crazy cat lady

I saw several "recipes" for homemade washing detergent & now I can't remember where I saw them. Anybody out there see them too???

redkimba

found one here:

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home...ndry-detergent


haven't used or tried it yet.

crazy cat lady

Thanks so much! Now to get the ingredients together & mix up a batch :lol:

CarrieAnne

Thats the one I use!

sueisallaboutquilts

This isn't what you were asking but when my washer died I bought a front-load. Paid for it in 6 months same as cash.
Anyway, I cannot believe how long my detergent lasts! You only use 2T of dry per load or a tiny amt. of liquid. I was flabbergasted at how infrequently I have to buy detergent.
And my water bills, all that are down. I really love that front-load!!

Shirlx

Interesting I am going to have to try it.

BellaBoo

I use to make my own detergent. You can buy soda ash at a pool supply store if you can't find it in the grocery store. I started with the shaved laundry soap dissolved in water with borax and soda ash to the dry powder recipe. I made it because I was on a tight budget and it helped not having to pay for laundry detergent. I never liked it that much and haven't made any in years. I have a great recipe for dishwashing detergent that I still use when I run out of Cascade and don't know it.

1/4 teaspoon liquid dish detergent and 1/2 teaspoon baking
soda dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water and poured into the 2
detergent cups in the dishwasher. Works like a charm.
Use white vinegar in the rinse agent cup if you use this all the time.

smtp5

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
Detergent for the dishwasher is SO expensive. I searched the net for a home-made alternative and developed this simple recipe. We've been using it for a while now and it washes the dishes even better than the shop bought variety. The amount needed will depend on how soft your water is - we find 1 tablespoon is enough, but we're on tank water. You might need 2 tablespoons if you're on hard town water. Instead of Rinse Aid, we just use white vinegar.
by Kookaburra
5 min | 5 min prep

2 cups

1 cup washing soda (crystals)
1 cup borax
2-3 drops perfumed oil (optional)
Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor.
Process until washing soda crystals are reduced to powder.
Store in airtight container.
Use 1- 2 tablespoons per load in your dishwasher.
(To save even more money, substitute Rinse Aid with white vinegar.).

ctack2

This is what my daughter and I both use. We use 2 small containers and add a scoop from each container.
Grate a bar of Fels Naptha, Zote or Ivory Soap. Put in a container.
In second container, mix equal amounts of Arm and Hammer washing Soda and Borax.
Use one scoop from each container and you're good to go.
We use scoops like the size that come in Koolaid.

We originally mixed the soap with the powders, but found it hard to get equal amounts in the scooper. Then at the bottom of the batch, it was mostly soap and little powder.

Works really well....but don't be looking for suds in your washer! lol

Carol B

quiltinghere

SUE - Front loaders require a High Efficiency detergent to protect the inner parts of the machine and make sure it's not too sudsy. When I 'sneak' in a load using regular detergent, the machine usually stops with a 'suds warning code'.

How long have you been using your homemade detergent? Did the recipe say it's safe for front loaders? Do you get 'suds error codes'?

SMTP5 - I cannot stand spending all that money on dishwasher machine soap. Thanks for posting the homemade version. Is there a brand name for 'washing soda'?

BELLA - I may try your single recipe today because I have the ingredients on the shelf.

Thanks to all for posting ways to save money!