Homemade Laundry Detergent and Vinegar Fabric Softener

You might think I'm crazy, but I do make my own laundry detergent.
It takes about 5-1o minutes prep time and costs about $5 for 10 gallons.
This soap is all-natural and easy to make. And it works.


HOMEMADE LIQUID LAUNDRY SOAP
For front or top load machines

1 bar pure-castile soap {I like Dr. Bronner’s Lavender}
Hot water
1 cup sodium carbonate washing soda, soda ash {not to be confused with sodium bicarbonate or baking soda}
½ cup Borax Laundry Booster
20-30 drops of essential oil {optional}

• Grate the soap and add to saucepan with at least 1 cup of water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves completely.
• Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot water. Add soap from saucepan, sodium carbonate and Borax. Stir well until all the powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
• Stir and fill a laundry soap dispenser {I keep a used container for this} half full with detergent. Fill the container with water. Shake before each use.
• Add 20-30 drops of essential oil if you would like to give your detergent a slight fragrance.

Yield: 10 gallons

Top Load Machine: 5/8 Cup per load {~180 loads}

Front Load Machines: ¼ Cup per load {~640 loads}

VINEGAR AS FABRIC SOFTENER

1 cup White Vinegar

• Add vinegar to rinse cycle. Removes residue and odors.
• Also helps to keep washing machine and hoses fresh and clean.
• Check out the other uses of vinegar here. Link to VINEGAR USES