Busy day

Last night I ran out of laundry detergent and dishwashing liquid detergent. Since I am finally out, I decided to get busy making my own because I have had the recipes for a while now. They are super easy and super cheap.

Laundry soap

1 bar fels naphta  -- $0.97 @ walmart – one per batch

½ cup borax  --$ 4.79 @ Smiths – 76 oz box makes abt 10 batches

1 cup washing soda  -- $3.59 @ Smiths – 55 oz box makes abt 5 batches

= abt $2.16 per batch

= abt 160 loads per batch

= abt $0.02 per load

Grate soap with cheese grater (I cheated and used my Kitchenaid attachment). Pour in pot with 4 cups water. Cook on medium heat until soap is mostly melted – just a few tiny chunks is ok. Add to 5 gallon bucket. Add borax and soda. Add hot water until bucket is ½ full. Stir well until mixed and smooth. Add water to almost top of bucket. Stir and put on lid. Stir every few hours throughout day or leave overnight. Stir very well next morning. May have to use hands to break up goopy chunks – very therapeutic J. Pour carefully into a smaller container with measuring lid like fabric softener container or small detergent container. Shake well before each use. Pour one cupful in each load. Will have to use bleach or oxyclean as well to keep whites from graying.

Dishwasher detergent

½ cup kosher salt – $1.25 @ smiths – 48 oz box makes abt 5 batches

1 cup lemi shine – $4.19 @ smiths – 1 container is 1.5 batches

1 cup washing soda – $3.59 @ smiths – 55 oz box is abt 5 batches

1 cup borax – $4.79@ smiths – 76 oz box is abt 5 batches

= $4.72 per batch

= abt 56 loads per batch

= abt $0.08 per load

Mix all ingredients. Let sit with lid off for one day, stirring often. This makes it less clumpy. Use 1 tbsp per load.