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Friday, August 3, 2012

Homemade Laundry Detergent. Psst...No Grating!!!

When I stumbled upon this find here, I knew she was onto something grand!  Seriously!!  I have looked, and LOOKED, AND LOOKED, at these homemade laundry detergent recipes until my eyes have stung, but with ALL the work, and in all honesty - laziness, these recipes have never truly sang to me until now.

Jillie was seriously onto something here, and she really sparked my interest when she said "No Grating".  No grating?!  Did she truly just say those words out loud?!! 

Right then and there, I knew this was the one homemade laundry detergent I HAD to try!

Besides, what did I really have to lose?  Not much!

If you'd like to try out this no grating process, you've come to the right place!

Crafty Momma's concentrated version of Jillie's No Grate Homemade Laundry Soap:

You'll Need:
3 TBSP. of Borax
3 TBSP. of  Washing Soda
2 TBSP. of  Dish soap
  - We used a mixture. 1 TBSP. Palmolive with Oxy Clean (to help fight all those 2 year old Oopsie's), and 1 TBSP of Dawn Hawaiian Pineapple Scent, so that it would smell fantastic! UPDATE:  Tried this the second time w/ Gain dish soap - Ah...Heaven in a cup!
4  Cups of Hot Water
Jug to hold the solution - I used an old Gain detergent bottle
Measuring Cup (optional)
Funnel (optional)



Pour 4 cups of hot tap water into a jug or measuring cup.  I chose measuring cup since it was my 1st time.  I wanted to see what I was working with!
 
Add ingredients to the water, and whisk or swirl until ingredients are dissolved in the liquid.

Let liquid cool.
 
Once the liquid has cooled, add to your jug.  I used a funnel to help me along the way.  This is completely optional, but I know I don't have the steadiest hand with a 2 year old typically climbing on me, and wanting to help, so this was the best route. :)


To wash clothes: Start maching machine as you normally would, then add 1/4-1/2 cup solution. I typically use just under 1/2c.  

I have done about 10 loads of laundry (so far) using this solution, and it has been great.  I truly have not noticed any difference (cleanliness wise) between using my all time favorite detergent (Gain) and this. The only thing I've noticed is the fragrance isn't as strong, so it's not like you're catching a whiff of meadow-y aroma when you pull out your clothes, like you get with Gain.  I'm thinking most of that is because I used 1/2 and 1/2 dish soaps.  One with fragrance and one without.  Next time, I'll make a double or triple the batch, and sub the more fragrance one for a portion of the Palmolive with Oxy.

Just like Jillie, I love this DIY detergent, because you can pick whatever awesome scent, but above all, the soaps I chose, have not bothered my skin what so ever.  My daughter and I both have very sensitive skin, so I was very pleased about that!

Additional Information:  This laundry detergent is thin.  Almost watery like, but it still does the job.  For real!

I guess those "20 Mule Borax" people know what they're doing since it's been around since 1891! 

FYI: This detergent is also low suds'ing, which means it is also great for those of you with HE washers!


Please let me know if you decide to try this homemade version, and it you have any additional tips/tricks! I'd love to hear your feedback!!


6 comments:

  1. NICE! I'll have to give this a try... I have a hard time with the grating part of the recipe I use... it never gets done! LOL

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  2. We really do love it. Let me know what you think! :)

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  3. Can you substitute dr. Bronners. If so would it be the same amount?

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  4. I don't see why you couldn't, but I have personally never tried it. If you do, let us know how it turns out!

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  5. I love this detergent. I have made it with both Gain and Dawn so far. I plan on trying Ajax next.

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