My favorite natural DIY product is detergent. Perhaps because it is the first product I made or because homemade chemical free detergent has a huge positive impact on the environment and our health. For whatever the reason, I love making, using, and sharing this recipe!
You will need:
Washing Soda - 1 cup
Borax - 1 cup
5 gallon bucket with lid (I bought mine at home depot)
Bar of soap or liquid soap (I use Dr. Bronner’s)
Cheese grater (if using bar of soap)
Measuring Cups (1 cup and 4 cup)
Bottle of container (
Wooden Spoon
Boiling pot
Tea Tree Oil
Water - 4 cups to boil & to fill a 5 gallon bucket
Water - 4 cups to boil & to fill a 5 gallon bucket
Essential oil (optional)
All of these products can be found at your local grocery store, health food store, or amazon.com
Grab the materials and lets go!
Step 1:
Boil 4 cups of water and fill the 5 gallon bucket half way with hot water
Step 2:
Shred a bar of vegan soap (or use a food processor)
Step 3:
Once water is boiled, slowly stir in the soap shreds until the soap has dissolved. Then add 1 cup of washing soda and 1 cup of borax stir until completely mixed
Step 4:
Poor soap mixture into a 5 gallon bucket and fill the rest with hot water. Then place lid on bucket and let cool for several hours.
Step 5:
Once the mixture cooled, add tea tree oil (~20 drops). You can also add an essential oil of your choice such as lavender for additional fragrance
Step 6: Let sit for 24 hours or until it becomes a gelatin
To use:
Stir detergent then fill a bottle (old detergent bottle) half way with hot water and half with the detergent. Shake before use and follow the instructions on your laundry machine for the amount needed and you are ready to use!
Boil 4 cups of water and fill the 5 gallon bucket half way with hot water
Step 2:
Shred a bar of vegan soap (or use a food processor)
Step 3:
Once water is boiled, slowly stir in the soap shreds until the soap has dissolved. Then add 1 cup of washing soda and 1 cup of borax stir until completely mixed
Washing soda cannot be replaced with baking soda!
Step 4:
Poor soap mixture into a 5 gallon bucket and fill the rest with hot water. Then place lid on bucket and let cool for several hours.
Step 5:
Once the mixture cooled, add tea tree oil (~20 drops). You can also add an essential oil of your choice such as lavender for additional fragrance
Step 6: Let sit for 24 hours or until it becomes a gelatin
To use:
Stir detergent then fill a bottle (old detergent bottle) half way with hot water and half with the detergent. Shake before use and follow the instructions on your laundry machine for the amount needed and you are ready to use!
CONGRATS! You just made TEN gallons of detergent! One bucket lasts my family of three six months - In the past two years I've made a total of 4 buckets.
The extra product will not be wasted! Save it for an upcoming easy laundry DIY that will save you money and it is chemical free!
Check back for a natural cost effective fabric softener!
Every little change you make towards a natural lifestyle is helpful to you, your family, the environment, and is cost effective.
No comments:
Post a Comment