Homemade Dishwasher Soap

Here is a recipe to try if you like powder dishwasher soap.

In a plastic container with a firmly fitting lid, mix:

1 cup borax (20-Mule-Team Borax, available in any supermarket)

1 cup baking soda

1/4 cup salt

1/4 cup citric acid OR use two packets of Lemonade-Flavored Kool-Aid (ONLY lemon, or you'll dye your dishwasher!) and ONLY unsweetened Kool-Aid

Mix well and store in a plastic or glass container with a lid. Use about 1 TBS per load.

Use white vinegar in the rinse agent compartment to prevent residue.

******************************************************

If you like liquid dishwashing soap, try this one:

1 part borax

1 part baking soda

1 part water

1 drop lemon oil or essential oil per cup of detergent.

Store in a sealable jug and use 2 TBS per load.

Again, everything I read says to make sure and use vinegar as the rinse agent.

Homemade Oxyclean

1 cup hot water

1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide

1/2 cup baking soda

Mix ingredients.

To use on clothes, soak the clothing in it for 20 minutes to overnight; then wash as usual. You can, also, put 1/2 cup each of peroxide and baking soda directly into the washer, along with your regular detergent, then wash as usual. OR you can make a paste of baking soda and peroxide and apply directly to the stain, wait a few minutes, then launder along with the rest of the load.

Homemade Liquid Fabric Softener

2 cups baking soda

2 cups white vinegar

4 cups water

Put the baking soda in a plastic container and slowly add the vinegar. I do mean slowly...remember the volcano that you made in 5th grade science class...that happened by mixing baking soda and vinegar.

Next just add water and mix (I just used a gallon container with a lid and just shook it up).

Use 1/4 cup per load during final rinse cycle (or 1/3 cup if you have hard water).

Homemade Laundry Soap

Here is the recipe I am currently using for my laundry soap. Well, I actually cut this recipe in half so I could store it in a gallon size container. It's so easy!

You will need:

1 bar of soap

2 gallons of hot water

2 cups of Baking Soda (not washing soda)

Step one:

Grate the soap with your cheese grater.

Next, cover the grated soap with water and heat on low until most of the soap is dissolved.

Put the hot water in a container and add the melted soap.
Stir well.
Add the Baking Soda, stir again.

And your done! That's it!

You will need 1/2 cup per regular load and 1 cup for heavily soiled laundry.

Over time, your laundry soap will separate and become kind of goopy. All you need to do is stir before use. Or you can store the homemade soap in an old detergent container and shake before use. Those even have the handy little measuring caps!