yay! :)
One of the things I tried this past week was homemade laundry detergent. A friend of mine told me about this recipe a few months back. I started running low on the Gain that I had been using, so I decided that there is no time like the present to give it a try.
The recipe I started with was from the Duggar Family found here. (I love them!)
Ingredient List:
4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
½ Cup Borax
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
½ Cup Borax
I had trouble locating the Super Washing Soda locally and I'm too impatient to order online and wait. So I searched and googled for alternatives and found that baking soda is in the same family as washing soda, only with a lower PH. I read in several places that you can change the PH of baking soda and essentially turn it into washing soda by heating it above the boiling point. I also read that OxiClean has both Borax and washing soda in it. So here's what I did to alter the recipe and make it work for what I had on hand:
I boiled a saucepan of water and added 1 cup of baking soda. Warning: use a large pot with a lot of extra room when boiling the water. When you add the baking soda it will foam up before settling and if you don't allow room, this could happen! :/
I then added this mixture to the large gallon mixture which contained all the other ingredients. I also added 1 cup of OxiClean to the overall large mixture.
Verdict: FAIL for my recipe alteration, and undetermined on the real recipe.
Lesson learned: sometimes it's not worth it to try and find a shortcut. It didn't gel like it was supposed to, and when I washed the puppy's bed, it didn't come out smelling fresh enough for my standards. I haven't given up, however! I'll be trying out the true unaltered recipe using the super washing soda and will let you know of my results. (Crossing my fingers.)
Lots of love,
Mary
Mary,
I sure give you an "atta-girl" for trying this especially with everything you have going on! I use the Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda as an additive when I use a less expensive soap product and / or when I have a horrible stinky mess .... the Washing Soda is amazing at neutralizing odors (I have a "scent" allergy so I am particular) and leaving the laundry smelling truly fresh as if it was hung outdoors to dry. It was also difficult for me to find locally; I hope you are able to track some down and look forward to hearing if it makes a difference.
Robin @ happilyhomeafter.blogspot.com
I have been using this laundry soap recipe for the last 4 months, that's how long it took me to go through the full 5 gallons. I made the soap exactly as the recipe said and it's truely wonderful. I have since given the recipe to several of my friends and they too love it.
I was able to find all the ingredience at Wal-Mart and they had them all in the same area down the laundry soap aisle. Hope you find the missing ingredience, I'm sure you will like it.
P.S. Instead of fabric softener, I use one cup of vinegar. After you dry your clothes, you can't smell the vinegar AND it cuts down on static. No more shocking myself on the car door, SCORE!!!
You won't have the scent you're used to. Even with the washing soda. I have allergies to perfume so this works well for me, because the soap doesn't leave a scent. However, some of my friends who love this soap, use a fabric softener for some fragrance. A friend, who is addicted to gains scent but didn't want to pay for the detergent, mixes the gain softener with water, then sprays some on a wash cloth and uses it like a dryer sheet. I use vinegar when needed, but if you need the scent to feel like it's clean, I would try this. Good luck
The washing soda makes all the difference in the world - baking soda just isn't the same! You could also use something like Dr. Bonner's castile soap in place of the Fels-Naptha (though it is the best I think) in a scent like peppermint for something different.
Sorry - forgot to add, I get my washing soda at the local Ace Hardware or True Value as my Walmart (and similar box stores) doesn't carry it either.