Homemade Laundry Softener

So it was only fitting to follow my previous laundry post with this one. The world of homemade anything can be a little confusing, laundry stuff included. Everyone seems to have their own way of doing things....which I totally understand. But it can be frustrating when all I want is a simple recipe that will work. It seems like there are a million different ways to make laundry softener, so I just had to pick one and go with it. Apparently there is a method where you use hair conditioner and it leaves a nice scent on your clothes. Hm, well, I might try that one later, but to be honest, I don't care about scent. I want my clothes to BE clean and SMELL clean....they don't need to smell like my hair. So I tried this one by Littlemomma. I cut the recipe in half since it appears to make a almost a gallon and I didn't need that much for a first try. I was so happy with this recipe! It really does work and smells good and there is absolutely no trace of vinegar smell- don't worry. And just so you know, I will NEVER go back to buying my fabric softener loaded with all those chemicals after using this stuff! I'm so happy with this.

 

Homemade Fabric Softener by: Littlemomma

1 cup baking soda

6 cups distilled white vinegar

8 cups water

10 -15 drops orangeessential oils (optional) or 10 -15 drops lemonessential oils (optional) or 10 -15 drops essential oils , of choice (optional)

Directions:

1. 1. You will need a one gallon container.
2. 2. First add the baking soda to the plastic container.
3. 3. Next add 1 cup of water to start with.
4. 4. Slowly add the vinegar to the bottle as the vinegar and baking soda will start to fizz.
5. 5. Then add the rest of the water swirling around & cover venting the top a few times.
6. 6. Last add the essential oil.
7. 7. Add 1 cup in your final rinse cycle for each load but give the bottle a good shake to stir up the essential oil if using.

Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/homemade-fabric-softener-179890#ixzz1pIOIzGn5 

Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/homemade-fabric-softener-179890#ixzz1pIOFQ6pY

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Recently my perspectives have been changing. Maybe it's having more room to live in or seeing the countryside. I'm not sure the exact reason, but I realize that cogs in my mind are turning. It all kinda started after we bought our chickens. Having organic, "farm" fresh eggs, straight from the mother hen in the morning made me start thinking about all the things I purchase on a weekly basis. Do I really need to be buying so much from these big name brand companies. The companies are making millions off their customers who believe the company when they advertise that their products are the best? And recently I've discovered that a lot of the companies are using chemicals in their products that are harmful to us. Why would I won't my children exposed to that? And why would I give them my money? Well, I'm not anymore. One of the first things I stopped buying was laundry detergent. And from my experience, as a mother of two, (with all the stains and germs and lovely smells that go along with my children's laundry) my homemade stuff works JUST as well as the stuff I was buying...If not BETTER!  I know, amazing right? I was shocked too. Kinda ridiculous that it took me so long to figure it out...but better late than never! So here is my recipe for my powdered laundry detergent. And it's perfect for the front loading washers because it doesn't produce a lot of suds. Don't be fooled by lack of suds- it is cleaning! :) And it happens to be REALLY cheap- double bonus!

Powdered Laundry Detergent:

1 cup Borax 

1 cup Washing Soda (washing- not baking- big difference)

1 bar laundry soap, (I used Fels-Naptha because of the kids, but Ivory - for sensitive skin, or Zote soap)

Over a large bowl, with a fine cheese grater, grate your soap bar. Next add in your borax and washing soda. Mix together with a spoon and transfer to a plastic container of your choice.  large hummus container (clean and dry) from Costco was what I used. This recipe will give you probably 30 washes or more. I use 1 tablespoon per normal load of laundry. But when I fill the washer with jeans and or heavily soiled I use 2 tablespoons- just to be safe. 

A few friends have asked me "How do you have time to make your own laundry stuff?" Well, first off it's really easy. And secondly, my life is all about schedules. With two kids I have to be scheduled if I want to get anything done and make sure we show up when and where we should. I also make my own fabric softener- that's the next post. 

With love,

Becca