Our Country Life in the Big City

Here is the recipe that I use for laundry detergent.  It costs about $1.25 to make and it fills a 200 oz detergent bottle and a 1/2 gallon pitcher.

1/3 bar Zote soap (you can use Fels Naptha but I don't like the smell, Zote is smoother, cheaper, and I can get it at WalMart)

1/2 cup Borax

1/2 cup washing soda (I get it at Kroger...made by Arm and Hammer and in a yellow box in the laundry section)

3 qts water

Stir all together over medium heat in a boiler with a wooden spoon (plan to only use these for this purpose in the future).  Cook until thick like honey (this takes about an hour) and just stir occasionally.  Put 1 qt hot water in the bottom of a bucket (I use the top of an old Tupperware cake plate) and add mixture, mix well.  Add 4 more qts of hot water and mix.  Let sit 24 hours before using.  Mix or shake if seperated, it is still fine to use.

Use 1/2 cup per load.

January 3, 2006 - question

Posted by peggy
have what is probably a dumb question but where do you get washing soda? I haven't heard of it.

January 3, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Lisa
This is almost the EXACT same recipe we use :) I will have to look for Zote and try that --THANKS for sharing!!

Lisa @ OurLittleHomestead :)

January 3, 2006 - Thanks

Posted by SimplifiedLife
Before moving to OK, I had found a book on making several household products and since them have lost all but the window cleaner recipe (which happens to be on the bottle at the moment). Thanks for this recipe, I will be adding it to my files so that I can find it and to my shopping list to get my supplies.

Off I go to collect more recipes. If you have more, send them my way. I'll be back for more wonderful tips. ;)

January 3, 2006 - City Homesteading!

Posted by Phillyfarmgirl
This is great! I will be adding this to my homemaking notebook I keep. Where do you get the washing soda from? I am going to post a link to this from my blog. Really good stuff!

January 3, 2006 - Where to get washing soda

Posted by KidLovinMommy
I got mine at Kroger but they also sell it at our local Target. I haven't seen it at WalMart though. It is about $2.50 a box and is made by Arm and Hammer. It is in a yellow box like baking soda and is in the laundry detergent section.

January 4, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Tara
Please forgive my question! LOL! I really DO want to be a homesteader! Why do you make your own laundry detergent? (that's sounds so un-homesteady doesn't it? :)

January 4, 2006 - Why I make my own laundry detergent

Posted by KidLovinMommy
Because I can make 2 gallons of it for about $1.25. That is a lot cheaper than paying $13 for 1.5 gallons of Tide. It is VERY easy to make and it makes my house smell so good. The recipe using the Zote even gets my husbands nasty, black, greasy socks and underclothes (he is a mechanic) white again. If the kids go out and get their clothes muddy, not a problem-CLEAN! If you ever make it, you might never buy Tide again.