I have this HUGE stubborn streak in me…

When people tell me I can’t…I laugh, and do it anyways.  When people tell me “that’s just not how things work,” I ask “Why not?”  When people tell me that there’s not another way, I find one.

And, although I don’t mind sometimes being dependent on someone else for something, I like to know that at any time I would be JUST FINE should I cut off that tie that binds us.  And, so…one day as I stared at the rising prices of things, I wondered what would happen if retailers across the world should decide to inflate prices in something so simple, so “needed” as laundry detergent.  What would happen if Laundry Detergent EVERYWHERE went from $12 a box/jug to $30.  Would you still pay it?

I wouldn’t, and I wouldn’t be wearing dirty clothes either.  Why?  Because I can make my own.

And, not that our prices will be inflated like crazy any time soon, but making your own detergent can not only give you a sense of pride and power, but it can also save you quite a lot of money – and, did I mention it’s HEALTHIER?  (It is.)

Here’s how to do it:

LAUNDRY DETERGENT 

Here’s what you need:
- 1 bar of soap ( I bought Zest.  And, next time…I think I’d get something else…you know, after I use up what I have)
- 1 box of washing soda (In small towns, this can be TRICKY to find.  It’s Arm and Hammer brand and you may have to call around to smaller grocery stores (mom and pop variety) if you can’t find it at your local shopping stops)
- 1 box of borax (You don’t have to use this…but it kicks it up a bit.  Just be careful with it.)
- A five gallon bucket with a lid
- Three gallons of tap water
- A big spoon to stir the mixture with
- A measuring cup
- A knife

Step One: Put about four cups of water into a pan on your stove and turn the heat up on high until it’s almost boiling. While you’re waiting, start making soap shavings with that knife of yours.  Keep the heat below a boil, add the soap, then stir the hot water until the soap is dissolved.

Step Two: Put three gallons of hot water (11 liters or so) into the five gallon bucket (think three 1-gallon milk jugs).   Then, mix in the hot soapy water from step one, stir it for a while, then add a cup of the washing soda. Keep stirring it for another minute or two, then add a half cup of borax if you are using borax. Stir for another couple of minutes, then let the stuff sit overnight to cool.

Use one measuring cup of this stuff per load (or so).  Out of 3 gallons, you’ll get about 48 loads of laundry.  If you make more than one batch, you’ll start seeing some HEFTY savings.

We used this recipe and I thought it worked fine.  Although, admittedly…it turns out I don’t like Zest that much (the scent).  So, next time…I’d definitely use something else.  Steven, of course, prefers HIGHLY PERFUMED soap so he was a bit miffed when his shirts came out smelling like fabric and not the Queen’s garden.  Next time, I may just keep some body spray near the dryer and spritz his load.  He’ll never know…until the alcohol in it begins leaving marks (or he reads this post).

Welcome back!