DIY laundry detergent recipes-please
#11

I make my own laundry detergent using 20 mule team borax, washing soda and fels naptha. I grate the soap, then add it to the borax and mix in a food processor for finer soap granules. I place the needed quantity in my he machine, then ass the clothes.
@osewme we also have a septic system. I’ve been making my own soap for quite a few years and when we had our system pumped last year we were told whatever we were doing, we should keep it up. One thing I never use is bleach.
@osewme we also have a septic system. I’ve been making my own soap for quite a few years and when we had our system pumped last year we were told whatever we were doing, we should keep it up. One thing I never use is bleach.
#14
Power Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
Posts: 10,966

I use equal amounts of Zote flakes, Arm and Hammer Washing Soda and 20 Mule
Team Borax. I use dryer balls instead of softener and use lavender on them in the dryer. I mix it up in an ice cream container and use about a tablespoon in each load. For stained work clothes you can add more.
Team Borax. I use dryer balls instead of softener and use lavender on them in the dryer. I mix it up in an ice cream container and use about a tablespoon in each load. For stained work clothes you can add more.
for me
#15
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 14,877

Purex had the dissolving detergent sheets a few decades ago. I used them all the time. I had teens at home and no mess of spilled detergent. All of a sudden they were not made any longer. Now it seems to be the new next thing. Also Purex had color catching detergent too. It worked like adding a color catcher sheet to the wash. It stopped being made too. Purex has always been ahead of the others in innovations of laundry. They had the first pods called tabs. I wonder why they stop manufacturing all the new stuff, sell the idea to others? Purex brands are always cheaper then most others too.
#16

I don't have the recipe in front of me right now, but I did make some at one point. I found, after using it for several months, that all our clothes looked much greyer than they had been. Nothing looked bright and clean anymore. I went with a natural cleaner from Norwex. It's much better.
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Dakotas
Posts: 2,858

thanks for the link. She’s got great tips however I like my Mom & Grandma’s solution to stacking containers in the refrigerator better than using chopsticks like she does. They didn’t use foil or plastic wrap when covering a bowl in the refrigerator. Instead, they covered it with a plate & another bowl stacked securely on top.
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Dakotas
Posts: 2,858

Purex had the dissolving detergent sheets a few decades ago. I used them all the time. I had teens at home and no mess of spilled detergent. All of a sudden they were not made any longer. Now it seems to be the new next thing. Also Purex had color catching detergent too. It worked like adding a color catcher sheet to the wash. It stopped being made too. Purex has always been ahead of the others in innovations of laundry. They had the first pods called tabs. I wonder why they stop manufacturing all the new stuff, sell the idea to others? Purex brands are always cheaper then most others too.
#20
Member
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 1

[QUOTE=marsharini;8573180]I make my own laundry detergent using 20 mule team borax, washing soda and fels naptha. I grate the soap, then add it to the borax and mix in a food processor for finer soap granules. I place the needed quantity in my he machine, then ass the clothes.
This is my first post here so please forgive me if I make a mistake. Would you mind sharing the measurements for the products you use? Thanks, Kitty
This is my first post here so please forgive me if I make a mistake. Would you mind sharing the measurements for the products you use? Thanks, Kitty