Homemade Gel Laundry Detergent

[kickchk]

I made my first batch of laundry detergent this week. Has anyone else tried this before? I actually cut the batch in half and only made a gallon this time, in case it didn't work. What's do you do to stay frugal with doing the laundry?

[purplefdu]

I can't say I've ever made laundry detergent, but if I had the storage space I probably would. I tend to purchase clearance detergent using coupons (mostly 3x concentrated ones) which does me pretty well. We also use the oldest machines at the laundry mat for washing, which are the cheapest as the price hasn't been changed with the price increases on everything else. They hold 2-2.5 loads for $3 instead of the singles for 2.50 or the new triples for 3.75-4.50.

[x_coderchick_x]

I make a gallon of detergent at a time in an old plastic pitcher using this rough recipe:

1/4 bar of Zote, grated (I use the big bar, for the smaller bar use half)
1/2 c of Borax
1/2 c washing soda
1 eyedropper full of each lavender and tea tree oil (optional)

You have to dissolve the grated soap in about 2c of water in a double-boiler. A configuration with a large pyrex bowl seems to work the best for me on this one. Once all the soap is dissolved, turn off the heat and let stand for a few minutes. Pour dissolved soap in your container, and add about 2c more of the water used to boil the soap. Stir in your borax, and after it is dissolved, stir in the washing soda. The mixture will start to thicken as you stir. Add about 3c of cool water to the batch and stir until mixed. Add essential oil if desired.

At this point I usually add enough water to come about 2 inches from the top of my gallon pitcher, and stir until mixed. After it sits a while it becomes almost solid, but is goopy and gel like and is easily scooped for washing with a spoon (I use roughly a handful for a large load and it gets the job done). If a less goopy soap is desired, use 1/4c of borax instead, however it doesn't seem to clean nearly as well. With my fiancee and I, it takes us about a little over a month to use this up, sometimes two if we really mind our washing.

I also hang up as much laundry as I can, however I have limited space to do that living in an apartment.

[lucille]

Does anyone have any experience with how well these home made mixtures clean clothes or how much they contribute to fading? Do they work ok with hard water?

[x_coderchick_x]

Originally Posted by lucille

Does anyone have any experience with how well these home made mixtures clean clothes or how much they contribute to fading? Do they work ok with hard water?

I don't have hard water, mine is more middle of the road. The recipe I posted will not get sudsy at all, but it gets out funk and most stains really well. I double the amount on heavily soiled items, and sometimes let them soak a bit before completely washing them. The only thing this doesn't seem to clean very well is ground in dirt, so I keep a bottle of regular detergent around for really nasty stuff like my fiancee's work pants. When I run out of Zote I may try it with Fels-Naptha to see if I get better results.

If you use too much soap, it may fade. It is really concentrated stuff. Once I got the amounts for my machine down, it doesn't seem to fade at all.

[Mary Webber]

I made a batch of the laundry gel using Fels Naptha as I couldn't get the Zote soap. Fo course I messed up, letting the melted soap mix cool too long and harden too much. But I was able to work with it. I didn't use any scenting, and I absolutely love the way this gel (this batch was more like sludge) worked with the half dozen loads of laundry I've done so far.

x coderchick x - BIG QUESTION: how much do you use per load of wash? Because there's no real suds to judge by, I've put in about 1/2 c... does that sound right?

[Myscha Theriault]

OK, we are completely unsettled at this point, but since there are a few people here trying this, I may get brave. I had looked into it in the past, but didn't have a support group. Oh, the things I will do once I'm in one spot again. In the meantime, writing from the tent at the campground in Vermont, on my way to Floriday, hoping we will find a place we want to live along the way . . .

[Mary Webber]

I've made my second batch of this stuff - NOT making the same mistakes I made the first time - and I really like the way this cleans. I just love the idea of washing soda and borax instead of a whole bunch of ingredients I can't even pronounce... wait! am I deluding myself here...

[kav122]

Here is the link that I make mine with:

http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/...ave-big-money/

I have never had a single problem, it takes me about 4 minutes (tops) to make it, my whites are whiter, my clothes don't fade, there is less storage than buying in bulk, it is better for the environment, and no matter how much I saved on coupons I couldn't get it for a cheap as I make it at home.

[Mary Webber]

I really like the idea of making a huge batch as I do a lot of laundry, and certainly getting the 5-gallon pail is no big deal as we use those for our contaier gardening.

Even more, this website looks great, and I'll go back to check out other things such as the one-hour projects to improve your finances... THANKS, kav122