I used this recipe from diy Natural. I meandered over to my local Publix grocery store, partly for the ingredients, but mainly for some not-yet-a-mother Mother's Day present to myself (okay, mayyybe I let Tyson have one or two). I was shocked and super pumped at how inexpensive the ingredients were. If this stuff really works then we could save a TON of money on laundry detergent!
For all three ingredients I paid: $8.87 (which will end up making me 4 batches, since I only bought a 4-pack of Ivory, but the Borax & washing soda will last for more than that) versus $10-$20 for one jug of brand name detergent filled with chemicals and other harmful ingredients.
Jabs' recipe calls for:
1 shaved bar of bar soap
1 Cup Borax
1 Cup Super Washing Soda
Stir it all up and use a tablespoon per load (use another tablespoon if the load's extra nasty). Could it be any simpler? I mean, come on! Simple, earth-friendly, AND wallet-friendly? I'm in Heaven.
I've already used the detergent on a load of delicates, and can say that they smell fresh and clean and were not harmed in the wash (I was convinced they'd come out horribly splotched and ruined - why I tried it on my delicates first, I cannot say...). I'm waiting for the hamper to fill up with workout clothes, so I can give the detergent a real test of stink-removal. I won't lie, I sweat a lot when I work out, and Tyson is a stink machine -- our children are definitely out of luck in the smell department if genetics have anything to do with it)
I'm thinking about adding a little fragrance oil to make the detergent smell extra nice to give as a gift in a nicely decorated jar. DIY GIFT!
This post brought to you by: grad school procrastination!
