I have had my first go at making liquid laundry detergent. I used Rhonda's Down to Earth liquid laundry soap recipe. You can find it on her blog, follow the link:- homemade laundry liquid.
Firstly, I did a trip to Bunnings while out and about the other day, and got Borax and big bucket to make it in. My daughter-in-law has been saving 3 litre empty milk bottles for me to put it in. She will get 2/3's of this batch, as with two small children, their washing out weighs mine many times over.
I gathered up my supplies, opened Rhonda's 'down to earth a guide to simple living' book, pg 124 and started. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy this detergent is to make. As you can see, I used "pure" yellow soap and grated it. Using soap flakes would be easier, not that grating soap is difficult - very important to remember to wash the grater well afterwards, I don't think the kids would like soapy tasting cheese, although it could be funny to watch the expressions on their faces. The soap did look like grated cheese.
I measured out 1.5 litres of water, added the grated soap (1 cup) and heated until dissolved, then added the borax and washing soda, 1/2 cup of each and stirred until it was slightly thick and nearly boiling. I let it sit to cool for a while, stirring occasionally then added it to the bucket which I had already put a couple of litres of cold water into. I topped the bucket up to the 10 litre mark and stirred, and stirred and stirred. I didn't want the mixture separating, and it didn't. Once completely cool, I bottled, wrote on the bottles and that was that. Another chore ticked off my list. Next time I make it, I think I'll add some eucalyptus oil to the mix, as I do love the fresh smell it gives to the laundry.
Firstly, I did a trip to Bunnings while out and about the other day, and got Borax and big bucket to make it in. My daughter-in-law has been saving 3 litre empty milk bottles for me to put it in. She will get 2/3's of this batch, as with two small children, their washing out weighs mine many times over.
I gathered up my supplies, opened Rhonda's 'down to earth a guide to simple living' book, pg 124 and started. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy this detergent is to make. As you can see, I used "pure" yellow soap and grated it. Using soap flakes would be easier, not that grating soap is difficult - very important to remember to wash the grater well afterwards, I don't think the kids would like soapy tasting cheese, although it could be funny to watch the expressions on their faces. The soap did look like grated cheese.
I measured out 1.5 litres of water, added the grated soap (1 cup) and heated until dissolved, then added the borax and washing soda, 1/2 cup of each and stirred until it was slightly thick and nearly boiling. I let it sit to cool for a while, stirring occasionally then added it to the bucket which I had already put a couple of litres of cold water into. I topped the bucket up to the 10 litre mark and stirred, and stirred and stirred. I didn't want the mixture separating, and it didn't. Once completely cool, I bottled, wrote on the bottles and that was that. Another chore ticked off my list. Next time I make it, I think I'll add some eucalyptus oil to the mix, as I do love the fresh smell it gives to the laundry.
