One of the more pricey monthly expenses is laundry detergent. I’ve always wondered what’s inside, and so recently I've learned you can actually make it yourself! The recipe is easy and doesn’t take much effort. I now know what’s keeping my clothes clean and my laundry comes out spotless and fresh-smelling. The best bit is that it only requires you buying 3 very cheap ingredients.
|
Ingredients:
Note: This recipe makes a large quantity of soap that can last a long time. If you don't do a lot of laundry or are a small household, you can divide the measurements by 2 or by 3. |
Method: Grate the Fels Naptha soap, then boil 3 cups of water using a medium heat. When the water starts to simmer, melt the grated Fels Naptha soap until the grated bits are completely dissolved. Add the borax and washing soda and let them also dissolve.
Fill a 5 gallon bucket with 3 gallons of water. Add the melted soap mixture to the water, stirring thoroughly. Tip: To stir this mixture successfully, I recommend using a paint stirrer attachment for a cordless drill. A hand mixer also works well. You can add essential oils to the mixture if you want to give the soap a fresh scent. Let this solution sit for 24 hours.
|
After 24 hours, the soap will be set. Give it another stir and then decant into your container, or containers, of choice. I recommend re-purposing old cleaning product bottles. Use a capful per laundry load. This detergent is suitable for any materials and colors, and does a great job cleaning them. This is also a good amount of soap. When I made this quantity, it lasted me over a year. |
H/T: www.talesfromacottage.com
Mold Will Be a Thing of the Past With These Home Remedies
Mildew and mold are pesky household invaders. Here are 5 easy ways to get rid of them using just natural household ingredients.
Remove Rust from Any Surface With These Cheap & Easy Tips!
Ugly rust will become a thing of the past, using these simple methods to remove it from metal surfaces and even clothes.
10 Surprising Items You Can Clean in the Washing Machine
The washing machine can be useful for more than just clothes. 10 surprising items you can clean in the machine with no trouble.
15 Great Tips for Cleaning Those Hard-to-Reach Spots
Have you ever skipped cleaning places and things around the house that were just too difficult to clean? Well, we have just the tips to help you with these spots!
This Cleaning Tip For Your Hats is Something New
A quick tip on how to clean and deodorize any type of hat.
Learn This Amazing Two-Step Fix For Scratched Furniture
You can give your scratched furniture a whole new lease of life by learning this super-easy two-step solution. Take a look.
Click to See Unbelievable Uses for These Household Items
Click to learn more! We've collected Ba-bamail's best list of tips and alternative uses for things you've got lying around the house.
10 Household Items You Should Disinfect Every Day
Here is a list of 10 essential household things that you simply must disinfect during the winter months.
10 Hair Myths That Are Damaging Your Hair
We're here to bust 10 persisten hair care myths, that are actually doing more harm than good to your hair
Home-Made Wall Cleaners That Will Make Life Easier
Here are 10 easy fixes, recipes and solutions to help make cleaning your walls a simple and infrequent task.
11 Spring Cleaning Mistakes You're Making Every Year
Most people make these spring cleaning mistakes. Do you, too?
Banish Your Wrinkles With These Natural Face Masks
Keep your wrinkles at bay with these natural, easy to make face mask recipes.
Use This Trick to Stretch Your Butter Supply!
This butter hack will change your kitchen game!
A Better Way to Tie Your Gym Shorts or any Drawstring
Here's a nice new knot for you to try that is both incredibly strong and easy to do.
Heed These Tips, and You'll Never Have Wasp Problems Again
Wasps can be a huge nuisance during the summer. Thankfully, there are some great ways to keep them at bay. Here are some of them:
These Fun Games Will Help Boost Your Memory
Seniors will benefit greatly by playing these memory-enhancing games. Oh, and they are fun!
11 Mistakes Any DIY-er Should Avoid
Before you begin your long awaited project, take a look at these common DIY mistakes and make sure you’re not making any of them along the way.
22 Gross Things You're Forgetting to Clean
Finding no less than 22 hidden places most of us never clean, Brittany shows us how to find and clean them all!
Did You Know You Shouldn't Store These Foods in the Fridge?
Contrary to popular belief, these 10 foods shouldn't be stored in the refrigerator for a variety of reasons. Read this post to find out more.
