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I used to love the smell; getting the clothes out of the dryer and smelling that clean and fresh smell or when I passed by a vent outside and I’d smell that “clean clothes” aroma coming out, I loved it.
Now, now it is a different story! The smell gives me a headache when I pass by the aisle at the grocery store. Do you know that certain laundry detergents’ ingredients are toxic for you???? The chemicals can be absorbed into your skin as you wear your clothes. Toxic Chemicals such as Phosphates, Chlorine Bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite), Phenols, Linear alkyl sodium sulfonates (LAS) and others can be found in detergents.
We understood that a few years ago and then we started buying a natural brand from SamsClub or Costco but it began to add up. I decided to do some research and look for recipes to make our own and I was pleasantly surprised!
What you need:
- 1 1/2 Cup Borax
- 1 1/2 Cup of Washing Soda
- 1 bar of soap
- 5 gallon jug (we had one already but you can purchase them at a hardware store)
*Remember many bars of soap contain “toxic” ingredients, but you can use anything. There are other places you can find natural brands nowadays, even at Walmart, I saw Tom’s brand there. An alternative to the bar of soap is 1/3 cup of Dr. Bronner’s magic liquid soap, they also have bar soap. You can find borax &washing soda usually at and grocery store in the laundry detergent aisle!
What to do:
Grade the bar of soap then put in a big pan with 1-2 quarts of water. Don’t boil but place on medium heat until soap dissolves, mixing continuously. Once dissolved, mix in the 1 1/2 Cup Borax and 1 1/2 Cup of Washing Soda together and stir until dissolved. Then have your 5 gallon jug pre-filled with 4 gallons of water and pour in the mixture, add water until there is about 2-4 inches from the rim. Wait 12-24 hours before using. The consistency is like pudding usually.
It costs about $2-4 per 4+ gallon mixture which is tremendous savings!
There are many different recipes out there, but I know our stuff gets dirty so I did the one with more borax. Use about 1/2-1 cup per load or what you feel most comfortable with. You are welcome to try it out and save money and save your family from harmful toxins! Let me know how yours turns out!
Do you make your own natural cleaners?
This is an old post, that has been re-published, but wanted to share again since many of you are new readers!
About Rachel
I love this post. I am bookmarking it so I can try it. I have been buying Ecos from Costco. But it is pricey. I’d love to make my own.
That new meme sounds great. I am now your newest GFC follower 🙂
Visiting from WFMW. Glad to find you!
Blessings,
Long Wait For Isabella
Looks like a simple solution. I have issues with smells also.
laVonne- You should try this! It works great!
Julie-It is so simple! For added aroma you can add essential oils and it won’t give you headaches!
have a mineral ball in my washing machine now – but it’s not working for all the spring stains. thanks for this tip!Blessings!
LIB
http://bit.ly/9ZjoY1
I make my own detergent as well. Except, I use oxiclean instead of soap.
never tried it with oxiclean, that sounds easy!
I make the dry version of this soap…and I really love it. Although I admit I’m jealous that you can get the bar version of Mrs. Meyers….they only sell the liquid stuff up this way – so I use Dr. Bronner’s.
I find Mrs. Meyer’s at Kroger & Walmart, they recently added it, you should look again! I have used Dr. Bronner’s, like it too, not to keen on the liquid Dr. Bronner’s for this recipe but love it for lots of other things!
I used to be the same. Addicted to the smell of clean clothes. Now it literally makes me sick to my stomach and gives me a headache. I love how my clothes now don’t smell like anything…that’s CLEAN!! 🙂
So true Kristina! When you remove toxins, then you get around them, you can feel the difference!
Where did you find washing soda?
Holly, I meant to add that in the post, you can find it in the laundry detergent aisle, usually at any grocery store, I have found it at Walmart & Kroger! Let me know how yours turns out!
I make a similar recipe, but dry. I love it!
I’ll have to try yours. Others I’ve seen are too complicated.
so borax, and the washing soap and bar soap have no chemicals or toxins?