We try to do things as naturally as possible both in our home and on the farm. We raise our chickens & turkeys on pasture without added hormones or antibiotics, grow vegetables without using chemicals, wash with ivory soap, and even have our natural hair color {yes, my gray highlights are real}.
So when a friend mentioned that she has started making her own dishwashing and laundry detergent with natural ingredients it peeked my interest. When she added that it is actually cheaper than store-bought I was sold.
So when a friend mentioned that she has started making her own dishwashing and laundry detergent with natural ingredients it peeked my interest. When she added that it is actually cheaper than store-bought I was sold.
I tried the laundry detergent first. I use the recipe from DIY Natural listed below, they also provide great Q&A and step-by-step instruction with photos.
- 1 bar (or 4.5 ounces) of shaved bar soap (a homemade laundry bar, Dr. Bronner’s, Ivory, ZOTE, or Fels-Naptha)
- 1 cup of borax
- 1 cup of washing soda
You can find both borax and washing soda in the laundry detergent aisle of your grocery store.
I hate to grate so I use my slicer/shredder KitchenAid attachment to shave the soap; it takes less than 30 seconds.
I used ivory soap and I doubled the recipe to save some time. I also added 1-cup baking soda (equal parts to washing soda) and I was happier with the results. I read in other recipes that you should add 1/2 cup white vinegar to your rinse cycle and when I did I think it helped the clothes to smell fresh and there was not even a hint of a vinegar smell.
I’m happy with the results and feel confident that if this natural, cheap alternative could get a farmer’s clothes clean it’ll come through for you as well.
Give it a try and share your results with us!
I hate to grate so I use my slicer/shredder KitchenAid attachment to shave the soap; it takes less than 30 seconds.
I used ivory soap and I doubled the recipe to save some time. I also added 1-cup baking soda (equal parts to washing soda) and I was happier with the results. I read in other recipes that you should add 1/2 cup white vinegar to your rinse cycle and when I did I think it helped the clothes to smell fresh and there was not even a hint of a vinegar smell.
I’m happy with the results and feel confident that if this natural, cheap alternative could get a farmer’s clothes clean it’ll come through for you as well.
Give it a try and share your results with us!