12 Ways to Remove Odors from a Microwave
If your microwave has lingering smells despite regular cleaning, here are 12 DIY solutions to neutralize those odors effectively.
Your Toilet Won't Flush? Here are 6 Easy Ways to Fix It!
Toilet won’t flush properly? Before calling the plumber, you can fix it yourself with this guide.
5 Exercises For a Back Hump You Can Do at Home
A sedentary lifestyle isn't kind to our spine. Learn 5 simple exercises that help you get rid of a back hump.
These Common Habits Make Our Anxiety Worse
Experts believe that certain attitudes and habits are amplifying your stress levels.
Discover How to Use Turmeric to Remove Unwanted Hair
Turmeric is a wonderful spice from India that has a whole myriad of different applications. Here's how to make 5 turmeric-based masks for unwanted hair removal.
The DO'S and DON'TS of Gardening During the Heat
As the temperatures soar, make sure you don’t commit these to your garden.
7 Proven Techniques for Testing & Fixing Christmas Lights
Test your holiday lights with these easy fixes.
Ever Notice How All of Women's Problems Begin with MEN?
Ever Notice How All of Women's Problems Begin with Men?
Spruce Up Your Dinner Table With These Napkin Techniques
Holidays are always a time of cheer. Spruce up your dining table with these 8 easy-to-try napkin techniques.
Kitchen Knife vs. Kitchen Tools: Which is Faster?
In this video, we are introduced to an interesting challenge: kitchen gadgets versus the traditional knife.
These Cosmetic Products are Chemical Free & Cheap to Make
Ready-made cosmetics may be convenient, but not only are they expensive, they tend to contain toxic products. Here are 8 products you can prepare yourself.
11 Handy Flight Hacks for Parents Traveling With Children
These tips will keep your kids happy on long flights.
These Hidden Dangers Are Lurking in Your Cleaning Products
Household cleaning products are toxic for your health and the environment. Here are a selection of more friendly cleaners.
9 Mistakes We Make When Grilling that May Be Harming Us
We’ve prepared the following guide for you, in which you'll discover the 9 mistakes you should avoid when barbecuing.
Locked Your Keys inside Your Car? You Need This Hack!
If you've locked yourself out of your car, this neat trick will help you solve your problem.
How Can I Make Christmas More Affordable? - 12 Smart Tips
Save money this Christmas with these useful tips and hacks.
WATCH: Grow Your Very Own Tomatoes Using This Method
Watch this video to learn how to grow your very own luscious and juicy tomatoes from the comfort of your own home.
These 21 Common Household Items Are Toxic to Your Dog
Is there anything in your home or yard that could be poisonous to your dog? Read this list of 21 household items toxic to dogs to find out
Using Vinegar to Clean These Items Can Really Damage Them
Cleaning these common home surfaces and other items with vinegar can seriously damage them...
Cucumbers Are Incredibly Versatile: 7 Ways to Use Them
Cucumbers may be nutritious, but they are incredibly versatile too! Here's how you can use cucumbers outside of your salad.
How to Become Wiser in 6 Simple Steps
Intelligence is something, some say, we are born with. On the other hand, wisdom, which is far more useful, is definitely something one can accumulate over a lifetime. Many search for ways to become wise, but few feel they have really achieved it. Ch
If You Defrost Your Meat Like This, Stop Right Now!
Here are eight common defrosting mistakes that you really need to stop making right now!
Organizing Tips: 13 of the Best Home Storage Hacks
Find some useful and clever organizing tips and hacks that will come in handy for every home.
WAIT! Don't Throw Out Your Old Food Just Yet...
Whether you're a penny-pincher or just don't like wasting food, these 16 tips will show you what you can do with food you used to throw away.
Does Your Mind Wander? Here are 9 Tips for Keeping Focus
By incorporating these nine techniques into your routine, you'll find it easier to stay on track and maintain focus throughout the day.
13 Daily Objects We Could Be Using Better
You probably think you know how to use most of these objects already. Don't worry, all of us thought the same...
Video Tutorial: How to Speak More Clearly
In this video, we will learn how to speak clearly and so we are easily understood.
7 Cleaning Mistakes You Probably Make Every Single Day
These unhealthy washing up mistakes are very common, yet it's very easy to learn how to clean up properly. This could save you and your family from illness.