Thursday, May 24, 2012

What's the fuss about detergent?

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Well, it's cheaper by comparison and fun to make!

I read up on the different recipes out there, and ended up kinda mixing things up here and there. Here's my recipe: (no photos though, I forgot!)


1 cup Borax
1 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
1 bar of Fels Naptha laundry soap, can substitute with Ivory or any bar soap you like
A big pail with lid (i used an 18liter pail)
  1. Bring 6 cups of water to a boil, then turn down the heat to a bare simmer.
  2. Add in the grated soap bit by bit, stir til no more soap particles left. Make sure its not too hot or it will bubble over the pot sides.
  3. When all is melted, turn off the heat. Add in the Borax and washing soda. Stir til smooth (no more gritty crystals).
  4. Fill the pail slightly more than halfway full of the hottest tap water (cos i'm making 3 gallons = 11 liters). I did this in the bathroom, using the water heater at almost maximum.
  5. Pour the soap mixture into the water, stir well. 
  6. I'm not a fan of the smell this detergent gives, so i added about 15 drops of essential oil (bergamot) per gallon.
  7. Let it sit for 8 hours or overnight. 
  8. After that it would have set into a jelly like consistency, so just stir again to whip it up into a nice liquid.
It is now ready! Just add 1/2 cup to your normal wash, 1 cup for extra soiled wash.

I however would prefer to keep it in a smaller container, and hide this big pail under the sink. So i've added an extra step to this, which is to take out as much as i need to fill a large Ikea glass jar 3/4 full, whip it up in my mixer (also can use the blender for this) and fill the jar with the whipped cream like substance. Add a nice label and i'm done!

If you want to know the technicalities of how much it will save me per year, it continues after the jump.


Wednesday, May 23, 2012

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"It’s important we understand the difference between unconditional affirmation and unconditional love. Unconditional affirmation is what your dog gives you. He never challenges your right to be the center of your own universe. Love is not like that." ~ Ashley Null