does anyone make your own laundry detergent? (I need recipes)

[rainbowmoon]

I would like to try making our own laundry detergent. The only problem is both DS and I have really sensitive skin though, so I need something really mild! I have literally used the same detergent for 15 years-Purex powder) do you have a great recipe to share that might be comparable? TIA!

[krankedyann]

Here's my recipe from http://cookingnt.blogspot.com/2006/0...detergent.html

2 parts Grated Fels Naptha Soap
1 part Washing Soda
1 part Borax
a few drops tea tree oil

For light load, use 1 tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 tablespoons.

For hard water, decrease the borax to 1/2 part and add a half-cup of vinegar to the rinse.

You can use any laundry soap or Ivory type bars instead of the Fels Naptha if you can't find it.

[MommyErin]

Here's mine. I LOVE it!

1 bar of Ivory Soap grated into a powder
1 ½ Cup Borax
1 ½ Cup Washing Soda
1 Cup Oxyclean

I use 2 TBS per load. Put White Vinegar in Rinse cycle if you have a front loader, use vinegar in a Downy Ball if you don't. I use the Ivory b/c it's one of the few soaps my uber-sensitive DD can handle but any bar that your family likes would work. The vinegar is important because it prevents build up on your cloths.

This works as good as any commercial detergent I've ever used and it's better for my family and better for the planet and better for the budget.

[kathirynne]

My recipe

This is what I use. It has been as effective as the Tide I used to buy - and Consumer Reports just rated Tide very highly.

1 bar Dr. Bronner's soap (I use lavendar, but any scent is fine)
2 cups washing soda
2 gallons HOT water

Grate soap and place in pan on stove. Add just enough water to cover, and simmer over low heat until soap is melted.

Dissolve washing soda in hot water. Add melted soap and stir well. Let sit overnight. Use 1/3 cup per load.


I pre-treat stains with bar soap. (Dampen the spot, dampen the soap, rub the soap into the spot. Use an old toothbrush to really rub the soap into the fabric on tougher stains.)

I don't use Borax at all. It is tough on fabrics, and, since it's a mined substance, it's hard on the planet and on the people who mine it.