Okay, Laura...here ya go!
I have been asked SO many questions about the homemade laundry detergent, so I figured I'd just list the answers here for your reference or future reference. I can think of at least 30 people who have made it; many of those have influenced others to make it. I give you those numbers not to brag, but to clarify that the answers below are based upon feedback from people as well as my own experience. I conduct interviews when I hear that someone has made it. Be prepared.
Yes, I still LOVE it. I do not plan to ever use any other form of laundry detergent. It is easy to make and my clothes are soft and clean.
I still use the same recipe. I'd be happy to email it to you in a printable format. However, I want to clarify that I
double the ingredient amounts of SWS and Borax with the same water content listed in the recipe. I don't know if that makes a difference, but why mess with a good thing (it was an accident the first time).
It is the general consensus that Zote soap is the preferred bar soap. Those who used Ivory or another bar soap are not impressed. I know of at least 3 people who have dumped the entire batch made with Ivory.
I make it in a 10 gallon tub, but I use old detergent bottles to dispense it. I use a full Tide lid, which is about 1/2 a cup, in my front loading machine. Be sure to shake it before each use as it can clump up in the tray.
Not only do I use the soap as detergent, I also use it as a stain remover. I take a small amount, rub it into the stain with the bottom of the cup, and let it sit. How long it sits depends on how long it is between loads at my house (can be days!). I have never had a fabric discolor....even safe on khaki, in my experience. I have personally seen it get out the following stains: newborn yellow poop, mud, spaghetti sauce, grape juice, pureed carrot, enchilada sauce (story to follow), grass, grease, cranberry juice, strawberry, blueberry, chocolate, preschool mystery stains, and other unknown stains. I like to fill up a bucket of water and this soap to soak my kitchen dish rags and dish towels. They get extra bright white. The bucket trick also works on hard stains. My friend had a cream colored shirt with an orangish enchilada sauce stain on the front. She had tried 3 stain removers and had washed it several times. This detergent got it out.
This stuff is cheap, folks. Cheap. It is less than 1 cent per load. Not only does it replace the detergent, but it also replaces the stain remover. Further, I have noticed (through experimenting) that the clothes are brighter and whiter if I
don't use Oxyclean in each load. Which is weird, but it is true (anyone else have experience?). I have not had to use bleach in my laundry loads since making this detergent. And my whites are bright white. So, I save money by not having to buy detergent, stain remover, Oxyclean, and bleach. I figure the savings is over $500 a year (just a guess as I am not a mathematician)....not counting the clothes that are saved from ruin because the stains are gone.
It is safe for people with allergies. My niece and nephew have severe eczema, and they are able to wear clothes washed in the detergent. I did a little googling on the subject, and it is actually recommended for people with skin conditions. Interesting.
The detergent, if made according to the recipe, does not have a clean scent. Personally, I like the unscented laundry. As an experiment, I added baby powder essential oil to one batch for Connor's clothes, and it smells wonderful. I will tell you though, it takes quite a bit of oil per Tide bottle, not big tub, to make a significant scent. It's worth it though. Mmmmm....I can smell it right now. I haven't ventured off into other oils, but I plan to at some point.
What am I missing? Feel free to comment or email your experiences. And ask away...I'll try to answer.
**Forgot some things...add the powdered ingredients to the water (not vice versa) or the powders will clump up like rocks. It is safe to use fabric softener with the detergent. I got my essential oils from a friend, but they can be found at health food stores, Central Market, Whole Foods, etc. Don't be surprised if you have to go more than one place to get the ingredients. I found the Zote at Big Lots (have heard Fiesta, Super 1 Foods, and Publix have it); I found the Borax at Walmart or Target; the Super Washing Soda seems to be the pain - I finally found it at a little grocery store here in town, but HEB/Central Market has it as well. And on a rather low note, Jeremy just referred to me at the "Detergent Diva". Signing off...
