so fresh and so clean

One of my recent projects-in-progress is trying to make a lot of our own cleaning supplies. At some point I started actually noticing just how expensive those little bottles of chemicals are, and all of the cleaning supply recipes popping up on pinterest. I have only tried a few recipes, and am waiting for more of my store bought supplies to get used up before trying more. 

So far I have been pleased with the simpler, cheaper alternatives and haven't felt terribly incommoded by the time or effort required in mixing our own supplies. We have been fortunate enough for me to be able to choose buying products over making our own things when I have felt like the time investment is too great. But while this process continues to feel simple I am enjoying having a shorter shopping list.

One of the recipes I have tried is liquid laundry soap (from the Duggar blog). I mixed up ten gallons of soap one afternoon and it has been going strong, with no funny smells or dirty spots left on the laundry after being washed. All in all I have been pretty pleased and am saving loads of money (no pun intended...) in the process. 

 

Ingredients:

4  Cups - hot tap water
1  Fels-Naptha soap bar

 1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

 ½ Cup Borax

I found all of these ingredients in the laundry section at the local grocery store. 

 

Directions:

-Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)
-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)