Homemade Laundry Detergent- It Works!

I FINALLY made the homemade laundry detergent. I have an HE washer, and it seems to work well. Of course, I was putting most all of the ingredients in there anyway! I saved three of the old laundry detergent (ultra liquid) containers, and filled all three PLUS I still had half a bucket full. I just kept it in there and scooped it out, although a milk jug would be good too. I use as much as recommended by my laundry machine manufacturer in the soap dispenser and did not add fabric softener. AND I hang my clothes to dry. They were still soft and CLEAN!

This is the recipe I used:

Recipe #3

Hot water
1/2 cup Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax
1/3 bar Soap (grated)

• In a large pot, heat 3 pints of water. Add the grated bar soap and stir until melted. Then add the washing soda and borax. Stir until powder is dissolved, then remove from heat.
• In a 2 gallon clean pail, pour 1 quart of hot water and add the heated soap mixture. Top pail with cold water and stir well.
• Use 1/2 cup per load, stirring soap before each use (will gel).

I chose this one because I wanted to see it gel (and it did!) and it did not seem to make an atrocious amount. I also added 10 drops of Phthalate Free Fragrance Oil in Clothesline Fresh from GoPlanetEarth.com. I probably should have added more, but there is a subtle scent.

Altogether, this had to of costs not more than $2.00 for all of it. And there is a lot! Let me know if you try it!

Smart Moms Blog Carnival

Thanks to Vicki for hosting the Smart Moms Blog Carnival. Vicki has her own blog at Simply Vicki. Make sure you check her and the other postings there.

This carnival is sponsored by Smart Moms Smart Business forum as part of our $25 US American Express gift card give away. If you have not already, check it out!

The topic for this carnival is balance.

Having started back to work after a great summer off, the meaning of balance means more this time of year than any other.

I am not only a wife, mom, and teacher, but a volunteer, club member, church member, and Moms group leader.

That requires a lot of balance (and a good husband).

Balance is important to keep you sane! Without a balance of your personal and business life, one or the other will be off kilter and make you crazy!

Being off balance in your personal time and volunteer time will make you the champion of volunteerism, but a loser with your family.

All of areas I have to balance are important to me, but I occasionally have to remind myself that God and family are the most important and need to be given the priority.

If you find yourself off balance, make a change. Give something up. Say no.

It is not easy or maybe not what you want, but sanity is a much better option!