apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Here's another how-to link, with pics! I haven't tried this yet, but I'd sure like to. First, though, have to unpack from last month's move, get the boyfriend's old house on the market, etc. Sigh.

http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/15/how-to-make-your-own-laundry-detergent-and-save-big-money/

So easy, so environmentally-friendly and so cheap too! I would advise AGAINST substituting the washing soda with baking soda. They're different enough chemically to make the detergent noticeably less effective.

...and does this work in environmentally-friendly front-loading washing machines?

I made my first batch of this detergent a couple of weeks ago and I'm addicted. It works well and the clothes smell great when they come out. I checked online and read that it's perfect for HE machines because it doesn't suds at all. I would also advise against substituting the washing soda for baking soda though.

I'm allergic to many brands of laundry detergent - does anyone know whether this recipe would be considered hypoallergenic?

Zote's made with coconut oil and tallow. (Yes, animal fat.) I can't bear the smell, myself.--it's citronella oil.

Here's another recipe.

2/3 bar Fels Naptha - grated
2/3 bar Kirks Castile Soap
2 c. washing soda
2 c. borax
1/4 c. glycerin
2 gallons hot water
20-30 drops essential oils (suggested: Rosemary, Lavender, Tea Tree Oil, or Grapefruit Seed Extract - or combination of)

1. Place 1 quart of water into a medium pot over medium heat. Add the soap and stir until melted.

2. Add the Soda and Borax and mix until the mixture thickens.

3. Place one 1/2-gallon of Hot water into a three or four gallon bucket and then pour in the soap mixture and stir well.

3. Add the glycerin and essential oils to the mixture and fill to the two gallon mark on your bucket or simply add another 5 quarts of hot water.

5. The glycerin acts as a stain remover and the essential oils suggested have anti-bacterial and/or antifungal properties.

6. Set in a safe place (out of reach of pets and kids) to cool.

7. Stir and use 1/2 c. to 1 cup per wash load depending on size and level of soiling.

8. Use directly to pretreat stains.

Baking soda and washing soda are not the same thing. Washing soda is impossible to find here in Birmingham so my aunt ordered it online easily. I was just thinking about piccolaserenata8's question the advantage of this detergent is it is about the only soap i have not been allergic to. It leaves no scent or residue on our clothes so no itching and burning like most detergents.

I've made this before. Smells great.