DIY Laundry Detergent

    Last week I posted a recipe for dishwasher detergent. (Here's the link: http://christinekenyon.blogspot.com/2015/04/diy-dishwasher-detergent.html)

    Following up is this recipe for laundry detergent that you can make yourself and is better for you, your clothes, the environment and is more economical than commercial laundry detergent. If you're like me, you're jumping straight to the recipe. 

    For those still reading, here are four of the most toxic chemicals in commercial detergent:
1. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and/or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)2. 1,4-dioxane
3. NPE (nonylphenol ethoxylate)
4. Phospates

    I'm not an expert in this, but I think that the prevalence of these toxins in so many cleaners and bath products (soaps, shampoos, liquid soap, etc.) is partly responsible for the spate of skin disorders and asthma.
    So, here's the recipe for Homemade Laundry Detergent:

1 (4 lb. 12 oz.) box of Borax
1 (3 lb. 7 oz.) box of Super Washing Soda
1 (3 lb.) container of  OxyClean
2 (14.1oz.) bars of Zote or Fels Naptha soap, grated
1 (4 lb.) box of baking soda
2 (55 oz.) bottles of fabric enhancer crystals--optional

Grate the soap, mix the ingredients together and store in a large bucket or double bagged garbage bag. To mix it more easily and evenly, spoon a layer of Borax, then Washing Soda, etc. and stir. Repeat this until it's all mixed. 

For top-loading machines, use 2-4 tablespoons; for front loading, use 1-2 tablespoons. 

I make laundry soap bars of 100% coconut oil and use that instead of Zote or Fels Naptha. The coconut oil soap bars are naturally highly cleansing and double as stain remover sticks. I also add eucalyptus essential oil, which is purported to help with grease and oil stains. Our clothes look and smell cleaner.

If you try this out, let me know what you think. 

And, happy Soaping!

P.S.--I have this detergent for sale on Etsy: 
https://www.etsy.com/listing/227841004/eucalyptus-laundry-soap-laundry?ref=shop_home_active_22

Sources:   http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-worst-ingredients-in-laundry-detergent.html/2

http://smartklean.com/html/the_truth.html

DIY Dishwasher Detergent

Who doesn't love a tutorial that actually turns out the way it's touted? I found a DIY dishwasher detergent and made a batch. Even though the glasses were a little cloudy and speckled with automatic dishwasher memorabilia (the glass on the left), I asserted to my unimpressed family that this dishwasher detergent was natural and better for us than the store bought; however, behind closed doors, I agreed with them and was about to say "uncle" when I came across suggestions to improve the detergent. 

I ditched some things and added others and now have a recipe that leaves the dishes spotless (the glass on the right). It's easy to make, more economical than commercial detergent, and is better for you and the environment. (Do not use this on fine china or silverware, something we don't have to worry about.)

So, here it is:

1 cup Borax
1 cup Washing Soda
5 packets unsweetened lemonade or 1/4 cup citric acid
1/4 cup Oxyclean

Mix together and keep in an airtight container. Use one tablespoon per load, plus a squirt of liquid dish detergent. And when the load is done, you can show off your spotless dishes.

If you have hard water (which will leave a milky film on your glasses), add 1/2 cup kosher salt to the recipe. Also, I tried the citric acid, but  prefer the lemonade.

Give it a try and let me know how it works for you.

(For natural bath and body products, check out my Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlphaOmegaSoaps )