Back in July, I joked that to make up for the fact I was using my oven to heat my apartment in Seattle’s chilly summer, I’d make my own laundry detergent. Well….
Seattle is known for it’s “granola-type” hippy people, and while I generally resist resembling anything too Seattle-ish, I discovered that going green in cleaners, cosmetics, and de-toxing the products I use is actually something that is making my life better. My skin is happier, and I’m happier knowing I’m not slathering my skin with cancer-causing and otherwise irritating chemicals and in turn washing them into our water table.
After much research and testing recipes, I’ve found the wonder detergent to beat out Tide. And it’s only about 3 cents per wash! Combined with an earth-friendly oxygen bleach (like the miracle producing Oxy-clean) for truly tough stains, it’s a killer, yet gentle, detergent.
But don’t you go calling me granola or I’ll serve YOU up on top of some yogurt. :) I prefer “clean and green.” For a great resource along these lines, check out the book No More Dirty Looks. They also have a blog I follow.
Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe:
1 cup washing soda (I buy it at Fred Meyer here, but you should be able to find it at any major grocery chain, or at Ace Hardware online. Some say Target carries it, but I couldn’t find it.)
1 cup baking soda (the stuff you use in cookies)
1 cup borax (in the detergent aisle at Target, usually on a bottom shelf)
1 cup liquid castile soap (the most famous is Dr Bronner’s. Target carries it now, as well as many natural food stores- some even in bulk. If you’re in Seattle, Bartell’s carries Ballard Organics and PCC has it in bulk. I buy the unscented.)
1 cup white vinegar
Mix first 4 ingredients. Once mixed add the vinegar. After foam has died down, dissolve it all with 2 quarts boiling water than dilute this mix with 2 gallons hot water – all in a 3 1/2 gallon bucket. Use about a half cup of the mixture per load (or a quarter cup for front loading washers). Shake or stir before each use.
Note: I saved an old liquid container that’s about 200 fl. oz. and half the recipe so it fits in the jug. It’s easier to shake it up that way.
Fabric Softener:
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar in the rinse cycle (a Downy ball works perfect for this- $1 at Target)
Ah-mazing! I use vinegar for sooo many things! I promise your clothes won’t smell like vinegar. It will clear up the last bit of soap remaining on all your clothes and reduces static.
Fabric Softener for Delicates:
Mix 1 cup vegetable glycerin with 1 gallon water. Add ½ c to the rinse cycle or in a Downy ball.
You can find vegetable glycerin online at WSP, Amazon.com, or at Whole Foods.