DIY Laundry Essentials

Jeannine Tripp shared a video and her recipes for homemade laundry essentials!

Homemade Laundry Products

Laundry Soap

1/2 bar Fels Naphtha Soap (can use Zote or Dr. Bronners bar soap)
1/2 c. Borax powder
1/2 c. Arm and Hammer Washing Soda
bucket
water

1. Grate bar of soap & put in large sauce pan
2. Add 6 cups water and heat until the soap melts
3. Add Borax and Washing Soda, stir until dissolved
4. Pour 4 cups hot tap water into bucket
5. Add soap mixture and stir together
6. Add another 22 c. hot water and stir until combined
7. Let cool and set up for 12-24 hours

Use 1/2 cup per load (2 tablespoons for front load washers. Add directly to clothes.)

Good idea to double recipe and make it in a 5 gallon bucket.

You can add a few drops of essential oil right into your washer to add fragrance.

For more cleaning power add more Borax to mix (3/4 cup)

Pour into gallon jugs (like Vinegar jug) before it gels up. Shake bit before each load. Sets better on shelf this way.


Spray & Wash Laundry Spot Cleaner

1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup ammonia
1/2 cup liquid laundry soap
1/2 cup water
Mix together in spray bottle. Spray on grease or food spots, or dirty collars and cuffs. Wash garment as usual.

Price at Walmart

Fels Naphtha $.97

Washing Soda $3.97

Borax $3.97

Fabric Softener

Laundry soap has a naturally alkaline pH, which can be a bit harsh for skin. To restore clothes to a pH that is skin friendly, it’s important to rinse with an acid like vinegar. In addition to its pH restoring superpowers, vinegar also softens fabrics, dissolves excess detergent and minerals, and reduces static cling. And don’t worry, your clothes won’t smell sour when they come out of the dryer!

Ingredients:
White vinegar

To Use:
Add 1⁄2 cup to the rinse cycle, or add it to a Downy ball at the beginning of the cycle.

WARNING:
Do not combine with bleach – the two liquids create toxic fumes when mixed.


Scented Dryer Sheets

Here is an easy way to add scent to your laundry! Though these dryer sheets don’t reduce static cling – use homemade fabric softener and/or wool dryer balls for that – they will leave your sheets, shirts, socks and everything in between smelling fresh and clean.

Ingredients/Equipment:
Essential oil (your choice of scent)
Several pieces of cotton or flannel cloth, cut into 4-6 inch squares

To Make:
Cut pieces of fabric into squares. Old t-shirts work great!

To Use:
Run your clothes through an entire dryer cycle. When they’re done place about 8-10 drops of essential oil on a damp cloth and toss it in the dryer for 10-15 minutes on a “no heat” cycle.

Remove, fluff and fold!

Wash dryer sheets every 7-10 loads.

Storage:
Store essential oils away from heat and sunlight, preferably in dark glass bottles or a dark cabinet.