Successful Run!

Well, last night I successfully made and tested my own laundry detergent and fabric softener! I ended up not buying washing soda (couldn't find it) and used baking soda instead. Both have cleaning properties, but washing soda is more effective. I read suggestions to double up on the baking soda instead. Doesn't seem like it would make THAT much of a difference. Most of the time the stains we endure are of a more permanent nature anyways - tree marking paint, car grease/oil. So I think for now we'll be okay. This is the recipe that I used:

1 cup of borax
1 cup of baking soda
1 bar of Ivory soap

I used my food processor to grate the soap initially, and then added the borax and baking soda with the blade attachment and let it run for a minute. This gave me a truly powder like consistency. Since I had 3 bars of soap and a container big enough, I went ahead and made 3 batches. After the first batch, I learned to put the soap in the freezer for 15 minutes or so first to harden up. Ivory is normally a soft soap anyway, and then with the friction of the grater/blades, I didn't want it clumping too much. Worked out great!

Since the detergent was easy enough, I decided to use the remaining vinegar I had on hand to make a half batch of fabric softener. This process took a little more coaxing and watching, but turned out well. I found the recipe here on Recipezaar. Seemed simple enough, and was a little bit more than just putting vinegar in the tub. I was very careful to shake then vent, shake then vent, shake then vent when mixing it all up. No exploding vinegar container here! Just be very careful! I'm not sure I would make a full batch. With no essential oils I home, I rounded up from Victorian rose fragrance and used a few drops of that. Must say, smells good and isn't over powering.

So the first load came out clean, soft, and smelling good. Can't ask for much more! All for pennies to the load. Awesome! Now it's on to dishwasher detergent. I picked up the citric acid from 14 Carrots today, who surprised me by carrying it in bulk. Even more savings! Then I got Lavender and Lemongrass essential oils for laundry. Since Trip is smell sensitive, and I like some more feminine scents I've decided to keep two half batches of the fabric softener on hand - his and hers! Should be simple enough. An added bonus? The lavender oil was 1/2 price. Updates on the dishwasher detergent to come.