Homemade Laundry Soap

Happy Hump Day, I am so glad it is almost the weekend, although just thinking to myself, it is summer vacation...So therefore isn't everyday the weekend?
Anyway, I thought I would start sharing a few things I have changed since I was away from blogging for so long. I have almost single-handedly gotten rid of all store bought cleaners for our home. I admit, I am holding out on the worst offender, Clorox wipes, but other than that I am almost totally free. Free of fake smells, fake coloring, huge price tags, and most importantly dangerous chemicals.

Before we get to the recipe, I bet you are wondering why I hold onto Clorox wipes. The truth of the matter is...fear. With my lowered immune system, I am scared to death of contracting staph again. I have had it twice and it ripped through my body like a tornado and layed waste into my whole system. It almost two years to remove it entirely, but it left it's mark by leaving scars all across the trunk of my body. All because I went with my daughter to the ER when she was in a car accident.  Staph to a lowered immune system can be deadly and I was very lucky that I have such a great group of doctors at my disposal, some are not as lucky. So, the Clorox wipes are bought three at a time to wipe off shoes when I come home from the clinic, wipe door knobs and toilets, sink knobs and kitchen appliances. My family think I have OCD when it comes to cleaning, but they have never suffered like I did at the hands of such a nasty infection, and I hope they never do.
I also carry hand sanitizers at all times, but I am cutting down. I heard there is a super bug building due to Americans being to clean and it is a staph borne illness. Not good.

So, out of the rambling about staph and onto the detergent!

Homemade laundry soap, or as I call it Laundry Sudz

1 4 lb 12 oz box Borax

1 4 lb box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda

1 box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda, 55 oz

3 bars of Fels-Naptha soap, grated

2 small containers of Oxy Clean, I use store brand Oxy Clean, try to get about 3.5 lbs total

 

Pour everything into a large container and stir around with a strong wooden spoon. Do not try and stir this with your hands if you are sensitive like I am. It will make you itch.

Use 1 full tablespoon per load. I know you might think that is a very small amount to use, but this has no fillers like the detergents you buy in the store do. This is pure soap, and it works awesomely...Is that a real word?

I made this in February and I have over half left. It lasts a long time. I love it and it washes clothes better than store bought.
For fabric softener and to help clothes be static free, I use 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. It doesn't leave a smell on my clothes and it makes them super soft!

The only draw back that I have found from using this detergent is, you cannot leave it sit in the machine for hours at a time and then go back and expect nice smelling clothes. They have to be flipped over when the cycle is finished or they will sour. This is because there are no chemicals in it.

I hope you try this and love it as much as I do.

Tomorrow I plan on sharing my homemade dryer sheets!!

Until then,
Viv~