Friday, June 12, 2009

Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe


I had to snap a quick picture of Tasha's bag this morning since she was using it for school again. Now I'm getting bag requests from her friends!

Del was wondering about my recipe for liquid laundry detergent. I got my recipe from the Twin Cities Green Guide which seems to be no more. This is the recipe that got me started. Over time, I've opted to use less water making my detergent more concentrated and therefore I use less detergent for each load of laundry (I use 1/4 cup). I'd love to tell you how much water but at this point I just know that I have to fill the pot I use to an inch below the rim. You'll have to experiment and let me know how it goes for you.

Here's the original recipe:
1 bar Fels Naptha soap
5 gallon bucket
1 cup washing soda
4 1/2 gallons water

Grate 1 bar of Fels Naptha Soap. Place soap in small saucepan and cover with water. Heat on low until dissolved. Fill bucket with hot water and add soap. Stir to combine. Add 1 cup of washing soda and mix well. As it cools it thickens. May be used immediately. Use 1-2 cups per load.

I use Ivory soap in place of the Fels Naptha soap. I also find that you need to mix the detergent as it cools to keep it from seperating. I use a hand mixer, every half hour or so until it cools. Because I use less water than the recipe calls for, my detergent is almost like a paste. It doesn't suds up the way store bought detergent does but it does a great job.

4 comments:

Ruthie said...

I love your last post and Soulemama's bread post which you linked to. They both leave me feeling soooo full. Of love for my home and family, of spirit of the homemade momma (even if I'm only momma to furry guys now), of the pure relevance of what we strive for. When the rest of the world is continually bombarding us with cheap and easy, we seek out the more complicated, more MEANINGFUL, route.

I love you Katie. :-)

Anonymous said...

That bag is beautiful! I wish I could request one from you too :o)

I live in the Twin Cities! Did you used to live here as well?!

Courtney

Katie said...

Thanks Ruthie. You're the best.

I never lived in the Twin Cities Courtney. I've been a New Yorker my whole life - I wonder if I should be shy about that?? Twin Cities Green Guide was just one of those websites I came across eons ago with great information.

Anonymous said...

Haha--I actually moved to the Twin Cities from NY!

Courtney