How to: homemade laundry powder and softener
With all of the cleaning products one needs to buy for the house the bill at the supermarket can add up quickly. One thing we cannot go with out – and that can also be quite pricey – is washing detergent and softener.
While this might sound like a small saving, in today’s economic climate saving even a small amount of money each week is worth the effort – and the dollars will add up over a year.
What's more is that using these items from around the home to make your washing needs will save the envorinment too. Here's our recipe for homemade washing powder and fabric softener.
LAUNDRY POWDER
Ingredients
- 1 bar of grated soap (a homemade laundry bar, Dr Bronner’s, Ivory, ZOTE – try and opt for something natural with no nasties)
- 1 cup Borax
- 1 cup baking soda
- 2 cups washing soda
- A large bucket
- An airtight container
Instructions
1. Process (or grate) the bar of soap bar until it is fine.
2. Carefully mix everything together in the large bucket.
3. Transfer to an airtight container and voila you’re done. Use one tablespoon per wash.
FABRIC SOFTENER
Ingredients
- White distilled vinegar
- A bunch of your favourite fresh herbs of your choice (think lavender, rosemary, chamomile, lemon myrtle)
- Essential oil of your choice
- 0.5 to 1 litre sealable glass bottle
Instructions:
1. Pour vinegar into glass bottle.
2. Add in the herbs.
3. Pour in about ten drops of your favourite essentials oil – think about a complementary scent to your herbs. Voila, you’re done. You just need to add ¼ cup to your wash.