Is there a natural, cheap laundry detergent that works well?
Question:I recently discovered vinegar as an amazing and cheap fabric softener. Is there anything of the like I can use for the actual detergent? I currently use Tide HE. I have a front load washing machine. How much do I need to use?
Answers:
I make a homemade all natural laundry detergent for my HE washer and it works great! I've used it for over a month now. I found this recipe online but have since lost the site. It was posted by another front load owner who was having wonderful results as well so I gave it a try before all my Tide HE was gone in case it didn't work for me :) I have now successfully gone almost completely green and natural in all my house cleaning due to asthma issues and skin sensitivity. All natura soaps don't make lots of bubbles so it is perfect for our front loaders! It is also really cost effective and I find it satisfying to make myself. The only thing I have not been able to go all natural with yet is fabric softener. I use white vinegar in my washer's softener dispenser but I still have to use a dryer sheet because we live in the desert and have static cling problems. I use only 1 level TABLESPOON for a very full load and decrease the amount used as the load size decreases. You can also add some essential oil to your liking to the mixture for customized fragrance. The laundry soap recipe is below:
I combine the 3 following ingredients below and some essential oil in the bowl of my food processor to mix it all together well.
1 cup natural soap, grated using food processor or hand grater
(Fels Naptha, Zote or Castille soaps will work well. All these usually found in the laundry isle of the grocery but sometimes I have found them in the body soap as well)
1/2 cup borax
(found in the laundry isle as well, 20 Mule Team Borax is in a green box)
1/2 cup washing soda
(found in the laundry isle but not carried by all markets. It's different than baking soda...much more alkali. I have read that some who have not been able to find this easily have used baking soda instead)
Both borax and washing soda are white powders and can be irritating to the skin due to high alkalinity. If you thnk you'll get your hands in it wear gloves. I don't have a problem getting it on me when I make it. Both act as water conditioners and you may have to increase their ratios if you have extremely hard water. We have somewhat hard water and the above ratio works well for us. I hope you like this as well as we do! Happy savings!
check Arm & Hammer ingredients, it is really reasonably priced and works good not sure what you are looking for but it is still based on their soda products
Nezz, vinegar is amazing I also use it as a final hair rinse and to clean mirrors and windows and remove scale from bathroom fixtures.
Now to get to your question: most homemade natural soaps are too much work unless you are going to devote your life to them. I have read of making soap with aguava root. Unless you have a patch in your back yard that is probably not practical.
Now for a practical. Buy a box of Borax. Cut your use of Tide in half by adding 1 or 2 tablespoons of Borax to each load. I am sorry that I can not be more specific but I do not know the PH of your water... experiment! You will be able to use much less detergent.
Melaleuca makes a natural detergent that works great. They also have natural cleaning supplies that do not have harsh chemicals and are safe for you, your kids and pets to be around. I buy quit a few things from them and their products are very good and reasonably priced. If you want to try some things let me know and I can order.
I agree with the borax comment.
I use 20 Mule Team Borax in my laundry... expecially in the summer time. our clothes are much cleaner and fresher, and I use less detergent.
More Related Questions & Answers...