Laundry Day

I got my original recipe for this laundry detergent from http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/.  

I have made laundry detergent with the bar soap.  My problem was that the fragrance was usually really strong for me.  Also this is how I store my laundry detergent and the soap made with bar soap is very gloopy and doesn't want to come out of these spouts.  My current recipe works just fine with the spouts.  

My Laundry Detergent jugs

My recipe is 4x concentrated from the one from Jillee.  I like her recipe, but this way I don't have to make laundry detergent as often or use as much.  

4 T - Dawn or other liquid soap (I use Dawn)

6 T - Washing Soda

6 T - Borax powder

4 C - boiling water
4 C - cold water

Adding the powder to my mixing jug

I start with a milk jug that is clean.  Using a funnel I add the washing soda and the borax to the jug before adding the liquid soap.

 I then add the 4 cups of boiling water to the Dawn and powders in the  jug.

At this point I swirl and shake the jug until all of the powder has dissolved.  Do be careful at this stage.  You will notice in the picture I am using a dish towel to protect the hand holding the jug.  Also don't put a lid on and shake vigorously until the water has cooled some, otherwise it will "volcano" on you.  Trust me hot soap is not fun to get on your skin!

Continue to agitate until all of the powder in the bottom is gone.  As you can see I still have a little powder in the bottom.  When all of the powder has dissolved, add the remaining water.

 This is my recipe above doubled.  Then all that needs to be done is to fill your desired storage container.  The original recipe call for 1 cup to be used per load.  Since this is super concentrated I use approximately a 1/4 cup per load.

This recipe is much easier than grating soap and boiling the whole thing.  Also I only have to make laundry detergent about once every 3 months.  This is a definite plus for this busy mom.  I really like this recipe.  It does a very good job of cleaning our clothes.  As usual you have to pre-treat specific stains.

Have fun and enjoy.

Update: I made a new batch of this soap and left it in a mason jar instead of putting it in the plastic jug that I usually use.  Unfortunately I found that it separated within hours.  I have been shaking it up before using, but this is the reason that I quit using the boiled bar soap recipe.  I really don't like having to mess with the soap, other than measuring out, every time I do a load of laundry.


Linking to these blogs:
http://www.livelaughrowe.com
http://www.thenymelrosefamily.com
http://www.hopeineveryseason.com
http://www.thediydreamer.com
http://www.themodestmom.com
http://www.blackfoxhomestead.com