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Writer's pictureVicki Liston

Liquid Laundry Soap


DIY isn't always about the satisfaction of making something with your own hands. In some cases, it's simply a matter of laziness. Laundry Soap fits in that category for me. I abhor that moment when I realize the clothes I need to wash NOW need to wait until I leave my house and spend my hard earned money on something that will literally go down the drain. Just awful. A little internet research found me a powdered laundry soap recipe, which I was absolutely thrilled about until I spent an hour hand-grating half of a Fels Naptha bar. Um, no. I needed something much quicker...and something that wouldn't taint everything I grated afterwards with a slight Fels Naptha taste to it (which is not good, by the way).

I did eventually find a liquid laundry soap recipe I almost liked but I felt like it needed a little more power - I had the 'teenage boy factor' to contend with. With a little tweaking, I had a recipe that could tackle his funk while still being simple and eas (and no Fels Naptha!).

Note: I've seen some recipes that include essential oils as a fragrance but after a couple of batches, I quit adding them. Yes, the liquid smells amazing when you open up the bottle but seriously, that expensive oil goes down the drain and your clothes don't retain the smell.

Here's what you need:

* Large empty bottle - I kept the last laundry detergent bottle I ever purchased and I just use it over and over.

* 16 cups of HOT water

* 1 cup of borax

* 1 cup of washing soda

* 1/2 cup of dish soap

* 1/3 cup of baking soda

* Funnel

Add the HOT water to the empty bottle. Cool/cold water won't dissolve as much so I run my tap as hot as possible. If your bottle is clear, mark the level with a sharpie so you don't have to measure it again (another timesaver!). Using the funnel, add all of your ingredients. Cap tightly and turn the bottle over to mix thoroughly.

Use two capfuls for each load.

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