For my friends & family who have not tried this I highly recommend it. I made a batch of dry laundry detergant yesterday. I am trying to make changes in my life by going as natural and organic as possible. Some of my "Mary Jane Farmgirls" friends are making their own so I thought I would try it, after reading that
Comercial Laundry detergent contains chemicals that are harmful to the environment and there is often a harmful residue on your clothes after you wash them with regular laundry products.
To check and see if your laundry detergent leaves a residue, wash your clothes, Repeat again with just plain water. Check the water when it's in the wash cycle. If you have residue, you'll see suds in the water. The detergent that didn't get rinsed out, stays on the clothes and comes in contact with your skin. The residue actually will trap some of the dirt and keeps it stuck in your cloths. Your clothes can actually come out dirtier when you use more detergent then you need.
I used white vinegar also in my fabric softener dispenser this time, another helpful hint, and my clothes were as soft as when I used the expensive commercial softner. ( No, my clothes did not smell like pickles.) This discovery will not only help save the planet, my septic tank it will save me money. Try it.. You will be only spending about $.01 a load. The Boarax and the washing soda boost the cleaning action. Baking soda deodorizes, Fels Naptha removes the stains. I found all the ingredients in my grocery store. You could add lavendar or another essential oil for fragrance but I really liked the freshand clean smell as it was.
Aunt Jenny's Laundry Detergent Recipe
(Makes about 2 Gallons dry powder)
3 Bars Fels Naptha Soap (grated)
1 Box Borax
1 Box Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
2 Boxes Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
Grate the soap with a cheese grater
Mix all ingredients together.
For lightly soiled clothes use 1 Tablespoon
For heavy or heavy soiled use 2 Tablespoons
