I am kinda obsessed with laundry. Only until about 10 seconds after it comes out of the dryer. I hate folding. So much so that I have to find tricks to make it easier.
Like this trick for folding t-shirts.
And this trick for folding fitted sheets.
I have even been known to safety pin my socks together before washing from time to time. So that I don't have to match them later. True Story.
But I do love laundry. So much so that I read this book. All 500 plus pages. Yes I am a weirdo.
But I do know all about different kinds of stains and the proper way to remove them.
I hate chemicals because they do terrible things to us, like give us cancer.
Most laundry detergent contains a form of NTA. NTA is a substance we may reasonably anticipate to be a carcinogen.
[Source: The Merck Index]
So a couple years ago I changed all my cleaning products to non-chemical homemade stuff. And I will never go back.
It smells better.
And I can trust it.
Not to mention it is cheaper by leaps and bounds.
So you are wondering about my laundry soap recipe huh?
Okay here it is, plain and simple:
Grate one bar of laundry soap, I use Fels Naptha
Add 1 CP Borax + 1 CP Washing Soda and 1/4 CP Baking Soda
Mix and add 1-2 TBSP to your load, depending on size and soil level.
If you trust your food processor you can toss in all the dry ingredients and chop the bar into a few pieces and toss it in. I did this with a coffee grinder and eventually wore it out so I grate by hand these days.
You will notice this recipe does not suds like your old soap. Thats ok, I in fact feel that it is better. 1. Because it leaves no residue to clothes that can be damaging over time and 2. Because the only thing soap is used for in laundry is to break the tension of the water so that the water can more freely move through the fabric and clean it. And clean it will get. I have been using the recipe for well over a year and our clothes come out clean everytime.
An important thing to remember is that you won't get any of those artificial scents with this, so if you really miss that you may want to toss some essential oils in the with the water. But remember clean shouldn't smell like anything. Clean is clean. Scents are just added to life to cover unsavory fragrances.
Also if you prefer a liquid detergent go to my friend Laura's Blog. I prefer storing the dry mixture and had a hard time with the liquid one, but I think that is because I am not a precise person. So if you prefer liquid, give it a try!
A Note on Fabric Softeners:
Fabric Softeners contain 9 chemicals that have been linked to ADD, Alzheimers, MS, Parkinsons, Seizures, and SIDS. If that isn't bad enough to make you think twice, overuse of fabric softener will put a sticky film on your clothes that will block water from flowing through which will not allow it to be cleaned properly. There are some great alternatives out there.
Dryer Balls (or tennis balls): throw a couple in with your towels or blankets and they bounce around fluffing your fabrics right up. I love mine so much I put them in every load.
1 CP of Vinegar used in the same way as any liquid fabric softener will work awesome to soften clothes right up (and make double sure they are squeaky clean)
1/2 CP of Baking Soda if want to let it dissolve into the water before your load also works great to bring on that plush fabric you love.
Grate one bar of laundry soap, I use Fels Naptha
Add 1 CP Borax + 1 CP Washing Soda and 1/4 CP Baking Soda
Mix and add 1-2 TBSP to your load, depending on size and soil level.
If you trust your food processor you can toss in all the dry ingredients and chop the bar into a few pieces and toss it in. I did this with a coffee grinder and eventually wore it out so I grate by hand these days.
You will notice this recipe does not suds like your old soap. Thats ok, I in fact feel that it is better. 1. Because it leaves no residue to clothes that can be damaging over time and 2. Because the only thing soap is used for in laundry is to break the tension of the water so that the water can more freely move through the fabric and clean it. And clean it will get. I have been using the recipe for well over a year and our clothes come out clean everytime.
An important thing to remember is that you won't get any of those artificial scents with this, so if you really miss that you may want to toss some essential oils in the with the water. But remember clean shouldn't smell like anything. Clean is clean. Scents are just added to life to cover unsavory fragrances.
Also if you prefer a liquid detergent go to my friend Laura's Blog. I prefer storing the dry mixture and had a hard time with the liquid one, but I think that is because I am not a precise person. So if you prefer liquid, give it a try!
A Note on Fabric Softeners:
Fabric Softeners contain 9 chemicals that have been linked to ADD, Alzheimers, MS, Parkinsons, Seizures, and SIDS. If that isn't bad enough to make you think twice, overuse of fabric softener will put a sticky film on your clothes that will block water from flowing through which will not allow it to be cleaned properly. There are some great alternatives out there.
Dryer Balls (or tennis balls): throw a couple in with your towels or blankets and they bounce around fluffing your fabrics right up. I love mine so much I put them in every load.
1 CP of Vinegar used in the same way as any liquid fabric softener will work awesome to soften clothes right up (and make double sure they are squeaky clean)
1/2 CP of Baking Soda if want to let it dissolve into the water before your load also works great to bring on that plush fabric you love.
What About Bleach?
Bleach is a respiratory irritant, and doubles the risk of birth defects. Not to mention that it is well known to be corrosive and damaging to clothes and pretty much everything else. Looking for something to whiten clothes? You have three fabulous alternatives (and they won't damage your colors):
Lemon Juice: add a 1/2 CP directly to wash or spray directly on the spot and leave in the sun for a while.
Hydrogen Peroxide: Can be sprayed directly on to clothing (or any other stain out there) or dump a 1/2 CP in with your wash.
Oxygen Bleach (sodium percarbonate and sodium carboante): Non-polluting, biodegradable, and non-toxic this one is also a great, add 2 TBSP to any wash load.
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